If you’ve ever sworn you’d “never” do a guided tour, I hear you. I used to roll my eyes too. But then I went on one — and it completely changed how I travel. It wasn’t the stuffy bus tour I’d heard people talk about. Far from it. Instead of being rushed, I felt like I was in on all the secrets: the tucked-away corners, the insider stories, the little surprises that made the trip unforgettable.
Modern guided tours unlock experiences you’d never find on your own — the hidden restaurants, the skip-the-line moments, the stories that bring a place to life.
Here’s the thing: tours got a bad reputation for a while there. But modern ones don’t herd you around, they open doors you’d never even know existed! Like that time our guide in Italy casually waved us into a little family-run trattoria where grandma herself came out to serve us pasta she’d been making for 60 years. There’s no way I would’ve stumbled into that on my own!
And the stories… wow. It’s one thing to see a famous landmark. It’s another thing entirely to stand in front of it while someone who lives and breathes the history points out the tiny details you’d walk right past. Suddenly, it’s not just a building or a ruin—it’s alive. You come home with actual memories, not just photos.
Plus, tours aren’t nearly as rigid as people think. Sure, you hit the big must-sees (because who goes to Paris and skips the Eiffel Tower?). But there’s always built-in time to wander, sip coffee, do a little shopping, or just get lost for a while. The difference is, when you’re ready to dive back in, you’ve got an expert waiting to whisk you straight past the lines and into the good stuff – not to mention someone taking care of all the planning and logistics for you!
So when friends tell me they’d “never” do a guided tour because it’s too touristy, I just smile. I know the secret. Modern guided tours are actually the easiest way to get deeper, faster—and to collect those “I can’t believe this happened” kind of travel stories. Honestly, I’ll never travel the same way again!
If you’re looking for the trip of a lifetime, call your Holly Jolly agent today to see what kind of tour you might be interested in. Our experts can introduce you to eco-tourism, women only hiking adventures, foodie-bliss European tours and more. There is truly something for everyone! And with your travel agent and tour guide taking care of all the logistics, all you have to do is show up and enjoy the sights!