Escorted & Package Tours

Packages for the Independent Traveler

Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices.

One good source of package deals is the airlines themselves. Most major airlines offer air/land packages, including American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), Delta Vacations (tel. 800/654-6559; www.deltavacations.com), Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.covacations.com), and United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com). Several big online travel agencies -- Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Site59, and Lastminute.com -- also do a brisk business in packages.

Qantas Vacations USA (tel. 800/641-8772 in the U.S., or 310/322-6359; fax 310/535-1057) and Qantas Vacations Canada (tel. 800/268-7525 in Canada; fax 416/234-8569) offer good deals.

Travel packages are also listed in the travel section of your local Sunday newspaper. Or check ads in national travel magazines such as Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine, Travel & Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Condé Nast Traveler.

Escorted General-Interest Tours

Escorted tours are structured group tours, with a group leader. The price usually includes everything from airfare to hotels, meals, tours, admission costs, and local transportation.

Despite the fact that escorted tours require big deposits and predetermine hotels, restaurants, and itineraries, many people derive security and peace of mind from the structure they offer. Escorted tours -- whether they're navigated by bus, motor coach, train, or boat -- let travelers sit back and enjoy the trip without having to drive or worry about details. They take you to the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle. They're particularly convenient for people with limited mobility and they can be a great way to make new friends.

On the downside, you'll have little opportunity for serendipitous interactions with locals. The tours can be jam-packed with activities, leaving little room for individual sightseeing, whim, or adventure -- plus they often focus on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on many a lesser-known gem.

In New Zealand, Mount Cook Tours (tel. 800/468-2665) offers escorted tour options. Other reputable tour companies include:

Contiki Holidays, P.O. Box 6774, Wellesley St., Auckland (tel. 09/309-8824; www.contiki.com), offering 3- to 15-day coach tours for 18- to 35-year-olds throughout New Zealand.

Thrifty Tours, P.O. Box 31257, Milford, Auckland (tel. 0800/803-550 in NZ, or 09/359-8380; www.thriftytours.co.nz), with well-planned 2- to 16-day tours.

Britz New Zealand, 5 Aintree Ave., Auckland (tel. 09/275-9090; www.britz.com), providing tours throughout New Zealand in modern coaches with multilingual guides.

Discover New Zealand, Private Bag 92-637, Auckland (tel. 0800/330-188 in NZ, or 03/306-7670; www.discovernewzealand.com), which offers a range of 3- to 8-day tours designed for travelers who want the value and security of prebooked arrangements combined with the freedom and independence of doing their own thing.

Scenic Pacific Tours, P.O. Box 14037, Christchurch (tel. 0800/500-388 in NZ, or 03/359-3999; www.scenicpacific.co.nz), which offers a large range of day excursions, short tours, and independent holidays.

Sheppard Touring, P.O. Box 60097, Titirangi, Auckland (tel. 09/817-0044; www.touring.co.nz), tours throughout New Zealand in two- to five-star coaches. It also operates as an inbound wholesaler and can package all of your travel arrangements at competitive rates.