Solo Group Tour Experience in France, Italy, and Switzerland
To be honest, traveling alone made me a bit anxious, and I was especially worried about running into trouble: unfamiliar places, language barriers, safety issues... After much thought, I decided to join a group tour so I would have someone to look after me and not feel lonely. I spent a long time researching and comparing various reviews and itineraries. My biggest fear was encountering a "shopping tour"—forced purchases, being dropped off at the attraction entrance without tickets, and not being allowed to leave without buying something... That would be such a scam.
Fortunately, my efforts paid off, and I finally found a pure leisure small group tour that I was super satisfied with. The 13-day itinerary had lots of attractions but the pace was just right—not rushed or exhausting. There was no shopping or hidden costs throughout the trip; it was purely for fun.
I gained so much along the way. The tour leader’s photography skills were amazing—every shot looked like a masterpiece! Plus, our leader was young and fun, and there was no generation gap with the other group members. We laughed and joked every day, creating a very relaxed and happy atmosphere. Even though I came alone, I never felt lonely. Instead, I made a bunch of like-minded new friends, which was really heartwarming.
What impressed me most was the attention to service details: the tour leader was super responsible and solved any problems immediately; when we wanted to spend more time at an attraction, he never rushed us. It was clear he genuinely cared about us.
📌 Some practical tips to share:
1. Beware of low-price traps: If you see ads saying "just over 10,000 RMB for more than ten days, staying in five-star hotels, and a small group," don’t hesitate—run away! It’s most likely a big scam. They might drop you off at the attraction entrance and not let you in without spending money, with many shopping stops waiting for you afterward.
2. Choose small groups whenever possible: Avoid large groups of 50 or 60 people! Too many people means wasting half an hour just getting on and off the bus. Groups of about 20 are perfect—more flexible and a much better experience.
3. Must-bring packing list:
- A thermos cup that can be heated (for instant noodles; most hotels in Italy and Switzerland don’t provide free hot water, France is a bit better)
- Sunscreen (UV rays in Europe are strong, apply generously!)
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses & hat (for sun protection and great photos)
- Foldable down jacket
- Waterproof jacket (best for rainy days, windproof and waterproof)
- Disposable change of clothes (for a multi-city trip of over ten days, hotel laundry isn’t always available)
4. Bottled water is quite expensive in Italy and Switzerland, costing around 15-20 RMB per bottle. In Switzerland, you can buy cheaper water at Coop supermarkets.
✨ To sum up:
Switzerland is incredibly beautiful—you won’t regret coming here! Although I only had four short days this time, it wasn’t nearly enough haha~ I’m already planning to come back with my besties for a deeper trip and will definitely book with this tour company again—they’re really reliable.
There are some details I can’t recall right now, but I’ll add them later. I hope this gives a little encouragement and help to those of you still hesitating about whether to go ❤️