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Original poster

Would you go on this holiday on your own?

94 replies

PrincessIntrovert · 18/07/2023 06:20

An escorted tour so with a group of people, but presumably not stuck with them 247, which is what I need to clarify with TUI:

Day 1 - land at LAX and spend the evening in a hotel there, I'll presumably just want to sleep after a long flight
Day 2 - day trip in Las Vegas
Day 3 - Death Valley national park with an overnight stay in Mammoth Lakes
Day 4 - Yosemite sightseeing
Day 5 - San Francisco including view of Alcatraz and GG bridge
Day 6 - Free day in San Francisco
Day 7 - Monteray and Carmel
Day 8 - Santa Barbara
Day 9 - home

I've always dreamed of going to America and I turn 40 next year so feel it would be a good time... But I'm not sure what to expect on an escorted tour and I've no idea how far away these spots are from each other, so if anyone could shed light that would be great?

Basically I don't want to spend £3k to sit on a bus for 8 days...

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 18/07/2023 06:23

Yes!

DontBeBitterGlitter2023 · 18/07/2023 06:24

Do it absolutely! I’m 37 and going on a similar organised trip/tour to Japan by myself later this year

Kathryn91 · 18/07/2023 06:24

110%

MinnieMountain · 18/07/2023 06:27

An escorted tour sounds great for a solo holiday. Presumably TUI will have a detailed itinerary if you ask.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 18/07/2023 06:28

That does look like a lot of travel on a coach and not much time to explore the places you are stopping at.

The drive from Yosemite to San Fran won't allow much time to enjoy the City.

Also check which hotels the tour company are using. I would want them to be right in the best areas to be able to easily see everything and not a cheaper hotel on the outskirts.

Original poster
PrincessIntrovert · 18/07/2023 06:29

It says all the hotels are either 3 or 4 stars

OP posts:
GU24Mum · 18/07/2023 06:42

If you won't get to see the places otherwise, you'll fit lots in. You'll have quite a bit of time on the coach so it's a balance plus you'll be jet-lagged. Could you build on a couple of days near LA at the start so you can relax before the coach section?

sashh · 18/07/2023 06:54

LA to Las Vegas is about 4 hours, are you returning or staying in Vegas?

BarbaraofSeville · 18/07/2023 06:57

Presumably on the days where you visit the various stops, the coach will take you somewhere and tell you to be back on the bus at X time, several hours later.

You will be free to wander around on your own, or join up with others in the group. The challenge will be to avoid being befriended by people you don't get on with and won't take the hint that you don't want their company.

But it looks like a great itinery for an overview of a lot of tourist hotspots, so definitely worth doing and should be a memorable trip. It's something I would do alone or with DP, in fact, I've added that trip to my list of 'places I'd like to go on holiday'.

Google maps will tell you the journey times between all the stops and then you could ask Tui for the names/areas of the hotels and how long you get in each location. Or you could check the reviews to see if there are any comments about too much coach travel/not enough time in each location.

The other question I'd ask is if there is guidance about who you might be expected to tip and how much - you could find that you are expected to hand over a significant sum to the tour guide and coach driver (and possibly a second driver) so factor that in.

I think a lot of what you are paying for is the organisation and help should something go wrong. You could arrange it all yourself, but you'd need to research hotels, excursions and transfers between etc, which is quite a task.

Coronationstation · 18/07/2023 06:58

No because the idea of organised tours and coach holidays gives me the fear!

LlynTegid · 18/07/2023 07:03

Vegas to San Francisco is several hours. I wouldn't go in June. July or August because of the temperatures.

Original poster
PrincessIntrovert · 18/07/2023 07:05

It will be May and yes my biggest fear will be some cling on who I'll have to end up being rude to. Happy to chat briefly but I want to mainly explore on my own unless I really click with someone and given my username that's pretty unlikely!

OP posts:
Saverage · 18/07/2023 07:12

How many people on the tour? I've done guided tours but max of 16 people. I wouldn't do one with a whole massive coach load.

It's always worked out well for me. I'm introverted and haven't had any cling-on issues, have had a nice chat when I wanted, but also a wander by myself.

Your itinerary sounds good, I did a similar trip last year (with a friend, not guided). It's not something you can do really on public transport, so guided tour / driving yourself are the only options.

Original poster
PrincessIntrovert · 18/07/2023 07:17

Maximum of 35, but I don't think you know until you go. Could just end up being 2 of us for all I know. I'm thinking the more of us there are the less obliged I'll feel to bond with anyone anyway. Also no under 16s... massive attraction for someone who is really not child friendly.

OP posts:
SquishyGloopyBum · 18/07/2023 07:17

Have a look at G-Adventures and Intrepid. They do group tours too. The itineraries should be online.

I didn't know TUI did them to be honest.

chipsandpeas · 18/07/2023 07:24

yes i would do it

RubyWedding · 18/07/2023 07:31

i think you'll be spending a lot of time on the coach as the itinerary is impressive but quite tight and the distances long.

The "free days" are when you'll be able to go off and wander at your own pace, I would guess the rest of time you will be with others either driving or doing activities.

As a PP has said, get the names of the hotels so you can check how far out of town they are.,

Original poster
PrincessIntrovert · 18/07/2023 07:34

I'm starting to wonder if I should just go to Vegas on my own...

OP posts:
Newgirls · 18/07/2023 07:43

That sounds a great trip and I’ve done similar but driving. The views from the bus will be excellent it’s a gorgeous and interesting place. The bus will be air con and even 3 star hotels in the US are good by UK standards. I’d rather be driven than drive as you can relax. Take some podcasts or American novels to listen to and easy to avoid anyone if you need to.

tanstaafl · 18/07/2023 08:00

Google maps will tell you the journey times between all the stops and then you could ask Tui for the names/areas of the hotels and how long you get in each location.

Ive done this for a few of your days.
For me it’s way too much time on a coach and I erroneously thought you were starting in LV. You’ve got to get to LV from LA first.

If you think you’ll be in a position to go again, I’d pick the coast ( SF, Monterey, LA ) for one trip and inland ( LV, Death Valley, Grand Canyon ) for another.

Almostwelsh · 18/07/2023 08:08

That would be too much time on a coach for me. Those distances are huge and that itinerary doesn't leave much time in any of the destinations.

I think you would be exhausted and frustrated that you didn't see enough of the destinations.

Most people would fly between LA and Vegas. Why are they flying you into LA, rather than directly to Vegas?

reluctantbrit · 18/07/2023 08:11

For me that would be too much travelling and not enough time at the location. We did guided tours in the past and when there was a longer drive than we had a full next day at the location, not immediately going again. We also had dedicated free time to walk around on our own, not just with the group.

Put the route into google maps and you see the driving time. Add a longer break for lunch in it and you see how much time you have left.

I think it is a great idea but I would look at other companies as well and compare their schedules.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 18/07/2023 08:15

I've done the drive from LA to Vegas a few times and it's not too bad. I've also done the drive from Vegas to San Fran in a day. It took us 14 hours with stops and the scenery was amazing. We regretted not allowing more time stopovers in various places on the way.

MaggieFS · 18/07/2023 08:18

On principle I would have no issue with the type of trip you describe. If you end up having to be rude to someone, so what? You never have to see them again.

However, as pp have said, that's lot of distance to cover in not a lot of time. I would try and find a trip which gives you longer or just covers half the stuff in that time.

finewelshcheese · 18/07/2023 08:20

PrincessIntrovert · 18/07/2023 07:34

I'm starting to wonder if I should just go to Vegas on my own...

I wouldn't even consider that, but I'd definitely go on a guided tour.

We have been on several similar holidays (but in Europe) and there tends to be a mix of single people, friendship pairs and couples. We have really enjoyed them but it might be worth checking what the meal arrangements are if you really want to keep yourself to yourself.

Are the meals included? In which case you might find yourself on a big table having to make conversation with your fellow travellers