From bigger savings to insider tips, a guided tour offers countless benefits to travellers.
Booking a place on a guided tour can save you extra stress without missing out on bucket-list experiences. From effortless travel through Southeast Asia to exclusive safari game drives, a guided tour is the easiest way to guarantee a great trip, no matter the destination. Read on to discover the top eight benefits of booking a guided tour.
1. Expert time management makes every moment count
It can be overwhelming narrowing down your must-see sights and deal-breaking destinations. By leaving it to the pros, you can rest assured you’ll tick off all the highlights without running yourself ragged.
It’s easy to underestimate how much time is required while travelling: good tour expertly manages the ebb and flow of your journey to guarantee you spend enough time at all the right spots. Cruise the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay with time to dine on royal Hue cuisine in Vietnam, avoid losing time by travelling from the Taj Mahal to the leopard homelands of Ranthambore on a luxury Decan Odyssey railway journey, or spend every evening seeking the awe-inspiring aurora borealis on a winter adventure across Finland and Norway. If you’ve got a lot of sights to see – and not a lot of time – a well-thought-out, locally designed itinerary goes from ‘nice-to-have' to necessary.
2. Stress-free travel makes it easy to cover more ground
Some people love to lose hours planning the perfect trip, poring over every aspect from check-in times to must-see sights and the best transport options to get from A to B. But let’s be honest: most of us just want to get to the adventure. On a guided tour, the details for all your internal travel are taken care of before you arrive, leaving you more time to enjoy the ride as you travel far and wide. Solo travellers: you can rest assured you’re in safe hands, spending your energy connecting with fellow globe-hoppers over your unforgettable adventures.
With your transport and accommodation organised, you can put your energy into climbing the steps of stunning Sigiriya Rock Fortress or set your sights on a traditional Kyrgyz eagle-hunting demonstration on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
3. Savvy locals make exploring far-flung destinations a breeze
In the farthest corners of the globe lie the most thrilling treasures of all, but getting there can be a challenge. On a well-planned tour, there’s no reason to miss out on those hard-to-reach wonders. Avoid getting stuck in the logistical labyrinth trying to book your Cuban dream journey or figuring out the best path to take across untamed Patagonia. Whether your mission is to witness Abu Simbel on your ancient Egypt itinerary or secure a limited-availability permit to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas in the wild, local insights, connections and tips – even something as simple as where to withdraw money from, the best place to try a local delicacy or how to skip a museum line – can be utterly invaluable.
4. Multi-lingual guides help bridge the language gap
However worldly a traveller may be, some spots can be a tad daunting. Language differences, cultural specifics and the thrum of city streets can feel overwhelming at times, but with the right know-how, each presents a unique opportunity to connect with the intricacies of local life. Led by knowledgeable, multi-lingual locals, there’s no barrier between you and the most memorable experiences the world has to offer. Whether it’s simplifying inter-city travel through India, navigating the streets of vibrant Cairo or cracking the code of American tipping customs while rolling down Route 66, with a local guide by your side, what once appeared challenging swiftly becomes easy.
5. The best insider tips are from local guides
One of the best parts about a guided tour is, well, the guides. It can be exciting to discover a new city by yourself, but local insights on the best lunch spots, hidden temples and unusual activities can really take your travel to the next level. Step outside of the ordinary with a special wine tasting in Portugal’s centenary cellars, unearth Ecuador’s cacao heritage with a tree-to-bar chocolate tasting, or experience South Africa’s safari spectacle at an exclusive river lodge. Skip-the-line access, small-group travel and secret favourites are just the beginning with a local’s eye to discovering your destination.
6. It's easy to find the perfect balance of excitement and exclusivity
The best trips are a delicate balancing act, weighing up the need for comfort and adventure. Some journeys are fearless, some focus on creature comforts, but a handcrafted itinerary can help strike a happy medium with glamping stays in the Sahara or first-class catamaran travel between the isolated shores of the Galapagos. Whether you want to roll through the Japanese countryside on an invigorating e-bike trip or travel the beautiful Balkans on a luxury rail journey, the experts have done the work to ensure your itinerary hits all the right beats so you only bring back the very best memories.
7. They offer unexpected introductions
Some destinations are brimming with global bests and bucket-list musts, but the most rewarding experiences are often the ones you didn’t see coming. Travelling with a guided tour means falling in step with the pros as they introduce you to welcoming locals and offer access to intimate and unexpected events that the average traveller would easily miss. Embrace Austria’s resonant musical heritage with an exclusive New Year’s Eve Gala Ball, connect with the welcoming locals of the Tiwi Islands or get to know the nomadic gauchos with a ranch visit in Argentina – wherever you’ve set your sights, you can be sure there’s a world of local encounters waiting beyond.
8. You'll be able to save on once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Even with excellent preparation, travel can be expensive. Fluctuating exchange rates, tough-to-negotiate transit and peak-season pricing can add a lot to your budget. Thankfully, pre-planned guided tours account for all these costs and more to secure the best value ahead of your arrival.
Thanks to the launch of LuxPlus+, you can save even more with timely deals and early access across top tour departures. And with a bit more money in your pocket, you can book in for exciting optional activities like a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia or a cowboy cookout in the Canadian Rockies.
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After more inspiration? Check out Why Vietnam is the Perfect Tour Destination.
