Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, airfare strategies, packing suggestions, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Since 2009, we have helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy adults-only small group tours and luxury river cruises with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service.

Explore articles on Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Peru, Newfoundland, Paris, Normandy, Santa Fe, Canada, Italy, and AmaWaterways river cruises — then view our current Small Group Tours and River Cruises.

Archive by author: Professor Steve SoloskyReturn
Walk in the best neighborhoods in Paris with The Traveling Professor’s small group tours. From Montmartre and the Latin Quarter to Rue Cler and Le Marais, explore charming streets, authentic cafés, and the true Parisian lifestyle.
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Cusco, Peru isn’t just the gateway to Machu Picchu—it’s a foodie’s paradise. From gourmet dining to casual favorites, discover The Traveling Professor’s top restaurant picks, including alpaca burgers, tapas, and innovative Peruvian cuisine on our small group tours.
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Here are The Professor's top three family-run hotels in Venice, combining classic Venetian charm, prime locations near St. Mark’s Square, and peaceful canal-side retreats—perfect for travelers on small group tours seeking comfort and authentic experiences.
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Although The Professor calls himself an adventurous eater and has tasted countless dishes on small group tours across Europe, Canada, and Peru. Yet, some traditional foods like Italian tripe, Icelandic hákarl, and British black pudding remain off-limits to him and they should be off-limits to you too.
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The Traveling Professor shares expert tips to overcome jet lag on overnight flights to Europe. Learn how to rest before flying, choose better seats, stay hydrated, nap smartly, and adjust quickly to local time for a refreshed arrival.
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Here is The Traveling Professor’s review of top 4-star hotels in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck during a magical small group tour to Austria’s Christmas Markets. Find the perfect blend of comfort, location, and festive charm for your holiday stay.
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The Traveling Professor’s Normandy Invasion Beaches tour offers a powerful, small-group guided experience. Stay in historic Bayeux and explore key D-Day sites like Omaha and Utah Beach over three unforgettable days with expert insights and exclusive access.
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Hotel star ratings reflect amenities—not location or room size. Learn how factors like restaurants, elevators, and services influence ratings, and get expert tips from the Traveling Professor on choosing great-value hotels for your next trip.
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Skip the metro and see more of the city. In Paris, Rome, and beyond, buses and trams offer better scenery, fewer stairs, safer travel, and wider coverage—making them the smarter, more enjoyable way to get around
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Explore Padua with the Traveling Professor’s Northern Italy tour. Visit the Scrovegni Chapel, University of Padua, and Caffè Pedrocchi, stroll Prato della Valle, stay at Majestic Toscanelli, and enjoy authentic dining at Padua’s best restaurants.
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Who Writes the Small Group Tour Blog?

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

Each article is written or reviewed from the perspective of a working tour operator who plans real itineraries, works with local guides and hotels, and helps travelers prepare for successful small group trips.

Receive destination ideas, travel tips, early tour announcements, and special offers from Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor.

Since 2009 | IATA Accredited | JourneyWoman Partner | AmaWaterways Certified Advisor | Google Reviews | NTA Member