Yes & you won't get the information that an excellent tour guide should provide. We've visited places under our own steam but would probably tend to do the 'must-sees' with a guide.
For example our tours to Knossos & Ephesus would probably not have been so enjoyable or rewarding if we had dandered about on our own

Yes we did the same with knossos, we drove there and wandered around on our own, as we had friends with and also as we came from Chania it was a huge journey. I have always regreted it as although we bought a guide book we timed it wrong for an organised tour and it would have meant hanging about in 38 degrees waiting for one to start, so we just plodded ahead. I don't suppose I will ever get back there and wish I had gone on the arranged tour as I am sure I would have got far more from the experience and have left with a better understanding of what we had seen.

Whereas in Turkey we went on an organised tour to certain historical sights and it was the best money we spent all holiday, the guide was superb. and it was a very rewarding experience.

There was a time when we really wished we had the Reps services.

We were on a Thomsons Cruise and sailed into Agadir (?) and we could have gone with them on their excursion but we decided to do it ourselves. I so scared - just the two of us and another couple who luckily were a bit more street wise than us!
When we got back on board all the people who had gone with the Thomsons Reps had a fantastic time and we had an experience we will never forget - for all the wrong reasons!
If we went to a similar place again, we would definitely travel with a Rep.

To loosely quote a film star whose name I have forgotten "When they're good they're very very good, when they're bad they're dreadful" I've had experience of both. That doesn't bother me now as I've gone to the same place for many years so I know as much about it (and sometimes a lot more) as they do. Travellers new to a place do need a decent rep and it's a shame that some holiday companies employ reps who just don't cut the mustard. I've even had to do their job on several occasions during transfers from airport, to ferry to island and back again when people were simply dumped off a coach and given vague instructions by the driver.

Not everyone can drive, and some people may not wish to drive in a foreign country. I don't drive at all, so I rely on coach trips for a day out. However you can sometimes book coach trips from a local agent a bit cheaper than the rep's trips

Your quote above and the posts following it in a similar vein are exactly why I said "its horses for courses"..........

See I do prefer to do things under "our own steam" but of course it would be boring if we were all the same wouldnt it!

suppose I will ever get back there and wish I had gone on the arranged tour as I am sure I would have got far more from the experience and have left with a better understanding of what we had seen

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We paid the six Euros in and waited for the organised tour inside - they told us everything we needed to know about Knossos - so glad that we did as I agree that walking around on your own wouldnt have had the same impact - but we still were able to do three different trips on our own for the cost of the reps organised trip that day - again just a personal preference really for us, but I can understand why folk WOULD prefer the trips for the above reasons!:wave:

Maybe it is an age thing but as we have got older we much prefer to do our own thing. Just a little research often brings a bonus. Local buses we have found are a great way to get around and meet the natives. And that, in our experience, really is a bonus. We have always found someone who will help. A map and a phrase book are the essential tools, and a sense of adventure.

fwh

I dont need reps at all, till the day we are departing, we go to fuengirola every year thus dont go welcome meeting, know the area inside out etc, however when we were wating for our teatime flight home last year. no one new what time pick up wass for the coach transfer to the airport, no rep in sight for the last week!! luckly the coach turned up, but it wass slightly worrying, but most of the time the reps are ok.. and as for trips/days out, public transport is cheap or book an excursion at the local travel agent in fuengy at a fraction of the price the reps charge... Il be there sunday lunchtime, and as usual listen to the rep on the coach telling everyone about how hot its been, dont burn, mozzie bites, usual stuff that I already know.I just mimick them my fella goes mad, he said I should be a rep...

Slightly off topic but many years ago we went to Gran Canaria - night flight. On the coach to Peurto Rico the rep was a real chatterbox pointing out all the things of interest.

The classic was "On your left you can see the cement works - or you would if it was not dark!

fwh

I went to Turkey this year for the first time and our rep was very knowledgable as she has now lived there for years. To be honest we only went to the welcome meeting and never needed to see the rep again but this is the first holiday where a rep has offered to do guests washing for free. She also had a good idea, when guests leave all their extra lotions and potions she would keep them in a large toiletory bag and guests could help themselves if they have run out of stuff or forgotton to bring something. Again this is something i didnt need to use but thought was very helpful.

xDAISYx wrote:

this is the first holiday where a rep has offered to do guests washing for free. She also had a good idea, when guests leave all their extra lotions and potions she would keep them in a large toiletory bag and guests could help themselves if they have run out of stuff or forgotton to bring something

There was a rep when we were in Turkey who would wash your beach towels and let you take suncream/toiletries from her "leftovers" box as long as you gave a small donation to a local animal charity she was involved with.
I've also been in hotels where the rep's office is full of "leftovers" - an excellent idea - we've had lovely new lilo's from there when our £1 shop ones have popped, we've had loads of books and magazines and of course, we've left lots of our stuff behind on our last day

Cyberspacekadette - they are the ones that definately WILL be missed wont they?

I dont need reps at all, till the day we are departing

That contradiction is kind of the point, A rep is always required in some shape or form. Say, if your bus didnt turn up on time, or your departure details werent displayed, where do you go to then?

I will always be thankful and greatful to the rep that we had in Menorca in 1998. OUr daughter ended up in intensive care and the young gentleman in question sorted everything and I mean everything He was a nabsolute god-send. he visited us at the hospital everyday, kept us informed on what was happening with the repartition from Menorca back to the Uk and when the Nurse would be flying over from the UK to take us back to the UK. i still remember his name, and always will.

As for Reps now yes we always go to the meetings if we have not been to that particular area/place before. We have just returned from Puerto Pollensa where the two reps were great and were more mature reps than the usual, but they were fantastic.