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28Jul

3 Easy Day Trips from Florence Italy

28 Jul, 2025 | Florence, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignao | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (626)

In itself, Florence is one of the most desirable places to visit in Italy. However, it can be a gateway to visiting other fabulous places nearby. Check out the blog post for the best side trips from Florence, Italy

15Jul

Smart Tips for Buying International Airfare Tickets

15 Jul, 2025 | Airfare, Save on Airfare | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals | View Counts (821)

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

12 Jul, 2025 | flying tips | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals | View Counts (790)

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.

09Jul

How to See the Best Northern Lights in Iceland

09 Jul, 2025 | Iceland, Northern Lights | Norway and Iceland Destination Guide | View Counts (1803)

One of the most spectacular sights in nature is the Northern Lights. Because of it's location, Iceland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. See The Professor's tips on the how to's in viewing the big show in the sky.

29Jun

Super Top Secret Paris Restaurant List

29 Jun, 2025 | Paris, Restaurants | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (1557)

Please do not tell anyone about this Paris restaurant list. They are so good, so fantastic that you will want them all to yourself. These are the best Paris restaurants for lunch, dinner, and even for a snack.

21Jun

What to Pack for a 66 Day Trip to Europe - For Ladies Only

21 Jun, 2025 | Packing, Packing for women | Packing Tips for Travel | View Counts (1395)

Experienced travelers know how to pack and Linda definitely has the qualifications as an experienced travelers. She will tell you the best ways to pack, all with a carry on, even for the longest trips overseas.

15Jun

Why Ireland is the Best Family and Friends Trip

15 Jun, 2025 | Ireland, Family Trip, Friends Trip | Ireland Travel Guide | View Counts (1122)

Ireland is perfect for small group tours, offering friendly locals, rich heritage, great food, and live music. Families and friends love exploring together by luxury van, from Dublin to Dingle, enjoying the warmth, culture, and charm of Ireland.

12Jun

Best 2 Star Hotels in Paris

12 Jun, 2025 | Paris, Paris Hotel | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (1270)

Finding a good, inexpensive hotel in Paris is not easy. However, we have done the groundwork to research and find the best hotels in Paris in the 2-star category. We have 5 good choices to help make a trip to Paris enjoyable and affordable.

04Jun

5 Things You Never Knew About Booking Airfares

04 Jun, 2025 | Airfare, Booking Flights | Airfare Tips & Flight Deals | View Counts (934)

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

31May

Best Places to Eat in Rome

31 May, 2025 | Rome, Italy, Restaurant | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (676)

Let's go to Rome! Of course we will see all the great sites of this ancient city including the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Forum, and much more. But let's eat! Look at the 5 best places to eat in Rome as presented by The Traveling Professor and Andy Herbach, author of Eating and Drinking Italian.

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, packing suggestions, airfare strategies, 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 carefully planned, adults-only small group tours and luxury river cruises with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service from real travel professionals.

Whether you are researching Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Peru, Newfoundland, Paris, Normandy, Santa Fe, Canada, Italy, or an AmaWaterways river cruise, our articles are designed to help you choose the right destination, travel style, and itinerary with confidence. For current departures, see our Small Group Tours and River Cruises.

Explore Our Travel Guides

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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