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Do you like the idea of being dragged out of bed at 6 o'clock in the morning? Do you like the idea of having your bags outside the hotel room at a certain time? Do you like the idea of being rushed to washed up, dressed, go down to breakfast, and then be on the bus by either 7:30 or 8 o'clock? Do you like the idea of sticking to a very strict schedule? Do you like the idea of doing a lot of walking, especially in centuries-old buildings, palaces, and churches? Do you like the idea of being herded around like a bunch of cattle? Can you handle time constraints? Can you deal with all types of weather? Do you enjoy eating strange, unusual and foreign foods? Do you like the idea of staying at a hotel that is located right outside of the city limits? Can you handle staying two nights in practically every destination? If you answered yes to all of these questions, then an escorted tour is definitely for you?

Although most escorted tours do include your airfare, transportation, hotels, meals, and sightseeing, you have to take into consideration all of the above, as well as the following:

1. If you're disabled and/or have medical problems, the Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply outside of the United States. Some tour operators don't even allow wheelchairs or walkers on their motorcoaches. They usually require a companion be with the disabled traveller at all times, and not have any assistance from the tour operator staff. Some tours will describe the level of physical activity involved.

2. If you have certain dietary restrctions, check to see if the tour operator will allow you to have special food.

3. If your tour departs from the airport, make sure that your flight lands in time to catch the tour bus. For example: on this one tour operator's tour of Italy, the tour departs from the airport in Rome and then goes to Sorrento, which is the first stop on the tour, and it's a 3 1/2-hour drive south. If you miss the tour bus, you have to then travel to the first hotel on your own, and at your own expense. Ditto for one of their France tours.

Do some research, as well as read the tour brochure's fine print, before you decide to plop down your hard-earned money. Say for example, you decide to book a tour with either Trafalgar or Insight, Go on to their Websites, click on "Message Boards" and then click on "Tour Tales". You can get an idea of what the tour is going to be like from the people who actually took these tours. What the brochure won't tell you, they will.

In general, just simply invesitigate before you invest. Thank you.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Fagan.
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