DOC .. you are a legend .... where the HECK did you stumble on that???! Wonder if the "Encyclopaedia
Iranica" you mention is a junior subsidary of the Encyclopaedia Britiranica" ?
essxjay. Not sure how many (if any) small group tours you have done in obscure ....ries, but please note we are not talking here of 70 people on a double decker Globus or Grayline tour bus working to a demonic military like schedule! I have done many of these private or small group tours in countries like Vietnam, Ecuador, Cambodia, Cuba, Jordan etc, where getting around yourself is hardly adviseable, and not NEARLY as enjoyable - the latter being the key for me.
If 4 or 6 or 8 people sign up for these things, the schedule tends to be rather "rubbery" and stopping where you want en-route is the sole call of those travelling.
These small groups usually entail a car or small tour bus, a driver and an "english" speaking guide, the latter component one has no control over, and can make or break the experience!
This is how I would envision a specialist travel agent setting up a small group tour if a handful of us were interested, and could agree on a month, rough itinerary, and approx. period of time available to us to do it in.
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~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 11-02-2000).]