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Reviews 4.7.

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This was a very cool cost effective tour!

Our flight was delayed so we left the airport to explore a bit! We found this tour and I am so glad we did. It was so nice going at our own pace and we learned even more than we did exploring the castle and fort the day before. The narrator had an engaging voice and the info was interesting and not too overwhelming. Our tour took about 1 hour and 45 mins, we stopped for some frozen yogurt and checked out the convent (very nice bathrooms here) for detours.

Date of experience : March 31, 2024

Great on NH's Kancamagus Hwy

Used this in New Hampshire while driving on the Kancamagus Highway. Fantastic! Loved the history and stories. Also the prompts for turnoffs was very helpful on the curvy road, making sure we didn't miss any turns. There was no cell service in the highway which made the GPS tracking all the more valuable. Will definitely get other guides as we travel!

Date of experience : October 01, 2023

Reply from Action Tour Guide

Thank you for your kind review Lisa. Looking forward to enriching your future travels with our self-guided tours!

Glacier National Park: Going to the Sun Road

Hi Tina. This was a lot of firsts. First time to visit Glacier National Park, 1st time to drive the "Going to the Sun Road", and 1st time to use your self guided tour app. We had an amazing trip and the app worked exactly as described. Really like how the GPS functioned although I had no cell service. It gave us a heads up description of each upcoming site and if there was a hiking trail, it gave an accurate scale of the difficulty. We used it going both ways. Really made this a very productive experience.

Date of experience : September 24, 2023

A perfect way for self guided touring!

This was a perfect way for us to explore Kauai! For less that $10 we got 2 tours of the island, and using the app was easy. It gave us directions to get to the route starting point and then narrated directions and location specific info as we traveled along the route. It even provided some traditional Hawaiian music as we traveled. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be using this app on our future travels.

Date of experience : April 26, 2023

We have used many Action Tour Guides, and we recommend them without reservation.

We have used several Action Tour Guides over the last two years including Arches, Zion, Bryce, Canyonland, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante, Monument Valley, Glacier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain. They are easy to use and quite informative. They definitely enhance any visit to a National Park. They are not as good as a tour with a live guide, but they can be used at any time and are far less expensive. Be sure to download them in an area with adequate cell reception before you enter the Park. I recommend them with no reservation.

Date of experience : September 04, 2022

Thank you Allan for your recommendation!

We downloaded the Action Tour Guide for…Joshua Tree National Park

We downloaded the Action Tour Guide for Joshua Tree National Park on a friend's recommendation. It exceeded our expectations. Very cool how the app can use GPS tracking, even with no cell signal. We found the tour guide to be informative and entertaining. I can't imagine now, a first time visit without a guide.

Date of experience : February 08, 2023

Thank you Jim. If you are interested, we do have over 100+ tours across US. You can subscribe to Action+ that gives you unlimited access to all these tours for a year.

Great, super informative tour that kept me and my wife and son entertained. It was nice being able to go at our own pace and even pull off for lunch and continue after. 100% recommend doing it this way if you visit Gettysburg.

Date of experience : June 11, 2023

Thank you Asaf!

Saved our Joshua Tree trip

Got the tour for Joshua Tree after our trip included a dangerous heat wave (it was 111F/44C outside). This tour allowed us to both see things we would have missed and to know where to get out and brave the heat for the really interesting stuff. The only hiccup for us is that the map never loaded, so the instructions "follow the map to the next destination" were more of a guess (as there are really one two main roads, it wasn't much of a guess).

Date of experience : June 16, 2022

Thank you for your review Jonathan. We have noted the issue you faced and my development team has rectified the same.

Smoky Mountain Tour

We were staying in Gatlinburg so bought the Smoky Mountains tour. The tour itself was excellent - everything worked properly and it was easy to navigate (I did try it out at home first to ensure everything downloaded correctly). The only problem we had was not being able to drive at the recommended slower speed since we were in town on Labor Day weekend and the traffic was relentless - but that was no fault of the app. I would recommend the Action Tour Guide.

Thank you for your review Valerie. We have taken note of the traffic concern and will make edits as required.

Loved our joshua tree tour

I took the tour in Joshua Tree and was pleasantly surprised by how informative it was. A bit of an issue to start but that was probably because of our lack of tech know how. The app worked well after we figured our starting point. Loved the narrator's voice and the attitude. Great pacing by thhe app and we stopped for longer durations especially at intersection rock and simply continued off when we were ready.

Date of experience : February 08, 2022

Thank you for your review Ellen. Glad you loved the Joshua Tree tour. Do try some of our other California tours in the vicinity.

It took a little while to get the app…

It took a little while to get the app connected to our gps, get to the starting place, and then get going on the actual tour. After all the kinks were worked out and we were on our way, everything went very smoothly. The turn by turn directions were accurate, each description of the monument was current with where we were, and the app was accurate even when we stopped for an extended period of time. It was an awesome way to hit the highlights and get perspective on such an important part of history.

Date of experience : October 07, 2022

Thank you for your wonderful review Kelly. We have taken note of your feedback and will work towards making our tour even better!

Easy to use and very informative

This app was easy to download and instructions were simple. We used this for Arches National Park. It was very informative and provided us with some great detail about the different viewpoints. The Tour Guide seemed to follow our path quite accurately and really allowed us to enjoy the park even more.

Date of experience : October 27, 2022

Thank you for the review Lisa. So happy to have made your Arches trip worthwhile!

This Action Tour Guide was outstanding

This Action Tour Guide was outstanding! We did download the entire guide while we had cell service. It walk us through all the features with historical background. It automatically started and stopper per our location even when we got off the standard route.

Date of experience : September 15, 2022

Hello my namesake! Thank you for your wonderful review!

I was so impressed with this company

I was so impressed with this company. I had a question about using the self-guided audio tour before purchasing. I contacted them by email about 8:30pm and had a response within minutes. I purchased the guide and downloaded as instructed. It worked perfectly! And gave me so much information! It made the Freedom Trail come to life. It was so fantastic that it “kept up” with me-starting just as I arrived at each location. Such a perfect way to take a walking tour!

Date of experience : September 22, 2022

Thank you for the lovely review Kate!

Gettysburg Battlefield Driving Tour

The audio tour of driving on the Gettysburg Battle Field was really perfect. It knew exactly where were were without data on (important because I don't have much) and the information presented was not too overwhelming in length. It held the attention of my 11 year old daughter as well, which was important because she won't learn if she doesn't listen! I would recommend this tour ... we were first time visitors to the field.

Date of experience : March 23, 2022

Thank you for an amazing review!

Terrible experience

Bought the walking and driving tour for Newport, Rhode Island. Both guides were terrible. The narration and map need to sync to the GPS locations. The driving tour allowed us a million u-turns because there was no advance notice and some of them were given AFTER the turn. Very disappointed in my first purchase.

Date of experience : August 24, 2022

Hi Jessica, disappointed to read the tour didn't work for you as expected. Our tours are thoroughly tested across devices while following the speed limits. Could you let me know the phone model you used.

A Perfect Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Hello folks! We downloaded (ahead of time) the audio tour for Joshua Tree National Park. This tour had 3 starting points, so it was easy to plan our trip. Enjoyed the whole trip and stories. We started our trip at the Cottonwood Visitor Center. However, the road was closed due to a flash flood the previous night, so we ended up going to the Joshua Tree Visitor Center and restarted our tour there. Had no issues at all. Loved how we were able to stop and restart as needed. Would definitely recommend!!

Date of experience : August 10, 2022

Thank you for this amazing review Shoba. Last minute route changes can happen due to a variety of reasons and we are so glad you were easily able to take the tour from another starting point than previously planned.

Great experience! Strongly recommend!!

Great experience! So very well planned with apt instructions and pictures! I strongly recommend using this application. Download the tours before hand in case of internet challenges. It helps. We will be using it for our Yellowstone tour. I would like to encourage the team to create more and more such tours.

Date of experience : December 28, 2022

Thanks Bhakti! We do have 90+ tours and would love to you give you the Annual Subscription at a great price!

Repeat customer

Enjoyed using the actiontour app for the Gettysburg battlefields driving tour. The app worked great and suited our needs for a self-guided tour. If we had had more time we would have added in the two walking tours. The Gettysburg museum actually provided a link on their website to the actiontour app. We had previously used this app for the Freedom Trail walking tour in Boston. We have recommended it to friends.

Date of experience : July 25, 2022

Thank you for the recommendation Brenda!

Don’t hesitate. Download Action Tour Guide!

Action Tour Guide was an easy to use, informative and reasonable app. I would recommend it to anyone. Newport, RI is such an historic town with plenty to see and do. ATG routed our car through the important sites without being rushed. Our trip would not have been nearly as enjoyable without their assistance! Thanks, guys! Keep up the good work. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Date of experience : October 08, 2022

Thank you for the lovely review Jack!

ToursByLocals Review: Can You Trust Their Tour guides? [2024]

Here's a rundown of the tour guide company, ToursByLocals, including what they do, what their features are, and if it's worth the money. Read on to find out more!

When you’re planning a trip to a new city or country, you want to make sure you get the most out of your visit by finding the best things to do, places to stay, and restaurants to eat at.

If that's the case, then read all about them in our travel blog collection here. Here at  Pilot , we’re all about helping you plan your trip and make the best of your time abroad.

However, if you're not the type that wants to plan out every detail of your trip, why not get a tour guide instead? We know that for many people, a great way to get to know a city is to take part in an organized travel tour, whether that’s as part of a large group or in a more private and personalized setting. Whether it's joining a tour on a yacht or hopping on a Busabout , tour guides comes in many shapes or forms!

There are many ways to find local guides to a city or town, and  ToursByLocals  is one of them. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Read our comprehensive guide to find out!

What Is ToursByLocals?

ToursByLocals is an easy-to-use website that provides you, the traveler, with access to local tourist guides in cities all over the world. It currently operates in 193 countries and has more than 4,500 guides that you can connect with, in locations ranging from Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Bern to places a little further afield, like Tokyo, Iceland, and even the South Island of New Zealand.

The tour guides are all local people that just so happen to have expert knowledge of the ins and outs of their hometown. Taking a tour from a local is one of the best ways to learn more about historical events that took place in a certain city, explore specific neighborhoods, or just find out about the best things to do while you’re traveling.

As well as personal tours of cities, ToursByLocals offers  shore excursions , allowing you to get a local’s perspective of any of the stops on your cruise.

At the moment, you can even book virtual tours with ToursByLocals if you’re craving a travel fix but can’t get away right now—perfect for armchair tourism during the pandemic! If you book and attend a live virtual tour, which will still be run by local people, you’ll also receive the money you’ve spent as a voucher that you can spend on an in-person tour when you’re next free to travel. Score!

Is ToursByLocals an Accredited Tour Company?

Now, you might be wondering why ToursByLocals doesn’t come up if you’re searching for top-rated tour companies in Europe, or if you’ve been googling the best US travel and tour options. There’s a pretty simple explanation for this: ToursByLocals isn’t actually a tour company.

Instead, it acts as a marketplace that gives you access to individual guides who run their own tours. All tours listed on the website are private tours, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can message guides to see if they can customize a tour to better suit your needs.

What Is a Personal Tour?

One of the main benefits of using ToursByLocals is that you’ll be receiving a personal tour rather than a group tour. We’ve all seen group tours on our travels: Hordes of people following a slightly tired-looking guide who’s carrying some kind of brightly colored umbrella or flag, speaking in hushed tones into a microphone and not stopping to answer any questions along the way. Sounds great!

A personal tour is not like this. Instead, it’s one that you and your travel buddies (whether that’s your family, your partner, or your friends) book privately with a guide. The benefits of a personal tour are numerous:

• You can customize the tour based on your own interests
• You’re free to ask as many questions as you like without feeling like you’re bogarting the guide!
• You can book it for a time and date that suits you, making it easier to fit in with your other travel plans
• You could gain access to certain tourist spots that may be closed to large groups
• You avoid having to interact with  that one person— you know the type—who thinks they know more than the guide!

Instead of booking onto a tour that’s targeted at large groups, which can be impersonal and pretty rigid in structure, a personal tour allows you more freedom. It gives you the chance to get to know a city however you   want, making it easier to find your way around and uncover the coolest parts of town.

How Do I Find a Private Tour Guide?

Using ToursByLocals to find a private tour guide is easy. Sign up or log in to your account, then search by location. Add the dates you want to go on a tour, then browse the options and book whichever one interests you most.

You can also contact the tour guide before booking to arrange customization if you’re looking for something more personal to your interests.

Once you’ve got everything organized, just pay ahead of time and attend your tour. It couldn’t be simpler.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Sometimes when you’re traveling, things go wrong. Maybe your cruise ship has illness on board and has been told it can’t dock, meaning your planned shore excursion is a no-go. Maybe you’ve had to cancel your whole trip because of a family issue. Or maybe you’ve just changed your mind! Can you still get your money back?

The ToursByLocals cancelation policy is pretty fair. If you cancel 15 days or more before the tour was due to start, you can get all your money back. Nice. You’ll also get a refund if certain unforeseeable events take place—this includes the ship being told it can’t dock.

If you’re booking ahead of time but aren’t completely sure whether you’re definitely going to attend the tour, the website also offers a more flexible (but more expensive) cancelation policy, known as the “Any Reason” policy. If you’ve paid extra for this, you can cancel for any reason at all, as long as you do so before the tour starts.

How Do I Become a Local Tour Guide?

If you want to  become a tour guide  for ToursByLocals, you can  apply  through the ToursByLocals website. You have to be legally permitted to give tours in your area (but this doesn’t mean you have to be a licensed tour guide—“passionate locals” are also encouraged to apply).

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to take part in an interview process to make sure you’re suitable for giving tours, and to check your English skills. You’ll also have to undergo a background check.

If you pass all the stages of the application process, you can start selling your tours on ToursByLocals.

Do Tour Guides Make Good Money?

Tour guides that offer their services through ToursByLocals can charge as much as they think is appropriate for their tours. The company takes a percentage of every dollar earned, but you can factor this into your pricing when you set up your profile and tour offerings.

Remember to make sure you’re getting paid a fair amount, but you’ll also want to ensure your prices aren’t so expensive that they’re off-putting to potential customers!

Is ToursByLocals Worth It?

It’s easy enough to find and book private tours with ToursByLocals, but is it really worth it? The costs of private tours can be high, and with guides setting their own prices, you could end up paying huge amounts for a private tour.

It all depends on what you’re looking for from your vacation. Some people prefer group tours, as they give them the chance to meet new people and get a basic overview of a city or a particular sight. For others, it makes more sense to book a private tour because it’s easier to get a personalized or customizable experience. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.

I'd recommend looking at different options and reading up on specific reviews of that individual tour operator before making the purchase!

My Rating: 4.1/5

• Local experiences
• Curated tours
• Many destinations
• Experiences vary per guide

Plan your trip yourself!

Whether you decide to book a personal tour through ToursByLocals or not, you’ll want to make sure that your trip goes smoothly. Use Pilot to plan your trip—we have the ultimate travel planning tools and much more to help you!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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How to write a review for a tour guide?

Introduction to Writing Reviews for Tour Guides

Imagine you’ve just returned from an unforgettable trip , thanks to a phenomenal tour guide who managed to make every moment memorable. Writing a review for them is not just a way to express your gratitude, but it also helps other travelers make informed decisions. But how do you put your experience into words? How do you convey the essence of your journey to someone who wasn’t there? That’s where the art of writing comprehensive reviews comes in.

Writing a review for a tour guide is not about merely praising or criticizing. It’s about giving detailed feedback, outlining the pros and cons, and providing useful information to future travelers. It’s about sharing your travel experiences in a way that is both informative and engaging.

In this article, you will learn how to write a comprehensive and well-structured review for your tour guide. From understanding the importance of writing reviews to knowing what elements to include, this guide will take you through everything step by step. With these insights, you’ll be able to craft a review that paints a vivid picture of your travel experience.

Get the most out of your stay by booking a Rio de Janeiro private tour when visiting Brazil.

Why Writing a Comprehensive Tour Guide Review Matters

Before learning how to write a review, it’s important to understand why writing a comprehensive tour guide review matters. The first and foremost reason is that it helps future travelers. Your review offers them a glimpse into what they can expect from a particular tour guide and helps them make informed decisions.

In addition, your review also assists the tour guide. Constructive feedback can help them improve their services, and positive reviews can boost their business. This is particularly important for freelance guides or those working with small tour companies, where every review can make a significant difference.

Lastly, writing comprehensive tour guide reviews contributes to the overall travel community. It promotes transparency and honesty, and encourages high standards of service within the travel industry. Your review, therefore, has the power to influence not just individual experiences, but the industry as a whole.

How to Start Your Tour Guide Review

Now that you understand the importance of writing a review, let’s delve into how to start your tour guide review. The beginning of your review sets the tone for the rest of your writing, so it’s important to kick off with a bang. Start by providing an overview of your overall experience. Was it exceptional, good, average, or below average?

Following the introduction, briefly describe the tour. Mention the destination, the duration, and the main attractions covered. This gives readers a context to understand the rest of your review.

The next step is to introduce your tour guide. Write about their personality, their style of guiding, and the first impression they made. A good introduction is crucial as it piques the reader’s interest and encourages them to read further.

Key Elements to Include in Your Tour Guide Review

The body of your review should contain key elements that provide a comprehensive understanding of your experience. Start with the guide’s knowledge and expertise. Did they know the area well? Were they able to answer your questions satisfactorily?

Next, discuss the guide’s communication skills. Were they clear and articulate, or did you struggle to understand them? Also, consider their interpersonal skills. Did they interact well with the group? Did they handle any issues or conflicts effectively?

Lastly, talk about the tour’s organization and logistics. Was the tour well planned? Were there any hitches? By covering these key elements, you provide future travelers with a well-rounded understanding of what to expect from the tour guide.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Review for a Tour Guide

Writing a review may seem daunting, but by following a step-by-step guide, it becomes a much simpler task. Start by jotting down your initial thoughts and feelings about the tour. This helps you capture the essence of your experience.

Next, organize these thoughts into the key elements discussed in the previous section. Once you’ve done this, start elaborating on each point, providing as much detail as possible.

After you’ve fleshed out your thoughts, it’s time to start writing. Begin with a catchy introduction, followed by a detailed body, and conclude with your final thoughts and overall rating. Remember to be honest, detailed, and balanced in your review.

Tips for Writing an Impactful Tour Guide Review

To write an impactful tour guide review, it’s essential to keep your readers in mind. Use a clear and friendly tone that’s easy to understand. Make your review engaging by including anecdotes or interesting facts from your tour.

Be honest and balanced in your review. While it’s important to highlight the positive aspects, don’t shy away from mentioning areas that need improvement. However, be constructive and respectful in your criticism.

Lastly, proofread your review before posting it. Correct any grammatical errors and make sure that your review is coherent and easy to read. A well-written review not only impacts the reader’s decision but also reflects positively on you as a reviewer.

Examples of Well-Written Tour Guide Reviews

To give you a better understanding, here are a couple of examples of well-written tour guide reviews. Notice how they provide a clear picture of the experience, covering all key aspects like the guide’s knowledge, communication skills, and the organization of the tour.

“Our tour guide, John, was simply fantastic. He was knowledgeable and passionate about the city’s history. He answered all our questions with patience and added interesting anecdotes that brought the tour to life. The tour was well-organized, and even though it rained slightly, John was prepared with umbrellas for everyone. A truly memorable experience!”

“We were disappointed with our tour guide, Maria. While she was friendly, her lack of knowledge about the local culture was evident. She struggled to answer our questions and often resorted to generic responses. The tour also lacked organization, with last-minute changes and delays. We hope Maria improves her skills for future tours.”

Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Tour Guide Review

When writing a tour guide review, there are certain dos and don’ts to keep in mind. Do be specific and detailed in your review. Don’t use vague phrases that don’t provide useful information. Do be honest and fair in your assessment. Don’t exaggerate or downplay your experience.

Do write a balanced review, highlighting both the positives and negatives. Don’t focus exclusively on one aspect. Do use a respectful and constructive tone, even when criticizing. Don’t resort to personal attacks or rude language.

Encouraging Others to Write Reviews for Tour Guides

As someone who understands the importance of reviews, you can play a role in encouraging others to write reviews for their tour guides. Share your review writing process with them and emphasize the impact their feedback can have. You can also lead by example, consistently writing and sharing your own detailed and helpful reviews.

Conclusion: The Power of a Comprehensive Review for Your Tour Guide

Writing a comprehensive review for your tour guide is not just about sharing your experience. It’s about contributing to a larger community of travelers. Your words have the power to shape future travel experiences and influence the standards of the tourism industry.

Mastering the art of writing a comprehensive tour guide review requires understanding its importance, knowing what elements to include, and following a step-by-step guide. With practice and careful attention to detail, you can craft impactful reviews that not only express your experiences but also assist others in their travel planning. So the next time you return from a fantastic tour, remember to share your experience through a comprehensive review. It’s your way of saying thanks and giving back to the travel community.

How to write a good tour review?

Crafting a great tour review involves being honest, detailed, and balanced. Emphasize what you loved, like the engaging guide or stunning sights, but don’t shy away from any letdowns. Remember, your feedback helps future travelers and the tour company improve.

Is it legal to write a bad review?

Absolutely, as long as your review is honest and based on your personal experience. Freedom of speech allows you to air your grievances, provided it doesn’t involve false accusations or defamation. Be factual, fair, and respectful while expressing dissatisfaction.

How to write the perfect review?

Writing the perfect review involves balance. Discuss both positives and negatives of your experience. Use specific examples and personal anecdotes to give your review a unique touch. Be concise, clear, and, above all, genuine.

What makes an excellent tour guide?

An excellent tour guide is knowledgeable , engaging, and personable. They should have a deep understanding of the area’s history and culture, be able to answer questions, create a welcoming atmosphere, and have a knack for storytelling that brings the place to life.

How to write a review on TripAdvisor?

To write a TripAdvisor review, you’ll need to log in, find the location or service you want to review, and click ‘Write a Review.’ Be specific, honest, and provide useful information for future travelers. Rating different aspects like service, value, and atmosphere can also help.

Should you give feedback directly to the guide?

Yes, providing feedback directly to the tour guide can be beneficial. It gives them a chance to address any issues immediately or improve their service. However, it’s also important to write a public review to share your experience with other travelers.

Watch these videos about tour guides

Tour guide at work.

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Guest Reviews & Ratings

See what others had to say about their experience with CIE Tours below.

Mrs. Nancy Rathman Davis

We had a wonderful time. Loved Iceland! The country was beautiful and the food was great. Everything was planned very well. Enjoyed!

Virginia Susan Madden

Brian our tour guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and funny. .

Darbra K Herrick

Cie's scottish dream tour truly was a dream highly recommended.

What a great way for first-time international travelers to experience beautiful Scotland! We loved our Scottish Dream tour with CIE! We had a great variety of top-notch hotel accommodations, delicious food/meals (yes, even the haggis! ), and we knew our safety was priority one with our coach driver, Mike. Our tour guide, Fiona was a wealth of knowledge, very patient, and so much fun! We saw such awesome sights, got to rub shoulders with many other marvelous people. My favorite part was meeting Anita, the highland 'coo', and her sheep dog friends!! (In addition to all those beautiful castles we toured!) Thank you, CIE Tours! We can hardly wait to do this again!!

Rocelyn Amor Hidalgo

The itinerary was wonderful and our tour guide Brian was fantastic. The accommodations were nice and the hotel breakfast was good. What I enjoyed most about the Irish Adventure was the sites we were able to visit. My favorite place was Blarney Castle and Cliffs Of Moher. I was also pleasantly surprised with the sheepdog demonstration. I highly recommend this tour because it had all the "go to" places to vist.

CIE Tours Customer

Ireland and brian... exceptional.

The tour and tour guide Brian were exceptional. Brian made the tour and the sights even more special with the history and humor he added. A few less than perfect items as part of the tour, but overall a great experience!!

Vickie Ann Popkowski

From rhe moment I arrived in Ireland to the moment I was dropped off at the airport for my flight home, I felt at home by the CIE staff and vendors. So many things were included in my tour, it made the planning effortless. Our tour director was amazing, and I met so many wonderful people. I was able to see so much of Ireland, and learned so much. I got so much for the cost of the tour, it was a good value.

Unique experiences with a wonderful kind and humorous guide Denis Fitzgeral

Great excursions. Wonderful tor guide. Different aspects of country shown . Apple orchard, lovely and different from usual tours.

Maeng Soon Yu

Maria was a great tour guide

Great knowledgeable tour guide nice hotels good pace

Great sites, and great guides 😃

The whole experience was very organized and smooth. All of the aspects of the tour as described beforehand occurred. Most importantly our driver/tour guide (Mr. Dalton) was fantastic, funny, pleasant and a wealth of knowledge.

Showed interesting places and demos and kept us busy...no time to get bored.

Kathryn Mary Porter

This is the second time my son and I toured with CIE, the first being 8 years ago and I was so pleased then I did not hesitate to see what you were offering in the Fall of 2023! This was a first for my husband who was very skeptical about traveling, but returned home very pleased. The trip was very well planned and we all agree that we would absolutely recommend CIE to others.

will recommend and purchase again.

Donald Frederick Jurgens

the entire tour was good, staff knowlegable and friendly. would us them again

Great way to see Ireland

Very well organized and planned. We saw so many of the great sites. Ring of Kerry and Giants Causeway were highlights for us. Just enough time at each stop. Well done, busy but still relaxing. Highly recommend

Anne Marie Piazza

My tour guides were very well organized and informative. They were able to quickly substitute another activity when one of our day trips had to be canceled because of weather. The tour itinerary allowed me to visit sites I would not have been able to get to on my own.

Carol O Riordan

Cie is a great tour grroup.

I enjoyed our bus driver. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. I enjoyed the spots we were taken to. They were exciting and fun!

Iceland Northern Lights in January

Our tour director Maria and bus driver Jon Ragnar were great. They made the trip interesting and full of facts about Iceland and the people who live there. I was impressed how they were able to move things around if the weather wasn't good or it was too icy. Unfortunately is was unusually warm for the 2nd week in January so it was drizzly and cloudy and we didn't see the Northern Lights. But they tried and kept an eye on the weather at all times just in case. We had a good group of people and everyone was on time always.

This was our first experience with a guided tour. One of the positives was this was a small, diversified group (21) with an age range from 10 to 70. Our driver/tour guide, Mark, did an excellent job. He was professional and provided helpful hints and recommendations for touring on our own, as well as insight to the Irish culture. Although I was initially disappointed that our first hotel wasn’t in Dublin City, it was only a 20 minute walk to the closest Hop on Hop Off Bus Stop. It afforded us an opportunity to experience several restaurants, local neighborhoods, architecture and history. The location proved to be a bonus to meet and mingle with the locals. Each hotel met our needs and provided a daily breakfast. The Merry Ploughboy and Mid Evil food and entertainment were excellent. The staff and performers at both of these establishments deserve recognition. The tour itself was face paced and we saw a lot in a short period of time. After all, it was just “A Taste of Ireland” . From our experience, I would not hesitate to book another CIE tour.

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Pros + Cons: Travel Guide Services

Consider integrating a travel guide into your next trip, or try a fully guided tour to help you ease into international travel.

Related To:

This summer, I took a guided educational tour of Australia and New Zealand with my brother, mother and a group of almost forty travelers from our hometown in Tennessee. The group was a combination of high school students and adults with almost a one-to-one ratio. On the trip I held a koala (what a dream!), snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, toured the Sydney Opera House, visited Hobbiton, luged down a small mountain, learned first-hand about Djabuki and Maori cultures, surfed for the first time and ate some of the best food I've ever had. Luke, our amazing tour guide, was there all along the way to point us to the best food and attractions, answer our crazy American questions and teach us about Australian Rules football.

The trip was undoubtedly worth the price, and I know it could have been years before I would have planned and executed it on my own, especially as a beginner international traveler. Is a tour service the best way to experience Australia? Doesn't matter. It's the way that got us there. Of course, a fully planned and guided tour shouldn't always be your go-to for travel. Independent travel has so many virtues and benefits that can't be overlooked, but there are ways to incorporate guides without sacrificing these. Whatever your reason for traveling, there's likely some kind of guide service that can add to your experience.

Local Guides

So you're a budget independent traveler who scoffs at big tour groups and actively runs the other direction. I get it; you want to escape the tourist traps and really get to know a place. There are tours for you, too. Think small and local. Often found with a simple call to a tourism department, small operations offer day guiding and walking tours that cover significant historical sites. These guided tours can usually be booked day-of or at least the day before, offering flexibility and spontaneity to planning-averse travelers.

Whakarewarewa Thermal Village

Waiting for the geyser to spout during a local tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Village in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Photo by: Carol Shannon

Carol Shannon

Local and personal guides are usually passionate about their towns and very well versed in local knowledge. Not only can they teach you about local history, culture and lore but also provide excellent advice on restaurants, bars and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Adventure Guiding + Active Tours

Backpacking in the Andes, mountaineering in the Alps, rafting the Grand Canyon, cycling the West Coast, climbing in Patagonia — I go could on with the list of adventures I would love to have but am not experienced enough to undertake on my own. Adventure guiding services offered by REI , Adventure Unbound and thousands of local outdoor guiding services are integral to anyone who wants a unique and challenging outdoor experience but can't devote time to tackle it on their own.

Enjoying Hobbiton on a semi-guided tour.

Too many people exclude themselves from incredible experiences like summiting a difficult 14'er or rafting treacherous rivers or camping in a desert because they lack experience. A proper guiding service will make up for inexperience and help you achieve your goal with the least possible risk. They can be hired for any level of adventure and budget from one of the 7 Summits to an overnight hike in an unknown part of the world.

Clay Britt, a friend who has traveled internationally on a budget over the last few years, prefers to rely on himself and knowledge picked up from locals on his adventures, but he makes a few exceptions for guiding services.

Clay says, "I used a guide on a five-day hike on the Salkantay Trek in Peru and on a camping trip in the Sahara Desert [in] Morocco. There is a certain sense of accomplishment when you complete something without help. However, for me there are certain cases where a guide is more beneficial in the long run. When trails are not easily navigable, and the knowledge of a local guide can provide you with more time enjoying the journey, I think a guide service is the best option."

On the other side of the coin, too many inexperienced people attempt ambitious and dangerous feats without guides and face severe consequences. Guided trips are the smartest way for most of us to check big adventures off the list.

Photography Workshops + Tours

Offered in hundreds of locations by as many professional photographers, these workshops satiate both the travel and photography bugs. Hobbyist and amateur photographers (pretty much anyone who knows how to use their camera) can spend 5-10 days developing their skills while exploring a new region or country with an experienced landscape or street photographer.

Sydney Opera House

Admiring the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Leading photographers have often been to the destination multiple times and scouted for the most beautiful landscapes and the best street photography areas. You'll be on location every morning for sunrise, and you'll set up every evening to capture sunsets, but between those key timeslots, some trips allow you to enjoy the city, town or park you're visiting. Think of the time in-between shooting as your personal exploration time. A few major travel destinations for photography workshops include Iceland , Cuba , the Pacific Northwest and China .

Student Tours

Parents of students, pay attention. Student tours offered by companies like Education First and Brightspark can ignite a passion for travel and cultural education in many young people before they're old enough to travel independently. These tours often cover everything you would need to worry about: flights, transportation, lodging, most meals and great activities.

Franklin Islands National Park

Watching waves roll in on Franklin Islands National Park after snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

Photo by: Clint Shannon

Clint Shannon

Kayla Kitts, managing editor at Discovery who has traveled in 13 countries on both independent and guided trips, first travelled internationally as a student ambassador to France, Italy and Malta.

"This trip ultimately fed my passion for traveling and inspired me to take even more international trips," Kayla says.

After a few guided and independent trips, Kayla was able to pinpoint her preferred style of unplanned and laid-back travel.

While the benefits of international tours and travel for students are numerous, a few stand out. They will learn how to adapt when surrounded by different cultures, better understand diverse cultures, expand their perspectives of the world and develop meaningful connections with friends and fellow travelers.

Yes, these tours can be pricey, but the value can't be beat. Tour groups often host fundraisers and recommend grants and scholarships to ease the burden of cost. When possible, these tours are great opportunities for parents to join and share a potentially life-changing experience with their children.

Educational + Cultural Tours for Adults

Although some people can book their first flight ever, head across the world, plunge into an unknown culture and thrive, most of us have to work up to independent travel, especially international travel. Fully guided tours are perfect for anyone wanting to break into the travel world but nervous about their first trip. While great for first-time travelers of all ages, middle-aged to elderly adults who are finally finding themselves with time to travel may especially benefit from these.

Hyde Park Barracks

Sun lights a restored prisoners' sleeping quarters in the Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney.

Road Scholar , Go Ahead Tours (a subgroup of Education First) and Artisans of Leisure are three notable companies offering guided tours to adults. Major museums like The MET and Smithsonian also offer tours to unique places. Like educational tours for students, these can come with a hefty price tag, but again, consider the value. Were you to spend weeks planning and booking the same trip with all the same experiences, opportunities and amenities, you will likely be paying the same, if not more.

These tours reduce your planning time to none, save you the hassle of figuring out transportation, solve language barrier issues, provide an opportunity to make great friends with fellow travelers and maximize the amount of experiences you'll have in a short period of time.

However, there are potential downsides to consider. If you prefer spontaneous and flexible travel, most of these trips aren't for you, but day guides and local tours can still offer so much.

Travel guides can and should be used by everyone to enhance an experience, even highly independent and spontaneous travelers. From education to adventure to culture, different levels of guiding and the right guide will help new travelers find their way and add value for experienced travelers.

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11 BEST Travel Guides for 2024 [Websites & Guidebooks]

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL;DR: The two best travel guides are Rick Steves for first time travelers—especially anyone going to Europe—and Bradt Guides for off-the-beaten-path destinations and “Slow Travel.” Both are reliable, will give you ideas for what to do, and help you plan the best trip.

The way we travel has changed drastically in my lifetime. Information is more readily available in the digital age, a massive plus for traveling. 

Everyone, including myself, wants to make the most of every trip abroad. That’s why I love reading travel guide books or online guides. 

Some of these guide books help you get off the beaten path. Others give information on tours you can take on your own to learn the history of a certain destination you’re visiting. 

But which are the best?

After years of reading and doing research, I have found the best travel guides for you to use when planning your next trip abroad!

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

Here’s a quick look at our recommendations

• DK Eyewitness
• Bradt Guides
• Rick Steves
• Lonely Planet
• Blue Guides
• Footprint Guides
• Frommer Guides
• Tripadvisor
• Rough Guides
• Moon Travel Guides
• Insight Guides

Table of Contents

#1 DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness is one of the best travel guide books on the market today. But they offer more than just travel information. 

After publishing books for over 45 years, DK Eyewitness Books cover everything from travel, science, history, pop culture, and children’s topics.

Their travel guides give the information you desperately need for travel– such as maps, itineraries, accommodations, where to eat, and more! 

I also love how easy their visuals are to look at. I sometimes get lost in their maps and start imagining myself there (I’m a big daydreamer if you can’t tell!).

DK Eyewitness Travel guide books might not be the most in-depth on a particular location, but they help with travel inspiration. 

If you want more information, DK Eyewitness has a podcast called ‘Where to Go,’ which is another excellent way to get your travel information on the go!

• 100+ destinations
• Heavy on history
• It has both outdoor and city guides
• Amazing visuals
• Not as in-depth as other guides

#2 Bradt Guides

A Bradt travel guide is perfect if you’re interested in visiting countries that are less traveled to— written by experienced travelers with fantastic insider tips. 

Bradt travel guide books has a reputation as the “World’s leading independent travel publisher.” They are also the best India travel guide company.

Some unique destinations include Iraq, Sri Lanka, Galapagos Islands, and Grenada. But don’t worry. Bradt Guides also has a British series for those interested! 

Lately, I’ve been striving to travel like a local. Bradt has a ‘Slow Travel’ guidebook series, which I love using these days because it helps me travel like a local. 

The trip ideas are great in detail but might not be for your preferred country to visit. 

Bradt Guides prides itself on being the most comprehensive on the market. Their authors give cultural insights and expressions of interest and knowledge.

You can support Bradt’s Guides even further by subscribing to their Patreon! Here you can pay monthly for a specific tier and earn different things like one free e-book a month.

• More off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Slow travel series
• Has a Patreon page
• Unique style of travel not for everyone

#3 Rick Steves

Rick Steves books are the guide books your mom hands you when traveling to your dream destination in Europe. And that’s a good thing! They’re trusted by many for a reason.

These travel guide books are always up-to-date, thanks to Rick Steves’ research partners. 

Rick’s books will have you feeling like you’re on guided tours! He ensures you’ll have some fantastic cultural experiences. 

I love Europe, but there are many other cultures throughout the world that I’m even more interested in. So, since Rick Steves’ guidebooks are primarily Europe-focused, I’m not as drawn to them.

Also, traveling in Europe long-term can get expensive. His books cater to a more wealthy crowd. 

Pick any European country, and you will have high-quality content on that destination. Rick has visited Europe countless times, and other travel websites can’t compete. 

Rick’s bestseller is his Italy guide, which isn’t surprising. In that guide, he goes over the best places to eat and sleep and how to beat the crowds. 

It’s a good idea to grab a Rick Steves’ book simply for the detailed maps.

• Best guides for Europe
• It gives in-depth information for solo tours
• Perfect for a beginner traveler.
• Catered to upper and middle-class travelers

#4 Lonely Planet

I’m sure you’ve heard of Lonely Planet , as they’ve been a dominant force in the travel scene for quite some time now. Their goal is to make travel planning easy, and they’ve succeeded!  

I loved using Lonely Planet books when I first started traveling. These books helped me up my game as a budget traveler. 

Lonely Planet dominates the internet with a wealth of online resources. While the information they offer online is easy to access, it can be vague. 

You can subscribe to Lonely Planet on their website for free. I’ve done this, but I’ve found that there tends to be some destinations/articles that are low in detail. 

Considering Lonely Planet’s sheer amount of content, it’s not too surprising that they sometimes gloss over details. 

Their claim to fame is their numerous experts located worldwide. These experts cover adventure travel, family holidays, food and drink, and much more. 

Plus, a Lonely Planet magazine is an amazing coffee table piece, am I right?

• Backpacker friendly
• An extensive collection of guides for the entire world
• Free information is available
• Some of their content is outdated or not detailed

#5 Blue Guides

If you love the art and history of Italy, then Blue Guides is for you! People often plagiarize Blue Guide books due to the amount of accurate information each book has. 

With over 14 books on Italy alone, you won’t find more detailed information on a particular destination than with Blue Guides– they deliver it all! 

Italy was the first country that I visited outside of the United States, and I’m so glad that I had a Blue Guide book with me. 

Their award-winning maps and exceptional attention to detail made it feel like I was on a private tour! 

Be aware: there aren’t a lot of online articles from Blue Guides or many countries to choose from, which could be an issue if you like to visit more unusual locations.

Blue Guides’ first publication date was in the early 1900s, so it’s undoubtedly a top guidebook for a travel junkie!

• Helps travelers understand art and history
• Multiple guides on Italy
• Extremely thorough in their research
• Not a lot of destinations

#6 Footprint Guides

Footprint Guides is the go-to source for Latin American travel tips for all budgets! My love for this region of the world has only grown since I started using their books.

Even if Latin America isn’t one of your top destinations, they do offer other print books. All Footprint Guides are written by experts who have lived in that destination. 

Unfortunately, for North American travelers looking to plan a dream road trip, you won’t find much helpful information here, as their focus is decidedly on the south. 

Alongside their practical information, Footprint adds a layer of imagination to their guidebooks, giving them an edge that makes them one of the best travel guide series available today!

• Wide range of budgets
• Specializes in Latin America
• Practical information
• Not much content on the United States

#7 Frommer Guides

Does traveling on $5 per day sound appealing to you? Arthur Frommer thought so when he set out to create his Frommer travel guides . 

Alongside some of the best guidebooks, Frommer also offers other forms of information, including podcasts, online articles, and hotel deals!

I love using Frommer guides on road trips because they help me in many different situations. 

I usually like to have a podcast for when I’m driving , a guidebook on specific destinations while I’m in a hotel room, and online sources when on the go. 

Having Frommer guides in all their varied forms is essential since each one typically doesn’t go into heavy detail. 

If purchasing travel guide books doesn’t interest you, then keeping up to date with Frommer’s online travel guides is the way to go.

• Many styles of information are available
• Updates information frequently
• Offer hotel deals
• It covers only the main details

#8 Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is an online source that most travelers have heard about. It’s unique on this list of travel guides because you interact with other travelers!

If you’re looking for help with trip planning, look no further than the Tripadvisor forum . Here you can talk with fellow travelers about your upcoming trip! 

When I have a specific question that needs answering, I always check Tripadvisor first. They have information on most countries, but some info on the forums can be outdated. 

Tripadvisor is great because it’s free! But they’re more than just a review and forum-based platform; you can also book different travel deals and tours through their website.

Sometimes the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming to click through.  If that sounds relatable, you might want to purchase some guidebooks instead. 

Tripadvisor started the wave of online travel planning. They’re worth browsing, even if you just want to write down a few travel tips!

• Multiple reviews from other travelers
• Travel deals available
• Forum can be out of date
• The massive amount of information can be overwhelming

#9 Rough Guides

Rough Guides has grown into a leader in the travel industry with its amazing travel guidebooks and online travel guides. 

What I love about these books is their authenticity. Their recommendations from locals helped to grow them into who they are today.

It all started with their Greece travel guide, and it quickly blew up. Demand increased for more and more Rough Guide content; they released a guidebook series for people who were eager for more. In 2017, Rough Guides expanded even further.

Today Rough Guides are more than just a travel guide company that sells books. They offer tours, custom-made itineraries, and more! I love using their website when planning my next trip. 

These custom-made itineraries and tours are expensive but for a reason. Rough Guides’ experts are located worldwide to give you the best travel experience ever. 

Rough Guides best selling guides offer a ton of background information and local tips, making them worth the high price!

• Detailed itineraries
• Personal recommendations from locals
• An extensive list of countries
• High prices for tours and custom itineraries

#10 Moon Travel Guides

Moon Guides are my favorite guidebooks for traveling around the United States. Planning that perfect road trip is challenging but Moon Guides makes it easier.

Moon’s travel guidebooks are all about traveling sustainably. I’ve used them countless times in the Americas and have found them super helpful.

But Moon Guides don’t focus on the Americas only– they also offer some of the best travel guides for Japan in particular.

I’ve learned to use these books more for research instead of bringing them on my travels– they don’t always hold up with how rugged traveling can get for me.

Moon’s detailed maps are so good in their guidebooks that I fill my phone library with them. They are easy to read and use, which is what I think makes a good map. 

The best travel tips are from locals, and that’s what Moon’s travel guidebooks bring. They don’t have a fancy touring app or anything, but they don’t need it. 

If you want one of the best travel guides for families, then there’s no better choice than making Moon Guides your tour guide when traveling. 

Find your dream destination, get travel inspiration from their maps, and book that plane ticket.

• Emphasis on the Americas and the Pacific
• Easy-to-understand maps
• Many pages of information solely for hotels/accommodations
• Guidebooks aren’t durable

#11 Insight Guides

Insight is one of the best travel guidebooks on the market for a reason. The beautiful photographs in these travel guidebooks will have you daydreaming for days.

Insight guides are perfect for those history buffs out there like me. They combine great information with also some off-the-beaten-track activities. 

Insight has produced over 200 guidebooks and language books. Their books provide information on nearly any country you can think of (besides Mexico).

I love their books because they also have a mini-series.

During the Covid years, I was in the mood to read a lot. I picked a different destination each week and bought a new e-book. 

I could do this because they only cost five to ten dollars! Most of the best travel guidebooks are double this.   

Besides its guidebook series, Insight offers a handmade trip planned by experts to the destination of your choice. What more could you ask for?!

• Multiple countries in each continent
• Has language guides
• Sells hand-picked vacation packages put together by locals
• Offers mini versions of guides to sell for cheap
• No Mexico guide

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Travel Guide

What to Look for in Travel Guides

Is the information up to date.

Picking the best travel guidebooks can be an overwhelming process. But the most important thing to watch out for is making sure the information is up-to-date.

Compared to online sources, guidebook information tends not to get updated as quickly for obvious reasons. 

You don’t want a travel guide taking you to a restaurant that doesn’t exist anymore, do you? No. You want to get off the beaten track but not THAT off that it gets you lost.

Pick Locally-Based Travel Guides

My ideal travel style is meeting locals, living, and eating like a local. I have the best travel experiences when I dive deep into the culture.

The best information about a destination comes from locals. When you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, wouldn’t you want to consult someone who has lived there for many years?

When you rely on locals’ recommendations, you’ll truly have an experience of a lifetime. 

Know What Type of Traveler You Are

This next tip can be difficult for some, and it can change from year to year. I have gone from being a true budget traveler to somewhere in the middle. 

I used to love history (I still do) and would base my travels around that. Now I seek adventure activities. 

Different types of guides will focus on different things, such as budget travel, adventure, expensive tours, food, or history. 

Finding the travel guide that fits your style will be more beneficial in the long run.

Know Which Destination You Want to Visit the Most

The best world travel guidebooks are often better for certain locations than others. For example, Rick Steves has a reputation for being the best travel guide for Europe and, specifically, the best travel guide for Italy. 

So, choose your travel guide based on which one specializes in the area you’re curious about.

Other Helpful Travel Guides

Travel is a huge industry which means there are more guides than you could ever possibly use. 

If you prefer your travel content in video form, one of the best travel guide Youtube channels is Ryan Shirley . 

His videos showcase the top places to visit in different countries with some of the best drone shots you’ll ever see. 

FAQs About Travel Guides

Should You Even Buy a Travel Guide?

A travel guide has its place. It may seem outdated to use one, but you can find some of the best information in them. 

Some guides take years to make and are very specific in the details they write for certain locations. The maps tend to be better and easier to read in these types of guides as well.  

Which is better: Lonely Planet or Rough Guide?

It depends on the style of travel you prefer. I prefer budget travel and tend to take fewer tours, so I like Lonely Planet. Rough Guide also has amazing tours if you’re interested in those.

What is the difference between Fodor’s and Frommer’s travel guides?

Frommer travel guides are excellent for those who want an easy read. Fodor is typically the better choice if you want more details about your activities. 

Fodor also has one of the best travel guides for Ireland, so check out Fodor if that’s your destination.

Is it better to travel with a tour guide or alone with a travel guide?

The answer differs from person to person! If you want your trip planned, then a tour guide is perfect. Going alone with a travel guide is nice because you can go at your own pace. 

Do people still buy travel guides?

Absolutely! There’s something different about having a travel guidebook to look at rather than scrolling through a website. 

Rick Steves and Bradt are my favorite travel guides.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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Mandy was very informative and careful in running through the offer and finding me a suitable flight . She was friendly and went above and beyond to provide reassur...

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User friendly.

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Very good experience with Sally. I had trouble getting...

Best of Spain and Portugal End Barcelona

What I saw of Spain was wonderful. Great choices of activities, meals and sights for included and optional experiences. I did not see Portugal due to illness. Our To...

Milford Sound, Rotorua, Dunedin.

Excellent - knowledgeable & supportive

Planning was easy. Support and helpful information was of...

Classic Egypt With Nile Cruise

Everything, there is not 1

Excellent service from Sarah B.

William Reasoner

Easy Pace Italy

I liked the three days per city. I also enjoyed the free time with the optional excursions.

Our tour guide and driver were great. All the hotel stays and couch mov...

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Two highlight for me of this extraordinarily great trip we’re taking a long look at the wild Royal Bengal tiger sauntering in the late afternoon sun and the trip on ...

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Remote Coastal Trails of Portugal

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in USA

Find the right fully guided tour for you in USA. There are 1055 trips to choose from, that range from one day in length, up to 29 days. The month with the most departures is September, making it the most popular time to visit USA.

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250+ fully guided tour packages in usa with 18,993 reviews.

Utah Parks Circuit

It was a great fun trip. I was moved to see many wonderful views. I was not good at English, but everyone was very kind and I was able to spend a good time everyday. Especially the tour leader explained carefully.

• Mountain Hikes
• Hiking & Trekking

7 Day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Camping Tour

This was an amazing package! It covered everywhere I wanted to see in the South West area and our guide (John) was very good and familiar with what he was doing, he took us to places that we would not have known at all if not in the tour. The only thing that was off putting as a non-American, not to blame the tour but more a cultural shock, was that everywhere we went (including this tour itself) at the end we were supposed to tip which I had never seen in my entire life in Europe. But overall a very nice and memorable trip.

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Private Tour -7 Day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Camping

Hiking Utah's Mighty 5

Rachel De Genaro -our guide was excellent. It is unbelievable how well she preformed all the roles of a guide, cook, shopper, driver and care taker to all of us. She was phenomenal! She was calm and organized. She as well as the people in our group made the trip more fun and enjoyable. Thumbs up!!!! G adventures though could have been a better communicator as to what to expect and prepare

California National Park Discovery

Chad is a great driver and guide. He gave us so much useful information and insights to the places we hiked and walked to and through. Chad has a thirst for knowledge and looks up our questions and later shares the information with us. I liked most of the hotels and motels we went to.

• Cultural Photography
• Christmas & New Year

Magnificent West - 7 Days

Excellent trip. There was a lot of driving but it was worth it. We had excellent guides with information that wasn't listed on the website. There was a lot of driving but many stops to break that up. I have been on a number of tours in America and Europe and found the hotels on this tour to much nicer than in the past. The tours of Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon were nothing less than SPECTACULAR. The guides on the bus and at the sites were more than knowledgeable. The bus was top of the line. I have already spread the name of this company to friends and family. Next year I will be looking for my next trip with this company. Judy Lockie, Ontario, Canada.

Yellowstone & Rocky Mountain Explorer

No Words Can Adequately Describe...We recently went on the 7 day Southwest tour followed by the 7 day Yellowstone tour. We chose the camping option. All our expectations were exceeded. The itinerary was full on, allowing us to see everything on offer and more. A huge thank you to Chris Patrick, our guide. He kept everyone engaged, entertained, watered and fed. No request or concerns went unanswered. He's an asset to the Bindlestiff team and we would DEFINITELY recommend you do these trips. Being able to stay right in the National Parks was fantastic.

• In-depth Cultural

Vegas to San Fran

Wild Western USA

Great tour, but Intrepid should have definitely declared it as a youth tour. If you're older than 25 you're an oldie let alone being in your 30ies, 40ies or older. Nevertheless the organizing was good, you got a lot of freedom though being a guided tour and you get variety of different impressions ranging from crowded cities to total nature.

Mighty 5 From Salt Lake City

Excellent trip small group tour, great hotels and guide.

Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Adventure

Tim was a great tour guide. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and always upbeat. Time with the wildlife expert was phenomenal. the tour itself was excellent. The good ranking has to do with communications from Intrepid Travel, which were poor and lead to changed air flights and other headaches.

• Photography
• Walking Adventure

Yellowstone / Grand Teton 4 Day / 3 Night Wildlife Adventure

What an amazing experience this was; from the greeting and pick up by our guide/driver, to the phenomenal sights and the historical references that accompanied them! I am so pleased. This was an exceptionally planned tour that successfully met all of my needs. I would not change a thing and look forward to future adventures with them.

• Sightseeing

Grand Canyon and More 3 day tour

It was an excellent tour! Great guide, and the van was very comfortable. We had a small group of six. Outstanding trip!

Alaska Kenai Adventure 9 Days

What a wonderful way to discover Alaska! A memorable trip thanks to the efforts of Natalie, Dave, and Carolina. Infinite Adventures provides a really unique travel experience. Their bus is creatively outfitted to be a traveling home for 16 tour participants. By the end of our journey, we felt like a traveling family because the trip provided opportunities to connect and bond with fellow travelers. The Kenai trip was well-planned. It offered the right mix of adventure and convenience. The company makes all the arrangements. Yet, there are opportunities for travelers to participate in setting up camp, preparing food, and cleaning up. Natalie, Dave, and Carolina were warm, friendly, and responsive to travelers' needs. Natalie and Dave's 3 year old son was an adorable addition to our trip. The whole experience felt much more personalized than traveling with a bigger company. Alaska is so much bigger and more exquisite than I had imagined. The highlight was the glacier visit - other-worldly! Throughout the trip, I appreciated the organization and planning that made our journey from one location to another smooth and interesting. Highly recommend this adventure with this company. ~ Mridula (California)

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Nature's Best: Alaska

We loved everything except the boat tour out of Seward. The seas were way too rough to go out. It was the final tour of the year on that boat. It should of been cancelled and refunded in full. We received $50 each back because the tour was shortened from 6 hours to 5 hours. I repeat again. Waste of time. I did not take a picture. People were throwing up (plenty of them). Did not see any whales. We were notified the day before that the seas could be rough. Globus should of taken the initiative and cancelled. Did not have a good time at all.

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in USA

I had a great time doing the Utah Parks Circuit. Despite the bad weather we could see a lot. My highlights were the Narrows in Zion and Bryce Canyon. More time in Bryce Canyon would have been nice. Campgrounds were remote but all had nice restrooms with showers.

We thoroughly enjoyed the 7-day tour of the US southwest . We love the destinations included in the tour, every place we visited is on our bucket list. I wanted to pinch myself every day that I visited those iconic and beautiful places as shown in my photos below. We enjoyed all the extra, optional experiences that were suggested by the tour guide. They added more fun to the tour. The Hummer tour in Moab, Utah was one of the optional experiences and it was a blast! Not only it’s fun, you get to see the amazing scenery during the sunset. One previous review mentioned he or she was forced to participate in the Navajo taco dinner in Monument Valley. That comment is not true. You have a choice not to do that and the guide can make a different arrangement for you. The optional Navajo taco dinner is one of the highlights of the tour that we will remember for a long time. It would be a shame not to have this cultural experience when you get to meet Navajo people when you are in the Navajo Nation! Our tour guide, John did a fantastic job. He was full of enthusiasm and energy. He kept the tour well organized and always provided information we needed. We highly recommend the tour.

the best way to explore the vastness and glory of the Utah desert is by camping and hiking in small groups. I enjoyed this trip immensely, it was challenging enough but not too much. Our guide was a brave and resourceful powerful woman. I am planning my next trip with you already!

Regions in USA

• Western USA (663)
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• Rocky Mountains (242)
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• Grand Canyon (69)
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Travel Styles

• Fully Guided
• USA Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• 10 Best Backpacking Tours & Trips 2024/2025
• Best time to visit East Coast USA (Low & High Season)
• Best Time to Visit the West Coast, USA in 2024/2025 (with California)
• Best USA Vacation Spots for Couples: Parks, Cities and more
• 5 Best Guided Backpacking Trips & Tours
• Best 10 Day USA Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

International Versions

• Deutsch: Geführte Rundreisen in USA
• Français: Circuits Entièrement guidé aux États-Unis 2024/2025
• Español: Totalmente guidado Circuitos en los Estados Unidos (EUA)
• Nederlands: Volledig begeleid Rondreizen in de USA

Eat, Sleep, Wander

16 Feedback for Travel Agency EXAMPLES

The Travel industry relies solely on good reviews and writing them one is crucial. So, to make it easy for you in reviewing them, we created 16 feedback for travel agency examples that you can copy and paste or use as inspiration for writing your own.

Legend for Feedback for Travel Agency:

• Agent name – AN
• Travel agency – TA
• City name – CN

01. Great Experience with (TA). one of customer service agent who’s name is (AN). She is help a lot to get best deal. I found very easy the way she gave me all information for book my flight. I very strongly advise other traveller to use (TA). its very friendly and easy to use. Thank you very much.

02. This trip was incredible, from day one our tour guide was amazing .. caring and very knowledgeable.. the actual your was also incredible.. thanks everyone who made possible this unforgettable experience!

03. This is our favorite travel agency . Except the long wait they have Outstanding customer services at reasonable prices. Thank you for easy booking with flights and hotels. Great deals, and honest services. Highly recommended to everyone.

04. We have been buying our airline tickets here since 1998. Great service oriented group, outstanding prices that can’t be beat, just keep me and my family and friends coming back year after year. They even call us when there are specials! What more can you ask for? Thank You (TA) for helping me create wonderful summer memories!

05. We booked a trip to (CN) with (AN) and he was awesome. He handled our entire trip from flight, to rental car, to hotel to shows. It was so nice to pass that responsibility to somebody as competent and timely as (AN). He was also there for us the entire time to handle questions and deal with travel logistics. We have also used for last hotel needs and he always comes through! Highly recommend!

06. (AN) gave me the best experience with (TA). He is very knowledgeable and helpful with everything I wanted to know and learn about my trip! He also found different fun excursions we could do while we are there. He answered me in a very fast timely manner with all my questions and concerns I had. Planning my trip was a very smooth process because of (AN)!!

07. (AN) was such a blessing in our vacation planning! We had originally planned on going somewhere else and I’m so thankful that (AN) was able to step in to help us create the best vacation possible. He was always very helpful no matter what.

08. Thank you (AN) for booking my car rental in (CN). Your pricing beat out “low cost” and rental companies self-service websites. Not to mention the no hassle, no fee change in my dates for renting. I will be using you for future travel and rental booking.

09. (AN) and her staff are wonderful to work with. Always on top of the travel requirements, bookings and all the sundry details that were communicated to us in a timely manner. She made all the preparation for our travel needs easy and we felt reassured that all was taken care of.

10. (AN) at (TA) is the best corporate travel agent I have ever worked with. From a customer experience perspective, her service is superlative. She is the most responsive agent I have ever worked with (by far), and she makes every transaction 100% stress free. Thank you, (AN)!

11. (AN) is the most responsive, knowledgeable and personable travel advisor we have ever dealt with. We have traveled the world and plan so many more trips and would do so with complete confidence having (AN) advise us.

12. (AN) at (TA), has been handling my travel for many years. She is the best travel agent I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. She pays attention to every detail. I always know that I am in for a wonderful adventure when she plans a trip for me!

13. (AN) of (TA) is very knowledgeable and has taken care of each and every request we have promptly and efficiently (AN) knows the business extremely well and has helped us navigate through this past year. He handles all situations professionally.

14. We have been working with (AN), our travel professional, for the past 3 years in cruise planning. We have had several booked and cancelled through 2020 and 2021. Now hoping that booking for 2022 will proceed. (AN) has been very courteous, professional, timely and accommodating in all our dealings. I would highly recommend.

15. Our agent is (AN). She is the best. Best service, best deals, and very knowledgeable. We cruised Polynesia, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and other destinations with her. Highly recommended.

16. (AN) of (TA) in (CN) offers superior service, attention to detail and much more for your travel pleasure. My favorite travel agent!

More feedback for travel agency are coming soon…

What are the golden rules of tour guiding? 10 tips to help you shine

By Breanna Lawlor

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Most tour and activity providers find themselves embracing a career in the travel industry through an appreciation for certain cultures or destinations. But to be successful in this role, you need to know which tour guide rules to keep in mind.

As a tour guide, you have a profound impact on how a guest interacts with their surroundings. And you also have the power to offer guests a life-changing experience through your charm and wit.

Sure, you don’t have to become the expert on the komodo dragon or shark mating rituals, but does it hurt to have a few fun facts at the ready? 

Nope! 

Ultimately, a skilled tour guide will know when to turn up the charm and dial the facts back to match the bandwidth of their audience. And as a tour guideline, you should adjust your performance based on the feedback and social cues you receive from your audience.

TL; DR: To be a fantastic tour guide, you should be full of enthusiasm, knowledge and kindness.

What are the golden rules of tour guiding

For many, guiding tours is an ideal way to see the world while getting paid to travel.

However, the role of a tour guide can be highly impactful, if you focus on making it fun and entertaining. Not only do you have endless opportunities to meet fascinating people from all over the globe, but you’ll never stop learning. 

It makes sense that some of the best tour guides are hungry to connect with new people and enjoy reciting fun facts about what makes a place special. And whether you’re a pro or just starting out, it helps to know which tour guidelines to follow. 

1. Be present, punctual and full of personality

There are few things worse than a tour guide who isn’t engaging, especially when guests arrive with high expectations. Show a vested interest in your guests during the first meeting — especially if you have a few early bird arrivals.

And since this role is equal parts education and entertainment, people with big personalities tend to do well as tour guides. This is a credit to having the ability to add a little extra zest to an experience.

Personalize the experience

The reason why people still book live tours is that in-person delivery is better than reading a guidebook. Ultimately, you have the power to transform an ordinary encounter into something more memorable. To do this, you’ll want to become a storyteller.

Do you know what’s worse than being a tour guide without a funny bone? Being hard to hear! If guests are straining to follow what you’re saying, they’ll likely tune you out. 

And, even better if you can drum up fodder that travelers will not be able to find in a guidebook. Whether it’s because it’s new, insider knowledge or off-the-cuff — fun facts can send your guests into a fit of laughter and keep them engaged.

2. Know your stuff — as a tour guide rule

What do travelers often rave with tour guides? Approachability and good candour tend to show up in 5-star reviews, highlighting how a good attitude goes a long way.

You’ll need to stay up-to-date on the subject matter because guests are going to expect you to have all of the answers. With that said, you do not need to fib if you receive a curveball question. Instead, invite the audience to chime in if they have an answer or commit to finding out and responding at a later time.

Still, no matter how much you prepare, some travelers will throw some quizzical questions your way. Lean into your ability to charm and dazzle people with your local knowledge to escape these encounters unfazed.

Take time to prepare

Understandably, tour guides should have all of their ducks in a row once the tour starts. Dedicate time to doing a dry-run of your tours in advance to avoid potential hiccups that might pop up en route.

Typically, guides know where they are going, have a good sense of direction, anticipate when local restaurants and popular landmarks will be open and busy while also gauging optimal times for travel overall. 

3. Engage with guests while sharing tour guidelines

Get to know your guests by striking up a conversation. There’s something known as the “third thing”. I learned about it from a brilliant architect friend who shared that wherever two people can find an item or topic they are familiar with, it helps to strike up a conversation. 

In reviews, tour guides who are engaging and entertaining receive high praise. We know that becoming a 5-star tour guide takes work, but the added effort will pay off through reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.

Becoming a skilled communicator

Guests want a tour guide is confident and fun to be around. You’ll want to conduct the tour at a pace and tone that’s easy to follow. What does this sound like?

Use inclusive language to make guests feel welcome. The best way to brush up on your communication skills is to use them on a regular basis. Invite discussion and provide context for your guests to ask questions.

4. Offer helpful and timely insight

When leading a tour group, you’ll likely be commenting on things you’ve seen many times before. Imagine yourself in the shoes of a traveler. 

So while you may find yourself constantly searching for new ways to talk about the same thing, it’s the first time for many — if not all — of your guests. When you share stories or recite unconventional facts, small details like these kick the experience up a notch.

Try changing up your route or focusing on different sensory receptors to offer fresh and fun ways of re-visiting the same places.

You want to create an inclusive guided experience that welcomes all types of travelers — including kids, visitors with mobility challenges and slower-paced adventurers. 

5. Address guests and answer questions

Some travelers might initially be nervous to ask you questions because they will yet to have a rapport with you. 

Think about common questions guests have and aim to proactively address them with your guests. And determine which facts you believe will be most advantageous for guests to know, then share them — openly. 

To combat this, position yourself as a friendly and approachable guide who’s here to do just that — guide their experience. Reiterate how the tour is theirs alone, but your role is to facilitate the best experience possible.

Speak loud and proud

Annunciate. Broadcast. Project. This is not a time to use your library voice. I mean, there’s a balance, but aim to be vocal enough that passersby find themselves eavesdropping on what you’re sharing. 

An added benefit is if your tour heads somewhere quiet, guests will be tuned in to your voice and more likely to lean in if you’ve been using inflection to command their attention.

Aim to be full of charisma

While hard to define — charisma is a core element of becoming a successful tour guide. 

It can be summarized as one part charm, one part knowledge and one part wit with a dash of humour for good measure. 

6. Demonstrate good time-management and organizational skills

Leading by example is one of the most effective ways of gaining the trust of your audience. Sure, you’ll probably contend with a few latecomers on tours — but don’t let this derail the entire group.

For visitors arriving at a new location, they tend to have a lot of questions. On your tour, aim to proactively answer them and allow space to respond to your curious followers. 

To better frame the experience, give your tour a dry-run. Without the pressure of a tour group, you can see when certain dining spots, viewpoints or transportation routes will be busy, and adjust your plans to maximize the visitor experience.

7. Infuse storytelling as part of your tour guide rules

There are plenty of advantages to becoming a skilled storyteller. First, as travelers, we thrive on stories. They help to forge new neural pathways and turn ordinary encounters into something more relatable.

And second, while it can feel intimidating to share personal anecdotes and memories, storytelling elevates the tour for your guests. Plus, you can ad lib and you’ll have guests who are none the wiser.

Peter Syme shares something called the Peak Design Rule , where he suggests tour guides identify elements throughout your tour that is most helpful, entertaining and valuable, and design your tour around that. 

Travelers develop a greater capacity to recount their adventures in a favourable light with personalized tours.

8. Keep things moving

When you step into the role of tour guide, you assume the responsibility of educator and entertainer .

There will be times when you have a restless audience member or guests that tune you out. Don’t panic — instead, aim to keep a consistent pace throughout your tour.

Account for buffer time throughout your route, giving consideration to guests of all ages and mobilities. And once a tour begins — keep that trust going by letting visitors know what to expect next and offering reasons behind each stop you have planned along the route.

9. Offer breaks

If you’re leading a scenic tour, note a few stopping points en route where guests can expect to have a few minutes to snap photos and take in the view. Allow ample time for breaks while on tour. They allow guests to feel refreshed and ready for the next stop on the tour.

In addition, short pauses help guests rest up, so they have the capacity to mentally digest more information.

Bring some snacks along

Instead of waiting until the eleventh hour to lead your guests to a dining location, bring snacks and water as a safety mechanism. This is especially useful for guests traveling with young children. And while it’s not expected, it can absolutely save the day for a family who just needs a little extra support.

Food can act as a bridge between cultures. You’ve probably heard the term “hangry” or been on the receiving end of a guest who’s coping with low blood sugar.

Ultimately, you’ll have some guests who are keen to see the next vantage point and a handful of tour guests that are more inclined to take their time meandering along the route. 

10. Start and end tours on time

There will always be guests who misgauge timing or location and show up late to a tour. And while travelers might visit a location for the first time and find themselves running behind, this should not take away from your fellow guests who arrived on time. 

One thing you should have control over is whether your tour or activity ends on time. Instill a walking pace that accounts for little ones and more mature travelers, by building in some buffer into your schedule. 

This way you can feel good about pausing to talk more in depth throughout your tour. 

Research proves people tend to remember negative experiences more readily than positive encounters.  It could be that guests are hardwired to weigh bad encounters differently than positive ones, but it’s also a way of keeping them safe from repeating the same mistake in the future.   

Helpful tour guide rules to keep in mind

Ideally, you want to create opportunities for guests to feel included and listened to throughout your tour. If it works for your style, ask questions in advance and help them to feel involved in the experience.

But, one thing to keep in mind is that your job isn’t done when the tour ends — you’ll want to bookend the tour for guests with options for learning more along with prompts for a review.

• Guests don’t know what you know — overshare information to keep visitors in the loop
• Include a safety overview whether it’s related to gear, the location or the route
• Provide guidelines for what to expect and how they can expect to interact with you/others
• Let guests know where to find washrooms en route
• Build in buffer timing in case guests are late

As a general tour guide rule, the greater amount a guest pays, the more they will expect from the lead tour guide. You may find that tipping is activity and location-dependant.

But with guests visiting from all over the world, make sure you share how tips indicate that you’ve done a great job and while not required, are greatly appreciated.

Set a tone of curiosity, competency and confidence early on. This way, travelers arriving bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — will be ready to trust you to show them the world.

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Popular Tour Guides

Hello! My name is Akiko from Gifu prefecture. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I like going out with my family, talking with my friends over coffee at a cozy cafe, reading books, baking bread and cake when I have time. I passed the national tour guide test in 2017 and have worked as a guide since then. I have guided in Gifu city, Seki city, Takayama city, Shirakawago , Mino city and Nagoya city. I have lived in Gifu for more than forty years. Gifu prefecture is rich in nature so you can enjoy the rural atmosphere. Gifu city has a beautiful river 'Nagara river' and Mt.Kinka which has Gifu castle on the top. You can go up the mountain on foot or use a ropeway. The view from Gifu castle is so fantastic. At the foot of the mountain , there are many places to visit such as parks, a temple having a big image of Buddha, and a street preserving the historic atmosphere. At Nagara River, you can enjoy seeing a traditional way of fishing ‘cormorant fishing’ which is thought to have started 1300 years ago. Many cafes have unique service called 'morning service' in Gifu along with Aichi In the morning (until about ten thirty or eleven) when you order a cup of tea or coffee, they serve toast and salad ! Near Gifu park , you can find a nice Japanese style cafe where you enjoy good coffee and seeing a Japanese style garden. Seki city is a small city but so famous for its cutlery. At Japanese sword museum in Seki, you can see authentic Japanese swords! Mino city next to Seki city is well known for its hand made Japanese paper 'Hon minoshi' designated as intangible cultural asset by UNESCO . Until recently it was not easy to guide guests because of COVID-19 pandemic; however the situation is getting better. Some strict rules about COVID-19 have been lifted. Please visit Gifu. I am looking forward to seeing you. Please feel free to ask me when you need information about Gifu. Thank you for reading my introduction.                                                                                                                                  

Hello! My name is Hilary I have a degree in Tourism and I am certified as a tour guide by the Ministry of Tourism in Mexico, I have done this for 4 years. To make friends and show my country's best places is what I love. Support and help and be there for my tourists, that is my passion! I propose the most visited places in the city, those are wonderful places but I'd enjoy if you take off the beaten path, let me know your preferences, We could create together the perfect tour for you. I understand you are in Mexico probably just for once in your life so let's do together a truly unforgettable experience. Welcome to Mexico.                                                                                                                                  

Hello everyone, I am Paul, a tour guide in Seoul. Seoul is a fascinated destination that seamlessly blends the old with the new. I'm excited to show you some of the best things to make your trip fun and unforgettable memory, through my deep knowledge about culture and history of Korea and exuberant experiences in tour. My primary tourist destination is Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of 5 palaces, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, National museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and other museums & galleries and contemporary architectures, and Namsan Mt. with N-Seoul Tower, traditional & trendy market places such as Gwangjang market & Hondae street, and also Korean Folk Village & DMZ tour. Center of culture and tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. We can see as much as we know about spirit of times. For example, without knowledge about Christianity, the spirit of medieval Europe, we cannot fully appreciate beauty and value of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Confucianism was the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Architectural style of Gyeongbokgung represents Confucianism. Confucianism culture of Joseon Dynasty is unique characteristic of Korean culture, compared to Chinese, Japanese and European culture. Hence, my tourist information is based on Confucianism. Thank you for your interest! As your guide, I hope to see you soon in Seoul.                                                                                                                                  

I am a licensed guide who lived most of my life in Copenhagen. Before becoming a guide, I did transfer guiding for several years. When I am not guiding, I work as a freelance translator. Although a native Danish speaker, I have a near-native command of English. I also speak Japanese, as I have a Master's degree in Japanese.                                                                                                                                  

Olá! Hi! I’m Izzy! Thanks for coming to my page and hopefully soon, Porto! Originally from Lisbon, I moved to Porto in 98 to get my college degree in Biology. So quickly I fell in love with this city, its people, its food and wine - Porto is the homeland of the famous Port Wine and Francesinha, one of the best sandwiches in the world - its rich diverse history and world-renowned cultural treasures that I have been living here since then. After University, I lived in Paris for one year, where I got a graduate degree in Image, Communication and Protocol - communicating with people is my passion – and I have been working in Tourism and Hospitality for the past years. Traveling is all about exploring and understanding the place you visit, its people, history, culture and heritage diversity, as well as experience their traditions and gastronomy. Only this way you’ll be able to make unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. As your guide, I´ll show you the city of Porto beyond the standard and conventional tourist-made itineraries, with all the well-known highlights, on tailor-made experiences, often along unexpected routes. Whether it’s a Walking Tour through Medieval Porto, a Culinary Tasting at Porto’s most iconic restaurants, or a Guided Tour in the North of Portugal, for small groups, couples, families, students, business professionals or solo travellers, anything is possible. Just choose from one or more of my predesignated tour options or contact me and I will create the best itinerary based on your interests and needs! See you soon!                                                                                                                                  

Christian H.

I left germany 23 years ago and have been living in barcelona for 12. i am an experienced world traveller having visited more than 40 countries on all continents. when coming to barcelona i developed a passion for its architecture, the rich history & the many legends that can be found all over the city. turning passion into a profession i became a tour guide and founded my own company specialising in off the beaten path tours and historic walking routes. we offer private tours. this way we can guarantee a high level of intimacy. for us it is important that there is also time for personal conversations. we love to learn about the lives of our guests. our mission is fulfilled when you got the feeling that you discovered barcelona with a friend who happened to know a lot about the city. catch the barcelona feeling with me                                                                                                                                  .

Abdellatif E.

My name is abdellatif. i'm a professional licensed guide. i've been guiding for 34 years now. i practice in marrakech, my native city where i accumulated an important experience. i'd like to share this experience to let people feel the soul of marrakech, to see its beauty and make them happy. cordially. abdellatif                                                                                                                                  .

Ciao, I was born in Rome, I'm a proud Roman and I've spent all my 62 years in this wonderful city. I've been running my Fiat 500 vintage car tours experience for the past 8 years. It's the ONLY company in Rome offering this kind of FANTASTIC treat for experienced and discerning travellers. From your message and the information gathered from your website, I understand you wish to offer to your customers top quality and real local experiences far above usual touristic mass services. My promise: to show with passion to your customers the untold and true stories behind the historical Rome. There a quite a lot of spots and corners of Rome which are unknown to tourists and even to locals. Astounding places, off the-beaten-tracks, which wait to be discovered by discerning travellers, away from usual itineraries followed by big double-deck buses. I'm an enthusiast guide and I love passing my passion for Rome to customers that are not content of fast and dull tours. Narrations of each tour is custom made, according to the interest of each single customer. If your customers are searching for a unique, local, enthusiastic Italian experience, well, I'm definitely the right person in Rome. I'll lead them through the MAGIC of Rome aboard our vintage Fiat 500 cars and let them experiencing one of the best 5 tours of their life. The tours normally include foto shooting with customers cameras, and a creamy double expresso or cappuccino in a true local coffee bar. Happiness exists, make it happen! Alvise                                                                                                                                  

New tour guides.

The two biggest problems in my life are, that I was born too soon to become a space-cowboy and too late to become a roman legionary soldier. Since Tour guiding was the closest profession to both of these above mentioned things, I became one. Although I finished the university as a communications expert and journalist in Hungary, it seems they did not prefer my honesty, so I didn't have too many prospects in that field. Without a clue of what to do next, I embarked on a journey to find some answers. I soon found my ambition in Tour-guiding and ended up working on a cruise ship, then as a freelancer tour-guide, and then as an adventure tour-guide in Norway. I've been working in the tourism industry since 2012 and ever since, it''was my dream to create an authentic company of my own and to show the beautiful things of my home country. My travels took me to more then 40+ countries. [And I still have both of my kidneys] Sadly during my journeys, I have discovered that out of 100 companies 99 are simply tourist traps, who scam their customers with some fake "experience". But I also saw, that the authentic and quality tour operators are the longest lasting companies with 20+ years. I aspire to become like that 1 in 100 companies. I believe in win-win situations. I'm a social guy. I like to be around people and to show them around. I like to have deep and honest conversations about things and I love to meet some truly amazing guests. There is nothing that you cannot talk about with me. I like this job so much, that I would even do this job for free, but since I cannot buy food with respect, love, or honesty, I do need something more tangible. Anyways…why are you wasting your time reading about me? Go book a tour and we will have all the time in the world to get to know each other and this beautiful Country.                                                                                                                                  

Patricia R.

Iorana my name is patricia and i am a local acredited guide in easter island. i have 20 years worth of experience guiding our beautiful island. i am also a mother, so i have plenty of patience and a great personality to make your visit unforgettable i would love to show you our island and its amazing polynesian culture including the moai statues, so please enquire about my flexible and personalized services.                                                                                                                                  .

My name is Sandra. I have US nationality. Early childhood in California and grew up in Barcelona but... born in Bolivia. I feel very lucky having a diverse family background. I have worked in sales, marketing and event organizing. I also have dedicated almost 30 years of my life to study and follow the path of Western Esoterics and Spirituality. I've always heard and read: "Do and share what you love". I really enjoyed meeting new people and showing them around Barcelona, so I decided to also add my deep passion for spirituality and offer a different experience of this great city.                                                                                                                                  

Egyptology tour guide with experience more than Seven years grew up in the city of the temples Grandson of the ancient Egyptian kings. my future started when they came to me in my dream, and they gave me my ancient name (ELALFY) and they supplied me with the energy and they showed me how I can contact with them through this energy, They told me some of facts and secrets of the invisible world, they taught me to give all the love and happiness for all the people. Now I am ready to guide you to all the sites and show you all the details and the secrets of ancient Egypt and all the informations about Egyptian civilization With me you can identify the culture and the habits of the Egyptians people also to give the experience of how locals live here and to show the great natural views we have and enjoy it together.                                                                                                                                  

Pushpendra K.

Hello, dear travellers. do you wish to explore real india my name is pushpendra. i was born in the countryside and raised in delhi. i have spent a big part of my life in delhi. therefore, i am aware with the different faces of this city and i have always loved exploring, learning and talking about the city. i love leading my guests to special places that i have explored over the years . the best feature of my tours is customisation. i offer fully customised tours of delhi, agra, golden triangle and other cities of north india. let me handle all the worries of planning tours, transportation, hotel booking and enjoy the beauty of the places you visit. i not only offer competitive deals, but also make sure that you get what you are wishing. i can design tours exclusively considering your visit and make every tour a wholesome experience for your mind and soul. according to special interests of a tourist, i can plan various types of tours like historical tours, cultural tours, heritage walk tours, world heritage sites tours, spiritual tours, food tours, cooking classes tours etc. let me have the opportunity to do the planning and helping you enjoy memorable tour that will appeal to your senses and make you feel enriched. thank you with warm regards pushpendra                                                                                                                                  .

Cristian E.

Hello i am cristian, a peruvian official tour guide and i have more than 7 years on tourism industry. i am passionate about history and culture. as a tourism professional, one of my main objectives is to make known the history, customs, and culture of my city. this time, i want to share my knowledge, and passion for my city with you                                                                                                                                  .

Mohamed imlil M.

Hello i'm mohamed. i come from a lovely village called imlil in the atlas mountains. it's where i live and work as a guide. i've been doing this job for over ten years now. i first got interested in nature, different cultures, and mountains when i was 16, thanks to my dad, who was also a guide. what started as a hobby became my job. now, i'm happy to help people explore the beautiful atlas mountains and learn about berber culture. looking forward to meet you"                                                                                                                                  .

With over 12 years of experience leading tours as a certified guide, Tiago offers a one-of-a-kind exploration of Lisbon, Sintra, and beyond. His deep knowledge and passion for his country shine through as he uncovers both renowned landmarks and hidden treasures. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Portugal with Tiago B., your trusted local guide to Lisbon and beyond! Tiago's extensive background in tourism, coupled with his academic achievements, ensures a tour enriched with insights into art, history, music, photography, nature, and surfing – all integral parts of Portugal's vibrant culture. What truly sets Tiago apart is his personalized approach. He expertly tailors each tour to match the interests of every individual or group, guaranteeing a memorable experience for all. From Lisbon's distinct features to its rich history, Tiago's attention to detail ensures nothing goes unnoticed. But more than just a guide, Tiago becomes your local friend and interpreter, helping you navigate the city, plan your itinerary, and maximize your time in Lisbon and beyond. As a certified guide and devoted father, Tiago understands the importance of creating lasting memories during your travels. Discover the essence of Portugal with Tiago B. – your gateway to an enriching and unforgettable adventure!                                                                                                                                  

Popular private tours.

Personalized Tokyo Journey

This is a customized tour that is designed based on your interests. before you book me, let me know about you, your age, things you like, your interests etc.. if there is somewhere you want to visit in the city, or something you want to do, please let me know. let's make your journey memorable one together..

Discover Mexico City with a local (Customizable tour)

Mexico city is one of the most populous but also most interesting cities in the world. it is a place full of attractions for all kinds of people, however, its extension makes it impossible for it to be explored in a short time. on this tour we offer you the possibility to explore in the way you prefer, visiting the places that interest you the most and skipping the ones that do not. for five hours, you can have a unique experience completely personalized and private.

The Catacombs of Paris, guided tour

Skip the line to discover the very unique museum of catacombs of paris, sheltering six million skeletons 60 feet beneath the streets, with a professional tour guide..

Day tour Sakkara, Giza Pyramids & Sphinx

Start your tour by exploring sakkara pyramids: you will see the complex of king djoser " zoser" , it is considered as an important part in the process of the pyramid evolution. pyramid of unas ( mastaba of idout) . serapeum for egyptian god serapis , then lunch time at local and typical restaurant, we proceed to visit the great pyramids of giza. cheops, chephren and mykerinus, then getting close up to the sphinx, get your photo beside it , then back to hotel..

Seoul City Tour + Free photo shooting Service

Seoul has been the capital city of korea since 1392. if you are a traveler who is visiting seoul for the first time, this one-day tour will make you fall in love with the charm of seoul, where the new and old are exquisitely harmonized. you enjoy every moment in seoul, i will capture your moments in photos. [if you request. the itinerary can be changed.] * this itinerary is subject to change at the request of the client..

Walking tour is the best way to explore the Medina of Fes

Lets join us and jump with me in a time machine and travel 1220 years back in history .we invite you to go with us to discover the culture history local lifestyle of fez traditions and the gastronomy of the city we offer to you our experience as well as our services . the visit is complete walking through the narrow streets we will show you all the highlights of the city ..

Expert in Buenos Aires By Car

This tour is ideal for those who want to have a deep understanding of buenos aires. the tour begins in plaza de mayo, where all our history began. after that we will head for one of the most picturesque neighborhoods: la boca, where we’ll visit the colorful caminito and many murals. at las but not least, we visit the recoleta cemetery, which catches the attention of every visitor. and we can’t forget “el ateneo bookstore”, according to the national geographic, the most beautiful in the world.

Hanoi city tour - train street & street food tour

"visit the must-sees and hidden gems of the city - try the best local specialties" if you are finding the best ultimate experiences for your one day in hanoi and you are the big fan of food, my tour is perfectly tailored for you. why must my tour: - visit the highlights of the city - visit the off beaten path - visit the less touristy amazing train street - enjoy the fabulous lunch by different local specialties - enjoy the unique original egg coffee.

New Private Tours

Enjoy Tokyo!

You can find japanese traditional culture during this tour. we have many wonderful things like food, landscape and so on let's enjoy together in tokyo.

Westminster Private Walking Tour with Tower Bridge Entry

Join an expert london guide for a private tour of westminster, discovering the history and legends of this great city. head through green park to buckingham palace, watch the world-famous changing of the guard (certain days only), see downing street, westminster abbey, big ben, the houses of parliament & more then explore the iconic tower bridge stroll along the glass walkway and go down into the engine rooms to see the original steam engines that once powered the raising of tower bridge..

Guided City Tour in Budapest | Explore Heroes Square & Much More

Experience the best of budapest discover iconic landmarks such as heroes square, a symbol of hungarian history and culture, and andrassy avenue, a vibrant boulevard lined with beautiful architecture and trendy shops. the tour also includes a visit to the magnificent buda castle and much much more, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city. you'll gain insights into the city's history, culture, and hidden gems. don't miss this opportunity to explore budapest in a truly authentic way.

Shinobi (ninja) Sakura Stroll: Explore Asakusa and Ueno Blossoms!

In this tour, a ninja will lead you on a captivating journey through the cherry blossoms of asakusa and ueno. in asakusa, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms along nakamise-dori and around senso-ji temple, while in ueno, you can delight in the cherry blossom-lined paths of ueno park. this tour offers a chance to fully experience the beauty and culture of japanese spring..

Shinjuku Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho Bar Hopping Tour

Let's embark on a tour around memory lane in shinjuku, kabukicho, and golden gai, experiencing the essence of japanese culture through the tradition of 'hashigo sake' - hopping from one drinking spot to another.

Let's go to Cairo tower

You can see cairo from the top of the tower. there is a restaurant or cafe at the top of the tower. there is a garden next to the tower. the elevator in the tower is very fast. you can take pictures next to the tower if you do not want to go to the top of the tower..

live a wonderful natural day in Cairo(azhar park)

Azhar park experience natural life in cairo in the largest and most famous parks in cairo. this trip is for people who are looking for nature, tranquility, and photography in green places and peaceful atmosphere..

Try Egyptian food in Cairo

This tour is very interesting will take you to the best places making egyptian food and drinks in cairo ,highly rating and trusted this tour can start any time afternoon until 9pm this tour will be in elkorba (cairo)., popular private cars.

Mt. Fuji private customize tour with luxury van

Our drivers have extensive geographic knowledge of mt. fuji. starting from tokyo, we provide high-end exclusive chartered car reservation services for vips visiting mt. fuji individually or in groups. according to the time and requirements of vips, we provide professional mt. fuji customized tour services, allowing tourists to travel easily and comfortably..

Private Arrival Airport Transfer to Giza or Cairo Hotel

With this private arrival transfer you will save your time, effort and avoid any hassle or trouble dealing and bargaining with cab drivers. no more rip-off or cheats with this punctual, smooth transfer.save time and avoid hassle by pre-booking your transportation between cairo airport and your hotel in cairo or giza. you will need to get your luggages, go through the final security check, and then you will see your driver outside..

Lisbon Half Day Private Tour

Enjoy a spectacular day in lisbon with this 4-hour, private tour that includes the best the city has to offer. with convenient access from hotels or the port, a private guide will work with you to create the ideal itinerary to explore the area. see the historic alfama district, the city’s oldest neighborhood, and take in the incredible views from a castle hilltop. head to the coast of belém to see the unesco-listed jeronimo monastery and taste pastel de nata, portugal’s traditional egg tart.

Transfer to and from Ezeiza

Private car (suran cross wolkswagen). the car is a comfortable suv with 4 comfortable places (one for me as your driver and 3 seats for you). the capacity of the trunk is for 2 suitcases and 2 carry on, if you have more luggage and you are only 2, we can take them with us, in one of the seats. i have professional driver’s license, also special permission for transporting people and the correct insurance. the price is for each way, popular virtual tours.

Zoom- Private live virtual experience in Tokyo

You can enjoy seeing the real time viewing via zoom while hearing interesting story, useful information, meanings of each spot from a professional guide. the guide visits popular spots in asakusa or in akihabara. i've done live zoom tour many times for individual customers and as a company’s event including through other sites since 2020. let's join this popular virtual experience by your self, with your family and friends.

FLOATING TEMPLE - A MUST -SEE IN SAIGON

Floating temple, literally in vietnamese ( mieu noi) located in the middle of vam thuan river, a branch of saigon river in go vap district and is only accessible by boat or by swimming..:) built over 300 years ago, the temple is rumored to have been used to bless fishermen with peace and good fortune before they set sail for the sea. but another one has it that a heartbroken husband built it as a memorial and a token of love for his wife after she died. saigon local guide chau.

Live Virtual Tour Machu Picchu Peru, New Wonder of the World

Explore one of the new 7 wonders of the world, the famous machu picchu, live virtually from its majestic, mountainous setting deep in the high jungle of peru. your dedicated, local guide & archaeologist mike will bring the city of the incas to life for you as you visit the most important areas of this unesco world heritage site together to gain a deeper understanding of the ancient inca civilization’s ingenuity and architecture as well as culture and philosophy..

Flores-Indonesia Tribal Hand-Woven Fabrics

Flores offers unique woven fabrics for textile lovers. women not only continue to make traditional clothes on the back of their loom, but also continue to wear them in their daily lives. there is a wide variety of kaleidoscopic designs - each region has a unique & enchanting textile culture, clothing style & motif. we will explore the extraordinary ancestral traditions from the "bliran sina" cultural arts studio where textiles are the main form of artistic expression, which still plays a central.

Hiroshima Classical Walking Tour

“ A well rounded tour of Hiroshima. ”

Hugh was helpful, talkative and willing to answer questions during his walking tour. He went out of his way to give us food suggestions and even helped us set a reservation for one of the local restaurants. Hugh was knowledgeable as a local resident of the area.If you’re looking for a timely and concise tour, I would recommend.

Jeannette W.

Kyoto-WH-Golden Pavilion, Rock Garden and more - from Osaka

“ Negative experience ”

Hiroyuki is a man of few words. We spent five+ hours and he uttered about 20 sentences. He offered zero information about the city of Kyoto which we visited with him. Next to nothing of the economy, history, arts, etc A few sentences about the Golden Pavilion and the fish market which we visited. Questions were answered with a few words which were difficult to understand. He was on time and helpful to buy the train tickets from Kobe to Kyoto and back. We cut the day short but that had nothing to do with the rainy day that we had. We’ve had many excellent private guides in our past travels.

A day trip to Mt. Fuji area from Shimizu port with options

“ Excellent ”

We got to see more things than the excursion from the cruise. Yasuko was informative and pleasant with a good command of English. We enjoyed our tour and recommend her services. She was on time, organized and had good communication leading up to the booking. We would book with her again.

Full Day Kanazawa highlights in 7 hours

“ Wonderful day with an excellent guide ”

We did a full day tour in Kanawaza with our guide Lucy. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. Our guide was excellent and we had great fun with her. She really cared for our needs and took us around all the main sights. She gave us a real perspective of the city and its people. We definitely recommend her. Gowithguide is also a very good company to deal with.

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How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel

I 've always considered myself a fiercely independent traveler. I've navigated more than 50 countries on my own, and while I have sometimes booked short excursions, usually for a day, it had never occurred to me to book a group tour. That changed when I decided to take two of my children on a family tour with Intrepid Travel . 

I had planned on spending our winter break in the Middle East but changed my mind at the last minute due to safety concerns . Because of the abrupt change, I knew I wouldn't have time to plan an itinerary, book hotels and arrange transportation before our departure date. However, I didn’t want to let that stop me from having an adventure. I'm glad I took a chance on a group tour because it changed the way I travel. Here's how.

BEST OF THE BEST: 15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours

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The trip planning was stress-free

I spent a little time comparing tour companies but quickly honed in on Intrepid. The company offers a variety of itineraries for families at different price points, and a few of my friends had been on its tours and had a good experience. I also liked that Intrepid offers specialized tours for different types of travelers, including family tours . 

At first I planned on an "original" style family tour but upgraded to a "comfort" tour, which included more activities and meals along with upgraded accommodations. Although it cost more, the company's 10-day Morocco Family Holiday tour was still within my budget and looked like a good value. 

BEFORE YOU GO: The 5 most important questions to ask yourself before booking a tour  

Once I committed to a tour, my planning was essentially done. That was a huge relief. I normally spend hours searching for hotels , figuring out some must-do activities in every location along with some off-the-beaten-track attractions, researching transportation options, and gathering restaurant recommendations. Although I often find it's fun, it’s also time-consuming and can become draining for trips that involve several stops.

Even though a group tour was not exactly what I would have planned on my own, Intrepid's Morocco itinerary was fairly close. I thought giving up some control was well worth the trade-off of not having to do all the planning on my own. Because Intrepid uses local teams based at its tour destinations to plan trips, I also hoped having a local involved would bring me to places I never would have found on my own. 

SAVE MONEY: Kids stay free at these 10 all-inclusive family resorts

Instead of reading hotel reviews and booking entry tickets, I spent the weeks leading up to my family vacation learning more about Moroccan culture. I knew this would enrich my experience more than figuring out all of the details for a trip abroad to run smoothly. I'm usually a mix of excited and stressed in the week or two leading up to a big trip. This time I was mostly excited, and my stress was at a minimum. 

Though I won’t stick exclusively to group tours in the future, this trip taught me to not sweat the small stuff so much. I don’t need to spend so much time finding the perfect hotel or restaurant to have a great trip.

Group trips are fantastic for solo travelers and parents traveling on their own

Before I had a family, I often traveled on my own. Though I enjoyed solo travel , it was lonely at times, even more so when I stopped staying at youth hostels and lost access to the fantastic communities they provide. Now I frequently travel with my two younger children. They are fantastic travel companions, but on longer trips I sometimes find myself longing for adult interaction or an extra pair of hands. Additionally, even though my kids usually get along well, they sometimes get sick of each other in the absence of any other playmates. 

TRAVEL WITH TEENS: 10 best vacation ideas for families with teenagers

On my Intrepid trip, I had other adults to talk to throughout the day. That was a refreshing change from my usual experience of going a week or more without speaking to another adult for more than five minutes, usually for transactional matters like checking into a hotel. My kids also quickly made friends with the other children on the trip. Not surprisingly, all of the families on the trip had similar interests and an adventurous spirit. My children and I were the only Americans in the group, and it was interesting learning more about life in New Zealand, Canada and Australia from the other families.

The parents in the group quickly started leaning on one another for support. One mom, also traveling alone with her children, asked me to take one of her daughters on an outing so she could get some one-on-one time with her other child. I asked a different mom to keep an eye on my son while I packed our things for the next day. It was nice not feeling as if I was on my own. 

UNIQUE TRIPS: Hate bus tours? These 7 unique guided tours were made for you

This "it takes a village" spirit is something I want to bring with me in my future travels. Although it’s not possible to replicate the experience of traveling with other families, it is possible to seek out connections away from home. For example, on a recent trip, my son wanted to play soccer with local children who lived near our hotel. Instead of rushing him away so we could squeeze in another activity, I let him play. He wound up meeting up with the other kids every night we were there, sharing candy and communicating with an app. The nights playing soccer were a highlight of that trip for him and something I probably would not have let him do before my experience with a group tour.  

I appreciated a slower pace

I have serious FOMO and often pack too much into my days when I travel. When I first reviewed the itinerary, I noted right away that it had downtime and even an entire free afternoon built into the trip. Though I know many people enjoy that balance, I was worried I would feel bored and come away feeling as if I had traveled halfway around the world and missed seeing all there is to do. 

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The reality is it’s impossible to do everything. Trying is exhausting and impossible. There is always something left on the to-do list at the end of the trip. It was refreshing to go into a trip not trying to see an entire country in two weeks and being OK with that from the outset. 

Though there were a couple of other things I would have liked to have squeezed in, I was very happy with the balance of activities and downtime. Other than all-inclusive family vacations and trips to family resorts , I normally don’t schedule time to just relax while I am traveling. It was really nice to have time to read and play UNO with my kids. I also liked that Intrepid had a couple of optional activities for those of us who didn’t want quite as much downtime as others. 

MONEY MATTERS: How much should you tip on a guided tour? All your gratuity questions answered  

I do still feel pressure to see and do everything when I travel, but going on a group trip helped me see the value in traveling at a slower pace. Some of my favorite moments from my Intrepid trip happened during scheduled downtime; they gave me and my children time to just enjoy being with one another without the pressures of work and school. It’s a lesson I’ve tried to carry with me as I’ve planned future trips. 

Learning from a local is invaluable 

One reason I chose Intrepid is the company uses all local guides, and most tours use the same guide throughout the trip. It may sound obvious that learning from locals is the best way to get to know a country, but I had underestimated just how valuable traveling with a local guide would be. 

TOUR REVIEW: Adventures by Disney’s South Africa tour is a lesson in culture, history, and beauty  

I learned much about Moroccan culture through our tour guide, who was always willing to answer questions about his life and traditions. He even brought us to his family home to meet his parents and niece, which was a very special experience. Aside from being able to share the history of everywhere we visited, I also liked that our guide warned us about scams to watch out for, shared the tipping culture and gave advice on bargaining. He was also helpful when it came to practical matters like finding an ATM.  

For future trips, I will be more open to taking guided tours with local guides, even if it’s just for a few hours. I will also make it a point to try to talk to more locals, as long as I can do so without bothering them too much. 

Even though it wasn’t what I had originally planned, not only did I have a great experience on my trip with Intrepid, it has also forever changed the way I plan to travel.

How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .

More from TourScoop:

• 9 best travel companies that specialize in women-only tours
• 8 best senior travel tour companies
• 4 great tour companies with independent tours

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we review and select family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel

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• Travel Guide

How Much Should I Tip A Tour Guide

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Raf Marchand

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

When embarking on a guided adventure, whether it’s a hike through the rainforest, a historical tour of ancient ruins, or a safari through the savannah, it’s customary to show appreciation to the tour guide who enhances the experience. However, many travelers often find themselves unsure of how much they should tip their tour guide.

While there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to tipping, there are several factors to consider when determining an appropriate amount. In this article, we will explore these factors and provide some guidance on how to make a fair and reasonable decision. Keep in mind that tipping customs can vary across different countries and regions, so it’s important to take cultural norms into account as well.

Before delving into the specifics of tipping, it’s important to understand the crucial role that a tour guide plays. Tour guides are not only knowledgeable about the destinations they lead tours in, but they are also responsible for ensuring the safety and enjoyment of their guests. They often go above and beyond to provide insightful commentary, answer questions, and create a memorable experience for everyone involved.

When considering how much to tip your tour guide, it’s helpful to know industry standards and recommendations. In some countries, tipping tour guides is a common practice, while in others, it may not be as prevalent. Researching the tipping customs of your destination before you embark on your adventure can provide valuable guidance.

However, keep in mind that there can be regional differences within a country as well. Urban areas may have different tipping norms compared to rural or less touristy regions. Consulting local travel forums or seeking advice from travel experts can offer insight into the appropriate tipping practices of specific areas.

The size of your tour group and the duration of the tour can also influence your tipping decision. If you are part of a small group or a private tour, the guide’s attention may be more personalized, warranting a higher tip. Conversely, if you are part of a large group, individual attention may be limited, and the tip amount can be adjusted accordingly.

Aside from the group size, the quality of service provided by the tour guide should be taken into consideration. Did they go above and beyond to make your experience enjoyable? Did they demonstrate exceptional knowledge and enthusiasm? Consider these factors when determining a tip amount, as a truly exceptional guide may merit a more generous tip.

Factors to Consider

When deciding how much to tip your tour guide, there are several factors to take into account:

• The quality of service: Consider how knowledgeable, engaging, and accommodating your tour guide was throughout the experience. Did they provide interesting and relevant information? Did they handle any issues or challenges with professionalism and grace? A guide who goes above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction may warrant a higher tip.
• The duration of the tour: If your tour lasted several hours or even days, it’s important to factor in the length of time the guide dedicated to making your experience enjoyable. A longer tour may require more effort and energy from the guide, which could influence your tip amount.
• The difficulty or specialized nature of the tour: Some tours may involve more physical exertion, such as hiking or climbing. Others may require specialized knowledge, such as a photography tour or birdwatching expedition. If your guide had to navigate challenging terrain or provide expert insights, it may be appropriate to consider a higher tip.
• The level of personalization: If your tour was personalized or customized to your interests and preferences, it indicates that the guide put in extra effort to cater to your needs. In such cases, a higher tip could be considered to show appreciation for the personalized attention.
• The size of the tour group: If you were part of a large group, the guide may have had to manage a larger number of people and may not have been able to provide as much individual attention. In such cases, a smaller tip may be reasonable.
• Cultural norms and local customs: It’s important to be mindful of the tipping customs in the country or region you are visiting. Some cultures have different perspectives on tipping, and it’s essential to respect and follow their customs.
• Your budget and financial ability: Ultimately, you should consider your personal financial situation and the overall budget of your trip. While it’s important to show appreciation to your guide, it’s equally important to ensure that your tipping amount is within your means.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about how much to tip your tour guide. Remember, tipping is a gesture of appreciation for the service provided, and even a modest tip can go a long way in showing your gratitude.

Understanding the Role of a Tour Guide

A tour guide plays a vital role in enhancing your travel experience by providing valuable insights, historical context, and expert guidance. They are not simply there to lead you from one point of interest to another; they are storytellers, cultural ambassadors, and facilitators of unforgettable memories.

One of the primary responsibilities of a tour guide is to share their knowledge and expertise about the destination. They are well-versed in the history, culture, and significance of the places they guide you through. With their in-depth understanding, they can bring the landmarks, monuments, and natural wonders to life, enriching your understanding and appreciation of the surroundings.

Beyond their extensive knowledge, tour guides also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They are skilled in engaging their audience, adapting their style to suit different groups, and creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Their ability to connect with travelers and establish a rapport contributes to a more enjoyable and immersive experience.

Furthermore, tour guides are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of their guests. They are trained to handle emergency situations, navigate challenging terrain, and provide assistance when needed. Whether it’s helping you navigate a crowded marketplace or offering helpful tips on local customs and etiquette, they are there to make your journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Another aspect of a tour guide’s role is to act as a cultural ambassador. They introduce you to the customs, traditions, and local way of life, offering insights that go beyond what can be found in guidebooks or online. They may also facilitate interactions with locals, giving you a glimpse into the daily lives of the community you are visiting. This cultural exchange can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination.

A tour guide’s enthusiasm and passion for their work are contagious. Their love for the destination and their genuine excitement in sharing it with others can greatly enhance your overall experience. They may have anecdotal stories, insider tips, or lesser-known facts that can add depth and interest to your journey.

With their vast expertise, interpersonal skills, and passion for their work, tour guides contribute significantly to the success of your adventure. Recognizing and appreciating their role can help you understand the value they bring and guide you in determining an appropriate tip amount.

Industry Standards and Recommendations

While there is no universal standard for tipping tour guides, there are some general recommendations and industry standards that can serve as a helpful guideline. Keep in mind that these recommendations may vary depending on the country or region you are visiting, so it’s important to research the specific customs of your destination.

In many countries, it is customary to tip tour guides as a token of appreciation for their service. The typical range for tipping tour guides is around 10-20% of the total cost of the tour. However, this percentage can be adjusted based on various factors, such as the duration of the tour, the quality of service provided, and the overall cost of the experience.

Sometimes, tour companies include a recommended tip amount in their literature or inform you of the tipping expectations at the beginning of the tour. These recommendations can be a helpful starting point, but it’s important to consider your own experience and the factors mentioned earlier to determine an appropriate tip.

If you are unsure about the tipping customs of a particular country, it’s advisable to consult travel guides, websites, or forums to gather information. Many travel resources provide country-specific information on tipping norms and etiquette.

It’s important to note that some countries or regions may have different cultural norms when it comes to tipping. For example, in some Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, tipping is not commonly practiced and may even be considered rude. In these cases, it is best to follow the local customs and not feel obligated to tip.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that some countries have laws or regulations that prohibit or discourage tipping. Be sure to familiarize yourself with any local laws or regulations related to tipping to avoid any unintended consequences.

Overall, it is advisable to use the industry standards and recommendations as a starting point and then consider the specific circumstances of your tour, the quality of service provided, and the local customs to determine an appropriate tip amount. Tipping is a way to show appreciation, and even a modest amount can be a meaningful gesture that recognizes and rewards your tour guide’s efforts.

Regional Differences

When it comes to tipping tour guides, it’s crucial to recognize that regional differences can greatly influence tipping customs. Tipping practices can vary significantly from one country to another, and even within a country, there may be variations based on the region or cultural norms.

In some parts of the world, such as the United States or Canada, tipping tour guides is expected and considered standard practice. In these countries, a common guideline is to tip around 15-20% of the total cost of the tour. However, it’s important to note that these percentages can vary based on the duration and complexity of the tour, as well as the quality of service provided.

On the other hand, in many European countries, tipping tour guides is not as prevalent or expected. In some cases, service charges may already be included in the tour price, eliminating the need for additional tipping. However, if you feel that your guide has provided exceptional service, a small token of appreciation is still appreciated. It’s best to research the specific customs of the country you are visiting to ensure that you are following the appropriate etiquette.

In Asian countries, tipping practices can vary significantly. For instance, in Japan and South Korea, tipping is not commonly practiced and may even be seen as impolite. In contrast, in countries like Thailand and Indonesia, tipping tour guides is appreciated and considered customary. It’s advisable to research the specific customs of each Asian country you visit to understand the appropriate tipping practices.

In Latin American countries, tipping tour guides is generally expected, but the percentages may vary. In countries like Mexico and Costa Rica, it is customary to tip around 10-15% of the tour cost, while in Brazil, a lower percentage of around 5-10% is common. Again, it’s important to research the tipping customs of the specific country you are visiting to ensure that you are following the local practices.

It’s worth mentioning that these are just a few examples, and tipping customs can differ significantly even within regions. For example, tipping practices in urban areas may differ from rural or less touristy regions. Consulting travel forums, checking reliable travel resources, or seeking advice from local experts can provide valuable insights into the tipping customs of specific areas.

Ultimately, being aware of and respecting regional differences is key when tipping tour guides. By familiarizing yourself with the tipping customs of your destination, you can ensure that your tip is appropriate and well-received, reflecting your appreciation for the services provided.

Group Size and Duration of the Tour

When deciding how much to tip your tour guide, it’s important to consider the group size and the duration of the tour. These factors can significantly impact the amount of effort and attention the tour guide needs to give to ensure a memorable experience for everyone.

If you are part of a large group, it’s important to recognize that the tour guide may have to manage more individuals and provide general information to the entire group. In such cases, it may be more challenging for the guide to provide personalized attention to each guest. While the quality of service should always be taken into consideration, it may be reasonable to adjust the tip amount slightly lower in recognition of the larger group size.

Conversely, if you are part of a small group or a private tour, the tour guide may be able to provide a more personalized experience. With a smaller group, the guide can offer individualized attention, answer specific questions, and tailor the tour based on the interests and preferences of the guests. In such cases, it may be appropriate to consider a higher tip amount in appreciation of the enhanced experience and dedicated attention provided.

The duration of the tour is another important factor to consider when determining the tip amount. If you are embarking on a multi-day or extended tour, the tour guide’s commitment and dedication to ensuring your satisfaction may be even greater. Leading a tour for an extended period of time requires additional energy, effort, and expertise from the guide. In such cases, it is reasonable to consider a higher tip amount to recognize the additional work put into making your experience enjoyable throughout the extended duration.

However, it’s important not to solely base your tip amount on the duration of the tour. The quality of service should always be a primary consideration. A shorter tour with exceptional service and attention to detail may warrant a higher tip than a longer tour where the guide did not meet your expectations.

Overall, both the group size and the duration of the tour play a role in determining an appropriate tip amount. It’s essential to consider these factors along with the quality of service provided when making your decision. Remember, while it’s important to reward exceptional service, it’s also important to be fair and reasonable to your guide based on the circumstances of the tour.

Quality of Service

When tipping a tour guide, one of the most important factors to consider is the quality of service provided. The level of service can greatly influence your overall experience and warrant a higher or lower tip amount.

A tour guide who goes above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction deserves recognition and appreciation. Did they demonstrate exceptional knowledge and expertise about the destinations you visited? Were they engaging and enthusiastic, making the tour informative and enjoyable? Did they show attentiveness to the needs and interests of the group?

If the guide provided exceptional service, such as going out of their way to accommodate requests, providing personalized insights, or showing genuine care for your comfort and enjoyment, it may be appropriate to consider a higher tip amount. Recognizing and rewarding excellent service is a way to show appreciation and incentivize tour guides to continue delivering outstanding experiences.

Conversely, if the tour guide’s service fell short of expectations, it may be appropriate to adjust the tip amount accordingly. Did they lack sufficient knowledge or provide inaccurate information? Were they unresponsive to questions or concerns? Were there any instances of unprofessional behavior?

If you feel that the quality of service did not meet your expectations, it’s reasonable to adjust the tip amount accordingly. However, it’s important to remember that everyone can have an off day, and it’s always a good idea to consider the overall experience and not solely base the tip on isolated incidents.

It’s worth noting that communication plays a significant role in evaluating the quality of service. A good tour guide should have clear and effective communication skills, ensuring that important information is relayed accurately and in an engaging manner. They should be able to answer questions, provide guidance, and address any concerns that arise during the tour.

In the end, tipping based on the quality of service is a way to reward tour guides who excel in their roles and provide exceptional experiences. By recognizing their efforts, you contribute to their professional growth and motivate them to continue delivering outstanding service to future travelers.

Cultural Etiquette

When tipping a tour guide, it’s essential to consider the cultural norms and etiquette of the country or region you are visiting. Tipping customs can vary significantly across different cultures, and it’s important to respect and adhere to these practices.

In some countries, tipping may not be expected or may even be considered inappropriate. For example, in Japan, tipping is not a common practice and can be seen as an affront to the service provided. Instead, focusing on expressing gratitude and appreciation verbally or with a small gift is more appropriate in Japanese culture.

On the other hand, in countries like the United States or Canada, tipping is a customary practice, and service industry workers rely on tips as a significant portion of their income. Failing to tip appropriately in these countries may be considered rude or disrespectful.

It’s crucial to research and understand the tipping customs of the specific country you are visiting. Consult reputable travel guides, websites, or local resources to gather information on how tipping is commonly practiced and what is considered an appropriate tip amount.

Additionally, cultural etiquette goes beyond tipping. Being mindful of cultural norms and customs during the tour is important to ensure that you are respectful and sensitive to the local culture. This includes being punctual, dressing appropriately for religious or cultural sites, and refraining from any actions or behaviors that may be considered disrespectful or inappropriate.

If you are unsure about the cultural etiquette of a particular country, it’s always a good idea to observe and follow the lead of the locals or seek guidance from your tour guide. They are knowledgeable about the local customs and can provide valuable insight on how to navigate cultural nuances.

By adhering to cultural etiquette, you show respect for the local culture and contribute to a positive interaction between yourself and the people of the destination. This extends to tipping, where adhering to the appropriate customs ensures that your token of appreciation and gratitude is received and understood in the right way.

Remember, cultural norms and etiquette can vary greatly from one country to another, so it’s important to approach each destination with an open mind and willingness to adapt to local customs.

Personal Budget and Financial Ability

When deciding how much to tip your tour guide, it’s important to consider your personal budget and financial ability. While it’s important to show appreciation for the service provided, it’s equally important to ensure that the tip amount is within your means.

It’s essential to set a realistic budget for your trip, including all expenses such as accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities. Tipping should be factored into this budget as well.

If you have limited financial resources, it’s perfectly acceptable to offer a modest tip. Remember, tipping is a gesture of gratitude, and even a small amount can still convey your appreciation for the tour guide’s efforts.

On the other hand, if you have the financial means, you may choose to offer a more generous tip to show extra appreciation for exceptional service or to demonstrate your satisfaction with the overall tour experience.

It’s important to strike a balance between showing appreciation for the service provided and being mindful of your own financial circumstances. You should never feel obligated to tip beyond what you can comfortably afford.

In some cases, if your budget is tight or if tipping is not customary in the country or region you are visiting, there are alternative ways to express gratitude. These can include writing a positive review, providing a testimonial, or recommending the tour guide to friends or fellow travelers.

Ultimately, tipping should be a voluntary and discretionary decision based on your personal financial ability and the quality of service provided. It’s important to be honest with yourself about what you can afford and to tip accordingly.

Remember that tour guides understand that tipping customs can vary, and they appreciate any gesture of gratitude, big or small. It’s the thought and appreciation behind the tip that counts.

By considering your personal budget and financial ability, you can make a tip that is meaningful and appropriate for you while still recognizing the efforts of your tour guide.

Alternative Ways to Show Appreciation

While tipping is a common way to show appreciation to tour guides, it’s important to note that it may not always be the most practical or appropriate option. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to express your gratitude and acknowledge the excellent service provided by your tour guide.

1. Write a positive review: Taking the time to write a glowing review of your tour guide’s services can go a long way in showing appreciation. Share your positive experience on travel websites, social media platforms, or directly to the tour company. This not only helps the tour guide in terms of recognition and future bookings but also provides valuable information for other travelers.

2. Provide a testimonial: If you had an exceptional experience with a tour guide, offer to provide a testimonial that they can use on their website or promotional materials. Your positive feedback can serve as a powerful endorsement and help boost their reputation.

3. Refer others: If you were thoroughly impressed with your tour guide, recommend them to friends, family, and fellow travelers who are planning a trip to the same destination. Word-of-mouth recommendations can make a significant impact and bring more business to the guide.

4. Offer feedback: Provide constructive feedback to the tour guide or the tour company. Let them know what you appreciated about their service and any areas where they could improve. This feedback can help them refine their services and deliver an even better experience to future travelers.

5. Show genuine interest: Engage with your tour guide during the tour by asking questions, showing curiosity, and demonstrating a genuine interest in the destination and its culture. A shared enthusiasm can make the experience more enjoyable for both you and the guide.

6. Respect the local culture: One of the best ways to show appreciation to your tour guide is by demonstrating respect for the local culture. Follow their guidance on appropriate behavior and cultural customs. Be open-minded, tolerant, and receptive to new experiences.

Remember that tour guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge and ensuring that you have an incredible experience. By expressing your appreciation in any of these alternative ways, you are not only recognizing their efforts but also contributing to their professional growth and success within the industry.

While these alternative methods may not provide immediate financial gratification, they are valuable ways to express gratitude and make a lasting impact on the tour guide’s career. So, even if tipping is not feasible or customary, there are many other meaningful ways to show appreciation and leave a positive impression on your tour guide.

Tipping tour guides is a way to show appreciation for the invaluable service they provide during your adventures. While there is no fixed rule for how much to tip, considering various factors can help you determine an appropriate amount. Factors such as the quality of service, group size, duration of the tour, and cultural norms should all be taken into account when making your decision.

Understanding the role of a tour guide and recognizing their efforts to enhance your experience is crucial in determining a fair tip. They go beyond simply guiding you through destinations, often serving as storytellers, cultural ambassadors, and facilitators of unforgettable memories.

Respecting regional differences and cultural etiquette is also vital when tipping. Tipping practices can vary significantly from one country to another, and it’s important to research and follow the local customs to ensure that your generosity is well-received.

While tipping is a traditional method of showing appreciation, it’s important to remember that there are alternative ways to recognize the exceptional service of tour guides. Writing positive reviews, providing testimonials, referring others, offering feedback, and demonstrating genuine interest in the local culture are all valuable ways to express gratitude.

Ultimately, it’s important to consider your personal budget and financial ability when deciding on a tip. It’s the thought and appreciation behind the tip that counts, and even a modest amount can convey your gratitude for a memorable adventure.

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Angkor Wat's best tour guide and... - Angkor Best Tour

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Art is the best guide in Siem Reap. He knows the best way to take you through all the temples... read more

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Angkor Wat's best tour guide and photographer

Art is not only an amazing tour guide who speaks several languages fluently including English, he is an amazing photographer and encyclopedia of knowledge. The photographs not only featured Angkor Wat in all it's glory but us tourists as well in spectacular poses that we could never have thought of ourselves. So clever the way he captured reflection, light, history, architecture and our adventure all rolled up together. No need to pay for someone else to take your professional pictures.

Art is the best guide in Siem Reap. He knows the best way to take you through all the temples without getting stuck in the big crowds. He is beyond knowledgeable on the history of all the temples and is so friendly. He also has cold water and cool cloths to recharge you after each temple visit. If you visit Siem Reap, Art must be your guide. You will not regret the experience.

I spend 3 hours with Sam Art in Ankor Vat. I was in this area 2 times before. But Sam Art gave me so many new informations about the temple. His english is good and we had a good time together. He is the best guide on my trip right now. All the best from me. Holger from Germany

I had a wonderful day tour of the main temples with Mr Art and Thearo. I was shown all kinds of details I would have otherwise missed, and have a much greater appreciation for the temples. Mr Art knows all the great spots for photos, and is a master of creative panoramas! All in all it was an informative and enjoyable day and I would happily recommend this tour.