Pros

When you are part of a tour, someone else handles the details. All you need do is arrive at your departure point on time. This is great for people who do not have time to plan the details of their vacation

Tour operators capitalize on economies of scale. Some of those savings are passed on to you.

Tour operators can set up trips to just about anywhere, and tour groups have their own access times and entrances at overcrowded destinations.

Sometimes organized tours are the only way you will see places of which you would normally not be aware.

Well-informed guides add value to your tour experience, as will hearing about the sights from the point of view of a local.

Meeting new people is part of the fun.

There’s safety in numbers.

Con

Planned itineraries allow no flexibility.

Yet is not uncommon to wait up to 20 minutes for lazy people who couldn’t be on time.

This annoyance increases at over-priced souvenir shops and restaurants since the guide has an incentive to keep you there while always limiting your time at the cultural attractions, where he or she receives no fee at all.

And of course, there’s no way the tour will leave without the late tourists who may prevent you from seeing or doing everything that was planned.

Although many tour operators provide ratings or detailed explanations of their tours’ activity levels you might not be able to see everything on the itinerary if your tour proves more difficult than you had anticipated.

Tour group itineraries range from relaxed to ridiculous. You will be expected to meet the group on time, ready to go, regardless of the weather.

You are conspicuousness. Tour groups don’t blend in.

There may be personality conflicts.

If diplomacy is not your strong suit, a tour group might not be your best option.

Suggestions

Pick a tour and search for any reviews or comments about that tour.

The smaller the group the more intimate and personal the experience – but the larger the group the bigger the party.

Consider the length of the tour and how long you can handle being with a group.

If you spend all day driving and two hours at a destination, that’s not travel – it’s transport.

Make sure your tour isn’t a disguised shopping expedition.

When choosing guides try to chat with them by phone in advance, to determine how strong his or her command of your language really is.