Is Working with a Travel Guide Worth It?
Before the internet became most people's travel information destination, many sought help from a travel guide company. These companies would help plan out everything from travel to hotels to getting around in the city. Some would even help with discounts for groups!
The thing is, these guides still exist!
Although they're less commonly used, these travel specialists have the deals and details on the best ways to come and go: but is it worth it?
How Many People Are Going?
Think about how many people you're inviting to go with you on this trip? If it's just you and your partner, that's not so bad, but if you're asking your mom and your closest six friends to look at Banff homes for sale with you: you’re going to need better planning. The more people there are, the more schedules, flights, and planning will have to go into the trip.
Although you could do this on your own, figuring out what deals you qualify, and how to get them can be a nightmare many aren’t ready for.
How Long Is The Trip?
Are you staying out of town for a weekend, or is it closer to a couple of months? You may think you know what you're doing, but inclement weather, poor timing, and simple bad luck can throw off everything. Most travel agencies will quickly work with you to reschedule and figure out the issue, and although you can do that yourself, it's brutal out of town! Spending a long time away is less stressful when you have someone you can count on.
How Many Locations Are There?
How many different legs are on the trip? Are you just making one stop and then flying straight back, or are you stopping in many locations along the way? The more places you have, the more compartmentalized your trip will need to become. You may think of it as one extensive trip, but if you have as many island and country stops as the average cruise line, you might need help.
Have You Planned Trips Before?
Planning an extensive trip is a lot of stress! If you have a keen eye for detail, and you think you can pick it up based on guesswork, there's a high chance of you getting highly stressed out. Instead, consider hiring a travel guide who can show you through the steps. This takes the strain of planning and possibly falling off of your shoulders and allows you to sit back and enjoy your trip like everyone else gets to.
What’s Your Budget?
How much can you afford? Although the easier planning, more flexibility, and possible discounts are all alluring: if your budget is too tight to afford them, it's time to figure out how much you can afford and if that allows you to fit a guide into your trip.
If not, you can be your travel agent by researching everything thoroughly and price comparing. If a deal sounds too good to be true, don't be afraid to look at reviews and find one that says legitimate.
