There was a time when I thought taking a tour or
hiring a guide was too “touristy” for me – I wanted to just simply absorb
the local culture. Isn’t it amazing how wrong one can be in life? Looking
back over my years of travel, some of my most rewarding experiences were when I
hired an expert guide or participated in a small group tour.
Whether you join a free walking tour for a couple
of hours or hire a private guide for your entire trip, I promise you will learn
more about your destination with the assistance of a guide.
Here are a few tips for choosing the right guide or tour:
Take walking tours…you definitely discover more on foot.
A private guide may not always be more expensive – four people is usually the magic number for when it makes the most sense to go
private from a cost perspective.
Often a private guide is the best option for families with children.
are similar tours in many cities around the world and you can’t beat the price
(there is often a “suggested tip” at the end, but they are still a bargain).
everyone…whether it is food, fashion, art or even scavenger hunts for children!
of Greenwich Village was one of my all time favorites.
Ask your travel advisor for assistance – he or she can tap resources all over the globe
to find the perfect guides and tours to match your interests.
Do you have a
particular tour on your “wish list”? For me, it is a food tour in Italy!
I prefer to wander! When in France, I was alone for a month. I loved it. I went wherever I wanted, spoke to whoever I wanted (carefully selected, of course!) and saw more of Nice than I could have gotten from a guide. But each destination has its own specialties and warrants good investigation, perhaps from a pro!
I want to travel!
As always, Sandy, such a great tip! Some of the most rewarding travel moments I've been fortunate to experience have been with a guide. The most memorable had to be a series of en plein air painting trips I took in the late 90s that were lead by art historian and an artist guides. Giverny, Venice, Paris. They were a dream come true. Sadly, my friend who ran the company that created the tours had to close up shop, but these trips changed my life, and I would do them over if I could!
XOXO
Oh, and the tour I'm dying to do is one of Sharon Santoni's brocante tours. Definitely on my bucket list! And while were at it, a Patricia Wells cooking tour in Provence.
Thanks for a little armchair travel this morning! XOXO
I've never done small tours, everything you wrote here makes more sense now! I definitely dream of touring Jerusalem someday with my mother or Bethlehem, religious places that have huge significance to our faith.
When we start to travel again, this is the way we would do it. We still remember a tour we did at the Vatican with dozens of people in the group and we couldn't see or hear a thing… Next time, we'll take your advice, Sandy!
xxoo
C + C
We don't take many tours but I remember two: 1) a privately-guided tour of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra, India, and 2) a walking tour of Bath, England (led by a comedian!) Both were delightful and well worth the relatively small cost. Thank you for the reminder–we will want to do it again some day.
I love the idea of a food tour. We are going to Italy in May. I didn't even know there was such a thing. I am for sure going to look into that, thank you for the great recommendation.
Sandy I do agree with you. A tour guide knows the secret spots and also so many details of historical importance, which I love!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Artist Nathaniel Galka
You have to go to Portugal. 🙂
http://claudiapersi.blogspot.ca
When we were in Rome, we booked private tours for our family of four. It made such a big difference in our experience. I think we will always opt for a private tour in the future when in a place with so much history and so many crowds. Also, a private tour guide can customize things to what your children are interested in. This is a huge bonus in keeping their attention!
Thanks
The Chicago Architecture Foundation has a variety of tours on foot and by boat that are just phenomenal! It's all about the docents and this group is extremely knowledgeable!
I agree completely, Sandy!!!! Having traveled "on my own", discovering as we wandered (there's value in that), I have found at least with a family, that hiring a guide makes a huge difference in enjoying a new city and feeling like I got the most out of my time there. As for a tour I'd like to take…how about we arrange one in Holland during tulip season?!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
From several days I was looking to get such sorts of travel tips and finally found here. I am pretty sure that here provided travel tips for taking a small group tours will make my next travel successful and enjoyable. Thanks
Nice