| Is going solo in an unknown area the right way to | | | | arrive at them. I would recommend the live tour |
| go, or do you want a tour guide to show you the | | | | guides. I have gone all three ways, and I received |
| highlights? I think that you can combine the two | | | | more enjoyment by someone telling me items of |
| ways in one trip and have the best of both worlds. | | | | interest I know I had missed on previous tours. |
| One trip we recently took was to Washington D.C. | | | | Chinatown Walking Tours are tour guided must see. |
| The best purchase we made was for a bus tour that | | | | It gives you a behind the scenes look of colorful |
| would take us around the capital and point out all the | | | | Chinatown. The tour covers, history, traditions of the |
| main sites. Then allow us the next day to travel by | | | | local people and culture that you probably wouldnt |
| foot to the ones we especially wanted to see. We | | | | know or see by traveling alone. The lions at the |
| knew ahead of time which Smithsonian building we | | | | entrance of Chinatown are awesome to see! |
| wanted to see, if the Washington Monument was | | | | San Francisco also offers over 30 fun and free |
| open to visitors and if you needed to get an | | | | walking tours of San Francisco. For more information |
| advance ticket to take a tour of the White House or | | | | on these free tours, go to |
| visit the Capital Building. It allowed us to plan our | | | | The same goes with Napa valley tours. Its possible to |
| three days in the city and see all that we wanted to | | | | drive to the area and go solo, but you will want to |
| see. Individual tours to such landmarks as Fords | | | | take guided tours of some of the vineyards and |
| Theater and Arlington Cemetery were tours we | | | | wine tasting rooms. If you are driving and just taking |
| were glad we bought. The tour guides for these | | | | your leisurely time, I would recommend this way to |
| locations knew tidbits and items of interest that we | | | | see the beautiful sights of the wine country. |
| would never have found out on our own. | | | | Another driving tour that is popular is the 17-mile |
| Lets look at the San Francisco Bay Area which is | | | | drive down the coast. It winds around giving you |
| another one of my favorite vacation spots and my | | | | glimpses of beautiful mansions and spectacular views. |
| family has many pleasant and happy memories of our | | | | It will take you to Carmel and to Pebble Beach Golf |
| visits to that area. Some areas are so familiar to | | | | Club. |
| tourists that its possible to view the attractions on | | | | One of my most popular tours is the Winchester |
| your own. That allows you to take your time and go | | | | Mystery House. Its located in San Jose, an easy drive |
| at your own pace. Fishermans Wharf and Pier39 are | | | | from San Francisco and Oakland and is worth the |
| good examples. Just by walking a few blocks you | | | | ticket cost. This unusual house can be toured many |
| can tour Aquarium of the Bay, take a cruise of San | | | | times and with each tour guide, you will learn |
| Francisco Bay, visit the world famous Ripleys Believe | | | | something new about the eccentric Mrs. Winchester |
| It or Not Museum and spend some down time at the | | | | who believed the spirits told her to have the sound |
| Riptide Arcade on Pier 39. The antique carousel is a | | | | of continuing construction going on in her home to |
| beautiful site and an attraction for all ages. | | | | avoid death. This led to many quirks and funny sights |
| If youre going solo on this trip, you could consider | | | | in the house since Mrs. Winchester served as her |
| buying a San Francisco CityPass. This special buy will | | | | own architect. She kept crews busy 24 hours a day, |
| give you tickets to five attractions, unlimited rides on | | | | 365 days a year for many years. I loved the stairs |
| the Cable Cars and an option ticket to use at the | | | | leading to nowhere, and the built in magnifying glass |
| Legion of Honor or Academy of Science & Steinhart | | | | in the window looking out over the garden. Ive seen |
| Aquarium. You are allowed nine days from the date | | | | it four times, and will probably go back. Rumor has it, |
| you first start using your CityPass to visit each | | | | there was a wine cellar that was boarded up and |
| attraction and seven days for unlimited Cable Car | | | | sealed away. I wonder if it has been found yet! |
| rides. | | | | You can go solo to attractions or take a guided tour. |
| Some attractions are worth having a tour guide for. | | | | Its your choice and you can choose whichever would |
| If you go to Alcatraz Island, you have a choice of | | | | give you the most memorable experience. I |
| going solo, having a live tour guide or being guided by | | | | recommend both. |
| earphones which trigger the points of interest as you | | | | |