• Destination
  • Holiday types
  • Offers
  • Inspire me
  • Our services
  • Contact us
Airboats travel along the waterways of the Everglades in Florida
22 November, 20218 minute read

Why choose an escorted tour?

Recently, we were delighted to welcome Travel vlogger Gary Bembridge on our ‘Best of Florida’ itinerary.  As his first experience of an escorted touring holiday, we were interested to find out his thoughts on the experience, how it compared to his expectations, and who this type of holiday may be best suited to.

What exactly is an escorted tour, and who are they most suited for? These were two of the questions that came to mind when I was invited to join Titan Travel on their tour of Florida. As I had never been on one, I welcomed the chance to find out more about escorted travelling. This is what I discovered.

What is an escorted tour?

A tour manager hosts the tour, from start to end. They fly out and stay with the group at every step, handling all aspects of the trip once there. Flights, hotels, transfers to and from the airport, transportation around the destination (usually by coach), sightseeing and entrance fees are covered within the fare. Meals may be included in the price, but differ by trip.

Escorted tours pack as much as possible into the itinerary, and so tend to be intense and busy. They may only spend one or two nights in each hotel.

Is an escorted tour and guided tour the same thing?

They are similar but a guided tour uses a local representative who meets the group on arrival. While they provide guidance, support and handle local arrangements, they may not travel with, stay at the hotels or join every excursion and activity. The itineraries tend to have more free time and optional sightseeing opportunities.

What are the main pros of an Escorted Tour?

Who is an escorted tour best suited for?

In my view, it is less about age and more about how people like to travel. Although in practice these attitudes tend to also be shared by, and often attract, an older demographic.

I believe escorted tours are suitable for travellers who meet some or all these criteria:

Large group of elephants and zebras come to drink at the waterhole in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe with a natural tree and bush background and a clear blue sky

What questions should you ask when choosing an escorted tour?

If the above has convinced you that an escorted tour is for you, then these are the questions I suggest you ask when making your choice:

So, will you be joining us on one of our itineraries? Have a look online to see our full selection of escorted tours.

Image of blog author Gary Bembridge

Gary Bembridge was born in Zimabwe and been based in London since 1987. He has travelled every month of every year for 25 years. He used to be a Global Marketing Vice President for major multi-nationals, but since 2012 has been exclusively focusing on creating travel content including videos, audio podcasts, books and articles. He enjoys exploring the world in comfort and seeking out the must-see places and things to see.

Gary Bembridge | About the author
newletter

Receive inspiration in your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter for holiday inspiration and the latest special offers

For more information about how we use your personal information, please view our Privacy Policy.

Why choose a Titan Travel tour or cruise?

Our award-winning collection of holidays covers all seven continents, with carefully planned itineraries ranging from rail journeys and river cruises, to small-group adventures and trips exclusively for solo travellers.

VIP travel service

Smooth transfers to and from home with unlimited mileage

More value

From excursions to hotels, entry tickets and dining packages, we include more than any other tour.

More knowledgeable

Be guided by some of the most passionate and knowledgeable tour managers in the world, on hand to help every step of the way.

More flexible

Feel free to amend or extend your travel plans, up until final payment, and enjoy free time on your tour with us too.