How a Private Tour Works from Start to Finish

Getting to know a new destination is all about having unique experiences, at your own pace and with the freedom to make your own way. This is exactly what a private tour provides: personalization, comfort and exclusivity. But how does a private tour really work?

In this article, we'll explain each stage of this unique experience. From the first contact to the moment you say goodbye to your guide. If you're curious about all the stages of a private tour, or are thinking of booking your own, come and find out how this unique type of tour works.

How it all begins: the First Contact

It all starts with an initial contact. This can usually be through a website such as Living Private Tours, or through other channels such as social networks like Facebook or Instagram, or even by phone or email. It can also happen in person, at an agency or office. This is when the magic begins.

At this stage, the company gathers all the necessary information, from the tour the client wants to take to any changes the client has to add to the tour. In addition, other logistical details need to be adjusted, such as the date, time of the tour, the language selected, the duration of the tour, as well as the starting point for the pick-up and the end point for the drop-off. In addition to this information, it is also important to collect the number of people, their ages and special needs, if any.

More than just gathering information, this phase is marked by active listening, attention to detail and, above all, by the team's assistance and support for the client.

Creating the Itinerary: The Tailor-Made Experience

When it comes to the itinerary for private tours, in most cases there are already private tours in place. Generally, these tours have everything already planned out, from the initial pick-up to the drop-off, including the activities carried out at the destination. In this type of tour, the client selects the tour they want to take and then makes the booking and payment.

On the other hand, with tailor-made private tours, the itinerary is designed according to the preferences and needs of the participants. A flexible itinerary is created, carefully adjusted to reflect the wishes, rhythms and curiosities of the group.

If the private tour is urban, in destinations such as Lisbon or Barcelona, the guide can include visits to historical monuments, traditional markets, emblematic neighborhoods, museums and even local cafés. In general, places with fascinating stories to explore!

If the selected destination is a wine region, such as the Douro in Portugal or Madrid in Spain, the focus of the private tour could be on the vineyards, wine tastings, wonderful landscapes, wine history and guided tours of wineries and cellars.

If you're more oriented towards a nature experience or activity, such as a private tour to Gerês, the Paiva Walkways in Portugal, or the Caminito del Rey in Spain, the team will be keen to provide experiences of pure connection with nature. From hiking, buggy adventures, rafting, among other experiences. With all the necessary security, including the use of experts.

If it's a religious tour, such as a private visit to Fátima in Portugal or Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The company will make sure that these tours include enriching visits to historic churches or cathedrals. Or participation in a mass, whenever possible.

During this phase, the client can suggest changes, clarify doubts and even include moments of free time. It's a collaborative and dialogical process, which ensures that everything is aligned before the big adventure begins.

The Big Day

Start of the journey

When the long-awaited day arrives, one of the professional guides will set off in one of the premium, comfortable and high-quality vehicles towards the clients' accommodation to pick them up.

The first contact is marked by a warm welcome, accompanied by a genuine smile and often a brief informal chat to break the ice. Then they get into the vehicle, where inside there are very comfortable seats, panoramic windows and an air conditioning system. Or continue on foot if it's a private walking tour.

After a brief personal introduction, the guide will share the plan for the day. From the destinations you'll be visiting, the stops, the estimated times, curiosities, activities and any personalized suggestions. There's also room for questions, adjustments and, above all, to calmly align expectations.

The journey begins. The landscape begins to flow past the windows, and the excitement grows. Between light explanations of the destination and moments of contemplative silence, an atmosphere of discovery and comfort sets in. The first step is taken towards a day full of unique experiences, conducted with attention, flexibility and passion for the places to visit.

On the road to discovery

The journey to the destination is already part of the experience. Along the way, the guide provides the participants with some information about the destination, stories and curiosities that will certainly enrich the trip.

Sometimes there are strategic stops at very attractive places, such as viewpoints or unexpected points of interest. A good example of this is the private tour of the Douro, where the guide and tourists can stop at a panoramic viewpoint, Miradouro da Galafura, when they arrive in this beautiful wine region.

If, on the other hand, the destination is a historic city, the visit can include walking tours of the most charismatic neighborhoods. Visits to monuments with detailed explanations. Priority access to museums or emblematic buildings, and plenty of opportunities to take unique photographs.

During the exploration, the guide adapts to the pace of the group, if there is an interest in spending more time in one place. Flexibility is one of the great advantages!

Meal: A Tasty Gastronomic Immersion

On a private tour, every moment is designed to provide a unique and personalized experience. Lunch or dinner on a private tour can become a highlight of the experience, as having a typical meal in a destination is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in an authentic cultural experience.

At Living Private Tours, for example, there are full-day private tours with lunch included. And others whose highlight is precisely the wine and food experience. It's a unique way of tasting the local cuisine and interacting with the customs of the region. In other cases, lunch is not included. When this is the case, the guide will be happy to suggest quality typical restaurants where you can sample the best of the region's cuisine.

In addition to the daytime options, there are also private evening tours. Ideal for discovering the charm of the cities after sunset. From a private night tour of Lisbon, with a fado show, to a private tour of Barcelona, with a flamenco and tapas show included.

Half-day tours, which only take place in the morning or afternoon, generally don't include lunch. However, we advise you to enjoy a local gastronomic experience whenever you have the opportunity!

Afternoon of Freedom or New Discoveries

After lunch, the tour program can take various paths, according to the wishes and needs of the participants. In most cases, the free time is used to explore the destination at your leisure, on your own.

And what can you do with your free time? If you've never been on a private tour before, some of the ways to make the most of your free time at the destination is to stroll leisurely through the streets, enjoy some shopping, capture the moment by taking photos, have a coffee or a drink, or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

In other situations, where there are other activities scheduled, participants can take advantage of the afternoon to do them. Whether it's a guided tour of a museum or other monuments, a visit to a viewpoint, a historic village, a charming boat trip or even a handicraft workshop.

The versatility is total. Some clients prefer a more relaxed pace, others want to take advantage of every minute to explore. The guide adjusts everything in real time, always ensuring the ideal balance.

The Farewell: Sharing, Reflection and Return

As the day draws to a close, the guide will set aside some time to share ideas and experiences. This is the perfect moment to clear up any doubts that may have arisen during the tour. Answer questions, clarify curiosities, exchange contacts or tips, and perhaps create a lifelong connection.

Returning to the vehicle marks the start of the return journey. Depending on the distance, it can be an opportunity to rest or continue talking about the whole experience. The guide is always attentive to the group's comfort.

The last stage of the private tour is marked by the drop-off, which usually takes place at the hotel or other accommodation, with the certainty that that day will be remembered as a unique experience.

Usually at the end of the private tour, we can have a new vision of the destination, understanding not only its sights but also its cultural, historical and human essence. In most cases, taking a private tour is a truly transformative experience. It allows for a deeper, more personal and authentic connection with the place visited, revealing stories, flavors and perspectives that are only touched on in a conventional tour. For all these reasons, it is very common for travelers to return to the destination and take other private tours or experiences.

A private tour is much more than just a guided tour. It's a tailor-made experience that respects the traveler's pace, interests and travel style. From the first contact to the return to the hotel, each stage is designed to provide comfort, exclusivity and memorable moments.

Now that you know the main steps of how a private tour works, from start to finish, you can start choosing yours with more confidence.

If your next destination is in Portugal or Spain, Living Private Tours is the right choice! By opting for our private tours, you're not just choosing a service. You're opening the door to a more authentic and personalized way of discovering the Iberian Peninsula.

Book your private tour with experts now! And come and discover the best of Portugal and Spain. Contact us and be amazed!