Back in 2016, I did something that felt like jumping into the deep end: I traveled outside of Europe for the first time. Destination? India’s Golden Triangle, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur. The catch? I did it with an organized tour group. You know, the ones where your whole schedule is neatly printed out and laminated before you even step on the plane. At the time, it made sense. Internet resources weren’t as helpful as they are now, and planning something that big felt impossible.

Ever since then, I’ve usually travelled with my husband Fotis, my mom, or my best friend Anastasia. Sometimes our son, Harry, tags along too. But that first big trip with a group? It taught me a lot about the pros and cons of organized tours vs. exploring on your own (or with your chosen travel crew).

So, here’s the age-old travel question: Do you prefer to go with the flow or follow the flag-waving tour guide?

The Group Tour Life: Comfortable but Controlled

Travelling in a group has its perks. Let’s be honest, everything is done for you. Transfers, hotels, meals, sightseeing, entrance tickets… it’s like a holiday on autopilot. You don’t have to worry about missing a train or ending up at the wrong temple (which, by the way, can happen).

But let’s talk about temples for a second. How many temples can one human admire in 10 days without their brain turning into mush? The Golden Triangle is stunning, no doubt. But by day seven, I wasn’t sure if I was at the Red Fort, the Amber Fort, or just a random local’s backyard.

You’re on a tight schedule, often waking up at the crack of dawn just to see more. It’s exciting… until it’s exhausting. You rarely get time to sip a chai in peace, wander around a market, or strike up a random chat with a local. And you’ll never know what it’s like to get lost and laugh your way back to the hotel. 

Once, while travelling in Asia, we hopped into a tuk-tuk and halfway through the ride, the engine literally caught fire. The driver, cool as ever, hopped off, calmly extinguished the flames, gave the motor a few confident taps, and told us with a grin, “No big deal!” before continuing the ride like nothing happened. These are the wild, hilarious, and slightly smoky moments you just don’t get on a tour bus.

The Freedom of Independent Travel

Now, travelling on your own (or with people you’ve chosen) gives you something magical: freedom. You can sleep in. You can decide that today, instead of seeing another monument, you’ll find the best coffee in the city. You can hop on a metro, get off wherever looks interesting, and go with your gut.

One big downside of group tours is that they often follow fixed itineraries, which means you might miss out on places that truly interest you. For example, a standard tour of Argentina usually includes Buenos Aires and the stunning Iguazú Falls, which are both amazing, no doubt. But when we went to Argentina, we really wanted to explore the wine region of Mendoza, because we’re wine lovers. That kind of detour just isn’t possible on a pre-set group itinerary. Travelling independently gave us the freedom to customize the trip around our passions, rather than just ticking off the usual sights.

Yes, you’ll make mistakes. You’ll miss buses, maybe take the wrong train, or end up in a restaurant that serves something unidentifiable. But these are the stories you’ll tell for years. These are the little moments that make a trip unforgettable.

And let’s not forget, you can tailor everything to your style. Want a slow morning and a big dinner? Done. Want to visit just one museum and then read your book in a park all afternoon? Go for it. No one’s rushing you onto a coach at 7:30 a.m. sharp.

So… Which One Is Better?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re going somewhere totally new and overwhelming (hello, first trip to India), an organized tour can feel like a lifeline. But if you’re craving connection, discovery, and the real vibe of a place, doing it your own way might be the key.

Personally? I’ve found that travelling with people I love, Fotis, my mom, Anastasia, and Harry, makes every trip better, whether we’re on a tour or winging it. But those moments of wandering without a plan? They’ve given me the best stories.

So next time you’re choosing between solo adventure or structured tour, ask yourself: Do I want comfort, or do I want chaos?

Travel Tools & Resources for Every Kind of Traveller

Whether you go solo or in a group, these tools can make your trip smoother and more fun:

Tours & Experiences

• GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook (especially good in Asia), or Airbnb Experiences: Great for booking everything from food tours to camel rides. Perfect if you want a short guided activity without committing to a full tour package. 

Accommodation

• Booking.com, Agoda, Airbnb, or Hotels.com: Compare and book hotels, apartments, and local stays. Each platform has something a little different, so it’s worth checking a few.

Flights

• Skyscanner and Google Flights: Excellent for comparing prices and finding the cheapest or fastest options. But once you find a flight you like, book directly on the airline’s website or app, it’s usually safer and easier if something goes wrong.

Local Transfers

• Taxis, ride-hailing, and car-sharing, each country has its go, to options like Uber, Grab (in Southeast Asia), Gojek (in Indonesia), Bolt (Popular in Europe and parts of Africa), GO (in Japan), Kakao T (in Korea): Safe and affordable options for getting around cities. No need to haggle, no cash needed.

Getting Around

• Google Maps: A must-have. Use it for directions, real-time traffic, and even saving pins for places you want to visit. Perfect for finding that cute café you read about last week. 

• Maps.me: Great for offline maps and hiking trails.

• Citymapper: Super detailed for urban transport in select cities.

• Rome2Rio: Ideal for multi-mode travel (e.g., train + bus + ferry).

• Japan Travel by Navitime – Tailored to tourists in Japan, includes offline features.

• KakaoMap: More accurate than Google Maps in Korea, includes walking and transit routes.

Trains & Buses

• 12Go.Asia, Omio, or local rail websites: Easy ways to book longer-distance transport across countries, especially in Asia or Europe.

Wherever you go, plan it, or wing it, just make sure it brings a smile to your face and a few good stories to tell.

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