by Mary Stephens

Created on: March 12, 2010

Guided tours are so much better when traveling than going solo. When you traveling solo to an unknown area whether within your country or abroad you will have to spend substantial amount of time preparing. You have to get detailed maps of the area, find out what there is over there worthwhile visiting and learn about those places by yourself.

A guided tours are somewhat like an all inclusive vacations. Almost everything is taken care of for you: your hotel (and often airfare, as well) is booked, you are touring the area on a bus, so you get a break from driving. You are most likely to see all the important places that are worth visiting and your guide will tell you all about them and you don't have to research any information beforehand. The tour guide will also suggest the best restaurants and shops and will probably warn you of any areas you should stay away from.

Even if you choose to go somewhere solo, there may be places that you will not be able to access unless there is a guide with you. Imagine visiting Paris and going to Louvre. It literary takes four hours to see everything there and there is no way they would let you wander around Louvre by yourself. If you are not with any guided group, they might make you wait until some group shows up so you can hook up with it. You may have no choice but take a guided tour.

Speaking of going to Paris, it may be tough to go solo if you don't know the language. Unless, you are going to visit your friends and then travel with them. Having a tour guide that speaks native language will make it much easier and will eliminate, or at least reduce the language barrier. Tour guides are also required to have extensive knowledge of the area's history, customs, etc.

As far as the money issue, guided tours, they may initially look like they are very expensive, but when you add up all the expenses from your solo tour, you might be surprised to see that it cost you more. When going solo you will have to pay separate airfare, hotel, an admission to each attraction, food, etc. When going on a guided tour, all of your admissions, hotel, and even airfare will be priced at lower, group rates. You may actually spend less, than going by yourself.

Guided tours are about convenience while solo tours are about freedom. You can go wherever you want and do whatever you want (be prepared to pay consequences of making wrong choices) by going solo. On the other hand, you will have knowledgeable guide to take you to the most interesting places, take care of all sorts of problems and to make sure that you are enjoying your vacation.

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