I was thinking for this trip to use a tour guide or diver for one or two days. Has anyone had a good experience and what are the rates. A friend gave me a name in Provence, she said he was amazing, but he wants 519 euro a day. Yikes! If that's what everyone charges we'll just wonder around like we usually do. Thanks

ttt

Did you mean dRiver? If so, check with the major auto-rental companies. For a guide, check with the tourist office of whatever town you are in.

A rate of 519 euro a day is definitely way up on the high side, at least for small groups (for large groups, it is sometimes justified). Even so, you might want to check what is included in the fee. If it's more than just showing you around, such as included transportation or other activities, it might still be a reasonable deal.

Sometimes it's cost-effective to hire a guide even though it might not seem that way at first, particularly if you don't know what you want to see, or if you don't know a destination well enough to see everything you want to see in the time you have available. That's why large organized tours hire guides. For individuals and small groups, the trade-off is more delicate, but after you've spent thousands on accommodations and airfare, spending a bit more can help you get the most out of what you've already spent.

On the other hand, if you're very familiar with a destination (a regular traveller to a particular city or region), it's a waste of money to hire a guide.

It will be our first time to Provence. I would love one day that is really organized and efficient. I tend to just see where the day takes me, but in a new place I like a good foundation of knowledge befoe I start wondering around markets and grocery stores (the weird thing I like to do). This is the website for the quide. Again my friend said she loved it and him and that the tour was by far the highlight of her entire trip. I just feel that I could bump up every hotel we're staying at, buy some amazing gifts, stay two more days or....bring back some money for 519 euro.

Oh, I forgot to include the site: http://www.atpb.fr/ Anyone ever hear of it?