The first thought most people have is, wow, that's a four-hour drive. Fair. So is a tour of Mont Saint-Michel worth it, or is the day mostly road? The short answer is yes, and the first view is the reason why: I stepped off the shuttle, turned around, and it landed the same way the skyscrapers land when you come up out of the subway in New York. Here's what the day actually involves, what you … [Read more...] about Is a Tour of Mont Saint-Michel Worth It?
Is a Tour of the Pantheon Worth It?
Almost everyone stops dead in the doorway of the Pantheon, and that traffic jam is exactly the effect Hadrian's architect was going for. It's also the reason a tour of the Pantheon is worth it: the building hands you the awe instantly, then leaves you standing there with no idea what you're actually looking at. We've walked thousands of travelers through those bronze doors, and the gap between a … [Read more...] about Is a Tour of the Pantheon Worth It?
Is a Tour of Buckingham Palace Worth It?
Planning a London trip and wondering if a tour of Buckingham Palace is worth it? Short answer: yes, mostly because these are some of the hardest tickets in the city to get your hands on. The State Rooms open for just a few weeks each summer, entry is timed, capacity is capped, and slots disappear fast. Book a guided tour and you get more than a secured place: a walking tour through St. James's … [Read more...] about Is a Tour of Buckingham Palace Worth It?
Is a Tour of the Acropolis Worth It?
Heading to Athens and wondering whether a tour of the Acropolis is actually worth it? The short answer is yes, and not just because we sell them. The site is enormous, the signage is almost entirely in Greek, and without a guide you will wander past some of the most significant ruins in human history without knowing what you are looking at. I've visited the Acropolis both with and without a guide, … [Read more...] about Is a Tour of the Acropolis Worth It?
Is a Tour of Park Güell Worth It?
Heading to Barcelona and wondering if a tour of Park Güell is worth it? Short answer: yes, and mostly for reasons that have nothing to do with the mosaics. The first time I went hunting for the secret motifs tucked into the serpentine bench, the coffee cups and Catalan flags hidden in the trencadís, I walked past them twice. Here's what a guide actually adds, what the €18 solo ticket gets you, and … [Read more...] about Is a Tour of Park Güell Worth It?
Is a Tour of Notre-Dame Worth It?
Heading to Paris and wondering if a tour of Notre-Dame is worth it when walking through the door costs nothing? The short answer is yes, for most people. I've stood on the parvis watching a hundred people angle for the same photo of the west façade, and the gap between seeing Notre-Dame and understanding it usually comes down to who is standing next to you. Here's what a guide adds, what a free … [Read more...] about Is a Tour of Notre-Dame Worth It?
