The answer is yes; you can easily fail when booking a private tour. The failure will be massive if you book a multiday private tour with the wrong agency and person/driver. You will spend several days with your driver/tour leader, having fun every day!

Here is The Ugly Truth of … “Private Tours”!

There are obvious ways to fail like:

Misleading information from the supplier of your “Private Tour”! Just like with hotels and Airbnbs, suppliers can “fiddle” with the description (double meaning, unclear, etc), photos, AND reviews!

Pricewise: Being “cheap” or “very cheap” compared to other similar tours is a red line you must not cross! We (private tour agencies) all have the same expenses to cover, so … if you find an outstandingly cheap private tour, think again! OK, it can be for real if the agency consists of ignorant 12-year-olds, but you will have to … travel with them! If not 12-year-olds, you are in even bigger trouble!

Here are the less obvious and ugly ways to fail:

Private Tours -like many other things in life- are about people.

In Greece, most private tours are run by people with the … wrong background [can’t elaborate more], and they have been upgraded with a fancy black Mercedes!

There is a reason we offer [to our customers only] a transfer from the airport to their hotel. We don’t want you to start with a bad experience after your long trip!

Most tour agencies depend on “terrible” third-party providers for your tour’s accommodation, food, etc. Read the reviews carefully to find out about these “details.”

>>> You can quickly fail if you look for the cheap… est offer! Look for the best value for money. Look for a great agency with great people to drive you around and be there for you at all times!

How to try and avoid a wrong choice of tour agency.

Read the reviews extensively and between the lines! Read the replies of the agency! More importantly … read the replies to bad reviews!

Check for fake reviews. How many reviews are from reviewers that have only done ONE review?

Ask the supplier if you will travel in a yellow taxi!

Ask for a non-smoking driver (and car)!

Ask if “private” means private or “small group” instead.

Have fun with your research!