Why Private Tours are Worth the Money!

Let’s think back to your last trip, even if it was ten years ago, what do you remember the most? The hotel – meh, maybe if it was superior enough to provide amazing service, the airline – probably so in a completely negative light, ha …keep thinking…ohhh there it is! Seeing the Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens, standing amongst the ancient ruins, having your photo taking, almost breaking your ankle walking up and down those wobbly stones, touching history, remembering the sunset and the lights of the city twinkling…that’s what you remember, right? But what if you had your own guide with you telling you stories about unique events that have occured there (like when Yanni gave a concert – how neat!), advising you where to buy your souvenirs that won’t be the same shop the other group tours are going to be getting ripped off at and more importantly where the perfect sunset view is.

Tan, our guide for Kusadasi/Ephesus

This post includes photos with the three amazing, wonderful, insightful guides and now life-long friends from our office trip to Turkey in 2011. Atil was with us in Cappadocia, Tan in Ephesus and dear Arzu, who Boss Lady found in the Washington Post years ago, in Istanbul (check out her website at www.walksinistanbul.com).

So what does that extra cost in a private guide give you? The ability to see important sites the non-crowded direction, insights you don’t get from the audiovox and the ten people who insist on being right up front with the leader (ok, that might be me.), help with ordering during lunch <– that right there is probably my FAVORITE part; we ate some delicious food because Atil, Tan or Arzu ordered for us and there was no language barrier.

Who else would’ve known this was the appropriate way to greet us in Kusadasi?

I don’t want to leave out the fact that it I believe your personal travel style always determines how well this works for you. I may plan travel day in and day out but I love to be taken care of when I’m traveling. I do not like dragging a map out, trying to ensure we see the check mark list of important places – that’s not enjoyable, that’s work actually. Instead, a nice man or woman, an expert in their field, picks us up in our hotel lobby around 9AM to start a memorable day where I don’t have to be in charge! That sounds like heaven on vacation, right??

We all shed tears at some point in the Hagia Sophia with Arzu. It’s one of my favorite places Ever.

And let’s not forget, this isn’t only for European or Asian or South American trips – it’s a fabulous idea to head to the hotel concierge at your all inclusive resort in Antigua and ask them to arrange a driver for half or all of the day taking you to private beaches and a local lunch along with sharing the island’s history and in the Caribbean it’s very affordable! I promise it will be your favorite day of your getaway!