Excursions & Tours
Planning your site seeing
Research your destination to find the top “must sees” and rank them in your own personal order of interest. Pick a few to splurge on and “do right”. Keep a note of the ones you will try to check out if you can, this is useful research to have on-hand if you do get the time.
Once you know what you must see, Try to book in advance! Many top tourist draws require advanced booking, like the top of the Statue of Liberty or the Anne Frank House or the Underground caverns in Malta.
Many places you hope to see will honestly be better to explore on your own, this way you pay for the ticket only (make sure to find the actual, official website when you book tickets for yourself), you can plan to go before or after peak tour hours so it’s not as crowded and you can enjoy the locations you have dreamed of seeing at your own pace. Most sites have a version of an audio guide available either there or online, they will likewise have a booklet or info packet there for a small cost with is a nice souvenir in addition to allowing you to educate yourself.
While going it on your own has its upside sometimes, there are some places where you will be required to use a guide or where it would give you insight or access you would not otherwise have. If you determine a tour or a guide is best, find small group tours, read the reviews about the guide, try to find some that are scheduled for earlier or later than the big tourbus rush.
Note: When you arrive at your destination, don’t be shy to ask for local secrets if you have the opportunity. Ask what there is to do or see in the area, that is less well known and not as touristic.
Where to find tours and guides
Our top choice for booking excursions remotely and in advance is hands down; “Get Your Guide”. You can book, save and pay through the app for ease or even use it to research and reach out to the provider directly if you have specific questions. The offerings are broad, they include both tourist companies and smaller local guides. They have been vetted for you and if you pay through the app your money would be refunded if there is a problem/scam and you can read reviews to further ensure your selection. They will indicate what language options the tour provides, make note of this when booking so you can enjoy a tour in your language.
Ask your hotel or guest house. Most accommodations have local recommendations. These can be really cool and provide a better or more local experience. However always compare prices and offerings to Get your Guide. Sometimes these hotel recommendations are more expensive because everyone is getting a cut. Also, in many places, locals will quote you a considerably higher price if you are staying at a high end hotel.
Booking.com also allows you to view and book excursions although their selection and offerings are not as wide as Get Your Guide, it doesn't hurt to look there and compare. Booking.com rewards loyalty, you get some perks the more you use it.
We have been hesitant to recommend AirB&B because they will leave you high and dry if you run into a problem and this is simply not worth the risk when traveling but if you want to risk it they do have some cool local providers. These are usually on the expensive end compared to similar excursions on Get your Guide but it could open up your options if you find your ideal excursion is booked out.