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Comparing Guided, Self-Guided, and Independent Travel
by Elizabeth Gorga - Last updated on March 1, 2023
- Before You Go
It’s nearly time for your next overseas trip and you’re daydreaming about the new places you’ll see, the new friends you’ll make, the new foods you’ll taste, and the stories you’ll be able to tell when you return home. Traveling can be full of adventure, curiosity, and laughter, but it can also be stressful when you’re in the planning stages.
Finding your ideal type of travel is your ticket to seeing the world.
So, how do you decide between a guided tour vs. independent travel? From visas and flights to accommodation and sightseeing, the nitty gritty of traveling can be daunting. Luckily, there are many different options when it comes to traveling so you can create an experience that feels fun and exciting for you—whether you want to go solo or let someone else take care of the logistics for you.
With options to join guided travel tours, self-guided tours, or embark on independent travel, you can make your next overseas trip anything you desire it to be. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to planning your travels abroad. Ultimately, it depends on your personality and what kind of experience you’re after. If you’re stumped on how to get the most out of your next trip abroad, here you’ll find everything you need to know about a guided tour vs. independent travel .
What is a guided tour?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed when it comes to researching and planning your travels, guided tours can be a game-changer. So what is a guided tour? Guided travel tours are the most convenient way to travel—all you have to do is pay a fee to a tour company and they create the experience for you.
Most guided tours are all-inclusive, meaning everything is taken care of for you. They often provide a local guide who can teach you about local customs, an itinerary packed full of cultural experiences, and even pre-booked accommodation and food so all you have to do is show up. Guided tours usually target specific age groups too, so you have the opportunity to connect with other travelers and make friends easily.
3 pros of guided tours
1. it’s convenient..
There’s no arguing that guided travel tours are the most convenient way to travel. Your tour company will take care of all the logistics for you, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself without having to think about your next move. If you’re a first-time traveler , don’t speak the local language, or feel overwhelmed by the planning process, guided tours can relieve some of the pressure to create an easy, more enjoyable experience.
2. You’ll make friends easily.
Lifelong friendships might just be a bonus to your guided tour package.
If you join an age-appropriate tour, the odds are, you’ll make friends fast . You won’t have to stress about putting yourself out there when you spend your days with the same group of people, exploring together, eating meals together, sharing the same accommodation. While it’s possible to make friends outside of a tour group, solo travelers often thrive on a guided tour because they never have to worry about feeling lonely.
3. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the culture.
When you’re exploring a new country with a local guide, you get a sneak peek into the culture that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Local guides will take you to all the right places, teach you fun facts about your destination you might not learn anywhere else, and fill you in on the basics when it comes to speaking the local language . Guided tours often cram a lot into a short period of time, too, which means you’ll get to visit some of the best places in your destination and see parts of the country you may not be able to see on your own.
3 cons of guided tours
1. it can be expensive..
Prices of guided travel tours vary, and most times they can be more expensive than traveling on your own. Ultimately, you don’t get to pick and choose your experience with a guided tour, meaning you pay for what the tour company organizes for you. If you don’t want to do everything that’s included in the tour or if you’d prefer to stay in budget accommodation , you may end up spending more on a tour than if you were to travel solo.
2. You’ll have less freedom.
While guided tours make travel feel easy, they take away the pleasure of going with the flow. You’ll need to stick to an itinerary that is often packed full with little time to relax and explore on your own. You won’t necessarily have the ability to wake up at your leisure, get lost in new cities, and stumble upon holes in the wall when you’re off on organized activities all day every day.
3. You may never leave your comfort zone.
When it comes to travel, there are endless opportunities to learn and expand your horizons . If one of your favorite parts of traveling is putting yourself out there, getting lost, making mistakes, and laughing with locals, guided tours may not be the most exciting experience for you. Guided tours are your comfort zone, and it’s likely you won’t have the same growth experience you would if you travel on your own.
What is a self-guided tour?
Can you picture yourself trekking this mountain?
If a fully-guided tour doesn’t appeal to you, but traveling completely solo sounds intimidating, a self-guided tour will give you something in between. But what does “self-guided tour” mean? Unlike a guided tour, you won’t have a tour guide; however, you will receive information about your destination and an itinerary to follow at your own pace.
The perfect self-guided tour example is trekking. Whether you head out to the rhododendron-filled Annapurna region of Nepal or the snow-capped Patagonias , or you walk El Camino across Spain, almost all popular trekking routes provide self-guided tours.
Once you apply for your trekking permits, you’ll receive official information about the trek and its trails, as well as information on where to start, stop, rest, sleep, and amenities along the way. With a self-guided tour, you may even have the option of adding on transportation options or organized accommodation to relieve even more of the stress of planning.
3 pros of self-guided tours
1. you set the pace..
While a guided tour doesn’t leave much room for flexibility, a self-guided tour allows you to set your own pace. You’ll often receive an itinerary or route options, but ultimately, you are in control of a self-guided tour. You can follow the route or go your own way. You can go as slowly or quickly as you desire, making pit stops along the way, skipping the parts that don’t appeal to you, and creating the experience you want.
2. It’s safer than independent travel.
Because self-guided tours do the research for you, they often leave less room for error than if you embarked on a solo journey. You’ll receive all the information you need to stay safe , and you don’t have to worry about doing all the research on your own. Self-guided tours are also often available in well-populated travel destinations, which means you’ll be surrounded by other travelers consistently throughout your journey.
3. You can pick your travel buddies.
Independent travel can often get lonely, while guided tours run the risk of getting stuck with a group of people that you might clash with. Self-guided tours offer the perfect alternative. With a self-guided tour, you can choose your people. Perhaps that looks like planning to travel with a group of friends or traveling solo and meeting others along the same self-guided route as you—either way, you can spend time with the people you like, and avoid the people who aren’t your vibe.
3 cons of self-guided tours
1. you still need to take part in the planning..
You’ll still have a hand in planning when you go for self-guided travel.
While there are perks of receiving a lot of information in a self-guided tour, you still need to be proactive and take responsibility. After all, not everything is organized for you. You still have to do a little research on your own, stay organized, and manage your own time. If you don’t want to have to worry about any of the logistics, self-guided travel might not be your best option.
2. There’s no group to make immediate friends.
While self-guided travel is a great opportunity to choose your travel companions, no official tour group means you don’t quite have access to meeting people as easily. If you’re traveling on your own in a self-guided tour, there will definitely be people to meet along the way, but you’ll still have to put yourself out there and strike up conversations with strangers to make connections.
3. You won’t have a local guide at your fingertips.
Sure, it might be nice to not have to follow a guide, but it’s always important to take into consideration what might happen when the unexpected arises . No local guide means you don’t have an expert with you if you get lost, struggle with language differences, or find yourself in an emergency situation. It means you’ll have to navigate the unknown on your own.
What is independent travel?
The difference between a guided tour vs. independent travel is that with independent travel, you’re flying solo. You’re in charge of all of it—the flights, the accommodation, the planning of the nitty gritty , deciding what you do on a day-to-day basis while abroad.
You have to do all your own research and navigate on your own. You call the shots. For some, this is the only way to travel, but for others, independent travel can be wildly outside of their comfort zones.
3 pros of independent travel
1. you’ll save money..
Independent travel can often be your cheapest travel option . You won’t have to pay a fee to a company to organize travel for you; you can spend what you want on food, accommodation, and excursions; and you can opt for budget options or free activities if you’re working with a small budget.
2. It’s the most flexible travel option.
In the mood to choose your own adventure? Independent travel is the way to go.
With independent travel, you set the pace. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. It means you can opt for the experiences that are on your bucket list and skip the ones that don’t appeal to you without having to worry about losing money on an all-inclusive tour option. If you’re the type of traveler who loves to go with the flow and wants the flexibility of changing your plans as you please, independent travel could be the best option for you.
3. It’s where the growth happens.
Independent travel is quite possibly the most challenging way to travel, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It means you have the opportunity to truly grow , expand, and learn new skills. You have to learn how to plan, to be flexible, to adapt. You have to learn how to navigate, communicate across cultures, and put yourself out there to make friends. Yes, it can be difficult at times, but there’s no doubt you’ll return home a whole new person.
3 cons of independent travel
1. it’s less safe..
Similar to self-guided travel tours, independent travel means you don’t have a guide or anyone to protect you if things go wrong. If you find yourself sick , lost, or in an emergency situation , you’re the only one who has your back. It’s always safest to travel with a guide; however, if you are set on independent travel, you can do your research to be prepared and stay safe, even if the unknown arises.
2. It can get lonely at times.
If you’re traveling solo, independent travel is usually the most difficult way to make friends. You don’t have a group to bond with or people following the same path. It takes more effort to meet friends. Ultimately, it’s up to you—you can allow yourself to stay lonely, or you can put yourself out there, stay at hostels, talk to a stranger over dinner, and find the perfect travel mates.
3. It can feel overwhelming.
As an independent traveler, you’re responsible for all of it. It’s on you to work out the logistics , book your flights , navigate and communicate through a new country, and budget yourself throughout your travels. You have to be completely self-reliant. For some, this is the fun part, but for others, independent travel can feel extremely overwhelming.
3 guided tours to consider
Are guided tours worth it? It depends on the experience you desire. If you want to take some of the pressure off yourself and embark on a travel adventure that is packed full of new experiences and new friends, it could very well be worth it. Here are some of the best guided tour examples to dip your toes in for the adventure of a lifetime :
1. Pure Exploration: 12 Weeks Adventure Guide Program | Queenstown, New Zealand
- Why? Join Pure Exploration’s guided travel tours to New Zealand for 12 epic weeks of hiking, climbing, and sightseeing. With Pure Exploration, you’ll join a tour that takes you to Mt. Cook National Park, Mt. Aspiring National Park, the Fjordlands, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in picturesque mountain landscapes, hike to snow-capped peaks, or kayak through crystal blue waters. When you aren’t getting your adrenaline pumping, you’ll also have the chance to relax in Queenstown and soak in some Kiwi culture.
- Where? New Zealand
- Read Pure Exploration reviews
2. IMA: Safaris Africa - Group and Student Travel Opportunities
- Why? Travel to Africa for guided travel tours that will take you on adventure treks or educational tours to some of the continent’s most renowned destinations. IMA specializes in combining safari experience with education, taking travelers to Mount Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls, Masai Mara Game Reserve, and Serengeti National Park where you’ll learn about the local culture and take off on ethical safaris to spot some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet.
- Where? Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia
- Read International Medical Aid reviews
3. Nepal Hiking Team Pvt. Ltd: Everest Base Camp Trek
- Why? Have you ever dreamed of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Nepal Hiking Team can help you check this off your bucket list, taking you from Kathmandu to Lukla, Nepal, and guiding you through a 16-day trek to base camp on the tallest mountain in the world. The tour includes not only the trek, but sightseeing through Kathmandu and a cultural immersion into Sherpa life. It’s the ultimate adventure travel tour for those who want to push themselves to new heights.
- Where? Nepal
- Read Nepal Hiking Team Pvt. Ltd reviews
Get matched with 5 adventure travel programs for FREE
Whether guided, self-guided, or independent, what matters most is that you go.
No matter what type of travel feels right to you, you’re on your way to exploring the world.
The truth is, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to planning your travel. Whether you decide to jet off on a guided, self-guided, or independent travel adventure, you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime—connecting with new people, immersing yourself in new cultures and languages, and getting your adrenaline pumping in one way or another. The most important part? Say yes, pack your bags , and hit the tarmac!
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Definition of 'guided tour'
- guided tour
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What is Guided Tour? Meaning, Origin, Popular Use, and Synonyms
What is a Guided Tour?
A Guided Tour is a travel experience where a knowledgeable and experienced guide leads a group of travelers through a specific destination, providing valuable insights, information, and commentary along the way. Guided tours can be conducted on foot, by bus, boat, or other means of transportation, depending on the nature of the tour and the destination. The main objective of a guided tour is to enhance the travel experience by offering in-depth knowledge about the history, culture, landmarks, and attractions of the place being visited.
Origins of the term Guided Tour
The concept of guided tours can be traced back to the 19th century when travel and tourism started to become more popular. Initially, guided tours were organized for educational and cultural purposes , allowing travelers to explore historical sites and natural wonders with the guidance of knowledgeable experts. Over time, the tourism industry embraced the idea of guided tours, recognizing its value in providing a more enriching and informative travel experience.
Where is the term Guided Tour commonly used?
The term “Guided Tour” is commonly used in the tourism industry worldwide. Guided tours are prevalent in popular tourist destinations, historical sites, national parks, and cultural landmarks. They are especially popular in cities with rich historical and cultural heritage, where travelers seek to gain a deeper understanding of the place they are visiting.
Synonyms of the term Guided Tour
While “Guided Tour” is the most common term used to describe this travel experience, it may also be known by other names depending on the region and the type of tour. Some synonyms and related terms for Guided Tour include:
- Sightseeing Tour: A tour focused on visiting and exploring various points of interest and attractions.
- Excursion : A short journey or trip taken for leisure, education, or pleasure, often guided by a local expert.
- Tour Package: A pre-arranged tour that includes transportation, accommodation, and guided activities.
- Escorted Tour: A tour where a guide accompanies the group throughout the entire journey.
What does a tour guide do?
Would you make a good tour guide? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.
What is a Tour Guide?
A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights about the destinations, attractions, and cultural aspects of the places being visited. Tour guides are well-versed in the history, geography, culture, and traditions of the locations they cover, and they use their expertise to educate and entertain the tourists.
Tour guides are responsible for organizing and leading tours, ensuring that the itinerary is followed, and the group stays on schedule. They may work in various settings, including cities, historical sites, natural landscapes, or cultural landmarks. During tours, guides provide commentary, answer questions, and engage with the tourists, creating an interactive and immersive experience. They may also assist with logistical matters, such as arranging transportation, coordinating entry to attractions, and recommending places to eat or shop.
What does a Tour Guide do?
Tour guides bring destinations to life by providing valuable expertise and insights. While guidebooks and online resources can offer information, tour guides offer a unique and personalized experience that cannot be replicated.
Duties and Responsibilities Tour guides have a range of duties and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for tourists. Some of the key responsibilities include:
- Planning and organizing: Tour guides research and plan tour itineraries, considering factors such as the duration of the tour, the interests of the group, and the availability of attractions. They arrange transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary permits or tickets, ensuring that everything is well-coordinated.
- Providing information and commentary: A primary role of tour guides is to offer informative and engaging commentary about the destinations being visited. They share historical facts, cultural insights, and interesting anecdotes to educate and entertain tourists. Guides should have a deep understanding of the locations, including their history, architecture, local customs, and traditions.
- Leading tours and managing groups: Tour guides are responsible for leading the group throughout the tour. They ensure that the group stays together, follows the itinerary, and adheres to any safety guidelines. Guides should have good organizational and leadership skills to manage groups of varying sizes and diverse backgrounds.
- Assisting with logistics: Tour guides handle practical aspects of the tour, such as coordinating transportation between sites, arranging entry to attractions, and managing timing to optimize the itinerary. They provide directions, answer questions, and offer recommendations for meals, shopping, and other activities.
- Ensuring safety and security: Guides prioritize the safety and security of the tourists. They inform the group about potential risks or hazards, and they take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or incidents. In emergency situations, guides should be prepared to provide assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
- Interacting and engaging with tourists: Tour guides create a welcoming and interactive environment for tourists. They foster a positive and friendly atmosphere, encourage questions, and actively engage with the group. Guides should be approachable and adaptable, catering to the needs and interests of the tourists.
- Resolving issues and addressing concerns: Tour guides act as a point of contact for tourists, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the tour. They handle complaints, resolve conflicts, and provide assistance or alternative solutions when needed.
- Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism: Guides play a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism practices. They educate tourists about local customs and cultural sensitivities, encourage respectful behavior towards local communities and the environment, and advocate for sustainable travel practices.
Types of Tour Guides There are various types of tour guides, each specializing in different areas and catering to specific types of tours. Here are some common types of tour guides and a brief description of what they do:
- City Tour Guides: City tour guides specialize in providing tours within a specific city or urban area. They are well-versed in the history, architecture, landmarks, and culture of the city. Their role is to guide tourists through popular attractions, historical sites, and local neighborhoods, offering insights and commentary along the way.
- Cultural Tour Guides: Cultural tour guides focus on highlighting the cultural aspects of a destination. They provide in-depth knowledge about local traditions, customs, festivals, and arts. These guides may accompany tourists to museums, art galleries, cultural events, or religious sites, helping them understand and appreciate the cultural significance of these places.
- Ecotourism Guides : Ecotourism guides are responsible for designing and planning itineraries that are environmentally and culturally responsible, researching the destination, developing educational materials, preparing necessary equipment, and coordinating logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and meals.
- Adventure Tour Guides: Adventure tour guides lead tours focused on outdoor activities and adventure sports such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing. They possess skills and knowledge in the specific activities offered, ensuring the safety of participants while providing guidance and instruction. Adventure guides may take tourists to remote and challenging locations, coordinating logistics and providing a thrilling experience.
- Historical Tour Guides: Historical tour guides specialize in providing detailed insights into the history of a destination. They are knowledgeable about specific historical periods, events, and significant landmarks. These guides often work in historical sites, monuments, or archaeological sites, sharing historical context and stories that bring the past to life for tourists.
- Specialized Tour Guides: Specialized tour guides cater to niche interests or specific types of tours. Examples include food tour guides who focus on culinary experiences, wine tour guides who provide expertise on vineyards and wine tasting, or art tour guides who lead tours in museums and art galleries, offering interpretations of artworks.
Are you suited to be a tour guide?
Tour guides have distinct personalities . They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.
Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if tour guide is one of your top career matches.
What is the workplace of a Tour Guide like?
The workplace of a tour guide can be quite diverse and dynamic, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. One aspect of their workplace involves cultural and urban settings. City tour guides, for instance, operate within bustling cities, leading tourists through streets, squares, and iconic landmarks. They may work in vibrant neighborhoods, historic districts, or cosmopolitan areas, immersing tourists in the local culture and urban atmosphere. These guides navigate through crowded streets, interact with locals, and provide insights into the city's history, architecture, and vibrant lifestyle. They may also lead tours in museums, art galleries, or cultural centers, where they can showcase the city's artistic and cultural offerings.
Another significant aspect of a tour guide's workplace is outdoor settings. Nature and wildlife tour guides find themselves working in breathtaking natural landscapes, such as forests, mountains, or coastal areas. These guides lead groups on hikes, nature walks, or wildlife safaris, sharing their knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Their workplace is characterized by stunning scenery, serene environments, and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Adventure tour guides also operate in outdoor settings, taking tourists on thrilling activities like rafting, rock climbing, or skiing. They work in adventurous and often remote locations, ensuring the safety of participants while providing an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Additionally, the workplace of a tour guide can extend to various modes of transportation. They may lead tours on buses, boats, trains, or even walking tours, utilizing different forms of transportation to explore diverse attractions and destinations. This allows guides to provide a comprehensive experience, showcasing various facets of a region while offering comfort and convenience to tourists.
Tour Guides are also known as: Tourist Guide
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Definition of tour guide
Examples of tour guide in a sentence.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tour guide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Tour guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tour%20guide. Accessed 26 Feb. 2024.
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Six Benefits of a Guided Tour
When you explore with Travelmarvel, there are a few things you’ll notice pretty quickly: like outstanding service, local expertise, and the freedom and flexibility to follow your own path at your own pace. Once our guests experience the ease and enjoyment of Travelmarvel’s enlightening guided tours, they can’t imagine travelling any other way. Here is why guided touring is the right choice for you.
What are guided tours?
Planning a trip can feel overwhelming, particularly if you want to visit multiple destinations. To begin with, there’s a lot to plan. Start with the basics: where, when, for how long and how much will it cost. Then you’ll need to decide the things you must see and do, the best direction to travel in, places to stay, how long to spend in each place, work out the best place to visit first, how to get there quickly and affordably, draw up an itinerary, work out where to stay … and on and on and on. You’ll be in desperate need of a holiday before you’re halfway through planning it!
This is where our experienced team of travel experts comes in. Our guided tours are run by people who have travelled extensively, who’ve sniffed out the most unique and rewarding experiences. People who pay attention to the finest details and know exactly what it takes to make a holiday exceptional. When you join a tour, you can be confident your guide has taken care of everything, leaving you nothing to do but sit back, relax, and enjoy each destination to the fullest.
1. You will have an expert Tour Director to guide you
With an experienced Tour Director with you every step of the way, you can enjoy spending time exploring the must-see sights of each hand-chosen destination. Ready with a map and a smile – your Tour Director will be there to navigate language barriers, transport, and all the unexpected difficulties that arise while travelling, so you don’t have to.
2. Local guides will ensure you never miss a thing
Discover a first-hand view of what life is like for locals in each destination by experiencing a new place with a local. Travelmarvel provides guests with local guides who will offer more than just the obvious tourist experiences. Things only the locals know, from pointing you to the best café to the best place to shop, from hidden gems to local legends, you can be sure of being presented an authentic slice of every town and city you visit off the beaten track.
As a first-time traveller with Travelmarvel, Aaron told us “ I did not think I would enjoy following a paddle around a city! However, the local guides were very engaging and were able to include personal storytelling and insider-knowledge in their tours. I feel like I got so much more out of visiting each location because of the guided touring .”
3. Enjoy a perfect balance of touring and free time
Travelmarvel tours are careful to ensure there is plenty of free time built into the day’s itinerary, so you have ample opportunity to explore each destination at your leisure – or perhaps prefer to relax and just watch the world go by with a coffee for the afternoon; the choice is yours.
4. Make friends for life
On a guided tour, you are assured to meet people with the same interests as you, and with so many places to visit together on tour, there will never be a shortage of things to talk about!
The other option is to travel with your favourite people and make your own group. Why not ask your best buddies to join you and embark on a journey of lifetime. When six friends travel together on the same trip, Travelmarvel will give each of you a bonus saving. So, make the most of a special occasion and enjoy your travel experience with family and friends.
“You can pack for every occasion, but a good friend will always be the best thing you could bring!” -Unknown.
5. Exceptional value for money
With a guided tour, accommodation, transport, and a large portion of your meals are included, meaning your only expenses while travelling will be for souvenirs, sampling delicious local cuisine, and treating yourself to an extra-special event or two. Also, you will always have a Tour Director on hand to help navigate the local markets and eateries.
6. Curated experiences just for you
One of the main benefits is gaining access to places and experiences you wouldn’t be able to if you were travelling on your own. Travelmarvel offers Insider Experiences that will make your time abroad unforgettable. For example, as you cruise the Douro River , your Cruise Director arranges for you to visit a quinta in Pinhao to enjoy traditional fare and sip the sweet nectar known as port wine; a special experience unique to your guided tour.
Travelmarvel provides an enticing glimpse of what you can expect on each tour – from palaces and wineries you will visit, to the premium accommodation you can expect to return to at the end of each day. Book a guided tour with Travelmarvel today and start getting excited!
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Considering a guided tour in 2024? Here are the biggest trends to know before you book
What’s on the horizon for guided tours in 2024? A lot, it turns out. Travel as a whole has been on the upswing for a few years now, but this year looks to be one of the busiest and most exciting yet for guided tours.
I’ve asked tour companies and the USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) for their predictions, trends, and advice for the year ahead. Here are the biggest tour industry trends to consider as you plan your 2024 travels.
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1. More solo travelers are joining tours than ever before
Solo travelers, you’re in good company. Tour companies are reporting a significant increase in solo travelers on tours. In fact, Road Scholar recently did a deep dive into the solo travel trend , and according to the report, up to 30% of its tour participants are solo travelers. Among those solo travelers, 85% are women. EF Go Ahead Tours has seen a similar rise, with 83% more solo travelers at the end of 2023 compared to the year before.
SOLO TRAVEL TOGETHER: 10 best tour companies for solo travel
It turns out that solo travelers often have spouses or partners at home but still yearn to see the world even if their significant other doesn’t. Solo tour travelers report loving the independence, how easy it is to make friends on tours, and the chance to spend time the way they want to.
2. The desire for sustainable travel is growing, too
The USTOA has been tracking the number of tour companies with formal documented sustainability strategies, and says that there’s been “substantial growth” in the number of companies that have developed plans this year.
BEST OF THE BEST: 11 guided tour companies that offer trips around the world
I’ve also noticed a heartening shift toward tour companies thinking about their role in sustainability as I’ve been updating our tour company reviews for 2024. Pretty much across the board, tour operators are dialing up their efforts to support cultural and environmental preservation efforts.
This takes many forms: reducing or eliminating single-use plastics, supporting local economies through artisanal goods and tourism, offsetting carbon emissions, working with wildlife protection projects, and more.
3. The shoulder season travel trend is real
Whether you’re an independent traveler or going on a tour, there are a lot of benefits to traveling outside of peak seasons. In 2023, EF Go Ahead Tours saw a rise in the number of travelers on shoulder-season departure dates (October through April in Europe, for instance), and the company expects that trend to keep growing in 2024.
MYSTERY SOLVED: How much should you tip on a guided tour? All your gratuity questions answered
During its Black Friday sale, it reported that April was the top booking month for tours. Backroads has also seen a shift to more people booking earlier in spring and later in fall to avoid the crowds, heat, and higher summer prices. The trend is so pronounced that the tour company has added more departure dates to the 2024 shoulder season.
4. People are booking earlier than ever
When I spoke with a representative from Backroads near the end of 2023, the company reported that nearly 40% of its 2024 spots were already booked. Curious to see if other tour operators are seeing similar trends, I asked around. Road Scholar said that for 2024, it’s seeing a continuation of the early booking trend compared to pre-COVID, with an average booking time of 238 days before the start of a tour. And Avalon Waterways reports it’s seeing its highest early bookings in history for 2024, with several cruises already nearing capacity or sold out for the year.
TRAVEL OVER 50: ‘I cried at the goodbye’: How my aging parents changed my whole perspective on travel
5. More trends to watch in 2024
Here are a few more trends that have come up frequently in my research about what to expect on tours the year:
- Destinations: Far-flung destinations are looking increasingly popular. Across the board, bookings are up for 2024 tours to far-away spots including Thailand, Japan, and Norway.
- Experiences: Immersive experiences like gastronomy tours , hut-to-hut hiking , and pilgrimage routes such as Spain and Portugal’s Camino de Santiago have renewed appeal as travelers look for unique vacations.
- Private tours: This is an interesting one because after a big surge in 2021 in tour companies offering private tours , a few tour companies have retired the private tour option. However, in 2024, some tour operators are doubling down on private tour offerings, saying that more and more people are drawn to the relative affordability of being able to create their own tour group.
Considering a guided tour in 2024? Here are the biggest trends to know about before you book originally appeared on TourScoop.com .
More from TourScoop:
- 9 best travel companies that specialize in women-only tours
- 8 best senior travel tour companies in 2024
- 10 best tour companies for family tours in 2024
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we review and select family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .
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Pokémon Go Tour Sinnoh event, habitat times, and Special Research guide
Collect Pokémon from both the Sinnoh and Hisui region
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Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh’s global event celebrates both the original Sinnoh region and the Hisui region. The huge event takes place starting on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. until Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in your local time .
There is a lot going on in this event, so it’s a great time to play. There’s no paid ticket to participate, so all the perks and bonuses are available to all players. There’s a halved hatch distance for all eggs put into Incubators during the event, up to six special trades can be made (instead of just one), trading Stardust cost has been halved , and there’s no limit on remote raiding from Feb 23-25.
During the event, there’s also an increased chance to find some Pokémon shiny, including Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Stunky, and costumed Pikachu. There’s also an increased chance to hatch shiny Hisuian Voltorb, Hisuian Qwilfish, Pachirisu, Chatot, and Carnivine from eggs.
In addition to all that, there’s a ton of different types of research to do, with boosted spawns rotating in habitats throughout the day.
Below we list out all the perks for Pokémon Go ’s Go Tour Sinnoh event, including the Special Research and habitat times.
Pokémon Go Tour 2023: “It’s about Time (and Space)” Special Research Tasks
Right away, you’ll be tasked with a choice on which starter to pick. The starter you pick only has an effect on the first step, as you’ll get a Shadow encounter with that Pokémon, as well as candy for it. You’ll also get to choose between Diamond or Pearl version, which also impacts your rewards. You’ll get Dialga-based rewards for picking Diamond and Palkia-based rewards for picking Pearl. We list out all the steps below.
Step 1 of 4
- Catch 15 Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region (1 Incense)
- Use an Incense (Shadow Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup encounter)
Rewards : 3 Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup Candy, 3 Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup Candy XL, 3,000 XP
Step 2 of 4
- Catch Dialga (Diamond) or Palkia (Pearl) (Shadow Gible encounter)
- Power up dragon-type Pokémon 10 times (5,000 Stardust)
Rewards : 3 Dialga/Palkia Candy, 1 Dialga/Palkia Candy XL, 2,024 XP
Step 3 of 4
- Evolve 3 Pokémon (Shadow Scizor [Diamond] or Shadow Pinsir [Pearl] encounter)
- Activate Roar of Time’s adventure effect (Diamond) or Spacial Rend’s adventure effect (Pearl) (Shadow Honchkrow [Diamond] or Shadow Mismagius [Pearl] encounter)
Rewards : 3 Dialga/Palkia Candy, 1 Dialga/Palkia Candy XL, Spiritomb encounter
Step 4 of 4
- Purify 1 Shadow Pokémon (1,000 XP)
- Purify 2 Shadow Pokémon (2,000 XP)
- Purify 3 Shadow Pokémon (3,000 XP)
Rewards : 3 Dialga Candy, 3 Palkia Candy, Giovanni battle
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh Timed Research
These tasks will appear in the Timed Research section during the event.
Go Tour: Uxie Photo Safari Timed Research
- Take a snapshot of Uxie in the wild (480 Stardust)
Rewards : Uxie encounter
Go Tour: Mesprit Photo Safari Timed Research
- Take a snapshot of Mesprit in the wild (480 Stardust)
Rewards : Mesprit encounter
Go Tour: Azelf Photo Safari Timed Research
- Take a snapshot of Azelf in the wild (480 Stardust)
Rewards : Azelf encounter
Legends 486 Timed Research
- Complete 3 party challenges (Regigigas encounter)
Rewards : 10 Regirock Candy, 10 Regice Candy, 10 Registeel Candy
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh party challenges
These party challenges will appear during the event period:
- Catch 10 rock-type Pokémon (3 Regirock Candy)
- Catch 10 ice-type Pokémon (3 Regice Candy)
- Catch 10 steel-type Pokémon (3 Registeel Candy)
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh event Field Research
Spinning a PokéStop during the event period may yield one of these tasks:
- Busting Boardwalk: Power up normal- or water-type Pokémon 5 times (Bidoof or Shellos [East Sea] encounter)
- Ancient Grove: Power up grass- or ghost-type Pokémon 5 times (Hisuian Voltorb or Hisuian Growlithe encounter)
- Toxic Digs: Power up poison- or rock-type Pokémon 5 times (Gible or Skuntank encounter)
- Geothermal Lagoon: Power up fire- or ice-type Pokémon 5 times (Hisuian Sneasel or Hisuian Qwilfish encounter)
You can also get this task during the “Space-time Anomaly” that happens during the Ancient Grove and Geothermal Lagoon habitats:
- Win 3 raids (Hisuian Braviary, Hisuian Avalugg, Kleavor, or Ursaluna encounter)
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh boosted spawns and rotating habitats
The boosted spawns correlate towards habitats, which change every hour. Each habitat will rotate in twice.
Bustling Boardwalk habitat spawns (10-11 a.m., 2-3 p.m.)
- Pikachu (Lucas hat)
- Pikachu (Dawn hat)
- Burmy (Trash)
- Shellos (East Sea)
- Shellos (West Sea)
Ancient Grove habitat spawns (11 a.m. until 12 p.m., 3-4 p.m.)
- Pikachu (Akari’s kerchief)
- Pikachu (Rei’s cap)
- Hisuian Growlithe
- Hisuian Voltorb
- Burmy (Plant)
Toxic Digs habitat spawns (12-1 p.m., 4-5 p.m.)
- Burmy (Sandy)
Geothermal Lagoon habitat spawns (1-2 p.m., 5-6 p.m.)
- Hisuian Qwilfish
- Hisuian Sneasel
Incense spawns
These Pokémon will spawn depending on the habitat, but only if you use an Incense:
- Unown H (all habitats)
- Unown I (all habitats)
- Unown S (all habitats)
- Unown N (Bustling Boardwalk and Toxic Digs)
- Unown O (Bustling Boardwalk and Toxic Digs)
- Unown U (Ancient Grove and Geothermal Lagoon)
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh egg hatches
Any eggs obtained during the event will hatch the following, based on their hatch distance:
- Budew (2 km)
- Chingling (2 km)
- Bonsley (2 km)
- Mime Jr. (2 km)
- Happiny (2 km)
- Munchlax (2 km)
- Riolu (2 km)
- Mantyke (2 km)
- Hisuian Voltorb (5 km)
- Hisuian Qwilfish (5 km)
- Stunky (5 km)
- Gible (5 km)
- Pachirisu (10 km)
- Chatot (10 km)
- Carnivine (10 km)
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh raid targets
These Pokémon will be in raids during the event period, but it will vary by habitat:
Bustling Boardwalk and Toxic Digs raids
- Turtwig (1-star)
- Chimchar (1-star)
- Piplup (1-star)
- Torterra (3-star)
- Infernape (3-star)
- Empoleon (3-star)
- Dialga (5-star)
- Palkia (5-star)
Ancient Grove and Geothermal Lagoon raids
- Rowlet (1-star)
- Cyndaquil (1-star)
- Oshawott (1-star)
- Hisuian Decidueye (3-star)
- Hisuian Typhlosion (3-star)
- Hisuian Samurott (3-star)
- Origin Forme Dialga (5-star)
- Origin Forme Palkia (5-star)
- Pokémon Go guides
- “Timeless Travels” Special Research
- Go Tour Sinnoh: Diamond or Pearl
- Ditto disguises
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February 19, 2024
Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Global Prep Guide
Get a head start on this sensational sinnoh-themed event with some thoughtful planning and strategy..
P okémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Global is just around the corner, taking place on February 24 and 25, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time . There’s a lot going on during this two-day celebration of all things Pokémon Diamond , Pokémon Pearl , Sinnoh, and Hisui, so a little planning will go a long way to help you maximize your GO Tour experience. From making decisions about which path you will take to preparing for raids against incredibly powerful Pokémon, there’s plenty you can do before the event to help your experience be as successful and enjoyable as possible.
Sort Out Your Storage
If all goes well, you’ll catch a lot of Pokémon during this event. The last thing you want to do is stop in the middle of the fun to transfer Pokémon to Professor Willow because your Pokémon storage is full. Taking the time to transfer Pokémon now will save time and stress later, especially with the risk of accidentally transferring a Pokémon you meant to keep because you’re in a hurry.
This applies to item storage as well. While you’ll need lots of Poké Balls, Revives, Potions, Incubators, and more over the course of the event, you’ll also be acquiring new items by completing research tasks and participating in raids. That means you’ll need to be thoughtful about what you keep and what you discard. These are decisions you probably don’t want to be making while getting ready for your next Origin Forme Dialga raid, so clean your item storage now to save yourself stress later.
Choose Your Partner
The exclusive Special Research story featuring Team GO Rocket requires you to choose between Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup. You’ll have the chance to make multiple decisions for this event, so choose early and wisely. Fortunately, there are no bad choices—all three are all adorable first partner Pokémon! But this is a good opportunity to assess whether you could most benefit from an agile Fire-type Pokémon, a proud Water-type Pokémon, or a sturdy Grass-type Pokémon.
Hit the Road
Make the most of your preparations by hopping on the Road to Sinnoh, an event taking place from February 19 at 10:00 a.m. to February 23, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. local time . All Trainers will be able to take advantage of a 1/2 Egg Hatch Distance bonus, Timed Research that awards encounters with Heatran, Origin Forme Giratina, Cresselia, and Darkrai, and more. Starting during this event, Trainers can also purchase one or both of the following paid research tickets for US$5.00 each (or the equivalent in your local currency)—the bonuses included in both tickets will last through the global event taking place that weekend!
The Road to Sinnoh: Raids ticket provides access to event-exclusive Timed Research, which includes rewards such as 10 Dialga Candy, 10 Palkia Candy, 5 Heatran Candy XL, 5 Giratina Candy XL, 5 Cresselia Candy XL, 5 Darkrai Candy XL, and an Eevee Mask for your avatar. Ticket holders will also receive an additional 5,000 XP for completing raids, 1 additional Candy for catching Pokémon in raids, and 2 additional Raid Passes from spinning Photo Discs at Gyms each day. If you’re working toward powering up certain Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, this could certainly be helpful as every Candy and Candy XL adds up.
Road to Sinnoh: Hatch gives Trainers the opportunity to earn Timed Research rewards that include encounters with Pachirisu, Chatot, and Carnivine, and a Pikachu Mask for your avatar. The ticket also includes event bonuses such as double Hatch XP, double Hatch Candy, and double Hatch Stardust!
Even if you don’t purchase a ticket, you can make the most of daily five-star raids featuring the following Raid Bosses: Darkrai (February 19); Cresselia (February 20); Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf (February 21); Heatran (February 22); and Origin Forme Giratina (February 23). Several of these powerful Pokémon appear frequently in the GO Battle League—Cresselia is a contender in the Ultra League and Origin Forme Giratina is found both in the Ultra League and Master League—making this an excellent opportunity to stock up Candy and Candy XL to power up your Pokémon.
Make Time and Space for Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia
Origin Forme Dialga and Origin Forme Palkia will make their Pokémon GO debuts during this year’s GO Tour events. This is undoubtedly an exciting opportunity to capture extremely powerful Pokémon, and Trainers will likely want to participate in as many raids as possible. It’s a great use of your time and resources to power up a dozen or so Pokémon to challenge Origin Forme Dialga and Origin Forme Palkia before the event kicks off—while you only start each raid with six Pokémon in your battle party, having extra Pokémon waiting in the wings will ensure that you don’t have to stop to revive your Pokémon before diving into another raid. Stocking up on Revives, Max Revives, and Potions will help your Pokémon to quickly recover between raids.
Take Time for Trades
A Special Trade allows Trainers to swap Pokémon that can’t be traded normally—including Pokémon and Pokémon forms not currently registered to your Pokédex, Legendary Pokémon, and Shiny Pokémon—and you’ll have the opportunity to make up to six of these Special Trades each day during the event. Even with the increased limit, it may be a good idea to coordinate your Special Trades ahead of time considering how much there will be to do during the day. Trades made during the event will only cost half the usual Stardust, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you’ll have plenty for this event.
Stock Up on Useful Items
Different Pokémon will be attracted to Incense at different points in the day, and you’ll want to catch as many different species of Pokémon as possible. Start collecting Incense now so you won’t run out! You’ll probably also want to make sure you have plenty of Poké Balls so you don’t run out during the event.
Gather Star Pieces and Lucky Eggs to maximize the Stardust and XP you gain by catching Pokémon and participating in raids.
Eggs placed in Incubators during the event will only require half of the normal Hatch Distance, so make sure to have Incubators at the ready!
Start Strategizing
Research tasks often involve evolving Pokémon, so hold onto some Pokémon that you know you want to evolve until the event. Consider adding a tag so you can easily find (and evolve) these Pokémon when the time comes, and make sure you have all the items and Candy you’ll need to evolve them.
Practice your Nice, Great, and Excellent Throws. Research tasks often challenge you to make these types of throws in succession, so you’ll want to be in good throwing form when the event begins.
Powering up Pokémon is another common research task. You can create a tag for Pokémon that you’d like to power up so you can complete any such tasks quickly and efficiently.
Take Care of Yourself
There’s a lot to do during Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Global, and you don’t want to play hungry or dehydrated! If you want to maximize your event time, you can prepare all the meals, drinks, and snacks you could possibly need ahead of time. If you’re planning on spending time outside during the event, don’t forget your sunscreen. And don’t forget to take occasional scheduled breaks. It might be hard to step away from the action for even a few minutes, but you’ll probably enjoy yourself more if you do!
GO Battle League Pokémon to Look Out For
During this GO Tour, you’ll mainly be catching Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region. While you’ll want to catch as many different species of Pokémon as possible, there are some that may prove particularly helpful on your quest to master the GO Battle League. If you’re interested in adding any of these Pokémon to your GO Battle League lineup, try to catch a lot of them to collect the Candy you’ll need to power them up and teach them a second Charged Attack.
Pokémon you may encounter that perform well in the Great League include Lickitung, Umbreon, Bastiodon, and Toxicroak. These Pokémon—or the Pokémon that evolve into them—will appear in various habitats over the course of the event, so be sure to check the habitat schedules for the Pokémon you’re most interested in catching. While some of these Pokémon don’t require too much work to get into fighting shape, Lickitung requires a lot of Candy XL to approach the 1,500 CP cap, so you can certainly get a lot of mileage out of this event just by catching and powering up Lickitung.
In the Ultra League, Umbreon, Empoleon, and Toxicroak are all excellent Pokémon with a strong track record of performing well. Given that some of these Pokémon are also viable in Great League, you’ll want to make sure you maximize your Candy collection if you plan to power up one for each league.
As for the Master League, Dialga tends to dominate since it’s a rare Dragon-type Pokémon that isn’t vulnerable to Fairy-type attacks. With the Master League’s lack of CP limit, it’s definitely useful to bring Pokémon with the highest possible CP, so it’s well worth the time and effort to participate in Dialga raids and use either Pinap Berries or Silver Pinap Berries when the time comes to catch Dialga. Palkia is slightly less dominant than Dialga, but it’s still extremely useful—especially with the rise of Groudon armed with its Precipice Blades attack. Like Dialga, Palkia boasts an extremely high max CP, which can make it a challenge to fully power up. Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Global is a blessing for Trainers hunting for the necessary Palkia Candy and Palkia Candy XL to max out this Pokémon.
Check out the official Niantic Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh blog for additional information about the event.
Enjoy making the most of your GO Tour experience, Trainers!
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TMI, Apple Watch! Why You Don’t Really Need All That Data.
Wearables can now track everything from heart rate variability to stride length. But access to so much data does not always mean better health.
By Talya Minsberg
Talya Minsberg spoke with doctors, exercise physiologists, athletes and coaches. She recently upgraded her old GPS running watch to one with a heart rate monitor.
Over the past few years, upping your exercise game has started to feel like getting a degree in data science.
There are glucose monitors and sweat patches, sleep trackers and step trackers, heart rate monitors and cadence sensors. There are watches and rings and armbands and chest straps and clip-on monitors that promise to estimate your VO2 max , your breathing and more.
Even if you don’t use a wearable, if you carry a smartphone, you likely have much of the same data accessible through a health app. While tracking your workouts is not new, there is now an overwhelming amount of data — the kind once reserved for professional athletes — available to everyday consumers.
But does more data make a better, faster, stronger, healthier human? Can these tools really motivate you, lead to a better annual physical or maximize your workout benefits?
Not all data is good or helpful, doctors, exercise physiologists and coaches say, and having more data does not mean having a more effective workout. The real questions surround not the wearable, but the wearer.
What are wearables?
A wearable is any tracking device worn on your body that measures one or more bodily functions, whether it’s heart rate, sleep time, step count or respiration. Most, like those made by Fitbit, Garmin, Coros, Whoop and Oura , are not considered medical devices and are not regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administrations. Indeed, recently, the F.D.A. warned consumers that wearable devices claiming to measure or estimate blood sugar without piercing the skin should not be used for diabetes management.
Regardless, many devices include metrics that are usually collected in a laboratory setting.
For instance, one measurement that can be useful for athletes is your VO2 max, the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can use during intense exercise. The number is usually determined in a lab by exercising at various intensities while wearing a mask that records oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Wearables, however, claim to infer this number using an equation based on your heart rate, which should be taken with a grain of salt, experts said.
Other data, like step counts and distance traveled, are generally more accurate.
Can they motivate you to exercise more?
“Activity trackers are facilitators, not instigators, of behavior change,” said David R. Bassett, Jr. a professor emeritus of kinesiology, recreation and sport studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
In other words, the device alone will not make your workouts easier or improve your sleep cycles. But they can help you identify trends in your exercise regimen and track your progress if you are trying to improve.
Researchers who have studied the impact of wearables on behavior have indeed found a correlation between using them and increased movement. But, Dr. Bassett added, there’s a sense of accountability when researchers are around.
“Wearables are very good at changing behavior if they are done in the context of a physical activity intervention study,” said Dr. Bassett, who has long studied wearables .
That desire to impress people could also be beneficial, according researchers. The app Strava, which tracks workouts and allows users to share their activities, has become ubiquitous for just that. Competitive runners and cyclists often joke: “If it’s not on Strava , did it happen?”
Can they make you a better athlete?
The challenge for athletes looking to up their game with data is finding the type of information that is most helpful , and determining how often they need to reference it. For professionals and those who are new to working out, less is more.
“A beginner and a professional athlete oftentimes use the devices incredibly similarly,” said Darian Allberry, head of user engagement at Coros, a GPS watch company. They want to know how far they’ve gone and how fast they’ve traveled. Beyond that, extra data can be distracting, he added.
Earlier this month, Sara Hall , a professional marathon runner competing in the U.S. Olympic marathon trials, actually threw away her GPS watch midrace to avoid distraction. Similarly, for beginner runners, it’s more important to learn to listen to your body’s signals — fatigue, aches, bursts of energy — than to track your pace or heart rate.
It’s middle of the pack athletes — runners and bikers looking to hit a personal best or reach a new milestone — who may get the biggest benefits from wearables, Mr. Allberry said.
If you are hoping to run a faster marathon and want to try moderating your pace based on heart rate “zones ,” for example, a wearable can help you do so. Bikers who plan their training based on power zones could also use a tracker. If you buy one, though, be sure it fits your needs .
But if you are just trying to get out the door more, a device’s data dump probably isn’t entirely necessary, Dr. Ethan Weiss, a physician at the University of California, San Francisco, said.
“We have this attachment to data, we all love data,” Dr. Weiss said. “We love to measure things for the sake of measuring things.”
Sometimes he tells his patients that a different item attached at your wrist could better pull you toward more activity.
“Have you considered getting a dog?” he said.
A Guide to Becoming a Better Runner
Training to run a marathon? Here’s how to get ready . Preparing to run a shorter distance ? Here is some guidance .
Starting a new running habit doesn’t have to be hard — all it takes is comfortable shoes, a willingness to move and the right food to fuel up .
Whether you’re an experienced runner or don’t know where to start, a running routine is critical. These tips will help you establish one .
Are you lacing up your running shoes after a long break? Follow these tips to get your groove back .
Shin splints. Achilles tendinitis. Runner’s knee. Dangers abound for runners, but there are ways to prevent them .
You don’t need to run fast to consider yourself an athlete. A slower pace can actually be more beneficial to your mental health .
Take a tour of this futuristic spinning glass house that just hit the market in New Zealand for $665,000
- A unique, glass-walled spinning house is on the market in New Zealand for $665,000.
- Known as "the Lighthouse," it has been engineered to turn 360 degrees on its central axis.
- The three-bedroom property features a spiral staircase, two balconies, and lush gardens.
A unique house that can spin 360 degrees on its axis has been put up for sale in New Zealand and is creating quite a buzz.
Known locally as "The Lighthouse," 179 Maraetai Road, near Auckland's Pohutukawa coast, is a futuristic, glass-walled near-circular building with unique engineering that means its owners can choose their own view by rotating the building at the click of a button.
The three-bedroom property is the creation of designer Don Dunick, who built it in 2000 after years of research — and is now on the market for NZ $1,075,000, or about $665,000 US.
Welcome to 'the Lighthouse.'
According to Sotheby's International Realty, which is managing the sale, the building's doors can be programmed to close whenever someone approaches.
If you don't like this stunning ocean view — you can change it.
The house is just a short walk up from the popular Maraetai Beach, and sits on 8,700 feet of sloped garden, much of which is covered in lush greenery.
A full rotation of the property takes 33 minutes.
The building's designer, Don Dunick, had to lodge several patents in the process of making it spin, Sotheby's International Realty said.
The building's unusual design has an open plan first floor...
... all built around an elegant spiral staircase at the center.
There's a stainless steel-fronted kitchen.
It includes a wall oven, an electric hob, a dishwasher, and a waste disposal unit.
A walkway around the first floor is surrounded in greenery.
Many of the double laminated glass panels slide open, giving access to the outdoors from almost anywhere inside.
A more spacious open-air gallery encircles the building's upper level.
This is an ideal space for a barbecue or just soaking up the view, Sotheby's said.
Upstairs, there's three bedrooms.
Two larger bedrooms sit either side of a smaller one, which looks ideal for a home office or playroom.
There's also an airy master bedroom.
Floor-to-ceiling drapes offer some privacy.
Underneath, there's a carport with space for 3 vehicles.
The carport almost makes it look like the house is floating in the air.
"We have had a phenomenal response to the property," Sotheby's realtor Carolyn Hanson said, adding: "It is definitely getting the world wide attention we knew it would."
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Meaning of tour guide in English
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used to say that what you have just said is also true in the opposite order
Infinitive or -ing verb? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (1)
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noun a tour accompanied by a guide or guidebook There are guided tours of the house twice daily. The guided tour is recommended for those visiting for the first time. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Examples of 'guided tour' in a sentence guided tour
GUIDED TOUR definition: a visit to a place such as a museum with a guide who explains facts about the place.
What is a "guided tour?" Guided packaged tours are all generally all-inclusive group travel experiences led by a guide and follow a specific itinerary. These types of tours are popular worldwide, and there are a wide variety of guided tours that cater to every age and budget.
1. It's convenient. There's no arguing that guided travel tours are the most convenient way to travel. Your tour company will take care of all the logistics for you, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself without having to think about your next move.
noun a tour accompanied by a guide or guidebook There are guided tours of the house twice daily. The guided tour is recommended for those visiting for the first time. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Examples of 'guided tour' in a sentence guided tour
The main objective of a guided tour is to enhance the travel experience by offering in-depth knowledge about the history, culture, landmarks, and attractions of the place being visited. Origins of the term Guided Tour. The concept of guided tours can be traced back to the 19th century when travel and tourism started to become more popular.
a visit to a place such as a museum with a guide who explains facts about the place Want to learn more? Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge. Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. (Definition of guided tour from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Related topics: Tourism ˌguided ˈtour noun [ countable] if someone takes you on a guided tour, they show you around a place of interest and tell you all about it guided tour of/around/round You will be taken on a guided tour of the palace.
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English ˌguided ˈtour noun [ countable] if someone takes you on a guided tour, they show you around a place of interest and tell you all about it guided tour of/around/round You will be taken on a guided tour of the palace. Examples from the Corpus guided tour • We were given a guided tour of the palace.
Effective guided tours guide users to take meaningful action instead of providing passive overviews of key features. This " learning by doing " maximizes knowledge retention so users can master your product faster. They improve engagement. Well-designed guided tours reduce friction in the user onboarding process.
The "guided" portion means two things in our case: Every group departure has a Traverse Journeys host, someone who is with you throughout the whole trip ensuring logistics run smoothly and acting as your liaison as you navigate your travels.
A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights about the destinations, attractions, and cultural aspects of the places being visited.
Introduction. In the late 1970s, Schmidt (Citation 1979, p. 441) defined a guided tour as 'a form of tourism where the itinerary is fixed and known beforehand, and [involving] some form of planning and direct participation by agents apart from the tourists themselves'.As such, a tour guide has been defined as a person, usually a professional, who guides groups (and sometimes individuals ...
A tour guide (U.S.) or a tourist guide (European) is a person who provides assistance, and information on cultural, historical and contemporary heritage to people on organized sightseeing and individual clients at educational establishments, religious and historical sites such as; museums, and at various venues of tourist attraction resorts. [1]
Tour guides, or tourist guides, are members of the hospitality and travel industry who show visitors around places of interest. Tour guides may lead groups or individuals through historical sites, museums, geographic destinations and on outdoor excursions.
a visit to a place such as a museum with a guide who explains facts about the place (Definition of guided tour from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of guided tour in more languages Need a translator? Get a quick, free translation! Translator tool Browse guidance guide guide dog guidebook guided tour
noun Synonyms of tour guide : a person who takes people on trips through an area and explains the interesting details about it Examples of tour guide in a Sentence
Guided Tour definition: A tour with commentary that provides information about what one is seeing.
a visit to a place such as a museum with a guide who explains facts about the place (Definition of guided tour from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of guided tour in more languages Need a translator? Get a quick, free translation! Translator tool Browse guesthouse guidance guide guidebook guided tour
What are guided tours? Planning a trip can feel overwhelming, particularly if you want to visit multiple destinations. To begin with, there's a lot to plan. Start with the basics: where, when, for how long and how much will it cost.
Tour companies are reporting a significant increase in solo travelers on tours. In fact, Road Scholar recently did a deep dive into the solo travel trend , and according to the report, up to 30% ...
Yang and Sanders-Smith of artworks. Similar to Bruder & Ucok's (2000) notion of engaging with art as a social process, Pierroux's (2010) examination of meaning-making activities during tours in ...
The opening night of the pop star's Guts World Tour had sparkle and abandon, but making her songs feel big didn't require much besides the songs themselves. By Jon Caramanica Reporting from ...
Pokémon Go Tour: Sinnoh's global event celebrates both the original Sinnoh region and the Hisui region. The huge event takes place starting on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. until Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in your ...
P okémon GO Tour: Sinnoh - Global is just around the corner, taking place on February 24 and 25, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.There's a lot going on during this two-day celebration of all things Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, Sinnoh, and Hisui, so a little planning will go a long way to help you maximize your GO Tour experience.
Wearables can now track everything from heart rate variability to stride length. But access to so much data does not always mean better health. By Talya Minsberg Talya Minsberg spoke with doctors ...
This house in New Zealand on sale for $665K can rotate on its axis 360 degrees, meaning you can change the view from your window any time you like. Menu icon A vertical stack of three evenly ...
noun [ C ] uk us Add to word list → guide noun (Definition of tour guide from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Examples of tour guide tour guide Visitors are able to see the glow worms under a red torchlight, and have access to a fully knowledgeable tour guide. From Wikipedia