Should I travel with a tour group ...or is it better to travel without one???

Question

I am plannin a trip to london and paris this will the first time travel out of the U.S. .

Answer 1

It's always better to travel by yourself, and the two places you are going are very easy to see on your own. Travel groups insulate you from locals, never a good thing. You can't get real feel for anywhere without meeting and getting to know people that live there. On top of that, travel groups have set schedules and limited time in any location. There might be something you want to see or a side trip that you want to do, often that isn't possible with a group. Maybe you want to spend two days in the British Museum instead of the 4 hours the tour group does.

Travel is about experiencing how others live, and seeing new and special things. One of the true wonders in life is to get lost and find something unexpected and special in a foreign land. Something that just isn't going to happen on a tour.

London and Paris are very tourist friendly. You don't need anyone leading you around by a leash glossing over highlights. You will have so much more fun without a group...and save money at the same time.

Answer 2

Depend on what you want and how often you have traveled alone.
If you have never traveled alone, it is good to go with a group, but not needed.
If you always travel alone, no need to find a tour.

If you think about coming with a tourgroup, look at what is included in the tour.
Most tours will spend half an hour in the important museums and than half an hour shopping in a different part of town, do a boattour and so on, you might want to skip two of the three things planned for the day and spend your whole day doing just one of those things.
If you are like that, forget about a group.
When you arrive in town, do a hop-on hop-off tour or take a tour through the town on a guided bus, and do your own thing after that.

You will need to make arrangements for your hotel or hostel before you come and book a flight or train in between.
If you travel alone, a single room in a hostel is best, you have your privacy but can easily meet others.
Or if you want to spend less, just a bed in a shared room in a hostel. (Just take a pad-lock for you pack or case or for a locker.)

You will find travel in Europe as easy or easier than in the USA, as we are geared for people from all over the world to come and see us.

In Paris I have stayed in a private hostel in the Marais, (there are three there, all owned by the same people) and I found it a good place to stay.
In London I have only stayed in the YHA in Holland park, but that was many years back, (but it was nice enough to go back there.)
If you travel independent, buy a good guidebook, I like the Lonely planet series.

Answer 3

It's better to travel with a group, if it is your first visit to the country to see the best places there and get very interesting information.