Motorhome Tours escorted tours

[Old Gibber]

Over the years I've done both, escorted tours and organising it myself. Firstly I'm not a fan of just drifting off somewhere and seeing where I end up. When I've done that I've generally seen very little and wasted a lot of time. If that's what you like, so be it.

I like to sightsee, and the tours I've organised for myself in the US have worked really well. I spent the winter researching where we want to go and what we want to see, and booked all the campsites in advance. I then prepare my own guide for the holiday. For the drifting around fans, try getting onto one of the Yosemite campsites, you have to book right at the start of the season, and the sites are full within the first hour of the website opening for the year. Visiting the US is expensive, and this way we got the best out of the time spent there.

This year I went to Slovenia and Croatia with an escorted CMC tour. No it wasn't cheap, but there were plenty of activities arranged for us, and buses from the campsite to each of those. Quite a few drinks and group meals were included, and a real positive was the socialising. The tour was really well planned, there were plenty of free days, and of course, no convoys. Couldn't fault it.

Frankly, each to their own, but yes, I'd certainly go on another escorted tour.

 

[Old Gibber]

I imagine they give you the confidence to tour remote places/countries, back up if anything goes wrong, sorting out any required paper, support for breakdowns etc, meeting new people/friendship.

Choices choices, we are all different.

I think there is a great deal more to it than that.

 

[Old Gibber]

Strikes the fear of death I to me. sounds horrendous being organised we like to wander about on our own never knowing where we are going to end up next.
Also the cost of the trips works out at 4 or 5 times the cost of doing it in your own.

That would bore the pants off me.

From experience, the cost is anything up to double, not 4-5 times.

 

[intokenny]

I have been on 3 on these tours with G.B. (Canaries,Greece & Turkey) & they have been brilliant, also i would never have driven to these place on my own. What suits 1 may not suit another, but until you try them how would you know? You dont travel in convoy unless you want to, so can stop when you want & visit where you want. They book your ferries ( if you want) they book your sites, but if you dont like sites then this prob wont work for you. They organise coach trips/meals, you meet interesting people, as a single person it works great for me. Yes not the cheapest way maybe, but how many hours do you spend trying to save a few quid!?!? Try it once & if you dont like it that's fine, but dont knock it until you do. Canaries for me in Jan 2023, & i cant wait.

 

[L' Hobo]

You don’t all travel in a convoy by the way. You know where your campsite destinations are and it’s up to you how you get there. Some people will obviously just head straight there via the quickest route but you can do your own route and visit interesting stops en route, have a nice lunch. We share the driving but Nick has no sense of direction at all so if I’m driving I have to navigate as well so I have to try to have a picture in my head of “my” route. We have a camper Garmin.

There are some included meals on all of the trips but not that many as often they’re lunches out on guided tour days so most of the time you can cook in your van or try out restaurants of your own choosing.

We found you’d find the odd few couples you particularly like that you’d go out for meals with sometimes and sometimes on our own.

I’m very sociable but Nick’s not naturally sociable whereas when forced by me into these things with like minded people he ends up really enjoying himself. This is another reason why they suit us as a couple.

Can I perhaps suggest that, if you change your Garmin settings from 'fastest' (which most people have) to 'shortest', in my experience, you might be amazed where, and how many back roads, it takes you.
Perhaps worth trying it in the UK first?

These Motorhome Tours do not suit everyone and although expensive in comparison of 'doing-it-yourself' it can be reassuring if you are by yourself or a first timer.

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[Old Gibber]

These Motorhome Tours do not suit everyone and although expensive in comparison of 'doing-it-yourself' it can be reassuring if you are by yourself or a first timer.

I'm sorry but I do find this somewhat insulting. Yes I travel solo, and am a very confident traveller. My first solo road trip of Europe was over 50 years ago. However, I still think there is value in escorted tours and would certainly do more.

There are many other reasons why people would choose escorted tours rather than just the reassurance. I got far more out of my last tour than I ever would have done on my own.

 

[Tombola]

I'm sorry but I do find this somewhat insulting. Yes I travel solo, and am a very confident traveller. My first solo road trip of Europe was over 50 years ago. However, I still think there is value in escorted tours and would certainly do more.

There are many other reasons why people would choose escorted tours rather than just the reassurance. I got far more out of my last tour than I ever would have done on my own.

That insulted you ?...strange ..have you quoted the wrong post maybe

 

[Pappy]

That insulted you ?...strange ..have you quoted the wrong post maybe

I understand what he said. It's assuming people who go on tours do not have confidence. We have done many tours ourselves, just interested in exploring a guided tour. I think you may lose some of the serendipity, as someone mentioned, however there may be gains from going with experienced people who know the country and the best places to go. You might also meet interesting people.

 

[Old Gibber]

That insulted you ?...strange ..have you quoted the wrong post maybe

Nope. It is your suggestion that such tours are there for first timers or people that need reassurance. I think you maybe need to consider the many other reasons people do these tours. None of the tour members on my last tour were first timers, or needed reassurance. I would say we were all experienced caravanners and motorhomers.

 

[Jim]

Some days we only manage 5 miles.

Shortest day trip this year was at Würzburg. it was 20 yards, After one night there, it was early on a stonking hot day and was just about to leave when a rare riverside slot became available right in front of us. Spur of the moment we quickly pulled in to it and ended up spending another two days there.

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[L' Hobo]

I'm sorry but I do find this somewhat insulting. Yes I travel solo, and am a very confident traveller. My first solo road trip of Europe was over 50 years ago. However, I still think there is value in escorted tours and would certainly do more.

There are many other reasons why people would choose escorted tours rather than just the reassurance. I got far more out of my last tour than I ever would have done on my own.

Can I say, you must get insulted very easily especially as I was replying, not to you, but to carolyn ?

I also believe that there is value in Continental Escorted Tours, that's where my Coach Company received much of its revenue from in the 80s & 90s.

I also said, "it can be reassuring if you are by yourself or a first timer" you obviously do not need reassurance and are not a first timer?

I too have been world travelling for 50+yrs but there have been times and remote districts abroad, (where I do not have comprehensive understanding of the language,) that I have wondered, if it is safe to leave my empty vehicle, with belongings, while I go off site-seeing (sometimes for hours). Sometimes I have decided against it! If there were others there that I knew, I might have gone?

PS. With GB Motorhome Tours, it has always struck me that if, as a solo traveller, I was going to join them on their Sardinian Tour (for example,) that if I could make my way, all the way to the first campsite in Pisa. I could possibly save myself £3199 and spend it better on the tour that I had arranged myself?

 

[Gina M]

This is really interesting. I find myself agreeing with just about everyone, even though the views are all very different.
I’ll probably do what I normally do. I’ll wait for Julie to tell me what to do.

I've just been reminded of what a miserable so and so I was on a two-week Mediterranean cruise back in 2004 as I was so sick of seeing the same faces every day and even took to running and hiding in the loo when someone I wanted to avoid was heading towards me

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I was so sick of seeing the same faces every day

Me and Mrs CC have been on cruises and not seen the same people when boarding until we have disembarked at the end.

We normally go on the large Royal Caribbean ships.

 

[Gina M]

Me and Mrs CC have been on cruises and not seen the same people when boarding until we have disembarked at the end.

We normally go on the large Royal Caribbean ships.

It was being stuck on the same ship for 2 weeks that got to me. Same bars, same restaurants, same people and the shock I got when we sailed into a port and some people didn't even get off the ship, they just lay by the pool on the sun loungers so for them it was more about the ship that the places we visited, each to their own I say though. I used to run off!! then there were those who just sat in the bars all day drinking. I did like the cocktail bar in the evening, spent many happy hours with a rusty nail

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

It was being stuck on the same ship for 2 weeks that got to me. Same bars, same restaurants, same people and the shock I got when we sailed into a port and some people didn't even get off the ship, they just lay by the pool on the sun loungers so for them it was more about the ship that the places we visited, each to their own I say though. I used to run off!! then there were those who just sat in the bars all day drinking

We only ever do cruises with lots of stop overs, 2 days is the most we go without land.
Favourites use to be 16 day Xmas and New Year, fly into Miami for a couple of days then around the Caribbean and back to Miami.

Did a European one once absolutely horrendous, brand new ship and there were loads of Spanish kids on board running riot, in the end the captain said to the parents if they don’t control them they will be taken off
Only time I’ve ever seen problems on a cruise….

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[Tombola]

Nope. It is your suggestion that such tours are there for first timers or people that need reassurance. I think you maybe need to consider the many other reasons people do these tours. None of the tour members on my last tour were first timers, or needed reassurance. I would say we were all experienced caravanners and motorhomers.

That wasn't me I'm afraid..

How insulting

 

[DDJC]

I don't think that this is for me.

Firstly, I like planning and research too much to leave it to someone else.

Secondly, not keen on being brigaded with a gang of complete strangers. I've met motorhomers all over Yerp and UK, no probs, never met any motorhomer I was glad to get away from. But a whole bunch of them? In one go? What do they do? Sit round a fire, toasting marshmallows, whittling love spoons and singing Kumbaya?

I would be intrigued enough to find out where they go, why they go there, what they see and then plan my own. Not to do anyone out of business, but for the reasons above.

 

[The general]

We did a motorhome tour from New York in the 90's, first time driving something 30' long. 17 vans with a guide. The first three days we did nothing apart from making it to each days campsite. Hair raising leaving New York, Boston was a blur and the only place we actually did something was Salem, we still have the witches broomstick in the loft albeit a bit moth eaten. Things improved after that and Bar Harbour and Martha's Vineyard was wonderful as too were the places along the St Lawrence . Quebec, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Gettysburg and Washington. The downside was bonding around the campfire at night with the guide handing out literature for next day's viewing and reminding us he was dependent on monetary contributions from the group to keep going.

Sounds like me in the 80s, coast to coast , border to border BUT. on the greyhound !!!!!

 

[Gina M]

Anybody any experience with this company. I never thought that I would be interested in an escorted tour but they are well recommended. They have a Norway tour that I could be very interested in. I did want to go anyway but this might take some of the stress out of it. Would also take away the spontaneity. Any thoughts?

can you take dogs on these tours?

 

[Pappy]

can you take dogs on these tours?

Yes

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

can you take dogs on these tours?

Only on some when I looked at them.

 

[carolyn]

GB motorhome tours don’t allow dogs but Motorhome tours do.

All this talk of cruises, as I said in an earlier post we’re just back on friday from one to the Canaries, only our second ever and only did it as we fancied some sun and didn’t have enough days for a long trip. Well we were very pleased to not get the Norovirus that hit the ship the second week but I’m annoyed to find myself with Covid! I was a bit slow on the uptake and was wingeing to darling daughter on the phone yesterday about my sore throat and runny nose. She says perhaps it’s Covid, hadn’t crossed my mind, did a test and there you go. Typical Doctor haha.

 

[DDJC]

GB motorhome tours don’t allow dogs but Motorhome tours do.

All this talk of cruises, as I said in an earlier post we’re just back on friday from one to the Canaries, only our second ever and only did it as we fancied some sun and didn’t have enough days for a long trip. Well we were very pleased to not get the Norovirus that hit the ship the second week but I’m annoyed to find myself with Covid! I was a bit slow on the uptake and was wingeing to darling daughter on the phone yesterday about my sore throat and runny nose. She says perhaps it’s Covid, hadn’t crossed my mind, did a test and there you go. Typical Doctor haha.

Can't imagine doing a cruise for this exact reason. It strikes me that if the ship is even slightly rolling, then everyone on board is going to be touching holding handrails. Just a big floating petri dish.

For me, one of the joys of motorhoming is that with a bit of common sense, you can avoid other people's dead skin particles, lung fumes & finger bacteria. On a boat, no matter how big, I don't think you can.

But you're a Doc, so you'll know all about that

 

[carolyn]

Can't imagine doing a cruise for this exact reason. It strikes me that if the ship is even slightly rolling, then everyone on board is going to be touching holding handrails. Just a big floating petri dish.

For me, one of the joys of motorhoming is that with a bit of common sense, you can avoid other people's dead skin particles, lung fumes & finger bacteria. On a boat, no matter how big, I don't think you can.

But you're a Doc, so you'll know all about that

We had great fun actually and would do it again for a cheap and cheerful 2 week break to get a bit of Winter sun. We’ve been away in the van so much that we only had 2 weeks of our 90 days left.

Just as likely to have picked up the Covid in the cable car on Madeira or in one of the many cafes we visited or on the public buses.

The cleaning staff on the ship were incredible, we didn’t get Norovirus after all and the couple in the cabin next door had it.

 

[Feltwell]

Each to their own. Escorted tours wouldn't appeal to me at all but I can see why they would for others.

A cruise is my idea of hell! I did 48 hours on a ferry once, that was bad enough. But they are enormously popular, so obviously suit many, and I can see the appeal of everything being done for you. I just can't get over the idea of being trapped on a boat with forced conviviality - I'm sure it's nothing like that in reality.

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[VXman]

Strikes the fear of death I to me. sounds horrendous being organised we like to wander about on our own never knowing where we are going to end up next.
Also the cost of the trips works out at 4 or 5 times the cost of doing it in your own.

Me too, just like those hoards of Americans or Japanese being led around Florence by a guide with a flag. I accidentally ended up being is of those people in China some years ago!

 

[VXman]

What is great about motorhoming for me is stopping a random unplanned places and discovering little gems off the tourist trail. Planned tours spoil that aspect.

 

[carolyn]

Each to their own. Escorted tours wouldn't appeal to me at all but I can see why they would for others.

A cruise is my idea of hell! I did 48 hours on a ferry once, that was bad enough. But they are enormously popular, so obviously suit many, and I can see the appeal of everything being done for you. I just can't get over the idea of being trapped on a boat with forced conviviality - I'm sure it's nothing like that in reality.

I’ve only done 2 and they were a bit like posh motorhoming really, the only time you were “trapped” on the ship was at night when you were eating your dinner and sleeping. By the time you woke up you had arrived somewhere new to explore. Wouldn’t go on one with lots of sea days.

The forced conviviality is a myth, there is entertainment of course but I’m an early to bed, early to rise person so by the time I’ve had dinner and a wander I’m asleep by 10.30. You can choose to eat with other people but if you don’t want to there are buffets. The booze was the same as pub prices.

It’s certainly not my my first choice of holiday I hasten to add but for 2 weeks of sun it’s far more fun than 2 weeks in a hotel in somewhere ghastly like Lanzagrotty doing the same thing every day in the same place. You meet some nice people, and some dreadful ones that you can be really judgemental about and never meet again

 

[jdk62]

There is also another very good escorted Motorhome company called “Crossings Motorhome Tours”. Run by a fantastic couple Bob & Wendy.

They run some fantastic tours to France, Italy, Scandnavia, Croatia etc. No more than 12 vans and people have as much personal space as they wish. They organise the ferry, the sites and advice on routes, but you can choose your own routes to the sites if you wish. Some travel in convoy, many go their own way. A drinks night and a dinner night is organised, after that you can do what you want For the remainder of the trip.

I am one of those who prefer to go solo and not be shepherded by organised tours, however, we found them great fun and got great tips of places to visit, routes etc. We joined in with other tourers at night sometimes and at other times we didn’t.

Everybody has a choice….

 

[VXman]

I'm sorry but I do find this somewhat insulting. Yes I travel solo, and am a very confident traveller. My first solo road trip of Europe was over 50 years ago. However, I still think there is value in escorted tours and would certainly do more.

There are many other reasons why people would choose escorted tours rather than just the reassurance. I got far more out of my last tour than I ever would have done on my own.

Whilst not being a fan of this type of trip, I can see this would be attractive as a solo traveller if you enjoy other people's company.

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