City Tours and Excursions

ABOVE: A "hop on, hop off" tour bus in Edinburgh. INSET BELOW: Sampling take-out pastries during a Pâtisserie tour in Paris, and a Paris sightseeing boat.

Independent travelers often look down their noses at local sightseeing tours, and with good reason: Coach tours often seem more like cattle herding than exploration, and viewing a city through the sealed windows of an air-conditioned bus is a bit like watching the Travel Channel without your sofa's legroom.

Still, there are times when local tours are worth considering:

Your time is limited. If you're in a major city for only one day, a guided tour will get you to as many sights as possible without fear of getting lost.

You have a special interest. An expert guide can take you to places that you might not be able to see independently, or that you might not have the time or patience to find by yourself. (Examples: The Paris Pâtisserie Tour and the Mercat Vaults Tour in Edinburgh.)

You'd rather listen and look than read. If you're the sort of person who enjoys human interaction, a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide is likely to be more satisfying than a printed itinerary in a guidebook. (Example: A tour with any of the three women of WalksInsideVenice, who can answer questions about where to find the best gelato in Venice while they're showing you the sights.)

You have limited mobility. If you have trouble walking, become exhausted easily, or don't feel strong enough to cope with public transportation, a guided tour can expand your sightseeing opportunities.

You prefer two wheels to two feet. Tour operators such as Mike's Bike Tours in Munich and Amsterdam or Paris Segway Tours can help you see the city by bicycle or high-tech scooter without having to deal with rentals or read maps.

You prefer water to dry land. Lake, river, harbor, and canal cruises are irresistible (at least to travelers who like boats). For examples, see our articles on Paris Sightseeing Boats and Paris Dinner Cruises.

Getting there is a nuisance. Sometimes, it's just easier to book a day tour than to rent a car or use public transportation. (Examples: Visiting El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid, or the ice caves at Werfen from Salzburg.)

You want to be entertained. Tours don't have to be instructive to be enjoyable--and even an educational tour can be fun. (Examples: The City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour and the Literary Pub Tour in Edinburgh, or the Miracle Players "Comedy Walk" and "Dolce Roma" performances in Rome.)

Next page: Where to find tours

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