Escorted & Package Tours

Packages for the Independent Traveler

Before you start your search for the lowest airfare, you may want to consider booking your flight as part of a travel package. Package tours are not the same thing as escorted tours. 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 -- kind of like one-stop shopping. Packages are sold in bulk to tour operators -- who resell them to the public at a cost that usually undercuts standard rates.

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. 800/221-6666; 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. If you're unsure about the pedigree of a smaller packager, check with the Better Business Bureau in the city where the company is based, or go online at www.bbb.org. If a packager won't tell you where they're based, don't fly with them.

Travel packages are often advertised in the travel sections of Sunday newspapers. Or check ads in national travel magazines such as Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine, Travel & Leisure, and National Geographic Traveler.

Package tours can vary by leaps and bounds. Some offer a better class of hotels than others. Some offer the same hotels for lower prices. Some offer flights on scheduled airlines, while others book charters. Some limit your choice of accommodations and travel days. You are often required to make a large payment upfront. On the plus side, packages can save you money, offering group prices but allowing for independent travel. Some even let you add on a few guided excursions or escorted day trips (also at prices lower than if you booked them yourself) without booking an entirely escorted tour.

Before you invest in a package tour, get some answers. Ask about the accommodations choices and prices for each. Then look up the hotels' reviews in a Frommer's guide and check their rates online for your specific dates of travel. Finally, look for hidden expenses. Ask whether airport departure fees and taxes, for example, are included in the total cost.

Escorted General-Interest Tours

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

Gray Line-Innsbruck Tours, 3359 S. Main St., Suite 804 (tel. 801/534-1001; www.grayline.com), offers several tours of Salt Lake City and the surrounding area.

American Orient Express, 5100 Main St., Suite 300, Downers Grove, IL 60515 (tel. 800/320-4206 or 630/663-4550; www.americanorientexpress.com), offers vintage train cars outfitted in polished mahogany and brass, plus dining cars decked out with china, silver, crystal, and linen, with cuisine to match. It offers a variety of tours, including several through Utah.

Well-respected national companies that offer tours to Utah's national parks and other destinations include Maupintour (tel. 800/255-4266; www.maupintour.com) and Tauck Tours (tel. 800/788-7885; www.tauck.com).

A number of companies also offer specialized tours for outdoor-recreation enthusiasts.

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 by bus, motorcoach, 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 hassle. They're particularly convenient for people with limited mobility and 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 also often focus on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on many a lesser-known gem.

Before you invest in an escorted tour, request a complete schedule of the trip to find out how much sightseeing is planned and whether you'll have enough time to relax or have an adventure of your own. Also ask about the cancellation policy: Is a deposit required? Can they cancel the trip if enough people don't sign up? Do you get a refund if they cancel? If you cancel? How late can you cancel if you are unable to go? When must you pay in full? If you choose an escorted tour, think strongly about purchasing trip-cancellation insurance, especially if the tour operator asks you to pay in advance. If you plan to travel alone, find out if they'll charge a single supplement or whether they can pair you with a roommate.

The size of the group is also important to know upfront. Generally, the smaller the group, the more flexible the itinerary, and the less time you'll spend waiting for people to get on and off the bus. Find out the relevant demographics of the group as well. What is the age range? What is the gender breakdown? Is this mostly a trip for couples or singles?

Discuss what is included in the price. You may have to pay for transportation to and from the airport. A box lunch may be included in an excursion, but drinks may cost extra. Tips may not be included. Find out if you will be charged if you opt out of certain activities or meals.

Before you invest in an escorted tour, get some answers. Ask about the accommodations choices and prices for each. Then look up the hotels' reviews in a Frommer's guidebook and check their rates online for your specific dates of travel. You'll also want to find out what type of room you get. If you need a certain type of room, ask for it. Request a nonsmoking room, a quiet room, a room with a view, or whatever you fancy.