Inspiration

In their own words, why our guests choose guided tours over independent travel

Recently updated on August 14th, 2023 at 04:46 pm

Travel with Trafalgar is a completely unique experience that you only truly understand the value of, once you’ve done it for yourself. We’re proud to be the world’s most loved and awarded guided touring company, and we’re even prouder of the fact that so many of our guests choose to travel with us time and time again.

But why do travellers choose to travel with us, and choose guided tours over travelling independently? Well, rather than us telling you, we asked our community to let us know just why they would choose guided touring time, and time again. Here’s what they had to say, in their own words…

1 – The stories you’re told

“A good guide not only tells you the history of a place but weaves a story that ties the whole trip together” – Ray Moore

Trafalgar tour guide speaking to a group

2 – All your questions, answered

“I love that Trafalgar Travel Directors and Local Guides are so knowledgeable about the destinations. Even when they don’t have a ready answer, they’ll make the effort to find out!” – Susah Toh

3 – Seeing the world with fresh eyes

“We love seeing the world from many different angles. Travel Directors offer these angles plus their knowledge and love of each place.” – Jennifer Phair

4 – Everything you learn

“We have been on three Trafalgar tours now, all with very different Travel Directors. All were amazing, passionate and knowledgeable about the destinations we visited. This is the reason we enjoy touring – we learn so much more than when we travel on our own. My husband loves history, so touring has been wonderful for absorbing all the history that Europe has to offer.” – Joy Young

A local Peruvian woman blessing a guest

5 – Worry-free travel

“From picking you up at the airport to never having to drag a suitcase from the bus, to teaching you about the local culture before you arrive and no line-ups waiting to get in anywhere” – Heather Clark

RELATED CONTENT: Why more people are choosing to travel with us as private group tours

6 – Easy solo travel

“I travel on my own so it’s nice to know you can spend months reading the brochures to decide which tour you want and then once booked, knowing you just have to turn up and enjoy – everything is done for you. The Travel Directors are second to none, the coach drivers are superb and you always feel safe. Friends have asked how I do it all on my own, but my answer is that I am only on my own until the tour starts, and then I have a coach load of new friends!” – Tracey Dollman

group of friends eating dinner on a trafalgar private group tour

7 – No hard work

“Tour companies have picked out all the best bits for you! Having someone else do all the hard work for you is so convenient! You can get easy advice on local currency and you don’t have to worry about taking the wrong route” – Janet Green

RELATED CONTENT: Planning for large family holidays? These are our top tour recommendations

8 – …Everything!

“My favorite thing about guided touring is just about everything! All of the planning and arrangements are done for us, which eliminates stress and allows me to relax. Experienced Travel Directors and local specialists ensure an amazing experience and plenty of hidden gems. With Trafalgar my family has had some incredible adventures that would not have been possible if we were traveling on our own! How does a private cruise down the Danube with delicious food sound? Early entrance to attractions before the crowds? Private pub experiences with entertainment just for your group? I could go on and on!” – Laurie Dossett

RELATED CONTENT: Now you know why our guests are choosing guided tours, why not see where they’re heading? 

Why do you prefer guided tours over travelling independently? Let us know in the comments…

  • Anonymous says:

    I love traveling with Trafalgar, everything is orchestrated perfectly. I’ve been traveling solo for year’s and I love making new friends each trip.

    1. Photo of Ginny standing in front of a flower stool in a cobbled city market square Ginny Smith says:

      Great to hear and thanks for the wonderful feedback!

  • Anonymous says:

    We found that Trafalgar to be everything they claim to be……..They are the best way to tour Europe and beyond…….BOOK A TOUR…….YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID!!!!

    1. Photo of Ginny standing in front of a flower stool in a cobbled city market square Ginny Smith says:

      Thank you for these kind words, we hope to see you back travelling with us again one day soon 🙂

  • Anonymous says:

    i CHOOSE TO TRAVEL SOLO. However that means between my Trafalgar tours by coach, cant wait to see more of Eastern Europe Germany, return to Austria, Italy , Croatia and the islands of Canada and so on. I would not travel any other way apart from the occasional small group trips which Ive enjoyed in Italy both North and South where I can come and go as I please within reason. Trafalgar have the best, most experienced tour guides of any company who know the countries best attractions and easy ways to access those attractions for us such as the Plitvice National Park and waterfalls in Croatia, I need to return there and have a full day exploring. You are simply the best Trafalgar tours

    1. Photo of Ginny standing in front of a flower stool in a cobbled city market square Ginny Smith says:

      Thanks for the great feedback, we hope to see you again one day soon!

  • Anonymous says:

    Price and time…there’s no way a family could do the same trips for the same cost or in the same time frame. There’s plenty of room for independent travel within the tours, if you use free day’s downtime to your own preferences. And having gained knowledge, you can always go back after the tour to the places that particularly interest you – we always leave some days before and after the tour to take advantage of already being there, yet another benefit! You can’t really put a price on local knowledge and convenience of bus travel/organised venue entry/bookings organised by NOT ME…and to add to that you are sharing Trafalgar’s buying power…bargain!

    1. Photo of Ginny standing in front of a flower stool in a cobbled city market square Ginny Smith says:

      Thanks for the incredible feedback!

  • Anonymous says:

    Best part about guided tours is not waiting in long lines at famous places.

  • www.kilometerone.travel says:

    Great piece. After 40 years of both independent and group travel, I have to say that I always get better value with these types of group experiences. That’s not to say that independent travel is not valuable, especially if you are returning to a known destination. But in general, I really lean towards the Trafalgar model. `

    1. Anonymous says:

      I love travelling with Trafalgar.just can’t wait that the sky will be open.my best tours were with trafalgar.

      1. Photo of Ginny standing in front of a flower stool in a cobbled city market square Ginny Smith says:

        We love to hear this 🙂

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