Like many experienced travelers you have probably had a rush though some of the most breathtakingly beautiful cities in the world that gave you little time to explore the entirety of the art and culture you wanted to be a part of.
If you want to explore the art and culture of a city, a particular place in a city, or a region you need time to explore and really become a part of the place that you visit.
A private tour is the alternative that allows you to breathe the atmosphere, absorb the culture, and make your trip a truly memorable adventure that you can talk about without having to exaggerate at all. This is the true essence of traveling that most resembles the traditions of the grand tour of Europe or any other country.
Many of the most beautiful pieces of art are hidden away in churches and monasteries that do not allow public viewing. You miss out on a truly unique opportunity if you do not know the right person to contact for a private viewing. Some of the most grand and ornate homes are off limits to the public unless you know who can get you in.
A guide or a concierge that is well connected with the local arts and culture community can be an indispensable asset in allowing you to see and experience places and objects that few rarely are allowed to experience.
Traveling at your own pace lets you see it all
You visit what you want when you want and no guide is hurrying you along to get to the next attraction. You get to select where you eat and what you eat. Naturally, the assistance of a guide can be most helpful in discovering the best places to eat and rare local delicacies that only the locals know about.
Traveling privately requires that you know the language of the country or city that you are visiting. A guide that is fluent in the local language not only helps you get to the best places to experience the art and culture of any place but can give you insights into the emotional content and history of a dwelling or a masterpiece that no book could ever make you feel or know.
Touring in groups can often be physically and emotionally exhausting. You may get paired with people that you just simply cannot abide for one reason or another. You can experience avoidable confrontations with local people over inappropriate actions or language that a private tour guide can prevent through their knowledge of local customs and mores.
Art and culture should be experienced at leisure
Most of the things and places that you really want to see took years or even centuries to complete and you simply cannot get the feel of any masterpiece with a five minute glimpse.
A private tour will cost you more but the experience is more than worth the extra cost. Not only do you experience more of the reality of any place you visit but you return home exhilarated and refreshed instead of exhausted from running hither and thither at someone else’s schedule and bidding.