I just got back from a trip to Bali.  I went on a tour with Intrepid.  My guide was great and the trip overall was awesome.  It was so nice to have a guide who knew so much about the destination while organizing all fo the sight seeing, hotels and logistics.

This trip makes me want to go on more vacations with a tour group.  I always frowned on tour groups becasue it would limit my ability to negotiate and break off on my own path, but my opinion has changed.  There is no way I cold have negotiated prices so low and discovered so much of the country if I had not been with my tour group.  The price of the entire tour (including flight) was just above what it would have cost me to buy a flight on my own.

Of course a lot of credit goes to my tour guide and Intrepid.  I know some tour groups put you in expensive hotels and don't have the best destinations or activities, but I was really happy with my Bali tour.

Since I am considering more trips like this in the future, I'm wondering what the best tour companies are.  Intrepid will probably get my business again one day, but I am open to seeking out and learning more about other tour groups.