Spain: Tour or Customized Trip
Sep 16th, 2010, 12:27 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Spain: Tour or Customized Trip
Hi - My husband and I want to go Spain next year for about 2 weeks. I found a tour I like that uses mostly high speed trains between the cities however I don't like being part of a big group. I think we could do this on our own but my husband likes someone else handling the luggage (he doesn't like schlepping mine!) LOL He also likes the fact that the guides are usually very knowledgable about the areas and he likes that everything is planned. I am wondering about having a travel agent book all the hotels, train tickets, and adding on some guided tours in each city plus transfers. Does anyone know how costs of that sort of trip would compare to the tcost of an escorted tour? I realize it would depend on the budget for hotels. Does anyone have a company to recommend that could plan such a trip?
Thanks!
Sara
Thanks!
Sara
Sep 16th, 2010, 02:23 PM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You would have to pay the agent a signigicant sum for doing the planning and ticketing - and the agent will steer you to upcale hotels that pay them a commission.
Frankly I don;t see any need to handle luggage in trveling on your own. The cab driver puts it in the trunk and the bellman takes it out - and you tip both. Even with a tour you hae to handle you own luggge at the airport - and you probably would at train stations too (have you enquired about that? - not to the station - but on and off the train).
Frankly I don;t see any need to handle luggage in trveling on your own. The cab driver puts it in the trunk and the bellman takes it out - and you tip both. Even with a tour you hae to handle you own luggge at the airport - and you probably would at train stations too (have you enquired about that? - not to the station - but on and off the train).
Sep 16th, 2010, 03:18 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was kidding about the luggage (sort of). Yes, I know we have to handle our own luggage on and off the train. I probably didn't state the question as clearly as I could. My husband really likes the guides on the tours and the pre-plannned activities. But I don't like the large herded groups/rigid schedules and am seeking another option. I could plan the itinerary and choose hotels. I have also found some guided tours/sightseeing activities as well as some transfers to/from airports on Viator.com. I will try to price out a trip using these and see what the total comes up to. I will also contact AAA and see if they provide that sort of service as part of my membership.
Sep 16th, 2010, 04:13 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your hubby needs to man up and start hauling the suitcases.
As for guides, you can probably schedule half-day walking tours in just about every major Spanish city that would be on your itinerary (like London Walks type equivalent) and not have to get railroaded into the preferred shops and hotels that mass tours use. Plus, with two weeks, you can easily spend 3-4 days at each major stop and take day trips, instead of 1-2 night stops and jumping on a bus or train every day.
As for guides, you can probably schedule half-day walking tours in just about every major Spanish city that would be on your itinerary (like London Walks type equivalent) and not have to get railroaded into the preferred shops and hotels that mass tours use. Plus, with two weeks, you can easily spend 3-4 days at each major stop and take day trips, instead of 1-2 night stops and jumping on a bus or train every day.
Sep 16th, 2010, 04:43 PM
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 985
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are some great private guides who can add a LOT to your experience. For instance, our guide in Madrid was an art historian who loved Valasquez and Goya and gave us a memorable tour of their paintings in the Prado Museum that the average guide (or certainly the average tourist with guide book) would not have been able to provide. Private guides are expensive - as this is how they make their living. A really good travel agent can make these connections for you.
Group tours are less expensive - and you do benefit from the fact that they book thousands of hotel rooms a year and can command better prices. There are "mass tour companies" and there are better options as well: some tour companies (such as Tauck Tours) design their product so that you have flexibility in your own daily experience and don't feel herded along with a larger group.
Travel agents may charge you a trip planning fee. After all, they are spending hours of time on your behalf and are entitled to be compensated for their work - and if it's worth it to you to have an expert save you the headaches and confusion of putting together a complex itinerary, then that fee is worth it. A good travel agent who really knows Spain can save you time, money, and make sure you see the things you want to see and skip the things that aren't worth it.
Group tours are less expensive - and you do benefit from the fact that they book thousands of hotel rooms a year and can command better prices. There are "mass tour companies" and there are better options as well: some tour companies (such as Tauck Tours) design their product so that you have flexibility in your own daily experience and don't feel herded along with a larger group.
Travel agents may charge you a trip planning fee. After all, they are spending hours of time on your behalf and are entitled to be compensated for their work - and if it's worth it to you to have an expert save you the headaches and confusion of putting together a complex itinerary, then that fee is worth it. A good travel agent who really knows Spain can save you time, money, and make sure you see the things you want to see and skip the things that aren't worth it.
Sep 16th, 2010, 05:22 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You may want to consider a vacation package. They arrange the hotels and logistics, but you are on your own for sightseeing. Depending on the package, it may include round-trip airfare, hotels, rail passes, and/or a rental car.
Here are three to consider:
http://www.europeandestinations.com/...et_Spain-26110
http://www.go-today.com/spain-portugal-vacations.aspx
http://www.gate1travel.com/spain-travel/default.aspx
You could also do part of the trip with a tour and part of it independently. For example, you could fly into Spain, hang out on your own for 3 or 4 days, join a one-week escorted tour, and then stay on in Spain for 3 or 4 days after the tour ends.
Here are three to consider:
http://www.europeandestinations.com/...et_Spain-26110
http://www.go-today.com/spain-portugal-vacations.aspx
http://www.gate1travel.com/spain-travel/default.aspx
You could also do part of the trip with a tour and part of it independently. For example, you could fly into Spain, hang out on your own for 3 or 4 days, join a one-week escorted tour, and then stay on in Spain for 3 or 4 days after the tour ends.
Sep 16th, 2010, 05:41 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sara_j
You did not mention which parts of Spain that you were interested in. Part of Spain trip 2 years ago included Seville. In that city we did have a tour guide. He was phenomenal!! I am usually anti-group tours, however I would highly recommend him. His name is Roger Davies. ( Not really sure about the last name) His company is called a quesion of taste. We did wine tastings, olive oil tastins, museums, cooking classes tapas crawls, etc. He will tailor it to your needs and budget. We also ventured to other parts of Spain with this guide and hotel, food, as well as 1st class train tickets were included. Im not sure what your budget is, but I thought it was worth every penny. He really took care of us. We were a samll group of about 8 people. He does even smaller gropus. Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun.
The web address is: www.aqot.com
You did not mention which parts of Spain that you were interested in. Part of Spain trip 2 years ago included Seville. In that city we did have a tour guide. He was phenomenal!! I am usually anti-group tours, however I would highly recommend him. His name is Roger Davies. ( Not really sure about the last name) His company is called a quesion of taste. We did wine tastings, olive oil tastins, museums, cooking classes tapas crawls, etc. He will tailor it to your needs and budget. We also ventured to other parts of Spain with this guide and hotel, food, as well as 1st class train tickets were included. Im not sure what your budget is, but I thought it was worth every penny. He really took care of us. We were a samll group of about 8 people. He does even smaller gropus. Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun.
The web address is: www.aqot.com
Sep 16th, 2010, 08:02 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you can hire a travel/trip planner to put everything together for you at a reasonable price, but you need to work with someone knowledgeable who can point you in the right direction.
I'm afraid to say that most travel agents have very limited knowledge of destinations in Spain, even those that might be listed as experts in their field, simply because so few of them actually have the time to travel to Spain during a typical year, which is why you need to work with someone who does spend time in Spain.
The typical travel agent spends most of their time on the phone fielding questions, or on the computer doing research, looking for reliable tour operators/guides they can work with, which saves the traveler a lot of time and headaches, not traveling.
I'm afraid to say that most travel agents have very limited knowledge of destinations in Spain, even those that might be listed as experts in their field, simply because so few of them actually have the time to travel to Spain during a typical year, which is why you need to work with someone who does spend time in Spain.
The typical travel agent spends most of their time on the phone fielding questions, or on the computer doing research, looking for reliable tour operators/guides they can work with, which saves the traveler a lot of time and headaches, not traveling.
Sep 17th, 2010, 07:03 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your comments/suggestions. The idea of doing a combination of tour package and independent is a good one. Also, I have found some travel agencies that specialize in Spain tours (one located in Madrid). I will do more research and explore all these options. I basically know where I want to go and for how long so it shouldnt be too difficult to work out a trip.
