Hi,
I’m usually a do it yourself kind of traveler. I’m recently back from two weeks solo in Germany and Austria. But I’m now planning on The Best of Eastern Europe tour in a few years. What advise do you have for transitioning to the tour mindset?
Also I’m a huge zoo lover. Is the free time enough to visit zoos?
I went on my first 2 tours *Best of Istanbul and Best of Turkey) last month, after several years of solo travels.
I was anxious before the tour about how I'd handle a group tour. The combination of free time during the tour and entirely free days before and after made it quite enjoyable.
And I recognized in the first few days that I just never could have planned so much, so efficiently, on my own. All told, I gained much more than I gave up.
Next time, I'll plan even more independent travels before and after the tour.
Hi Julie,
I have done both RS tours as a couple, as a solo, and I’ve traveled on our own itineraries with my husband and also done solo itinerary travel. They are all wonderful!
I would suggest that you plan to get a single supplement room since you’re used to having your own room in a hotel. Then you can go to sleep on your schedule and have some quiet space if you wish during the day.
You will already be used to looking up info ahead of time for your locations. That’s a huge advantage! Keep doing that because it’s great to have a plan for what you want to do during your free time. I think you would have time for a zoo if it’s near the city location where the group is staying.
One advantage to really embrace is getting to know your fellow travelers on night one. There’s a meet & greet that first evening, and the people on tours are a lot of fun. Don’t be shy with getting to know them and having fun together at group meals, etc.
If possible add a few days ahead of time to acclimate or see another nearby location. If you have any flight hiccups, you won’t miss your tour days.
I found myself pondering the phrase, “tour mindset” and what exactly that means. Perhaps it is similar to the growth mindset, where one knows that one is always capable of learning. What if a tour mindset is merely the willingness to try new things, new ways of travel , and keep learning?
Look at the tour as a new adventure, and learn how to travel with a group. I like the ideas put out so far about Single Supplement, planning your free time, and purposely reaching out to make connections. I would add try the things you wouldn’t have planned for yourself. Move yourself a little out of your comfort zone.
I’m a mostly-solo traveler who occasionally sees value in tours, especially when I only want a faster-paced overview efficiently, or in more ‘exotic’ distinctions.
This may sound silly, but… I’m one of those people who doesn’t talk much/at all in the first hour or two of the day. Protecting this peaceful time in important to my happiness, and thusly my ability to enjoy my time on a tour. I’ve been known to make self-deprecating jokes to make it clear to tour-mates to leave me alone at breakfast. Usually it only take a few days before I find my fellows in silence, and quietly join them every morning. The whole group soon learns that I’m quite affable after 9:30 or so.
There are pros and cons to both types off travel. Some people prefer individual travel, some people prefer tours and others like both.
The tour mindset is very simple. Look at the itinerary. That is what you will be doing. You may like some of it, you may not like some of it.
Do your own research so you know what you want to do during free time. This is especially true if you want to do something that the tour doesn't get to. You can opt out of any activity or meal as long as it doesn't interfere with the group's timetable. Talk it over with your guide who will know if what you want to do is feasible. (Twice, I left the group for the day to do my own thing and took the train to our next stop. I actually arrived at the hotel before the group.)
You won't know if you are a tour person until you take one. Afterwards, if you're not sure, make a list of the pros and cons. Then you can decide.
The suggestion of adding a few days before and after your tour is an excellent one. You are an experienced solo traveler so you don't need your hand held. And pay for the single supplement.
Hi Julie,
I took my first tour in October 2019 - Best of Ireland 14 days. I was not sure what to expect so I was quite apprehensive. I booked a single room because I am on the shy side and I knew I would want to have my own space to unwind and do what I want in the evening. I made it a point to sit with different people at breakfast or other meals together to get to know everybody. Very soon I was traveling with 24 friends, many of whom I am still in contact with. There was plenty of free time to explore on my own and I was really impressed with how much I got to see on the tour. I doubt I could have managed to do all of it traveling independently as Ireland is mostly rural and does not have a good transportation system within the country like other European countries do. Add extra days before and after and you’ll be golden.
Julie, I traveled independently for several years, and also taken 4 RS tours. I've visited a few of the same places on my own that were later on the tours. I realized how much I missed the first time on my own, because I didn't know the where and how of seeing them, and spent too much time on my logistics and fretting about my budget. The tour makes you time-efficient, while the free time lets you go back and see what interests you.
The things I think people have trouble with, are socializing and being on someone else's schedule. First of all, there is no forced socialization. You dont have to do everything together. The dinners are just dinner, not party events (unless you want to). People sit together, eat, and leave when done. The coach rides are quiet time for many. I am definitely not a socializer, but I had no issue finding my place in the group.
As far as the schedule, yeah, many people struggle with getting up and getting ready on time. No way around that. The tour guides usually have appointments (for museum entry, or to meet local guides, for example), and cant afford to wait for you. On days you are moving from city to city, you can't be late for the bus. They know how long it takes to get from one place to the other, and have planned accordingly. So drag yourself to the coach if necessary and sleep on the ride. If you're not a morning person, this means getting up extra early, skipping the late night partying, or, if necessary, skipping a mornings event.
If I was doing a tour on my own, I would also cough up for the single supplement. For one reason: snoring. Whether its you or the other person(s), its not pleasant.
We have relied on tours to places that are “exotic “ or depend on a lot of travel between sites/countries. The Eastern Europe tour fits the second category. It’s the only RS tour I have taken and was very happy with the introduction to all of the countries included. It’s a good choice for a tour. Exotic places include much of Asia, Africa and even South America. Most of our travels have been independent. I have enjoyed both forms of travel.
Others have provided great info on your first inquiry, so I'll touch on the zoo question. The only zoo I've visited in Europe is the one in Budapest and for me it was an enjoyable half day experience. I wouldn't say I'm a zoo lover, so you might wish for more time, but for me an afternoon was enough time to wander through and enjoy the animals and the pretty architecture of the buildings.
I have done the Eastern Europe tour and seem to recall that we had a couple of afternoons free in Budapest. I did the zoo on a different trip to Budapest (loved the city so much I wanted to go back) but I think you would be able to dedicate one of your free afternoons on tour to visiting the zoo if that's how you wanted to spend your time. It was very easy to get to via the metro and a short walk.
Another vote for the single supplement. I love the social time on a tour BUT I also am very protective of having private time. I need to have quiet time away from the group and I can do this with a single room.
I also tend to be a little shy (those that know me will probably not believe that, lol!) and I make it a goal to try and sit with everyone on the tour at various meals. RS travelers are generally very interesting people!
Julie, one more comment. I completely understand your comment about “transitioning to the tour mindset”. I just returned from a 3 1/2 week solo trip to less-touristy cities in Italy and was wondering during that trip if I could ever go back to taking a tour. There’s so much freedom when you plan your own itinerary, spend so much time researching & anticipating the locations yourself, find new activities to stretch your learning (I had two private outdoor painting classes in Bergamo this time!). You become responsible for the outcome of your trip. I still remember the first time I took a train from a town in France that had some English-speaking tourists to a town where I would likely be one of few, if any. (I studied French on-line over Winter & Spring since I was newly retired.) It was a moment pause of challenge with a rush of adrenaline & excitement! I read a quote once that really resonates with me, “Solo travel is empowering, renewing, intellectually challenging and gives you the opportunity to reintroduce yourself to yourself.”
So, don’t expect the same experience traveling with a tour. Look for the advantages - the social, the private guide knowledge, the variety of food options during group meals that you miss during a solo trip.
Okay........this may fall under "having your own schedule," but, the only real issue that has sort of had us stressing a bit is when the tour bus needs to leave at X time, and five minutes before that time, spouse needs to do his "morning business." We were a minute or two late one time on a RS tour because of that...and then hard to explain "hubby needed to ________"
Another time, on a shore excursion from a small ship in Quebec, my husband really needed to find a bathroom because he had too much coffee that morning (lesson learned in that). The leader of that group walking tour was not having it, just telling him to wait. We excused ourselves from the tour, and I dashed up to the large hotel there (cannot recall the name right now) and FOUND a bathroom for him. The tour leader was aghast that we left (but she was not being realistic with his need)...luckily the group had walked from the ship, and we knew we would find our way back without problem.
Another time on a group shore excursion off another much nicer high-end small ship brand, an elderly gentleman really needed a bathroom while visiting the area where the shops are in Mykonos....the tour leader kept telling him they could not use shop bathrooms and to "just wait." The man asked about 5 times, really needing "to go." I think had that been my husband, we would have handed a shopkeeper $20 and begged.
So, that is very personal stuff, but it can happen to anyone.....be it a young lady needing a "that time of month" personal time, or an older guy with timing not perfect for the tour bus meet-up.
Otherwise, we have always enjoyed our group tours.....and great guides always advise of bathroom breaks, etc.
Granted on the RS Tours, there is a bathroom on the bus, but I will never forget how one dear young lady was "sort of group shamed" about using the bathroom, after the RS guide for the "Heart of Italy" (or whatever it was called) tour had pretty much begged people to NOT use the bus restroom so the driver would not have to have the tank emptied for one or two uses........so there is that, too. The shaming was done with some humor, but still!!
I agree with the advice above that if traveling as a party of one, get a solo room. After a long day, the wrong roommate could be grating. Heck, spouses can be too.....LOL, but love over-arches.
What advise do you have for transitioning to the tour mindset?
Perhaps think of it as moving from a house to a condo. Some 'restrictions' but a lot of stuff is taken care of by someone else.
One other thought pops to mind. The kid says "I don't want to eat that. I don't like". The parent asks, "Have you tried it?"
The kid says "No". The parent then says "How do you know you don't like it if you haven't tried it?"
There are trade-offs, and everyone has their own tipping point, as to what is preferable.
Also I’m a huge zoo lover. Is the free time enough to visit zoos?
The RS tours have a nice amount of free time, so you should have time to do that.
Granted on the RS Tours, there is a bathroom on the bus.
Just to clarify for those who may be reading this, not all RS buses are equipped with bathrooms. Ours in Turkey was not and I think it depends on the bus company used for each tour.
In that regard, one tour member mentioned that she declined to make use of a tour rest stop and she wouldn't be making that mistake again. Her tour mindset became "use the facilities at every opportunity."
"use the facilities at every possible opportunity" isn't just a tour concept. I'm pretty sure it has been my travel rule for years.......
Ha, use the facilities, yes! One of Peter's mantra's on the BOEE tour was 'go when you can and not when you need to'
The bathroom issue is very important to me because my husband has Crohn’s. We’ve never done a tour and have traveled many places on our own. When my husband has to go, there’s no waiting for when it’s convenient. I’ve been considering trying a tour but now this has me doubting that possibility.
Been on 8 tours and there has never Not been a bathroom on board. Are they encouraging everyone to use it? Heck no. Stopping every 2 hours (by law) gives plenty of opportunities to go but there has always been a bathroom onboard to use on an emergency.
@ lisaam0213, on the RS tour, you are normally only on the coach when traveling between cities. They try to encourage you to only use the onboard toilet in emergencies, because they don't have good opportunities to dump the holding tank or have it cleaned while the tour is ongoing. So it can smell. And slosh. And the driver often keeps his personal stuff in there. Nevertheless, we're all adults and know what an emergency is.
If I had Crohn's my concern would be more the daily walking time, getting from hotel to the days sights, and so forth. Thats normally on foot or metro. The tour won't be able to stop and wait, or necessarily find places for you on the way, so you could be left behind. That's ok if you are savvy enough to get around and catch up to the group on your own. But its a consideration for sure.
Jean, will you be writing another post vacation report? Yours are so interesting and helpful.
Zoos are fun and are enjoyed by local families. We stumbled upon the Prague zoo. It was a nice small place. The zebras were braying loudly and the polar bear jumped high out of the water right next to us. Definitely go there if you take the Eastern Europe tour.
I too am a solo traveler. This year, I've been on two RS tours (Heart of Portugal & Best of Sicily). I will still travel independently, but I must say that the RS tours are fabulous. There was free time as well as some outstanding experiences that would have been more difficult or expensive if traveling solo. My HoP tour was the first one in two years, and it was clear that the tour director had a longstanding relationship with the families who owned the cork farm and the wine quinta. They greeted each other as old friends.
I did have a roommate on the first tour who was a regular RS tour member and filled me in on how RS tours work. Julie, my roommate, was a hoot and we got along fine. I am an extrovert and enjoyed the company. On the Sicily tour, I was alone. I enjoyed the tours both ways. For you, I would recommend the solo supplement if you prefer more "alone" time.
On each tour, the schedule for the next day was posted by dinner the night before so I knew what time I needed to be at the bus. Most days were between 8:30 and 9AM so not a 7am bus. Being on the bus on time was the most stringent rule as it would affect the schedule for the rest of the day. On both tours, people were on time for the bus. There is a lot of space to spread out on the bus so I had a double-seat to myself. Enjoyed my alone time there. And yes, although the bus had a toilet, we were asked not to use it except for an absolute emergency. That said, we stopped often for breaks and I agree, when those break times come, do your business even if you don't feel you need to.
Camaraderie between tour members grew quickly. I had an unfortunate fall down the stairs of a church in Siracusa, and everyone jumped to my aid very quickly (thankfully a retired doctor and a nurse were on the tour), and from that point in the tour onwards, everyone was looking out for Deb.
What I Learned:
While I am still a solo traveler at heart, I found RS tours a welcome alternative. Although not confirmed yet, I am looking at another RS tour next summer - possibly Best of the Adriatic or Best of Scandinavia.
I only traveled solo prior to my first Rick Steves tour in 2019. The best pieces of advice I can give you is to a.) pack light and b.) be prepared to move quickly. You won't stay in most cities for more than two nights. The great thing about this though is that if there's a place you like, you can certainly go back by yourself in the future. I would also highly recommend getting your own room versus sharing with someone else. That'll give you time to decompress from being with the group all day.
There is free time here and there, but you'll have to determine which zoos you want to visit and if there will be enough free time in those particular cities.
