A perfect small group tour
Designing a perfect small group tour requires a different focus from other group tours where seeing as much as possible with as large a group as possible in a limited time frame is what’s usually on offer. Lots of early morning starts, queues on to coaches and more queues to see sights. Trying to move through busy streets in an unwieldy group following a guide.
When designing a perfect small group tour, on the other hand, any number beyond 10 is already too large for comfort. An unhurried itinerary with a longer stay in each location is the order of the day. Depth rather than breadth of experience becoming the focus. A perfect small group tour combines group activities in the companionship of like-minded individuals with free time to cater to personal interests and reflection.
The chosen destination needs to lend itself to providing something beyond the ordinary tourist experience. An opportunity to engage with artisans and producers and taste local food and wine. Be invited into local village homes, villas and palaces and enjoy after hours private visits to museums, galleries and archaeological sites.
The company of a knowledgeable, informative and engaging local guide who can weave stories into the fabric of the location, the history of its people, its art and architecture, and the living culture.
Designing a perfect small group tour requires the discipline of understanding the needs and expectations of potential guests. In the case of Big Yellow Suitcase, we’ve found our ideal guests would recognize themselves in the following profile:
- A demand for excellence
- An age bracket 45+
- Prefer to describe themselves as travellers rather than tourists.
- Looking for deeper more meaningful experiences
- Are generally, although not exclusively, solo travellers who object to being charged a single supplement
- Don’t want to be continually packing and moving
- Dislike queueing and being rushed from one must see sight to the next.
- Want to engage with the local people and culture
- Expect and enjoy fine food and wine
- Appreciate the companionship of like-minded people and welcome personal time
- Consider a genuine small group tour to be no more than 10 people.
- Are excited by an opportunity to access places and experiences not available to larger groups or independent travellers
- Enjoy gaining greater understanding of the history, art and culture from a knowledgeable, informative and engaging local guide
- Comforted by the knowledge travel details are seamlessly organized and managed by an expert
There are myriads of tours and tour companies offering an ever- expanding range of destinations and activities. It’s a busy market with a growing number of people travelling every year. The popular tourist spots are becoming increasingly over-crowded. Experienced travellers are demanding more. Small group, boutique style tour designers are working to meet this need. Big Yellow Suitcase is passionate about designing a perfect small group tour by introducing our guests to unforgettable personal experiences within a small group environment to some of our favourite places in the world.
If you recognize yourself in the profile above, we’d love to meet you and welcome you to our world of travel.
