Travel Like a Local in the Safety of a Group

Some people feel uncomfortable traveling solo and group tours can be your own personal nightmare of 'everybody on the bus' and corny headsets.  How are you supposed to really connect with your surroundings?  Way too late did we discover that a hybrid exists. There are firms that offer small, group trips to exotic locations (and without a single supplement if you travel solo).

Gap Adventures
Intrepid Travel
Djoser Tours
Adventure Center

For a very reasonable price, you can travel with no more than twelve other people on local transportation, staying in small guesthouses, private homes, or locally-owned hotels.  Of course, there is a trip leader to ensure things go smoothly.  All of these things preserve the special feeling one gets from traveling like a local, not just a tourist.