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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, 7 best small group tour companies for international travel around the world.

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Talita

The best rated tour companies specialized in small group travel (with tips to save on your bookings). Tour companies for all types of travelers: solo traveler, adventure, exotic/hard-to-reach destinations, luxury, young, singles, party, family, etc. Plus, pros and cons so you can compare organized group trips with independent traveling.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 1. The 5 Best International Tour Group Companies
• 1.2 2. Should I Travel with a group or by myself?
• 1.3 3. Pros of Traveling with a Group Tour
• 1.4 4. Cons of Traveling with a Group Tour
• 1.5 5. How to Choose the Best Tour for Me?
• 1.6 6. How Should I Prepare for my Group Tour?
• 1.7 7. Quick Summary
• 2.2   1. G Adventures
• 2.4   2. Intrepid
• 2.6   3. Contiki
• 2.8   4. Young Pioneer Tours
• 2.10   5. Tourradar
• 3.2   7. Trafalgar Tours
• 3.3 BONUS: Solo Female Travelers Tours
• 4.1 Pros of Traveling with a Group Tour
• 5 Cons of Traveling with a Group Tour
• 6 How Do I Choose the Best Tour and Group Travel Company for Myself?
• 7.1 A super quick summary:
• 8 Planning your next trip?

1.  The 5 Best International Tour Group Companies

2.  should  i travel with a group or by myself , 3.  pros of traveling with a group tour, 4.  cons of traveling with a group tour, 5.  how to choose the best tour for me , 6.  how should i prepare for my group tour , 7.  quick summary.

To travel independently? Or to travel as part of the group? That is the (cheesy) question!

Okay, if you know this website/blog, you’ll know that it focuses on tips for independent world travel (without an excursion or tour) that let you travel long-term even if you are on a tight budget. It’s just that you need the time and planning to be able to prepare an entire trip yourself.

But I know that some people either don’t like or don’t have the time to prepare all that they need for a trip by themselves ( flights , accommodation , itinerary , transportation , travel insurance , etc….).

In this case, my suggestion is to travel as part of a group tour. Then, basically all the most important parts of your trip will already be taken care of and organized and all you’ll have to do is relax and enjoy.

And there’s nothing wrong with traveling as part of a tour group (even if that’s not something we usually focus on here). You still can have a travel experience that is incredible, all-encompassing, and authentic whether you go on your own or with a tour.

The problem is knowing which company and type of tour to do.

I say this because there are “TOUR GROUPS,” and there are “ tour groups .” In other words, not all tour companies around the world are created equally. And that’s why below we selected some of the best-known and highest-rated tour companies on the market. In other words, they are great travel alternatives if backpacking during your holidays isn’t really your thing.

(But if you want to save money or travel on a tight budget, just keep in mind that it will almost always be a lot cheaper to travel independently. If that’s more your aim, then just follow the sequence on this page to begin planning your next trip yourself.)

The 5 Best Tour Companies for International Travel Around the World

  1. g adventures.

G Adventures type of tours: Fun, relaxed or adventure trips

G Adventures is one of the biggest tour companies for small group travel in the world. They focus on adventure travel at a relatively low cost compared to other companies. They have more than 650 different excursions/adventure tours on all 7 continents! Yes, even to Antarctica (just in case anyone forgot this was a continent ?) and the Arctic (though this doesn’t get to be a continent because it’s basically just a block of ice ☹). And they have guided tours of all kinds: Active, YOLO (for young people aged 18-39), Family, Classic, etc…in other words, you’ll definitely find a tour that’s right for you!

And I, personally, really like the way they give the search results – with maps and tour itineraries – that show you exactly what you’re going to do. This makes it easy to compare different tours.

  2. Intrepid

Intrepid type of tours: Fun, relaxed or adventure trips

Along with G Adventures, Intrepid is another one of the biggest international tour operators for adventure travel on the market, offering more than 800 itineraries around the planet. With them, you’ll travel in small groups of lots of adventure and minimal frills. In some cases, depending on the type of excursion (such as a camping excursion), it’s expected that you’ll help prepare dinner together with the other travelers. Don’t worry, all will be explained and led by your guide!

I did a tour similar to this in the middle of the desert in Australia and it was awesome! It helps you build a connection with your group which makes the tour that much better. And like G Adventures, Intrepid also has tours of all kinds such as Family, Biking, Wildlife, etc…it’s hard not to find something you like.

  3. Contiki

Contiki type of tours: trips with a focus on partying, having fun and relaxing

Contiki is famous for organizing guided trips for young people aged 18-35 (they are actually one of the tour companies that don’t allow people outside this range). And they are well-known by one thing: the parties!

With Contiki, a day of visiting tourist attractions in Europe or Australia will usually end in partying, booze and uh…..well, there’s a reason some people call it Sextiki. I’m not saying this based on my opinion, but just google around and you’ll find the same thoughts.

So, Contiki may not be for everyone…but if you’re are traveling alone and beyond tourism also want to meet people from around the world and party, Contiki is the tour company for you! There’s a reason why their catchphrase is #NOREGRETS.

But this doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy Contiki if traveling as a couple or if you aren’t a big partier, but you should know upfront kind of what to expect.

They have tour groups going to the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Latin America, etc…but they are especially awesome for European tours. 

Special Promotional Coupon Code for Contiki: PPASIALMD526

  4. Young Pioneer Tours

(mention code DPRKOUT )

YPT type of tours: low-key trips to exotic and hard to reach places

If you’ve read our article about How to Visit North Korea on a Budget , you’ll see that we visited one of the world’s most closed-off countries with Young Pioneer Tours. This is because YPT is a tour company that specializes in, according to them, “budget tours to destinations your mother would rather you not go to.” Places like Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Iran, Transnistria (actually, I visited this last one by myself in one of my Europe trips and wrote about it here ), and other infamous places that are difficult for tourists to get to.

So if you are on the lookout for adventure and uncommon destinations, I’d recommend taking a look at their website.

When booking with Young Pioneer Tours, mention the code DPRKOUT while making your booking to get a free t-shirt and an exclusive North Korea travel guide. Also valid for trips to destinations beyond North Korea.

  5. Tourradar

Tourradar type of tours: tour search engine with all kinds of excursions and travel packages

Unlike the options above, Tourradar doesn’t actually offer their own tours. Instead, they are a big aggregator (or online marketplace) that lists guided tours from companies around the world.

On the website, you can search for and book group tours/packages from more than 500 different operators.

So, if you want to make things easy, just put in the destination you’d like to visit, the month, and the year and Tourradar will give you a gigantic list of guided tour options of all kinds. 

During your search, you can also filter by price, duration, age range, style, etc…which makes finding affordable tours pretty easy. 

Something that I think is really cool about Tourradar is that they have a section with the best festival tours around the world – like the Tomatina in Spain, Exit in Serbia, Oktoberfest in Germany, and even tours to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro!!

Win a free trip with Tourradar!

Another great thing about them is that they are always giving away free trips. To enter in one of the contests, just click this link here  or the picture below, put in your name and email….and that’s it! Good luck!!

  6. Encounters Travel

Encounters Travel Type of Tours: Innovative tours to open-minded people

Encounters Travel is an English company with more than 50 years of experience. The company’s focus is saving money combined with the enjoyment of its customers, considering the cultural aspects of each country.

So to not exclude anyone, the groups have a maximum of 20 travelers, in addition to offering a private tour service, where prices can be a little more expensive, but ideal for those who prefer to travel alone.

With Encounters Travel, it is also possible to customize excursions, in case you are in a group of friends who want to deviate a little from the itinerary planned by the company. They are great for college, school, clubs or association outings.

The company’s website is super intuitive, divided into several categories that make it easier to decide the perfect trip for you. There’s also a section of the site dedicated to booking last-minute trips, in case you’re one of those people who doesn’t like to plan too far in advance!

  7. Trafalgar Tours

Trafalgar type of tours: exclusive travel focused on luxury, convenience, and comfort for selective travelers

Well, as you probably already know, this website/blog isn’t exactly focused on guided trips of luxury and comfort. But, although the tour companies listed above will already be a lot more comfortable than an independent trip weighed down with your own backpack, they tend to attract travelers that are a bit more adventurous and low-key.

But if your travel style is more about relaxing, luxury, and comfort, I recommend you check out Trafalgar. Trafalgar is one of the oldest, most renowned, and exclusive tour operators in the world. They offer more than 230 different itineraries around the world that can also be tailor-made for even the most selective of travelers.

If this sounds like you, take a look at their site and get a tour quote to see if the options are to your taste and style.

BONUS: Solo Female Travelers Tours

SFT Tours type of tours: excursions around the world in small groups for women only

Solo Female Travelers Tours is a women’s company that caters exclusively to the female audience. The intent of this is to create comfortable, safe, and reliable adventures for their clients in places that would not normally be very accessible to solo travelers.

SFT Tours has small group tours to Iceland, Tuscany, Tanzania, Sudan, Mongolia, and Antarctica. Their trips are quite varied, ranging from luxury tours in the Italian countryside to extreme adventures like climbing Kilimanjaro and motorcycle expeditions through Mongolia (see here 25 Interesting Things I Learned While Traveling in Mongolia ).

By booking an expedition with them you will be connected with other women traveling solo, which is a great opportunity to create new friendships. All Solo Female Travelers Tours prioritize companies created and led by women with a mission to help empower women around the world.

So, should I travel with a tour group or by myself?

Pros of traveling with a group tour.

• As mentioned above, almost everything will be organized for you . So, just relax and enjoy!
• If you don’t want to travel alone but don’t have a friend or family member to go with you, going with a pre-arranged group will take care of that.
• You can feel safer because you’ll always be with a guide. In other words, you won’t find yourself lost in the middle of the city or getting cheated by that taxi driver in Santiago del Chile while in an escorted tour.
• You can access places that are almost “closed” to independent tourists. As an example, we had to visit North Korea with a tour – we explain it here if you want to do the same. The same thing is true of Iran for American and British citizens.
• It’s easier to get a visa for certain countries. In other words, it’ll often be easier to apply for a visa and have it approved if you already have a tour booked and paid for.
• Group tours are a great way to meet people and make friends from around the world! Since the tour companies are international, you won’t just be traveling with people from your own country (you can do that at home) . You can find 11 tips to make friends while traveling in our article here .
• Most of the recommended tour companies here give you some “me time” that’ll let you have some time to explore on your own during the tour. But in some places, like North Korea , this won’t be true as you must always be with a guide. Remember that there’s also the possibility of doing extra travel tours during those “me time” periods if you prefer.
• It’s guaranteed that you’ll stay in quality and pre-reserved accommodations (so you don’t have to worry about sleeping on a bench in that park in Banff, Canada because it was Easter and everything was full….which I totally don’t know from experience or anything).
• You’ll have help and support in the case of sickness, theft, loss, accident or any other unexpected problem that can happen during your trip.

Cons of Traveling with a Group Tour

• Traveling in a group can be frustrating . Not everyone always gets along and sometimes they’ll be disagreements or little cliques. But in general, the type of people who decide to travel with a lot of the tour companies below are open-minded and easy to deal with.
• If you like having your space, being in a tour group isn’t ideal. Even if the tours suggested below do give you some time to relax and explore by yourself, the “me time” isn’t unlimited.
• Going with a group tour is almost guaranteed to be more expensive than traveling, planning, and reserving everything yourself.
• If you end up in a group with an average age different from your own , it can be a bit irritating. Heterogeneous groups with different ages are common on many tours and it’s interesting to hear about different life experiences. But if you’re 21 and the average age of your group is 60, it’s not so interesting.
• You have to be patient with that couple that is always late to breakfast in the morning or nearly misses the bus after each stop. But this is all part of traveling in a group tour….so, don’t be “THAT couple!!”
• On that note, remember that you have responsibilities of being a part of the group and you can’t just “do what you want” like you could if you were traveling alone.
• You are stuck with your group’s schedule . Outside of the “me time” allotted, if you want to catch the bus and stick with the group, you have to follow the schedule. Think the current museum is boring? You have to stay there until the set time is finished. Want to spend more time at the beach? You’ll be cut short when your group starts leaving you behind.

How Do I Choose the Best Tour and Group Travel Company for Myself?

There’s a bunch of factors you need to consider:

• Type of tour: Since you’ll find tours of all types offered by the companies below, choose the one you’re most interested in: city, train, adventure, cycling, festivals , camping, beach, historical, etc…
• The age range of tours: If you are 24, you probably don’t want to be part of a tour with the average age of 62! Same idea the other way. Being the oldest person in a tour with a bunch of 23-year-olds that are out late partying every night isn’t that great.
• Cost of additional activities: In general, the tour packages mentioned below will cover all accommodation and transportation and some of the food and attractions. However, there are almost always additional costs that could be added on during the trip. Things like riding a camel, diving , learning to surf, etc… and if everyone else on the tour is doing it, you probably don’t want to be the only one watching from the sidelines. So, see what the possible extra costs could be (beyond the price of the tour) to make sure they fit into your trip’s budget.
• Amount of free time: Some people like to do activities with the group all day long (to make the most of what they paid for). But others like some time to head out a bit on their own to explore the city or just relax without their guide at their side. You can usually see how much “me time” or free days you’ll have by looking at a tour’s itinerary.
• Atmosphere: This is similar to the idea of age above. Some tours are completely focused on young people and partying (I’m talking about you, Contiki !), and others revolve more around history, museums, and cities like a European tour. Then, there are others still with more adventure and less fuss. Research well before deciding!
• Reviews: As with everything online, you can also find reviews for tours and tour companies. Some reviews are on the company website itself, others you’ll have to search online for. It’s always good to hear what other travelers who’ve actually been on the tours thought of the company, the destination, and the itinerary.
• Level of physical activity: In almost all of the tours you might check out, there’ll be a level of physical activity number from 1 to 5 (with 1 being the lowest level, and 5 being the highest level). In other words, if you aren’t super active, I wouldn’t try to travel during your vacations with a tour that’s going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (likely a level 5 on that scale). On the other hand, if you are someone who’s in good shape and likes to exercise, a level 5 tour might be ideal for you. Personally, I love combining travel with exercise !
• Group size: On average, the companies below work with groups sizes that average 10 people. But there are sometimes bigger groups…though usually not bigger than the number needed to fill up a bus. Check the info about each tour if group size is important to you.
• Length & dates: This should seem obvious, but worth mentioning! If you can only have very specific days off work, you’ll have to make sure that the tour you want fits into this timeframe. Otherwise, if you have a big enough group, you may be able to arrange your own group tour with the dates of your choice.

How Should I Prepare for my Group Tour (and Save Some Extra Money While I’m at it)?

• Research and compare the cost of plane tickets yourself . Sometimes, you can buy your plane ticket with the company that you’re doing your tour with (like a tour package), but it’s also worth checking to see if you can find something better yourself. Research and compare what you find with the price the tour company is quoting you to see the best option. If you search yourself online, our article with 16 tips to save on flights can help.
• Explore different options for travel insurance before purchasing. Just like with flights, usually, you can either buy travel insurance directly with the same company you are buying the tour with, or buy it yourself. To do some research yourself, be sure to check out our article with the 3 best and cheapest travel insurance companies on the market ! And just remember: it’s obligatory to have travel insurance to participate in a tour and you’ll be asked to show proof of the insurance before your trip begins.
• Try to arrive a few days early in the place where your tour will start. Maybe consider staying around few extra days afterward to relax, as well. This makes sure you aren’t late, can have some time to prepare….and see a new place!
• If you arrive early or stay late after your tour, book accommodation in advance ! The majority of tour companies will offer some options for hostels/hotels to stay in before or after your trip. Obviously, they’ll earn some extra commission by making a reservation in your name. So, if you want to save in this aspect, consider booking something yourself . Then, you’ll be able to see all of the possible options (and not just the ones the company will push on you). Check out our article with the 6 best websites to find and reserve your hotel or hostel to help.
• Decide between a shared room or a private room. In most cases, if you are traveling alone, you’ll be put in a room with another solo traveler of the same gender. But if you want to stay in a room alone, you’ll have to pay a bit extra for a “single room supplement.”
• Be careful with the size of your bag or backpack. Just as with aircrafts, buses, boats, or trains, you’ll probably have a weight limit (about 20 kg) for the bag you bring on the tour.
• Plan ahead for your passport or visas. The entire process of getting a passport or visa is normally done by the travelers themselves and not by the company that organizes the tour. But as I mentioned, one benefit of going with a tour is that it’s easier to get a visa than if you were going alone.

A super quick summary:

The best rated tour companies for adventurous, low-maintenance travelers: G Adventures and Intrepid

The top rated tour company for single or solo travelers that want to party and meet people from around the world: Contiki

The best tour company for people looking for trips to uncommon, off-the-beaten-path destinations: Young Pioneer Tours

The best tours website for travelers who want to see all the tour packages and excursions options in a single place: TourRadar

The best tour company for travelers that prioritize luxury and comfort: Trafalgar

Well, that’s it. You can have a great trip as part of a tour group or on your own. Really, the important thing is TO TRAVEL!!!

Also check out:

3 Best International Tour Companies for Adventure Travel

5 Best Group Tour Companies for Young Solo Single Travelers

5 Best Websites to Book Tours, Tickets & Attractions Around the World

Planning your next trip?

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

14 Responses

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Next stop….The DMZ, South Korea

15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

The best tour companies for guided tours in 2024 deliver special insider experiences you simply can't book independently..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Guided tours are an easy and stress-free way to discover new places. When you travel with the best tour operators, you can often dig much deeper into the history, culture, and daily life of your destination than if you’d gone it alone. In fact, the world’s top tour companies employ local guides, handle all of the details, and often deliver special insider travel experiences you simply can’t book independently. And travel tour groups are a good value, too.

To learn more about this year’s best tour companies and their guided tours, click on any company name in the list below to go straight to their website and start your search. Or, scroll down to read more about my picks for the best tour operators in 2024.

2024’s Best Tour Operators for Guided Tours 

• G Adventures  
• Adventures by Disney
• Grand Circle Travel
• Road Scholar
• Collette  
• Tauck  
• National Geographic Expeditions  
• Overseas Adventure Travel
• Intrepid Travel  
• AdventureWomen  
• Abercrombie & Kent
• Exodus Travels

1. Trafalgar Tours

One of the largest and most established tour operators in the world, Trafalgar offers everything from standard coach tours and small group active tours to private tours, hiking and biking tours, and special interest tours built around nature, history, food, and other interests. All told, Trafalgar hosts more than 350 guided tours in 72 countries and all seven continents. England, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, Egypt, Ireland, Argentina, and Thailand are some of its most popular destinations. ( Read our full Trafalgar review here .)

Seniors and travelers 50 and older are Trafalagar’s core audience, though children as young as five years old are welcome on its family tours. Trafalgar’s solo travel options include free or reduced single supplement prices for many of its most popular trips. Each of its tour directors has at least three to five years of road experience, and many have been with the company for decades. 

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Trafalgar’s guided tours cover all accommodations (typically four-star hotels where available) and most transportation during your trip, including airport transfers on the majority of its overseas tours. Most meals and activities are included. Trafalgar also offers special one-of-a-kind experiences such as dining with locals, sleeping in a castle or historic hotel, and early entry to popular tourist attractions. Anyone who books a tour with Trafalgar’ is automatically enrolled in its Very Important Traveler (VIT) program that offers discounts and priority access on future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Trafalgar

• Average guided tour group size: 40 guests (standard coach tours); no more than 17 guests on small group active tours.
• Price range: Upscale.
• What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, and most meals.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips.
• Primary audience: Seniors and travelers over the age of 50.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to book:  Directly through  Trafalgar or through a travel agent
• More tours: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. G Adventures

Small group tour operator G Adventures has guided trips suitable for a wide range of travel preferences. The company’s driving philosophy is all about improving the world through travel, and it supports this mission by utilizing local businesses and community resources on its tours. Many of G Adventures’s guests share this philosophy as a core value. 

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The company’s guided tours cater to a variety of fitness levels and cultural interests. Its classic tours hit a sweet spot between backpacking and traditional group tours; active tours focus heavily on hiking, trekking, biking, and other physically intense activities; family tours lean into age-appropriate activities and kid-friendly accommodations; local living tours let you participate in the rituals of daily life in unique destinations around the world; and 18-to-thirtysomething tours let young adults explore the world with similarly aged companions. 

G Adventures also partners with National Geographic for both general tours and family journeys designed to provide guests with an even deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions of each destination. And the company’s one-of-a-kind Jane Goodall Collection of guided tours offers a responsible way to experience wildlife up close. G Adventures offers a unique perk on all of its trips. The company’s Lifetime Deposits program allows you to retain your initial deposit for use at a later date at no extra charge if you need to postpone a trip due to a change in plans or circumstances.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company G Adventures

• Average guided tour group size: 12 people.
• Price category: Moderate.
• What’s included: Accommodations, activities, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare.
• Primary audience: Adults ages 30 to 55, but also families and younger travelers.
• How to book: Directly through G Adventures or through a travel agent.
• More tours: 10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

3. Adventures by Disney

Founded in 2005, Adventures by Disney offers upscale small group tours to about 40 destinations on all seven continents. While you may associate Disney with princesses and talking animals, a vacation with Adventures by Disney is more about the Disney way of doing things than it is about The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment brand. 

When you travel with Adventures by Disney, what you’re getting is top-notch service, people-pleasing trip leaders (called Adventure Guides), and special experiences created just for Disney’s guided tours (think skip-the-line access to tourist attractions like the Louvre in Paris, special backstage tours on Broadway, or traditional bread-baking demonstrations in Iceland). Each trip also includes at least one Adventure Guide from the host destination, who brings local knowledge and a deep connection to the destination. 

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On guided tours with Adventures by Disney, things run smoothly and right on time . That makes it a great choice for stress-free family travel adventures . Most of Adventures by Disney’s guided tours feature built-in family time as well as built-in alone time for the adults. On some evenings, the Adventure Guides may host a “Junior Adventure” movie night. Other times there may be a kids-only dining table for the evening meal. 

Guided tours with Adventures by Disney include upscale accommodations, transportation within the trip (such as airport transfers, internal flights or trains, and motor coaches), admission prices and VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and many meals. There are typically some “on your own” meals, and pre-trip transportation is not included in the price. Adventures by Disney vacations tend toward the luxury side of the price range: an eight-day Peru vacation starts at $6,199 in 2024; an Adriatic expedition cruise starts at $8,999. In addition to its family-oriented trips, Adventures by Disney also offers private tours and adults-exclusive tours.

Adventures by Disney travelers can enroll in the company’s Adventure Insiders program to receive special offers, including advance notice of new tour destinations.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Adventures by Disney

• Average guided tour group size: 35 to 44 guests.
• Price range: Upscale/premium.
• What’s included: Accommodations, transportation within the trip, admission prices, VIP experiences, luggage and concierge services, taxes, most gratuities, and most meals.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, some meals, and tips for your Adventure Guides.
• Primary audience: Families and adult Disney fans.
• How to Book: Directly through Adventures by Disney or through a travel agent.

The flagship brand of the Globus family of companies (which also includes Cosmos and Avalon Waterways ), tour operator Globus offers coach tours on six continents spanning more than 70 countries. Tour styles include small group tours , offered on Europe and North America itineraries; choice tours, which allow you to choose from three or four possible excursions rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule; undiscovered tours that take a deep dive away from the tourist areas; self-guided independent tours; Escapes by Globus , which operate during the slower tourism season between November and March; and faith-based trips to destinations such as the Holy Land.

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Globus caters to older adults, generally from about 50 to 70 years old, with most guests traveling as part of a couple or family. For solo travelers, which comprise about 20% of the tour company’s guests, Globus offers single supplement waiver promotions on select tours. Globus also has a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Globus

• Average guided tour group size: 38 guests (classic coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group discovery tours).
• Price category: Budget to moderate.
• What’s included: Hotels, all breakfasts, some additional meals, all transportation, VIP “skip the line” access, and local guides.
• What’s not included:  Gratuities and airfare; however, Globus offers the option to purchase airfare when you book, which comes with free airport transfers.
• Primary audience: Adults between 50 and 70 years old.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, and Oceania.
• How to book: Directly through Globus or through a travel agent.

5. Grand Circle Travel

Operating since 1958, Grand Circle Travel is another highly regarded tour operator for adults over 50. The flagship brand within the Grand Circle family of companies (which also includes Overseas Adventure Travel ) offers a wide selection of land-based tours and river cruises for groups ranging in size from 24 to 47 people. 

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Grand Circle Travel’s trips are specifically designed for older travelers. Leisurely pacing and a focus on value are hallmarks of the Grand Circle experience. Like its sister company Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), which is a top choice for active solo travelers over age 50, Grand Circle stands out as a great fit for solo travelers interested in finding camaraderie and community on vacation. The company offers free or low-cost single supplement fees on all of its itineraries. Grand Circle has guided tour experiences on all seven continents. Land-based group tours average about 30 travelers, while river cruises can range from about 38 to 45 guests. Grand Circle’s loyalty program, called the Inner Circle Club , offers discounts for frequent guests and multiple trips booked within the same calendar year. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Grand Circle Travel

• Average guided tour group size: 24 to 30 guests (land tours); 38 to 45 guests (river cruises).
• Price category: Moderate to upscale.
• What’s included: Airfare, meals, activities, accommodations, transportation, special events, gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers (land tours); airfare, accommodations, most meals, onboard drinks and house beer and wine, port charges, and gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers (cruises).
• What’s not included: Airfare can also be purchased separately.
• Primary audience: Adults, including solo travelers, over the age of 50.
• How to book: Directly through Grand Circle Travel or through a travel agent.

6. Road Scholar

What started as the tour company Elderhostel in 1975 has since evolved into Road Scholar , a non-profit tour company with an educational focus that offers guided tours around the world. Its primary audience is senior travelers, but it also has the special and unique Grandparent Adventures , which support grandparents and grandchildren traveling together. Road Scholar is also very solo-traveler friendly—about 25 percent of Road Scholar tour guests are solo travelers. And the tour company has a number of itineraries for women-only tours as well.  

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Road Scholar’s educational tours include all accommodations plus most meals, expert-led lectures, field trips, and hands-on experiences, as well as transportation and gratuities. Road Scholar is able to book airfare for international tours, which allows you to have your travel monitored and supported by the company from start to finish. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company Road Scholar

• Average Tour Size: 22 people.
• Price Range: Budget to luxury (from about $699 to $21,999 per person).
• What’s Included: Accommodations, most meals, expert-led experiences, transportation, gratuities, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan coverage.
• What’s Not Included: Pre- and post-trip transportation.
• Primary Audience: Older travelers, grandparents traveling with grandkids, women, and solo travelers.
• Destinations: Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Australia and South Pacific, and Antarctica.
• How to book: Directly through Road Scholar or through a travel agent.

7. Collette

A family-run business with hundreds of guided tour options across all seven continents, Collette offers a mix of small group trips (14 to 24 people per tour) and classic guided tours (up to 44 people). Its group tours start around $1,500, and most guests are over the age of 55. Collette is worldwide travel brand and tour operator with offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

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From land tours and river cruises to rail journeys, small group tours, and city stays, Collette offers a variety of ways to travel, including optional excursions and pre- and post-tour nights at your destination. And while the company tends to attract an older and budget-focused audience with an eye toward value, many of its hotels are four-star quality, and meals favor well-reviewed local restaurants with generous menus. 

Collette employs local guides for all of its trips and puts an emphasis on utilizing local businesses and restaurants. It also offers community sustainability programs for its guests in destinations across the world and invests a percentage of its proceeds back into local community or sustainability projects. Tour guests are automatically enrolled in The Collette Passport Club and receive credit toward future trips. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Collette

• Average guided tour group size: 44 guests (classic tours); 14 to 24 guests (small group tours).
• What’s included: Hotels, activities, museum and attraction admissions, local guides, transportation, and airport transfers.
• What’s not included: Airfare, meals, and gratuities.
• Primary audience: Adults, primarily couples, between the ages of 50 and 70.
• How to book: Directly through Collette or through a travel agent.

8. T auck Tours

Family-owned Tauck has a simple philosophy: Deliver more than what’s expected. The award-winning guided tour operator has been doing just that for nearly 100 years by offering authentic experiences and behind-the-scenes access to destinations all over the world. Tauck’s century of experience is evident in nearly every detail of its guided trips, which cover more than 100 destinations in 70+ countries across all seven continents.

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The company’s tours are well-regarded for their expertise in local customs, traditions, flora, and fauna. Meals and accommodations are upscale. Its tour guides, called Tauck Directors, come from 40 countries and average a decade of experience each. You can choose from five unique trip styles: land tours, small group journeys, river cruises, small ship cruises, and multigenerational family journeys called Tauck Bridges. The tour operator also boasts an exclusive partnership with the award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, offering deep-dive trips that explore the themes of his films, including the American Civil War, U.S. national parks, baseball, and jazz. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Tauck

• Average guided tour group size: 35 people (standard tours); 24 people (small group tours).
• Price category: Upscale.
• What’s included: Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport and luggage transfer, and taxes.
• What’s not included: Airfare and alcohol.
• Primary audience: Adults over age 50 and multigenerational family groups.
• How to book: Directly through Tauck or through a travel agent.

9. National Geographic Expeditions

Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions leans into its parent company’s core values of exploration, science, education, and storytelling to offer exceptional guided tours on all seven continents. From exploring the Swiss and Italian Alps by train to photographing Machu Picchu at sunrise, National Geographic Expeditions takes you to some of the most celebrated natural wonders, archaeological sites, and wildlife-rich destinations in the world. 

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A guided trip with National Geographic Expeditions is all about meaningful exploration of the world and its many cultures. Whether by land, small ship, train, river cruise, or even private jet, you can expect a guided tour that goes way beyond the ordinary. And with itineraries geared specifically for photographers, families ( in partnership with G Adventures ), or independent travelers, you’ll be exploring alongside both like-minded travelers and subject matter experts. 

The company offers two unique ways to travel: National Geographic Signature Land tours, led by NatGeo experts, are its flagship trips and feature high-end accommodations, special access to field researchers and sites of interest, and even photography workshops; National Geographic Journeys, led by local guides, utilize mid-range hotels and blend hands-on exploration with more free time to explore on your own. Many National Geographic Expeditions trips also offer pre- and post-trip extensions.

The National Geographic Lifelong Explorers program offers loyalty discounts for return guests. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from each trip helps fund the National Geographic Society’s research and conservation programs around the world.

Quick Facts about Guided Travel Tours with National Geographic Expeditions

• Average guided tour group size: 16 to 25 people per departure; cruises are all in small ships under 200 passengers.
• Price category: Premium (National Geographic Signature Expeditions); budget to moderate (National Geographic Journeys).
• What’s included: Meals, accommodations, excursions, services of a National Geographic Expert, ground transportation, most transfers, baggage handling, most gratuities (for National Geographic Signature Land); some meals, accommodations, excursions, local guides, ground transportation, and some transfers (for National Geographic Journeys).
• What’s not included: Airfare, some meals, and some gratuities.
• Primary audience: Photographers and families with a passion for learning.
• How to book: Directly through National Geographic Expeditions or through a travel agent.

The budget-friendly member of the Globus family of travel brands (alongside Globus and Avalon Waterways ), Cosmos offers a range of tours around the world but has a particularly strong focus on European tours. Cosmos offers similar itineraries to its sister brand Globus but brings costs down by opting for good-but-more-budget-minded accommodations. While Cosmos is best known for its coach tours, the company also offers small group trips, off-the-beaten-path itineraries in popular destinations, event-focused tours, and Christian faith-based trips that highlight religious history in the Holy Land, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

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Cosmos runs tours on five continents spanning more than 60 countries. Among its most popular destinations are Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. Many of the company’s tour directors hail from the country in which they lead tours, and a number of them have spent decades with Cosmos. The company also employs local guides to help with additional on-the-ground aspects of its tours. Cosmos offers a Welcome Back Credit loyalty program. Each trip earns up to a $250 credit toward a future trip with Globus, Cosmos, or Avalon Waterways.

Quick Facts about Group Tours with Cosmos 

• Average guided tour group size: 36 guests (standard coach tours); 20 to 24 guests (small group tours).
• Price category: Budget.
• What’s included: Hotels, guided city sightseeing excursions, ground transportation, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare, optional excursions, gratuities; flights and airport transfers can be purchased at additional cost from Cosmos.
• Primary audience: Adults in their early to mid 50s.
• Destinations: Europe, South America, Central America, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
• How to Book: Directly through Cosmos or through a travel agent.

11. Overseas Adventure Tours (O.A.T.)

Part of the Grand Circle family of companies that also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line, Overseas Adventure Travel (also called O.A.T.) is a small group adventure travel tour specialist offering guided tours on all seven continents. O.A.T.’s tour group guests are over the age of 50 and many are solo travelers looking to join like-minded travelers on active itineraries around the world.

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Why is O.A.T. is so popular with older solo travelers? One reason is that the company rarely charges a single supplement on its trips. A fair number of the company’s guided tour itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. Overseas Adventure Travel rates all of its tours by activity level ranging from one (easy) to five (strenuous). The company operates more than 60 unique trips on all seven continents. Both multi-country and single-country tours are offered; some itineraries focus on culture while others have an ecological focus.

Unlike many other guided tour companies, O.A.T.’s prices typically include airfare, though guests also have the option to book their own flights. Overseas Adventure Travel’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club , which offers benefits beginning with your third trip.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)

• Average guided tour group size: 13 people.
• What’s included: Airfare, most meals, all transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides.
• What’s not included: Gratuities for trip leaders, some meals; airfare can also be booked separately.
• Primary audience: Active adults over 50, particularly solo travelers.
• Destinations: Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to Book: Directly through OAT or through a travel agent.

12. Intrepid Travel

Sustainable and experience-rich travel is the heart and soul of everything Intrepid Travel does. The not-for-profit group travel tour operator runs trips geared toward young adults, women, solo travelers, active travelers, and families, and it generally attracts like-minded guests who value responsible travel, conservation, and respect for indigenous cultures. In fact, many of Intrepid’s most compelling guided tours make personal connections with local communities a centerpiece of the experience.

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Intrepid offers a wide range of trip styles and themes to suit a variety of audiences: Basix caters to independent travelers who prefer free time to explore on their own; Original tours include a mix of activities and free time; Comfort goes at a relaxed pace; and Premium tours offer the best accommodations, most comfortable transportation, and exclusive experiences. Different themes include Active, Food, Expeditions, Family, Solo, 18 to 29s, and Trekking, among others. Travelers are automatically enrolled in the Intrepid Insiders program with their first trip. The loyalty program offers advance notice of sales and new trips.

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Intrepid Travel

• Average guided tour group size : 12 people.
• What’s included: Accommodations, local transport, and some meals.
• What’s not included: Airfare, travel insurance, and tips.
• Primary audience : Adults ages 25 to 40.
• Destinations : Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Middle East, Oceania, and the Polar regions.
• How to Book: Directly through Intrepid or through a travel agent.

13. AdventureWomen

The women’s-only travel group AdventureWomen makes it easy for female travelers to explore the world in a safe and meaningful way alongside other women. Founded in 1982, AdventureWomen now offers nearly 50 tours across more than 65 counties. AdventureWomen’s guided travel tours for women welcome solo female travelers, women traveling together, mother-daughter pairs, sisters, and more. Each tour description clearly outlines the required fitness level for the journey. 

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The company’s most popular guided tours include a wintertime tour of Iceland to view the Northern Lights, a Galapagos Islands wildlife cruise by private yacht, and a journey along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. These guided women’s only adventure tours include lodging, ground transportation, most meals and activities, guides, and some gratuities. AdventureWomen’s average tour group size is on the small side, with tours generally welcoming 12 to 15 women per departure. Guests often credit the small group size for fostering camaraderie with other travelers on these guided tours. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Company AdventureWomen

• Average guided tour group size: 12 to 15 people.
• What’s included: Accommodations, most meals and activities, ground transportation, tour guides (called Managers), and some gratuities.
• What’s not included: Pre- and post-trip transportation, alcohol, some gratuities, and certain meals.
• Primary audience: Women seeking to travel with other women.
• Destinations : Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, South America, and the Middle East.
• How to Book: Directly through AdventureWomen or through a travel agent.

14. Abercrombie & Kent

A pioneer in the world of luxury small group trips, Abercrombie & Kent has been operating guided tours for more than 60 years. These days, the tour company runs trips on all seven continents spanning more than 100 countries. Each of Abercrombie & Kent’s small group tours is run by a Resident Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the trip, while additional specialized local guides help travelers enjoy one-of-a-kind insider experiences.

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Because Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury tour operator, accommodations tend toward high-end hotels wherever possible. Participants are often Gen X and Boomers. Guests are automatically enrolled in the company’s Marco Polo Club loyalty program on their third journey with Abercrombie & Kent. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Abercrombie & Kent

• Average guided tour group size: 14 people.
• Price category: Upscale/premium.
• What’s included: Inter-trip flights, upscale accommodations, luggage transfers, meals, mid-journey laundry services, all activities, and expert guides.
• What’s not included: Airfare to and from your trip destination.
• Primary audience: Adults aged 40 and older.
• How to Book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent or through a travel agent.

15. Exodus Travels

A worldwide adventure travel tour operator, Exodus Travels offers small group and independent cycling, walking, hiking, wildlife, and cultural tours in nearly 90 countries across all seven continents. Exodus has operated small group guided tours, self-guided tours, and private tours around the world since 1974, and today offers more than 500 unique tours ranging from popular locales like the Amalfi Coast in Italy to remote destinations like Tajikistan. 

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The company’s small group tours average between eight to 16 guests and utilize local trip leaders and experienced local guides. Solo travelers comprise nearly half of Exodus’s guests, who are given the option to pay a single room supplement or share a room with another guest at no additional charge. For those who want the convenience of a curated trip (pre-planned accommodations, activities, and transportation) without the constraints of traveling with a group, Exodus’s self-guided options give you freedom and flexibility to explore on your own. 

While Exodus is popular with budget-minded travelers, the company also offers premium guided tours to some popular destinations. A partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation allows Exodus to offer luxury safaris, for example. Guests are automatically enrolled in the tour operator’s loyalty program, called Exodus Collective , after two trips. Exodus Collective offers special discounts and members-only sales. After your seventh trip, you’ll be upgraded to the company’s Pioneer level, which comes with even greater discounts and perks. 

Quick Facts about Guided Tour Operator Exodus Travels

• Average guided tour group size: 8 to 16 people.
• Price category: Budget to upscale.
• What’s included: Accommodations, some meals, activities, and local guides.
• What’s not included: Airfare, airport transfers, and gratuities.
• Primary audience: Adventure travelers, solo travelers, and active independent travelers.
• How to Book: Directly through Exodus or through a travel agent.

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How do I plan a trip around the world?

Where to begin? Do you want to see every single continent? Just one continent in great depth? Just one country in great depth? Travel is our favorite thing on the planet, but to plan a trip around the world involves many potential logistical headaches. That's why we make exploring the world easy, with food, accommodations and transport included in the cost of your trip.

How do you plan a world tour?

You do some research on the places you'd like to visit and how much time you'd like to see them all in, then you think about your budget. Traveling the world can be expensive, so it's good to prioritize stops you want to make and think about the best time of year to go.

How much does it cost to travel around the world?

There are many variables to consider for your around the world trip. When you go, where you go and what you do when you're there - no to mention transport, food and accommodations - can all add up to significant sums if you're looking to hop from continent to continent. It can cost around 4000 dollars per month to travel the world if you're really doing it on the cheap. That's why, with us, you get food, accommodations and transportation all included in the cost of your trip, so you can keep a lid on expenses.

How much is a round the world ticket?

A round the world ticket can range wildly, between $1500–$20,000 dollars depending on your flight's mileage, your route, whether you're flying economy or not, and the number of stopovers, though a simple two to four stop around the world ticket might cost as little as $1,500.

How much is a round the world trip?

It depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. The word is a big place, and there are many logistical challenges to overcome, including transport, food and accommodations. That's why our trips include all of this kind of stuff in the price, as well as unique experiences and a group of young explorers to share it all with.

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• Best tour companies for solo travellers , The Times, August 25, 2023
• 10 of the best tour companies for solo travellers , The Times, August 23, 2023
• I quit my job to travel the world at 42 after watching the film Eat Pray Love (15.03.23) , The Mirror, March 15, 2023
• Tour Operators Up Offerings for Solo Travelers , Skift, January 17, 2023
• The rise of adventure travel: How millennials are reinventing solo travel , Euronews, December 12, 2022
• How to travel the world for free - Apply for WeRoad's dream job , Herald Scotland, October 01, 2022
• Solo travel: 8 things you should always do when planning a trip , Cosmopolitan, June 27, 2019
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The Top 15 Tour Operators in 2021

Scott Bay is a magazine editor specializing in travel, architecture, and gear. He was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure . His work has also appeared in Wired , Architectural Digest , Wallpaper , Robb Report , Saveur , Daily Beast , and more.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite tour operators .

This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

Linking up with the right tour operator can take an amazing trip and turn it into a trip of a lifetime . This might seem like magic, but their in-the-know expertise and long-standing relationships open the doors for the seemingly impossible — a private Jeep safari with a professional tracking team in the depths of Torres del Paine or one-on-one cooking classes from a chef that runs a Michelin-starred restaurant in the south of France. And if any group has traversed the world enough to discern the best tour operators out there, it's the readers of Travel + Leisure .

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

The companies that made the list have the skills and connections to create itineraries that reflect their clients' personal interests. No. 3 VBT Bicycling Vacations curates two-wheeled trips all over the globe . One reader said, "Their staff make all the difference." No. 2 Mountain Lodges of Peru puts together highly personalized trekking adventures to Machu Picchu. As another reader exclaimed, "This is the way to visit Machu Picchu!"

But at the top of the list is Quasar Expeditions. Though primarily known for its cruises (the company won the small-ship ocean cruises category this year), it also operates a roster of dynamic safari-style excursions in South America. Read on to find out what sets it apart and which other companies join it on this year's list of the best tour operators in the world.

1. Quasar Expeditions

Quasar Expeditions is for adventurers. The highly specialized itineraries are designed to make guests feel like they're James Cook or Charles Darwin. "Quasar Expeditions' guides are the ultimate, passionate gatekeepers to the Galápagos Islands," one reader said. "Their enthusiasm and love of the islands and the wildlife encourages you to share in their passion and desire to conserve the natural beauty and habitat of the area while still allowing low-impact tourism." Another raved, "Excellent isn't a high enough rating to describe our experience with Quasar Expeditions. Extraordinary in every way!" And while Quasar is best known for its Galápagos trips, it gets high marks for its Patagonia itineraries, which takes guests into the best parts of Chile's Torres del Paine and Argentina's Los Glaciares — two of South America's most spectacular national parks.

Score: 99.58 More information: quasarex.com

2. Mountain Lodges of Peru

Score: 98.93 More information: mountainlodgesofperu.com

3. VBT Bicycling Vacations

Score: 98.70 More information: vbt.com

4. Classic Journeys

Score: 98.60 More information: classicjourneys.com

5. TCS World Travel

Score: 97.55 More information: tcsworldtravel.com

6. Black Tomato

Score: 97.25 More information: blacktomato.com/us

7. Inside Japan Tours

Score: 96.84 More information: insidejapantours.com

Score: 96.72 More information: tauck.com

9. Wilderness Travel

Score: 95.71 More information: wildernesstravel.com

10. Trek Travel

Score: 95.71 More information: trektravel.com

11. Geographic Expeditions

Score: 95.70 More information: geoex.com

12. Thomson Family Adventures

Score: 94.89 More information: familyadventures.com

13. Greaves

Score: 94.74 More information: greavesindia.com

14. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

Score: 94.64 More information: duvine.com

15. Odysseys Unlimited

Score: 94.39 More information: odysseys-unlimited.com

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021 .

Around the World Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

14 around the world trips. compare tour itineraries from 17 tour companies. 7 reviews. 5/5 avg rating., popular around the world tours.

Road Scholar World Academy Segment 1: Indian Ocean to Cape Town

• Discover the incredible biodiversity of Madagascar at a protected reserve home to colorful birds, reptiles and lemurs.
• Explore St. Lucia National Park, where a sunset boat safari gives you the chance to see hippos and Nile crocodiles up close.
• Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views of Cape Town.

Dream Journey Around the World

• Visiting the Plaza de Armas with the beautiful buildings of the government Palace
• View the Belvedere Palace, Prater Amusement Park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen's Cathedral
• See Vajdahunyad castle, Széchenyi Spa, the Opera, the Synagogue of Dohány Street, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the decorative Parliament building.
• Visit the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Great Pyramids*
• Visit the Karnak Temple Complex and the Temple of Luxor on the East side of the Nile.

New York To New York

• Step into the Monte Carlo-inspired Empire Casino which offers a full variety of opportunities to tempt Lady Luck.
• Travel back to the grand old days of Venice at one of our Masquerade balls. Every evening on board is a real event and attending one of our balls in the Queens Room means you're in for a truly special evening.
• The quality and range of literature available in this beautiful room magnifies the stunning views over the bow. Take the time to linger over more than 8,000 books, in the largest library at sea.
• Wake yourself up with a brisk walk or breezy jog around our promenade deck. Three laps make a mile!
• Barossa Valley is famous worldwide for producing some wonderful boutique wines and internationally recognised names.

Oregon to India Rafting & Trekking

• This is a outdoor leadership course designed for age range 18 - 25
• Build core skills: Learn and practice wilderness, teamwork and leadership skills. Form a crew that supports and encourages one another, and in the thick of challenges, discover there is more in you than you know.
• Practice Outward Bound values: Learn to incorporate Outward Bound values into everyday life by pushing your own limits and seeking challenge as an opportunity for personal growth.
• Demonstrate mastery: As the course nears the end, take on more leadership and decision-making responsibilities. Work together to apply new skills and achieve team goals during this final phase of the expedition.
• What you’ll learn: Return home a stronger, more resilient individual. Discover increased self-confidence, improved leadership, and a desire to make a difference.

Scandinavian Capitals & Fjords 10-day

• Explore Stockholm Old Town Sightseeing Tour
• Discover Oslo - the fabulous capital of Norway.
• Visiting Frogner Park in Oslo
• Floibanen funicular ride in Bergen
• Fjords boat trip from Flam to Bergen

Road Scholar World Academy Semester 2: West from Asia to Europe

• Experience an unforgettable voyage from Singapore to England along the famed Suez Canal route.
• Explore wonders including the temples of Bali, the rock-cut city of Petra and Pompeii.
• For the first time, Road Scholar World Academy takes place aboard Holland America Line’s elegant ms Rotterdam.

San Francisco to Hong Kong

• Visit the Museum of Modern Art or head for the celebrated vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
• Experience Honolulu from a totally different angle on this thrilling helicopter ride.
• Explore the sea whilst whale watching aboard the high-tech, twin hulled 140 foot Navatek.
• Experience the thrill of swimming with sharks and schools of colourful tropical fish followed by a picnic on the beach.
• Experience the underwater wonders of Bora Bora's picturesque Lagoon by underwater scooter.

Around the World

• New York, Washington DC and Chicago
• America's Golden West, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon
• Los Angeles and San Francisco
• Shanghai, Beijing and the Great Wall of China
• Xian and the Terracotta Warriors

All Around the World , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Around the World

Small Group Around the World Tours

Best Around the World Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Around the World Tours by Price

Top Around the World Attractions & Experiences

Top Around the World Experiences

Diverse experiences on around the world tour .

• Meeting locals from several different countries and discovering wonderful similarities and differences
• Seeing whales breach from the balcony of your cruise stateroom and diving and snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs like the Great Barrier reef
• Enjoying local cuisines, exploring street food markets, and taking cooking classes to learn how to make traditional national dishes
• Wandering around many archaeological ruins and historical sites like Machu Picchu , pyramids of Giza , and the historical city of Petra
• Discovering unique cultures and taking part in traditional festivals or ceremonies like Holi or Día de Muertos 
• Hiking among different landscapes, encountering majestic wildlife on African Safaris , and taking memorable pictures
• Making lifelong friends from around the world
• Indulging in luxury around the world trips featuring traditional Japanese ryokan, floating hotels in the Maldives, or ice hotels in Sweden for a unique experience.
• Visiting all the most famous locations during a single trip with custom-planned tours around the world — No need to pick and choose!

Around the World Tours & Travel Guide

Around the World Attractions & Landmarks Guide

World travel is truly one of the most unforgettable experiences. As you visit multiple countries and continents, you gain a deep understanding of hundreds of cultures and forge wonderful connections with people around the world.

A small ship or 'expedition' cruise is one of the most popular modes of travel for a trip around the world. Many young people opt for overland tours to see the world because of budget and the community style. They usually use a few different modes of travel like trains or buses or join small group tours to individual destinations. 

You can also design a custom round-the-world trip to suit your preferences for price, duration, accommodation, and more. Choose the countries you wish to visit and super-personalize your world tour for the activities you enjoy. 

Luxury Around the World Trips

Imagine waking up in lavish four or five-star accommodations, imbibed with unmatched comfort and elegance. Think boutique lodges nestled in scenic landscapes to high-end homestays steeped in local charm!

That's the essence of our exclusively curated around-the-world luxury tours. Choose one of our private guided world tours to explore iconic landmarks, access hidden gems, and indulge in gastronomic experiences redefining culinary pleasure. 

Raise the bar for your travel experience—personalize your world trip and enjoy unparalleled service at every stop tailored to your preferences. 

How Long Should You Go For?

A round-the-world trip typically takes longer than a week or two. Your world tour should not be much shorter than one month. 

With one month to go around the world, you'll probably stick to one broad region. Long trips are a great way to really learn the nuances and extensiveness of human and geological history and how pronounced they can be in a relatively small area. You'll also gain a unique insight into fascinating cultural similarities and differences.

Most trips around the world are a bit longer than one month, typically between two and four months. The number of countries and continents you'll visit on your world tour can vary quite a bit, mainly based on how you get from place to place and the length of excursion allotted for by the itinerary.

How Much Does a Trip Around the World Cost?

One of the benefits of traveling on a package tour around the world is the cost-cutting aspect. Typically, some of your meals will be covered, along with a good amount of transportation and almost all accommodations (this is an excellent reason to book a small ship cruise).

In addition, your tour will have many activities planned to explore the culture and history of each destination, as well as enjoy the natural beauty with hikes and other exciting outdoor ventures. These activities are not always included in the price, which can be a good thing as it allows you to join as many or as few activities as you'd like, depending on your preferences. 

Typically, airfare to and from the start city and ending city to your final destination is not included in the tour price, but after that, you can expect to save a lot in expenses.

Note that you'll be around the same group of people for a very extended period, and your ability to be flexible in each destination will be limited. If you want to stay longer or shorter, this isn't typically an option.

Planning a Trip Around the World on Your Own

Traveling around the world on your own is an entirely different ball game. Transportation and accommodation are usually challenging to budget around. Budget hotels can help; however, finding a good deal can be tiresome. Travel agents can help, but this typically comes with a premium.

Certain airlines offer special round-the-world tickets, which could be an excellent way to book an independent trip around the world if you have miles to cash in. Otherwise, you're a bit stuck with the one-way ticket route. Try booking smaller airlines and shorter flights to keep costs manageable.

Choosing your destination and activities also requires a ton of research. You could spend a hefty amount of time trying to plan this yourself.

How To Pack for a Trip Around the World?

Ironically, you will be better off packing less than more for a longer journey. As you'll be on the move, you want a lighter suitcase and backpack to deal with. It's both more comfortable to move and far easier to store.

That's one significant benefit of traveling by cruise when you go around the world: the luxury of only unpacking once and being able to do laundry on board. You can lock your stateroom, so there's no worry about theft as you roam the boat and enjoy your shore excursions.

• Winter vs Summer Weather:    Since your tour around the world is likely to cross hemisphere lines more than once, you may experience warm highs and icy lows during your trip — bring clothing that can layer easily. 
• Shoes:    Footwear can easily become a packing challenge since it can take up a lot of space in suitcases. Choose shoes according to the planned activities and terrains. Pack a versatile selection: a pair for relaxation, one for hiking, another for city strolls, and one for a more refined option. 
• Dress Like a Local:    The beauty of a trip around the world is the opportunity to visit many far-flung places with diverse cultures and ways of life. You may encounter many different cultures, some with specific dress expectations. For example, in most Middle Eastern countries, expect to dress modestly—cover shoulders and legs and keep a scarf handy for covering your head. A similar dressing is also a good rule for touring many religious establishments.

Around the World Reviews & Ratings

Trip ruined.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! If anything goes wrong, they do not care. We took their Scandinavian Capitals tour. At one point in the tour we were told we couldn't t...

Making this such a wonderful experience.

This was my first international trip, and it will set the bar high for any other tour that might capture my attention in the future, international or domestic! There...

Second city but so far highly recommend!

Guides are local and have a wealth of information. Fiorella in Como was an amazing historian who knew everything about the city. The hotels are top notch and conveni...

I planned a last minute trip to Scandinavia

I planned a last minute trip to Scandinavia, the date chosen was already sold out, but they offered us the one from Sept 3rd to Sept 12th, and we went. Best experien...

Just returned from an extraordinary

Just returned from an extraordinary trip through Scandinavia and into St. Petersburg, Russia, that was so awesome due in no small part to Firebird Tours. Their guide...

See all Around the World reviews

Traveling to Around the World, an FAQ

1. Does Travelstride have all the tour operators?

2. How does the Member Savings program save me money?

3. Can I trust the tour operator and trip reviews on Travelstride?

4. What does ‘Stride Preferred’ mean?

Group Tours

• Accommodation - an Insta-perfect villa or a cute apartment, your TripLeader picks the perfect one for your comfort
• Transportation during the tour
• Attractions and activities
• Meals - a luscious local restaurant or a barbecue night, nothing is less than tasty!
• Experienced TripLeader
• Tailor-made itineraries - flexible with a good amount of free time
• Skip the planning part. Our TripLeaders will handle the hefty stuff, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy an extraordinary travel experience.
• There is safety in number. Sticking with your group allows you to travel safely and comfortably.
• Share costs and save your wallet. Get luscious and fun experiences while paying less.
• Get to know your TripMates before the trip. You won't be traveling with a total stranger as you will stay connected in a group chat before the departure.
• We conduct thorough background checks on our TripLeaders and verify all TripMates
• Also, if any problems arise during your trip, our 24/7 support is available remotely to assist you with any questions or concerns.
• Our free JoinMyTrip Travel Insurance , powered by Allianz, will cover you (applicable only for the residents of Austria and Germany) in case of any unforeseen situations. So you can travel with peace of mind and enjoy your adventure.

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A World of Wonder, Without the Worries

We are the world's most awarded private jet expedition company.

Group Jet Expeditions

Embark on a Journey of Limitless Potential Join us on the trip of a lifetime, a curated expedition led by our veteran travel experts. Experience the transformative power of travel as you explore diverse destinations with like-minded travelers from the comfort of the private jet.

Around the World by Private Jet

Do and See More Than You Ever Thought Possible on a Single Journey Our flagship expedition offers a life list of iconic destinations in a single, all-inclusive itinerary for 52 guests. Travel in comfort aboard the brand-new A321 private jet to explore some of the world’s most extraordinary places and natural wonders. Discover legendary destinations, from Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat to Easter Island.

Upcoming Private Jet Expeditions

A Nordic Adventure

Wildlife & Natural Wonders of the World by Private Jet

Wonders of the World by Private Jet

The private jet advantage.

PIONEERING INNOVATION

Pioneering Innovation

Travel aboard the newest jet in the Group Jet Expedition category, with the largest cabin by height and width of any single-aisle aircraft. The Airbus A321 is 30% more fuel efficient than a Boeing 757 and for your safety, incorporates the most up-to-date, hospital-grade air filtration system that renews the cabin air every few minutes.

COMFORT & EASE

Comfort & Ease

The private jet becomes your home in the sky for the entire tour. Your comfort is assured with a roomy interior custom-configured with only 52 flatbed Italian leather seats that offer 6.5 feet of personal reclining space.

EXPERIENCED STAFF & CREW

Experienced Staff & Crew

Taking care of you is an exceptional 18-member team of flight crew and staff. Your experienced expedition leader and two assistant leaders manage all logistics and handle all details, making your trip hassle-free. Also flying with you are an on-board chef, photographer, two subject matter experts, and an emergency-room trained physician.

IN-FLIGHT AMENITIES

In-Flight Amenities

Onboard amenities include Bose noise-cancelling headsets, iPads for streaming curated content and L’Occitane products. Onboard connectivity features an enhanced in-flight presentation system, on-demand entertainment and WiFi.

Bringing Each Destination to Life

Experienced Expedition Team

Our experienced Expedition Leaders travel with you on your journey and oversee all the details of your trip so that you can just relax and enjoy it. They are full-time TCS staff members, meaning they are focused on your experience all year long. The team also handles your luggage throughout the journey so that you remain unencumbered. For your peace of mind, a physician will accompany you the entire journey.

World-Renowned Experts

At the heart of our expeditions is the desire to connect you with the cultures of the places we visit. Our on-trip subject matter experts travel with you the whole journey to enrich your experience, sharing their expertise both in the air and on the ground and cultural context and connections. Also available for informal chats over meals and during excursions, they come from a variety of backgrounds including history, art, science and diplomacy.

Local Guides and Staff

Our local guides help bring each destination to life, providing unique insights into each location. They live in the community and connect you to the culture as well as guide you through sights, customs and airports.

Insider Access and Immersive Experiences

Our trip planners bring you special access to some of the world’s greatest sites and unique experiences you can only get with us, allowing you to make authentic connections with the people, wildlife, cultural treasures and natural wonders that inhabit the Earth.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

Our upcoming expeditions cover a range of destinations and departure dates. Discover the perfect journey for you.

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Travel with Friends and Family

Traveling with a group is great fun! Sharing the experience of exploring a new destination, meeting new people and learning about their culture enriches the experience and also the bonds between you and your companions.

Around the World Travel offers a variety of unique group travel programs that includes Professional Group Travel , customized Family and Multi-generational Family trips as well as Travel with Tricia , which are vacations escorted by me personally. Click on the button that represents your group travel interest.

Travel with Tricia

Join Tricia and friends on a trip to the Azores and Lisbon in April 2020. We will visit two of the major islands in the Azores and then spend an additional 3 days in Lisbon.

Family Groups

Cruising with an extended family provides everyone with time to pursue individual interests as well as spending quality time together in the evenings at dinner and after dinner activities.

Professional Group Travel

Got a group to travel with? Contact us for special rates and promotions.

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Get ticked your bucket list hike.

Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain peak across Africa , apart from being an exquisite hiking trail. The trek is mesmerizing and unforgettable, and calls for you to tread through lush green rainforests and alpine deserts. A guide’s aide keeps you safe and sound through the journey, which you’d be delighted to share with your loved ones.

Inca trail is probably the most famous hike in the world. It takes one through narrow, ancient paths along Peruvian countryside. The sights are worth the effort, and the end of the journey reveals an ancient mystic city. Trekking in South America through the sacred valley, right through to Macchu Picchu is a sublime experience.

Tour Du Mont Blanc

Snow covered peaks and pristine valleys make Tour Du Mont Blanc a sight to cherish for a lifetime. Discover the grandeur of trekking along the French -Italian border at the grand Alps. Easier travel routes meet the preference of climbers with beginner level skills. One encounters an amazing segregation of ecosystems along the way.

Everest Base Camp

The Everest base camp hike takes you right to the base of the stunning Mt. Everest in the heart of the Himalayan range. Views from Kala Pattar are breathtaking. Kathmandu valley is now a UNESCO World heritage site, and some attractions along the way include Nepal’s oldest nunnery and Tengboche monastery.

Upcoming Hiking Tours

Amazing Dolomites Alps – ITALY

CANADA – Highlights of Banff Jasper and Rockies

Chile – W trek in Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park

COLOMBIA – 8 Days Santa Marta to Cartagena with The Lost City Trek

ICELAND – Multi-sport Summer Adventure

Kailash Manasarovar Full Moon Tour with Guge Kingdom Exploration

Mount Kailash – Manasarovar 15 Days Tour

NEPAL – Annapurna 15 Days Circuit Trek Thorong La Pass

NEPAL – Everest Base Camp

PERU – 6 Days Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Rainbow Mt Skylodge Adventure

PERU – Amazon Machu Picchu with Skylodge

PERU – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Skylodge

TANZANIA – Kilimanjaro with Safari & Zanzibar

TOUR DU MONT BLANC – Switzerland France Italy

UGANDA – 9 Days Murchison Falls, Big 5, Chimps & Gorillas Trekking

USA – 5 Days Blue Ridge Parkway to Great Smoky Mountains

USA – 5 Days Chasing Slot Canyons in Utah

USA – 5 Days Death Valley and Joshua Tree

USA – 5 Days Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Backpacking Adventure

USA – 5 Days Yellowstone and Grand Tetons

USA – 6 Days Yellowstone Grand Tetons Adventure from Jackson Hole

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USA – 8 Days Arches Canyonlands Antelope Zion Bryce Grand Canyon

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USA – Alaska Summer Fairbanks to Seward

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USA – Colorado Highlights with Fall Foliage

USA – Montana Glacier National Park Sun Road Llama Trek

Experience you like to try.

Difficulty Grades

Prior experience and refined trekking skills are not sought after for the easy level. But one must be healthy and capable of trekking long distances. The treks and hikes are characteristically simpler in comparison. They don’t last for as long and do not take one at higher altitudes either. The category is the most generic amongst the lot.

With moderate treks, one must be prepared to mount altitudes that are a little higher. They’re going to involve walking for an even more number of hours each day. Sharper inclines will be around, so the climbers must have high fitness levels. They should be the people who take regular exercise.

For extreme level treks, high degrees of mental and physical stamina are a must. One is required to traverse through uninhabited areas wherein supplies would be nearly impossible to access. One may correspondingly have to carry slightly heavier backpacks. Experienced trekkers can take these climbs, but others should refrain from the same.

Americas offer a few of the finest treks from across the world, and cover grand Peruvian mountains to snow covered peaks in Canada and the US.

Majestic treks across Europe call for refined skills on behalf of trekkers, who brave the ice and snow for the sights, sounds and the destination.

Treks in Africa are an ultimate experience and bring one face to face with finest ecosystems, alpine deserts and rainforests. The entire ambience is unforgettable.

Treks across Asia are best recognized for their matchless variety and it is easy to find alternatives of the difficulty levels as desired by trekkers.

Your Guide to Summit

Kilimanjaro Guidebook

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and has exquisite treks available for trekkers with all proficiency levels. Figure out the one which best meets your preferences.

Inca Trail Guidebook

The Inca Trail in the Andes renders views of the mountains but must essentially be done right. Our guide shows you the way to do it right.

Mont Blanc Guidebook

Mont Blanc is the heart of Europe but getting the route, maps and details right keep one sure and help one with every step along the way.

EBC Guidebook

The trek to Everest base camp is a spiritual experience that has higher difficulty levels of trekking involved. Getting the route right helps one along.

Get Ready For Your Next Hiking Adventure

Long walks:.

Commit to some long walks, for 3-6 hours each day. Wear the boots that you’re planning to take for your hike. Carry a backpack as well. This helps you keep your hiking experience comfortable, wherein you’d be carrying your gear for longer durations.

Strength training:

You could go for weight training, which includes pushups, squats, dips, lunges, etc. This makes muscles stronger and enables a steadier climb up a mountain. So it becomes all the more important for hikes of this nature. Boot camp sessions alternately make a fine choice for such training.

Aerobic exercise:

Go running, distance cycling or be a part of aerobic classes that are frequently offered at gyms. A few of the alternatives on offer would be a pump, spin, Zumba and circuit classes. They boost fitness levels and build stamina.

For carrying during the daytime, your daypack must be comfortable. You should alternately have another piece of luggage as well. It must ideally not be too large. The remainder of gear will be carried by porters or Sherpa. This is going to be subject to the walking trip that you choose. It is also important to bring a pair of hiking shoes that are sturdy and fit well. This is a defining factor that can make your trip memorable. In the dearth of proper footwear, there can be difficulties. Wear your shoes before your hike and break them in to minimize the odds of blisters at the hike. It is then important to closely go through the packing list as mentioned for your itinerary. A few of the ultimate essentials include a wide-brimmed hat, layers of clothing, gear for wet weather, band-aids for blisters, head torch, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

Altitude sickness:

High altitudes are going to be a part of a few of our hikes. When travelers hike above altitudes of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet), they sometimes tend to experience adverse health effects on the account of altitude. This is regardless of one’s age and fitness levels, or one’s gender. Even Sir Edmund Hillary was posed with these problems! It is nearly impossible to figure out how your body is going to react to the rigors involved with altitude trekking. Monitoring your condition at all times hence becomes important. In case you are experiencing any of the related symptoms, you must discuss your condition with your guide instantly. In case there are any pre-existing health conditions that you put up with, which may be accentuated by high altitudes, speak to your doctor before being a part of the hiking trip. Then, it is important to not worry. A vast majority of our travelers are able to overcome the effects of high altitude reasonably fast. The trek stays safe and rewarding for them.

Tours Around the Globe

What kind of accommodation should I expect on hiking tours?

We organize only the hiking tours wherein your accommodation is pre-booked. Your luggage is transferred in the midst of the stoppage points. You do carry the daypack with you, which would have water, any snacks or gadgets that you plan to avail and some layers that keep you warm and dry. It allows you to make the best of the hiking experience, keeping it hassle-free. The stay could be at campsites, hotels, hostels or refuges. It is subject to the hiking tour that you take up.

Is all hiking tour is guided?

Yes. We offer an entire range of hiking itineraries for small groups, all across the globe. All the multi-day tours are lead by a certified local guide. All that you need to do is pick up your daypack and get set for the exciting hike that lies ahead. Short day hikes can be self-guided which is lead by our host.

What kind of fitness level is required?

The hikes characteristically vary in difficulty levels. A few are relatively easier while a few are more challenging. But ultimately, you must be possessed with high fitness levels to make the most of your hiking experience. It is irrespective of the difficulty levels involved with the hikes or the distance you choose to hike. One of the finest ways of achieving the same is by being a part of a physical training program, around six weeks before the hike.

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Three Ways to Travel Around the World

F ive countries and four continents in under two weeks? Or how about seeing the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids and Machu Picchu in one mad 25-day marathon? As travel rebounds in 2023, that staple of bucket lists and reality TV shows—the journey around the world—is back in vogue.

“Since international borders reopened, we’ve seen demand coming back in a big way,” says Christine Drpich, manager of e-commerce at the Star Alliance airline network founded by United and Lufthansa.

In the past six months, she says, the group has noticed a “significant surge” in searches for the round-the-world itineraries it offers on its site. Oneworld, another aviation fraternity anchored by American and British Airways, recently launched an AI-driven planning tool that helps guide fliers through all the possible routings for circling the globe, with suggested itineraries like a Jules Verne-inspired circumnavigation that can be done in far less time than the 80 days of his novel.

There is a long history of adventurers and daredevil pilots making the trip, but it became far more attainable when Pan Am launched its first scheduled round-the-world flights from the U.S. after World War II, says David Mink, a businessman who is president of the 120-year-old Circumnavigators Club based in New York (past members include Harry Houdini, John Philip Sousa, Arthur Ashe and Sally Ride).

 Pan Am’s daily Flights One and Two, departing from San Francisco (later Los Angeles) and New York, helped to bring a lot more people into the club, he says.

What counts as a true round-the-world trip? To join his club, Mink says you need to travel in one direction only (no backtracking allowed), cross every meridian and return to the same place you departed from. (Some purists say you must also cross the equator and cover more distance than the circumference of the earth, or more than 24,901 miles.) That aside, any mode of travel counts, from small sailboats to hot-air balloons. “We have members who have done it in very strange ways,” says Mink. “One man traveled the entire world under the sea in a submarine.”

For those seeking a tamer version of these exploits, here are three—fairly easy—ways to travel around the world.

Pan Am may be gone, but the latter-day version of its globe-circling flights are the “RTW” air tickets offered by the alliance airlines that let you customize a trip selecting from dozens of carriers and destinations.

Star Alliance and Oneworld can handle the entire itinerary with a single ticket; each has a global network of airline partners to fill out their route maps. They can tailor trips by distance, number of stops and class of service. This gives you the option to mix ultra-long-haul flights (those in the air for more than 16 hours) with shorter hops. And the price is generally less than if you simply booked a series of one-way tickets. You can do the trip in as little as 10 days, or take up to a full year.

The cheapest tickets through Star Alliance start at around $5,000 for a journey in coach, or $11,000 in business class, with three to five stops covering 26,000 miles. The price goes up with the number of flights and continents visited, up to 15 destinations and 39,000 miles. More than half of the RTW tickets sold by the Star group are in business or first class. It can be tough to redeem frequent-flier miles for these tickets, although member carrier ANA does offer an around-the-globe award ticket that’s popular with some high-mile fliers.

You can also cobble together a string of one-way flights, but that is more expensive than the single-ticket method—unless you follow the example of one Noel Philips, a British travel reporter with a large YouTube following, who recently flew around the world in 80 hours exclusively on low-cost airlines. He stopped in five countries on four continents, and his total airfare was under $3,000.

For a price tag in the six figures, you can fly around the planet in comfort on a chartered aircraft, enjoying catered meals, flowing Champagne and swanky digs on the ground. With an all first-class layout, the jets used for these jaunts typically have a capacity of around 50 passengers, and demand is such that flights tend to sell out fairly quickly, according to Pamela Lassers, media-relations director at Abercrombie & Kent, the high-end tour operator known for its African safaris. The company is offering three RTW trips in 2024 of 25 or 26 days, via a Boeing 757, and just added a new wildlife-focused trip which stops in Hawaii, Fiji, Tasmania, Bali, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Brazil.

And there are other advantages to the private route, according to Diana Hechler, president of D. Tours Travel in Larchmont, N.Y. “You can get to some out-of-the-way places, like Easter Island,” she says, and “you avoid the delays and airport hassles we associate with flying today.” 

TCS World Travel, another luxury private-jet specialist, is adding departures for its round-the-world tours—with 10 trips scheduled from October this year to December 2025. One culture and history itinerary includes Easter Island and East Africa and requisite wonders of the world from Egypt to India—via a 52-seat Airbus A321—all in under four weeks. 

The cost: from $168,000 per person for A&K’s 26-day Wildlife & Nature Around the World trip, $130,000 for TCS’s 25-day tour. 

The reopening of the world has revived interest in circling the globe by the oldest form of intercontinental travel—ship.   

Cruise lines were virtually shut down during much of the pandemic, but now business is booming, and at least a dozen lines offer a round-the-world voyage, which usually takes at least three to four months. Several lines are reporting that 2024 sailings are already sold out. 

The cost: Prices range from around $20,000 to more than $100,000 per person. One example is a 128-day voyage aboard Holland America Line’s MS Zuiderdam departing Fort Lauderdale Jan. 3. The price—including all meals—starts at $23,600 per person, based on double occupancy.

At the higher end is Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 132-night trip aboard the Seven Seas Mariner, round trip from Miami, with calls at ports in Costa Rica, Australia, Indonesia, India and Israel. Rates start at $91,000 all-inclusive, and there is already a wait list for some cabin categories on the first 2024 voyage departing Jan. 6.

Barbara Peterson is a writer in New York. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Breaking news, photo of hamas terrorists parading shani louk’s body wins top award, sparking outrage.

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A sickening image of Hamas terrorists parading a slain woman’s nearly naked body through the streets of Gaza has been awarded a prestigious photo-of-the-year prize — sparking fierce outrage from those who slammed the win as “an outrageous desecration of Jewish life.”

The grim photo featuring Shani Louk’s body was among a collection of 20 images that helped the Associated Press secure first place in one of the Pictures of the Year International award categories earlier this month.

The awards, which are run by the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, are self-described as the world’s oldest photojournalism competition.

News of the AP’s win in the “Team Picture Story of the Year” category prompted widespread backlash on social media, with some slamming the accolade and the use of Louk’s image as an “outrageous desecration of Jewish life.”

“I am DISGUSTED, SHOCKED and ENRAGED that this @AP image of a murdered Shani Louk from October 7th was given picture of the year,” one social media user posted on X. “This is the value of Israeli women to you?”

“This is just wrong and sick,” another user raged of the award.

Louk, a 23-year-old German Israeli tattoo artist, was among the scores of innocent music festival-goers taken hostage when Hamas terrorists carried out their deadly Oct. 7 onslaught.

She quickly became one of the faces of the war after the shocking images of her lifeless body in the back of a pickup truck started going viral.

Israeli authorities later confirmed the young woman had been beheaded by her captors.

In announcing the AP’s win, the award organizers posted the unblurred image of Louk’s lifeless body on its Instagram page.

The photo, though, appears to have been deleted in the wake of the backlash.

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As the outrage over the AP’s award win mounted on social media, some users argued that the competition was dishonoring Louk’s memory by dredging up the photo.

“The family of Oct 7 victim Shani Louk want her to be remembered alive & smiling. One of the world’s biggest photojournalism prizes, ran by @RJI, trampled on their wishes, awarding an @AP photo of her mutilated body,” one user wrote on X.

Another tweeted: “This is how we choose to remember the beautiful Shani Louk. We will not allow her memory to be trampled by the inhuman thugs celebrating the AP photo of her tragic murder.”

Meanwhile, many took aim at Ali Mahmud, the freelance photojournalist who snapped the image, arguing he shouldn’t be celebrated over such a tragedy.

Several Israeli American and American Nova survivors sued the AP last month for using freelance photojournalists believed to be “longstanding Hamas affiliates and full participants in the terrorist attack.”

They are suing for damages under the Antiterrorism Act, according to the federal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.

“He is being celebrated for taking this photo of murder-rapist-terrorists with the brutalized and contorted body of Shani Louk,” one X user noted.

Pictures of the Year International organizers didn’t immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

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Retired couple sell house and belongings to travel world – visiting 92 countries

John Martin, 60, and his wife, Bev, 61, sold their home and donated their belongings to charity before setting off on their epic adventure around the world

• 13:26, 29 MAR 2024

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A couple sold their house and all their belongings to backpack around the world in their retirement – and they've visited a whopping 92 countries from Europe to the Caribbean and beyond.

John Martin, 60, and his wife, Bev, 61, started their big adventure in November 2021. They sold their home in Stuart, Florida, in the United States, and gave away their furniture to charities.

After travelling around 53 US states and 52 of the incredible US National Parks, they wanted more from their travels. So now, the grandparents of eight have visited far flung places like Indonesia, Colombia, Guatemala, Greece , and New Zealand

REAL LIFE: 'We sold our home in the UK to travel Europe full-time in a van with our cats'

REAL LIFE: 'I visited three of Thailand's best destinations in one week - it's easier than you think'

They stay in hotels and Airbnb rooms while exploring the exotic regions in their retirement whereas when they were in their home country they used a campervan. They call their travels the "trip of a lifetime".

The duo do make sure to go back to the US twice a year and can't wait for their grandkids to join them when they're older and hopping around the world. It was apparently the pandemic, which limited foreign travel that sparked their plan to explore the world.

John, who used to be a manufacturing manager, said: "In 2020 we bought a campervan and travelled around all the US states and territories. We realised that we didn't need our big house and that started this whole journey of what we wanted to do in our retirement.

"We thought 'why not go see the world? '. We sold our home and downsized to a couple of backpacks and have been travelling ever since."

Before this, in June 2016, Bev and John had moved into a retirement community in Florida. The couple shared that they had always dreamt of travelling. When the pandemic hit, they decided to buy a camper and explore all 53 US states and territories.

Bev, who used to be a stay-at-home mum, said: "We sat down one day and we knew we had money to travel in our retirement. We believed in living our life saving and being responsible around money.

"When we realised that we were retiring at a younger age, we looked at our budget and realised we could afford to travel two months a year But if we sold our home and our things we could afford to go on a big adventure."

In November 2021, Bev and John embarked on their first leg of their global journey to Central America. Since then, they have visited the Bahamas, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico and Romania as well as plenty of spots more familiar to us Brits like the UK, Ireland and France.

Bev says they have visited "so many wonderful places" but one that stands out for them is Ukraine . She said: "The war had started there when we visited in July 2022. We were in northern Romania – it was a safe area that we went through. The bridge we crossed was where many Ukrainian refugees fled the war and went into Romania."

John added: "My grandfather came from Ukraine in early 1900's and was never able to return. It was important to me to fulfill his unfinished dream of returning.

"It felt incredible to cross the border not knowing when we might get to return. I also love beautiful places to run. I think back to the mountains in New Zealand, Slovenia or Cape Town, South Africa. They have been amazing places for me and I have truly enjoyed them."

You should always check the current government travel advice before travelling abroad. This is especially important for regions which may be affected by war, protests and threats of terrorism . You can find the latest advice on gov.uk.

When they told their children about their plans to travel the world, John and Bev said their kids were thrilled. She shared: "We have five children and eight grandchildren, and all of our children are very excited about it I think our children are excited for us to live out our best lives."

"I hope we are setting a good example for them that things don't matter, items don't matter. It is about connections and experiences. We want to give them the gift of travel to the world, to our grandchildren, we want to change their lives and hope to take them on trips around the globe." The couple are sharing their journey on: retirementtravelers.com.

The couple have visited:

2. American Samoa

3. Antigua & Barbuda

4. Argentina

5. Australia

10. Belgium

11. Bermuda

12. Bosnia & Herzegovina

14. Bulgaria

15. Cambodia

17. Canary Islands

18. Cayman Islands

21. Colombia

22. Costa Rica

23. Croatia

25. Czechia

26. Denmark

27. England

28. Estonia

29. Faroe Islands

31. Finland

33. French Polynesia

34. Germany

35. Gibraltar

37. Guatemala

38. Holy See

39. Honduras

40. Hong Kong

41. Hungary

43. Indonesia

44. Ireland

50. Lithuania

51. Madeira

52. Malaysia

56. Montenegro

57. Morocco

58. Netherlands

59. New Zealand

60. North Macedonia

61. Northern Ireland

64. Philippines

66. Portugal

67. Puerto Rico

68. Romania

70. Saudi Arabia

71. Scotland

73. Singapore

74. Slovakia

75. Slovenia

76. South Africa

78. Sri Lanka

79. St. Kitts & Nevis

80. St. Lucia

81. St. Martin/Sint Maarten

83. Switzerland

85. Thailand

87. United Arab Emirates

88. Ukraine

89. United States

90. Uruguay

91. US Virgin Islands

92. Vietnam

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Russia-Ukraine latest: Poland scrambles fighter jets; Zelenskyy predicts where Russia will target next

Polish and allied aircraft were activated early this morning after Russia launched missile strikes on Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces said. Listen to a Daily podcast on how UK-made cars are getting into Russia as you scroll.

Friday 29 March 2024 13:40, UK

• Poland scrambles fighter jets after Russian strikes on western Ukraine
• Drone fragments found in Romania
• Three explosions reported near Ukrainian border with Moldova
• Explained: How the war has strayed outside Ukraine's borders
• Russia claims to have evidence linking concert attack to Ukraine
• Number of people killed rises to 143 | Actor Steven Seagal visits victims in hospital
• Listen to the Daily podcast above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live updates by James Robinson

One person has died, and another two people have been injured, in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian city of Belgorod, according to the region's governor. 

The city - on the border of Ukraine near the eastern city of Kharkiv - has been a major point of conflict in the Russian-Ukraine war, both in terms of aerial attacks and as a target for anti-Putin Russian partisans.

"Belgorod was attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces using an aircraft-type UAV," Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a post on messaging app, Telegram.

"The drone crashed into a flat building. Unfortunately, a man died as a result of the explosion."

Standing in the back of a pick-up truck, on a mounted machine gun, a Ukrainian soldier fires high into the sky.

His target - Russian drones.

He is part of an anti-drone mobile air defence unit, operating a Browning machine gun from his position in the Chernihiv region of northern Ukraine.

Attacks from Russian missiles and drones have become a nightly focus for Ukraine's forces. 

Just last night, a barrage from the sky came down on 10 different regions of Ukraine, with a focus on the country's power infrastructure.

According to the Ukrainian air force, 60 Shahed drones and 39 missiles of varying types were seen across the country, of which 58 drones and 26 missiles were ultimately shot down by air defences. 

One of Russia's most famous singers Alla Pugacheva - often nicknamed the queen of Soviet pop - could be branded a "foreign agent", state-run news agency RIA is reporting.

The 74-year-old - known across generations for hits such as the 1982 song "Million Scarlet Roses" and the 1978 film "The Woman who Sings" - has been a vocal critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

She signed a petition in 2014 against the persecution of Andrei Makarevich, who protested against the annexation of Crimea and war in Donbas.

The singer, and her husband, the satirist Maxim Galkin, left Russia for Israel shortly after the start of the 2022 invasion.

Galkin was branded a "foreign agent" in September that year, after which Pugacheva issued a statement condemning "the deaths of our men for the illusory goals that make our country an outcast and make life difficult for our citizens".

Russian prosecutors have now reportedly made a request to the country's justice ministry to brand Pugacheva as a "foreign agent".

The singer has in the past been feted by both President Vladimir Putin and his predecessor Boris Yeltsin.

When Mikhail Gorbachev died in 2022, she praised the last Soviet leader for allowing freedom and rejecting violence. 

We brought you news yesterday of Russia vetoing the annual renewal of a deal to monitor the enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea.

Now, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman has accused the West of attempting to "strangle" the secretive state.

The UN imposed sanctions on North Korea after Pyongyang carried out its first nuclear test in 2006.

However, on Thursday, Russia vetoed the annual renewal of a panel of experts to monitor the enforcement of those sanctions.

Moscow has in recent years sought to strengthen its ties to North Korea - having become alienated from the West due to its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In a sign of the strengthening ties, Vladimir Putin visited the country last year.

At the time, experts suggested that the Russian president was seeking weapons to bolster his Ukraine campaign, perhaps in return for help with North Korea's rocket and satellite programme.

On Friday, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said international restrictions on North Korea had not improved the security situation.

She also said there were severe humanitarian consequences for the population of North Korea - formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The United States and its allies have clearly demonstrated that their interest does not extend beyond the task of 'strangling' the DPRK by all available means, and a peaceful settlement is not on the agenda at all," she said.

The Russian veto is seen as a major turning point in the international sanctions regime against North Korea, which was formed in 1948 with the backing of the then-Soviet Union while the Republic of Korea was backed by the United States.

A Russian jet seen plunging to the ground was "clearly shot down", according to Sky News military analyst and former fighter jet pilot, Sean Bell .

The video shows the jet crashing into the sea off Sevastopol, in Russian-annexed Crimea.

Sevastopol's governor said that the pilot ejected from the jet before it crashed and was rescued by local crews.

Sean Bell, a retired air vice-marshal who flew fighter jets in the RAF, told Sky News: "[This is] pretty dynamic footage.

"Now at the time... they weren't quite sure what the cause was.

"But as a guy who flew jets, who ejected out of a jet that was on fire, I can tell you that jet was shot down.

"The flames and the fact that it is falling leaf syndrome - that's clearly been destroyed.

"The pilot apparently ejected safely, but it is pretty ignominious to about £100m worth of Russian aircraft."

France has called for its allies to provide several thousand extra military, police and civilian personnel to help protect this summer's Paris Olympics, government sources told Reuters news agency. 

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have created a complex security situation globally.

France also raised its security alert to the highest level in recent days in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Moscow. 

The Islamic State branch thought to be behind the attack also plotted attacks in France, President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this week. 

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said two planned attacks had been prevented in France since the start of the year. 

Yesterday, France's interior minister met intelligence services to assess the terrorist threat to the country. 

A French military official told Reuters: "The security context, particularly in recent weeks, means that there is extreme vigilance regarding the security of these Olympic Games." 

It is not uncommon for international sporting events to see foreign police invited to help manage the large numbers of foreign visitors, but it is rarer to ask for military assistance.

A Reuters source said France made a request in January to about 45 countries to help reinforce capacity with more than 2,000 people. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has listed the order of the countries he believes Russia will target if it succeeds with its goals in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president said he believes Vladimir Putin will turn to Kazakhstan next, before moving on to the Baltic states, Poland, and Germany.

"For him, we are a satellite of the Russian Federation," he told CBS.

"At the moment, it's us, then Kazakhstan, then Baltic states, then Poland, then Germany. At least half of Germany."

Kazakhstan, like the Baltic states, was part of the vast Soviet Union before its collapse in 1991.

Poland was under the effective control of the Soviets as a satellite state, as was the eastern half of Germany - then known as the German Democratic Republic - until German reunification in 1991.

Mr Zelenskyy also warned that the US, as a member of NATO, was not immune from the conflict.

"This aggression, and Putin's army, can come to Europe, and then the citizens of the United States, the soldiers of the United States, will have to protect Europe because they're the NATO members," he said.

During the interview, he also discussed the stalled US military aid package and its impact on the war.

He said Ukrainian forces had managed to "stabilise" the situation following a Russian advance in the winter, but that his soldiers needed new munitions ahead of an expected Russian offensive in late spring.

However, the approval of a critical $60bn (£48bn) package has been stalled amid intense political debate in Washington over the nature of the bill, which ties the military aid to an increase in funding to support border forces to deal with immigration at the US's southern border.

Republicans have blocked the bill, chiefly, they say, because they oppose the increased border funding being tied to foreign aid. 

"Let's be honest, the money which is allocated by the Congress, by the administration, in the majority of cases, 80% of this money - well, at least more than 75% - stays in the US," he said.

"This ammunition is coming to us, but the production is taking place there, and the money stays in the US, and the taxes are staying in the US."

The Ukrainian military will not need to mobilise as many people as initially expected following a review of resources, the country's top general has said. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in December that his military had proposed mobilising up to 500,000 more Ukrainians as Russia takes the upper hand in the conflict. 

But commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was appointed last month, said the figure had been "significantly reduced". 

"We expect that we will have enough people capable of defending their motherland," he told the Ukrinform news agency. 

"I am talking not only about the mobilised but also about volunteer fighters."

Ukraine has struggled in its recent mobilisation efforts due to waning enthusiasm and reports of corruption and abuse at draft offices. 

The Ukrainian parliament is currently considering a bill that would allow officials to call up more troops. 

Mr Syrskyi also said "powerful" defensive lines were being prepared "in almost all threatening areas".

Authorities in Tajikistan have detained nine people believed to have links to the Moscow concert hall shooting suspects, as well as terror group Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), a security source has reportedly told the Reuters news agency.

All nine people were detained on Monday in the city of Vakhdat and have been brought to the capital, Dushanbe, the news agency reported, citing the unnamed source.

It comes after authorities in Moscow announced yesterday that the number of people killed in the 22 March attack on the Crocus City Hall had risen to 143. 

Four men, all identified as being citizens of Tajikistan, were arrested and charged with carrying out the attack.

A further eight people have been arrested on suspicion of aiding the attackers.

IS-K - a regional branch of the Islamic State terror group, which is active in south-central Asia - immediately claimed responsibility.

US intelligence also said it had information confirming the group was responsible.

Russian officials, however, have insisted that Ukraine and the West had a role - claims that Kyiv vehemently has denied.

Today's discovery of drone fragments on a Romanian farm near the Ukrainian border would not be the first time Russia's invasion has strayed outside Ukraine's borders. 

It's not yet clear whether the drone came from Ukraine, but there have been numerous instances in the past of airborne objects falling in neighbouring countries. 

Perhaps the most concerning was when a missile fell in Poland in 2022, killing two men in a small farming community. 

NATO scrambled to hold an emergency meeting in the aftermath, as Poland is a member of the Western military alliance. 

It was later established the missile was one from Ukraine's air defence that had gone astray. 

Officials from Poland, NATO and the US said they still thought Russia was to blame for the deaths because the Ukrainian missile would not have needed to be used had it not been forced to defend itself against Moscow's invasion.

Last Sunday, Poland demanded an explanation from Russia after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace, forcing Warsaw to activate F-16 fighter jets. 

A similar incident happened overnight during a Russian missile strike on western Ukraine, which again saw Polish fighter jets scrambled. 

Back in December 2023, Poland's defence forces said an unknown object had entered the country's airspace from the direction of Ukraine and then vanished off the radars. 

Poland said the object, which travelled 24 miles into its airspace and was there for three minutes, appeared to be a Russian missile. 

Romania has also seen numerous instances of objects from the war crossing its borders. 

Another drone crashed on its territory in December 2023 during an attack on a Ukrainian port. 

Authorities found a 1.5m deep crater in an uninhabited area of eastern Romania.

A separate incident in September saw a drone found on Romanian territory near the Danube river. 

Soon after, fellow NATO member Bulgaria reported finding a kamikaze drone on its territory but could not confirm its origins. 

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