Intrepid Travel is one of the biggest and most well-known group travel operators around the world that was founded in Melbourne, Australia. With their team of experts and local tour leaders, they help thousands of people travel the globe while visiting bucket-list destinations and attending unforgettable festivals and events. They’re a classified B-corp which means Intrepid Travel has been certified for its positive contributions to environmental and sustainability causes. I went on my first Intrepid Travel tour in 2019 to Croatia and it still has been one of the most memorable trips that I’ve been on. Because of this phenomenal experience, I’ve also participated in three more noteworthy trips making a total of four. While I do enjoy solo traveling, I always feel like the best memories are made with others and many of these exist because of my tours with Intrepid Travel.
With countless tours to over a hundred different destinations, it can be difficult to navigate where to go, what tour will be good for first-timers, and if it’ll be worth your hard-earned money. Because I’ve been on multiple Intrepid Travel tours and have learned what a tour should consist of such as the expectations with inclusions, accommodation, and your tour leader, I’ll be sharing the top-rated Intrepid Travel tours that you should consider booking.
Different Travel Styles
To help you navigate the various tours they have, Intrepid Travel has four different travel styles ranging from “Basix, Original, Comfort, and Premium”. These travel styles are important to keep in mind when looking at tours because each offers a different set of standards and inclusions.
Basix-style tours offer the essentials that include accommodation (usually hostels), public transportation, a few activities, and perhaps some breakfasts. This travel style is perfect for those who are on a budget and want loads of free time to plan their activities.
Original tours are an upgrade from Basix where a majority of the accommodation will be in a hotel with a mix of public and private transportation. Additionally, there will be several included activities that the group will participate in together. Breakfast is usually included as well and sometimes there may even be a lunch or dinner thrown in there.
Comfort-style tours are a bigger upgrade from the Original because they focus on comfortable accommodations and more inclusions. You can expect to stay at 4-star hotels, private transportation throughout, most meals included, and loads of activities. Comfort tours are known to attract an older crowd due to their higher-than-average cost.
Premium tours are Intrepid Travel’s latest style that was recently introduced. This style is considered the most luxurious offering that they have for travelers. Think exceptional service, first-class experiences, and a highly qualified tour leader that’ll ensure you get what you pay for. You’ll be paying a hefty price tag, but in return, you’ll travel and tour around a destination(s) with other like-minded individuals who enjoy the finer things in life.
My Recommended Travel Styles
I always recommend original tours because the price is reasonable that includes 3-star hotels, orientation-lead walks, activities, and some meals. However, Basix tours are great if you’re traveling to regions like Southeast Asia where the US dollar will go further in your favor regarding hotel standards and planned activities.
BONUS TIP: Intrepid comes out with a sitewide sale twice a year in November for Black Friday and March for spring. These are great periods to book that trip while saving a few hundred dollars. Every single Intrepid Travel tour I’ve booked has been discounted by a least 15% off. If you happen to miss these sales, they also discount certain tours which are departing within a few weeks to fill empty spots. For those of you who love last-minute spontaneous adventures, you’ll get a thrill from snagging a great deal! Now that you understand the different travel styles, let’s get started with tours to book!
1. Explore Croatia
Tourism in Croatia is booming and has become one of the hottest vacation destinations in Europe to summer in. Pristine islands, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and impressive architecture are what makes Croatia so popular. Furthermore, Croatia is much more budget-friendly than its neighbor Italy.
Explore Croatia is a great introduction to the country that gives you a mix of land and sea. You will visit famous coastal cities including Dubrovnik and Split, and picturesque islands such as Korčula and Hvar. Fans of Game of Thrones will be jumping for joy over Dubrovnik because it’s one of the most famous filming locations of the hit series. Additionally, you’ll be visiting the party island of Hvar, known for its fantastic nightlife scene. From Hvar, you can also take a boat trip and go island hopping to see Croatia’s blue cave and Vis island. Click here to check out the itinerary and book your trip!
Length of Trip: 8 days
Travel Style: Original
2. North Morocco Adventure
If this is your first time visiting Africa or an Islamic nation, Morocco is a great place to start! Morocco is a country filled with rich culture, fragrant cuisine, and exquisite architecture. It’s home to the Hassan II mosque located in Casablanca, which is the second-biggest mosque in Africa and 7th largest in the world.
North Morocco Adventure is a fantastic tour that gives you a taste of Morocco’s most famous cities and sites. This tour includes a visit to Fes’ famous tannery where you can see craftsmen at work and have a chance to purchase leather-made products. Additionally, you’ll be visiting the fairytale city of Chefchaouen, also called the “blue city”. The tour ends in Marrakech where you’ll have free time to explore and visit the bustling Jemaa El-Fna square. If you love fashion, perhaps check out Yves Saint Laurent’s famous botanical gardens at Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. These gardens house numerous exotic plants including cacti, water lilies, and jasmines surrounded by a royal-blue-hued villa with bold accents. Click here to check out the itinerary and book your trip!
Length of Trip: 9 days
Travel Style: Original
3. Real Bangkok to Singapore
If you’re on a tight budget and want to visit Asia, this tour is for you! This tour is currently on sale for 20% off (save $300-$400!). Feast on delicious noodles, explore extravagant temples, or take a cooking class! Travelers will have the logistics planned and be given plenty of free time to do their own thing. Don’t expect hostels on Real Bangkok to Singapore! The accommodations for this tour are mostly hotels and a few days of guest houses.
In two weeks, travelers will visit three different countries: Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Check off bucket-list sites like Kuala Lumpur’s Batu Caves, Ao Nang island (also called Krabi), and Bangkok’s Golden Buddha. This tour is a great mix between adventure travel and island life because you’re able to experience the best of Thailand on a budget. Krabi is one of the most visited islands in Thailand and is the perfect place to take day trips to Koh Phi Phi and Railay Beach. Click here to check out the itinerary and book your trip!
Length of Trip: 14 days
Travel Style: Basix
4. Rome to Amalfi
Rome to Amalfi is a great introduction to visiting Italy, especially the Amalfi Coast without shelling out a ton of money. Italy is filled with delicious cuisine, historical landmarks, and is the perfect place to sip on an Aperol spritz in the sun. It’s also home to the incredible Colosseum, the ruins of Mt. Vesuvius, and the picturesque Positano.
This tour starts begins in Rome and goes through Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, and ends in Amalfi. It checks off a lot of bucket-list destinations at a reasonable price with an orientation walk in each place included so you become familiar with your surroundings. Additionally, your tour leader will arrange restaurant reservations and show you where to find the best pizza in Naples, the birthplace of pizza! There’s free time provided on this tour, however, you won’t want to miss the recommendations your leader has! Click here to check out the itinerary and book your trip!
Length of Trip: 8 days
Travel Style: Original
5. Rajasthan Experience
If you’ve ever wanted to visit India and experience one of the most culturally-rich countries in the world, do it with Intrepid Travel. India is overflowing with colorful architecture, rich and spicy cuisine, and incredible palaces. On this tour, you’ll get to see one of the grandest wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, and marvel at this architectural beauty. Additionally, this tour includes visits to the “pink city” Jaipur and the “blue city” Jodhpur where you will explore these magical cities. This tour also provides an overnight stay in the Thar Desert, with a camel safari experience included.
I highly recommend this tour because India is a hectic destination to navigate whether you’re solo traveling or looking to book independently. Additionally, India has mixed reviews when it comes to safety for solo female travelers. For this reason, a group travel tour can help put safety concerns at ease. Intrepid Travel handles all of the arrangements and with the comfort style, airport transfers are included and you get to stay in restored palaces! Additionally, if there’s something you’d like to see outside of what’s provided in the Rajasthan Experience tour, your leader can help you plan and provide some insight on what to expect. Click here to check out the itinerary and book your trip!
Length of Trip: 15 days
Travel Style: Comfort
