by Chris Simpson

Created on: June 23, 2008

Solo tours will often work out better for most people when they are on vacation. Many people take a vacation to relax and escape the schedule and routine of everyday. In my opinion, being on a guided tour is going back to being scheduled.

On a guided tour, you have a certain, set amount of time to view each exhibit and ask any questions you should have. This can severely limit those with an interest in the subject being explained. However, on a solo tour, you are free to spend as much time as you like viewing a particular exhibit. You are able to see much more detail and get closer than you would with a tour group. Many historical places that you might tour often have people stationed at the exhibit to answer any questions you may have.

On a recent trip to Mackinac Island, MI., my family and I took a guided tour of the island. We saw many interesting sights of the nature and trails and also several historical aspects of the island. We saw and learned about the city, the Grand Hotel, and the Governor's Mansion. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. The tour guide did an excellent job and kept the tour fun and interesting, while not being boring. But once we came to one of the early stopping points and exited the tour, we had the chance to walk around and explore on our own some of the things we've seen. For me, it was a lot better because we could stop and look, without being rushed and take as much time as we want.

Most tours can be incredibly interesting, especially if the tour guide is an experienced one and able to keep the tour fun but still educational. But I'm sure there are many people who can testify that they have been the part of a tour in which the guide is horribly boring. The tour seems to just drag on and you may find yourself falling asleep. If you are on a solo tour, then this can be eliminated. You see what you want to see and learn about what you want more information on.

Some may say that solo tours lack the same educational value as a guided tour, but this is not the case. The ability to take something away from a tour has no reliance on whether or not you are on a formal tour. As long as you see and appreciate the history and its importance, then it doesn't matter if you have a guide or not. Many times, a guide might hinder your overall experience. If they are boring and cause you to lose interest, then you may find yourself dozing off and losing interest and value out of the tour.
This purely depends on your personal preferences. People who like to teach themselves and learn what they want to learn at their own pace will find a solo tour much more interesting. People who enjoy listening to others and learning as a group and following a schedule or itinerary will find a guided tour one of the most interesting things. Even if solo tours are a better experience overall!

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