Untours travel provides a unique vacation experience for those who like to mix traditional travel with independence.
Part of the reason we love to travel is the constant variety of each new location. This can be extended to how we travel as well. Over the years we have participated in highly structured tour groups, done all of the planning and arranging of a trip on our own (OK, it was all Ramie) but one of our most enjoyable experiences was something of a hybrid alternative . . . Untours travel.
Why Untours travel . . .
When Ramie was researching our latest international jaunt she inadvertently discovered a unique travel alternative. Untours combines, and eliminates, some of the best, and worse, things about traveling. Consider all of the following:
Advantages to Travelling with a Tour Group
- Everything is organized for you so there is less that could go wrong
- Guides will provide information, context for attractions and generally be available if you need help
- The newness of travelling with others can add to the fun and excitement of your time together
Disadvantages to Travelling with a Tour Group
- You have to go wherever the group goes
- You must always adhere to someone else’s schedule
- Keep your fingers crossed that you draw a good group of fellow vacationers
- Cost can sometimes include things you aren’t interested in
Advantages to Travelling on Your Own
- Your schedule is entirely up to you each and every moment
- You can take your time wherever you are, no need to rush
- You are free to explore where you want, eat where you want and go where you want
Disadvantages to Travelling on Your Own
- It’s a lot of work arranging everything from transportation and hotels to attraction visits and where to eat
- If you get in trouble you are on your own
- You might not have the discipline to get up and go out every day
Untours travel isn’t for everyone but can be an ideal “best of both worlds” solution, especially if you are travel veterans and desire more control over your experience.
What exactly makes Untours travel different?
- Untours travel provides trip planning support, on-site support, a comfortable home base and transportation
- You stay in a local private residence so you feel less like a tourist and more like a local
- You have access to a local guide and one guided outing
- The rest of the time you are on your own
On the Reel
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Imogene Coca. Directed by Harold Ramis.
For a little light-hearted fun about a vacation gone bad, it’s hard to miss the mark with this Chevy Chase classic. So popular it lead to three sequels and even a remake. The original is probably the best but they all have moments of hilarity.
Just the Right Level of Support
When you land at your destination you’ll be met by your contact from Untours, who will help you get situated with your immediate transportation needs such as train, cab or bus including any transfer instructions needed to get you to your destination. Once you arrive your landlord will be there and accompany you to your lodgings and get you settled. They will then give you a quick tour of the flat along with any pertinent instructions such as how to use the shower, washer and dryer.
Don’t be surprised if you find the refrigerator already well stocked but it’s still a good idea to do a quick inventory and visit the local grocery if needed. After that you are on your own until your first appointment with the local tour guide.
On the Reel
Leap Year (2010)
Starring Amy Adams, Matthew Goode and Adam Scott. Directed by Anand Tucker.
If you’re a Romantic Comedy fan and enjoy a fish-out-of-water/road trip story it’s hard to do better than this wonderful little gem. The chemistry between the leads is perfect and the Irish countryside proves a flawless third star.
The Joy of Freedom
I think the single most important element of Untours was the freedom it afforded us while still helping us to learn more about where we were visiting. We felt, and behaved, more like locals than tourists. We shopped at local markets and used public transportation like cabs, ferries and trains to get around. There was also the excitement of risk without completely being left on our own.
We liked being on our own as it forced us to quickly learn some of the local customs. It helps to know at least a few native expressions like hello, thank you, you’re welcome and goodbye. It has been our experience that while no local truly “likes” tourists, if you are respectful the sentiment is returned in kind.
The Local Tour Guide is Invaluable
Access to a local guide was the connective tissue to understanding our new “home town”. Not only were we taken on a tour of the area surrounding our home but there was more of a conversational relationship than you might get being part of a large tour group. We are always curious about little facts and stories that won’t be in the sales pamphlets or as part of a structured tour, so we were grateful that our local guide also lived in the area and proved a fountain of knowledge.
As an additional bonus, they also explain how things work locally like when and how much to tip, how the local trains run and where to situate yourself best. It’s almost like having your own private local expert to lean on and learn from during your stay.
Location, Location, Location
You get a choice of different local residencies to stay during your visit. Luckily Untours does an excellent job of not just vetting the locations in terms of proximity to interesting spots to visit but also to transportation (train stations, boats, bus stops, etc.), grocery markets and restaurants. Everything you need is close by and accessible.
Conclusion
For us Untours travel was the perfect marriage between structure and autonomy. We used Untours for our trip to St. Goar, Germany and Leiden, Netherlands and could not have enjoyed ourselves more. We not only saw the local sights that are popular (for good reason) but also a few gems we might not have found on our own and certainly not on any tour group.
In sum, if the above sounds like your kind of fun, we highly recommend Untours for your next trip.
Do you have any unique travelling arrangements you’ve experienced?
Please share them in the Comments section below . . . Happy Traveling!
