Have recently sent off for my first passport, 11 years now since my inclusion on parents passports have expired. Obviously can't sort anything out until I get it, but would like to plan something as soon as possible after I do get it. Have been looking at October or November as most likely time to have enough time off work before the year ends to be able to go away.

Being from England, the holidays I went with my parents were mostly to Florida for Disney World on multiple occasions. Any others were when I was so young, I don't remember any of them.

As travelling is something I've wanted to do for a while now, I'm not very picky about where to go, though would particularly like to visit Asia. Though with that, I am currently talking with friends for a trip to Japan in a few years, so would rule that out for now because of that. Another place I have looked at is Italy, particularly Rome.

I have been mainly looking at group tour holidays for a couple of reasons, firstly is that friends at home are not able to go on a holiday within any time-frame soon because of work or other plans, and I don't want to go somewhere alone. Secondly, as I can't really pin down any one place I want to go at the moment, tours can give me good variety of places within a country, or multiple countries. For reference, because of cost I had been looking at Contiki tours, primarily the European tours they offer.

What I need help with, is pointers towards good places to go for a first holiday, suggestions of good tour holidays if a tour holiday is a good idea. If a tour holiday is not a particularly good idea, alternatives to that would be appreciated, as going it alone for a holiday for now is not something I think I can do for a first holiday personally. For some extra info, looking at a holiday length up to 2 weeks, with a budget of up to £2000 at a stretch. I was looking at just booking a tour holiday as soon as i got the time off confirmed and passport through, but seeing fairly mixed reviews and mentions of many hidden costs within those reviews, such as travel to and from the start/end points of the tour is not included in the price, have made me cautious and just want to find out the best options available.

If anything needed I missed out, will try reply to questions as soon as I can, otherwise sorry for long post. And below is link to one tour I have been looking at because of a London start. https://www.contiki.com/destinations/europe/tours/109-european-discovery