Traveling questions (guided tours?)

[PastelPetals]

I have been back from my post secondary transition program for about five months now. One of the things I miss is our annual trips. I never liked traveling at all; much too overwhelming. But during these trips - three in total - I only ever had two small meltdowns. And of course I had the staff to help me. We had itineraries and there was structure. It helped me learn so much about what I like in a vacation.

I have found some services that provide guided vacations with staff for adults with I/DD and some types of mobility challenges. I am unsure if any of these places are good and especially with the prices I want to know more. Reviews online are sparse, but all of these companies have tons of trips and talk about the many travelers they support. I suspect there is not much simply because a lot of disability specific services travel by word of mouth and not online reviews. So I am asking for the words from your mouths (or your fingers) if you have them. Also if you have any other ideas on how to find out more than just what is on their websites or what questions to ask them to learn more.

Also if you have any travel ideas/ tips for a person with medium support needs and an inability to travel solo.

Here are the links to the companies I have looked at thus far:


Trips R Us | Special needs travel & recreation in New England
Travel | True Friends
https://www.sundialtour.com/special-vacations-tours
Vacations Archive - Page 4 of 16 - The Guided Tour, Inc.
https://abletrektours.com/sn-multi-day/
https://www.frontiertravelclub.com/
https://www.exceptionaltrips.com/
https://www.newdirectionstravel.org/
https://www.tripsinc.com/
https://www.specialjourneys.org/
https://www.searchbeyond.com/sb/Enter.aspx
https://hammertravel.org/

 

[monkeyclogs]

hi, what country are you in? Just if you're in the UK do you know you can apply for disability holiday grant? can help a little with the additional costs you may have.

I'd try to think about what specifically it is about travelling that you would find challenging and try to create programming flowcharts (if, then, but) for the things you are worried about.

If you then need specific support with some of these things you can narrow down your choice of provider to those that meet your specific needs.

 

[PastelPetals]

hi, what country are you in? Just if you're in the UK do you know you can apply for disability holiday grant? can help a little with the additional costs you may have.

I'd try to think about what specifically it is about travelling that you would find challenging and try to create programming flowcharts (if, then, but) for the things you are worried about.

If you then need specific support with some of these things you can narrow down your choice of provider to those that meet your specific needs.

I am in the USA, but that is really nice to know for UK residents.

The parts of traveling I find hard is the planning (where we should go and when, where we should eat, arranging transport), the actual transporting (I cannot drive or navigate public transport independently), dealing with transitions/ unexpected things, and like all solo travelers I get lonely. I don't really have friends and as much as I am ok being alone most of the time, a lot of vacation things are best enjoyed with others in my opinion.

Those are probably my top priority. All of the companies will provide that, but maybe it's more about which will be best for somebody who doesn't need help with ADLs.

 

[Judge]

Perhaps the official term you are looking for is a "Hosted Group Journey/Travel Experience". And that there are such operations out there which might meet your requirements/expectations in their close guidance of every travel group they supervise.

I know my mother once took such a trip to visit some 34 countries in Europe. Exhausting, but then it was the host who did all the "heavy lifting" when it came to such a big trip.

What Is a Hosted Group Travel Experience? - Accent On Travel

16 best group travel companies for guided tours (2026) - Tour Scoop

 

[Shamar]

Sounds like you really need a specialty travel agent. Some people are good with solo travel, some are not. You fit in the latter group. I hardly travel since retirement, but during my career, I was always being sent to places I'm not sure even existed. Usually accommodations would be arranged, but oftentimes "accommodations" would be a very generous description. I learned to make do on my own. Definitely travel and see some of this world, it will be worth it. Do you have any travel destinations in mind?

 

[PastelPetals]

Sounds like you really need a specialty travel agent. Some people are good with solo travel, some are not. You fit in the latter group. I hardly travel since retirement, but during my career, I was always being sent to places I'm not sure even existed. Usually accommodations would be arranged, but oftentimes "accommodations" would be a very generous description. I learned to make do on my own. Definitely travel and see some of this world, it will be worth it. Do you have any travel destinations in mind?

I would like to stay within the USA at least to start. I think I need to get a handle on basic travel before I start trying to understand things like immigration and customs. I like amusement parks, so I would like to go to more of those and I want to see more national parks so I can hike. I have never been to the Pacific Northwest and I would like to go - particularly Oregon. And I would like to explore more of the Midwest or maybe the South! I have been on one cruise and I didn't enjoy it but I can't tell how much of that was because I got Covid on the last day of the trip. I am cruise curious I guess. I like the idea of having a vacation where I don't have to plan much and cruises kind of have everything right there. The only downside is it is crowded, but I like the ocean.

 

[Judge]

This looks interesting for others as well. Travel Groups based on specific groups or communities. Ages, genders, identity groups, life-stages etc. Perhaps a safer travel proposition for those less experienced.

Though whether or not they offer programs for domestic travel may require a more specific inquiry:

Travel Groups for Adults: 2025 Guide to Finding Your Perfect Fit

 

[AuAL]

There are many companies that offer small-group tours. I have used several of them, in addition to decades of independent travel. (Last year I clocked up 46 countries visited. I love travelling.) Most of these companies are based around “couples” travel, i.e. accommodation is often based around twin occupancy - good if you can arrange a “travel buddy”, but single occupancy is usually available, unfortunately usually at a small extra cost. Advantages - for some, all you have to do is get to the airport, everything else is taken care of for you. Quite by chance, last year I was touring Africa with a group and there were several other ASD participants - it was such a positive experience to be able to “own” my autism.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

@PastelPetals It looks like you've done a fair amount of research already. Our family did a 2 week tour of Scotland a few years ago... did the booking through Vacations by Rail... hotels, train tickets, tour buses, etc... worked out well... had a great experience. Scenic Train Vacations and Packages | Vacations By Rail

That said, none of us had mobility issues... which I later found out was important. Those old European cities... cobblestone streets, stone stairs, hard curbs, big heavy doors, etc... ZERO handicapped accessibility... miles of walking every day. Absolutely beautiful and full of rich history... but if you have mobility issues, you're going to struggle. The newer, more modern cities, might suit a person better in this regard... but even then, the buses, trams, and trains run on a tight schedule... if you need assistance, take that time into consideration.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I was unusually lucky. A great aunt owned the Joan Anderson Travel Agency in Detroit and I got the desire to travel from visiting her office. My first forays internationally were anxiety inducing but I learned and found that I enjoyed digging into the cultures. That is when I discovered the group, With Locals that offer very personalized tours. In Bangkok, noshing at a night market - on the way to the flower market we heard Gamelan music and stopped at a temple to listen to some of the concert, and then paying respects at the temple being blessed by a monk. - touring the flower market and getting a late meal of Pad Thai at Thipsammai, who made Pad Thai popular then going to the Chinese night market for dessert and learning to fold a lotus to leave at a shrine. Idiosyncratic but fun.