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Hello Reader,

🧭 Where in the World?

We're taking off tomorrow for Madrid for a couple days and then on to Valencia, Spain, for the iconic Fallas Festival, which we wrote about here a couple months ago. We're of course looking forward to the Fallas mayhem, but also to the paella classes we'll be taking. (Valencia is the home of paella.) What we learn about both will be forthcoming soon.

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Should you take guided tour?

Just this past week, a reader asked about our take on guided tours. We get this question regularly, because one of the first steps in trip planning is deciding who you will travel with and who will handle logistics.

The bulk of our travels have been independent. But that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the advantages of guided tours (and serve as tour guides ourselves every now and then). Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind.

Group tours with established tour companies.

PROS: The advantages are numerous, especially if you aren’t comfortable booking flights, hotels, and internal transportation. Your travel planning can be completely handled for you. All you need to do is select your destination and travel dates, after choosing an itinerary that is of interest to you. Group tours are a good choice for solo travelers and for anyone (friends groups included) who want a general introduction to a destination. Just be sure your passport is up to date, and pack wisely.

CONS: For some travelers, the disadvantages going with group tours is the group size itself. With larger groups, you may be doing “drive-by” city tours (narrated from the bus), more coach transfers, accommodations in larger, less central hotels, and eating only at restaurants geared toward handling groups. You may find little flexibility or free time, and fewer opportunities to linger at sites you are most interested in. Because of the group’s needs, big tours will rarely delve into off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Blended small group tours with independent travel

PROS: We’ll put some tour companies into this category when they offer small group tours, offer alternates to the most touristy cities, and demonstrate commitment to local environment and economies. (Think B-Corp certified.) The advantages are still being able to rely on the tour company’s guidance for travel to and from the tour and for their expertise and experience taking you to interesting destinations you might not get to on your own. Their local connections will result in good recommendations for your free time, too.

Small group tours provide plenty of special interest itineraries, so find your best match.

CONS: It is up to you to find the right balance. Success depends on the traveler’s willingness to do their own research, find a compatible group, and step out on their own when they can. (We highly recommend post-tour extensions, perfect for those first steps into independent travel, now that you’re familiar with local currency, language, and getting around.)

Independent travel enhanced by expert guides

PROS: Your time is your own, your itinerary can change on a whim, and day-to-day decisions are your own. Take advantage of the serendipity that often makes the difference between a good trip and a great one.

Turn a potential disadvantage of independent travel into a big plus by hiring a local guide for private tours of monuments or neighborhoods. We use Context Travel regularly, even in (or especially in) cities like Rome, Florence and Paris that we’ve visit often. You not only have the chance to dive deep and learn with expert local guides, but your private tour can be customized to your interests. Another category we use local guides for is food tours. That's the best way to discover locally owned spots you'd probably never find on your own. Devour Tours offers curated tours in many large European cities. We've been on about 10 their tours and never been disappointed.

CONS: It’s all on you to book your flights, hotels, and itinerary. It’s on you to navigate and deal with changes. It’s difficult to anticipate all the local events or issues that can impact travel. Research before and during a trip is important; we don’t know what we don’t know. And those daily decisions like finding a restaurant can be time-consuming and tiring.

In sum, if you are uncomfortable planning and booking all the details, or afraid of being stranded on your own, take advantage of the service provided by tour companies. As you tend toward more independent travel, don’t hesitate to start with an appealing small group tour or river cruise, even, to launch you on your way. For the most independent travelers, be better informed by visiting tourist offices, booking private guides, and joining a good food tour.

🛫 Get Going: Tours We Recommend For You

Speaking of finding a small group tour the aligns with your interests, here are a few on our radar this week.

We have nine spots left on our Scandinavia: Cities, Culture, and Adventure with Kris and Tom, September 18-29. You can save $125 if you book by March 31. We’re happy to consult with you if you want to extend your travels.

This unique tour with us to Sligo, Ireland – focused on crafts, photography, and culture – is sold out, but add your name to the wait list and you’ll be the first to know when the next Ireland in Focus tour goes on sale.

We love all the tours organized by our fellow nomad and blogger, Sherry Ott. She’s having some fun with her next tour to Japan: The Ultimate Cat Lover’s Tour of Japan, November 3-10, 2025. See what we mean about affinity group travel? “This tour isn’t just about cats," says Sherry, "but it covers another part of my life I love.” We’d go strictly for the culture and adventure and enjoy the bonus cat photo ops!

See all Sherry’s tour offerings here, including a more adventurous Japan itinerary just before the cat tour, as well as tours to Nepal, Patagonia, and Panama. Tell her Kris and Tom say ‘hi’.

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🧳 Our Latest Posts

Since our tour to Sweden and Norway includes the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bergen, we updated this post for you: Oslo to Bergen and Back: Travel Across Norway.

Whether you are headed to Bergen by ship or car or air, alone or with a group, this post will guide you to top museums, scenic views, and historic sites.

🗞️ Travel News From Around the Web

• ​Rick Steves wants to radicalize you, according to this story about his new book. We love Rick's attitude about all things travel, especially his thoughts on how travel builds a better world. His new book, On the Hippie Trail, is tops on our upcoming list of reads.
• And, some bad news for Americans (like us) who are traveling abroad: the US Dollar is losing value. In the past week, it's dropped about 5 percent against the Euro, which means our trip to Spain just got 5 percent more expensive.

💸 This Week's Best Deals in Travel

• It doesn't get better than free, and that's what the Daily Drop travel newsletter costs. It's among the best at identifying flight deals that you can use. Sign up today. Why not?
• ​AARP's membership sale expires today. Five year membership for $11 per year. You'll perhaps make up the entire 5-year dues on your first hotel booking using the AARP discounts.

✈️ Points and Miles News

• ​Don't let this deal get away. It expires on March 15. Trust us, you'll kick yourself if you miss this one. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is offering 75,000 bonus miles and, for a limited time, an additional $250 travel credit. That’s worth at least $1,000 in free travel for an annual fee of $95. Plus, this card earns you 2x miles on all of your daily spending, making it a great every day card for your wallet. You can read our review of this card here.

📖 What We're Reading

Kris just finished Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner, about the troubled American agent infiltrating a subversive group in France. She liked the background scholarship on Neanderthals and cave dwellers, as well as the real-life French author and anarchist references. She’s now reading The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh. The two-character play addresses some personal stories resulting from the Hart-Cellar Act, a 1965 bill encouraging a path to citizenship for international students working in science and technology.

Tom has been reading too much news lately and so hasn't yet finished The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson about the lead up to the American Civil War. But, he promises to finish it on the long plane ride to Madrid we're taking tomorrow.

For our previous book recommendations, check out this list.

❝Travel Quote of the Week❞

I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with wings. – Gustave Flaubert

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Happy travels,

Kris and Tom

P.S. What more can we do for you? Reply to this newsletter and ask us anything.

​ Tom Bartel and Kristin Henning ​Travel Past 50​ ​ Connect with us: Facebook, Threads, Instagram, ​ Join our Facebook community.

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