Hello Julia
You're welcome.
I can completely understand your apprehension over " fear of the unknown".
I am not an experienced traveller either. I've only been abroad twice on my own with my last trip to New York being the second one.
Yes. I am returning for the very fact that i thoroughly enjoyed the trip last time. It really was brilliant!
You get the choice to either stay with the group and go on the planned excursions or you can spend time exploring at your leisure.
Personally i will be doing a bit of both. My best friend lives in New York. He showed me around last time and we had a lot of fun. This time will be more of the same. And, with what we've got planned, it looks like this year will top last time!
But i will also tag along with the group for a couple of the excursions too on the first and last days of the trip.
Just make sure to tell the person in charge where you are going so that they know where you are at all times.
Yes. My best friend said that April shouldn't be too hot or too cold.
It's going to be great! Trust me.
Alex