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It's the freedom to travel with the security, guidance and logistics services of locals and professionals who know the destination from the inside out. But private tours can have their downsides, primarily when it comes to cost, and when you consider that a week-long trip can be in the several thousand dollar range, it is not affordable for everyone. But if you are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and you don't want to be had a sheepish run with dozens of tourists with cameras, then it is a small sum to pay for an invaluable expe
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It's the freedom to travel with the security, guidance and logistics services of locals and professionals who know the destination from the inside out. But private tours can have their downsides, primarily when it comes to cost, and when you consider that a week-long trip can be in the several thousand dollar range, it is not affordable for everyone. But if you are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and you don't want to be had a sheepish run with dozens of tourists with cameras, then it is a small sum to pay for an invaluable experience.
You will be able to make the decisions when it comes to what time you leave in the morning and end in the afternoon, something that is particularly important for photographers who want to take advantage of the atmospheric conditions of sunrise and sunset. You can tweak the itinerary as you see fit, adding stops or skipping destinations you don't like, and you won't be waiting for other travelers (one of the most egregious aspects of group travel!).
Using our personal experience of traveling with private tour companies, we have put together some of our top tips and suggestions on what to consider when booking a private tour company. From the obvious pros to some of the cons, this guide will help you plan and book a private tour and get it to meet all of your wildest travel expectations.
Factors to consider when booking a private tour company • Cost: • Without a doubt, cost is the number one reason most people choose NOT to take a private tour, with prices generally starting from a few to several thousand dollars for a 1.5 to 2 trip. weeks. The resources required for a private tour, including fuel, guides, and drivers (as well as your food and accommodation) add up quickly, not to mention the logistical requirements and safety concerns of traveling in remote regions. Not only are you paying for accommodation, food, and transportation, but also the peace of mind that someone else has done all the planning work for you. • On the other hand, once you've paid for your private tour, there are a few other costs associated with it, and overall, you can relax knowing there will be no unexpected add-ons. You don't have to worry about withdrawing large sums of cash abroad (not to mention international transaction fees). Some drinks, souvenirs, and tips will likely be your only additional expenses.
Flexibility: • While cost is the obvious drawback, flexibility is the most prominent advantage of booking a private tour. Although the itinerary you select may be very similar to other organized group tours, you can go at your own pace and set your own schedule. If you want to hit the road before sunrise to take advantage of the beautiful light for photos, no problem! If you want to skip a sight on the itinerary that you are not interested in, you have the last word! You won't be waiting for others and you won't have to ask for the consent of other travelers if you want to do things a little differently. • Of course, this is all within the reasonableness and time constraints of a tour. But generally speaking, a private tour offers a lot more flexibility to see and experience the destination the way you want. Most private tour guides understand that this is one of the benefits and will be more than pleased if you want to be escorted to a view that was not on the original itinerary.
Exclusiveness: • For many travelers, visiting a particular destination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and experiencing it the way they envisioned it is part of the magic. The exclusivity of booking a private tour allows you to do just that, and only in the company of your loved ones. Your personal guide and driver are there just for you, which means you can ask as many questions as you want and request stops whenever you want. • Whether it's a camel trek through the Sahara desert or a trek through the Nepalese Himalayas, size does matter when it comes to traveling. There's a big difference between jostling with a group of other tourists to get that iconic shot and having all the time in the world (and no one else around) to capture it the way you want. Or imagine that particular moment you've been waiting for several months (or even years), only to be ruined by a bunch of inconsiderate travelers.
Cost: • Without a doubt, cost is the number one reason most people choose NOT to take a private tour, with prices generally starting from a few to several thousand dollars for a 1.5 to 2 trip. weeks. The resources required for a private tour, including fuel, guides, and drivers (as well as your food and accommodation) add up quickly, not to mention the logistical requirements and safety concerns of traveling in remote regions. Not only are you paying for accommodation, food, and transportation, but also the peace of mind that someone else has done all the planning work for you. • On the other hand, once you've paid for your private tour, there are a few other costs associated with it, and overall, you can relax knowing there will be no unexpected add-ons. You don't have to worry about withdrawing large sums of cash abroad (not to mention international transaction fees). Some drinks, souvenirs, and tips will likely be your only additional expenses.
Flexibility: • While cost is the obvious drawback, flexibility is the most prominent advantage of booking a private tour. Although the itinerary you select may be very similar to other organized group tours, you can go at your own pace and set your own schedule. If you want to hit the road before sunrise to take advantage of the beautiful light for photos, no problem! If you want to skip a sight on the itinerary that you are not interested in, you have the last word! You won't be waiting for others and you won't have to ask for the consent of other travelers if you want to do things a little differently. • Of course, this is all within the reasonableness and time constraints of Santorini Summer Tours. But generally speaking, a private tour offers a lot more flexibility to see and experience the destination the way you want. Most private SANTORINI GUIDED TOURS understand that this is one of the benefits and will be more than pleased if you want to be escorted to a view that was not on the original itinerary.
Exclusiveness: • For many travelers, visiting a particular destination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and experiencing it the way they envisioned it is part of the magic. The exclusivity of booking a Santorini Private Tours allows you to do just that, and only in the company of your loved ones. Your personal guide and driver are there just for you, which means you can ask as many questions as you want and request stops whenever you want. • Whether it's a camel trek through the Sahara desert or a trek through the Nepalese Himalayas, size does matter when it comes to traveling. There's a big difference between jostling with a group of other tourists to get that iconic shot and having all the time in the world (and no one else around) to capture it the way you want. Or imagine that particular moment you've been waiting for several months (or even years), only to be ruined by a bunch of inconsiderate travelers.
Value: • While the cost in dollars may be high, the value of booking a private tour may be priceless. When you combine your flexibility and exclusivity, the value quickly adds up, and the opportunity to experience a destination in such a unique way can rarely be matched by a group tour. • You can spend an extra $ 1,000 on a private tour rather than a small group, but the experiences, memories, and photos you get can be worth ten times as much to you. And sometimes, the price difference between the two types of tours can be negligible, making the decision to go private a lot easier.
Tips for booking a private tour company: • Contact at least 3 different tour companies and make sure they specialize in private tours (specifically honeymoons, families, or adventure tours if that is what you are looking for), and ask them the benefits of taking a private tour with them (in comparison with other companies). • Check out their reviews on TripAdvisor (and other travel resource sites) and see what other travelers are saying about them (or even connect with them directly if you have specific questions). Look for tour companies with at least 30-40 reviews and those that are as recent as a few weeks ago. It's okay if they don't have 5 stars (there are always some dissatisfied customers with each company), but at least 4 stars should be your minimum requirement. • Once you've decided on a private travel company, be very clear about what you want and what you don't want. Remember that you are the customer and you have the right to inform the company (within reason, of course).
Get a written confirmation (via email) from the travel company stating that they understand what you want (and don't want) to see on your itinerary and any special requirements you may have (travel photographers, this is you!) . • When it comes to price, don't just consider booking the cheapest private tour as the itinerary may not include the destinations you want to see and the excursions you want to experience. There is a big difference between visiting the Taj Mahal in the middle of the day and doing it in the morning when the lighting is much better and there are far fewer people (even if both are a private tour). Be sure to compare apples to apples!
Customer service is important and you should consider how responsive the private tour company like Santorini Private Guided Tours is during email communication and their professionalism. If you are not contacted in a timely manner or your questions are not answered (within 1-2 days), consider another company. • Ask if any travel bloggers (like us!) Have posted about their experiences with the company. Nothing beats first hand reviews and impressions! • You should never feel pressured to book a private tour company that you are not completely comfortable and safe with. You're spending thousands of dollars (not to mention time and energy) and you need to select a company that meets your travel demands.
Conclusion: • If you are planning to travel to a remote and off the beaten path destination (and you don't want to go it alone), then a private tour company may be your only option. There are many excellent companies like SANTORINI TOURS that specialize in single destination private tours, creating highly personalized itineraries that offer experiences you simply cannot get on a group tour. • After taking all of the above factors into account, you can assess whether the expense of a private tour outweighs the travel benefits and experiences they offer. With careful selection and clear outlines of what you want, a private tour can not only meet (but exceed) your expectations. • And when you're standing in front of that sight you've always dreamed of testifying with only your loved ones, then the dollars involved in getting you there will pale to insignificance.
About Us • Santorini Tours offers a wide selection of private tours designed to cover all aspects of the island’s beauty, history and culture. However, with the aid of our qualified guides, our guests may also specify their own itineraries according to their interests and available time, embarking on unique customized tours. • Website - https://santorinitours.org/
