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 category: Airfare Tips & Flight DealsReturn

04May

The Most Overrated Seat on the Plane: Don’t Pay Extra Until You Read This

Professor Steve Solosky | air travel tips, flying smarter, airplane seats | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Bulkhead seats look tempting on airline seat maps, but The Traveling Professor explains why this popular “upgrade” may not be worth the extra cost.

12Mar

The Best Travel Hack Ever: Buy the Middle Seat

Professor Steve Solosky | Airline Hack, Middle Seat, Empty Seat | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Learn how buying an extra empty airline seat can make long flights more comfortable without the high cost of first class. This smart travel hack gives couples and solo travelers more space, more comfort, and often significant savings.

07Feb

More (Almost) Useless Facts About Flying

Professor Steve Solosky | Flying, Flying Facts, Funny, William Shatner | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Discover almost useless but endlessly entertaining facts about flying, from the William Shatner seat to hidden cabin triangles, quirky airline traditions, and surprising safety details most travelers never notice.

01Aug

How to Handle Airline Delays, Cancellations, and Changes Like a Pro

Professor Steve Solosky | airlines, delays | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Flight delays and cancellations are frustrating, but travelers don’t have to feel powerless. By booking directly with airlines, acting quickly, investing in travel insurance, understanding your rights, and staying calm, you can take control of the situation and minimize travel disruptions like a seasoned pro.

15Jul

Smart Tips for Buying International Airfare Tickets

Professor Steve Solosky | Airfare, Save on Airfare | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

The Traveling Professor shares smart, money-saving tips for booking international airline tickets. Learn why booking directly with airlines, being flexible with airports and routes, buying extra seats for comfort, and skipping booking myths can lead to better deals. Discover how to fly smarter, cheaper, and more comfortably on your next global adventure.

12Jul

3 More (Almost) Useless Facts About Flying

Professor Steve Solosky | flying tips | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

In April, we published our wildly popular post, "5 (Almost) Useless Facts About Flying". Today we are here to tell you more about some more things you may or may want to know when you fly.

04Jun

5 Things You Never Knew About Booking Airfares

Professor Steve Solosky | Airfare, Booking Flights | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Welcome to the crazy world of booking airfares. In this blog post, The Professor gives you 5 great tips for booking airfares.

24May

How Far in Advance to Book International Airline Tickets

Professor Steve Solosky | Airfare | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Some strategy is needed when purchasing international airfare. How far in advance should international airfare be purchased? Are there special situations when purchasing with award miles? When can I get the lowest price for international airfares. All that is covered in The Professor's airfare blog post.

30Apr

5 (Almost) Useless Facts About Flying

Professor Steve Solosky | airline tips | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

Professor Steve Solosky shares five quirky, little-known facts about air travel—like what “departure time” really means, how to lift armrests, and why meal orders differ by flight direction—all with his signature humor and practical insight for travelers.

26Mar

Best Tips for Booking Airfare with Mileage Awards

Professor Steve Solosky | Mileage Awards | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals |

This guide explains how to use airline miles more effectively, including when to book flights, how to find award deals, and smart booking strategies that help travelers save money and fly more comfortably using frequent flyer miles.

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.

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

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Who Writes the Small Group Tour Blog?

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