Old is gold: This classic way to explore the world is hot once again

I've flown to the Arizona desert to join Collette's group tour of the National Parks of America. Tonight is the welcome dinner, a feast of delicious pulled pork tacos and chicken enchiladas. It's an opportunity to meet our guide, Linda Rome, and the 40 participants I'll be travelling with over the next 12 days across four US states, five national parks and 2300 kilometres.

An hour into meeting the group, I'm already having a ball. Clinking glasses of frozen margaritas with Daphne, listening to first-hand stories of World War II from Jack and debating the merits of American snacks with George, I'm in great company. I feel happy and excited for the journey ahead.

If somebody had tried to tell me a few years ago that I would thoroughly enjoy a two-week road trip with strangers, many of them in their 70s, 80s and 90s, I would have laughed out loud. Yet, it's 100 per cent true.

The popularity of group tours has surged over the past decade, exponentially since the end of the pandemic. Why? They're a convenient, safe, cost-effective, time-saving way to see bucket-list parts of the world.

"The beauty of a tour offering is that it takes the pressure off, because our experts do it all for you, without compromising on what you want to do or see," says Insight Vacations' Maria Parisi. "Touring takes the hassle out of booking an overseas holiday, so people can focus on the fun things, like whether they want to enjoy a scenic cruise along the Seine, or explore the streets of Paris."

From Jordan's archaeological treasures to the mountains of Nepal and craft markets in Peru, guided groups of happy travellers are seeing the world.

If you've never joined a group tour, you might be put off by dated stereotypes of long hours of bus travel, boring hotels and whistlestop museum visits. Think again. Today's tours are more likely to include a leisurely visit to a winery in Santorini that only locals know about, or a curated, active getaway for cycling enthusiasts in Chiang Mai.

"Group travel is very different than it was 50 (or even 20) years ago," says Beth Santos, author of Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo. "You're not usually on a bus with 70 other people eating at all the tourist traps. Small group tours allow you to get a more intimate experience, like little hole-in-the-wall places that wouldn't fit larger quantities."

Parisi agrees, noting that one of the biggest trends at Insight Vacations is the growth of special-interest tours that connect like-minded people over a shared love or curiosity such as sustainable travel, history or travelling for specific events.

"Our various ways to travel, including women-only tours, small groups and off-the-beaten-track Country Roads adventures [are bringing] travellers from all over the world together in a way we didn't see 20 years ago," she says. "Travellers are more socially and environmentally conscious, they're keen to connect with others, and they're open to experiences they perhaps wouldn't have tried."

If you've ever tried to research a major trip to an unfamiliar destination, you might be willing to now hand over itinerary-planning, driving and logistics to the experts. Not only does it save you enormous time, it also takes advantage of the insider knowledge accrued through decades of experience. It's possible to book an African safari or multi-country European adventure at short notice and just go, a feat that would otherwise be challenging.

"There are many advantages of organised group tours, often with meals, transport, accommodation and socialisation covered," says Justine Frost, MTA (Mobile Travel Agents) adviser. "They're a great way to see a large amount of a country in a short amount of time. Not everyone has six weeks to travel, but they do want to see all the highlights, and organised tours are the best way to do this."

The bonds formed with people you'd otherwise never meet is surely one of the best things about group touring. I'm very comfortable travelling solo, but I quickly adapt to the rhythms and in-jokes of our "family of 40" on the national parks tour.

"A lot of people believe that group travel and solo travel are polar opposites, but actually I like to consider group travel to be solo travel's little sister," says Santos. "When you're travelling in a group, so long as you aren't going with a friend or family member, it really does "count" as solo travel. Plus, a lot of these group experiences build in free exploration time."

My Collette journey to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and beyond is epic, truly one of those unforgettable trips I'll be reminiscing about for years. Looking through hundreds of photos on my phone the day I return home, I feel suddenly wistful that it's over. I know what's up: I miss my old pals.

Best group trip for seeing Australia

Pioneer of Aussie travel for more than a hundred years, AAT Kings knows the sunburnt country like no other touring company. From humble beginnings as a coach service from Melbourne to Brighton and Sydney to Katoomba, AAT Kings has grown into Australia's most popular guided holiday company.

Dozens of escorted adventures are offered to some of the most beautiful parts of Australia and New Zealand, including the Red Centre, the Kimberley, the Pilbara and Tasmania.

The company's legacy of opening doors to understanding continues with the recent launch of a new Aboriginal Culture & Australia Highlights tour, an Australia-first Indigenous-focussed holiday from city to Outback over 13 days. aatkings.com

Best group trip for senior travellers

Anybody over the age of five can join an international Collette trip, but you will find that many of the most loyal repeat guests are in their 70s, 80s and even 90s. Seasoned travellers rave about the level of care offered, the high standard of accommodations and inclusions, and the ease of leaving the driving to an expert.

That's not to say you won't be travelling with some younger people - you probably will - as multi-generational family bookings are popular.

If you're planning a tour in the US, such as the excellent 12-day National Parks of America itinerary, Collette is a natural choice. Groups also jet off to every continent and dozens of countries, with new itineraries just released to Old World Sicily, the Cotswolds and Turkey. gocollette.com

Best group trip for solos

Travellers who love going solo can still enjoy group travel. The same can be said for those who prefer to travel with others, but for various reasons are going it alone. Perhaps partners and friends don't have the budget, time or interest to explore the world right now.

The answer is "travelling alone, together". Melbourne-based tour operator, Two's a Crowd, is dedicated to making group travel easy and affordable for like-minded solos.

Upcoming tours and cruises to Italy, South America, Morocco and Vietnam are selling fast. The best part? Solo travellers always have their own room or cabin. twosacrowd.com.au

Best group trip for couples

Tick off the ultimate bucket-list destinations in comfort with your better half when you hand over the logistics to the experts. Insight Vacations' escorted tours go to Europe, UK and Ireland, North Africa, Asia, North America and Latin America. You can choose to travel in a group of no more than 24 or 40 passengers.

Wanderlust couples will see the world through a new lens when they join in Insightful Encounters like an artistic glassblowing demonstration in Italy, or a visit to a Sami family at a reindeer camp in Norway.

More than half of Insight guests are in the 50-70 age range, many of them couples. insightvacations.com

Best group trip for families

Gather the clan together in style on one of Abercrombie & Kent's Luxury Family Journeys to Kenya and Tanzania, the Galapagos or Alaska. Group sizes never exceed 24 guests, with departures timed with school breaks in mind.

Learning opportunities in nature abound, delivering first-hand wildlife and culture experiences the kids will love. For those who prefer private touring, unforgettable tailor-made family tours can also be organised.

In the hands of the pioneers of luxury travel, you can expect the very finest accommodations and most informed guides, as well as an emphasis on fun and convenience. This is wish-list travel at its best. abercrombiekent.com

Best group trip for women-only

Travel is for everyone, but in some parts of the world it's complicated for mixed-gender groups to access all the wonders on offer. Intrepid is a leader in all-female adventures, with fascinating tours to destinations including Turkey, Jordan, India, Nepal and Saudi Arabia.

Highlights of the women-led journeys include a visit to a beauty salon in the Pakistan home of a local woman, a cooking class in Jaipur and hiking in Morocco with the first local female guide in M'Goun Valley.

The impact of these Intrepid Women's Expeditions goes beyond the memories that participants take home. They are also changing the lives of local women and their families through employment and business opportunities. intrepidtravel.com

Best group trip for foodies

A love of travel and food seems to go hand in hand. No surprise then to see the vast array of guided food tours in every city where there's a paella, pie or pastizzi worth eating.

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A great example of the trend towards small group tours with bespoke itineraries, Pink Pelican Tours' trips to Italy in October and next May will have you dreaming of gelato and gnocchi before you even board the plane. The eight-day jaunts will be led by food writer and cookbook author Sophie Hansen, with itineraries to Piedmont, Cinque Terre and Tuscany.

All of the guides and coordinators who organise Pink Pelican Tours are based in regional Australia, offering guests a warm, country welcome and genuine care. pinkpelicantours.com.au

Top tips for organised group trips

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