6 reasons to do a small group tour

Adventure Fitz — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:12:38 +0000

Time is precious and getting the balance between travelling and a day job can be difficult. Small group tours can help by organising everything for you, helping you to do more with a limited timeframe, while keeping the group numbers small to give a more authentic experience.

Here are 6 reasons that you should try a small group tour:

1. Take the stress out of organisation

Organising a trip yourself takes time and effort both before and during a trip. If your time is limited do you really want the hassle of sorting everything out yourself? Each small group tour has a tour leader who has responsibility for ensuring that everything runs smoothly. They organise all your travel and accommodation, organise any included activities or day trips and will be on hand to give recommendations and help you to organise restaurants or further activities. This means that your time is spent enjoying your trip. It also means that if (when!) there’s a problem, there’s someone available to help.

2. See additional sites

While each trip has a set itinerary, the use of both public and private transport gives the tour company greater flexibility in where they go. Often there will be additional stops, for example in remote villages, or activities suggested that wouldn’t have been feasible if organised independently.

3. A more authentic experience

Often you will find that the tour leader will go the extra mile in helping you to have the best possible experience. This could be ordering food for the table for communal eating so you try more, teaching you mahjong on a river cruise in China or even going so far as to invite you to dinner at their home in the walls of Jaipur.

4. Meet new people

A trip is all about the people. Most small group tours are a mixture of people travelling on their own and with others. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people to laugh and share the experience with. There are many long standing friendships that started from a two week small group tour!

5. Additional time at key sites

Normally small group tours includes private guided day trips round key sites. This allows more time to be spent at a location than larger group trips or independent day trips.

6. Flexibility

While there is a set itinerary, most small group tours also include free time to explore and do additional activities. This means that you really can create the holiday that you want.

So if you’re short on time, or confidence, a small group tour could be the answer, so you can do more than you ever thought possible.

Via Ferrata: the basics

Adventure Fitz — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:13:38 +0000

Via ferrata, literally “iron path”, is a protected climbing route marked with metal rails, rungs, ladders and bridges. Halfway between scrambling and climbing, via ferrata can let you feel the thrill of scaling mountains and difficult passes even when you’re a beginner.

Via ferrata covers a set climbing route up the side of a mountain. You’re clipped on to a steel cable which is attached to the rock, progressing by moving your karabiners as you pass along the route. Everyone follows the same path with few, if any, drop out points. So once you’re going you’re committed until the end as there could be a queue of people behind you preventing you from going back.

You’ll need a head for heights and a sense of adventure, but the views and the thrill of the experience are worth it.

What equipment is needed

As a minimum you will need a helmet, harness, via ferrata set (consisting of two karabiners and a lanyard) and gloves. These can normally be hired nearby if you aren’t planning on investing in your own set.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Most via ferrata are accessible for beginners, with a grading system in place to show the difficulty. Check the difficulty before heading off or hire a guide to help provide support and experience.

Where to try

Via ferrata originated in Europe and there are hundreds of easily accessible routes throughout the continent. Some routes, such as the Honister Slate Mine in the Lake District, require guides so make sure you’ve booked these in advance.

Any risks?

As with all activities there are risks. While clipping on to the wire provides some security, if you slip you’ll fall back to the previous bolt and can still get bashed against the rocks. Look for good weather conditions to minimise the likelihood of slips and falls.

If you’re looking for adventure, spectacular views and a sense of achievement, it’s time to give via ferrata a try.

adventure – AdventureFitz