Choosing a Tour Group or Independent Travel
How to Decide Between Guided Tours and Travelling Independently
Feb 26, 2009
The first step in choosing between participating in a guided tour or planning an independent vacation on your own is to research the destination. Researching the destination of your next trip is the best place to begin before any traveler leaves home in order to get an idea of costs, itinerary, and attractions that are a must-see on any holiday. Knowing what attractions and places to see permits a traveler to choose a tour group that visits places that are geared towards their interests, and allows an independent traveler to customize a specific itinerary for their trip.
Pros and Cons of Guided Tours
A guided tour group takes care of all of the planning and traveling logistics including where to stay, where to eat, and what to see. A guided tour is a great way for a first time traveler to get to know the ropes of foreign travel or for travelers who like the luxury of having all arrangements made for them. If a traveler feels overwhelmed or intimidated in making arrangements on their own, a guided tour is the best bet as it removes the stress of planning.
Guided tours often leave little unplanned. Experienced tours can handle any unexpected changes in the itinerary professionally, often providing satisfactory alternate arrangements which do not compromise the rest of the tour. There are downfalls to joining a tour group which include adhering to a rigid schedule and visiting sites that are not to a traveler’s tastes. Traveling with strangers, which although can sometimes be rewarding, often creates friction in personalities or the most common problem: waiting for the stragglers in the group who cannot adhere to the timeframe set out by the guide, thereby using up your valuable sightseeing time.
Types of Guided Tours Available for Major Destinations
Depending on the destination, there are often a number of guided tour styles to choose from. Tours can be found to accommodate almost any travel preference in terms of trip pacing. For those with ample time, leisurely paced tours can be found which often feature plenty of free time to explore the sites on your own.
For those who want to get the most bang for their buck and need to schedule as many attractions as possible into a short trip, there are faster paced tours to be had. These tours, can be at such a fast pace that it is not uncommon to spend mere hours at a destination- often overnight- only to be quickly whisked away to the nest stop on the trip after breakfast.
Tour groups which cater to any interest can be found, whether aimed at specific age groups, adventure seekers, singles and couples, or with volunteer opportunities.
Independent Travel: Pros and Cons of Traveling Solo or Without a Tour Group
Independent travel is great for travelers whom are experienced or prefer to make their own arrangements and decide where to stay, what and when to eat, and what to see. Independent vacations can be customized to suit any timeframe as a travel works according to their own restrictions in time and finances.
Many destinations are easily accessible for independent travelers as more travel guide books are published for locations around the world. The key to independent travel is to make sure you travel with the most recent edition of the destination guide available as attractions and day tours can often change.
Arrangements for hotels and travel between destinations can be made well in advance online or through the help of a travel agent. As well, it is possible to customize an independent tour by taking day trips offered by local agencies. These day trips are a great way to see far flung or hard to get to attractions.
Customized or Private Tours: An Alternative to Group Travel and Coach Tours
In between the guided tour group and independent travel is a customized tour or private guide. Customized tours can often be arranged through travel agencies. A private tour allows the traveler to decide where they would like to go and what they would like to see, with arrangements made by the guide. Tours can be tailored based on tastes and can cater to an individual’s interests. Many online travel agencies offer customized tour itineraries and will provide a price quote.
By researching the destination in advance, it is far easier to compare prices. For short weekend getaways, an independent tour is often cheaper than a guided one. For travelers planning on making multiple stops over the course of a trip, it may be a better deal financially if inter-country transportation and hotel arrangements are made by a tour group. Small costs can quickly add up and derail any budget if not properly researched in advance.
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