The pluses and minuses of joining group travel

If you’re thinking of doing a group coach tour, Linda Thompson recommends trying spring or autumn for both a less crowded trip and cooler temperatures. “Every place will be packed with other tourists beyond your wildest nightmares, and the northern summer is hot! ,” she says.

Pro: You’re travelling with a group so you’re never lonely, even if travelling alone. Especially perfect for women travelling on their own.

Con: Let’s hope you like your group — and you will. They’ll vary in age and country of origin, so you’re bound to find a kindred spirit or two. Some are likely to become life-long friends.

Pro: You have access to unique experiences, skipping the inevitable queues.

Con: Many of these experiences are optional extras, but you need to do them or you’ll miss out on essentials. But they’ll cost more. Our group was unanimous that some — like going up the Eiffel Tower — should be included in the regular tour itinerary.

Pro: You’ll learn everything about where you’re going, its history and background on the way.

Con: Your trip may not have our Gary, tireless and energetic font of all knowledge and organised fixer. He delivered everything with enthusiasm and plenty of useful tips. A good tour director is vital, and you can probably bet they’re all good.

Pro: You’re driven everywhere in a comfy coach. Seats are rotated daily so everyone gets a shot at the front seat. Our driver, Giuseppe , was a master at dealing with winding mountain roads.

Con: You can’t go off somewhere on your own very often. However your TD can often help you nip off to see something vital on your bucket list while others do a planned activity you don’t mind missing.

Pro: So much is crammed into a couple of weeks that you’ll see the best of your chosen route, with two-night stays at most places.

Con: That means some early starts. Don’t be that person who is always late. Take a photo of the plan the night before so you get your bag out in time.

Pro: The days always include a buffet breakfast, so eat up to get you through the day. Dinner with wine is included about every third night.

Con: But there’s still crepes and creme brulee to be eaten in Paris, strudel in Switzerland, cheeses and salamis everywhere to sample. You may put on a few kilos. And somehow, I never had a pizza in Italy. How did that happen?

Pro: There are local guides to show you the behind-thescenes life in each place, take you on a foodie market tour, roam the back streets of Venice.

Con: If you don’t take these tours to go shopping instead, you’ll miss a lot. You’ll also need to be comfortable doing quite a bit of walking. Europe wasn’t built for vehicles.

Pro: All tips, payments to local guides, portering of your bags to and from hotels is taken care of. No dragging your expanding bag up hotel steps.

Con: You may still be expected to tip a guide who’s done a good job, and there’s a none-too-subtle hint to tip the driver and director at the end. It’s not in the Kiwi nature to tip people who already get paid to do their job.

Pro: You’ll stay in very nice hotels, some quirky, some downright weird, but all comfy and safe.

Con: Some of these hotels may be some distance for solo shopping and wandering the sights, which was a surprise.

Pro: If you travel in the northern summer you’ll escape the New Zealand winter.

Con: Every place will be packed with other tourists beyond your wildest nightmares, and the northern summer is HOT. Try spring or autumn instead for a less-crowded trip and cooler temperatures.

Pro: Remember when Mum and Dad organised your holiday, packed your bag and drove you everywhere you wanted to go? You didn’t have to think of anything but enjoying yourself.

Con: Still trying to think of one . . .