Why You Need to Hire a Local Guide This Summer

We’ve all seen the headlines - airports are chaotic, major sites are over-subscribed, tourism staff are scarce: summer travel is looking like a bit of a headache right now.

But we’ve all been waiting for over two years to get back out and explore our world again! So we’re venturing forth with passports in hand and hoping for the best. With so many eager travellers descending on European cities, there has never been a better time to hire a local guide. Just how can a guide help make your return to travel during this busy time more rewarding? We’re glad you asked.

How a Local Guide Can Make Travel Better in 2022

1. They have “skip the line” superpowers.

Licensed private guides come not only with knowledge, expertise and a sparkling personality: they also possess the extraordinary ability to skip the longest lines in Europe. Whether it’s admission to the Louvre, the Colosseum, the Rijksmuseum or Sagrada Familia, get ready to stroll past hours-long line-ups and enjoy the attraction.

2. They know the best time of day to show up to avoid crowds.

Marta in Lisbon has been encouraging travellers to get out of bed a little earlier than usual to see popular places like Pena Palace in Sintra. “Please, please, trust your guide when she kindly asks you to be a morning person for the tour of Pena Palace. Leaving Lisbon early and getting to Pena Palace early means avoiding the crowds and having an enjoyable and memorable experience.” Heed their advice and have a far better time!

3. They can show you a side of the city tourists don’t think to visit.

Chances are if you’re in Paris, you want to visit the Eiffel Tower - fair enough! But once you’ve seen the major monuments and attractions in a city, a local guide can take you to quieter, under the radar places where the majority of tourists don’t think to go. Think a walk through Buttes Chaumont park, to watch the sun setting over Sacre Coeur in the distance, rather than sitting on the steps of the basilica itself, trying for a selfie with hundreds of other visitors in your frame. And with a guide, you won’t overlook the fascinating little details that everyone else walks past.

4. They know the best restaurants away from the busy tourist areas.

Don’t get stuck eating at the busiest places near tourist sites, which are extra busy right now; many of them are filled with people who will likely never return, and so the restauranteurs have less motivation to craft quality dishes. But it’s sometimes hard to know where else to go without spending hours of your holiday reading restaurant reviews online. Trust your local guide to provide you with recommendations for local spots, where you can avoid the crowds and enjoy authentic cuisine in calmer surroundings.

5. They know the right people.

Whether it’s a maitre d’ at a packed restaurant or an event organizer at a sold-out event, local guides have spent years, often decades, making strong connections within their communities. And it’s you, the traveller, who benefits! Guides can often find restaurant tables without long waits, and seats for performances you’d otherwise miss. Their network is vast and people are happy to do them favours that help them help you. In their reviews, travellers often talk about their guides as being like “local celebrities” - and when everyone’s your friend, the good vibes are strong.

6. You never have to worry about finding a parking spot.

Parking is probably not something you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about, but trying to find a spot in a busy city can erode any hopes of a stress-free vacation. Professional guides often have access to parking spots others can’t access; for instance, many ToursByLocals guides in London tour in classic black cabs that not only look cool, but are also allowed to stop in many areas where there are waiting or stopping restrictions. Even if there’s not a spot immediately available, they can drop you off to have a look around while they secure one, giving you more time to explore, and less time to engage in road rage.

7. They’re spontaneous, flexible, and always have a “Plan B” in place.

You likely only have a few short days at your destination, and crowds can slow things down and hamper the experience. But unlike a conventional tour with a pre-set itinerary, a private tour with a guide who knows and can accommodate all options means you will always make the most of your time.

8. They’ll help you make meaningful connections with a place

When you’re visiting somewhere that thousands of others have decided to visit at the same time, it can be hard to step away from the crowds and find your own special moments. This is where a local guide truly shines. Exploring and having a conversation with someone who has a lifetime of memories and stories about the place you’re visiting is the perfect way to uncover the real magic of a city and its surroundings.