Travel Notes

Linda Strait is president of House of Travel Inc., a full-service travel agency in Springfield.

Ask anyone to describe an organized tour and they will probably paint the picture of a motor coach ride through Europe with 40 other Americans they don't know. This common stereotype has people believing that in order to take advantage of cost savings and convenience, they must give up independence and adventure.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Today's tours offer flexibility, independence and freedom, as well as group savings (even if you are traveling alone), and accommodations that are dependable. There are four basic types of tours: escorted, packaged, modular and independent.

With escorted tours you travel with the same group of people, with a guide and on a set itinerary. You often do have time on your own, and the tours are by no means limited to motor coaches. Escorted tours might be a biking trip through France, a raft trip in Colorado or an African safari.

Packaged tours also have set itineraries and pre-booked hotels, but you don't travel with a group or guide. You usually do have arrangements for airport pick-ups, some sightseeing tours, but you are on your own. An example of this type of tour would be a Disney World package, an all-inclusive resort, such as Club Med or a hosted tour in Europe.

But if you don't want to stick to anybody's schedule, consider an independent tour. With independent tours, you are getting the convenience of a tour company's knowledge about a particular area and services for making reservations.

Whether you travel on your own or with a group, the advantages of planning a trip with an established tour company are cost savings and the security that the accommodations and activities have been checked out and approved by people knowledgeable about the area.

An organized tour does not necessarily mean low budget. Trips are offered in several categories, from budget to deluxe.

A trip can be high priced, but still a bargain if you compared it to planning the same tour on your own. Staying at the finest hotels, eating in fine restaurants and having a private driver can be less expensive if booked with a company that buys in bulk, or guarantees year-round business to suppliers. You also have the advantage of knowing more about your expenses up front so that you can better budget your trip.

Once you decide on the kind of tour you want to take, ask your travel agent for suggestions on tour companies that offer these trips (not all tour companies offer modular or independent options). Compare the fine print between companies to see what each includes, whether or not they offer a trip protection plan, and if they are bonded or have liability insurance.