Planning a trip: travel agency vs self-organization

Going on vacation is always a good idea no matter what destination you choose: Nizhyn, Naples, Kyiv or Cologne. You can have a good time both here and abroad. But if organizing a trip across our homeland can be made on your own, then traveling to European countries have nuances.

Advantages of tour operators

Delegating travel planning, on the one hand, is an ideal solution. After all, finding an apartment, booking tickets, and monitoring excursions takes a lot of time, effort, and nerves. In this case, another person takes care of all the nuances. All you have to do is pack your suitcase and wait for the right date.

Usually, travel agencies can offer a nice hotel with a great room. And not just anytime but during the season when it's the hardest to rent a house. They buy many apartments and book charter flights in advance. So they immediately provide convenient options.

Another point is the visa. To put it mildly, it's difficult to apply for a visa on your own. Entrusting this matter to a tour operator is the easiest way. You just need to bring the necessary documents at the specified time. That's all that's required of you.

If you come across a "hot" tour, you will save a lot of money. And with a travel agency, you can plan your budget in detail. After all, you know in advance which package is booked: all-inclusive or not. The price also includes all transfers, excursions, insurance, meals, flights, and accommodation.

Advantages of organizing trip on your own

On the other hand, taking things into your own hands is not a bad idea. First, you can take into account your interests. It's easy to organize a trip to several countries at once. You can't do that with tour operators. Everything is stable and without "adventures".

Secondly, you can save a lot of money. For many tourists, it's no secret that airline websites have a "cheapest time" filter. This helps to save several hours of searching and purchase tickets at a bargain price.

Another plus is a complete freedom of choice. Excursions, restaurants, boutiques. Where to go and what to choose, of course, is up to you. As a rule, travel agencies follow a standard scheme. That is, they choose the most expensive restaurants and the most popular locations.

If you are traveling on your own, you will definitely not have such problems. No one will dictate to you whether to change your route or not. And during such travels, you can meet the locals and fully immerse yourself in a new culture.

Disadvantages of travel agencies

In addition to overly touristy destinations and limited availability, there are several other disadvantages. Unfortunately, no one is immune to negligence. When you meet a tour operator, they can smile in your face and guarantee a complete solution to your problems from the beginning to the end of the trip. In fact, all the difficulties often fall on the client's shoulders.

In addition, the "fairy tale" sometimes does not look like the one described by the travel agency employee. The hotel and rooms sometimes do not correspond to reality. And the vacation spot itself is far from civilization. To avoid getting into such a mess, be sure to read reviews about the company and the contract before signing it.

Disadvantages of self-organization

In fact, there is only one disadvantage and it's your wasted time. You'll have to do a lot of planning. After all, you need to rent a place to stay, choose a convenient way to get around, calculate your budget, decide on excursions, monitor restaurants, think about backup options, and so on. But it's worth it.

If you decide to travel without the help of a travel agency, here are some tips on how to organize your trip.

The first step is to choose a destination even if you are traveling by your own car. Impromptu is welcome. But you need to have a clearly defined plan that you can't deviate from later. For your first trip, we recommend choosing neighboring countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Moldova. If you want to get away from home as far as possible, take a closer look at safe countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway.

Next is the budget. It is worth calculating all the entertainment you plan to attend. Include in the list not only restaurants and rental housing but also shopping, galleries, theaters, shopping centers, and street shops. And be sure to take some money with you for emergencies.

Another point: find out what products and things cannot be transported across the border. Each country has its own rules, and sometimes the prohibited items may surprise you. Alcohol and cigarettes are just the tip of the iceberg.

Do not skimp on safety and book tickets with reliable carriers. This rule also applies to rental housing. Take only the necessary clothes and shoes with you. Practice shows that half of the suitcase is never unpacked. And finally, download useful apps: translator, maps, parking, etc.

It doesn't matter which option you choose in the end. Both an independent trip and a ticket purchased from a tour operator are a great opportunity to relax and have a good rest.

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