I’ve been meaning to write this post since my 40th birthday nearly two years ago, but better late than never, right?! I really thought it was important to still write about the experience, two years later, because the trip was so dreamy and it’s mostly because of my dear friend, Eva Jorgensen, who planned the whole thing. Bless her for taking away all the decision making, which, at my age and state in life, is the greatest gift one could give (decision fatigue is real!). Eva is a professional tour guide creating perfectly curated design-focused experiences to Paris, the South of France, and the American West. I had the best of both worlds–a friend and a tour guide, but I wanted to write especially to those of you who are unsure if it’s worth it to go with a tour guide for your travel needs or to just plan it yourself.
To be honest, I always considered a tour guide a less than ideal way to travel, for some reason. I must have prided myself in doing everything myself, but I know now how amazing it can be.
Traveling in big groups
I’ve traveled quite a bit in various sized groups–from a big orchestra tour to England and France in middle school with 50 students, to college with 30 girls on study abroad all around Europe, a group of 20 or so to Nepal and another to Finland. I’ve traveled for work with other people planning my trips, with my husband and family where we planned it ourselves. I also LOVE traveling by myself and have had the craziest adventures just on my own. Each type of trip and size is different and comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Each type of arrangement brought something new to the table. With my orchestra tour at 13, I hardly knew anyone, but we were there to play music and followed a jam-packed schedule. The organizers basically told us what to do, but hey, if that isn’t being a kid, I don’t know what else is–I didn’t know how much of a luxury that was. Of course, that also meant that we also got stuck with less than average food options and some questionable items on the itinerary. Who takes a group of kids from Orange County, California, home of Disneyland, to Paris Disney? That said, it was my dream to go to Europe so for me, anything was great.
Fast forward to my study abroad in college. It was an art history-focused trip with a focus in landscape design with fellow students who also loved art so it was a little more on the nose with the experiences matching my interests. Part of the class involved researching a piece of art or architecture prior to the trip and giving an oral presentation on the spot. Mine was Le Petit Trianon, a smaller pavilion built outside the palace of Versailles that was given to Marie Antoinette. I’ll never forget standing outside the building and being absolutely wowed that I was seeing it in person after months of research.
Traveling solo
Later I got to go back a number of times with friends, my husband, by myself and create my own itinerary. I loved stumbling upon Astier de Villate for the very first time. With no prior knowledge about this quaint ceramics shop, I was transported to another time and dimension. There’s something so magical about being able to wander around with no expectations or time table. I love that about traveling solo.
Until this trip, I had never traveled with a tour guide who specialized in basically everything I loved so I couldn’t have imagined how much of a good fit it was. Eva and I already share a lot of things on common so being able to experience a place like France together was magic. Her super hero power is a thorough deep dive. That, combined with an extensive art and design background, meant that she had to wanted the perfect combination of 1) excellent food, 2) excellent design, and 3) interesting storytelling. I mean, she is the author of Paris by Design so it just makes sense!
Why to travel with a travel guide
With all that in mind, here’s why I’m all for a tour guide experience if you can swing it.
Time Saving
Planning a trip can take months, weeks, hours of work. There’s scheduling, checking times, reservations, confirmations, checking local calendars. If it’s not your particular interest to plan, a tour guide will do it all for you saving you so much time and headache. It’s their job–imagine that?!
Interest-focused
Have you ever traveled and realize you’re not really seeing the stuff you want to be seeing? Or you’re waiting outside a lot while everyone else does something that they want to do? While Eva has narrowed in on design-focused travel experiences, there are many others out there who specialize in various interests. In fact, if you really wanted to focus, I know guides like Eva will take on special projects and groups to get exactly what you are looking for–want a specific cuisine or want to spend time in a certain arrondisement? Let it be known! Of course, it doesn’t have to be just France.
Community of like-minded people
Lucky me got to go with some of my dearest friends to France and we share a lot of interests. While I haven’t been on Eva’s official tours, I do know from other people who have visited, that they have met long lasting friends. The common interest in the trip itself–the focus on great food, design–brings people with similiar interests together. Eva has mentioned that people have come by themselves, with a friend, with work colleagues (Joanna Gaines and her creative team anyone?!).
Troubleshooting
Something is bound to go wrong, but guess who gets to solve it? The tour guide! Not you! Score!
Why not to travel with a travel guide
Now, of course there could be a few cons to traveling with a tour guide. Here are a few things that I could think of.
Cost
Of course, the number one reason would be the cost. Yes, it’s going to cost you more money than if you do it all yourself. That said, you’re also spending a ton of time so it depends on how you value your time.
Unfamiliar
If you don’t have a persona recommendation from someone, it could be risky to travel with someone you don’t know. Of course, there are always risks. With social media these days, hopefully you can get a feel for what a person is like before you go. If you’re choosing to travel with a group, group dynamics are also a consideration. I know Eva tries to create great morale prior to leaving so it’s comfortable for everyone.
I’m realizing that this sounds like a huge ad for Eva’s trips and that’s not necessarily the point. Buuuut, if I’m being honest, I really think you should try it out! She’s got such a great eye for detail, up and coming, classic options, interested people and workshops. I really couldn’t recommend her By Design trips enough!
Have you ever traveled with a tour guide? How did it go? Do you have anything else to add to this list? Would love to hear it!