Guided Tour Or Independent Travel? Which Works Best For You?

There is no set way to travel. Everybody has their preferred way and there isn’t a right or wrong way to do it.

With that said, if you are a travel newbie, then how do you know what is going to work best for you? Some prefer taking matters into their own hands and doing things on their schedule and going off the beaten path. Others like things to be planned out down to the last detail and don’t like surprises.

In this article, we will explore these two distinct ways to travel so you can decide for yourself which is the best way forward.

Guided Tour Or Independent Travel? Which Works Best For You?

Guided tours 

There are a lot of benefits to taking guided or package tours if you are a new traveler. You have everything taken care of for you so you don’t have to stress about finding the right place to stay or trying to research the best things to do. You already know that you will be taken to the must see places in the area where you want to travel.

Accommodations are also included and you know that you will be staying in a place with easy access and comfort without having to call around and try to book a hotel in all the places you plan to visit.

The downside is a lack of control. You are totally in the hands of the tour organizer and you may not like some of the decisions being made on your behalf. Maybe the accommodations are not to your liking. Or, you are rushed when you get to the sites you looked forward to visiting.

Also, it is hard to get off the beaten path and get away from the crowds when you are on a package tour. These tours are organized to bring you to the hot spots as that is what everybody wants to see.

There is a middle ground solution, however if you book escorted motorhome tours. In this scenario you are staying in your own RV that is provided by the company. They provide itineraries to the best places to visit and also allow you to do some travel on your own. It’s the best of both worlds.

Independent travel 

Traveling on your own is a great way to immerse yourself in a culture that you plan to visit. You can stay in areas away from the tourist crowds and find those hidden gems that aren’t covered by the major tour operators.

You aren’t locked into a certain type of accommodation and are free to linger as long as you like in an area before moving on according to your own schedule.

The downside, however, is that it can be a lot of work to find the right places to go. If you are not an experienced traveler, then expect to have a lot of mistakes made.

If you don’t mind mistakes or consider them advantages that may work out in your favor, then being an independent traveler is the way to go. You may even save some money in the long run, too.

About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.