Should you buy a tour?

I'm all for independent travel, but sometimes it makes sense to work with a travel agent and go with a tour instead.

Yes, you read that right. Earlier this month, we did just that: A Zoom meeting with a travel agent to prepare an estimate for an upcoming trip.

Why did we do that, and when should you consider it?

When you really don't have any idea what you want to see.

In our case, that's Canada. We know less than we should about our neighbor to the north. Meanwhile, Fresh Tracks Canada, also known as Canada Vacations, offers customizable rail journeys east and west.

We've already traveled Via Rail in Canada - from Windsor to Toronto - and we loved it, so we were comfortable with the idea of rail travel. We just didn't know what we didn't know.

In another example, your destination may not have great public transit. Parts of Ireland, for example, don't. It might be more sensible for you to book guided tours for your travel through those areas, while you travel independently the rest of the time.

As with any purchase, you'll want to read the fine print so you know exactly what you're buying. When does the bus leave each morning? How many travel companions should you expect? Do you need to buy your own meals? Make your own hotel accommodations?

(Expect to tip 10-20 percent in North America and in Europe, in cash, by the way - half to the driver and half to the tour leader)