I was just browsing the Viatour website for tours in and around London and Paris. They look fantastic and seem like there a step up from the big bus tours. They're running a special with 10% off if you spend over $500, which would not be difficult to do.
Has anyone taken a Viatour tour? What has been your experience? Are there better companies that you would recommend?
Would it be better to post in the England and France sections?
Thank you!!!
They do not conduct tours – they are a vendor that sells tours conducted by other companies. Consequently, the experience is determined by the company that actually conducts the tour. However, if you're doing last-minute planning and are short of time, booking through them is probably easier and quicker than investigating all of the individual tour operators.
You mention that they seem better than the big bus tours. The only time I used them, because my travel companions wanted to, was Rome to Pompeii, and it was a big bus tour. But it was a good experience, and since my travel companions did not want to do it on our own, it met our needs.
Check out Trip Advisor to find tours that interest you. Viator is just a reseller and frankly they often don't do a good job of it as it is rather hit or miss. In Frankfurt for example, the only tours they are offering are all from one company, ETS and they themselves don't have a good reputation. They charge companies a 25 % commission to list their tours.
Go with a local tour. There are many great walking and bike tours in London and Paris, tours that will match your interests and that don't cost very much. Average tour price for an adult for a 3-4 hour walking tour or bike tour is between 12-20 €. You would have to take a ton of tours to hit that 500 $ mark that Viator wants to give you a discount on. Stay away from the bus tours.
If you simply can't figure out how to do it on your own then go to the www.toursbylocals.com and book local guides. But really, most of the big tourist sites are pretty simple to do on your own.
Thank you all for your replies! I am still trying to figure out the best plan for myself and my granddaughter. She's able to do plenty of walking, but I am presently having foot problems so I would love to be able to find some tours that could at least take us to Versailles, for example, without the extra walking from the Metro and would include a good guided tour of the palace. I've been there before, but never with a formal guide. As far as London goes, I'd like to go outside the city but because time is limited there, would prefer some type of guided tour.
Thanks for your replies and I will avoid Viatour for sure!
Janet, for London, you might look at London Walks to see if they have anything you are interested in for day trips. It kind of depends on when you are going, what you are interested in and what is on their Schedule as to whether any will work for you.
Janet I did Bath on my own and on another trip I did it as part of a tour( that included Salisbury and Stonehenge) . I must say the tour is quite rushed, but that is to be expected when you are visiting three sites in a day.
For Paris look at Francetourisme or Pariscityvisisions. Both are reputable companies, and both offer both the big bus tours, or for a higher fee smaller van tours, likely a good option for you.
Viator use tour operators like https://evanevanstours.com/
check their prices against what Viator charge
if you want more focussed suggestions post on the UK forum
