About Our Travel Programs
We craft journeys that reflect how we love to travel. It's not about checking things off a list. We're passionate about getting to know and love another culture, making new friends, and getting beyond day-to-day boundaries. But after an exhilarating day exploring new lands and cultures, we still enjoy a good night's sleep in a great hotel with modern amenities. With Friendly Planet, you don't have to choose between cultural immersion and comfort.
For 40 years, we've been obsessed with creating top-notch tours and packages that are both the “trip of a lifetime” and an exceptional value, all backed with an extraordinary level of personalized service. From experienced tour guides to caring reservation agents, you'll feel like you're chatting with a friend. And unlike other many other travel services, if you need help while traveling we're reachable 24/7—by phone, text and email.
Small Group Tours
We believe travel is better with friends. If you agree, you'll love our classic Small Group Tours. Choose carefully curated itineraries to dozens of exotic destinations around the world. You'll enjoy:
The Right Size: While other tour operators often herd around 40–50 people on a tour, our Small Group tours include no more than 16 travelers*—and often fewer. We believe this is the perfect size for visiting sites comfortably and efficiently and getting to know your travel companions. Share the excitement of discovery with an intimate group of likeminded travelers, without paying a premium for a small group tour.
*Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 24
Talented Local Guides: Experience your destination through the eyes of a local. Our friendly, English-speaking guides are passionate about their country and culture. With them, you'll gain a rich understanding of all the iconic sites, while discovering hidden gems and local treasures too. And they'll make sure your journey is smooth and stress-free.
Creative & Comprehensive Itineraries: You'll enjoy guided tours of all the must-see spots, along with off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences you won't find on other tours. We also build in opportunities to get to know the locals, and ample time for you to explore on your own or join optional excursions.
Great Hotels: Relax each night in hand-picked 4 and 5-star properties, regularly inspected to ensure they meet our high standards. Other tour operators might stick you on the outskirts of town to save a few bucks. With us, you'll be in the center of the action, within walking distance to restaurants, markets and other attractions.
Bountiful Meals: Each day starts with a buffet breakfast at your hotel, including local and Western cuisine, so you can fuel up for a full day of exploration. Some lunches and dinners at carefully selected local restaurants are also typically included, but you'll also have opportunities to get out and dine on your own.
Included Flights: Most tours include flights from the U.S. on well known, reliable carriers such as United, Lufthansa, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air China, LATAM and others. We negotiate unbeatable wholesale rates and pass the savings on to you. Compare our prices—some of our air-inclusive tours cost about the same as you'd pay for flights alone!
Peace of Mind: Let us do the work! We bundle everything together, including flights, hotels, and most taxes & fees, into one simple price with no surprises. Our tour managers ensure that everything flows smoothly. Which leaves you to enjoy your destination, rather than fretting about the details.
Value Vacations
Like our small group tours, our Value Vacations are carefully designed to give you a great experience in the destination you're visiting. These tour packages are operated by our carefully selected, valued partners and may be shared with other English-speaking passengers, ensuring guaranteed departures. The number of passengers may vary, and groups may be larger than our small group tours, but no more than 29. And like all other Friendly Planet tours, save with fantastic prices and leave everything to us. We arrange your flights, transfers, hotels and tour program. You'll have licensed, English-speaking guides for some or all of your journey, and throughout your tour, you'll always have a local contact for any questions, problems or suggestions.
Independent Packages
Sometimes it's nice to get away to a new place for a few days on your own, with no set itinerary and no expectations. If that's your style of travel, check out our Independent Packages to dozens of top cities in Europe and beyond.
Easy & Flexible: Skip the hours of research, because we've done it for you! Choose your own travel dates, number of nights, and which U.S. city you'd like to fly out of. Our booking engine selects the best flights, hotels and transfers so you can build your own customized package.
Great Hotels: Choose from a collection of quality hotels in each destination that we've pre-selected based on location, amenities, service and price.
Included Flights: Save with included airfare from the city of your choice from a wide variety of carriers.
Freedom to Roam: With no set schedule, you can take each day as it comes. Or enrich your stay by adding a rich variety of optional tours and activities when you book.
Custom Travel for Groups & Individuals
Want to travel just with your with friends or family? We've been creating customized travel for groups and individuals since 1981.
Do you like our Small Group Tours, but want to make them your own, for a club, a few friends, or just you and a travel partner? We can adapt almost any itinerary into a private tour for any number of travelers.
Have your own unique journey in mind? We'll gladly help make it a reality, creating the right trip, at the right price, just for you. With operations in more than 40 international destinations (and adding more all the time), if you can dream it, we can probably make it happen.