Murray On Travel

In travel agent lingo, are you an "Independent" or "group" traveler? Would you rather travel on our own, and as an independent traveler, or with a tour as a group? If you have only picked one and never tried the other you maybe missing some very important vacation experiences.

Travelers I meet will often say I'll never take a tour, I wouldn't be caught dead in a bus full of tourists. Well it's time to get over it. Group tours run the range from massive buses to small vans with a handful of passengers. But the common, and valuable, asset a tour can offer is a knowledgeable guide who knows the lay of the land. They can explain the local, take you into places and show you things you may never be able to experience if you were on your own.

But independent travelers can also discover a destinations true character. Moving at your own pace can have it's advantages, especially if you have a passion for a specific item like birding or history. You can seek out and linger over your area of interest for hours and not be required to respond to the needs of others. And, often when times get tough, you will discover the kindness common to all populations around the globe.

We live in a world that has grown over the years. Yes the globe now has more destinations available to us than ever before. But at the same time some of these new, and old, locals can be less stable than we would prefer. This is a great time to consider a tour rather than going it alone.

Travelers should consider breaking away from the group especially if the area is known as a tourist region. Take the time and prepare your own path through a location that is new to you. The Internet has become a great resource for those going it alone. And don't just visit the big commercial travel sites, search out specific sites which have discussion groups related to your area of interest.

First steps? For those who only take tours, try planning a trip in an area you already are familiar with, and for you independent thinkers maybe a cruise would be a nice way to slide into a more structured travel experience. Try it. And always remember to talk to a professional travel agent for any advice they may have.