The 4 Self-Guided Tours in the World That Earn Their Price

1.Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,036 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Cruise central Budapest in a comfortable glass-enclosed boat, with a retractable cover in good weather, one drink, WiFi, and an audio guide in 30 languages. Sail past Buda Castle, the Royal Palace, Parliament, and the bridges, then choose a 45-minute stop at Margaret Island before returning to the city center.

“It was very pleasant and worth the price! The weather was perfect. They gave us a choice of one drink and at the end of the cruise they offered us an additional glass of delicious lemonade.”

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2.The Santa Maria 3 Island Cruise in the Aegean w/ Free Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30Top rated

Set out from Kos at 9:30 a.m. for a 7.5-hour Aegean cruise to Pserimos, Plati, and Kalymnos. You’ll swim, watch for dolphins, visit Vathy, and eat a traditional BBQ lunch aboard the boat. Bring water money, swim gear, and arrive 30 minutes early to choose your seat.

“Unfortunately the Santa Maria had stopped sailing when we checked the day before sailing, but the company were excellent and transferred us to a sister ship the captain Morgan which was a fantastic experience so the trip was great hence the 5*”

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3.3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island with Personalized Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $32

Spend about 7.5 hours at sea from Kos, visiting Kalymnos, Pserimos, and tiny Platy. You’ll watch for dolphins, swim in clear waters, sample Kalymnian specialties, enjoy a Greek lunch aboard, and use a personalized audio guide on your smartphone. Meet at 9:00 am for the 9:30 departure.

“You canceled all us cruise passengers. We got cheated. We showed up and you didn't do the amazing tour we had paid for. Very frustrated and disappointed.”

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4.3-Island Cruise with Lunch, Swimming and Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 341 reviews · 7h 30m · from $29

Spend seven hours aboard the Santa Maria, an 80-foot wooden boat, visiting Kalymnos, Platy, and Pserimos. You can swim from the boat, walk a small island port, taste Greek barbecue, shop for sponges, and use a free phone audio guide in English, German, Greek, or Italian. Guides such as Alex and Aria help keep the day lively.

“This was brilliant. I had 2 nearly teenage boys with me and I was really not sure how this would go and worried I should have booked something else but book this one and don't be tempted by the others. It was a perfect size and not overcrowded (like the others I could see). The food was really good - there was a one star review complaining about that but really I could not see why at all - they must have had a bad day. They have drinks and donuts on board [take snacks if your kids, unbelievable, can't manage a donut] Take cash with you for the sponge…”

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