[redwitch]

I'm one of those who hates organized tours. If I see something that interests me, I want to be able to stop and explore as long as I want. Waiting in lines is just an opportunity to chat with others in line and learn about them and, usually, something about what I'm waiting to see.

I've traveled through Israel, Bali, Eastern Africa, Northern Europe, Paris, London either by myself or with one friend. Northern Europe was by train. Israel was by bus and plane. Eastern Africa was with a tour guide that let us wander as we wished. Bali was a bicycle jaunt. Paris and London was by foot and the Metro and Underground. I may have missed a few factoids and possibly even some things I should have seen but I don't regret it for one second. I spent three days at the Rodin Museum because I just had to go back and look one more time (kept finding something new each visit) and a half day at the Louvre (and thought that half day was too long). I never saw the changing of the guards (bad weather/timing) but I did get third-row seats to see Cats at half price.

In Israel, I met a young woman who invited me have dinner at her kibbutz. The next day, I had dinner with a Muslim family in Eilat. In Paris, had lunch with a group of students at a park. I missed the museum in Copenhagen because I didn't know it was closed on Mondays but I did find a wonderful, smokey dart bar where I played bridge with some truly charming Danes. None of these things would have happened had I taken an organized tour.

As to price, I think they pretty much even out. Most tours include meals, etc. Going it alone you don't get the discounts and frequently meals are not included.

So, I say go the route that you think you'll enjoy the most.