So once we have this desire to travel the how to do it starts to play on our minds. Should you book a group tour or go solo and be independent? Hours of leafing through colourful brochures or browsing on line can leave you cross eyed and the large bold printed figures which indicate how much you have to pay may make travelling solo more enticing.
There are of course pros and cons for both styles of travel, but ultimately you have to decide which is best going to suit your travel needs and personality. We can offer this advice to make your choice easier.
Going Solo, Some food for thought:-
Safety ?It always the ever lingering doubts about how safe are you going to be if you travel alone? Well in my view, travel safety always comes down to commonsense. Basically if you make sensible choices in regards to your accommodation http://cheapcoachfactoryoutletonline.weebly.com/, your character socializing choices and keeping track of your money and location, you will not have much trouble with safety. And nowadays many, many people travel so no matter where you are you will most likely meet others to travel with and gather advice from about where to go and where to avoid. You will soon discover the back packers grape vine and no doubt hear about places to avoid and places not to miss, shading characters and fantastic local spots etc.
Freedom ?Ultimately, if you travel alone you have complete freedom to move at your will and choose who you travel with. If you meet people on route and get along, you can team up and travel together. Quite often lifelong friends are made by travelling this way. Also you are not locked in to set dates and travel plans, if you absolutely love a place, then you are completely free to stay and vice versa if you hate a place. When I first travelled we had a mix of solo and planned tours and I personally at times loathed the idea of having to leave a place we loved just to meet a tour or catch a flight. Another good tip is open ended train, bus and plane tickets.....may cost a tad more but worth the added freedom it brings.
When booking an organised tour:-
So you have decided to join a tour, for whatever reason, the added safety http://christianlouboutinoutleto.weebly.com, ease of travel, meeting likeminded travellers or the pure convenience. You should know that group tours do not always have to be dull. Here are some things you should look out for.
Small is beautiful ?Look for a company that limits group sizes. It much better to have a small group than a big one. You will have a much better local experience, be closer to your guide and fellow travellers, and not get lost in the crowd. But you should also try and find out how many other people are booked, because on the downside, if it just you and one other and you don get along....well then you are going to be stuck together for possibly a very long time, and at most times sharing rooms unless you opt for single accommodation at a cost. The ideal size for organised group travel is between four and 12 people.
Locally Operated ?Try and find a tour company that uses local guides and amenities rather than foreign ones in the country(s) that you will be travelling. This way you will get a much better cultural experience and also your travel dollar will more likely go where it is needed, and not into a giant corporation pocket back in the western world.
Flexibility?Look for a company that has a degree of flexibility http://coach-factory-outlet.weebly.com/, in regards to their itineraries. For example optional activities for adventure seekers, Add On that allow you to see more of the country and opt out options on some activities you may not want to do like a museum tour or a rafting trip etc.
Down Time ?Look for a tour that gives you a bit of free time and free days. You may just need a break from your travel pals, or just some time to explore on your own once your courage begins to bloom. Try and avoid a tour program that crams in lots of things and involves lots of travelling and long travel days in a row. You will get tired and cranky. Also make sure ample time is given to explore major sights and attractions. A well thought out program that explores the highlights as well as the local cultural will be much more enjoyable than a crammed coach ride around a country with the guide pointing sights out of the window as you wiz by or repeatedly pile out and back in the bus in your 15 minutes!
Hidden Costs
When booking a tour, always, always check out thoroughly what is and is not included in the price. Check companies against each other. Inclusions to look out for are meals, entrance fees and domestic flights. If these are not included it could end up costing you a lot more. You will be surprised at how many companies get away with looking cheaper but in the end work out more expensive for you with all the hidden extras.
The other big one is the LOCAL PAYMENT. An advertised price might look cheap but when you delve in you may find that you have to pay up to US$400 in local payment on arrival to your guide! Let me let you in on something here that local payment is probably the money used to run your entire trip in your destination country! Of course the travel agent you booked through takes a commission on the booking, and a well earned one at that after all they are doing you a service, but where is the rest of that money going? It is certainly not benefitting the local communities you will be travelling through.
One last thing to look at is the cancellation policy. If for any reason you change your mind, get sick or cannot attend the tour, how much do you stand to lose and will your insurance company reimburse you? Never ever travel uninsured!
Saving Money
Another good tip is to look for a tour you might like in the country you want to travel in one of the travel agents brochure, get an idea of what included and where the tour goes. Then look on line for a local agent in that country. Chances are that the international company producing the brochure uses a local agent to operate the tour at a third of the price that you will pay. So get on line http://fossilpurses.weebly.com, make contact with some local agents and get them to price the tour for you. On the down side you cannot always be guaranteed a good sized group from a local agent and the reputation may be questionable. That also where travel forums online come in handy, check around for people that have done a similar thing and ask for recommendations of locally based companies.
Mix and Match
If you still haven made up your mind, why not mix it up and try some independent travel and a booked tour. Get to your destination and take a look around yourself. Chances are that the city youe in will have some sort of tourist information area. Here you will be sure to find a hive of local agents where you can cheaply book a short tour to get you initiated. Once you are comfortable with the county and a bit of the lingo, or have met a few like-minded travellers, then you will feel more confident to head off alone.
Another good idea is to book an airport pick up or make sure the travel company includes it and spend your first two nights in a pre-booked Hotel. It always nice to know that you have somebody waiting to pick you up and a place to stay. Gives you time to settle and get a feel for your destination.
Regardless of whether you go solo or book a tour http://dooneyandbourkeoutlet.weebly.com, I am sure you will have a fabulous time travelling, for nervous first timers a booked tour is probably the better option, make your choices well and before long you will be a travelling pro and have no qualms about slinging on your pack and exploring the world again and again!!! To Book A Tour Or Go Solo To Book A Tour Or Go Solo
No comments:
Post a Comment