WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Package Tours vs. Self-Planned

Tour Companies

http://www.trafalgar.com/canhttp://globusjourneys.ca/http://www.insightvacations.com/cahttp://www.explorerockies.com/columbia-icefi

eld/

http://www.statravel.com/tours.htm

Sample Tour: European Interlude 2014

18 daysEurope and Britain$4,525 per personIncludes flight, hotel, and

breakfastGives a day by day plan

for activities, sights and everything else that is planned for you

http://www.trafalgar.com/can/european-interlude-2014

Advantages of Package Tours

http://touradvisers.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/advantages-of-choosing-a-package-holiday/

Disadvantages of Package Tours

http://travel-made-simple.com/disadvantages-of-taking-a-tour/

Advantages vs Disadvantages Chart activity

Advantages Disadvantages

Before Your Vacation Planning: Package vs Plan-It-Yourself Vacations

http://gospain.about.com/od/beforeyougo/bb/diy_v_package.htm

Example: Europe

If you have limited time but want to see the most possible things in a variety of different cities/countries, then a tour is probably your best way to go

However, tours are a better deal for 1 or 2 people, but once you get into bigger groupstravelling (4+ people), then it’s cheaper to plan it yourself

Look up cheap tours packages

http://www.selloffvacations.com/

If you want to do it yourself….

Requires a lot of planning and researchComparing hotel pricesLooking at guidebooksEx. Rick Steeves, Day-by-Day books, Fodors, FrommersFind out what sights are in the same area to

see them all at onceHow will you get around in each city? Rental car, subway, public busses, taxi?

Solo Travel

If you were single and wanted to travel but no friends were available to go with you, what do you think would be the best option for you?

What are some of the perks of travelling alone?

What are some of the dangers of travelling alone?

What would you suggest for…

… a family with 3 children?… a school group with 20 ten-year olds?… a group of seniors?… a couple of university students with limited

money?… 2 businessmen with a work expense

account (essentially unlimited money)?

Why??

To Use a Travel Agent or Not to Use a Travel Agent – that is the question!

Forbes’ magazine’s opinion http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/20/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-1/

A travel agency’s opinion (obviously biased!) http://www.marlintravel.ca/travel-agencies/st-paul/st-paul-50-ave-42616/865-10-reasons-why-smart-consumers-use-a-travel-agent

Travel Agencies in the area

Tour company websitesExpediaAir Canada, West JetAMAFlight CenterMarlin TravelAdventure Travel CompanyCarlson WagonlitPanasia Holidays…etc

Other things to consider!

Railway system in Europe

Very cool website!http://www.raileurope.ca/europe-travel-guide/

Pick your first destination, then you can tell them how long you would like to travel and they will tell you all the places that are that distance away!

Railway Research

Plan a 5-stop tour using the railway system in Europe

Where would you go? Where would you stop?

How much would it cost you?

Rental Cars in Europe = big headache

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_costs.htm

Things to consider: Insurance (higher likelihood of getting in an

accident)Gas (more expensive)Parking (35-40$ per day in big cities)Higher rental fee (ex. Cheapest price for 2

days in Paris was 150$, not including insurance!)

Railway vs. Rental Car

What language will they speak in the place you are visiting?

Learn the language before you visitHave a phrase book while you’re therePictures to point to when asking for

directionsPay a guide to show you around and translate

for you ($$$!)