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International travel is something everyone must do at least once. You’ll have the chance to experience a different culture and see some of the world’s most beautiful structures and scenery. The hardest part is setting up your schedule so that you can see what you want without struggling to get through an itinerary. Fortunately, there are plenty of travel guides and tours around the world to simplify your travel plans. Companies like Tourme, will make sure that you enjoy your trip, see what you want, and experience new cultures on a personal level. Here are a few tips for finding the right tour or guide and doing it on a budget.
It Can Be A Money Saver
While visiting your dream country or dream city, you may have a list of things you want to see and do. The great thing about working with a tour is that you can often combine those things into one trip and save money. When you consider that many sites require an entrance fee, paying that fee every time you go somewhere can rack up your fees and cause you an extra headache. Those same sites will work with touring companies, offer discounts, and you can pay for it all up front and relax on your trip. Touring companies can also find you discounts on lodging, airfare, and transportation.
Look For The Culture
Our top recommendation when it comes to working with a tour group or a guide is to find one that is local. Some of the international tour companies hire people to take you to all the tourist traps. Touristy spots can be fun, but you miss out on so much culture and authenticity. When reviewing guides and tours, ask about the location of their home base and if they employ locals. This becomes important because the locals know where the best places are to eat the local food. They know all the history that they can pass on to you without sounding like an encyclopedia. These sorts of tour companies also avoid the overly touristy spots so they can show you the “real” history and beauty of the area. Without them, you might not ever find the ruins hidden in Sri Lanka. Without them, you may not get to see the cemetery that is home to famous leaders of yesteryear. Locals also know when the best time to visit the area is. Homegrown tour groups and guides are your best bet!
Visit In The Off-Season
One of the best ways to enjoy a tour is to go in the off-season. Yes, you can save money on your trip by doing so. The other benefit is that you can most of the sites will have smaller crowds. Although some sites are busy every day of the year, they have days in which it is better to go than others. It could be that a cold and rainy day is the day a castle sees foot traffic and the rainy season might be your best bet. Other times of the year are so slow for some places, so deep discounts can be found for every aspect of your trip. The off-season also means you will have your pick of the tour guides so you can find one you really like, rather than the one who happens to be available when you are there.
Tours and guides are a perfect way to make your trip the most memorable it can be. You may even make a new friend that you can stay in touch with and have a reason to back for another visit.
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