It may seem surprising to find a section on organized tours - since l pride myself on researching the next big travel plans, and trying to find fascinating and unique experiences, and it came as quite surprise (to us) how much we enjoyed group tours as well.!! (Very much like our surprise when we did our first cruise)

The organized tour experience is very much different that other kinds of travel. Again, the same as a cruise, tour people are a different breed. I would say they are generally travellers that want to have everything planned out for them, and they WANT to be instructed where to be and when, and have every facet set out so that there are no surprises.

The idea of following your guide through winding streets and watching for that bright yellow umbrella, is not everyone’s idea of a vacation. (We have always laughed at the “umbrella” tourists following blindly in a tight group, never more than a step apart, and stopping to all take the same photo before moving on)
BUT, once again we have had a couple of organized tours that have been terrific experiences, we have even become close friends with some fellow travellers, who get together for dinners and even travelled together again.  (I highly recommend a group tour in a place like China, that is so intense and such a language issue, let alone just trying to make your way around.)