Memoirs of an Explorer

My thoughts for this first blog were for me to share my views as to why I think taking a tour when going to a foreign country is a better alternative to trying to plan it by yourself. Not that planning a trip by yourself does not have its advantages and disadvantages but you may miss on something like this:

...Imagine a leisurely stroll through an ancient village, the scent of lavender in the air - maybe holding hands with your husband or partner. Children play on the sidewalk. An old man with a row of medals on his chest, hands folded on a cane, is about to nod off in the warmth of the sun. You pass small shops with baskets of fruits on the sidewalk and cheeses and meats in the vitrine . . . You are in St. Paul de Vance, on the French Riviera; it's almost noon and you're looking forward to meeting up with the other three couples who are sharing this vacation experience with you. A terrace beckons, white tablecloth, crisps napkins, a bottle of wine being iced and glasses ready to be filled. The host chef is sharing his love for food and cooking with you: the avid chef that absolutely loves entertaining and always craved knowledge from the source. Well, this is it. Your dream come true.

This is your vacation...

And this is the kind of experience planning a trip on your own would not give give you. Of course you would say, how about the flexibility to do different things than what's included in the cooking or wine tour? That is why tours usually allow for time to explore the city or the surroundings and spend your time as you wish. Traveling by yourself to a country with a language other than English has it's own challenges...sure it's a little funny and cute when you cannot read the signs or find your way around, but isn't that precious time you could spend with a local family being fully immersed in the culture and tasting the life just like they live it?