Trafalgar has launched Trafalgar Small Group Tours, a collection of 22 dedicated itineraries capped at a maximum of 18 guests per trip with departures starting May 2027.
The new range marks a deliberate shift in format for one of the world’s largest guided touring brands, trading the full coach for smaller vehicles, scenic trains and local transit.
The itineraries are pitched at active, culturally curious travellers, typically aged 40 and over, who want boutique stays and access to community venues that larger groups cannot reach.
For travel advisors, the format is an entry point for clients new to touring: a more personal group dynamic paired with Trafalgar’s existing support structure.
Why Trafalgar is going small
The collection follows the model already running under Trafalgar’s sister brand Insight Vacations and was developed through customer and trade research.
The Travel Corporation (TTC) Tour Brands Deputy CEO & Chief Sales Officer Melissa DaSilva said: “Small-group travel is one of the biggest opportunities we’re seeing in guided touring right now and this collection is our answer to that.”
“These trips are designed for a different type of traveller than a classic tour. Someone who seeks experiences that bring travellers even closer to the people, places and stories that make a destination real.
“For advisors, that means a new way to serve clients who are looking for something more personal without losing the Trafalgar signature experiences and support they know and trust.”
TTC Tour Brands Senior Vice President of Sales Andrew Young said the 18-guest cap unlocks destinations and stays that classic touring cannot.
“Following the success of our Insight Vacations Small Group itineraries, we know demand spans well beyond the premium traveller. By utilising smaller vehicles and an 18-guest cap, we can open up bespoke destinations and boutique stays impossible on classic touring,” he said.
“Every itinerary features brand-new ‘Be My Guest’ experiences led by the expert Travel Directors our advisors trust. This isn’t a classic tour squeezed into a small format; it’s built for small groups from day one.”
New itineraries and highlights
Trafalgar Small Group Tours launches with 22 itineraries with seven now available to view and book.
San Sebastian & Beyond runs from Bordeaux to Bilbao through Southwest France and Northern Spain, with a Be My Guest dining experience at Getaria’s family-owned San Antón grill house, open only to Trafalgar Small Group travellers, plus historic rail journeys up La Rhune and the Petit Train de Biarritz.
Wild Encounters of Borneo includes a private conversation and guided tour with Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Founder & CEO Dr Wong with remote rainforests and wetlands navigated by boat transfers and river cruises.
Best of South Africa uses safari rigs, boat cruises and 4×4 vehicles alongside a visit to a traditional Swazi Chief’s village in Eswatini for regional dishes and a hands-on drumming class.
What stays the same
The smaller format retains Trafalgar’s core pillars: expert Travel Directors, operational logistics and service standards.
Each trip also has an included MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience, a selling point for sustainability-minded clients.
Travel advisors can view the full range on TTC’s Travel Advisor Portal (TAP).
KARRYON UNPACKS: A 22-strong small-group range from a brand built on big-coach touring is a clear bet on where guided travel is heading. For advisors, it’s an option for clients who have never booked a tour because they pictured 50 strangers on a bus, and the 40+ market that values access over scale.
