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Small"er" Group Tours??

AlanS

When looking at the Best of Hawaii, for 2025, I noticed it has 3 group categories- "Classic", "Small Group," and also a new-to-me "Smaller Group". For a given date a Smaller Group tour costs about $2500 more p/p than a Small Group. Classic size groups typically max out at 44 travelers and Small Groups at 24. So, how many travelers on a Smaller group tour?

Can anyone who knows about, booked or taken one please enlighten us? I haven't looked at other tours, so don't know if tours other than Best of Hawaii offers Smaller Groups? Since I will be cancelling (and re-booking?) our upcoming tour, I guess I can ask Tauck.

Comments

British

Alan. A smaller group is 15 people. It was published about that in the past couple of months. To me it’s not worth it especially as you spend so much time on your own on that particular tour. Buy your wife a nice diamond instead with the difference 😀

BKMD

Alan - I did that tour in 2022. It's a fairly leisurely tour, and as British wrote, lots of free time, so IMO, it's not worth the premium.

kfnknfzk

Tauck published information quite some time ago. I am contemplating retaking the Capital Cities of Canada tour which I think would be an ideal trip for even a smaller group than the small group one I took—more time spent exploring each great city with like-minded people. I would not choose it, however, for a tour that is already quite leisurely. I have not seen a full listing of the tours offering this great benefit. I believe they are phasing in the tours based on popularity. Merely my opinion.

BKMD

kfnknfzk - since the resumption of travel post Covid, Tauck has decreased the amount of organized touring and increased free time, particularly in first-world countries and cities. I haven't looked at the tour you mentioned, but I rhink there would be considerable free time on that one.

AlanS

I wasn't considering it, but missed the rollout announcement (must have been preoccupied by other stuff) and just curious.

judy05

kfnknfzk -- I would be curious about the difference between the Canadian Capitals tour you took previously and the new itinerary. We have found the same thing that Alan S has. Much more free time since Covid. We just received the more detailed itinerary for Canadian Capitals (we are going in a few weeks) and there is a lot more free time than we realized. Not a complaint. We are more than capable of filling the time. Just a bit surprised at how much there is.

Claudia Sails

As long as the hotel is in a place with lots to do I prefer having some free time. After a while on tour I can get a bit "guided out" and need some time to do what I want at my own pace. However I'm not all that interested in the tours where the free time is just hanging out at the resort. If I wanted that I'd just book in at the resort.

That smaller group might be a good option for a family or group of friends. Basically a private tour.

kfnknfzk

Judy05 -

Last I checked, I saw no difference in the itineraries for the three (3) group sizes for the Capitol Cities tour. I do see, however, that the welcome reception and dinner now returns to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. It was one of the most gala events we ever attended. That was in 2018.

We all have different travel styles and expectations. What appeals to us may not appeal to anyone else. We prefer the small groups and it is my opinion that one sees more simply because you are not spending time waiting for others. Nor have I experienced more free time post-pandemic. Contrary to the belief that this tour has considerable free time—a conclusion without even looking at the itinerary—no, it does not. I relish some free time, especially on very hectic, fast paced tours, which this tour is not. Some enjoy rushing from point A to point B; we like to see what is between those two points. We also enjoy mingling with locals whenever we have the opportunity to do so.

I do highly recommend the tour and especially adding extra days in Quebec City—a taste of Europe right here just north of the border.

Noreen

We are leaving for this tour on September 16. We are looking forward to it and will have two extra nights in Quebec City.

NancyCohen

Merely to offer a different opinion, I prefer the regular sized groups - more personalities and people to engage with (or avoid). Even with a land tour group of 44, there was significant comradery. I never have felt that too much time was wasted getting on/off bus, etc. To me, the larger groups make for a more interesting trip. The only time that has been difficulties with ‘waiting’ for others was on a trip with a total of 8 guests. One guest was perpetually late or lost. As has been said, the larger group is always broken down to smaller groups. Clearly this is a personal preference- I just want others not to feel obligated to spend the extra money for the smaller group size.

SGF

Close to $8000 difference per couple between Classic and Smaller group sizes? That's more than I spent on my first car! We could do 1/2 of another tour for that.

Look, I suppose the older baby boomers are figuring they're never going to spend down their portfolios, so why not? Frankly, the odds of getting some extremely entitled people in the Smaller groups multiplies at this price level.

Yeah...never going to happen. If I want a smaller group, I'll go it alone. Just the two of us.

kfnknfzk

SGF - I am beyond a "baby boomer" and I am certainly not entitled. I have always maintained that we all have different travel styles and preferences. Moreover, I would never ridicule another traveler for her/his preferences. I might not agree, but I would disagree with respect and dignity. Isn't there enough, "I'm right, you're wrong" in our lives without having to bring it here? I have always enjoyed reading your tour reviews.

Claudia Sails

No matter the tour size you can get a great group that gets along well or one with some personality issues. I don't think you can guarantee it either way. But we did two land tours last year with 39 guests and only 1 person who was a challenge. But I don't ever want to be stuck in a coach with that many again on a land tour where coach time can be significant. Short stints on a river cruise is fine.

SandyFeet

There were six of us on the Namibia tour in May 2024, and it was a terrific small group. I have certainly, however, experienced “challenging” travel companions, but I have never met one that prevented me from getting the best possible experience on a Tauck tour. I learned many years ago that I cannot change anyone other than myself, but I can always change my reaction to someone who is behaving obnoxiously. Wishing everyone compatability ❤️

SGF

Kfnknfzk- I'm sorry. I certainly didn't mean to be offensive. I was just balking at the crazy pricing. Also a little jealous. Wish I could manage more than 1 or 2 Tauck tours a year. Any size, any place. Still, I'm grateful for what we do.

About the entitled people...we were on a tour last year ( happened to be small group because that's the way that tour was offered). The first night we sat with a couple who we had just met- seemed nice enough. The husband didn't like his cut of steak - he actually had the waiter go fetch the chef and then insisted he taste the meat. It was so uncomfortable. I was horrified. Despite protestations from the chef, he basically forced him to eat the meat off his plate. Needless to say, we avoided the couple the rest of the tour.

My point was that when you're on a very small tour, it's hard to avoid these people. You may inevitably end up at a table with them. I wasn't inferring that people who have the funds to afford these trips are entitled.

Again, I apologize for offending anyone. Shari

Gourmet Gal

Considering the Canadian Capitals smaller group tour. This would be the first time back with Tauck after two really disappointing river cruises a couple of years ago. The group size is appealing and I actually prefer having some free time built in. Does anyone know if Tauck still uses full-sized motor coaches for the “smaller” tours? This tour uses all Fairmont hotels. I’ve never stayed at a Fairmont; are they very touristy or more upscale?

British

I don’t understand, all hotels are for tourists, conference people or business people. I’d rather be with the tourist people than the others. There are many hotels that cater to illegal immigrants, so that might be less touristy.

British

I have to say that I have found myself in uncomfortable positions with fellow Tauck travelers, I want to slide under the table and disappear when that has happened. That’s why I prefer the larger groups, I can choose who to sit with more easily.

MCD

Gourmet Gal -- The Fairmont hotels are definitely upscale properties. I can't answer your other question about the motor coach for smaller tours, but a regular sized coach is used for the small group tours.

Gourmet Gal

Thanks for the responses. Good point British. My idea of a “touristy” hotel is one that tends to be large and caters to large group tours, has fairly basic rooms, and not-so-great food. I generally prefer smaller, quiet, elegant hotels.

kfnknfzk

Gourmet Gal - I agree with MCD about the Fairmont properties. They are my favorite hotel brand in North America. The Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City is breathtakingly beautiful and is supposedly one of the most photographed hotels in the world. If you can, consider adding post-tour days there. I would certainly characterize these hotels as elegant but they are not small properties. I don't remember anything special about the rooms, but the Frontenac does offer an option to upgrade to a "room with a view." This was not offered when we took the tour.

I could be wrong, but I do not believe the "smaller" group tours have started yet, so I can't answer about the bus size.

British

I see touring in a completely different way, I go to tour to see places, so I want to spend as little in my hotel room as possible, so as long as the room is clean, it’s ok. If we want a vacation in a single place, then that is different and worth upgrading.
We have found another company that caters more to our needs and we don’t have to worry about hotel food as all our meals are in excellent authentic restaurants apart from breakfast. Of course we still enjoy Tauck and continue to travel with them too

TheBostonian

Gourmet Gal- I have stayed in three different Canadian Fairmont hotels during my most recent Tauck tour. They are certainly upscale and refined, but they are not going to give a quaint feeling as they are normally quite large, sometimes with stores and restaurants within them, but rather an elaborate feeling. They certainly do host a touring crowd, but most large tours do not stay at hotels of this caliber, so I don't think that you'll find that to be the main group staying there. All this being said, they are my favorite hotel group in North America as well, as not only are they luxurious and elegant, but many of them are historical and scenic as well. I would definitely recommend them to any traveler.

Sealord

Fairmont has bought and renovated many fine properties, but I’m not sure they built any of them. Canadian Pacific built some of them including the Banff Springs. When I first stayed at the Banff Springs it was still owned by CP, and it was no where near as grand as it is today after Fairmont bought it and renovated the entire property. The room I had when CP owned it was actually quite awful, but I was skiing all day every day but one, so I spent little time there. I actually took a half day off from skiing cuz I wanted to see the hotel in the daylight. Every other.day I left in the dark of the morning and returned in the dark of the evening.