With so many options these days on how to travel, trip planning can be daunting. Where do I want to go and in what season? When do I have enough time off from work? Do I go alone or with a travel buddy? Do I go on a packaged tour or make my own plans?
As a boutique tour operator specializing in small group travel – in our case, typically between about 8-12 people (and often less) – we get these questions a lot. Over the years, we’ve transitioned from offering only set date departures into adding self-guided and custom itineraries as well. But what are the pros and cons of these options and which one is best for you?
Here are all the details on guided small group tours, self-guided or self-drive tours and custom trips.
Guided Small Group Travel
Small group travel or small group trips is a subcategory of what might generally be called “packaged trips,” “all inclusive” or “group departures.” Trip dates are set, there is a specific itinerary that is followed, and you have a guide throughout the duration of the trip as well as a group of travel companions.
On our small group trips, the itinerary is structured for you, including transportation logistics, boutique B&Bs and hotels, curated culinary experiences (good travel must include good food!), plus tickets and entries for activities. We work hard to balance planned group activities with enough free time for explorations on your own that can lead to those spontaneous experiences – like stumbling in to an unexpected live music session at a local pub - that independent travelers typically love.
Traverse Journeys small group trip in Costa Rica, learning about coffee production. Photo credit: Chris Clements
The “guided” portion means two things in our case: Every group departure has a Traverse Journeys host, someone who is with you throughout the whole trip ensuring logistics run smoothly and acting as your liaison as you navigate your travels. You’ll also have special local guides who offer a wealth of knowledge about history, culture, architecture, food, nature or whatever other topic we may be exploring on your adventure.
Another operative word here is “small” – for us this means groups of 8-12, sometimes less. Traveling with our expert hosts in small groups gives you access to unique experiences that are tricky to find on your own, and it also gives you the chance to travel with like-minded people in an intimate, personal setting. Because we keep our group sizes small, we still have the flexibility and independence that many solo travelers do and can enjoy off-the-beaten path routes and immersive local experiences. Sometimes travelers will join as a pair – like a couple or two friends – but often we’ll have individual travelers join our small group trips. And more often than not, everyone is friends by the end! In fact, meeting new travel buddies to share the incredible experiences of travel is often a favorite reason for folks to join our small group departures.
Traverse Journeys small group trip in Croatia, enjoying the sites in Zagreb.
Small Group Travel Pros:
Logistics are taken care of for you, no planning to stress about
Local guide and host to ensure your comfort throughout the trip and offer a deep understanding of the destination
Great way to meet like-minded travelers and enjoy a fun, social atmosphere
Mid-range pricing, not super cheap but not too expensive either
Small Group Travel Cons:
Dates are fixed and itinerary is set (with some free time to yourself throughout)
Pricing is based on double occupancy (you share a room), or you can upgrade to have your own room
Often a minimum number of travelers required (like 4) for the trip to be guaranteed
Higher price point than self-guided trips
Small Group Travel Is Best For:
Busy individuals who would rather not devote the time or energy to plan the details
Solo travelers who want to join an experience with like-minded adventurers
Travelers who seek a deeper understanding of the destination through expert guides
First time travelers that are nervous to travel on their own
Destinations that might feel intimidating or where you don’t speak the language
Our top picks for small group travel:
Nepal, India, Chile, Brazil, Italy, Dominica, Greece, Jordan, Colombia, Cuba
Self-guided or Self-drive Itineraries
Self-guided itineraries give travelers more flexibility with dates than small group departures do. Does one of our group itineraries sound perfect for you but the dates don’t work for your schedule? Or perhaps you'd prefer to only travel with your partner, family or friend(s) and forego a dedicated guide. That’s where self-guided trips can shine! Another advantage of self-guided travel is increased independence and flexibility throughout your journey.
Exploring the streets of Chefchaouen, Morocco. Photo credit: Una Simone
Each tour operator might work a little differently, but in our case here’s the deal: Our self-guided itineraries follow a somewhat similar format as the group tours. The route is set (though some tweaks are usually possible), taking you to all the iconic sites, hidden gems and our favorite spots.
Your accommodations are booked for you along with key meals and activities, such as a pachamanca farm lunch in Peru, a catamaran sunset sail in Costa Rica, a glacier hike in Iceland or a cooking class in Mexico. You just need to make sure to follow the step-by-step plan and get yourself from A to B! Transportation options vary: it may be arranged for you (either public transit options or private vehicles) or you may need to rent a car (which may be included in the cost of your package). In some cases, you can also opt for shared transportation which reduces costs.
You won’t have a Traverse host with you 24/7, but you will have the option to book local guides at the right time and place and you’ll benefit from the stress-free planning with a detailed itinerary at your fingertips. There are further add-ons and optional activities as well, allowing you to pick and choose aspects of your itinerary for a more customized experience.
Friends exploring the beaches of Costa Rica. Photo credit: Chris Clements
Self-Guided Itinerary Pros:
You can choose your own dates to travel and pick what works for you
Minimize the hassle of booking accommodation, entry tickets, transportation logistics, and planning the route. It’s all taken care of for you!
Travel solo, as a couple, or with a group of friends/family. No stranger danger :)
Lower price point than small group or custom trips
More independence and customization than small group tours
Self-Guided Itinerary Cons:
Many destinations work best with a rental vehicle, so in those places you’ll need to be comfortable driving in a foreign country
You’ll be need to be a bit more proactive, we provide the itinerary but you have to follow it! No Traverse host to wake you up in the morning :)
It’s a bit less social, as you won’t be meeting as many other independent travelers
Self-Guided Itineraries Are Best for:
Busy individuals who want to pick their dates of travel and have most logistics planned for them
Small family or friend groups that want a private itinerary together
Independent adventurers who prefer more budget-friendly travels
Travelers who are more concerned about social distancing and want to take extra precautions
Our self-guided itinerary top picks:
Ecuador, Croatia, Iceland, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Ireland, Costa Rica
Custom Trips
This is where travel planning gets super fun! Travel agents or tour operators like us use our expert knowledge, vetted vendor partners and local connections within destinations to create custom trips or bespoke itineraries that cater specifically to individual travel needs and tastes.
Mom & daughter in the Sahara desert of Morocco. Photo credit: Josh Telles
Interested in a regional wine and culinary customs in Italy, or an active cycling and hiking adventure in Patagonia ? Want to capture stunning photographs of the sunset at just the right time in the mountains of Morocco? This is where a custom itinerary shines, as it’s a curated experience designed just for you. These trips are also great for travelers who want a private experience and a stress-free bespoke experience. We’ve created custom trips for all kinds of travelers from families wanting to explore their ancestral roots, honeymooners eager for a bucket list adventure, and friends looking for a relaxing retreat.
In our case, we only offer custom trips to destinations we know super well like Italy, Costa Rica, Ireland, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru and Iceland (and more). If you’re not sure of the exact route you want to follow then we may suggest basing the trip off our existing small group itinerary (as these routes usually incorporate the best of the best in any destination!), and from there we can add in elements according to your wish list of experiences. Of course, we can also create a fully customized route based on your individual wants. To make your trip truly special we use our pool of fantastic partners, from cute little B&Bs to incredible local guides to artisan craft makers to cozy restaurants with farm-to-table cuisine.
The process for creating a custom trip involves reaching out to see if our services and offerings are a fit for your wants and needs as well as your budget, followed by a proposal outlining the projected itinerary and pricing, a deposit payment, followed by detailed planning for you.
Custom Trip Pros:
Customize when, where, and what to your liking
Pick your travel dates and travel partners
Name your budget and we’ll do our best to match it
Take part in the creative process of developing your trip just how you want it, while having a travel professional by your side through the process to handle the logistics and offer expert local insight
Custom Trip Cons:
You’ll need to participate in the planning and think more about all the options you prefer
Cost is higher than self-guided itineraries and potentially higher than small group trips, depending on your group size and travel goals
Our top custom trip picks:
Ireland, Costa Rica, Morocco, Spain, Iceland, Chile, Dominica
