Is a National Geographic Expedition Right for You?

The writer took a group tour with National Geographic Expeditions: Portugal & the Azores: Explorers, Ecological Wonders & Epicurean Delights. National Geographic’s mission includes cultural education, conservation and exploration, which National Geographic Expeditions seeks to fulfill.

Highlight: Unparalleled Access and Efficiency

National Geographic Expeditions promises curated, immersive experiences, and they deliver. Every day is full of carefully selected activities and immersive cultural opportunities., exploring historic landmarks with expert guides, dining at thoughtfully chosen restaurants, lodging in five-star accommodations and enjoying fast pass entry to nearly every “must-see” attraction. For example, a perk no other tour company in Porto seems to be offering is early entry to Livraria Lello, the world’s most beautiful bookstore. The Nat Geo group gets ushered in a full half hour before the doors officially open. The amount of time saved via “fast track” entry to major attractions should be a top consideration for travelers with limited time. 

Do more in ten days on this tour than with self-guided travel. Transportation is seamless, and logistics are stress-free. If you’re the kind of traveler who loves to maximize each day,  this alone might justify the price tag.

Highlight: Built-In Community

It’s easy to connect with the people on this tour, as connections often form naturally. Sharing new experiences seems to unite people quickly, but to aid in that process, Nat Geo tours have built-in opportunities for mingling, such as a welcome reception, small group expeditions, and family-style dining. By the second or third day, conversations flow more easily, and a rhythm develosps among the group. The diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and personalities adds an element of community that is sometimes missed when solo traveling. For travelers who are craving connection, this built-in social layer is a definite bonus. 

Highlight: Let Your Brain Rest

The greatest luxury of a National Geographic Expedition just may be the mental ease. From start to finish, the experience is designed to eliminate decision fatigue. One of the biggest challenges of independent travel is researching all the must-sees, must-dos, and must-eats, then planning your days to cram them in. Instead of feeling stressed, you can trust that a Nat Geo itinerary covers all the major highlights and local favorites, so there is no need to fuss with guidebooks, Google maps, or flagging down a friendly local for information. Each night, you are provided with a detailed schedule for the next day, including a weather forecast. At that time, the guide will make sure you know exactly what to bring and what to wear. You can truly turn your brain off and enjoy being a passenger!

Conversely, Your Time Is Not Entirely Your Own

For travelers who value autonomy, this can be tricky. The itinerary is well thought-out, but it’s jam-packed, and once the day begins, you’re somewhat locked in. For the most part, you won’t want to miss anything, but if you are tired or craving some solitude, it definitely is not easy or encouraged to opt out. 

After a 12-hour day of touring, engaging in polite conversation over dinner can feel unexpectedly taxing. For introverts or anyone who needs more downtime built into the day, this kind of travel might require some emotional pacing.

This tour with National Geographic Expeditions can feel overstimulating or limiting by the rigidity of a pre-planned day.

Consideration: The Price Reflects the Perks, But Still!

It’s no secret that National Geographic Expeditions sits at the higher end of the group tour market. The accommodations, experiences, and guides are all premium. However, if you do the math, you’d pay significantly more if you tried to recreate the itinerary on your own- economies of scale are at play here. 

When considering an investment of this size, it can be a good idea to review the itinerary and thoughtfully assess whether each item is essential to you. Maybe you don’t prioritize high-end lodging or food offerings when traveling. Perhaps time isn’t a factor, and you don’t need the line-skipping and early access. Maybe you aren’t someone who desires to “see it all”. If that’s you, consider creating a personalized itinerary with a travel advisor, such as My Journey Begins Travel to gain more control over your budget.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.