Europe: Tour or Roll Your Own??

[NJblue]

I think I can determine the various pros and cons of an organized bus tour versus an a la carte vacation that is self-planned and everything is arranged for by you. However, what is not clear to me is how the cost of each option relates to the other. One could presume that an organized tour would be more expensive since those that do the work in organizing and leading these tours are getting paid for this service. On the other hand, since they have purchasing clout, they may be able to demand and get much better rates for transportation/food/lodging/admissions than what an individual could command. Has anyone ever done a cost comparison between these two touring options? Does it matter if you rent a car or travel by train?

[tkret]

I think I can determine the various pros and cons of an organized bus tour versus an a la carte vacation that is self-planned and everything is arranged for by you. However, what is not clear to me is how the cost of each option relates to the other. One could presume that an organized tour would be more expensive since those that do the work in organizing and leading these tours are getting paid for this service. On the other hand, since they have purchasing clout, they may be able to demand and get much better rates for transportation/food/lodging/admissions than what an individual could command. Has anyone ever done a cost comparison between these two touring options? Does it matter if you rent a car or travel by train?
Hello NJblue .... I spent 40 years in the travel business as an airline employee and a partner, at the same time, in a travel agency. Go the organized tour route. You'll meet some great people. You'll enjoy the fun and camaraderie aboard the coach. You get express entry into the sights of interest without standing in line. The driver and tour leader will have lots of insights that you would find helpful. I could go on and on. Is it more expensive than doing it on your own? Certainly.... but not by much when you consider the benefits. And, you won't have to drive or pay 8 bucks or so for a gallon (liter) of petrol. Two companies that I would recommend are: Tauck (upscale and well worth the fare) and Globus (less expensive and very good, indeed). However, there are many great companies out there and a reliable travel agency can direct you on the right path.

[Carla B]

Our experience in the U.S., when landing in an unfamiliar town, is that we would have learned a lot and had a better time by paying for a tour up front, than rather going it on our own. For instance, one day we saved $ by taking a city bus around Savannah. Saw some sights, but we learned nothing. The next day we did a tour and learned a whole lot.

That said, one time we had a wonderful trip to Peru with friends on a self-guided vacation. The other couple (the wife) studied the "Lonely Planet" and other guides and planned a logical itinerary based on their recommendations. It worked out to be a wonderful and unforgettable time. We did hire local tour guides a few times, and used train and bus to go from place to place. We saved a lot of money.

[chachacha]

if money were no object, i would select the itineraries of Smithsonian Journeys. they are quite expensive but include everything (many companies add optional excursions to everything one really needs to see) and offer historical experts going along with you to the most wonderful places...the France Through the Ages, for example, goes to Carcasonne and Rocamadour, two gorgeous places that most other tours skip! i can dream....

[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.

[l2ridehd]

I think it depends on how much effort your willing to expend prior to travel. With the internet and web sites like virtualtourist and books by Rick Steves on most every destination in the world, by doing enough research prior to your trip you can build an itinerary that is tailored to you and have just as great a trip. If you are the type that prefers to have all that done for you, go the guided tour route. I personally prefer to build my own travel plan. I prefer more wineries then museums, more old churches then scenic views, more local fare then tourist places, so by building my own plan I get what I want, not what the masses want.

[manaboutown]

I mix and match. The first time I go somewhere I usually take a tour. Personally I have used Globus several times and always have had a good experience with them. Most guides in most countries are licensed and learned, at least where I have been. That being said I have traveled on my own, even driving through the south of France and the Bordeaux and Perigord regions with a French speaking girlfriend who had lived in France for several years. I have also spent several days alone in Budapest, Prague, Rome and the like before and after tours. Other than in the touristy areas of big cities it really helps to know the language and understand the culture if you travel independantly. In a few days I am leaving for France and Italy as the escort from the US for a singles travel company and will have to deal with 17 women with only 2 other men along to help me out! At the end of the tour I am taking a week off by myself in Florence before I return to the US. This is how I try to travel. For me a 10-12 day tour is too short and more than three weeks is too long.

Try to get a tour of fewer than 30 people. By the way, tour operators, the guides and the bus drivers all get commissions from the leather, pearl, jade, silk,woolen, cotton, linen, pottery, crystal, china, glass, cameo, rug, perfume and other "factory showrooms" at which they schedule stops so prepare yourself for that. It is like sitting through television commercials followed by long waits for the shoppers on the tour to buy as much as they can but oh well.

[jojo]

Last summer we traveled throughout Germany and Switzerland with our son and family - an area we have visited often. However, the traffic was horrendous and it consumed much time and energy to navigate and find parking. I have only taken one tour but loved it - it was fun to socialize with others. I think it was more costly to do it on our own because of hotel prices.

[Debfrommaine]

Personally, I like the go it your own route; not a tour kinda gal. Have travelled to Europe mostly on our own and once via bus tour. Upside of the bus tour was you got to see the "sites" but I like seeing the "local" side of towns more and found it less stressful. On the bus tour seemed every morning when it was time to head to a new site, there was always someone who overslept and everyone had to wait! Either way, go for and enjoy!!