Group travel has its drawbacks

Last week, I ran into an old friend who had just returned from a trip to Italy. She was not bubbling over with enthusiasm. She said the guide had memorized his script and spoke in a monotone that put everybody to sleep. They rode in hot buses, stayed in dirty hotels and were herded around like cattle. She would have had more fun staying home and watching a travelogue.

Apparently, she's not alone. While group travel may offer cheaper rates and takes the headache out of planning the details, it doesn't always deliver the trip of a lifetime that it promises.

When Sarah Smith signed on for a bus tour to the Rocky Mountains, the brochure showed tourists riding horseback with snow-capped mountains in the background. The tour promised adventure on the trail. Sarah said the only adventure they experienced was when the bus hit a rock and popped a tire.

My old flying partner remembers a group of passengers all wearing plastic nametags and carrying matching travel bags as they boarded a flight from Paris. They looked more like they had spent hours in a dentist chair suffering through root canals than relaxing at a bistro sipping café-au-lait. One of them said the trip was a nightmare. It would make power walking at the mall look like an adventure.

But that doesn't mean all tours are bad. Jean Cowden joined an ecological study tour down the Amazon River and had a wonderful time. According to Jean, the guides were well trained and spontaneous. Some of the tourists had read about local ruins and wanted to visit them. The guide arranged for a side trip on the spot.

Carol Cross joined a college tour to Machu Picchu. The professor leading the tour met with the group for several weeks before the trip to lecture on the ancient Inca tribes. By the time they left, the travelers were already good friends and well-versed on the things they would see.

According to one travel agent, the key is to do your homework. Here are a few things to consider:

Read the small print: When it comes to choosing a tour, a picture is not worth a thousand words. A good photographer can make anyplace look good. Some tour companies use photos that don't necessarily relate to the trip at all. Words like "quaint" and "cozy" could mean small and old.

Choose a reputable company: Find out how long the company has been in business. Ask for references and phone numbers. Call them and see what other tourists liked and didn't like about the trip.

Pick a tour that interests you: If you like getting out in the countryside, make sure you won't be spending all your time in a bus. If you like small groups don't sign on with a cast of thousands.

Finally, know your limits: Running the Colorado River rapids in a raft might sound exciting, but if you're not up to the task, it will dampen more than just your spirits.

Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.