| In the last ten years there has been a huge surge of | | | | With escorted tours, you want a native speaking or |
| interest in the rich culture of Latin America. Escorted | | | | fluent tour guide who can be your "go between" with |
| Tours coming out of New Zealand have become a | | | | the locals. It's the closest you can get to actually |
| popular option, with many people recognising the | | | | speaking the language yourself. |
| benefits and extra support you receive from having a | | | | 3. How much of the tour do you need to organise? |
| group tour guide. With an experienced crew planning | | | | If you are going with a tour guide you'll want to be able |
| your trip you know you'll get to see the very best bits | | | | to lean back on their confidence and knowledge and |
| of this exotic continent, safe in the knowledge you are | | | | just enjoy the trip without having to worry about |
| going where others have tested the amenities, and | | | | where you are meant to be and how you are |
| investigated only the very best deals. | | | | supposed to get there. |
| If you are thinking about travelling to this part of the | | | | 4. How long have they been operating? |
| world it is important to go with a company that knows | | | | A trip of a lifetime needs the expertise of an |
| the area better than the back of their hands. Here are | | | | established company that has been around long |
| some simple guidelines for selecting a good company | | | | enough to be stable and trusted. Selecting a company |
| to organise your tour. | | | | that has been running for over ten years gives you |
| 1. What is their speciality? | | | | confidence in both their experience and stability. |
| A travel company that focuses purely on a particular | | | | 5. Is it based in New Zealand? |
| geographical area can provide specialist information | | | | If you live in New Zealand it makes sense to select a |
| that some of the more generalist travel companies | | | | specialist in Latin American escorted tours that you |
| struggle to source. They often have personal contact | | | | can easily communicate with, knowing they have an |
| with tourism providers in the area and build relationships | | | | understanding of the different cultural expectations |
| that you can benefit from. | | | | kiwis have when travelling overseas. |
| 2. Are they native speakers? | | | | |