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Guided holidays: What's your travel style?

A tour for every traveller

Forget everything you thought you knew about guided holidays because tours have transformed. A revolution of sorts, modern touring offers something to suit everyone. With so many great reasons to choose a guided holiday, here are six we go nuts for.

1. I want a totally unique travel experience.

Take one look at the extensive itineraries offered by tour companies and the list of activities reads like a Lonely Planet best-seller. There’s always a strong emphasis on making your holiday both varied and memorable. You could go exploring abandoned jails in Estonia, or discover the natural cascading rock pools at Pamukkale, Turkey. On another route, you might stay the night in a French château, or in a hotel made entirely out of ice in Scandinavia, cruise the Rhine River or take a Mafia-themed walking tour around Palermo.

For those who tire of the well-trampled tourist haunts, guided holidays go above and beyond to ensure you have experiences that few others can achieve, such as skip the line privileges at the Vatican’s papal conclave and the Colosseum in Rome and visits to the very estate where The Sound of Music was filmed.

You’ll have a holiday which focuses on local insight, whether that’s dining in a small Italian trattoria or sipping at bouillabaisse made by the descendants of French nobility — in their 17th-century farmhouse no less.

Your experience can be as luxe or as lowkey as you wish, from wine tasting in the bellows of a French cave, to a cheesemaking masterclass in the Sicilian Hills. Basically, if you can imagine it, then you can probably do it.

2. I like to get off-the-beaten-path.

Regardless of size, almost every tour company can get you off-the-beaten track. Whether that’s staying in remote Irish castles, or exploring the charming villages of Slovenia, it’s easy to have a refreshingly different experience.

Guided tours are a great way to see a country if you're travelling alone. Image credit: Getty

3. I prefer small-sized groups.

For a personalised holiday experience, consider travelling with a smaller tour group which limits its numbers. Some have a max of 14 guests, others are 18. Either way, you get to enjoy tailor-made tours with an intimate group.

4. I travel for foodie experiences.

You might have to forgo the belt and give into culinary pleasantries. On a guided holiday you could visit a local agritourism farm in Dubrovnik, dine in the home of an Italian family, or learn the traditional techniques behind Scottish whisky. The foodie experiences are extensive.

5. I like to explore one country in depth.

One country, done in depth, is a popular option for Kiwis, and while there are multiple tours covering several countries, it’s just as easy to find one which really delves into a single culture, its cuisine and history.

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