It is not always the financial aspects however that defines the difference between private and group tours. You may happily be able to afford either one so choose one in line with your preferences rather than in line with your wallet. The choice of tours can make a great difference to the quality of your African Safari. Get the choice wrong and you could be bickering with loved ones all the way, get it right and a magical vacation full of fun and entertaining tours will become apparent.

So what are the considerations to make when deciding between private and group tours for your vacation? Here are a few pointers for lost travelers.

The first reason to choose group rather than private tours is if you are traveling alone. Sometimes traveling alone can be ultimately fun, but if you feel that you may get bored or even feel lonely then group tours are the perfect solution to meet people and find great times. The people on your tour can be from all over the world giving you a microcosm of the globe all on one tour bus. In addition, women who are traveling to less well developed countries will benefit from the security that group tours bring over private ones.

For those with a logical mind group tours offer the best way to see all of the sites quickly efficiently. Tour guides will have a strictly laid out itinerary that must be stuck to, meaning that you as a traveler see as many of the sites as possible while on your vacation. While members of your party may well be photo happy, do not fear, you will not be held up by their incessant snapping; the tour guide will soon drag them along so they can adhere to the schedule.

In some European countries private tours can cost as much as double as the group ones. While those traveling in large families may find it a cost effective measure to go private, smaller families and couples will definitely find group touring a more appealing option.

Despite the increased cost, there are many travelers who use private tours for a variety of reasons.

One of these is that a private tour will enable you to control your itinerary, laying out exactly what sites you want to see and schedule for this sightseeing. Going private does not necessarily mean that you are a control freak; it just means that you like to have flexibility in the way you travel. It may be an option, if you cannot afford private tours to look into the different group schedules to see how much flexibility is available to you.

If you prefer to avoid the usual tourist traps a private tour guide is the ideal solution to seeing unique attractions, and even the chance to sample the local pass times. Another benefit of private tours are that they enable you to enjoy your vacation without having to put up with other members of the group that you may dislike, for those with a short temper this can be considered a powerful lure.

So wherever you are vacationing weigh the benefits of private and group tours. Whether you are looking for a totally unique trip or just want to see the sights as quickly as possible both can fulfill a need. While cost may be a factor, it is worth remembering that your vacation time is of high value to you, do not miss the chance to relax and enjoy yourself, no matter how you decide to tour your destination.

Breathtakingly beautiful Gonder Ethiopia is typically Italian and art-deco in style. Whichever places tourists visit Gonder Ethiopia should be on their must see list of destinations.

Those who know Gondar well regard it as a very special place amidst 17th century castles that resemble something from a Disney fairytale and its attractive 1930’s architecture. One can also be tempted to linger much longer than planned by the sights and scents of a vast array of colorful flowers.

Gonder Ethiopia is located in the northwest region of Ethiopia with the Simien Mountains to the north and Lake Tana to the south. With impressive roads to the north and east many tourists travel to Gondar from Bahirdar, Axum or over the Simien Mountain range.

This is the best of what can be experienced in the Abyssinian plateau, but one should not underestimate the difficulty of traveling along these northern roads. The road to Axum, built by the Italians during there occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930’s is to this day, still regarded as a great achievement. The road twists and turns taking incredible bends for many more kilometers than the crow fly would suggest. It passes over the Simien mountain range, the highest in Ethiopia, which makes it another must stop-over, for any tourist.

Trekking over the Simien Mountains is becoming more popular, calling more and more on those who try to find the last forgotten spots in the world. This is undoubtedly one of those places, but for how long will it remain so ?

It does not matter how one gets to Gondar, you will find it alluring and want to stay longer. For the traveler seeking to immerse themselves in history this place unquestionably offers a lot, presenting a perfect offer of breath taking views.

Ethiopia’s Capital
Gondar was established where the long-distance trade routes crossed. Gold, salt, ivory and slaves were carried, sold and bought there. It is hard to establish when the place started to function as an urban center.

It is however clear, that Gonder’s rise is closely tied to the movement of the empire’s political center that occurred in the 17th century. From that point forward it grew to be the fixed capital of the country, the first since the Axumite empire that predated it.

Before (and also after the so called “Gondarine Empire”), for most of the time the Emperor executed his power traveling together with his court and pitching a camp whenever needed for his purposes. Gonder functioned as a political center of the Empire until the mid-19th Century and then the town was abandoned and slowly deteriorated.

Italians came to Ethiopia in 1936. They started and won a bloody war, and occupied the country. Emperor Haile Selassie I, concerned that staying in Ethiopia would result in his execution, fled to Europe. Gondar was by then the long forgotten place, with its castles left to fall into disrepair.

The town however with its charm and excellent climate attracted Italians the most. Those who destroyed the country and killed its people started a new phase in the history of Gondar. They pronounced it a capital of a newly established Amhara province and began the construction of houses, hotels and government buildings.

They also created a man-made lake, just so that the Governor of the province had a view from his residency, which is currently a beautiful hotel. The influence of Italian design is clear to see in the art-deco style, where Italian restaurants and coffee houses were found in abundance as they still are to this day.

About the Author
Hanna Rubinkowska (PhD) has traveled extensively throughout Ethiopia. A lecturer at Warsaw University, Department of African Languages and Cultures she specializes in the history of Ethiopia.

Visit ethiopiantour.com for more information on ethiopia tourism or you can follow the continuation about the castles and ruins at gondar ethiopia where you will also find more information and facts about travel to Ethiopia.