Self-Walking Tour versus guided tour

Wow! You have a great May coming up. In general, I have found RS's audio tours to be quite good. However, I enjoy the "local color" of having a guide and all that person has to add to the facts, a more personal spin peppered with anecdotes, personal experiences, folklore, etc. I never go on a tour that allows more than 15 individuals. I find that, depending on the group, it can be nice to have conversations/insight with/from those other tourists. They can add much to the tour.

Hello azpaoh, and welcome to the forum,

A lot of it depends on your current knowledge and level of interest in the city or specific subjects. I have found that local tours almost always add a cultural and contextual depth to the things you see, but I also don't want to spend tons of money and tie up precious vacation time unless it's something I'm really interested in.

For example: A tour that talks about the absolute craziness that was the Dodge position and Venetian politics adds a ton of context and insight into what a strange place Venice was, but if that doesn't really interest you Venice is interesting enough on its own to simply wander through and be amazed by.
The same with the Roman Forum - I see people wandering through and leaving in a few minutes after doing a circuit completely unamazed by the fact that the spot with fresh flowers on it where Julius Caesar's body was burned. And as you think about that you realize you're probably standing where Marc Antony stood when addressing Rome. With no context ruins are a pile of bricks and rocks. But again it's your interest level - don't take a tour of an art museum just because people say you should if a 3 hour art lecture sounds like a boring school class to you.

Rick does a decent job of supplying brief historical context and reading up on your own about sites you plan to visit can help add context. But a good tour - that's important too - can add context to a city, food, art, ruins and make you feel like you are on the "inside" a little bit versus the tourists around you. Check the boards for specific recommendations and check Rick and local reports on audioguides. A good audio guide can help split the difference and give you context on specific things without usually spending too much money and allowing you to stop when you are bored, hungry or just need a break. It sounds like you're doing a lot so be sure to have some downtime planned. It's okay to take a vacation from your vacation if you need to.

In all these big cities Rome, Paris and London there are too many things to see even if you spent a month in each of these cities. So choose what most interests you, read up before you go and splurge on a tour or two in places you feel you'll most enjoy delving into.

Hope that helps, have a great trip,
=Tod

I prefer a guided tour but the Rick Steves self-guided ones are good when you can’t find a guided tour that works for your time or budget.

In London, I have enjoyed many guided tours with London Walks: https://www.walks.com/

In Paris, I have enjoyed guided tours with Paris Walks: https://www.paris-walks.com/index_m.html

Some of us can do a few hours research on the internet and listen to a brief audio narration as we walk and get all the same benefits as though we had a local born and raised and educated and licensed guide. And the benefits of meeting the locals and asking questions about life and culture or just enjoying the personal touch are way over rated compared to a good vigorous internet search. Some of my guides have turned into long time acquaintances, some dear friends whose children i have watched grow over the years. But I could have done as good in an internet chat room.

Admittedly I have done well with guides because I put them through a interview process that often takes months.

Thanks. Let me rephrase my question.
I know the Rick Steves audio tours are fantastic and I plan to use as many as I can,
BUT, which tour would you say: “Oh, for that, you gotta use a guide”?
Vatican? Colosseum? Venice?

Hi,

For the Vatican Museums, I'd highly recommend you book an early morning, first time available, tour. Not only will the tour guide give you the rich history, you will also enjoy the peace of not being shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowds.
Similar advice for the Uffizi in Florence, though the RS audio is pretty good if you just get an early morning ticket.

The Necropolis tour at the Vatican was amazing, very small group in an intimate setting. I think that tour is only available with a guide. People are limited, so no over-crowding on that one.

London Tower, it's fantastic to catch the Beefeater's tour (free with entry).

Enjoy your trip.

Vatican? Colosseum? Venice?

YES

I agree with the above about having a guide to the Vatican Museum. There is a one way system that feels complex. I have ONLY gone with a guide but have been 3 times and am not sure I could find my way to the Sistine Chapel even with all the times I have visited.

For Paris and London, I'd take a look at Paris Walks and London Walks. Both are provide excellent walking tours based on area or topic.

Also, don't believe any hype that mentions "skip the line entries". Any site with a timed entry ticket skips the ticket line. NO ONE skips the security line in any venue in any country and that is usually where the back up is.