Organised tours are a great way to get to know the country you are visiting. They usually fit a great deal into a short space of time, enable you to meet fellow travellers, and take the stress out of organising an itinerary yourself. I have been on a few tours in various countries and they all showcased the best of the country; here are my top three:
1. LA to the Bay, USA – Contiki
This tour starts in Los Angeles and finishes in San Francisco, taking in several key attractions on the way. San Diego, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park are all on the itinerary, with optional excursions such as helicopter flights, hot air balloon rides and boat cruises available at an extra cost. Highlights were the clubs and casinos during a two night stay in Vegas, the eighties party thrown by the tour operator in Yosemite, and the experiencing the serene atmosphere of the Grand Canyon. Contiki ensure that there is never a boring moment; there are trips to bars and restaurants almost every evening with the result being several late nights and a constant hangover! The best thing about this tour was the people – everyone got on really well and this made the trip.
2. Fraser Island, Australia – Cool Dingo Tours
Many people choose to do a self-drive camping option when visiting Fraser Island, however this organised tour encompasses the best sights of the island as well as lodge accommodation for those not keen to spend the night in a tent. The tour leaders are extremely knowledgeable about the island’s geology, and the trip includes visits to India Head, the Maheno shipwreck and Lake McKenzie. There is the opportunity to swim in the freshwater lakes, and for an additional cost you can take a short plane ride over the island – ideal for aerial photographs. The small group sizes mean that you get to know your fellow travellers, and like the Contiki tour, this makes it extremely worthwhile. For more information about Fraser Island, click here.
3. Island Safari, Koh Samui, Thailand – Tour Koh Samui
This day trip covers a side of the island that tourists don’t often encounter; the open top jeeps take you away from the main resorts such as Chaweng Beach, and show you the markets of Lamai, the gold encrusted Buddhist temples and statues, and the hidden waterfalls and rock formations within the islands mountainous centre. It also includes a trip to a wildlife park where you have the opportunity to ride an elephant (brilliant) and see monkeys wearing clothes (horrendous). As health and safety doesn’t seem to be a huge issue in Thailand, the tour leaders allow a couple of people to sit on the roof of the jeep; descending the uneven terrain fearing for your life is surprisingly fun. Koh Samui has some amazing scenery, and this tour ensures you see the best of it.
Useful links:
A Dingo Ate My Jandal 