Tour or not

[MisterE Member Find all posts View Profile Close MisterE]

1st time out of the country but fairly resourceful with internet and the search fields. I can probably do as much if not more without a guide but may miss some corny jokes or factoids.

my only concern would be safety when walking through the ghetto or transportation in and out of the areas if i went on a selfguided tour; plus i'd be with my girlfriend who's also never been to spain or europe.

money is not going to be an issue, just wondering what everyone's take is. spending 2 free days in barcelona. this may also help me decide on tours for paris/london.

thanks in advance.

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

1st time out of the country but fairly resourceful with internet and the search fields. I can probably do as much if not more without a guide but may miss some corny jokes or factoids.

my only concern would be safety when walking through the ghetto or transportation in and out of the areas if i went on a selfguided tour; plus i'd be with my girlfriend who's also never been to spain or europe.

money is not going to be an issue, just wondering what everyone's take is. spending 2 free days in barcelona. this may also help me decide on tours for paris/london.

thanks in advance.

No worries ..am familair with most of the European cities. You need to be "streetwise" just like the US cities .Most cities on WWW will give you a "heads up".
But enjoy !!!
G

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Safety is not an issue in European cities. Tours are too confining. Going on your own allows you to follow your interests rather than the tour guide's.

[chs225 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chs225]

Beg to differ slightly

While as a general rule European cities are safe, certain areas in cities are dangerous and one has to be careful. Research will generally tell you where to stay away and when.

What I like to do, if I can afford it, is to schedule a 1/2 day walking tour the first day I arrive in a new city. besides getting a feel for the city, I ask the guide where I can go safely, neighborhoods to stay out of, restaurants and places to buy whatever I'm looking to buy. I will often get some wonderful off the beaten track places to go and eat

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

Another way is to take a HoHo Bus the first day to get an idea of the City and then explore what interests you after that. They are in most major cities like London, Paris, Barcelona, etc.

Cheers

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

Another way is to take a HoHo Bus the first day to get an idea of the City and then explore what interests you after that. They are in most major cities like London, Paris, Barcelona, etc.

Cheers

Agree..a bus tour on say day 1 will give you a quick fix on places to revisit but as mentioned "be street wise "
g

[MisterE Member Find all posts View Profile Close MisterE]

thx for the tips...

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

thx for the tips...

Enjoy !! You will be amazed . Where do you plan to go ?
G

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Don't know how old you and your girlfriend are but when I was in my teens and 20's I went to Europe on under 35 year old tours with a guide and though they were a bit structured there was still plenty of time to do your own thing if you wanted to. It was nice to have other people to travel with who quickly become friends. Met lots of nice Aussies that way. If you wanted to do all the optional tours you could, if not then you have lots of free time to explore on your own.

When I was in my 30's I decided to try first class tours with Mom and honestly found the first class too structured. Much preferred the economy tours since they gave you much more free time to go on your own. I think the first class tours include more structure and more meals. You'll want to discover the great little restaurants on your own and not always be eating hotel catered food. Yuck.

Now that I'm in my 40's, I travel with a group of usually four of us so it's a bit safer to go without the structured tours. I usually pick a base and do day trips from that base either by renting a car or doing the tours the timeshares or hotels offer. Recently did it in Andalucia and it worked out great.
It ends up being about the price of a tour but you can decide when you want to go where. There are a few timeshares in Europe that make great touring bases but you'll need a car to really see alot IMO. That way you can save money by eating breakfast in your room and getting a good start for your day. I recommend Marriott Marbella if you wanted to do Southern Spain.
The concierge will help you get a car and book tours if you want them.

Have fun planning.

[MisterE Member Find all posts View Profile Close MisterE]

no specific locations yet, but were doing 4 days in barcelona, 1 day in paris and 3 days in london. have you been to any of those cities? got any good tips or recommendations or suggestions?

Enjoy !! You will be amazed . Where do you plan to go ?
G

[MisterE Member Find all posts View Profile Close MisterE]

were in our early 30s, should we schedule these tours before we leave or are they available wherever we go... i like the free time to do what i want and join a tour for the main attractions.

Don't know how old you and your girlfriend are but when I was in my teens and 20's I went to Europe on under 35 year old tours with a guide and though they were a bit structured there was still plenty of time to do your own thing if you wanted to. It was nice to have other people to travel with who quickly become friends. Met lots of nice Aussies that way. If you wanted to do all the optional tours you could, if not then you have lots of free time to explore on your own.

When I was in my 30's I decided to try first class tours with Mom and honestly found the first class too structured. Much preferred the economy tours since they gave you much more free time to go on your own. I think the first class tours include more structure and more meals. You'll want to discover the great little restaurants on your own and not always be eating hotel catered food. Yuck.

Now that I'm in my 40's, I travel with a group of usually four of us so it's a bit safer to go without the structured tours. I usually pick a base and do day trips from that base either by renting a car or doing the tours the timeshares or hotels offer. Recently did it in Andalucia and it worked out great.
It ends up being about the price of a tour but you can decide when you want to go where. There are a few timeshares in Europe that make great touring bases but you'll need a car to really see alot IMO. That way you can save money by eating breakfast in your room and getting a good start for your day. I recommend Marriott Marbella if you wanted to do Southern Spain.
The concierge will help you get a car and book tours if you want them.

Have fun planning.