A self-guided tour is a sightseeing excursion where individuals or groups are not accompanied by a professional guide. It’s the polar opposite of an escorted tour, where a professional guide leads the way and usually provides pertinent information. This type of tour may include walking, hiking, driving, and/or boating, or a combination of these activities. A self-guided tour can be as simple as walking through a museum, art gallery, or college campus, or it can be as complicated as planning a long trip with maps, instructions, and an itinerary.
Some travel agencies specialize in helping customers plan and organize self-guided tours. These usually last at least a week, and sometimes even months. The travel company gives the customer a trip itinerary to follow, with the majority of transportation and lodging already planned. This type of self-guided tour may occasionally include a guide for a portion of the trip, especially if the individual or group is unable to communicate in a foreign language or if special equipment is required, such as in a mountain climbing expedition. If the trip includes a tour guide, the self-guided itinerary will specify the day, time, and location where each traveler or group should meet the guide.
Self-guided tour itineraries are typically organized for each day of the trip. Not only do self-guided tour itineraries usually include instructions on which mode of transportation to use and where to stay each night, but they also usually include a summary of the sights to see in that area. Restaurants of note in the area, as well as shopping recommendations, may be mentioned. Optional tourist attractions or side tours may be included in a self-guided itinerary.
Museums, art galleries, and college campuses that don’t use tour guides to direct visitors often have printed brochures, maps, and signs that are easy to follow. There may be several different paths or route options to choose from in larger establishments or tourist attractions. There are even cellphone tours available in some cases, so a person does not have to visit a facility such as a college campus in person right away. A student who lives far away or is just beginning to compile a short list of possible colleges to attend can benefit from a self-guided cellphone tour of the school.