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Mike Putman Travel Team Consulting One way to cut down on travel hassles is to sign up for a tour and leave the driving, decision making and problem solving to the tour operator. Tours can be money savers, too. Tour companies negotiate group rates on hotels, meals, admission prices and transportation. In general, you can expect to spend about 30% less with a package tour than you would following the same itinerary on your own in a rental car. Tours are best for those who like to keep busy on vacation and enjoy meeting new people, not for those who prefer to relax on the beach or travel with only a few companions. Most people who sign up for tours are in their 50s or older, so younger vacationers might feel out of place (except on tours specifically designed for families or young people). To make sure you're dealing with a quality tour company, confirm that it is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (703-739-2782, www.travelsense.org)... it has been in business for at least five years... and there aren't numerous complaints about it lodged on travel Web sites, such as www.tripadvisor.com, or with the Better Business Bureau. Here, seven domestic tours that deliver a lot for the money...
See the wonders of the West, including the magnificent glaciers, forests and stone pinnacles of Grand Teton National Park... the dramatic canyons and geysers of Yellowstone National Park... and the grandeur of Mount Rushmore on this 10-day journey. You'll also explore some of the historic towns of the West and take a raft trip on the wild Snake River. Tauck World Discovery, $2,480.
Take a scenic nine-day rail tour through the Rocky Mountains, staying in quality hotels along the way. Rail lines go places that cars can't, hugging the sides of mountains and tracing the course of rugged rivers. You'll tour spectacular Mesa Verde National Park and explore New Mexico's enchanting Taos and Sante Fe. Maupintour, $2,529.
This eight-day guided tour takes you to unforgettable sites -- the Painted Desert, Monument Valley and the magnificent Grand Canyon. Maupintour, $2,299.
The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Route 1, has been called the greatest driving road in America. This eight-day tour lets you sit back and enjoy the views. You'll visit some of America's greatest cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and explore picturesque towns such as Carmel, Monterey and San Juan Capistrano. The package includes short cruises in San Francisco Bay and San Diego Bay. Globus, $1,749 to $1,999.
This 11-day family-oriented tour isn't cheap, but considering what you get, it's a good value. You take a private guided tour of Denali National Park... meet an Iditarod competitor and her dog team... fly on float planes and bush planes... visit remote locations that are inaccessible by road... take a raft ride on the Sheridan River... and enjoy whale watching, panning for gold and campfires. Abercrombie & Kent, Inc., $6,835 per adult (double occupancy).
Here are some reliable tour companies: Moderate. Globus, 866-755-8581, www.globusjourneys.com... Cosmos, Globus's budget brand, 800-276-1241, www.cosmos.com
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Mike Putman, founder of Travel Team Consulting, which advises airlines, hotel chains and others in the travel business. http://www.travelteamconsulting.com/. He is president of Putman Travel, Inc., a travel agency in Greenville, South Carolina, which has been in business for 20 years. Disclaimer: Bottom Line Secrets publishes the opinions of expert authorities in many fields. But the use of these opinions is no substitute for legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services to suit your specific personal needs. Always consult a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. Bottom Line Secrets is a registered trademark of Boardroom Inc.
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