Month: September 2024

Why self-guided tours? With self-guided travel around the chosen destination, You’ll get optional cost value and notable experience.

What is a self guided tours?

A self-guided cycling or self-guided walking tour is a kind of organized travel intended for independent travelers. The main feature of such a trip is the individual journey, without the assistance of the guide provided by the agency.

The full package of a self-guided trip is between independent and package trips. If you book tours with the full self-guided package, the travel agency will book and arrange the trip for you. However, you will travel on your own, without the guide provided by your travel agency. 

Depending on the offer, the agency will choose and book all the attractions and hotels mentioned in the offer. All you need is to show up and follow the plan for the trip.

In general, this kind of holiday is perfect if you are not a fan of traveling in large groups. It gives you more freedom and flexibility than standard organized holidays.

If you are still thinking about whether your experience will be self-guided, be sure to consider the pros and cons in advance. These tips could help with your decision and research.

1. Independence, freedom, and flexibility

Freedom in research. Fiore Tours Agency takes care of all the details of travel and accommodation, leaving you free to enjoy your own guided walking tour and explore history and culture. 

Of course, there aren’t that many guided tours. However, individual travel is not for everyone and it can be quite stressful with a lot of mistakes.

Who will like a full package self-guided tour?

With a self-guided holiday, you get the feeling of independence along with the safety of knowing that everything is organized and arranged for you.

A self-guided tour is for travelers who are looking for a vacation without much hassle and organization and not interested in traveling in large organized groups. Also for those who are not interested in a custom trip and are satisfied with the pre-prepared trip. 

For example, if you like the itinerary offered by the agency but the chosen travel dates do not suit you. With self-guided touring, you get a sense of independence and know that everything is tailored for you.

Choose Your self guided tour travel time

The schedule is flexible – you can choose your travel dates. You do not need to fit into an organized travel schedule.

Croatia Adventure Holidays: Cycling vs. Walking – Which is Better?

Choose Your destination and routes

If you are not part of the trip that is planned in detail, you can apply your way of getting from point A to point B. Particularly if you are curious, you can always choose from different hiking routes to choose from mild to difficult tours, depending on how many days you would like to walk!

Choose Your travel companions

No matter how you travel, alone, as a couple, a group of friends, or with family, our guides give you the freedom to choose your travel companions.

For some people, traveling with a group of strangers can be daunting, as it is for some people individually. But many people say that when you go on a multi-day group tour, you start as strangers, but in the end, it’s like traveling with good friends.

Therefore, if you want to choose your travel buddies, then a solo tour is a great way to make it happen.

Travel at your own pace

Flexibility in travel is important! Guided tours often tie you to dates due to the arrival of a larger group of people. But with self guided tours, you can choose which day you want to start.

Create the tour  itinerary of your choice, choose the stations to visit along the way, decide to stay a little for lunch. Start an hour early to capture the best times of the day, and stop where you want and however you want.

Your tour, your freedom! Tours can be great, but sometimes you want to be free to make your own decisions.

On vacation with your guide you get an expertly planned plan, but with more flexibility in choosing what you want. Spend more time somewhere and never worry about following a travel group.

2. Time and money savings

Exploring travel can be stressful. And sometimes you don’t have as much time to dig and dig until you find all the things you want to see, and all the things you want to do. 

Most people like to travel, but not everyone likes to plan a vacation: finding accommodation, places to eat, things to do – it can all be a little tricky. That is why self-guided tours are a great choice! Of course, on vacation, you get tips from their guides, but also the opportunity to spend the day however you want.

All the bookings are done by the agency

Allow professionals to design your dream journey without fear of missing out on research.

Detailed trip documentation packs

Let us do the hardest work! Including all travel arrangements, itineraries, accommodation arrangements, detailed route notes, maps, destination guides, and emergency contact information.

Cost efficiency of self guided tours?

Optimize your travel costs. A travel guide is a great choice but sometimes too expensive. Smaller groups or solo travelers may not always be able to afford a guide, so self-guided tours can drastically optimize travel costs.

Rely on pre-booked transportation

Keeping a bus and train schedule on vacation can be quite a hassle and time-consuming. Because of this, trips usually come with pre-booked transportation. Detailed information on transportation routes, buses, and trains is also available on a standalone tour – always in the right place at the right time!

3. 24/7 support

We are localized in the region, so we are at your service if you need help. We provide in-country support with a 24/7 telephone line and emergency contact details.

Baggage transfers while walking

Leave your luggage with us. No need to pull your heavy backpacks from hotel to hotel. We will carry all your luggage between the hotels, leaving you free to enjoy your vacation on the walk.

Emergency support on self guided tours

When booking a travel experience, you can’t plan for everything, and sometimes things are just not in your control. The unexpected always has a way of happening, and that’s exactly what we hope for when traveling, a break from the mundane. For those times when things get out of hand, even on a self-guided tour, you can rest easy knowing that operator support is just a phone call away.

4. Accommodation on self guided tours

Selected accommodation. A selection of comfortable and hospitable hotels, from 2-star family hotels and traditional guesthouses to 4-star hotels with spa services.

All sites have been checked and their quality monitored regularly. The accommodation offers friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms, and local flavor. With a self-guided tour, you can book your accommodation before your trip begins.

Be sure to have a comfortable place for rest after a day of traveling.

5. Interaction with locals

If you are alone, there will not be as much social interaction as you would with a group guide, but do not rush to the conclusion that you will feel lonely as a result. It is true that when you are on a solo visit, you are free to interact with the locals of the area you are visiting, which is the best way to experience the Croatian tradition and hospitality of the locals.

6. Self-satisfaction and hedonism in exploring

The self-satisfaction that comes with completing a self-guided tour is far greater than a guided tour. You truly feel a sense of accomplishment as you have navigated your way along the trail of your choice.

The complacency that comes with completing guided tours is much greater than the guided tour.

You get the feeling of being a researcher as you navigate the path of your choice.

Follow expert advice

On the expert itinerary, the tourist guide is based on years of experience and knowledge of the destinations that will help you make the most of your time and ensure travel carefreely. Because of such convoluted guidance, the other thing you have at your disposal is expert support, that is, self-guided walking tours often come with luggage transportation.

Summary

Today, in these circumstances, as in many other benefits, self-guided travel is becoming increasingly popular with travelers who like to explore. What better way to soak up the fresh mountain air on self guided walking tours and self guided cycling around some of the most beautiful parts of Croatia?

The Romans referred to it as Terra Magica – and it’s a title that is still relevant today. Istria – the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea – is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Here’s why it’s the perfect destination for an unforgettable walking tour

1. Surrounded by nature

Istria is small enough to drive from end to end in one hour – but still boasts a variety of natural sights and experiences. With a walking tour, like those offered by Fiore Tours – travel specialists for Istria – you’ll really get to relax surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, rivers, forests, beautiful coastal views, mountain tops, medieval towns, and villages.

2. Gourmet destination

Istria is a gourmet destination. On the coast, the focus is on seafood. Move inland and the focus shifts to meat – particularly the specialty beef from Boskarin Cattle. Then there’s the truffle capital of the world at the village of Livade – which you can also take in during Fiore Tours walking tour of Istria. There’s also wild asparagus, local ham, and the native wines. You will get excellent quality wherever you go – even in basic eateries.

3. Festivals

Time your visit right and you may just be able to take in one of the many festivals which Istria hosts each year. From the Motovun International Film Festival each July, through to choir festivals and even festivals celebrating Asparagus – Istria is definitely interesting! You can find out more about festivals from the region’s tourism website.

4. The smallest town in the world

Istria is home to Hum – the smallest town in the world. With just 20 inhabitants, it is the home of mistletoe flavor brandy and an exceptionally friendly place.

5. Aphrodisiacs!

Motovun, one of the destinations on Fiore Tours Istrian walking holiday, is home to the best views of the Istrian interior. It is also home to a truffle that has aphrodisiac qualities.

6. Artist colony

On the Fiore Tours holiday – you’ll be able to visit Grožnjan, a town full of art and artists. This photogenic medieval town sits on top of a hill with views of vineyards, olive groves, woods, and the sea. It is formally known as a town of artists – with 30 galleries in its vicinity.

7. Griffon vultures and Golden eagles

Passing through the Učka Nature Park with Fiore Tours walking tour of Istria, you’ll be well placed to spot Griffon vultures and golden eagles.

“Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik”. These were the words of Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw when he visited the city in 1929. 

Dubrovnik is visually stunning, but according to fiore-tours.com – travel specialists for Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, and Montenegro, perhaps it is because of the story that makes it such a favorite destination choice.

The name of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik means ‘oak grove’. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and refers to the thick oak forest that once thrived there. That name was not officially adopted until 1929. Before this, the city was known as Ragusa.

Early influences

Dubrovnik’s history shows that the city was inhabited by a Greek colony in ancient times.
Dubrovnik was then ruled by a sequence of powerful countries – including the Byzantine Empire and the Venetian Republic before gaining independence in the 14th century. From this point, it developed into a powerful maritime center. Dubrovnik managed to maintain its independence during a very turbulent era because it managed to attract the protection of influential countries. Dubrovnik, the city-state, cherished its freedom, the protection of which motivated its diplomatic actions with other countries and events.

Forward-thinking

In some ways, Dubrovnik was ahead of its time. In the 14th century, it opened the first medical service and the world’s first pharmacy. It abolished the slave trade in 1418. It was one of the first countries to recognize the USA as a country, also.

Maritime city

Dubrovnik developed a strong maritime trade network. Their ships sailed as far as Great Britain and the city also owned colonies in India.

Earthquake and Wars

In 1667, 5,000 people from Dubrovnik died in an earthquake that also destroyed many public buildings. Many churches, mansions, houses were ruined, but many did indeed survive and today’s visitors can still experience the gothic, Renaissance, and baroque architecture during a holiday to Dubrovnik.

The buildings and architecture were very badly damaged by the fighting it witnessed in the Balkan War in the 1990s, where medieval city walls and beautiful cobbled streets took hundreds if not thousands of direct hits. But UNESCO stepped in after the war to manage a restoration effort and Dubrovnik is back to its former glory, which you can see today.

Independence, occupation, independence

Directly after the earthquake in 1667, Venice and Turkey set off to ‘assist’ Dubrovnik, however, the city rightly saw these offers of assistance as a threat and sent ambassadors off to meet the invading forces and persuade them that they did not need help. They protected their independence at all costs.

Dubrovnik fell to Napoleon in 1808 when his French armies occupied the town. They had originally stood outside of the gates, asking for free passage. They were let in and then never left. Later the city came under the rule of the Austro Hungarian empire. And then after the Great War of 1914-1918, it became part of Yugoslavia, but today stands independent as part of Croatia.

Today’s Dubrovnik

The Pearl of the Adriatic is a destination that is not to be missed! If the history of Dubrovnik has made you want to see it for yourself, fiore.hr – travel specialists for Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, and Montenegro offer a variety of options on how to take in the splendor of Dubrovnik during a Croatian holiday:

– The Split to Dubrovnik private guided tour spends a full day and two nights soaking up Dubrovnik’s history. Starting at the city gates, the tour works its way through the city’s main historical sights and you’ll see Dubrovnik and its history in the flesh.

– The Croatian Adriatic coast and islands walking tour spend seven days soaking up the cultural heritage and beautiful sights in and around the coast – including Dubrovnik itself.

– If biking around the countryside and islands that surround Dubrovnik, as well as exploring the city, fiore.hr offer two fantastic tours. There’s the Split to Dubrovnik tour and then the tour that focuses on Dubrovnik’s countryside and islands.

To find out more about holidays to Croatia, and specifically holidays to Dubrovnik please Check Out Our Tours.