A private guide is the best idea!
Customize your trip
Design and organize a tour around your hobby
Avoid getting lost and losing precious time
Have a local support system
Book tickets
Miriam and I at the Shakespeare Bookstore in Paris
My 5-day trip to Paris. to visit the Photo Paris Fair was such a success because my my two private tours with Miriam.
I only had one day, and one night to play the happy tourist, and I wanted to make the most of it.
I bought a few travel guides, chose the areas I wanted to focus on, and wrote out my list of places and subjects I wanted to get to know.
While I was going down the Paris rabbit hole on the internet, Monica, a friend who works as a private guide in London, called me. I welcomed the interruption to get off the computer and have a good chat.
I told her what I was doing, and she suggested hiring someone to make my tourist day more manageable and more time-efficient in Paris.
Enter Miriam, a Brazilian guide in Paris. Miriam is a certified guide who has lived in Paris for many years, speaks the language well, is passionate about the city, and knows how to get around expertly.
She filled the walks with historical stories and interesting tidbits.
Miriam and I during the Paris by Night private tour
One of my must-do’s in Paris was night photography. I had taken a tripod on a plane once – only for it to be confiscated at the security gate. Miriam suggested that I buy one and deliver it to her house. It was great to have that tripod when I met up with her for our Paris By Night walk.
I had a list of things to buy in Paris, both specific and hard-to-find items, so I asked Miriam if she could help me find them. She sent a list of resources near my hotel, which made shopping for my items convenient and accessible, without a ton of travel time. Once I was in Paris, I wanted to dine at a good Asian restaurant, and she sent a few options my way. It was good to get tried and true recommendations, from a trusted source
Photo by Miriam
I love night photography, and Paris is the perfect spot for this. All that gorgeous architecture, the city lights… Paris is magical at night.
My night photo tour started at a fountain near the Hotel de Crillon, where I enjoyed seeing the city lights go on, contrasting beautifully with the dark blue sky. We walked around the neighborhood, took photos of a few choice Christmas lighting, took a metro to another area, walked and photographed a lot.
We made the most of our four hours, and I believe that I got some great shots.
We ended our tour at a great restaurant where I ate confit de canard for my last meal in Paris.
I told Miriam that I wanted to spend one-day visiting places I missed on my previous trips. I also wanted to see a few vintage stores – but those were to be explored on my own, and oh! Most importantly, I wanted to stop by patisserie shops to look at the displays, taste a few samples, and take it all in.
Teat Time!
My day had to end at the Mariage Frères for tea, and the more I thought about the tourist day, the longer my must-do list became.
Miriam took a long look at my list and organized it so that we were able to do most of the things I wanted.
We went to different neighborhoods, walked, took buses and metros, and even had a great lunch at one of the oldest restaurants in Paris.
The day flowed nicely, with very little time wasted on back and forth travel time.
If I had done the research and planning on my own, it would have taken a lot of time to create my tourist day, and I don’t have a good sense of direction (I’m always getting lost).
I took a few breaks from the Paris Photo fair, and on one of those outings I took a wrong turn. I found myself on some narrow little street, my phone didn’t have a signal, and I didn’t know which way to go to the closest metro station.
It was dreadful! It took me more than an hour to get back on track, and when you are only traveling for five days, you don’t want to spend time trying to find your way around!
A private guide is the best investment that you can make!
I like to know general information about a place I’m going to, and I love doing travel research because it mentally prepares me for my trip. But a travel guide can help you tweak your trip and give you lots of local suggestions.
Photo by Miriam edited by me
Miriam helped me do a lot of the pre-planning, and by the time I was in Paris, I was all organized! She took the stress of planning off my shoulders, helped me with the hotel transport, suggested which public transportation card to get and how to go about it.
A private guide is very helpful, and I was so happy with the two tours that Miriam planned for me.
When you hire a knowledgeable travel guide like Miriam and Monica, you will get more than someone to just show you around.
You get a support system and someone who will meet your needs. You can bounce off ideas, ask them to plan a solo walking trip for you (or go with you), and they save you so much planning time with their knowledge of the city.
Guides offer different services, and some will be more generous than others with their information.
Updated October 2025
Look for guides who are licensed or certified, especially in destinations where guiding is regulated. Certifications often mean they’ve passed exams on history, culture, and safety.
Choose guides who specialize in the region you’re exploring.
Some private guides state they work in different areas and many times their knowledge is very general.
Choose carefully.
Check their reviews on platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and ask for references.
Study their sites and how they write about their work.
Booking in advance is safer, especially during peak travel seasons.
Tell your future guide what you are interested in. Ask specific questions before booking.
For instance, if you’re into art, history, or food, find a guide who shares or specializes in those passions.
Be picky! It’s your trip.
Compare rates to other guides online.
Rates vary widely depending on location, experience, and duration.
Private tours tend to cost more than group tours, but they offer personalized attention.
Always clarify costs upfront, including tips and extra fees.
Make sure taxes are included!
Freelance guides often provide more flexibility and personal touches.
Agency guides, will probably offer a more standardized experience.
Choose according to your budget and how you like to do things.
Pay attention to how they respond during initial contact. Are they prompt, friendly, and clear?
If they send you automated messages consider looking else where.
Good communication skills are crucial for an enjoyable experience.
Try to chat with your guide before you hire her/him. Language fluency is key to a good experience!
If you cannot chat with them, read all the reviews carefully.
Be polite but honest.
Tell your guide you would rather see more of one thing than the other.
I have invited the guide for a coffee and stated that I want to review the schedule. This worked out well because it allowed us to get to know each better and the guide was quick to tweak my tour.
Let your guide know you feel something isn’t meeting expectations.
Most guides are eager to adapt and ensure you have a great experience.
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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