Trafalgar vs Mayflower Tours - Tour Companies Compared

Trafalgar is a name many seasoned travelers will recognize. A branch of the Travel Corporation, whose brands all enjoy stellar reputations, Trafalgar has been offering classic and affordable tours for over 70 years.

Trafalagar Tours - Quick Facts

Founded: in 1947

Group size: Large Groups, between 40-45 people

Mode of transportation: Primarily luxury air-conditioned coaches

Accommodation style: Unique 3 & 4 star hotels and guest houses

Typical age range: 50+

Single travelers welcome (single supplements are required, but often discounted)

Average tour price: $3,796

Top Regions: Europe, USA, Canada

Related TTC Brands: Insight Vacations, Uniworld, Brendan Vacations

What Makes Trafalgar Tours Stand Out?

• Great value for pricing and inclusions
• Comfortable, not physically demanding tours
• Largely focused on cultural immersion 
• Hand-picked accommodations
• Strong reputation 
• Dedicated to responsible tourism - Founding member of TreadRight Foundation
• Good balance of free time and inclusions

Trafalgar is a group tour operator and one of the world’s most awarded tour companies. With over 70 years of experience, they unlock the best of the world from iconic experiences you’ve always dreamed of to getting to know the locals all while having everything taken care of for you every step of the way.  

Tours with Trafalgar are comfortable, not too physically demanding, and offer the opportunity to meet, talk, eat and drink with locals. You’ll get to know chefs, artisans, craftsmen, historians, and farmers as you explore what makes each destination truly special.

Trafalgar has a strong reputation, having been around since 1947 - putting them right at the pinnacle of when many premier guided tour companies were established. You’ll meet groups of like minded travelers, enjoy cultural experiences, expertly crafted itineraries with local touches and experiences guides, while traveling in comfort and ease.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Trafalgar?

• Older travelers (but all ages are welcome)
• Families
• Mid to high range budget travelers
• Those who enjoy slow-paced itineraries and easy physical activity
• Those who favor historic sightseeing & cultural immersion over hard core adventure 

If you are an active traveler, perhaps recently retired, eager to explore the world in comfort, visiting a nice combination of unique local spots and classic sites, then Trafalgar could be a great choice.

Possibly you are new to group tours and packages, having been used to creating your own travel experiences at a younger age - Trafalgar provides the perfect introduction to group tours.

You'll have plenty of free time to explore on your own, for shopping, sightseeing, and meals away from the group. Optional excursions are available throughout the itinerary for when you want a bit more structure.

Families will also get a lot out of the Trafalgar travel experience. If you're seeking a family vacation and interested in introducing a new generation of travelers to your favorite country - but don’t really have the time or patience to worry about planning out all the logistics - Trafalgar could be a great choice.

While they offer many trip styles, suitable for travelers of all ages, their classic touch is popular among older travelers. Classic doesn’t mean old fashioned or tired - simply a bit less on the active adventure and more on the historic sights and cultural experiences. They have a number of family focused tours, as well as tailored trips for special interests.

Trafalgar trips are budget friendly, with most trips in middle to low range, including a “Cost Saver” feature that allows you to see more inexpensive trips broken down by ratings and cost clearly. They offer several deals on trips throughout the year.

Trafalgar is a British brand, so many of the attendees on your tour will be from the UK.  

Top Destinations

• Europe & the UK
• USA and Canada
• Australia & New Zealand
• Asia
• South America

With Trafalgar, you can find trips to Europe, USA & Canada, South America, Asia, Australia & New Zealand. While the destinations are widespread, Trafalgar trips explore the culture and their highly trained local guides take you to hidden local spots without venturing too far outside the comfort zone.

Tours in Europe and the UK are among the most popular itineraries, utlizing guest houses and even castles for accommodation! 

Their USA & Canada tours are extremely popular for outdoorsy travelers. National Parks are a common itinerary item, as are trips along the Rocky Mountaineer railroad.

In South America, Trafalgar travels to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. In Africa, they go to Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. In Asia, it’s Cambodia, China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

And in the Pacific, Trafalgar visits Australia and New Zealand - some trips in this region are more basic when it comes to accommodation so be sure to read the itinerary carefully!

Wherever you go, you can expect high quality guides, unique destination-specific accommodations, and smooth travels.

They also have a number of religious themed tours, including trips that include excursions to Oberammergau, Bavaria. Once a decade this small town presents a Passion Play, and Trafalgar has had special access since 1970. The next time to experience this unique event is 2020.

Trafalgar Travel Style

The Trafalgar travel style is all about getting to know the culture through activities and connecting with locals. Their main tagline is “Discover the Good Life”. On Trafalgar tours, you get to experience the real thing in a safe, escorted environment with knowledgeable guides there to help with the language and provide historical and cultural context.

"Discovering the Good Life" encompasses perks like skipping lines and private access to classic sites; and unique experiences that bring you to places and among people you’d never have the chance to meet traveling on your own.

This kind of travel is local immersion, but not in the same way a 25 year old might interpret that idea.

Rather than bunking at hostels, going out late at night, and enjoying potentially questionable street food, you’ll stay in premium, centrally located and culturally significant accommodations - everything from bed and breakfasts in Ireland to hotels right on the banks of Norwegian fjords.  

Learn cooking techniques in Italy, enjoy private winery tours at French chateaus, and touring a small olive farm in Spain are just a few examples of the kind of unique travel experiences you can expect with Trafalgar.

Groups are large, typically between 40-45 travelers, a max of 52 on trips in the USA and Canada. Primary transportation during the tour is in large coaches, equipped with WiFi (with the exception of Alaska) and featuring large viewing windows - ideal for taking in the scenery as you head to your next spot on the itinerary.  

Most meals during Trafalgar tours are included. Trips often include free time during which you can explore on your own, with suggestions from your expert guides.

Why Choose a Tour with Trafalgar?

• Well known company
• Culturally rich experiences in comfort
• Many activities included, plus some optional choices
• All guides are expertly trained
• Large groups of international travelers

Trafalgar has a solid reputation, and they stick to what they’ve done well for over 50 years. They focus on the classics, providing a culturally rich perspective as you meet locals along the way. Their experience has allowed them to cultivate relationships around the world with local businesses - quality control you can trust for every stop along the trip.

Niche tours based on specialized interests are also something they are proud to offer. Trafalgar is where you go to have the essentials and logistics take care of seamlessly while you sit back and enjoy. Do note that these tours can be quite large - 40 people traveling together in a tour group can be stifling for some.

While they appeal to an older crowd due to their history and recognizable name, Trafalgar has an impressively well integrated social media presence. Trips on their site are accompanied by instagram posts from real travelers who have been on the same tour, using the hashtag #SimplyTrafalgar.

Old or young(ish), couple or single, traveling Simply Trafalgar inspires confidence, comfort, and enjoyment.

Founded in 1979, Mayflower is an Illinois-based company providing consistent quality trips for great value. They’re here to bring you all the “must-sees” and “must-do’s” with 100+ itineraries and over 10 different travel styles.

What Makes Mayflower Tours Stand Out?

• Mid-range budget tours
• Group escorted and individual tours
• “Specialty tour” options (eg. Thanksgiving in New York City, Calgary Stampede, biblical sites in the Middle East)
• Discounts on your first tour and referrals

Holidays are designed for travelers looking for the fullest travel experience at a great price value. Since its inception, Mayflower Tours has consistently provided the ultimate touring experience in each destination always focused on the travelers’ budget. Each Mayflower Tour has a professional tour manager on board to ensure all details are taken care of.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Mayflower Tours?

Travelers who are...

• Looking for the full tour travel experience without the big price tag
• In reasonably good shape
• Looking for a full range of activities

Mayflower caters to budget travelers of all ages, including families and seniors. Most tours are not physically demanding, though they do offer adventure tours these are mainly in the "soft" adventure range. Travelers with Mayflower should be able to walk - this includes walking up stairs or inclines, since some sites will not have bus access.

Top Destinations

When they began, Mayflower offered tours in the United States only, but they quickly expanded. They now operate tours in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. They travel to a wide variety of places, from tourist hot spots to little towns off the tourist path.

Mayflower Tours Travel Style

Majority of their chosen hotels are in the 4 to 5 star range, well-located, and have first class service and amenities. For instance, you’ll get a geothermal spa on a tour to Iceland, or spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains on an Alaskan cruise. There’s a good balance between planned activities and free time. The number of meals vary depending on the tour, but most meals are included. They’re willing to help you arrange your flights as well, although it’s not included in the tour package.

They have several different travel styles:

Autumn Foliage: An exploration of the stunning fall colors and scenic landscapes in large cities, quaint towns, and countrysides around the world.

Cruises: Large cruise ship sailing. Experience dramatic landscapes, historic sightseeing, cultural ceremonies, and charming villages. Destinations include Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada.

Holidays and Special Events: A range of unique and special tours in Canada, USA, and Europe. Experience the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race on a tour to Alaska, Christmas time in Colonial Williamsburg, the cherry blossom season in Washington DC, or the Passion Play in Oberammergau - which only happens once a decade! Many of these tours happen at very specific times of the year, so it’s important to plan these trips early on.

National Parks: Explore contrasting landscapes of mountains, luscious trees, glaciers, deserts, and more on a National Park Tour. These tours are largely focused on US and Canadian National Parks, along with trips to South Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. If you’re looking for a trip that simply bundles all of nature’s incredible feats, consider going on a tour with Mayflower to see Oregon’s Seven Wonders.

Natural Exploration: Tours around the world that combine nature, culture, and culinary into one trip.

River Cruising: The excitement never stops on a river cruise with Mayflower Tours. These ships travel through various parts of Europe and Asia. Many of these trips are made to coincide with special events and holidays. With a river cruise, you can visit Christmas markets in France and Germany, see the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia, or make a stop in Germany to experience Oktoberfest.

Scenic Rail Experience: Sit back and relax as you pass by various breathtaking landscapes. You’ll be sure to see incredible views of mountains, lakes, oceans, countrysides, and vineyards.

Small Ship Adventures: Travel around in style as you hop aboard a yacht, luxury junk boat, or mini cruise ship. On top of experiencing all the history, culture, food, and nature a country has to offer, you’ll have beautiful views of blue ocean water.

Why Choose a Tour/Cruise With Mayflower Tours?

• Professional tour guides
• Budget-priced tours
• Classic travel destinations
• Quirky event and themed tours
• Cruises and railway journeys

Attentive tour guides, and a strong attention to detail on the ground are part of what sets Mayflower tours apart. They are knowledgeable, understanding, and devoted to making your tours relaxing and memorable. There is something for everyone at an affordable rate, from the classic travel destinations to quirky themes and events. This is also your chance to partake in some of the most interesting cultural events and celebrations that the US and Europe have to offer. No matter what continent you decide to go to, Mayflower Tours will surely bring the fun.

They’re also a member of Tourism Cares, a non-profit foundation that takes responsibility in the preservation of historical sites around the world.  

As if that’s not enough - they’ll pick you up from your house on your departure day if you live in the greater Chicagoland area or Florida’s Sun Coast area!