Question: Should I take Organized Guided Tours of Spain or Should I 'Go it Alone'?
Answer: There are clearly advantages and disadvantages of both organized tours and independent travel. Some points worth remembering when trying to decide whether you should take an organized tour or not:
- Organized tours cost more than traveling independently. However, you have the advantage of a local expert with knowledge of the history and culture of the country.
- You don't have to travel with a bus-load of other tourists, being shuttled around the country like cattle. There are a number of private walking tours that you can take in some cities, which you can combine with independent travel. In particular, there are a number of good Walking Tours of Barcelona which cater for a number of interests. Alternatively, Sightseeing buses are nice introductions to Spain's bigger cities.
- Logistical problems with public transport and other practical aspects of travel in Spain mean that certain locations and sights are best seen as part of a guided tour. These include Toledo, the Alhambra in Granada, Ronda, and El Escorial.
More: Essential Guided Tours in Spain. - A guided tour has the advantage of fitting in a number of locations in a short period of time. If you are pressed for time and want to fit in as much as possible into your trip, an organized tour can be the best way to guarantee you see everything in the allotted time - no waiting around for trains and no chance of missing your connection.
- Some tours go a little too quickly and you may wish you had more time in a particular location. However, you'll face the same problem if traveling independently, as you usually have to book hotels in advance. If a guided tour only spends half a day in a particular city, you can be sure they have selected the very best elements of that city so that you can use your time efficiently.
- Most tours offer at least some independent time in the bigger cities - you usually have an afternoon or evening free for roaming on your own.
Guided tours of cities (see above) go well with rail or bus passes. The Eurohop bus pass is the cheapest option (they even throw in a few guided tours on the way), while the Eurail and Interail rail passes give you luxury and flexibility of unlimited train travel.
Viator.com have an itinerary which takes you to many of these troublesome spots in a single five-day tour. It's quite rushed, but is undoubtedly the easiest way of seeing some of the most impressive sights in Spain.
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