Small Wonders: How Our Small Group Tours Will Change the Way You Travel

This is your sign to go small for your next vacation — but make no mistake, we’re not talking about seeing less. Instead, find yourself getting closer to each destination than ever before on our brand new Small Group Tours.

These specialized itineraries allow you to travel with fewer people, giving you the opportunity to access off-the-beaten path destinations, stay in more boutique hotels, connect with locals on a more personal level, and gain even more quality time with your Travel Director and Local Experts. In short, it’s everything you know and love from Insight Vacations — just smaller.

Claire Hanney, Managing Director of Travel Experiences (yes, the best job in the world), talks us through this exciting launch, from what makes Insight Vacations Small Group Tours unique to the thinking behind these new itineraries. 

Introducing our new Small Group Tours 

Our Small Group Tours now consist of 35 itineraries across five continents — including brand new trips to Thailand and Japan, two never-before-seen destinations for Insight Vacations. This is premium touring redesigned for fewer guests, allowing curious travelers the opportunity to access richer experiences, deeper interaction and more personalized service. Think more ‘wow’ moments, less waiting in line. 

“We used to have a couple of departures a year for Small Group versions of our itineraries, but we’ve now created regular Small Group departures for our most popular itineraries, which has allowed us to tailor the experiences to better suit Small Groups,” Claire explains. “We now have a number of itineraries that are exclusively Small Groups, and we’re working on releasing more in the future.”  

“Tailoring itineraries specifically to Small Groups means we can select more exciting hotels and inclusions, better suited to guests who want to travel with fewer people.” 

Thailand is a brand new destination for Insight Vacations, only on Small Groups

Why travel small? 

Each tour has an average of 16 guests, with a maximum of 24. “Having a dedicated series for Small Groups allows us to tailor the experience to much better suit people who want to travel with Small Groups. These aren’t just versions of our classic tours — they’re a dedicated series, which gives us the means to improve the experience significantly,” Claire explains.  

“Small Group tours are great because guests get more dedicated one-on-one time with their Travel Director. There’s extra flexibility to mold the day as suits the group, the time of year, and what’s happening in the destination in a more meaningful way.” 

“There’s a greater sense of agility on a Small Group adventure. It’s much easier to tailor to guests’ interests — if people love history, Travel Directors can lean into the history; if they love culture, they can lean into that.” 

What’s different about Small Group Tours 

The good news is none of our signature premium experiences are going away. Instead, they’re been elevated. “Insight Vacations is already known for ‘wow factor’ hotels in great locations — that stays the same,” Claire states. “However, on Small Group itineraries that are versions of the Classic Groups, you’ll find more boutique hotels that you just wouldn’t be able to stay in as a bigger group.” 

“You’ll visit more neighbourhood restaurants, which gives us greater flexibility and a wider range of restaurants to choose from,” Claire says. “In terms of experiences, there are more entrances into really cool places, with the chance to interact with local people on a more meaningful level.”  

Walk through the tea fields on Wonders of Sri Lanka

Rather than ticking experiences off, you’ll share cultural exchanges. Learn the Japanese art and philosophy of bonsai under the guidance of a master in Tokyo, or play a friendly game of backgammon with locals over a cup of Turkish coffee in Selçuk. In Sri Lanka, you won’t just visit the tea plantation, but actually go out into the fields to gain a real insight into the skills required to harvest the finest leaves. Each Small Group adventure shares a common thread: experiences that you simply could not find on your own, which still feel organic and relaxed.  

Read more about experiences exclusive to Insight Vacations Small Groups here. 

What will be staying the same 

“Most importantly, we’ve kept our 40-seat coach with business class legroom and facilities on board,” Claire iterates. “You’ve got the business class legroom on the coach that you’ve always enjoyed and the facilities on board, but more departure dates of the most popular itineraries.” 

Other inclusions that remain standard across Insight Vacations tours are 4-star and above hotels in excellent locations, with preference to properties that champion sustainability. Breakfast is included every day, along with welcome and farewells dinners, and meals highlighting authentic dining experiences. Major sightseeing is included, from city tours to iconic attractions.  

Who are Small Group tours for? 

Are you a curious traveler who wants their next trip to take them the extra mile? Then our Small Group tours are for you.

“Small Groups is for travelers who want better access to excellence in service, quality hotel locations and even more time in destinations,” says Claire. “Guests will have an even better connection with the places they’re traveling through, more time with their Travel Directors and the opportunity for real dialog — you won’t just being talked to by locals and experts you’ll meet along the way, but will have genuine exchanges with them.” 

Take a Highland bagpiping masterclass on Country Roads of Scotland – Small Group

What if I’ve already visited the country? 

Reconnecting with places that you’ve loved can cement the memories you already have, while also forging new ones. “If you love a destination, go there again, because there’s always more to uncover — particularly when it comes to Small Group travel, because it offers more meaningful exchanges with the people, and gives you an opportunity to forge a deeper connection with the place.” 

“I lost count of the number of times I’ve been to Italy when I got to about 100, and that was probably around 10 years ago — but nothing holds me back from continuing to revisit the country in a more meaningful way.”