Use a tour group or do it yourself?

I get this question a lot. Should I take a tour, or should I just do it by myself? Well, that's a tricky one since there are so many factors involved.

First, how long a vacation do you have? Some tours pack so much into one go, that you get to see so many things, but in a flash of an eye. If you are just there to see the sights and move on, well, you are in luck, many tours offer this. But if you prefer to linger and take your time, then, I am guessing you would not like to be rushed to get back on that tour bus while you keep your travel companions waiting.

Is one cheaper over the other? Well, yes and no. I've done both, and somehow, they come out almost the same. Since I always go for the cheaper alternative in all my travels, I search for the budget tours, the budget accommodation, etc. The good side to budget tours is sometimes, they get really good deals on nice hotels, but are just too far away from the city center. But don't fret, if the city has a good public transportation system, then, I feel this is not going to be a hindrance. The tour will often give you a list of their hotels, so you can always do a bit of research and find out a bit about your accommodations before booking. Aside from having big discount on hotels, tours have good deals on airfare, entrance fees and guides. If you do things on your own, the chances of getting a group rate will be not as good if you are just a few traveling together.

Do you get to see more in tours? Fortunately, many tour operators have an idea what their customers want to see and what are the main attractions of each destination, so you will have a good chance of seeing most of the tourist spots. The downside? You may not have a true "local" experience since there will hardly be enough time for this.

So my suggestion would be, first pick the places you want to see and study the possibilities, if you can do things on your own or not. If you feel you don't want to be bothered by the details of planning a trip, then, let someone do that for you. That is what travel agents are for, right?

Happy travels!

Trains, Planes and Autobuses

With the advent of many budget airlines, the prices for economic travel has come to new heights, or should I say, new lows. At times, it seems cheaper to fly, at times, the train would be the best way to go. Of course, there are things to consider as well, like delays due to bad weather (and even lately, volcano eruptions). But whatever the case may be, it is always good to check ahead on travel conditions in your area before deciding what to take. Usually, for me, when it is a long distance travel, air is the way to go. For medium distances, the train and for short distances, the bus. Is it cheaper to book ahead? Most cases, yes, it is cheaper, unless they have those last minute deals. I normally would like to have a back up plan whenever I travel, and I found out, the best way to do so, is to not cram too many itineraries in one city. The more flexible an itinerary I have, the better are the chances I can re-adjust my plans if something does come up.

Just a thought, in case you may consider it.

Location, Location, is it all about location?

If you plan to visit a city, do you ever consider what part of the city you want to stay in? Or maybe, you don't really care because cabs are everywhere. Well, a person like me, who prefers to walk or take public transportation (at any time of the day), always thinks of the most ideal location, with respect to what I think is important. What would those be? Well, proximity to a bus stop or subway station, for one. Safety is another. The noise factor (is it near a busy street) and will there be drunken people, loud disco bars and even sirens sounding off all night? Oh yeah, and is there access to food and water in the middle of the night? If not, stock up on those if you don't want to brave the streets after midnight.

Most big cities have good areas and bad areas, so they say. But surprisingly, I've noticed, it just takes one wrong turn to end up in a bad part of town. But if you decide on where you wish to stay, read up on the area before finalizing your accommodations. It just takes a few hours to ensure your stay will be a memorable one. A really good one, at that.