I have become a big fan of hiring private guides when I travel solo.

So this week I’m sharing my top XX tips on how to make sure you find the right guide for you!

I’ve always been of the “hop on hop off” bus trips to orient myself to a new large city in particular. 

And I’ve always incorporated some sort of mini tour when I’m crunched for time and really want to see something very specific.

But I’m not a great fan of having to be on someone else's “Timetable”. 

So as I’ve found myself traveling more and more solo I needed a solution.

How to see and do things without the “big bus tour”.

That's where a private guide comes in.

But my first reaction was yikes, this will cost an arm and a leg.

Let me stop you right there and don’t make that mistake like I did for too long.

I have found not only can the right private guide be incredibly reasonable it comes down to the value and experience you get.

To Name a few...

It’s a Custom, Personalized And Flexible Experience

You call the shots, you are on your “clock” and you get to choose where you go and how long you stay at any one place!

As a solo female traveler it provides me a level of Safety and Security.

I am more adventurous to visit places and do things that on my own I might be more hesitant. And this can be especially helpful in countries where language can be daunting.

Access To Unique Experiences

A private guide for sure will take you to the tried and tested places that everyone likes to visit...

But the added value is that they will also take you places that they as a local love and are willing to share with their clients. 

I had a blast in Bangkok with my private guides as they took me to the old Portuguese section of the city right on the river just a few hundred meters down from a huge temple.

But there was nobody else around and I got to eat in a tiny hole in the wall family food place that I would never have found on my own.

An Opportunity To Support Small Businesses & Women

Now you all know this is near and dear to my heart. I go out of my way to deliberately seek out female owned and operated businesses and in this case private guides who are in business for themselves.

Companionship

Not going to lie, even as a giant introvert I still like to interact with humans from time to time haha. 

I have made lasting connections with some of the private guides I have encountered on my travels.

One of the biggest fears I hear from women traveling solo is feeling lonely and not being able to share their amazing travel experience with someone else.

Hiring a guide makes any travel experience less lonely and more enjoyable.

Tootling around with my private guides Natty and Ply in Bangkok gave me the feeling of being out for the day with my nieces.

And if you’re interested in a trip to Bangkok you can find Natty and Ply by connecting on Facebook right here. Support them in their business and your travel adventures!

https://www.facebook.com/NPezyGo

https://www.facebook.com/ply.weena

Custom Advice

Hiring a private guide not only gives you an amazing experience with the time you spend with them but they are a wealth of information.

The can provide personalized recommendations for restaurants, entertainment, and shopping, tailored to your tastes and budget. 

As they spend time with you the tune into what your specific interests and tastes are.

🔥🔥🔥Hot TIP🔥🔥🔥

I try to use a private guide at the beginning of my stay in a location because I know I will get those gems 💎 of information that I can use for the rest of my stay!

Easy Access To Tourist Sites

Private Guides will also often have access to places that the general public and tourists might not normally have access to.

I’m really looking forward to this on an upcoming trip. The guide I have found and selected is able to provide me a very local experience that is off the beaten path and not the “tourist” type go to place.

Watch for more in an upcoming blog.

Make The Most Of Your Precious Travel Time

I at first glance that sounds very sterile. But lets be practical.

You only have so much time when you travel and you want to make the most of it.

So when it does come to entering some more popular tourist sites a private guide can be so helpful. They know the best times to visit those popular places and to avoid the crowds.

The can handle logistics for tickets and take that hassle off your plate so you just get to glide on in and enjoy the experience.

A Deeper, Richer, Cultural Experience

Private guides provide valuable insights into local customs, traditions, and history that you might not discover on your own or through a guidebook. 

What I love is the infuse their personal experiences into your day with them…

Rather than just visiting a temple, I had my guide at another location share her personal story of growing up and going to the school attached to the temple.

Wrapping Up

Private guides are more than a guide. They genuinely want to share their love of their country and culture with you.

They want you have a little slice of that experience.

They want you to go home and share your experience with your family and friends not only that they will come and visit but to have a greater understanding of the world at large.

With that understanding comes more peace and harmony.

And ladies, don’t we all wish for that?

So remember Private Guides are great value because you...

🔅Get a personalized and flexible experience

🔅Gain access to unique experiences

🔅Get to support small business and women in particular!

🔅Beat the loneliness have wonderful companionship

🔅Receive custom, local advice to enjoy the rest of your stay

🔅Get easy access to tourist sites

🔅Make the most of your precious travel time

🔅Have a deeper, richer cultural experience

Interested in more, check out my YouTube Channel

If you found this blog valuable head on over to my YouTube channel and take a look, here's the 👉👉👉 link

Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

And if you like what you see please consider subscribing to the channel or giving a video a like :-)

So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.