Have cash? Can Travel!

When I was in high school, back when the economy wasn't as deflated as my self-image, my family went on a Tauck Tour to England, Scotland and Wales. It was the first time I had ever been to Europe and I had more fun than a geek watching "Howl's Moving Castle." Tauck is a great company. Most of the trip is done by bus, and there is a guide that tells you about each place you visit. You stay at the best hotels and get to go to the best places. Tauck makes sure its customers get to see and do some really expensive things. They make you feel like royalty without the hassel of actually being royalty. The trip started in Edinburgh and included tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is AWESOME because those tickets usually sell out a year in advance. From there, we went up to the Highlands and saw Glencoe and Loch Ness. Then we went to the Lake District, in England, followed by Wales, and more of England. We stopped for a few days at some of the more popular destinations, but I would have liked even more time. The tour set up is a great way to get an introduction to a country, but doesn't allow for in-depth exploration. I have since lived in the UK, so I wouldn't do another tour there, but I would go on a Tauck tour to Africa if I can ever afford it. Here's a summary of the pros and cons:

Pros: Gets you in to places you otherwise wouldn't have gotten in to, like the Military Tattoo. Takes you to a wide range of locations, not just castles and churches. Provides rooms at the BEST hotels and gets you in to the BEST restaurants.

Cons: Expensive. Less personal exploration time. Not too many young people, definately a "geriatric "crowd.