Are you planning your vacation, but unsure of where to start? No matter where you want to go, there are sure to be amazing restaurants, beautiful landscapes, monuments, museums, and more that you want to experience.
Narrowing these options down while also figuring out the cost, how to get from place to place, and where you are going to stay is so exhausting, you might need another vacation just from all the planning!
Tours are a great way to experience the culture of a city while also not eating up too much of your time. That’s why today we are going to go over seven types of tours to consider when you’re visiting a new city!
Start off with a Free Walking Tour
One convenient and cheap way to get acquainted with a new destination is by taking a free walking tour! These tours offer a great introduction for sights you might want to spend more time on later in your trip and they are a life-saver for your wallet.
Free walking tours are usually offered in multiple languages and they run several times a day. These tour guides are experts in their city and they will be able to share lots of history you wouldn’t be able to find on your own.
Free walking tours can range anywhere between 1 hour and 3 hours, so make sure to check ahead of time and bring comfortable shoes.
Remember, while this is technically a “free” tour, it is polite to tip your tour guide what you feel the tour was worth. If you’re unsure of how much to tip, you can check on the site ahead of time to see if there is a recommendation!
See the Sights With an Architecture Tour
Even if you’re not an architecture buff, you may want to consider taking an architecture tour in the city you’re visiting. This type of tour will ensure that you never look at the buildings around you in the same way again!
Not only can looking at architecture allow you to enjoy the beauty but it’s also a window into the history of any city. Learning more about these roots will help you appreciate any destination even more.
Architecture tours usually involve a lot of walking as well, so make sure to dress for comfort over fashion!
Try Not to Get Too Spooked With a Haunted Tour
Taking haunted tours is not for the faint of heart, but if you are a thrill seeker this is the tour for you!
Depending on the city, these tours can greatly vary in style! Some tours offer a walk around the city with a magnificent storyteller, guaranteed to put a chill in your spine.
Other tours might be specific to a haunted house or a graveyard. There are even tours that let you gear-up to try to catch some paranormal activity for yourself!
Relax and Enjoy the Ride on a Riverboat Cruise
A riverboat cruise is a versatile tour that can be fun for the whole family, a romantic day for two, or a relaxing day for just one! Ditch the hike and enjoy the ride along the river.
Riverboat cruises can be enjoyed not just for the scenery and relaxation, but for the education as well! Riverboat cruises can cover a wider range of topics, from city history to the natural landscape!
If you want to take a riverboat cruise but don’t know where to start, make sure to read more here. You won’t regret it.
Stuff Your Face on a Food Tour
The way to a tourist’s heart may very well be through their stomach! What better way to learn about a culture than through food?
If you are planning your trip and wondering how on earth you are going to cram in a stop at so many restaurants, a food tour is probably for you!
These fun tours will give you a bit of background about special restaurants in the area and let you sample their delicious food!
Find Your Own Way with Self-Guided Tours
If you want to learn more about the city you are visiting, but don’t want the hassle of a formal tour, you will definitely want to look into self-guided tours.
With smartphones now, you can download different tours wherever you are and learn at your own pace! For example, if you are visiting the Parthenon in Greece, you can download a short audio-guide to give you some context and heighten the experience!
This is a relatively cheap and stress-free way to travel!
Make Every Moment Count With a Private Tour
Let’s say you are visiting your dream destination and you want to soak up every ounce of information that you possibly can. In this case, a private tour is a way to go!
These tours can often cost a bit more money, but they are totally worth it. Private tours will pair you with an expert tour guide that will take you and your small group on a personalized tour.
With this option, you won’t be standing on your tip-toes to see over a crowd or straining your ears to hear over the chatter of a large tour group. A private tour guide will guide you easily through the crowds and let you in on all of the secrets and charms of a city.
These tour guides genuinely love their city and want to share everything about it! Oftentimes private tours will span across multiple sights and offer transportation from place to place, making your trip stress-free!
Now That You Know the Different Types of Tours, It’s Time to Start Exploring!
No matter where you are traveling, there is sure to be a tour that fits your needs! Whether you’re traveling on a big family vacation, hosting a student group, or off exploring on your own, you’ll want to make this experience memorable by seeing all that the city has to offer.
A great tour can provide the basis for your entire trip and leave you wanting more. Nowadays, there are so many different types of tours that you are sure to find something that matches your budget, your group size, and your personal tastes! Schedule a tour to get the most out of your vacation.
