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 tag: VeniceReturn
Experience Venice like a local by cicchetti hopping through traditional bacari. These bite-sized Venetian snacks, paired with local wine, offer an authentic, social way to enjoy Venice’s food culture beyond the tourist trail.
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Discover the charm of Italy’s Veneto region—Venice, Padua, Verona, and more—with fewer crowds, rich culture, authentic food, and affordable lodging. Explore insider tips from The Traveling Professor for an unforgettable Italian experience.
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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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The Traveling Professor shares his favorite pizza spots across Europe, from classic Italian slices in Rome and Venice to unique finds in Paris, Oslo, and Dublin, perfect for travelers on small group tours seeking great pizza.
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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