The Surprising Freedom of Premium Guided Travel
Don't fear the bus!
Like most things in life, my wife talked me into it. Ten days on a bus with people I don’t know?! “You’ll like it”, she said. All I could think of was dozens of sweaty tourists invading kitschy gift shops. Would this be me? I mean, come on….. I am not a tourist! I am much too sophisticated to be a tourist. (I’m from Stow, Ohio for goodness sake.) Can’t we just book an Airbnb and wing it with a rental car. Isn’t that what the cool kids do? We can hang with the locals. Right?
Susana with our wonderful Croatian guide (and now friend) Alan. He brought the Dalmatian Coast to life for us!
So that’s how it started, and that’s how I got hooked. It wasn’t sweaty. And it wasn’t kitschy. The bus was more like the first-class cabin of an airliner then the “high school band-trip bus” I was expecting. The food and lodging were spectacular. Our guide and driver were incredible. Several years later, I still correspond with them, and am so grateful for our experiences. Furthermore, I correspond and maintain friendships with the other couples that we traveled with on that trip and many others. So thanks to Susana for introducing me to my new favorite way of discovering the world and making new friends. (Note: I actually do like poking around kitschy souvenir shops occasionally.)
Why we love premium guided travel......
We have a lot of choices when we travel. Once we decide on a destination, one of the main questions is if we want to approach it independently or as part of a guided experience. There are a number of factors that go into this decision, and I will cover a few of them below. There’s no right or wrong way to travel (so long as you don’t wear black tube socks).
It’s the 2020’s and guided tours have gotten pretty upscale and sophisticated. You have an endless variety of options to choose from. Here are some key points to consider regarding guided travel experiences:
Bringing history to life.
Is this your first time at a destination? If it is, you will often be better off with a guided itinerary to get the most out of your experience. If you go back to visit again, you will have the option to focus on some particular aspect of the country (region or activity) independently.
Is value important to you? Guided tours offer great value. First of all, you are leveraging the tour company’s relationships to get great pricing. Secondly, the price you pay is usually comprehensive. Think about it. You are getting ground transportation, lodging, experiences, guide/concierge services (and typically meals) throughout your trip. Its great peace of mind to know that the cost of your trip is not going to take you by surprise.
Do you value stress-free travel? That’s not a rhetorical question. Some people like the excitement of figuring it all out by themselves. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, but I can assure you it is full of surprises….and not all of them good. The guided experience does not require any logistical concerns on your end. It’s easy and allows you to focus completely on the joy of your journey.
Lunch with new friends.
Efficiency. This word does not come up a lot in the context of travel planning, but I believe it is critical. If you have an unlimited amount of time to travel, then doing it on your own might make sense. The truth, however, is that most of us have a limited amount of time when we travel. It’s important that (without being rushed) we get the most out of our experiences. The guided approach ensures that we don’t waste time. (This feature is near and dear to me when I look back at all the time and money I have wasted over the years in far flung places trying to figure it out on my own.)
Connection. This word is pertinent in two ways. First of all, I truly value the friendships I build with my fellow travelers. I find that most of them share my worldview and curiosity. As I mentioned above, I establish friendships on these journeys that stand the test of time. Another context in which “connection” is important is how you get to relate to the place you are visiting. Having that “local guide” with you to serve as a bridge to local people makes all the difference. It offers a path to stress-free engagement with new places, friends, food, and cultures.
Why we choose Insight.....
There are many organizations that offer guided journeys. At Kilometer One, our preferred partner is Insight Vacations. Here are some of the reasons that we choose Insight for our own travel, as well as recommending them to our clients. (Click the hyperlinks in light grey to learn even more.)
Connecting you in meaningful ways.
The people. Insight is part of a travel family (The Travel Corporation) that is over 100 years old. As a family owned and operated company, they take exceptional care in hiring and training their team members. From the executive team to their drivers and guides, they put clients first, always. Laurent Millet is a great example of the type of guide (travel director) that you can expect on your Insight Journey.
Focus on experiences. For me, travel is about connecting to people and places through experiences. That might be a cooking class, a visit to a vineyard, or a conversation with an artist. The possibilities are endless, but the bottom line is that travel is a 360 degree experience. Insight gets this and has curated a world-class set of experiences for their guests.
Flexibility. From group size, to duration, to destination, and activity levels, Insight has a journey tailored for you. Journeys are divided into three general categories. Discovery Journeys serve as an introductory itinerary. Let’s say you want to visit a continent or country for the first time. A Discovery Journey would introduce you to all of the principal destinations. Meanwhile, a Regional Journey might be a perfect itinerary for your second visit, focusing on a specific part of the country. Finally, the Country Roads Journeys focus on getting off the beaten path and diving even deeper into specific regions.
Connecting to local cuisine.
Comfort. As Americans, we are a bit reticent about bus travel. It starts from the beginning when we get stuck in school buses, and honestly, even our commercial bus services in the United States can often leave something to be desired in terms of comfort. It’s a real surprise for us to board a bus (coach) in Europe or other parts of the world. It’s a different animal for sure. Comfortable seating, restrooms, entertainment, wifi, and high standards of cleanliness create a very pleasant environment. Insight goes a step further by reorganizing seating to provide an even more comfortable experience. #DontFearTheBus
Great food and lodging. Insight includes premium accommodations in great locations at all points along their itineraries. (By the way, do not underestimate the value of having your tour director check you in and having your bags delivered to your room at every location. No lines. No stress.) Insight also recognizes that food is often at the heart of the journey, offering a wide variety of high quality, authentic culinary experiences with an emphasis on locally-sourced cuisine.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly, is that Insight gives back globally. Beyond their proven long-term commitment to sustainable travel, Insight co-founded and generously supports The TreadRight Foundation to ensure a positive impact on many of the areas that their guests visit. When we make decisions about travel, it’s important that we support organizations like Insight that are making a difference. #MakeTravelMatter
These are just a few of the reasons that we love Insight. Let us know how we can help you select your next Insight Journey!
