The novice traveler visiting a foreign country for the first time may face apprehension in knowing where to start in terms of planning, and even a seasoned traveler may find himself lost among the blogs and travel sites that recommend what to see and do. Booking a private tour can be one of the best ways to see the highlights without having to worry about the logistics. When researching such tours in foreign lands, here are a few tips to follow for the best experience.
Schedule the start of the tour shortly after you arrive. You may need some time to recoup after a long flight, but getting right into the swing of activity can actually help you combat jet lag. What’s more, if you’ve planned a few days of private time at the end of your trip, you can use your tour guide as a resource to help you decide where to go and what to see.
Opt for a smaller tour. Most private tours cost a pretty penny, so maximize your guide’s attention and information by booking a smaller tour with fewer people.
If the site doesn’t have reviews, head over to TripAdvisor. Some tour sites may not display reviews, which could be for a multitude of reasons. Do a separate search for the tour company on TripAdvisor to see what past tripgoers said.
Create a spreadsheet. When researching more than a few companies, it can get confusing to keep track of who you’ve talked to, what info you have, what info you’re waiting for, etc. Google Sheets or good old Excel can help you stay on top of your communication and make a better decision when it’s time to book.
Read This Next
“Live Like a Local” Experiences
Top Trends
Dec 11, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Apr 25, 2024Celebrate May at Memphis in May International Festival
With May around the corner, it's time to put some last-minute, can’t-miss activities on your radar. Memphis, Tennessee, “Home of the Blues,” is set to host its annual Memphis in May International Festival, featuring the first-ever RiverBeat Music Festival, World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest, a marathon along the Mississippi River and more.
Sponsored Content
Greece: A Life-Changing Experience
Experience the life-changing destination of Greece by exploring its island gems in the Ionian Sea. Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece, to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.
Hotel
Apr 25, 2024JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi Opens
JW Marriott’s second property in Kenya recently opened: JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi stands as the tallest hotel in the country at 35 stories. Located in the Westlands commercial district, JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi boasts 315 guestrooms, several dining destinations, a Spa by JW, a swimming pool, a fitness center and eight event spaces. A sky bar and lounge, as well as 51 serviced apartments, will open later this year.
Destinations / North America
Apr 24, 2024How to See the Northern Lights in Alberta, Canada, This Year
You may have heard 2024 is going to be one of the best years to see the northern lights and, if you’re interested in experiencing this phenomenon for yourself, you likely have been thinking about making the trip to Iceland or Scandinavia — notable destinations for northern lights viewing. However, you don’t have to leave North America to take in the Aurora Borealis. Alberta offers plenty of spots and ways to see the northern lights.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Trends
Apr 24, 2024This Internship Has You Cuddling Cows
Harvest Hosts, a membership program offering RVers access to more than 5,000 unique camping locations, recently announced the launch of its Cow Cuddling internship program for the summer. The internship offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for people to immerse themselves in the therapeutic practice of cuddling with cows while contributing to their well-being.
ShareThis