Small group tours of Europe for solo travellers: how they work and where to go

Small group tours of Europe suit solo travellers because the planning, the company and the help on the day come together in one booking. Spice Escapes runs hosted small group tours for people travelling on their own, across Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Croatia and beyond, with a host who travels with the group from the first day to the last. Here is how they work, how they differ from a coach tour, and where to start.

What is an escorted tour?

An escorted tour is a holiday where someone from the company travels with the group, rather than meeting you at the airport and leaving you to it. On a Spice Escapes holiday that person is the host. They make the introductions, know how each day runs and sort out problems. Some days are planned, with a local guide or a coach, and some are left free. Each holiday page sets out the days one by one, so you know before you book how much is arranged.

How is it different from a coach tour?

A coach tour usually moves a large group to a new hotel every night or two. Our groups are smaller, most are around fifteen people and some reach twenty, and the holidays below keep to one base, or two. You unpack once, you can join in or go your own way, and most people book on their own, so nobody arrives as part of a couple they already know.

Belgium: the First World War battlefields

World War I: A Journey of Memory and Meaning is a good example of what an escorted tour does well. You go by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille, where your hosts from Wings meet you and take the group to the family-run Albion Hotel in Ypres, in Belgium. A local guide takes you to Tyne Cot and the trenches at Sanctuary Wood, there is a half day in Poperinge with a guided visit to Talbot House, and the Last Post sounds at the Menin Gate each evening, minutes from the hotel. It is 3 nights, leaving on 8 Apr 2027, hosted by Claire Dymond, from £1,019. The Eurostar ticket is not on the list of what that price includes, so ask us about the train when you book.

In Italy, our tours run as a New Year week in Puglia, a cruise that starts in Rome, and walking weeks on the Amalfi Coast and in Sardinia, and the Italy page lists them all.

Central Europe: Kraków

Kraków Discovery is 4 nights in Poland, with days left open for the Main Market Square and Wawel Castle at your own pace, and optional trips to the Wieliczka Salt Mine and to Auschwitz-Birkenau. A Spice Escapes host is with the group throughout, so there is company at dinner. It runs 26 May 2027 – 30 May 2027, hosted by Jackie Whyte, from £589.

Sun and islands: Crete and Croatia

Crete Discovery has two bases, Aghios Nikolaos and then Rethymno, with half board at both hotels. The days out are by coach, to the Lasithi Plateau, Heraklion and Chania, and there is free time in Rethymno's old town at your own speed. It is 7 nights, 5 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027, hosted by Lauren Fawkes, from £1,499.

Croatian Chillout is 7 nights on the island of Lošinj, half board beside the harbour town of Veli Lošinj, with a boat day round the islands, coastal paths to walk as far as you like, and slow days for swimming and reading. The transfer from Pula airport takes about three hours, which is worth knowing before you book. It runs 1 May 2027 – 8 May 2027, hosted by Jackie Whyte, from £869.

Portugal: Lisbon

A Taste of Lisbon is 3 nights with a host, at a hotel close to a metro stop. One day goes to the Alfama and Tram 28, the next to Belém and its pastéis de nata, and the evenings are yours, whether that means a quiet dinner or a night in the Bairro Alto. It runs 15 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027, hosted by Pam Harte, from £639. Our culture and discovery page lists every tour like these.

Rooms and what they cost

Every holiday on sale charges a single supplement for a room of your own, and the figure is different on each one. We publish them all on our single rooms and supplements page, so you can see the cost before you choose. On some departures, two people sharing a twin or double room avoid it, which helps if a friend, a partner or a daughter is coming with you.

Questions people ask

Are small group tours good for solo travellers?

Yes. A hosted small group tour gives you company, a plan and help on the day, and you book one place. Spice Escapes runs hosted small group tours of Europe for people travelling on their own, with a host from the first day to the last.

What is the difference between an escorted tour and a guided tour?

An escorted tour has someone from the company travelling with the group for the whole holiday, while a guided tour usually means a local guide for a day or a single visit. Spice Escapes holidays are escorted by a host, and some days add a local guide for a site such as the Acropolis.

How big are the groups on a small group tour?

It varies from one company to another. Most Spice Escapes groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty, with a host travelling with them.

Do I have to share a room on a group tour?

No. Every Spice Escapes holiday offers a room of your own for a single supplement, and the figure for each holiday is published on its single rooms page. On some departures, two people travelling together can share a twin or double room and avoid it.

Which countries in Europe are best for a first group tour?

A short tour with one base is the easiest start, such as a few nights in Lisbon or Kraków with a host. Spice Escapes runs both, along with longer weeks in Greece and Croatia once you know you like travelling with a group.

Ask us before you book

If you are not sure which tour would suit you, ask. Ring or write to the office from our contact page, and choose a phone call back if you would rather talk. You can also ask Rosie, our automated assistant, in the chat on this page about dates and prices, and one of the team can pick the conversation up. Nothing is booked by asking. If this would be your first holiday with a group, our first-timers' page answers the questions people ask before they book, and our page on solo holidays for the over 50s, 60s and 70s sets out how much each kind of holiday asks of you.