Travel plays a huge role in the life of a modern person. This is the pursuit of new experiences, knowledge, fresh emotions and just a great vacation. Travel companies offer a variety of destinations, trips to any corner of the globe. Extreme, comfortable - take your pick.
But you can not contact the tour operator. There is such a wonderful direction as amateur tourism. He used to be quite popular with Russians. Many went to the sea, as they say, "savages". They bought tickets or got into a car, rented rooms or houses from local residents upon arrival, organized their own entertainment and excursion program.
And in general, we are somehow used to traveling around our country without guides and guides. As in the countries that were once former Soviet republics. It's cheaper, easier.
Now amateur tourism has spilled out beyond the borders of the Motherland. Many independently ride to Europe, America. Such travel has many advantages. You don't have to depend on the group. You can choose excursions to your liking and see more, since you don’t have to wait for everyone to gather. No need to get up early in the morning.
Self-tourism costscheaper. You do not need to pay for the provision of services to a travel company, a guide. The main expenses are the road, accommodation, meals, excursions. You can find discount tickets. Good, small hotels, where accommodation will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than in well-known hotels. Eat not in a hotel restaurant, but in city cafes.
In addition, seasoned travelers who prefer amateur tourism to organized tourism say that it is not necessary to know the language of the country you are going to perfectly to travel. It is enough to learn a few of the most important phrases in English. How to settle in a hotel, how to ask for directions. For everything else, sign language is usually sufficient.
Besides, by communicating with the inhabitants of the country directly, and not through a guide, you will be able to penetrate deeper into their cultural characteristics, traditions, and understand their life. Large groups usually do not have time for this, everything is scheduled with visits to standard attractions.
Of course there are downsides. You will have to spend much more time organizing the trip. You yourself will get a visa, plan a route, book hotels, worry about food, book excursions.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, you will also have to rely only on yourself. And not all countries allow independent tourists. To obtain a visa for some countries, you must present a travel voucher provided by the tour operator.
BOn the net, you can now find many sites promoting amateur tourism. Wedding tourism is also gaining momentum in the Russian service market. It's so great to arrange an unusual, memorable ceremony in some exotic place. Beautiful ceremonies of different cultures, the fabulous setting of medieval castles in Europe or the sand of tropical islands.
Of course, it cannot be argued that amateur tourism is suitable for absolutely everyone. It is easier for natures who prefer a calm, measured rest without unnecessary worries to purchase a ready-made tour. But if you're easygoing, adventurous, and used to being in control of your rides, this is for you. Happy travels everyone!
