Guest Author - Janet Collins

Has this ever happened to you? You shell out big bucks to go on the trip of a lifetime only to find the majority of the group you’re traveling with is in a totally different generation let alone age bracket. Worse, seats on the tour bus are arranged so that the maximum number is crammed onto the overheated vehicle. And on top of it all, many of the details that make for a smooth trip have been overlooked. It all adds up to a holiday filled with all the wrong memories.

I’ve just learned about a company that specializes in group travel that seems to really have its act together. I was especially impressed by a number of considerations that will make the journey more enjoyable for mature travelers.

Insight Vacations specializes in premium, first-class escorted tours to Europe, Scandinavia, the Eastern Mediterranean and North America. Among their more popular tours are The Best of Italy, Easy Pace France, Splendours of Egypt, Highlights of Europe, and The Best of Morocco.

Group size is limited to 40 passengers, so Insight staff members are able to give more individual attention and service to guests. I like that. What I like even more is the thought of extra leg room on the tour bus – don’t know about you, but my aging legs like to stretch out from time to time on long rides. (I’m not very tall, but I am constantly amazed by how little leg room is available on planes and tour buses these days. What do you fellas who are six feet plus do?)

But what really impressed me was the fact that Insight backs its offer with a guarantee – for example, that you’ll only stay in first-class and deluxe hotels that are centrally or scenically located.

Other features that I don’t see a lot of other tour companies offering: early booking discounts, and the opportunity to save the single supplement with a free roommate matching service. I think the last time I was offered that type of deal was during my freshman year at university!

Choice of dining styles – table d’hote menu or buffet – is another consideration that I appreciate more now that I’m older. I find I don’t have the appetite I once had, so large buffets are often wasted on me.

Oh yeah, and if you book more than one tour, another discount kicks in.

All that and a guarantee to boot. Group travel suddenly seems worth considering again.