For a visit to Egypt’s legendary pyramids or Africa’s vast parks, a guided tour always makes sense. But even seemingly easy-to-visit destinations—such as national parks in Australia, Japan, or the United States—are strong contenders for guided tours or small-group tours.
Big names like Globus, Trafalgar, Adventures by Disney, Abercrombie & Kent and Tauck are leaders in the industry, and their tours do more than just cater; these guided tours combine insider access with local culture, food, history and geography.
The most important thing? Someone else will take care of the logistics, leaving you free to sit back and enjoy it all. Here are the places we chose to visit and why a guided tour or small group tour makes such a difference.
Armenia
Armenia is rarely at the top of travel bucket lists – which is why it deserves a closer look. This Caucasian country is filled with hilltop monasteries, timeless villages and a 6,000-year-old winemaking tradition. The capital Yerevan is full of café culture and modern art, but history is never far away. Traveling alone can be tricky, but Globus’s 11-day journey through time seamlessly weaves together Armenia’s historical and spiritual heritage, from the Armenian Genocide Museum and the world’s oldest Christian cathedral, Etchmiadzin, to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed monasteries of Sanakin and Haghpat. And surprises: taste Areni’s vintage wines and Winston Churchill’s favorite cognac straight from the barrel, before heading into Georgia for a meal and wine tasting. Please note that Globus tours are small group tours and can accommodate up to 18 people.
Norway
Most people dream of cruising Norway’s fjords, but small group tours add an extra dimension. Whether chasing the Northern Lights in the winter or the fjords in the summer, the scenery here is so stunning it’s incredible. Waterfalls roar into sapphire inlets, glaciers peek around the bends, and Viking legends are everywhere. Nordic experts 50 Degrees North bring together the best experiences, from cruising the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord to standing in front of the majestic Jostedalsbreen glacier, exploring the Lofoten Islands or meandering along scenic routes. The eight-day Best of Norway tour begins in the capital Oslo and its bold waterfront architecture and ends in Bergen, where the tour group enjoys fresh seafood on the pier. In between, you’ll board the Flåm Railway, ride a sturdy inflatable boat through glassy fjords, and soak up the Norwegian summer atmosphere in fairytale villages.
Japan
Japan always surprises people. Tokyo is filled with neon skyscrapers and all things cute, like cat cafes, Hello Kitty boutiques, and Harajuku cosplay. Hiroshima tells a story of resilience, while Kyoto is the most zen place in Japan, filled with temples and geishas. You could spend a decade here and barely scratch the surface, so a little structure in the form of a guided tour can make a world of difference. Disney Adventures connect families of all ages. From Kyoto to Hiroshima, “Little Kyoto” Takayama and Tokyo, the 10-day journey opens the door to old and new Japan, and experiences that aren’t always easy to explore alone – from sumo wrestling matches and rickshaw tours to taiko drumming, bento box making and the dazzling digital world of teamLab Borderless.
Africa
The Big Five may be at the top of any safari bucket list, but the magic of Africa lies in the way it is experienced. Small group tours feature dawn safari drives, canoeing along hippo-filled waterways and internal routes for bush walks, and your bingo card is thrilling encounters with wild elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas and painted dogs. Africa specialists Abercrombie & Kent’s Ultimate Great Migration Safari adds a touch of luxury and a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest wonders. October is the best time to see millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles roaring down the Mara River, with predators in hot pursuit. From the claw-filled red sun to evening sunsets held in hand in boutique hotels, this is the most luxurious and epic place in Africa.
Morocco
Picture spice-filled souks, labyrinthine medinas, and the call of the muezzin floating through the rooftops. Morocco is certainly intoxicating, but its intensity can be overwhelming – so traveling in a small group can make all the difference. G Adventures Geluxe itineraries slow down the pace and offer upscale accommodations, immersive outings and more time to stay. Stroll the indigo streets of Chefchaouen, hike the Rif Mountains and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis on this nine-day tour of northern Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech. In addition to Fes and its 1,300-year-old medina, the Middle Atlas also beckons. Hike to the spectacular rock formation Imsfran Cathedral, then have lunch with an Amazigh family and learn their bread-making secrets. This is not just a trip; Here’s a closer look at Morocco.
South Korea
South Korea is quickly becoming one of the world’s top foodie destinations, but there’s much more to this Asian country than kimchi and bibimbap. Trafalgar’s 10-day Best of Korea tour takes you from Seoul’s royal palaces and K-pop hotspots to the Demilitarized Zone (a rare glimpse into North Korea) and the coastal charm of Busan. Along the way, ride the high-speed train, sample street food at Gwangjang Market, and sample traditional rice wine Makgeolli with a sixth-generation registered master. Lasting 10 days and traveling through 5 cities, this was an unforgettable journey integrating music, food, history and culture.
Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
turkey
As you travel through Türkiye, history rises around you like dust on sacred roads. Byzantine churches border Ottoman mosques, and bustling bazaars meet the vast Mediterranean coastline. Intrepid Travel’s women-only expeditions go deep behind monuments and even into the homes of locals. In Istanbul, a mother and daughter serve pancakes and strong coffee and tell fortunes the way Anatolian women have done for centuries. In Avanos, a family displaced from Hatay after the 2023 earthquake cooks for guests, preserving the flavors of their homeland, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At dawn, fly in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, hike through the Soganli Valley, and learn how to make Kitre dolls, handcrafted by local women for generations. This is a meaningful trip, staying at a female-owned hotel and visiting a social enterprise to give back to the community in a valuable way.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is buzzing right now. Sarajevo has shaken off its turbulent past and is lined with cafes, markets and bakeries, and the scent of warm burqa fills the air. In Mostar, the reconstructed Stari Most Bridge arches over the turquoise waters, where locals dive fearlessly and happily. Globus’s new 10-day Croatia island hopping tour tracks the highlights – Sarajevo, Mostar and the spectacular Kravis Falls – before heading into Croatia and the sun-soaked islands of Hvar and Brac. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden corners, the warmth of Slavic spirit and food that tells its own story, from flaky cheese-filled burek and grilled cevapi sausage to fresh seafood grilled to perfection.
Australia
Exploring Australia on your own may seem easy, but once you hit the open road, its vastness quickly becomes clear. Tauck’s Focus on Australia is huge, offering three charter flights and luxury experiences. Think Melbourne’s hidden laneways, private cruises on Sydney Harbor, hot air ballooning over Port Douglas and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef’s vibrant outer reefs. Add in Uluru sparkling at sunset, Aboriginal rock art dating back 65,000 years, and wildlife found nowhere else, and you’ll understand why expert planning can turn a trip here into a truly spectacular experience.
bottom line
Guided tours and small group tours can unlock experiences you might otherwise miss. From off-the-beaten-path destinations to family-friendly adventures and women-only expeditions, they offer VIP access to culture, food, history and hidden corners – perfect for first-time travelers or those looking for more than the usual attractions.
