On a worldwide escorted tour, the world really could be your oyster. With an extensive collection of air, cruise and touring holidays just waiting to open up a realm of amazing experiences, there's every chance to grab life by the horns and explore an impressive line-up of destinations. From USA to Canada, India to Africa, China to Thailand, South America to Australia; if you can fly or get a boat there, there should be an escorted tour to match it.
Whether your wildest dreams involve voyaging through the icy realms of Antarctica, admiring the Taj Mahal, trekking the Great Wall of China, exploring the Pyramids of Egypt, marvelling at Machu Picchu, beholding Mayan treasures in Mexico or blazing a trail down Route 66, it's all possible. And the beauty of it is that everything is taken care of, from accommodation to itineraries.
Escorted tours of the world will cover the very best of every country, with key sights (on and off the beaten track), internal flights and trips to amazing places you didn't even know existed all within the holiday price. You'll also have the peace of mind that comes with travelling in a group, but with the freedom and flexibility to explore alone.
All escorted tours will include departures via local or national UK airports, return flights, internal flights as stated, accommodation (room only), the services of a tour manager, any government taxes or service charges, full touring itinerary, airport transfers, listed excursions and meals where stated. Sampling native cuisine is a huge part of any experience and the best is usually found outside the hotels – think fresh ceviche in Peru or Thailand's street-side noodle soup - so most touring holidays will be on a breakfast only basis to give your taste buds free reign to explore. Escorted tours to the USA are usually room only as there are no shortage of places to eat once you're there.
The beauty of travelling in an escorted tour is that you'll be in the safest hands when it comes to holidaying in foreign lands. To help you have an enjoyable holiday wherever you are going in the world you should take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):
Health and Travel Insurance
Crime
Local Laws and Customs
Entry Requirements
Health and Travel Insurance
Here at Door2Tour we recommend you always check with your GP or on the National Travel Health Network and Centre website to see whether you need any vaccinations or preventive measures when abroad. Some countries will insist you have had certain vaccines before entering so it is always wise to check before you leave the UK.
The UK Government advise that you should always have access to additional funds in case you do need to pay for medical treatment whilst abroad. In extreme cases you may have to pay for medical repatriation, so be sure that you have access to other means. Please note that if you are visiting countries that are outside of Europe, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will not be valid so you must have adequate travel insurance before you travel.
We cannot state enough the importance of having comprehensive, adequate travel insurance which includes medical cover. Some banks include travel insurance in account packages, so it is always wise to see if this is included with your plan before you purchase additional travel insurance. Most of the tour operators we work with will offer travel insurance at time of booking also.
Before travelling to a new country it is wise to check you know how to contact the emergency services, this varies from country to country.
Crime
Although we do not like to pre-empt problems whilst you are away, here at Door2Tour we believe it's important that you stay vigilant at all times when exploring places with which you are unfamiliar.
As with every country you visit it is important that you remain alert to the risks of crime. In a lot of destinations, tourists are seen as easier targets, so where possible keep your valuables in the hotel safe and avoid carrying large quantities of cash.
Never allow others to purchase your drinks for you, nor accept them from strangers, and do not leave them unattended at any time. Be aware that alcoholic beverages in foreign countries can be stronger than in the UK, so it is wise to know your limits.
Women especially should avoid walking around after dark in a lot of destinations, so never leave your group.
It is wise to check the individual country pages before you leave to get a better idea of crime levels for where you are visiting.
Local Laws and Customs
Countries around the world have different laws and customs, so it is always recommended that you check your specific destination before you travel.
It is always important to consider the religion of the majority of the population in the country you are visiting, they may have customs to which you are expected to follow. For example, women are meant to dress modestly in Muslim countries, so you should leave all mini-skirts behind!
Entry Requirements
British Citizens need to always check entry requirements when travelling to different countries across the world. Some will require you to apply for a visa, whilst others will not for a certain period whilst you are visiting. Some tour operators offer this service but may charge an administration fee. If unsure, check on booking.
Your passport should always be valid for the entire duration of your planned trip, however, some countries such as the USA will require an additional period of validity beyond this. Some countries will accept UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs), however many have specific guidelines so it is always wise to check.
Any other nationalities looking to travel from the UK to any destination around the world, must contact their local embassy to check visa requirements.
Asia
Such a massive area of the world, Asia contains some wonderful sights that certainly should be seen during your holiday here. Asia escorted tours certainly take the body on a fabulous journey of the senses from seeing stunning sunsets over mystic temples, take in the tantalising smell of the spice markets in India whilst listening to the wonderful sounds of the local wildlife in their natural habitat.
Australia and New Zealand
There are so many wonderful sights to see in this part of the world that some would also class this as a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. First on your list whilst in Australia should be a visit to Sydney where you can see the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Catch the rays whilst on Bondi Beach and maybe throw a shrimp on the BBQ. You can't holiday in Australia without including New Zealand and during your time there enjoy a city tour of Auckland, visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, join a walking tour of Wellington, see the awesome Glow Worm Caves and enjoy a traditional kiwi dinner.
USA and Canada
Two of the largest countries in the world should definitely feature in your itinerary when considering worldwide tours. Here you will find a fascinating mix of extraordinary cities, icy wonders, exciting wilderness, awesome natural wonders combined with areas of desert and jungle. The Rockies, Vancouver, The Niagara Falls and Toronto are the major draws for visitors to Canada. The USA is simply buzzing with places to visit such as The Deep South, New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC. The prairies and National Parks are absolute wonders to see too.
Africa and South Africa
Although many countries in the world have their own fabulous wildlife to observe, there's nowhere quite like these two countries. Through the abundance of National Parks and Reserves, you will see a huge variety of wildlife from the migrating wildebeest to the awesome Big Five. The best way to enjoy the natural habitat is by safari. Make sure you take in the fascinating ruins of Egypt, enjoy a camel trek through the Sahara Desert, visit the exhilarating markets of Marrakesh and admire the mighty Table Mountain in Cape Town.