Travel Like a Globetrotter: Why Private-Guided Travel Is Worth the Expense

One of the great pleasures of travel is touring in the company of a private guide. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it comes with unparalleled value that is hard to beat. My own recent travels from Paris to the Loire Valley in France are proof of this. Touring with a private guide enriched my travel experience by providing deeper history and insights into the landmarks I explored, offered more personalized attention, and even saved me time and energy. 

In Paris, I took a private-guided tour of the Musee d’Orsay, where you’ll find Impressionist masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh. Because I hired a private guide, I skipped the line (literally skipped the line as timed entry still has you entering alongside 200 others). Once inside, my guide handled the bag check and then knew exactly where to go and how to avoid the crowds. Art is steeped in history and intrigue and unless you have studied it yourself, standing on your own amongst a large group can be uninformative. But private guides are educated in art history and French history, so they can make intimating masterworks of the past more accessible. 

Hiring a private guide also pays dividends when doing wine tours. Often, the best vineyards are not easily found and sometimes not even open to bookings from the public. Instead, they’re often down windy roads in villages and hamlets, so having a driver guide can be such a worthwhile investment. First, you get to drink the wine without worrying about driving as you get chauffeured around. Second, you have access to a world that isn’t easily available to book online. 

It’s also worth taking advantage of private guides to get access to popular attractions outside the city centres. The Loire Valley is all about the gorgeous chateaux. Exploring with a private guide was a treat: there were no parking hassles, no ticket lines, no showing up at the busiest time of day, or even struggling to find out where the washroom was. Beyond the practical advantage, they also tie in the history, court intrigue, and gossip of the day into a compelling story in the moment. 

Hiring a private guide offers so much more than meets the eye. I’ve had guides help me with last-minute restaurant reservations, find the best place for sunset cocktails, and local shops where you can get the best souvenirs to take home. They offer tangible benefits, insight into the past, and a window into a way of life. And perhaps best of all: with a private guide, you never have to wait for that irritating group member who holds everyone up (unless that traveller happens to be you).

Goway's Destination Specialists are experts at arranging private-guided tours that match the interests of world travellers. Request a quote to start planning a private-guided vacation today.