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Guided Vs. Self-Guided Tours: What's The Difference?

At first glance, you might be thinking, how can a self-guided tour be a tour at all? Well, that’s why we put together this little blog post to help clarify things, and to help you choose between them.

What’s the difference?

Guided tour : you start and finish the tour with the guide and you are accompanied by them for the whole trip. Guided tours will see you doing more specialised activities for a greater part of the time.

Self guided tour : you start the trip on your own with all of the transfers and logistics taken care of. If you like you can be met by a guide on location for a specific activity.

How does a self guided tour work?

A self-guided tour has quite a lot less guiding in it. But it isn't necessarily completely guide-less.  For example, If you set out on a self-guided tour, you might want to do some skiing  or some other activity that requires some specialised knowledge or equipment, in which case you would need a guide. So, you can be met by a guide for those things, then you’re are solo once more. 

When you confirm a trip with us, you will get an information pack with your itinerary, detailed road books, arranged travel plans, transfers and accommodations. We take care of all of the logistics. We even throw in an insider tip or two!

Want to add anything else onto the tour? That can most likely be arranged by our team. Flights to and from Greenland are included in self-guided tours. 

Want to spend more time there? That’s no problem either! Tack on an extra few days if you simply want to wander around the ice fjord in Ilulissat; you might even catch a whale or two !

What about a guided tour?

A guided tour sees you being accompanied by a guide for the duration of your trip. Do you want to spend a few days ski touring or cross country skiing? Are you interested in dog sledding and catching some Northern Lights ? If you are activity-focused, a guided tour will likely be best for you since these require special skills and equipment.  Flights to and from Greenland are not included in guided tours.

How to decide? 

So these are the considerations if you are choosing a guided vs. self-guided tour in Greenland. Do you still have any questions?  Feel free to shoot us an email or give us a call on +354 587 9999

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Self-Guided Tours

For travellers that want to feel inspired but love their freedom, self-guided tours are the answer. Whether you want to walk the world, bicycle the world or sail it, we bring the map, and you bring your sense of adventure! Learn more about becoming your own tour guide below! 

6251 reviews on

What is a Self-Guided Tour?

On a self-guided tour, you'll have everything you need at your fingertips courtesy of detailed trip notes, but with the added freedom to pick and choose what you want to do and when. You could be hiking and trekking, or road-tripping, or city-hopping, all at your own pace with the luxury of knowing a tour operator will have your back whenever you need assistance or advice!  

And who is it for?

For experienced travellers who are looking for new challenges. If you find yourself a little overwhelmed planning trips or thinking up things to do, a self-guided tour is great!  For families  travelling with children. Kids have their own schedule and travelling as part of a tour group doesn't always align with that. A self-guided tour will give the whole family plenty of options and things to do, without the pressure of having to stick to someone else's schedule.  For groups of friends  who want to enjoy each others company. Travelling with friends is fun, and a self-guided tour will take the hassle of planning away, leaving all of you free to do what you do best: enjoy each other's company! 

Other Ways to Travel

Types of self-guided trips.

Self-Guided Walking Tours

Self-Guided Cycling Holidays

Self-Guided Cultural Tours

Benefits of booking a self-guided trip, choose your pace.

Tours are great, but on vacation, sometimes it's just nice to wake-up when you want and be free to make your own decisions. On a self-guided vacation, you get the perks of a multi-day group tour: an expertly planned itinerary but with more flexibility to pick and choose what you want, spend more time somewhere, and never wory about keeping up with the tour group.  

Pick your travel buddies

For some people, travelling with a group of strangers can be intimidating, but travelling solo can feel just as daunting. A lot of people say when you go on a multi-day group tour, you start off as strangers but by the end, it's like travelling with good friends, so don't be put off! If you want to pick your own travel buddies, then a self-guided tour is a great way to make that happen. 

Save time on research

Most people love to travel, but not everyone loves planning their own vacation: finding accommodation, places to eat, things to do, it can all be a little tiresome. Which is why tours are such a great option! Of course, on a self-guided vacation, you get tour operator tips courtesy of their excellent trip notes, and also the opportunity to spend the day however you want. 

24/7 emergency support

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

Rely on pre-booked transportation

Figuring out train schedules and bus schedules on vacation is a hassle and time-consuming. This is why tours usually come with pre-booked transportation. Don't worry though, you'll get all the comfort of detailed information on transport routes, bus and train times on a self-guided tour as well - so you can always be in the right place at the right time!    

Follow expert advice

On a self-guided tour, you have the luxury of an expertly crafted itinerary based on years of experience and knowledge of a destination, which will help you make the most of your time and ensure you can travel worry-free. Because of course, the other thing you have at hand is expert support. For example, self-guided walking tours often come with a luggage transport service. 

Best Destinations for a Self-Guided Holiday

Switzerland, new zealand, most popular self-guided adventures.

Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N

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Syros, Mykonos, Tinos & Athens Tour - 9 Days - Premium

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3 Day Island Tour: Santorini, Mykonos to Explore the Best of Cyclades

Self-guided tour reviews, spain - catalonia gastronomic cycling tour with pure adventures, puglia: self-guided cycling in the heel of italy with exodus travels, salzburg lake district with the natural adventure company, best of portugal: porto, douro valley & lisbon with flag travel holidays, varanasi independent adventure with g adventures, 5-day kayak & wild camp the archipelago - self-guided with do the north, latest deals on self-guided holidays.

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Book your self-guided trip today.

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Our team of experienced Travel Experts have travelled to hundreds of countries around the globe and have decades of first-hand travel experience to share. Contact us now to have all of your tour-related questions answered!

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Self-Guided Tours: What are they? Why book one?

Alice Peace

• Experiences

Travel is an exciting experience, but the research and planning that goes into organizing a trip can be daunting for many. Browsing for eco-friendly accommodations, delicious local places to eat, and activities that align with your values can quickly become exhausting. Organized tours are a great option to alleviate some of the stress associated with booking your vacation. But with so many different choices of organized travel – from  private tours , to small-group tours , to self-guided tours – how do you decide what is right for you?

What is a Self-Guided Tour?

To start off, let’s clarify what we mean by a self-guided tour. Self-guided tours are trips in which an expert handles all of the pre-departure organization and booking. Once travelers arrive, they enjoy their trip independently, without a third-party guide physically present. Whilst travelers are responsible for making their way to their accommodation each night they have complete autonomy regarding their pace throughout each day.

Self-guided tours are well-suited for walking, cycling, and driving holidays where the daily route is thoughtfully planned out for you, and your luggage is transported between pre-booked accommodations. This tour type is an ideal choice for travelers who would like assistance with organizing and booking their trip, but don’t need an escort on the actual journey. That said, self-guided trips include a GPS and 24/7 on-call support to ensure guests’ safety.

What is Included in a Self-Guided Tour?

The level of support provided before and during the trip is very similar to what travelers would experience on a privately guided tour, minus the guide themself. Self-guided tours typically include the following:

• Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the trip
• A day-to-day route indicating the miles or kilometers to be traveled each day
• Luggage transfers between points A and B each day (for walking and cycling tours) – this means that travelers only need to carry a small day pack with them as they walk or bike
• Pre-arranged and booked activities along the way
• Eco-friendly accommodations are booked for each night
• Some or most meals
• A GPS and a roadbook/map
• 24/7 on-call support
• 24/7 roadside assistance (for driving tours)

Why Book a Self-Guided Tour?

Saving time on research, flexibility, and affordability without compromising on experiences are some of the reasons people opt for a self-guided tour. Many travelers also report a higher degree of self-satisfaction at the end of their trip; they truly feel a sense of accomplishment after navigating their own way across a new destination.

So what makes self-guided tours so much fun? Here are our top six reasons travelers love self-guided tours.

• Timesaving and Stress-Free
• Flexible Departure Dates
• Customizable Itinerary
• Affordability
• Independence and Freedom
• Covid-friendly

Keep reading to discover why so many travelers prefer this type of travel.

1. Self-guided tours save you the time and stress of researching and planning a vacation

Most of us lead busy lives. Deciding on a destination can be exciting, but the research and planning needed to organize a vacation are time-consuming. It’s hard to truly capture how long the average person spends planning a trip. Different reports estimate travelers spend anywhere from  10 hours  to  30 hours  or more planning a single holiday. Time spent researching and coordinating can either be fun, and an enjoyable part of the adventure overall, or stressful, and considered a necessary evil to have the trip of your dreams. Having a suggested itinerary with a pre-arranged route, pre-booked eco-friendly accommodations and activities, and comfort touches like airport transfers can remove a lot of this stress.

By booking a self-guided tour, you can minimize your time spent researching and planning whilst maximizing your time on vacation. Expert trip planners and our in-country partners are ready to take all of this stress off your hands and hand over an organized, well-planned itinerary. They’ll ensure that you’re making the most of every day, booking eco-friendly accommodations, and suggesting activities to participate in that support local people and businesses.

2. Self-guided tours have flexible departure dates

Another benefit of self-guided tours is that you are not tied down to specific departure dates. Unlike small-group tours with fixed departure dates, self-guided tours leave you completely free to accommodate your start date with your group’s schedule.

Pro tip: When considering your departure date, be sure to check for two things:

• Availability: Many self-guided tours that are nature-focused – like walking and cycling tours – are only available to book during particular seasons, such as from Spring through Fall. This is for safety and to help maximize the enjoyment of the trip overall in terms of weather and other conditions. 
• Seasonality: Traveling  outside  of the high season, when a peak number of travelers might be crowding a trail, is more sustainable. As long as conditions are comfortable enough, traveling during the shoulder season or low season helps with tourism dispersal. Tourism dispersal is about spreading out where tourists go, and how tourist money is spent throughout the year.

Once at your destination, self-guided tours give you complete autonomy to explore at a pace that suits you. You can pick your sightseeing stops along the way, decide to linger a little longer over a delicious local lunch, or set off an hour earlier to catch that gorgeous sunrise as you hike or cycle from point A to B. You can stop wherever you like, whenever you like, and how often you like. The freedom is yours!

3. Self-guided tours can be customized and tweaked until they’re just right

When you discover a self-guided walking, cycling, or driving trip, you will typically be presented with a suggested itinerary as a starting point. You can think of this as a base itinerary – a recommendation that will be fantastic as-is, but customizable if needed.

Some of the main ways people adjust self-guided itineraries:

• Tweaking the length by either adding or removing a day or two on either end. Adding a day requires less distance to be covered each day, which can result in more downtime for exploring or resting.
• Opting for more luxurious accommodations for a more upscale experience.
• Scheduling experiences or activities along the way – such as an artisan visit or a wine tasting. These can be incorporated into days of light walking, cycling, or driving; or be planned for days of rest at certain stopping points mid-way in your trip.

For your leisure time, you’ll also be provided with suggestions and important information to ensure you’re not missing out on anything. But exactly what you choose to do in your downtime is completely up to you!

4. Self-guided tours are more affordable

Self-guided tours are almost always the most economical option compared to privately guided tours or small-group tours. This type of tour is usually much cheaper as you are not paying to be accompanied by a guide for the duration of your trip, as you would be on a private or small-group tour. The affordability of self-guided trips makes them ideal for travelers aiming to stick to a smaller budget. 

5. Self-guided tours offer independence and freedom

With a self-guided tour, you retain the feeling of independence along with the safety of knowing everything is organized and arranged for you. This provides a great amount of freedom – much higher than what you’d experience on a private or small-group tour. Namely, this independence means you can go at your own pace each day. With walking and cycling tours, you can spend a leisurely day on the trail or move briskly to have more downtime at your destination for the evening. With driving tours, you can more easily take detours to particular points of interest along the way – such as a specific cultural heritage sight or a particularly good vantage point to watch a sunset.

Unlike travel where you plan and book everything yourself, you will never be left entirely without support. Even though you’ll be walking, cycling, or driving unattended, there will be a local support team tracking your route via GPS, ensuring a unique and safe experience. Your GPS will also include the locations of your pre-booked accommodations, as well as pre-saved suggested sites, attractions, and important places you may wish to consider visiting along the way.

Self-guided tours include 24/7 backup telephone support in English to assist you if and when required. You won’t even have to worry about your luggage, as active self-guided walking and cycling tours include organized luggage transfer throughout! This allows you to savor every moment of your trip, secure in the knowledge that all the details have been handled and that help, if needed, is just a phone call away.

6. Self-guided tours are a Covid-friendly way to travel

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused travel plans to grind to a halt across the world. Although many of us are ready to throw ourselves back into new experiences, cultures, and delicacies, we understand that travelers may still have concerns about Covid-friendly travel.

Self-guided tours are ideal as they offer an exclusive experience for you and your choice of travel companions. You won’t have to worry about vacationing with strangers or sharing public transport once at the destination. Inherently, self-guided walking, cycling, and driving tours outside and away from large urban areas make it easy to stay socially distanced from people outside of your group should you choose. You can simply focus on exploring areas of natural beauty, passing through small towns and villages, and breathing in fresh country air!

How Much Do Self-Guided Tours Cost?

Self-guided tours are one of the most economical options for travelers, although, like all tours, the price depends on the destination, activities, trip length, and group size. Self-guided tours cater well to walking tours and cycling holidays, so here are a couple of examples:

Related Trips

Carpathian Mountains & Castles

From 725 € pp

• Self-Guided

Camino: Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way

From 1,030 € pp

How do these prices compare to private tours and small-group tours?

• Private tours  are the most expensive option as you will be accompanied by a guide for the duration of your trip. However, this can offer unique insights and cultural experiences, the chance to really get off the beaten track, and an increased sense of comfort for travelers heading to an unfamiliar destination.
• The prices of small-group tours fall somewhere in-between self-guided and private tours. You won’t have much flexibility with the itinerary – though you will have pockets of free time for individual exploration – and you may be traveling with more people. Small-group tours are great for leveraging the expertise of a local guide without the higher cost that comes with private tours.
• Self-guided tours are different from both private tours and small-group tours. As you are not accompanied by a local expert for the majority of your vacation, this drastically reduces the cost of the trip, although some of our self-guided tours do include a guided component to maximize your cultural experience. This tour type is ideal for those that want increased autonomy, but you will need to be responsible for getting to and from your accommodations each night and ensure you’re on time for any pre-booked activities along your route. Additionally, self-guided tours are especially suited to nature-focused activities such as walking and cycling tours. These are more budget-friendly activities and, as a bonus, will keep the carbon footprint of your travel low as well.

Our Favorite Self-Guided Tours

Now that we’ve covered what self-guided tours are, what they include, and what the benefits are, we’ll give you some examples of our favorite self-guided trips.

Are you an active traveler looking for a self-guided adventure? Explore the  Portuguese Coastal Way from Porto to Santiago  on this cycling tour that takes you along the rugged coastline and through the quaint villages of northern Portugal. Prefer hiking to biking? Enjoy a similar self-guided walking holiday along the coastal route of  Portugal’s Costa Verde , a diverse region famous for its refreshing ‘green wine’.

Here are a couple more self-guided tours we recommend. Whether you’re looking for an active adventure, cultural immersion, or epic road trip, we can help you find your perfect itinerary.

1. Portugal:  Heart and Soul of Douro Valley

Immerse yourself in Portuguese cuisine with this one-week self-guided walking tour and wine-tasting holiday in the scenic Douro Valley. You’ll follow unpaved roads and footpaths through picturesque countryside as you walk between traditional villages, pausing for picnic lunches and visits to local wine estates where you can sample award-winning wines and local cuisine. Museums and the chance to take part in activities, such as grape harvest celebrations, will give you an appreciation and understanding of the culture of this region. At the end of each day’s walk, you’ll receive a warm welcome at one of the carefully selected country houses and hotels, where you can relax, put your feet up, and enjoy a delicious meal. 

We had a great hike in Douro valley, all the accommodations were perfect, and the people we met were so nice. In every place we stopped we had great hotel rooms and a pool to rest after a day hiking (mostly up). Especially Quinta do Portal was really excellent and had the best chef and meals we have ever had in Portugal. Thank you! Joanna R. 

2. Romania: Discovering Transylvania's Heritage by Bike

Leisurely cycle through the hills of Transylvania, a mysterious and spectacular land with a rich heritage. This trip will take you into the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania’s hills. Transylvania is famous thanks to Bram Stoker’s legend of Dracula, and is well-known for its forests which provide shelter for many species of wild plants and animals.

Walking Tour: Heart & Soul of Douro Valley

From 1,120 € pp

Discovering Transylvania’s Heritage by Bike

From 850 € pp

I’m Alice, UK travel blogger and advocate for sustainable travel. I want to show you just how easy it is to make responsible choices and do our bit for the planet whilst we’re on the go. I head to off-the-beaten-track locations and get there as sustainably as possible. I love responsible wildlife and community tourism, supporting local businesses and eating delicious vegetarian food. See more at Discoveny .

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Self-Guided Tours in Japan

Book a Self-Guided Tour and explore Japan with us!

Did you know you can go on a tour without following a guide all day? For those wishing to visit Japan with family, friends, or alone, Japan Experience offers package tours, which include accommodation , transportation , some activities , internet access and a travel diary ! With our expertly curated itineraries, you'll have the freedom to discover Japan at your own pace, while still receiving support from our team of experts.

We provide the itinerary you’ll follow in your personalized  travelogue , and while we have plenty of suggestions, what you see and do on the way is up to you. Should you need us during your trip, we offer 7/7 assistance for information and advice. Optional activities and guided day tours are also available, for those who would like to explore cities with a local expert. Are you looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Japan? Look no further!

What is a Self-Guided Tour?

Why book a Self-Guided Tour? Find out more about the key advantages of this type of tour, that combines the best flexibility and freedom for you with our best travel advice and our 7/7 assistance.

Flexible & Free

With a Self-Guided Tour, Japan Experience builds your itinerary and takes care of your bookings. Accommodation, transportation needs, internet access... But what you see and do on the way is up to you!

Optimized Itinerary

While you're freely following our pre-built itineraries, you benefit from the same expertise as your other types of tours. Our travel advisors will build you a personalized travelogue with tips, spots and sights to see.

Time-Saving

With your itinerary built by our team of Japan travel experts, you'll save time planning, and you'll check each item off your bucket list and see more of Japan! A great option for first-time travelers, as well as repeaters looking for inspiration.

7/7 Assistance

As we'll take care of all your bookings on your itinerary, we'll be able to help with anything during your trip. Just reach out, and our expert team will be here for you, every day of the week, even on WhatsApp!

What are the differences between a Self-Guided Tour compared to Group-Guided Tours? 

• While you're accompanied at all times in a group tour, you're on your own in a self-guided tour . 
• This also means you have the freedom to pick your own meals and where to eat .
• While your itinerary is planned and your accommodation and transportation are booked, what you see during your days in each city is up to you . 
• You can even take day trips .
• If you wish to benefit from the insights of a tour guide, you can book daily guides or guided activities .

Explore Japan with our recommended Self-Guided Tours

From the north to the south of Japan, for first-timers or seasoned travelers, explore our best self-guided tours!

Tokyo to Okinawa beaches Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 18 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa

Solo Travel in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 15 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Koyasan, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Tokyo

Honeymoon in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Osaka, Miyajima, Okayama, Kinosaki Onsen, Kyoto

Seoul & Tokyo Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 9 days
• Locations : Seoul, Tokyo

Tohoku: Traditional Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Kyoto, Tokyo, Nikko, Sendai, Tohoku, Aomori

City break - Kyoto tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 8 days
• Locations : Kyoto

Japan Family Tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 14 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo

Travel on a Self-Guided Tour in 3 easy steps

Choose your tour

Select one of our Self-Guided Tours based on what your travel plans and preferences require. All our tours are easily accessible from Japan's major cities.

You can choose to customize your tour by getting in touch with our team.

Get ready for your trip

We organize every detail of your trip! You receive a travel book that includes your itinerary, your lodging addresses, and all our local recommendations.

Our Japan travel experts will help you choose local restaurants, schedule your visits around the best times to visit (or avoid) the most popular locations, and generally provide you with great tips on what to do and see. But you're free to explore at your own pace!

Time to explore!

Our local team remains at your disposal for assistance with any issues that may arise.

In the event of a cancellation, you are covered by our Flex option. It’s our commitment to provide you with flexibility throughout your trip without ever compromising your ability to have the greatest vacation experience.

Choose the trip for you from our collections of self-guided tours, where you'll be able to visit Japan at your own pace!

Essential self-guided tours in japan.

For first-time visitors to Japan, essential tours are an excellent way to discover the country's top attractions and get a feel for its unique culture. With so many incredible destinations to explore, it can be overwhelming to plan an itinerary on your own. That's where essential tours come in - they're carefully crafted to showcase the best of Japan, from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto. Some must-visit spots for first-timers include the iconic Mount Fuji, the charming city of Kanazawa, and the historic Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. You will be able to travel between the cities using the Shinkansen, the famous high-speed bullet train of Japan and discover famous sightseeing spots! Essential tours take the stress out of planning and allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey through Japan.

Highlights of Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Takayama, Tokyo

Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Kyoto Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 10 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto

Japanese Immersion Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Hiroshima, Osaka, Koyasan, Kyoto

Classic Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Hiroshima, Kyoto

Capitals and Treasures of Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 13 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Tokyo

Towns and Islands of Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuiji, Kyoto, Okayama, Miyajima, Fukuoka

Path of the Samurai Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 16 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto

Nature and Tradition of Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara, Ise, Osaka

Special Interest Self-Guided Tours

If you have a particular interest or hobby, special interest tours in Japan are a fantastic way to indulge your passion while exploring this incredible country. From hiking in the Japanese Alps to skiing in the powder snow of Hokkaido, there's a tour to suit every taste. Other popular themes include manga and anime, architecture and design, and culinary adventures. For example, a food-themed tour might take you to the famous city of Uji to discover its famous tea fields where the best matcha in Japan is produced, or to Osaka, known as the "kitchen of Japan," to try the city's famous street food. Special interest tours allow you to connect with like-minded individuals and experts in your field, as well as providing unique insights and experiences that you may not get on a more traditional tour.

Between Manga and Tradition Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Okayama, Miyajima, Osaka

Hiking in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Kyoto, Miyajima, Kagoshima, Yakushima, Fukuoka

Skiing in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Nikko, Nagano, Kanazawa, Kyoto

Japan art and architecture tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Osaka, Awaji, Takamatsu, Kurashiki, Kyoto

Japan Culinary Tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Miyajima, Kyoto

Unmissable Gardens in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takamatsu, Okayama, Matsue, Kyoto

Extended Self-Guided Tours

For those revisiting Japan or looking to explore a particular region in depth, extended tours offer a comprehensive and immersive travel experience. Whether you're interested in the history and culture of Kyoto or the natural beauty of Hokkaido, there's an extended tour that caters to your interests. These tours typically last for several days and include visits to off-the-beaten-path destinations, as well as popular tourist spots. For example, an extended tour of Kyushu might take you to the hot springs of Beppu, the stunning waterfalls of Takachiho, and the historic castle town of Kumamoto. With extended tours, you'll have the opportunity to see Japan in a whole new light, gaining insights and experiences that you may have missed on previous visits.

Japan itinerary North to South Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 21 days
• Locations : Sapporo, Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Takayama, Kyoto, Okayama, Miyajima, Fukuoka, Ishigaki

The Japan Alps Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Matsumoto,Tsumago,Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kaga Onsen, Kyoto

Chugoku: Japan's secret Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 19 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Chugoku, Miyajima, Okayama, Osaka

Kyushu: The Southern Route Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 20 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Kyoto, Miyajima, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Takachiho, Yufuin, Beppu, Osaka

Hokkaido and the northern Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Kyoto, Tokyo, Sapporo, Sounkyo Onsen, Akan-ko, Furano, Sapporo

Japan your way tours

Japan Your Way offers a variety of tours that cater to different travel preferences, whether you are traveling solo, as a couple or with family. Every tour has a unique proposition, whether you prefer a balance of educational and entertaining activities suitable for all ages, a tour that offers a unique and intimate experience, featuring scenic spots, sightseeing and cultural activities to enhance the romance, or a tour tailor made for solo travelers.

Romantic tour in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Okayama, Miyajima, Kyoto

A City Break in Japan is an excellent option for travelers who want to explore one or two of Japan's most popular cities on a shorter tour. Whether you want to discover the bustling city of Tokyo or the serene beauty of Kyoto, a City Break offers a range of customizable activities that cater to your interests. You will be able to explore historic landmarks, experience local culture and cuisine, shop in trendy districts, or even enjoy the nightlife scene. Our experts of Japan can provide recommendations and insider tips to ensure you get the most out of your experience. With a City Break, you can make the most of your time in Japan, discovering the rich history and modern urban lifestyle of these iconic cities.

City break - Tokyo tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo

City break - Osaka tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Osaka

Tokyo & Kyoto Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo,Kyoto

Want your own custom tour? Explore our Tailor-Made Tours options!

Didn't find the trip of your dreams in our selection of Self-Guided Tours? Get in touch with our expert team of Japan travel advisors, and customize your tour according to your needs! Build upon one of our existing tours, or start from scratch with your pre-planned itinerary. Our team will be able to help you craft the trip of your dreams! 

Build your Tailor-Made Tour today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self guided tour?

A self-guided tour in Japan is a pre-planned travel package that provides you with a detailed itinerary, accommodation, and transportation options for exploring the country at your own pace. Unlike guided tours, you will not be accompanied by a tour guide, allowing you more flexibility and independence during your trip. You will also be handed a travelogue that give you information about all the details you may need while traveling in Japan.

Can I customize my self-guided tour?

You can customize your tour in some way by choosing among the different options, which typically include pre-night and post-night extension, meaning you can add one day before and/or after your trip. However, if you want to create your own itinerary by going to Okinawa Island for example, you can contact our team to create and tailor the perfect itinerary for your Japan experience, that caters to your interests and preferences.

How do I navigate Japan during my self-guided tour?

Japan has an efficient and extensive public transportation system, including trains, buses, and subways. The train is usually the go-to means of transport across cities in Japan. Our self-guided tour packages come with detailed detailed itineraries and Japan Rail Passes to help you navigate your way through Japan with ease. Additionally, most major cities have English signage, making it even more convenient for you to explore the country.

Are meals included in the self-guided tour packages?

Our self-guided tour packages usually include breakfast at your accommodations. Lunch and dinner are often not included, giving you the flexibility to explore Japan's diverse and delicious cuisine at your own pace. Please check the details for each day to know if the meals are included or not. We can also provide recommendations for local restaurants and dining experiences to suit your taste.

Can I extend my self-guided tour?

Yes, you can extend your self-guided tour by adding one extra day to your itinerary by selecting the option. However, if you want to change further the details of your trip, by adding a new destination for example, please contact our team, and we will be happy to help you plan an extended stay in Japan.

Do I need a visa? Do I need vaccinations?

As of October 11, 2022, Japan will open its borders to all Europeans (including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) and North Americans (Canada and the United States) without requiring a visa.

Only non-triply vaccinated travelers need a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.

Do I still need a visa to travel to Japan as a tourist?

No, no visa is required for blue countries including all European countries (European Union, United Kingdom and Switzerland included) and North American countries (Canada and United States). List of blue countries: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html . If you have another nationality, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country of residence to obtain this visa.

Do I still need a PCR or antigen test to go to Japan?

No, if you are triple vaccinated with the vaccines approved by Japan (Pfizer, Moderna, ...exhaustive list here : https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page24e_000317.html ) there is no need for any test.

I do not have 3 doses of vaccine or I am not vaccinated against COVID, can I enter Japan?

Proof of Covid vaccines is no longer required for travelers from "blue" countries. Therefore, unvaccinated travelers can enter Japan if they live in blue countries. But a negative PCR test is required at embarkation for travelers who are not vaccinated 3 times.

Is there still a quarantine upon arrival in Japan?

Quarantine and testing on arrival have been eliminated for travelers from blue countries.

Is insurance mandatory?

No, but it is recommended. Japan Experience, as an option of its tours, provides appropriate travel insurance solutions.

What anti-covid measures are still in place in Japan?

The mask must be worn indoors (except in exceptional cases) and in transportation.

What applications should I download before entering Japan?

For tracking the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, the Japanese government recommends downloading several applications:

MySOS, the health and location tracking app (it will be used to confirm your location, health status and accommodation).

COCOA, the COVID-19 contact confirmation app (this will be used to notify you of possible contact with a COVID-19 positive person).

For more information, please visit: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/manual/pdf-en/summary.pdf 

Guided or self-guided tour... what type of tour should you go for?

Whether you want to discover new things or discover yourself, stay in a fully organised tour or take a leisurely one: at Japan Experience, you will find a tour to suit your needs! Discover our 3 tour formulas now: guided, self-guided or personalised tour: Guided tours: Travelling with a specialist Would you like to travel with a small group of 8 to 12 people, accompanied by a private English-speaking guide? Classic destinations or off the beaten path, Japan Experience offers many guided tours, for all kinds of budget. Offering several departure dates throughout the year, these tours start at €2,890 per person. Self-guided tours: Independent travel These tours, with pre-planned itineraries, include accommodation, flights, transport, 24-hour assistance and optional guided activities. From €540 per person, plan your days as you wish, following the recommendations in your travel diary. Tailor-made tours: Travel according to your desires Design the trip you've always dreamed of! Our specialist advisors are available by email, telephone or directly in one of our agencies to answer all your questions and help you design your own customised tour.

When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms? And the autumn leaves?

Recommended dates for seeing the spring flowers: - plum blossoms: mid-February to mid-March - cherry blossoms (sakura): between 20 March and 15 April (dates vary from year to year) - wisteria, iris, azaleas: mid-April to end of May - hydrangeas: June - lotus flowers: August Recommended dates outside of spring : - Autumn leaves: mid-November - Observation of Zen gardens under the snow: mid-December to mid-February

What if I encounter any issues during my self-guided tour?

Our team at Japan Experience is dedicated to providing you with a smooth and enjoyable trip. We provide support throughout your self-guided tour, and our local experts are always ready to assist you with any questions, concerns, or emergencies that may arise during your journey.

Please select your country on the list below:

• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Other countries

Self-guided Walking Tour of Lucerne (With Maps!)

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Famed for its meticulously preserved medieval architecture overshadowed by the grandeur of snow-capped Alps, Lucerne stands out as one of Switzerland’s most charming cities. Nestled snugly on the banks of its namesake lake, its vibrant Altstadt (Old Town) is flanked to the north by a 14th-century defensive wall known as Museggmauer (Musegg Wall).

The town’s origins trace back to St. Leodegar Abbey, founded in the year 840 AD, in the region then referred to as Luciaria. The source of this name remains uncertain, potentially linked to the Latin term for pike fish, “lucius,” suggesting a pike fishing location along the Reuss River. However, a more popular explanation associates it with the Latin word “lucerna,” meaning “lantern.”

In 1178, the town gained independence and emerged as a significant hub for trade. It joined the ranks of growing Swiss confederacy towns, attracting newcomers with its allure. In 1798, nine years following the commencement of the French Revolution, the French military entered Switzerland, leading to the downfall of the old confederacy and the establishment of a democratic government.

During the latter half of the 19th century, Lucerne transformed into a sought-after haven for artists, nobility, and prominent figures. In 1866, German composer Richard Wagner settled here, while British Queen Victoria elevated the city’s prominence with her 1868 visit. Renowned American writer Mark Twain further popularized Lucerne through his travel accounts after two visits, in 1878 and 1897.

Lucerne’s reputation as a stylish getaway contributed to its role as one of the pioneering epicenters of modern-style tourism. Several of the city’s most iconic structures originate from this era, including the 1896-built Lucerne Railway Station.

Positioned where the Reuss River exits the lake, Lucerne boasts numerous bridges. The most famous among them is the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Europe’s oldest covered bridge, constructed in 1333. Downriver, another notable bridge stands—the Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke), completed in 1408.

The dual spire towers of the Church of St. Leodegar, named after the city’s patron saint, perch atop a small hill just above the lakefront. Initially constructed in 735, the current Renaissance-style edifice was raised in 1639.

Another unmissable local gem is the sculpture of a dying lion (the Lion Monument, or Löwendenkmal), situated within a small park adjacent to Löwenplatz.

How to get to Lucerne

By Train: This is the far easiest way to travel through Switzerland. The Luzern (Lucerne) Railway Station is strategically situated in the heart of the city, gracing the shores of the picturesque Lake Lucerne. Train tickets for high-speed and local trains can be purchased from the blue, grey and red ticket machines which are throughout the station.

By Car: Navigating the centre of Lucerne by car can be quite challenging due to its narrow streets, many of which are one-way, pedestrian zones, and the limited availability of parking spaces, which are often expensive and difficult to find. Daytime Camper Parking is reasonably priced and not too far from the city centre.

Blue zone parking : This is limited during the day to one hour and you must use a blue time disc, set to the nearest forthcoming half hour mark. At night it is unlimited till the morning.

White zone Parking: Unless stated otherwise, white zone is paid parking where parking sign states maximum parking time (usually 90 min).

Yellow Zones Parking: These are private or reserved for companies and may only be used by them or their clients and guests.

Guided or Self Guided Tour of Lucerne

While the guide below is all you need for an in-depth exploration of Lucerne, if you want to have a local guide take you I recommend the Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide .

Bahnhofplatz

Bahnhofplatz is located just outside the train station.

Bahnhofplatz serves as the central transportation hub in Luzern and the entire Central Switzerland region. Positioned in front of the station, this area acts as a launch point for buses connecting various parts of the town. Along the lakeside, an opportunity to embark on a leisurely cruise around Lake Luzern presents itself through boat services. Beneath the square lies the expansive RailCity shopping mall, interconnected with pedestrian walkways that lead to different sections of the town.

The grand stone arch marks the entrance to the historic former train station, originally constructed in the late 19th century, a time when Switzerland and Luzern attracted considerable tourism due to their steam-powered train networks. Tragically, a fire razed the station in 1971, and it was subsequently replaced with a contemporary facility. Presently, the arch discreetly conceals ventilation openings for the sizable underground parking facility underneath. This location has become a popular gathering point for local adolescents and individuals experiencing homelessness during evenings. A visit to the complimentary public restrooms here serves as a stark reminder that while free access to toilets is a blessing for some, it remains a privilege for others.

Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge)

Head through the arch of ‘Torbogen Luzern’ away from the train station. Turn left before you get wet in the lake and cross over the Seebrücke (See bridge as See is the German word for lake). You can see the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) in front of you.

To your left on the corner is a post office Crafted by Gustav Gull, a renowned Swiss architect of the late 1800s and early 1900s, this structure was conceived under his guidance. Gustav Gull’s architectural prowess also extended to the Swiss National Museum, positioned just across from Zurich Main Train Station. Constructed in the Neo-Renaissance style, this edifice was conceived during the late 1800s, shortly after the establishment of Switzerland as a contemporary nation. Adorning the upper reaches of the building, you’ll find four allegorical statues that symbolize Post, Telegraph, Shipping, and Railways – representing the duties of the fledgling Confederation.

The Chapel Bridge, an enclosed wooden pedestrian bridge, stretches diagonally across the Reuss River within the confines of Lucerne. Named in honour of the nearby St. Peter’s Chapel, this bridge holds a distinctive attribute: it houses an array of interior paintings that trace back to the 17th century. Although many of these artworks were lost in a fire that consumed much of the centuries-old structure in 1993, extensive restoration efforts ensued. As a result, the Chapel Bridge stands as Europe’s oldest wooden covered bridge and the world’s oldest enduring truss bridge. It bears the dual roles of Lucerne’s emblem and Switzerland’s most renowned tourist draw.

In its inception during 1333, the bridge was a component of Lucerne’s defensive system. It connected the older town on the right bank of the Reuss River to the newer town on the left, providing a shield against potential threats from the south of Lake Lucerne. Originally exceeding 200 meters (660 ft) in length, the bridge has undergone shortening over the years due to various alterations and riverbank adjustments, now measuring 170 meters (560 ft) in length.

Lucerne boasts a peculiarity in that all three of its wooden pedestrian bridges—the 14th-century Hof Bridge (now extinct), the Chapel Bridge, and the 16th-century Spreuer Bridge—incorporated painted interior triangular frames. This artistic element is not present in any other wooden footbridges across Europe. Crafted by the local Catholic painter Hans Heinrich Wagmann during the 17th century, the Chapel Bridge’s paintings depict significant events from Lucerne’s history. Out of the original 147 paintings that adorned the bridge before the 1993 fire, 30 have been meticulously restored.

Tip: Savour its enchanting allure during the nighttime hours, when the city illuminates, swans glide through the waters, flowers add to the ambiance, and a romantic aura pervades. Both riverbanks offer splendid shopping opportunities and an array of exceptional restaurant

Kapellplatz

At the end of the church, we are heading the a square behind the church. Either walk up the stairs to the back of the church or turn to your right to have a look at the tower, then follow around the building around.

This great square is called Kappellplatz or Chapel Square. Its name comes from St. Peter’s chapel, the oldest church in Lucerne. The building date is uncertain, but we do know that eight centuries ago when the town was organizing the priest of St. Peter’s was appointed as the caretaker of the people. He was Lucerne’s first mayor. Today the chapel offers masses in several languages. The Chapel also gave its name to Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) you just came across.

hapel Square, the inaugural site for Lucerne’s Carnival festivities. While you might have heard of Switzerland’s Carnival reputation being dominated by Basel, I don’t intend to dispute that. My assertion is that Lucerne’s Carnival is a spectacle worth witnessing, and the Luzerners take justifiable pride in it.

Nestled at the heart of the square is the Carnival Fountain, a relatively recent addition from the early 20th century. However, the origins of the carnival legend trace back much further, dating to the 15th century. Can you spot the gentleman sporting a crimson hat on the fountain? His name is Brother Fritschi, and it is said that his final resting place is beneath this very fountain. While a medieval graveyard exists nearby, the certainty of Brother Fritschi’s grave remains elusive. Yet, historical records confirm that this burial ground was designated for unmarried women, laborers tending to farms, orphaned children, and strangers. It’s possible that it encompasses a farmer from the mid-1400s. Legend recounts that whenever this farmer visited the town, he brought mirth and libations. Upon his passing, he left funds to one of the guilds, with the stipulation that wine be served to the less fortunate during the Carnival. To this day, the guilds continue to honour his wish.

The Fritschi parade, tracing its origins to the 15th century, marks the commencement of the Carnival Season. The procession features a life-sized straw effigy of Fritschi, escorted by various guilds and clubs, with drummers and pipers leading the way and soldiers with substantial beards and armour following suit. This parade not only heralds the onset of the Lenten Season but also commemorates a historical military triumph.

We will head north up Hans-Holbein-Gasse to Sternenplatz or Star Square. this picturesque square with amazingly beautiful murals on the buildings around. The square’s star-like shape, first described in the 17th Century, is thought to have given the Sternplatz its name. Follow the road around to the left and walk down Schlossergasse. At the small square with the well turn left, then first right into Kapellgasse. You soon come to Kornmarkt.

The origins of the Kornmarkt trace back to 1356, and true to its name, it functioned as the central grain market of the city until the 19th century. Notably, the ground floor of the Town Hall began serving as a storage space for grain starting from 1438, while the upper sections of the building transitioned into a functioning Town Hall in 1447.

In all of Lucern’s Old Town squares – Kornmarkt, Hirschenplatz, and Weinmarkt – you will find intricate painted facades vividly portray a range of themes, spanning from the art of beer-brewing to the realm of medicine.

Hirschenplatz

Leave diagonally opposite the Town Hall clock tower, turn first right to reach Hirschenplatz.

Search for the edifice distinguished by the sign of the stag. This plaza derives its name from the former Hirschen Hotel, the term “Hirschen” translating to “stag.” Interestingly, despite this name association, historical records reveal that the square originally served as a marketplace for pigs. Furthermore, the section in the southwestern corner earned the moniker “sweet corner.”

The Little Goose-Man Fountain, also known as Gänsemännchenbrunnen was made in 1891. Goldsmith Carl BossardBrunner had a reproduction of the original Little Goose-Man sculpture from the German Museum in Nuremberg, crafted by Pankraz Labenwolf in 1530. This replica, created by Heinrich Viktor Segesser, was then erected in Hirschenplatz. The tale of the Gooseman follows a similar narrative, culminating in the same outcome: his wife sends him to town to sell geese, and upon returning, his hands and pockets are empty, yet his spirits are filled with cheer.

The square also has Dornach House, a Neo-Gothic structure in predominantly white, hosts a mannerist fresco. This artwork vividly captures the 1499 Battle of Dornach, the final conflict between Switzerland and the Holy Roman Empire, celebrating the Swiss victory over Emperor Maximilian I’s forces. Despite significant odds – 6,000 Swiss against 16,000 Roman Empire soldiers – they achieved victory, showcasing their unwavering determination.

Walk to the square to the right of the Dornach House.

Despite its name, this square originally served as a fish market before gaining fame for its association with wine. It’s worth recalling that Lucerne’s roots extend back to being a fishing village before rising to prominence along the Gotthard Trade Route. The square’s strategic location, coupled with its alleyways seamlessly connecting to the river, made it an ideal spot for a fish market. Moreover, both the butchers’ and fishermen’s guildhalls found their place here, as evident from the guild signs that can be spotted in the surroundings.

Progressing into the early 1900s, Lucerne witnessed an increase in shopping and tourism. Consequently, the decision was made to renovate the old town, leading to the square’s renaming as “Weinmarkt” or “Wine Market.” This period of revitalization also witnessed the restoration of numerous murals and the addition of new ones. Notably, the verdant building at the far end of the square features a painting from 1928 depicting the wedding at Cana, where Christ performed the renowned wine miracle. This painting serves as a reminder of both wine commerce and the religious festivals that once graced the square. For nearly two centuries, the Passion of Christ was dramatically re-enacted here during the Easter Season, spanning two days with each performance lasting 12 hours.

The central fountain in the Platz pays homage to St. Morris, a soldier who holds the distinction of being one of Lucerne’s patron saints. Interestingly, another Swiss town, Saint Moritz, shares his name. The original fountain is now housed within the history museum. The fountains in this region draw their water from Mount Pilatus, with ultraviolet treatment employed to eliminate germs. Regular cleaning and maintenance ensure their impeccable condition. Many of these fountains are over three centuries old and once served as the primary water source for numerous citizens at the time of their construction. Past the fountain stands the historic courthouse and town hall, a structure transformed into the Des Balances Hotel since 1836, consistently maintaining its esteemed reputation. The façade that faces the river mirrors the allure of a Venetian Palace. Conversely, the side adorned with frescoes, which now meets your gaze, was executed in the distinctive style of Hans Holbein. Holbein, celebrated as a luminary of the Northern Renaissance, is perhaps most famed for his portrait of Henry VIII.

Adorning the edifice, you’ll spot the words “Hotel Waage” positioned above the entrance. This hotel bore the earlier appellation “Waage,” which translates to “scales,” a tribute to the erstwhile courthouse that once graced this location. In the same way that murals were an emblem of prestige, a multicolored tile roof held similar significance. This very building made a pronounced statement through both its roof and façade.

Outside, on the left, stands a Linden tree, a symbol traditionally associated with justice. The penalty bench was situated in front of this Linden Tree, and it was under its boughs that justice was meted out until the early 1800s.

Rathaus (Town Hall)

Leave the square at the south west corner and folloe the road the the left. Turn right to get to the river and walk back the way you came with the river on your right. You soon come to the front of the Rathaus.

The Lucerne Town Hall, commonly referred to as Rathaus, stands as a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architectural style, captivating many as one of the most exquisite historical edifices in Lucerne. The commencement of Rathaus’s construction dates back to 1602, and the project reached completion in 1606. This remarkable creation was crafted under the design prowess of architect Anton Isenmann.

Positioned at the heart of the Old Town, Rathaus graces the banks of the River Reuss, offering splendid photo opportunities to visitors who seek a splendid vantage point for capturing the charm of the Chapel Bridge. This experience is particularly enchanting on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 6 AM and 1 PM, when market stalls come alive, inviting tourists to browse and shop while basking in the architectural splendor.

Within the Rathaus, visitors will uncover an exhibition hall and a concert venue. As they navigate towards the dovecote, they’ll have the chance to marvel at paintings and coffered ceilings that hail from times long past. Nestled in the Rathaus attic, the dovecote offers a unique opportunity for visitors to observe and feed the resident birds, accompanied by an exhibition that delves into the history of the Rathaus doves.

Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche)

Head across the bridge and turn right to reach the Jesuit Church.

The Lucerne Jesuit Church stands as a Catholic place of worship in Lucerne. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the initial grand Baroque church erected in Switzerland north of the Alps.

Founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1534, the Jesuit order actively engaged in the Counter-Reformation, a Catholic response to the emergence of Protestantism. The divide brought about by Protestant reformers like Zwingli in Zurich and Calvin in Geneva fragmented Switzerland, which was predominantly Catholic. In reaction to this, the Jesuits were summoned to Lucerne by the city’s council in 1573, with the purpose of establishing an educational institution.

Ludwig Pfyffer, Lucerne’s mayor, extended annual financial backing to the Jesuits from his personal resources. The Jesuit College of Lucerne took root in 1577 within the Ritter Palace, a structure originally erected in 1557 as a dwelling for Mayor Lux Ritter.

The construction of the associated church was initiated in 1667. By 1673, the primary exterior and façade of the church had been completed. The consecration of the church took place in 1677, even though the interior was not yet fully furnished. Various side altars remained absent, and the central altar itself was only put in place four years later, owing to financial constraints. The onion-domed towers reached completion in 1893. In the mid-18th century, the vault underwent redecoration. The inner chapel houses the original vestments of Brother Klaus, a revered Swiss patron.

Presently, while the church presents an appealing exterior along the river promenade, it’s the lavish, unaltered interior adorned in shades of pink and white that truly captivates. Entry is free, and upon stepping inside, visitors are treated to one of Switzerland’s most breath-taking churches.

Visiting Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche): Opening Hours: daily: 6:30am-6:30pm

Ritterscher Palace

Right next to the Jesuit Church, the Ritterscher Palace.

The Ritterscher Palace, presently housing the cantonal administration, draws in aficionados of art and history. One of its attractions is Jakob von Will’s “Dance Macabre,” an artwork of seven pictures and 23 scenes displayed in the top-floor corridor. These scenes encapsulate encounters between different social strata and death.

Once owned by Luc (Lucius) Ritter, a captain in the French King’s Regiment in Northern Italy, the palace came into being after his elevation to the leadership of Lucerne upon returning home. Eager to underscore his societal stature, he commissioned a Renaissance palazzo in the style of Florence. The renowned Italian architect Giovanni Lynzo directed the creation of the Ritterscher Palace, although he faced a grim fate, being condemned to death for heresy during its construction. Ritter himself passed away shortly thereafter. The town council oversaw the completion of the building, which was subsequently occupied by the newly arrived Jesuits starting from 1557. This remarkable structure presently serves as the seat of the cantonal parliament.

Should you be visiting during office hours, the elegant courtyard situated at the heart of the palace is open for your exploration.

Historisches Museum Luzern

Carry on up Bahnhofstrasse and turn first right to head back to the river. At the river walk along it with the river to your right.

The museum houses objects from the history of the city and canton of Lucerne , alongside items looted from various battles, such as the coat of mail of Duke Leopold von Habsburg , who fell in the Battle of Sempach. Various objects from everyday life can also be seen, as well as costumes from the Angélique Sophie Panchaud de Bottens collection, formerly in the Utenberg Costume Museum.

The building was built in 1567/1568 as a arsenal for the city and the state of Lucerne. It fulfilled this task until 1983. After three years of renovation, it was handed over to the public in 1986 as a historical museum.

Spreuerbrücke

Walk between the river and the museum to reach the Spreuerbrücke.

The Spreuer Bridge, an enclosed wooden footbridge, commences at Mills Square in the old town and extends to Pfister Alley. It’s also referred to as the Mills Bridge, and it attracts numerous tourists seeking to admire its splendid architecture and the captivating interior paintings.

The bridge’s original incarnation was constructed during the 13th century, yet it met destruction in 1566 due to a flood. Swift reconstruction followed, accompanied by the incorporation of the remarkable paintings. These paintings notably depict the Dance of Death, a prominent motif from the late Middle Ages.

Between 1616 and 1637, Kaspar Meglinger led the creation of the 67 paintings. These artworks frequently include details about the donors, such as their names and family crests. Some even boast portraits of the benefactors. Today, 45 of these paintings have persevered. The artistic treasures adorning the Spreuer Bridge have also earned it the moniker “The Dance of Death Bridge.”

Visitors are cordially invited to stroll along the pedestrian bridge at any time, but the true magnificence of the paintings is most vividly appreciated under the natural illumination of daylight.

Museggmauer (Musegg Wall)

Head up Brüggligasse which runs parallel to the river. When you pass Nölliturm, the first defensive tower turn right up the slope the the wall on your right.

The historical city wall once formed a vital part of Lucerne’s defensive structure. Presently, the Musegg Wall stands as a captivating vestige of the past, offering both intimate exploration and distant admiration.

Constructed during the 13th century, the wall and its nine towers originally comprised an inner and outer ring. Remarkably preserved, it ranks among the longest-surviving defensive walls in the nation. Those inclined to walk alongside the nine towers have the liberty to do so at any hour, as these towers are illuminated by floodlights during the night. However, only four of them are accessible to the public: Mannli, Zyt, Wacht, and Schirmer.

Mannli, signifying “little man,” stands as the second tower along the ascending ridge. It once served military purposes until the conclusion of World War II, after which it was made accessible to the general public. The Wacht Tower, also known as the Heu Tower, was originally employed for gunpowder storage. Following a lightning strike in 1701 that triggered an explosion, the tower was reconstructed. Zyt Tower, a clock tower, features the Leodegar Bell that chimes the hour preceding the city’s church clocks. As for Schirmer Tower, it once guarded the city gate.

From April to November, Musegg Wall and four of its nine towers welcome visitors between 8 AM and 7 PM, providing a remarkable opportunity to engage with Lucerne’s historical legacy.

Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden)

Pass under Schirmerturm tower and walk to the bottom of the hill. Walk along Museggstrasse until you reach Zürichstrasse then turn left. Walk along Zürichstrasse and turn left after you see The Crown of Lucerne restaurant. When you get to little lane the Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) is to your right.

The Glacier Garden serves as a premier destination for those eager to delve into the intricacies of ice age glaciers. Visitors are guided through the museum and its gardens, where they can engage with the Rock Adventure Trail—an immersive experience allowing them to traverse through the rock formations, witnessing their formation during the Ice Age.

Housed within a traditional Swiss dwelling, the museum boasts an 18th-century mountain relief map, renowned as the world’s oldest of its kind. An interactive relief map of Switzerland also enriches the experience. Following the museum exploration, visitors can delight in the Mirror Maze. Crafted from 90 mirrors, this 19th-century labyrinth offers a delightful and captivating diversion.

An Observation Tower offers sweeping panoramas of Lucerne, allowing visitors to relish in the stunning vistas. Additionally, the park features ideal spots for relaxation or indulging in an outdoor picnic.

The Glacier Garden welcomes guests every day, from 10 am to 6 pm during the summer months, and from 10 am to 5 pm in the winter season.

Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument)

The Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) is right next door to the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument).

The Lion Monument, also known as the Lion of Lucerne, stands as a rock relief in Lucerne, erected in 1820 to honour the memory of the Swiss Guards who tragically lost their lives in 1792 during the French Revolution’s tumultuous events. This monument holds a place among Switzerland’s most renowned landmarks, drawing approximately 1.4 million tourists each year.

Throughout the early 17th century, a contingent of Swiss Guards had been a part of the Royal Army of France. The tragedy unfolded on August 10th, 1792, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace. Amid the chaos, conflict erupted spontaneously after the royal family had been escorted from the palace to find refuge with the Legislative Assembly. In the ensuing struggle, the Swiss Guards, hampered by dwindling ammunition and outnumbered by the revolutionaries, were ultimately overpowered.

Approximately 760 of these valiant Swiss Guards who defended the Tuileries met their demise during the fighting or suffered massacres after surrendering. An estimated two hundred more died in captivity due to their injuries or fell victim to the September Massacres that followed.

Carved into the rock face, the monument spans an impressive ten meters in length and six meters in height. It stands as a tribute to “the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss.” The portrayal of a dying lion impaled by a spear, shielding a crest adorned with the emblem of the French monarchy, is accompanied by another shield bearing the coat of arms of Switzerland.

Mark Twain aptly described the sculpture of the wounded lion as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”

Bourbaki Panorama

As you come out of the entrance of the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) park turn to your left and you can see the Bourbaki Panorama.

The Bourbaki Panorama stands as a colossal panoramic painting that serves as a tribute to the internment of around 87,000 French Bourbaki soldiers, who sought refuge in Switzerland after traversing from Prussia during the severe winter of 1871. Edouard Castres, the artist behind this creation, had first-hand experience of this event, having witnessed the horrors of war as a Red Cross worker.

This event transpired within the context of the Franco-Prussian War. General Charles Bourbaki’s French troops sought sanctuary in Switzerland, beset by starvation and disease. The Swiss military extended their assistance by providing shelter during the harsh winter months.

Spanning an immense canvas measuring 112 by 10 meters, the Bourbaki Panorama is often credited as an inspiration for the concept of 360-degree filming and virtual reality, owing to its expansive dimensions and shape. Visitors are welcome to explore this significant artwork at the museum throughout the week.

Visiting Bourbaki Panorama:  Opening at 10 am year-round, the museum’s closing hours are 5 pm from November to March, and 6 pm from April to October.

Pro tip: The Bourbaki Panorama comprises two levels: the first featuring a video/slide presentation alongside several artefacts, while the upper level showcases a captivating 3D presentation with life-sized figures positioned before the actual painting. It’s advisable to acquaint oneself with the narrative to fully grasp the depicted situation.

Hofkirche St. Leodegar

Walk behind the Bourbaki Panorama along Weystrasse. When you get to the juction you shoudl be able to see the twin spires of the Hofkirche head towards them along St. Leodegarstrasse.

On your right is the Rothenburgerhaus, dating back to around 1500, is probably the most ancient wooden house in a Swiss town. While most wooden houses in Swiss towns fell prey to fires and were replaced by stone buildings, Rothenburger house was built at a privileged site near Hof Church, separated well from downtown Lucerne. Famous local chronicler Diebold Schilling lived, wrote and illustrated his chronicle here.

The Church of St. Leodegar, a Roman Catholic church from the 17th century, was finished in 1639. However, the church’s history dates back to the 8th century.

Previously, an ancient church named Monastarium Luciaria stood where the Church of St. Leodegar is now situated. Constructed around 735 or 736 AE, it enjoyed many years of patronage. Regrettably, this building was consumed by fire in 1633, leaving only two Romanesque towers intact.

The Church of St. Leodegar is often viewed as the premier example of Renaissance architecture in a church in Switzerland. It’s also renowned for its organ, crafted in 1640. When first built, this organ boasted the tallest and heaviest pipe globally. Subsequent extensions were made in 1862 and again in the 1970s, leading to its current size of 7,374 pipes and 111 registers.

Those keen on exploring the Church of St. Leodegar can do so on weekdays between 8 am to noon and 2 pm to 5 pm.

From St. Leodegarstrasse walk down the cobbled path and turn left to get to the lake. Walk with the lake on your left, cross the bridge until you are back where your started.

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Guided Tour vs Independent Travel

Preferred styles of traveling are just as varied as the people who travel; no two individuals do it the same way. There are many different ways to travel, whether it be with friends and family or if you choose to embark on an independent journey. There's no right or wrong way to do things, it all depends on your personal tastes and what you like to do. However there are undoubtedly some big differences if you choose to partake in a guided tour vs independent travel. Let's look at some differences between the two forms of travel.

Guided Tours

Whether it's joining a group for a day tour, or partaking in a 25 day tour of the Silk Road , guided tours can be a really fun way to travel. From social to cultural benefits, there are many different reasons why signing up for a guided tour makes more sense than trying to go it alone. Let's look at some of the primary benefits of a guided tour for traveling.

1) It’s a Great Way to Meet Others

Loneliness is one of the most difficult parts of traveling independently. Signing up with a group is a quick and easy way to make friends.

For many people it's often difficult to meet new people under normal circumstances.  Now put yourself in the confusing situation of being in a foreign country and it can make it even harder. Travelers are often on different schedules and depending on the part of the world you intend to travel, they might even speak a completely different language. Traveling with a tour group helps break the ice, make friends quickly and create memories with someone else. As nice as it is to look back at old travel photos from a solo trip, sharing a beer with a friend you met on a group trip to some exotic part of the world and reminiscing on the great times you had is one of the best post travel experiences you can have.

2) You Have Access to More Destinations and Activities

There are many travel destinations that are very difficult and safety could be a concern without a guided tour. Participating in a group tour opens up the world for more travel opportunities. 

Whether it's traveling to a country where there are regions in political turmoil, or participating in organized activities such as horse trekking through Mongolia , without a guide you are at much higher risk of running into problems. Going on a group tour opens up the world a bit more and allows you the freedom to safely travel to places you might not consider going without one. Trying to go it alone in a place where you don't speak the language, don't understand the local customs, and don't have a plan setup beforehand can not only be stressful, but potentially dangerous depending on where you want to travel. This is one of the biggest benefits for many travelers who decide to choose a guided tour over independent travel.

3) Leave the Planning to Someone Else

Joining a guided tour means there’s no hassle of planning.

Taking time out of your routine to explore the world shouldn't feel like more work. There an are endless number of destinations to go to, and even if you are able to choose where you want to go, what to see is a whole other headache. Group tours arrange the itinerary, activities, and schedules for you way ahead of time. They also give a definitive structure and plan for each day and allow you to see more than if you were figuring everything out on your own. If you’re pressed for time and won’t have too long to see all of the major sights, a tour can help you check off all the boxes quickly. Finally, an experienced and knowledgeable guide can make your trip more enjoyable by helping you understand more about a particular site, and can often bring history to life. Many people who choose a guided tour over independent travel find they learn much more about the place than if they went it alone.

4) More Safety: There’s Always Someone Watching You Back

While solo, independent travel can be rewarding, it can also be stressful and generate feelings of discomfort in terms of safety.

Exploring a new area or taking part in an activity with a guided tour can be a refreshing approach when it comes to travel. Aside from the obvious risks of traveling solo, it may also be difficult to communicate with the locals due to language or cultural barriers. Traveling with a guide often means that you get your own translator, which facilitates communication and helps prevent cultural faux pas. Fear of the unknown is a major reason why many people don’t get out and see the world, but when you travel with a group, you have peace of mind knowing everything that will be planned for you. You’re under the care of people who know what they’re doing which let’s you really enjoy what you’re doing, rather than worry about your safety. 

Independent Travel

Now that we've covered some of the benefits of guided tours, let's look at the reasons why an independent journey might appeal to some travelers.

1) Total Freedom

Nobody knows you better than yourself and traveling independently allows you to pick and choose exactly what you want to do. 

While it might be more work, it allows you more flexibility in your schedule as well as changing things up during a journey. The freedom to make your own decisions on how to spend your time is the most common reason people choose to travel independently over a group tour.

2) Budget Flexibility and Cost

While it depends on where you go and what you are doing, sometimes traveling independently can be a bit more friendly on your wallet. 

Rather than purchasing a group tour all at once, you can break up your expenses.  You have more flexibilty with how much you spend during your trip. Perhaps you start to spend more than you expected in a certain location, you can choose not to do the next acitivity to try and save yourself some money.

3) Go at Your Own Speed

Independent travel not only allows you the freedom to choose what to do, but also how long you what to spend doing it.

Everyone is different with how much time they like to spend doing certain activities. Some like to spend hours during their meals trying every little thing each country has to offer, whereas others like to maximize their time seeing as much as they can. Rather than having to deal with more of a group mentality, independent travel gives you completely control over your time and schedule.

So to summarise, there are pro's and con's to both group and independent travel - which one is for you will depend on your personality and character, as well as the particular destination you are visiting. 

Michael Pullman

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Unguided Tour

By Susan Sontag

The New Yorker , October 31, 1977 P. 40

I took a trip to see the beautiful things. Change of scenery. Change of heart. To say goodbye. The more that places, customs, the circumstances of adventures are changed, the more we see that we amidst them are unchanging. I know all the reactions I shall have. Know all the words that I am going to utter again. You should have taken me along instead. You mean him. Yes, of course I wasn't alone. But we quarrelled most of the time. They say a trip is a good time for repairing a damaged love. I seduced a waiter in the restaurant by the port two days ago. I told you, you should have taken me along instead. It wouldn't have been different. I went on from there alone. I would have left you, too. I've already gone. Regretfully, exultantly. A prouder lyricism. It's not Paradise that's lost.

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Books & Fiction

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By Louisa Thomas

By The New Yorker

By Ian Parker

By Adam Gopnik

Unguided Tour

Susan sontag.

‘The more that places, customs, the circumstances of adventures are changed, the more we see that we amidst them are unchanging.’

I took a trip to see the beautiful things. Change of scenery. Change of heart. And do you know?

They’re still there.

Ah, but they won’t be there for long.

I know. That’s why I went. To say goodbye. Whenever I travel, it’s always to say goodbye.

Tile roofs, timbered balconies, fish in the bay, the copper clock, shawls drying on the rocks, the delicate odour of olives, sunsets behind the bridge, ochre stone. ‘Gardens, parks, forests, woods, canals, private lakes, with huts, villas, gates, garden seats, gazebos, alcoves, grottoes, hermitages, triumphal arches, chapels, temples, mosques, banqueting houses, rotundas, observatories, aviaries, greenhouses, icehouses, fountains, bridges, boats, cascades, baths.’ The Roman amphitheatre, the Etruscan sarcophagus. The monument to the 1914–18 war dead in every village square. You don’t see the military base. It’s out of town, and not on the main road.

Omens. The cloister wall has sprung a long diagonal crack. The water level is rising. The marble saint’s nose is no longer aquiline.

This spot. Some piety always brings me back to this spot. I think of all the people who were here. Their names scratched into the bottom of the fresco.

Yes. Their way of being here.

The proudest of human-made things dragged down to the condition of natural things. Last Judgement.

You can’t lock up all the things in museums.

Aren’t there any beautiful things in your own country?

No. Yes. Fewer.

Did you have guidebooks, maps, timetables, stout shoes?

I read the guidebooks when I got home. I wanted to stay with my –

Immediate impressions?

You could call them that.

But you did see the famous places. You didn’t perversely neglect them.

I did see them. As conscientiously as I could while protecting my ignorance. I don’t want to know more than I know, don’t want to get more attached to them than I already am.

How did you know where to go?

By playing my memory like a roulette wheel.

Do you remember what you saw?

It’s too sad. I can’t love the past that’s trapped within my memory like a souvenir.

Object lessons . Grecian urns. A pepper-mill Eiffel Tower. Bismarck beer mug. Bay-of-Naples-with-Vesuvius scarf. David-by-Michelangelo cork tray.

No souvenirs, thanks. Let’s stay with the real thing.

The past . Well, there’s always something ineffable about the past, don’t you think?

In all it’s original glory. The indispensable heritage of a woman of culture.

I agree, like you, I don’t consider devotion to the past a form of snobbery. Just one of the more disastrous forms of unrequited love.

I was being wry. I’m a fickle lover. It’s not love that the past needs in order to survive, it’s an absence of choices.

And armies of the well-off, immobilized by vanity, greed, fear of scandal and the inefficiency and discomfort of travel. Women carrying parasols and pearl handbags, with mincing steps, long skirts, shy eyes. Moustached men in top hats, lustrous hair parted on the left side, garters holding up their silk socks. Seconded by footmen, cobblers, ragpickers, blacksmiths, buskers, printer’s devils, chimney sweeps, lacemakers. midwives, carters, milkmaids, stonemasons, coachmen, turnkeys, and sacristans. As recently as that. All gone. The people. And their pomp and circumstance.

Is that what you think I went to see?

Not the people. But their places, their beautiful things. You said they were still there. The hut, the hermitage, the grotto, the park, the castle. An aviary in the Chinese style. His Lordship’s estate. A delightful seclusion in the midst of his impenetrable woods.

I wasn’t happy there.

What did you feel?

Regret that the trees were being cut down.

So you have a hazy vision of natural things. From too much indulgence in the nervous, metallic pleasures of cities.

Unequal to my passions, I fled the lakes, I fled the woods, I fled the fields pulsing with glowworms, I fled the aromatic mountains.

Provincial blahs. Something less solitary is what you need.

I used to say: Landscapes interest me only in relation to human beings. Ah, loving someone would give life to all this . . . But the emotions that human beings inspire in us also sadly resemble each other. The more that places, customs, the circumstances of adventures are changed, the more we see that we amidst them are unchanging. I know all the reactions I shall have. Know all the words that I am going to utter again.

You should have taken me along instead.

You mean him. Yes, of course I wasn’t alone. But we quarrelled most of the time. He plodding, I odious.

They say . They say a trip is a good time for repairing a damaged love.

Or else it’s the worst. Feelings like shrapnel half worked out of the wound. Opinions. And competition of opinions. Desperate amatory exercises back at the hotel on golden summer afternoons. Room service.

How did you let it get that dreary? You were so hopeful.

Rubbish! Prisons and hospitals are swollen with hope. But not charter flights and luxury hotels.

But you were moved. Sometimes.

Maybe it was exhaustion. Sure I was. I am. The inside of my feelings is damp with tears.

And the outside?

Very dry. Well – as dry as is necessary. You can’t imagine how tiring it is. That double-membraned organ of nostalgia, pumping the tears in. Pumping them out.

Qualities of depth and stamina.

And discrimination. When one can summon them.

I’ m bushed. They aren’t all beautiful, the beautiful things. I’ve never seen so many squabby Cupids and clumsy Graces.

Here’s a cafe. In the cafe. The village priest playing the pinball machine. Nineteen-year-old sailors with red pompoms watching. Old gent with amber worry beads. Proprietor’s granddaughter doing her homework at a deal table. Two hunters buying picture postcards of stags. He says: You can drink the acidic local wine, become a little less odious, unwind.

Monsieur René says it closes at five.

Each picture. ‘Each picture had beneath it a motto of some good intention. Seeing that I was looking carefully at these noble images, he said: “here everything is natural.” The figures were clothed like living men and women, though they were far more beautiful. Much light, much darkness, men and women who are and yet are not.’

Worth a detour? Worth a trip! It’s a remarkable collection. Still possessed its aura. The things positively importuned.

The baron’s zeal in explaining. His courteous manner. He stayed all through the bombardment.

A necessary homogeneity. Or else some stark, specific event.

I want to go back to that antique store.

‘The ogival arch of the doorway is Gothic, but the central nave and the flanking wings –’

You’re hard to please.

Can’t you imagine travelling not to accumulate pleasures but to make them rarer?

Satiety is not my problem. Nor is piety.

There’s nothing left but to wait for our meals, like animals.

Are you catching a cold? Drink this.

I’m perfectly all right. I beg you, don’t buy the catalogue. Or the postcard-size reproductions. Or the sailor sweater.

Don’t be angry, but – did you tip Monsieur René?

Say to yourself fifty times a day: I am not a connoisseur, I am not a romantic wanderer, I am not a pilgrim.

You say it.

‘A permanent part of mankind’s spiritual goods.’

Translate that for me. I forgot my phrase book.

S till, you saw what you came to see.

The old victory of arrangement over accumulation.

But sometimes you were happy. Not just in spite of things.

Barefoot on the mosaic floor of the baptistery. Clambering above the flying buttresses. Irradiated by a Baroque monstrance shimmering indistinctly in the growing dusk of the cathedral. Effulgence of things. Voluminous. Resplendent. Unutterable bliss.

You send postcards on which you write ‘Bliss.’ Remember? You sent one to me.

I remember. Don’t stop me. I’m flying. I’m prowling. Epiphany. Hot tears. Delirium. Don’t stop me. I stroke my delirium like the balls of the comely waiter.

You want to make me jealous.

Don’t stop me. His dainty skin, his saucy laughter, his way of whistling, the succulent dampness of his shirt. We went into a shed behind the restaurant. And I said: Enter, sir, this body. This body is your castle, your cabin, your hunting lodge, your villa, your carriage, your luxury liner, your drawing room, your kitchen, your speedboat, your tool shed . . .

Do you often do that sort of thing when he’s around?

Him? He was napping at the hotel. A mild attack of heliophobia.

In the hotel. Back at the hotel, I woke him up. He had an erection. I seated myself on his loins. The nub, the hub, the fulcrum. Gravitational lines of force. In a world of perfect daylight. Indeed, a high-noon world, in which objects cast no shadows.

Only the half wise will despise these sensations.

I’m turning. I’m a huge steering wheel, unguided by any human hand. I’m turning . . .

And the other pleasures? The ones you came for.

‘In the entire visible world there is hardly a more powerful mood-impression than that experienced within one of the Gothic cathedrals just as the sun is setting.’

Pleasures of the eye. It had to be emphasized.

‘The eye can see nothing beyond those glimmering figures that hover overhead to the west in stern, solemn rows as the burning evening sun falls across them.’

Messengers of temporal and spiritual infinity.

‘The sensation of fire permeates all, and the colours sing out, rejoicing and sobbing.’

There, in truth, is a different world.

I found a wonderful old Baedeker, with lots of things that aren’t in the Michelin. Let’s . Let’s visit the caves. Unless they’re closed.

Let’s visit the World War I cemetery.

Let’s watch the regatta.

This spot. He committed suicide right here, by the lake. With his fiancée. In 1811.

I seduced a waiter in the restaurant by the port two days ago. He said. He said his name was Arrigo.

I love you. And my heart is pounding.

So is mine.

What’s important is that we’re strolling in this arcade together.

That we’re strolling. That we’re looking. That it’s beautiful.

Object lessons. Give me that suitcase, it’s heavy.

One must be careful not to wonder if these pleasures are superior to last year’s pleasures. They never are.

That must be the seduction of the past again. But just wait until now becomes then. You’ll see how happy we were.

I’m not expecting to be happy. Complaints. I’ve already seen it. I’m sure it’ll be full. It’s too far. You’re driving too fast, I can’t see anything. Only two showings of the movie, at seven and at nine. There’s a strike, I can’t telephone. This damned siesta, nothing’s open between one and four. If everything came out of this suitcase, I don’t understand why I can’t cram it all back in.

You’ll soon stop fretting over these mingy impediments. You’ll realize you’re carefree, without obligations. And then the unease will start.

Like those upper-middle-class Protestant folk who experience revelations, become hysterical, suffer breakdowns under the disorienting impact of Mediterranean light and Mediterranean manners. You’re still thinking about the waiter.

I said I love you, I trust you, I didn’t mind.

You shouldn’t. I don’t want that kind of revelation. I don’t want to satisfy my desire, I want to exasperate it. I want to resist the temptation of melancholy, my dear. If you only knew how much.

Then you must stop this flirtation with the past invented by poets and curators. We can forget about their old things. We can buy their postcards, eat their food, admire their sexual nonchalance. We can march in their workers’ festivals and sing the ‘Internationale,’ for even we know the words.

I’m feeling perfectly all right.

I think it’s safe to. Pick up hitchhikers, drink unbottled water, try to score some hash in the piazza, eat the mussels, leave the camera in the car, hang out in waterfront bars, trust the hotel concierge to make the reservation, don’t you?

Something. Don’t you want to do something?

Does every country have a tragic history except ours?

This spot . See? There’s a commemorative plaque. Between the windows.

Ruined. Ruined by too many decades of intrepid appreciation. Nature, the whore, cooperates. The crags of the Dolomites made too pink by the sun, the water of a lagoon made too silver by the moon, the blue skies of Greece (or Sicily) made too deep a blue by the arch in a white wall.

Ruins . These are ruins left from the last war.

Antiquarian effrontery: our pretty dwelling.

It was a convent, built according to a plan drawn up by Michelangelo. Turned into a hotel in 1927. Don’t expect the natives to take care of the beautiful things.

I don’t.

They say . They say they’re going to fill in the canal and make it a highway, sell the duchess’s rococo chapel to a sheik in Kuwait, build a condominium on that bluff with a stand of pine, open a boutique in the fishing village, put a sound-and-light show in the ghetto. It’s going fast. International Committee. Attempting to preserve. Under the patronage of His Excellency and the Honourable. Going fast. You’ll have to run.

Will I have to run?

Then let them go. Life is not a race.

Or else it is.

Any more. Isn’t it a pity they don’t write out the menus in purple ink any more. That you can’t put your shoes outside the hotel room at night. Remember. Those outsize bills, the kind they had until the devaluation. Last time . There weren’t as many cars last time, were there?

H ow could you stand it?

It was easier than it sounds. With an imagination like a pillar of fire. And a heart like a pillar of salt.

And you want to break the tie.

Lot’s wife!

But his lover.

I told you. I told you, you should have taken me along instead.

L ingering . In the basilica. In the garden behind the inn. In the spice market. In bed, in the middle of the golden afternoon.

Because. It’s because of the fumes from the petrochemical factories nearby. It’s because they don’t have enough guards for the museums.

‘Two groups of statuary, one depicting virtuous toil, the other unbridled licentiousness.’

Do you realize how much prices have gone up? Appalling inflation. I can’t conceive how people here manage. With rents almost as high as back home and salaries half.

‘On the left of the main road, the Tomb of the Reliefs (the so-called Tomba Bella) is entered. On the walls round the niches and on the pillars, the favourite objects of the dead and domestic articles are reproduced in painted stucco relief: dogs, helmets, swords, leggings, shields, knapsacks and haversacks, bowls, a jug, a couch, pincers, a saw, knives, kitchen vessels and utensils, coils or rope, etc.’

I’m sure . I’m sure she was a prostitute. Did you look at her shoes? I’m sure they’re giving a concert in the cathedral tonight. Plus they said. Three stars, I’m sure they said it had three stars.

This spot. This is where they shot the scene in that movie.

Quite unspoiled. I’m amazed. I was expecting the worst.

They rent mules.

Of course. Every wage earner in the country gets five weeks’ paid vacation.

The women age so quickly.

Nice. It’s the second summer for the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Be Nice’ campaign. This country where ruined marvels litter the ground.

It says. It says it’s closed for restoration. It says you can’t swim there any more.

I don’t care. Come on in. The water’s almost as warm as the Caribbean.

I want you, I feel you. Lick my neck. Slip off your trunks. Let me . . .

Let’s. Let’s go back to the hotel.

‘The treatment of space in Mannerist architecture and painting shows this change from the “closed” Renaissance world order to the “open”, “loose”, and deviating motions in the Mannerist universe.’

What are you trying to tell me?

‘The harmony, intelligibility and coherence of the Renaissance world view were inherent in the symmetrical courtyards of Italian palaces.’

I don’t want to flatter my intelligence with evidence.

If you don’t want to look at the painting, look at me.

See the sign? You can’t take the boat that way. We’re getting near the nuclear-submarine base.

Reports . Five cases of cholera have been reported.

This piazza has been called a stage for heroes.

It gets much cooler at night. You have to wear a sweater.

Thanks to the music festival every summer. You should see this place in the winter. It’s dead.

The trial is next week, so now they’re having demonstrations. Can’t you see the banner? And listen to that song.

Let’s not . I’m sure it’s a clip joint.

They said. Sharks, I think they said.

Not the hydrofoil. I know it’s faster, but they make me sick.

‘T he sun having mounted and the heat elsewhere too extreme for us, we have retired to the tree-shaded courtyard.’ It’s not that I loved him. But in a certain hour of physical fatigue . . .

At the mercy of your moods.

Contented sometimes. Even blissful.

Doesn’t sound like it. Sounds like struggling to savour.

Maybe. Loss of judgment in the necropolis.

Reports. There’s a civil war raging in the north. The Liberation Front’s leader is still in exile. Rumours that the dictator has had a stroke. But everything seems so –

I guess . . . calm.

T his spot . On this spot they massacred three hundred students.

I’d better go with you. You’ll have to bargain.

I’m starting to like the food. You get used to it after a while. Don’t you?

In the oldest paintings there is a complete absence of chiaroscuro.

I feel well here. There’s not so much to see.

‘Below the moulding, small leafy trees, from which hang wreaths, ribbons, and various objects, alternate with figures of men dancing. One is lying on the ground, playing the double flute.’

Cameras. The women don’t like to be photographed.

We may need a guide.

It’s a book on the treasures they unearthed. Pictures, bronzes and lamps.

That’s the prison where they torture political suspects. Terror incognita.

Covered with flies. That poor child. Did you see?

Omens. The power failure yesterday. New graffiti on the monument this morning. Tanks grinding along the boulevard at noon. They say. They say the radar at the airport has been out for the last seventy-two hours.

They say the dictator has recovered from his heart attack.

No, bottled water. Hardier folk. Quite different vegetation.

And the way they treat women here! Beasts of burden. Hauling those sacks up azure hills on which –

They’re building a ski station.

They’re phasing out the leprosarium.

Look at his face. He’s trying to talk to you.

Of course we could live here, privileged as we are. It isn’t our country. I don’t even mind being robbed.

‘The sun having mounted and heat elsewhere too extreme for us, we have retired to the shade of an oasis.’

S ometimes I did love him. Still, in a certain hour of mental fatigue . . .

My undaunted caresses. My churlish silences.

You were trying to mend an error.

I was trying to change my plight.

I told you, you should have taken me along instead.

It wouldn’t have been different. I went on from there alone. I would have left you, too.

Mornings of departure. With everything prepared. Sun rising over the most majestic of bays (Naples, Rio or Hong Kong).

But you could decide to stay. Make new arrangements. Would that make you feel free? Or would you feel you’d spurned something irreplaceable?

The whole world.

That’s because it’s later rather than earlier. ‘In the beginning, all the world was America.’

How far from the beginning are we? When did we first start to feel the wound?

This staunchless wound, the great longing for another place. To make this place another.

In a mosque in Damietta stands a column that, if you lick it until you tongue bleeds, will cure you of restlessness. It must bleed.

A curious word, wanderlust, I’m ready to go.

I’ve already gone. Regretfully, exultantly. A prouder lyricism. It’s not Paradise that’s lost.

Advice. Move along, let’s get cracking, don’t hold me down, he travels fastest who travels alone. Let’s get the show on the road. Get up, slugabed. I’m clearing out of here. Get your ass in gear. Sleep faster, we need the pillow.

She’s racing, he’s stalling.

If I go this fast, I won’t see anything. If I slow down –

Everything. – then I won’t have seen everything before it disappears.

Everywhere. I’ve been everywhere. I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.

Land’s end . But there’s water, O my heart. And salt on my tongue.

The end of the world. This is not the end of the world.

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Granta 167: Extraction Online

You Are the Product

‘The anglophone world, we have to infer, has run out of words for its own feelings.’ Daisy Hildyard on the wisdom of scarecrows.

‘What is the read receipt for?’ Lillian Fishman on texting, power and the ethics of leaving a friend on read.

‘Like pretty much everyone who uses the internet, I have seen many terrible things that I did not search for and that I cannot unsee.’ Rosanna McLaughlin on what the internet thinks she wants.

‘I have a pathological addiction to the internet, which I indulge with the excuse of making art. It rarely translates to anything good and mostly leaves me overstimulated and afraid.’ Paul Dalla Rosa on excess and the internet.

‘rumors of bees on speedwell, / no oxidative stress just / effortless pollination’ Two poems by Sylvia Legris.

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Susan Sontag (1933 – 2004) wrote novels, stories, essays and plays; wrote and directed films; and worked as a theatre director in the United States and Europe. In 2001 she was awarded the Jerusalem Prize. Her most recent books were the novel In America , which won the 2000 National Book Award for Fiction, and Regarding the Pain of Others .

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Definition of unguided

Examples of unguided in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unguided.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1585, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near unguided

unguiculate

unguiferate

Cite this Entry

“Unguided.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unguided. Accessed 26 Jun. 2024.

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Visiting El Yunque Rainforest; Guided vs. Unguided Tours

by jf | Mar 12, 2016 | Blog | 3 comments

This was the first time since Kathleen and I were very young that we visit El Yunque, breathe in the beauty, and take on the trails. We were both very excited to reconnect with our past memories while simultaneously creating new ones. We were staying at one of Caribbean Luxury Rental’s Ocean Villas and Google maps said we were less than four miles away from the entrance to the United States National Park Service’s only rainforest.

Kathleen and I went back-and-forth on the subject of guided vs. unguided tours through El Yunque. We read and discussed opinions on as many reviews as we could. There were five major factors that can influence the decision:

• The fitness level of the group . Different tours and different routes have varying levels of difficulty. Some routes can take less than one hour whereas other routes can take an entire day. Be sure that everyone’s’ abilities are taken into account before embarking on any route or tour.
• The weather of that day. El Yunque is a rainforest meaning that conditions can be very wet and even a sudden flash flood. If the roads are too dangerous the park service will close them. Make sure to check the weather report and to be extra cautious if there is warning of flash flood. Be prepared to handle the weather conditions of that day.
• Time/Day of Tours: The different tour companies start and end their tours at different times and on specific dates. For example, one of the most popular companies offered tours every other day. Some require you to meet early in the morning because of a strict itinerary, whereas others allow you to take your time. Figure out and plan what days/times work best for you.
• Cost: This can be a big factor for many visitors. The guided tours recommended (By Diana and TripAdvisor) start around $75 and range up to $150. There is an option to walk into the visitor’s center and listen to a presentation about El Yunque (cost $4), but it in no way substitutes the level of detail one can expect to receive on the more expensive guided tours.
• Additional Activities: Most of the tour companies also offer additional activities such as zip-lining, rappelling, and trips to lesser-known lakes. Some of these activities are included in the tour price and other activities are extra (zip-lining seems to always be extra). Again, this decision should be based on your group and the type of experience you are hoping to have.

Everything considered, Kathleen and I decided to take the unguided route of Las Minas. On the way we stopped at another waterfall visible from the road and the Yokahú Observation tower to take pictures (they are breathtaking!). We kept following the signs up the road until we finally found the place to park and to start the route.

The route was moderate difficulty, more long than tough, and took us about 35 minutes to descend and 45 minutes to ascend. The scenic path and waterfall were worth every bit of effort. Although it may be cold to some (between 60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit), after a long hike the water felt very refreshing.

Overall we had an excellent experience and would recommend it to anyone that simply enjoys outdoor activities and has considered visiting El Yunque!

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• 1.1 Etymology
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un- +‎ guided

unguided ( comparative more unguided , superlative most unguided )

• 1977 , Philip McCord Morse, In at the Beginnings: A Physicist's Life , page 33 : My unguided tour through the humanities would likely be unbalanced, but I hoped that this could be made up for by the sheer number of books read.
• 1998 , Turner Publishing Company, Air Force Missileers , page 13 : Genie was an unguided missile. Since it was armed with a nuclear warhead, accuracy was not really necessary [ … ]

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Definition of 'guided tour'

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As Israel and Hezbollah inch toward war, Canada braces for a repeat of the 2006 evacuation

The war that everyone says no one wants is looking likelier by the day.

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Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly had a stark warning Tuesday for Canadian citizens in Lebanon.

"If the armed conflict intensifies, it could impact your ability to leave the country and our ability to provide you with consular services," she said. "Canada is not currently offering assisted departures or evacuations for Canadians in Lebanon, and these are not guaranteed.

"My message to Canadians has been clear since the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East: it is not the time to travel to Lebanon. And for Canadians currently in Lebanon, it is time to leave, while commercial flights remain available."

Canadian officials are acutely aware of the fact that a large-scale Israeli air attack on Lebanon could force Canada to evacuate thousands of citizens under fire, as it did during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

Canada spent $94 million and leased seven ships to evacuate Canadians from Lebanon to Cyprus and Turkey in 2006.

Three naval ships participated in the operation. Even the prime minister's jet was roped into service.

The evacuation led to complaints in Canada about "citizens of convenience" after reports emerged that many evacuees returned to live in Lebanon as soon as it was safe to do so.

Canada ultimately evacuated about 15,000 people. Today, a similar number of Canadian citizens have registered with the embassy in Lebanon. Joly has said that is likely just a "fraction" of the true number of Canadians in the Middle Eastern country.

Canada doesn't have many resources in the area right now. The frigate HMCS Charlottetown entered the Mediterranean Tuesday morning, steaming through the Strait of Gibraltar on its way to join NATO's Maritime Group 2.

The utility of Cyprus as a base of operations has also been cast into some doubt after Hezbollah warned the island's government that it could be a target if it assists Israel in an attack on Lebanon.

Cyprus is within range of the Zelzal-2 ballistic missiles Hezbollah acquired from Iran, and the M-600 missiles it got from Syria.

Stumbling toward a wider war

"What worries me most is the possibility of a war as a result of miscalculation rather than planning or by design," former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told CBC News. "Someone misinterprets the other side's intention."

For months, Israel and Hezbollah have been trading artillery and missile fire across the border, and Israel has also engaged in air and drone strikes as far north as Beirut.

Homes, fields and forests have burned in the farming communities that dot the hilly landscape. Close to 500 people have died, mostly in Lebanon.

"Israel has been saying for a few weeks now that the situation up in the north is untenable and unsustainable and that something needs to be done," Pinkas said. Sixty thousand Israelis have been displaced for months and are demanding solutions. An even larger number of Lebanese  civilians are also displaced.

Threat of all-out war with Hezbollah looms over northern Israel

"The problem is that Israel refuses or chooses not to see it the way the Americans do," Pinkas added. "And that is that Gaza and Lebanon are communicating vessels, meaning that de-escalation in Lebanon can only happen as a result of a ceasefire in Gaza.

"So when Israel is reluctant to entertain any kind of hostage or ceasefire deal in Gaza, you cannot de-escalate the north, which then leads to this notion of the inevitability of war."

But there are still signals coming from Lebanon suggesting that Hezbollah hopes to avoid escalation.

Rare regrets from Nasrallah

Hassan Nasrallah was surprisingly frank in an interview following the 2006 war with Israel. The Hezbollah chief said bluntly that the war wasn't worth it.

The 2006 war began when a Hezbollah raiding party crossed the border to capture soldiers the group could trade for its own people in Israeli prisons.

The raiders captured two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and killed three more. Five more Israeli soldiers died inside Lebanon while in pursuit.

In subsequent days, Israeli planes flattened the mostly Shi'ite Dahiya neighbourhood of South Beirut, home to many Hezbollah supporters.

The interview Nasrallah gave in August 2006, shortly after the 34-day war ended, reveals how miscalculations about the other side's intentions and reactions can lead to war. It also suggests that Nasrallah felt compelled to explain his actions, in light of the death and destruction the war brought to his own community.

"I would like to say this clearly, and I want people to listen to me, because there is still a controversy over this. We did not think that there was even a one per cent chance that the operation to capture [Israeli soldiers] would lead to a war of such a scale," he told Lebanon's Al-Jadeed Television.

"If you ask me whether — in case I thought on July 11 that there was even a one per cent chance that the capturing operation would lead to the kind of war that unfolded — would I still carry out the capturing operation, my answer is, absolutely not."

Close observers of the group say that same caution can be seen in Hezbollah's calibrated support for Hamas over the past months: it's keen to be seen to be doing something, but not enough to start a war.

Israeli strategists were also unhappy with the inconclusive way the 2006 war ended. Although Israel had total superiority in the skies, it received unwelcome surprises on other fronts.

Hezbollah's ability to launch missiles into Israel did not seem to diminish as the war went on. The group fired over 200 missiles into Israel on the last day of the war to show that its capabilities were intact.

Hezbollah also hit and disabled the Israeli navy's flagship off the Lebanese coast, probably with a Chinese C-802 anti-ship missile that Israel didn't know it possessed.

Finally, when Israel launched its ground invasion across Lebanon's hilly southern border, its tanks were met with a storm of Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, and the incursion fizzled before the IDF could penetrate any distance into the country.

The Dahiya doctrine

And yet, Israel knew that its infrastructure bombing campaign had hurt Hezbollah and caused many Lebanese — particularly non-Shia Lebanese — to question the group's approach.

The bombing destroyed 640 kilometres of roads, 80 bridges, Beirut's Rafic al-Hariri International Airport, ports, water and sewage treatment plants, electrical facilities, 25 fuel stations, 900 commercial structures such as factories and farms, up to 350 schools, two hospitals and 15,000 homes. A further 130,000 homes are believed to have been damaged.

After the war ended, Israel's war planners gave the IDF a new strategic concept they called the Dahiya doctrine.

The doctrine holds that if Israel's enemies know that any attack would be met with a hugely disproportionate response targeting the other side's civilian infrastructure and homes, they would be more likely to show the restraint Nasrallah expressed after the 2006 war.

That doctrine of mass destruction is now being applied in Gaza.

The administrators of the Rafic al-Hariri International Airport clearly have not forgotten being targeted in the 2006 war.

Outraged by  a report in the British Daily Telegraph that said Hezbollah was stockpiling weapons there, Lebanon's ministers of transportation and information invited European and Arab ambassadors to tour the airport facilities yesterday.

The airport likely would be a target for Israel in any case, as it was in 2006.

Lebanon is in a poor state to face an Israeli air campaign. Beirut still has not recovered from the port explosion of 2020 and Lebanon's economy is in shambles. A banking collapse, hyperinflation, a failing power grid and a liquidity crisis have forced the government to end fuel and food subsidies, and many Lebanese are struggling.

A vulnerable grid 

Israel is in better shape economically, although the Gaza war has caused a downturn due to evacuations and the burden of calling up large numbers of reservists for extended service.

Shaul Goldstein, CEO of Israel's national electrical grid management company, had to apologize last week for what he called "irresponsible" comments in which he suggested that few people in Israel understood how vulnerable the country is to Hezbollah's missiles.

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"Hezbollah could easily cripple Israel's power grid," he told a conference at the Institute for National Security Studies conference in Sderot.

"After five hours [without electricity] I have no phone to call. After 12 hours, you will arrive at the gas station, but there is no gasoline, and not a single gas station operates. At each station there is a queue of at least 30 kilometres, if not more.

"Check all our infrastructure, fibre optics and ports ... We are in a bad situation. We are not ready for a real war. We live in an imaginary world, in my view … If the war is postponed for a year, five, or ten, our situation is better."

Although Goldstein walked those remarks back in response to politicians' outrage, the assessment of the Ministry of Defense's own National Emergency Management Authority was not much more optimistic .

Drones and missiles create an air of menace

Hezbollah propaganda has sought to play on those vulnerabilities, posting video that it claimed was taken by a drone that penetrated some of Israel's most sensitive sites, such as its naval base at Haifa, and returned to Lebanon with the images.

"Hezbollah has close to 100,000 rockets and missiles," said Pinkas, "of which we believe 20 to 25,000 are precise missiles, meaning they could hit not just any random neighbourhood, which is bad itself in and of itself, but infrastructure, power grids, oil refineries, Air Force bases and even the international airport right outside of Tel Aviv."

Pinkas stressed that Hezbollah's missiles bear little resemblance to the unguided and homemade Qassam rockets used by Hamas, which are propelled by fertilizer and sugar and have a range of less than 20 kilometres.

Prior to October 7, 2023, Hamas was thought to possess some smuggled Grad 122mm rockets and perhaps dozens of homemade R-160 rockets, which can theoretically travel over 150 kilometres but have no guidance systems.

Hezbollah's arsenal includes arms from Iran, Syria and China, and could include ballistic missiles as large as a Scud-B.

"The idea that technology or military, defensive military systems like the Iron Dome could conceivably shoot down with a 80 to 90 per cent success rate incoming missiles from Lebanon, the same way that was done with Hamas from Gaza, that's fantasy," said Pinkas.

"We're talking thousands, if not tens of thousands, of missiles and rockets, some of which are precise and some of which are long-range. And Israel just doesn't have that capability."

Re-occupation risks a quagmire

The U.S. has also warned Israel that Hezbollah could be bolstered in the event of war by an influx of Shi'ite militiamen from outside of Lebanon.

The emergence of Iraq as a Shi'ite power means that Lebanon now borders a vast area of Shi'ite-dominated territory stretching nearly 2,000 kilometres east through Syria, Iraq and Iran.

The U.S. believes fighters could filter into Lebanon in the event of a ground war with Israel, bringing more Iranian and Syrian weapons with them.

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Some in the Israeli government have talked about re-occupying southern Lebanon to recreate the buffer zone that lasted from the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 until the Israeli withdrawal in May 2000.

But Pinkas said Israelis have bitter memories of that first occupation, which led to the creation of Hezbollah as a force dedicated to driving the Israelis out.

"If Israel does in fact go back and reoccupy the so-called security zone — if that's the idea — then Israel must be prepared for another South Lebanon, which is another Afghanistan, which is another Vietnam, and which, on top of that, does not solve the missile issue."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior Reporter

Evan Dyer has been a journalist with CBC for 25 years, after an early career as a freelancer in Argentina. He works in the Parliamentary Bureau and can be reached at [email protected].