Guided Tours vs. DiY tours

We almost always go to the TI and arrange local tours. Self guided book tours or pod casts are OK but the extra value add by the guide generally is worth the addition cost. After spending thousands of dollars getting there, you want to go cheap and not spend another 10 or 15 Euro for a guide. Skip a meal and hire the guide.

We normally do independent travel and intersperse city walking tours or bus tours with local guides depending on the situation/location. We like the freedom of doing things at our own pace. We read up on things beforehand and, of course, have a guidebook on hand. That being said, we are doing the RS 13 day tour of Turkey as logistically for us it makes sense.

It depends. Many cities have tour companies offering 3-4 hour group tours for 12-15 euro for adults. That is an absolute bargain, and you are certainly going to get more information on any tour than from a guide book. Private tours are going to cost more than this, but they have some advantages too. Much depends on the group, are they kids, seniors, have special wishes or themes they want covered? Sometimes a private tour for a family will only cost a bit more than paying for a group tour per person. Most tour guides have spent years researching their city, or special subject, and have vast resources of information to offer you. They have a special pride in presenting their city to you in a way that will make your visit there memorable as well as answer all of your questions. You won't ever get that from a guide book or even an audio guide.

hi, It will depend to me. For my example, i took a guided tour in Normandy. Reason 1, I dont like to drive here nor there and i find it easy to use the local transportation. Reason #2. My time was limited and i didnt want to mess around with navagating and driving at the same time instead be being at the places i wanted to see/do.
reason #3 The tour guides knowledge was way more extenisve than mine. Now, i havent been to where you are going to, yet, but when i do, i will get myself there in whatever fashion if possble using public transportation. And if possible, will take a tour, if possible at the attraction. I personally like to wonder by myself between attractions. I would take a guided tour, if the above i list were to be an issue. happy trails.

Jason, I assume you're referring to specific tours in cities rather than longer group tours such as those offered by RS? I tend to use a combination of self-guided travel as well as local tours on occasion. I find that I learn more about the history and other details by taking a small local tour, so it's a much more rewarding travel experience. As you appear to be asking about Rome, two places where I've used local tours are the Colosseum and the Capitoline Museums. At the Colosseum, I used the "in-house" tours offered there (the group was provided with Headsets, which made it easy to hear the Guide). At the Capitoline, I had a local Rome Guide. In both cases the tours were excellent! One of the nice things about a tour with a "live" Guide is that it's possible to ask questions, something that isn't possible with an Audioguide. I haven't used the tour firm you mentioned, so can't offer any comments. You might check Trip Advisor to see what the ratings are for any tours you're considering. While the ratings may not be completely accurate, they will at least provide an indication. I feel that paying for tours is worthwhile in some cases, as I learn a lot more and therefore it's a more interesting travel experience. Although they cost more than wandering around on my own, I'm getting some value out of the money that I've paid for the tour. Happy travels!

Based on your examples, I assume you are going to Italy (and more specifically, Rome). I think it all depends. What are you looking to get out of the tour? To get in with no lines, something to give you more detail?
Personally, I find that these tours are not all that worth it. If you are on a budget, look into Rick Steves' free audio tours (it's on this website). It's a good "tour" and it's free. Just make sure you are doing your homework and using all the skip the line strategies if you go with that option.

I know "Walks of Italy" gets very good reviews on the Helpline. For me, if it's a site that could benefit from some interpretation, a tour guide-only enhanced access to special rooms/sites, or an occasion when special transportation would be useful that's when I'd use a tour or tour guide. Having said that, I've used a guide on only 2 occasions in 15 years of trips - Neuschwanstein (tour obligatory at the time, I believe), and a 2-day tour of Normandy WWII sites (Fantastic! 'Crikey'-expensive! Even if I already knew basically everything he said...but great for time-saving transportation, the guide's enthusiasm, etc.). I'm the type to know why I want to go to a particular place, so I've already done the reaseach. I also want to linger waaaay longer than any guide would allow :-( So - things like the Colosseum Underground Tour (required), Scavi Tour at St Peter's (required), or maybe a Pompeii tour (if you've done NO research) would be particularly desirable.