[TOEFL Writing task] The best way to travel / whether or not in a group with a guide.

//It is the first time I write TOEFL essay. If you can point out the mistakes and polish it up, I will be really grateful.

DIY your trip

Tremendous number of people have affinity to travelling, which is the best way to relax with the beloved ones, and explore new possibilities on one's own. However, disputes on the perfect way to travel has never ceased. Someone prefer looking for travel agencies to get a well-planned trip in group with an experienced guide, while others who always want to try new things, will choose a self-designed tour. To my extent, I am fond of quieter, more seclude and less famous sites. Thus I prefer not to go with a group of people, some of which I have barely know before, and not with a guide as well.

It is certain the preparation and the whole journey will be less stressing and tiring if you pay your money to the agency or to a tour guide. Nevertheless, in my opinion, you also pay the interesting part to them as well. You may know some knowledge from the tour guide during your packed visit to most sites, but if you design your trip on your own, you will gain much more knowledge than that. Besides, without a talkative guide, your trip will be purer, rendering your concentration on the beauty you are about to see.

Another reason is that your schedule will be flexible if you are not in a group. You will never know what will happen during your journey. Sometimes, a random talk with local people may open a new gate to you. Some hidden scene that will be breathtaking, some special events you happen to participate in, all of these you must not want to miss, especially for a scenic guy like me. You can reschedule your route as your will as long as you are off the group. Without the bound of other people, you can set your own suitable pace.

The last lies in the freedom to choose places to visit. You can taste the most authentic food in a fabulous restaurant, or you can live in a local people's house to make friends. You can even ignore those popular sites which says "Never miss" or something like that. Sometimes, you may encounter with some wonderful sight by just aimless wandering on the street. A cozy afternoon with a book you long for reading in a café is never a bad choice. You can have whatever you want in a different place. What I always do is to live like a local people, having breakfast by the street, wandering by the sea, appreciating the sunset and the starry night. All of these are nearly impossible if you go with a group. I have to admit it is fun as well, however, I will stick to my way to travel by myself.

Conclusively, DIY your trip without the help of a guide may be demanding but worth trying. The freedom you gained is much more precious than you can imagine.

Carl, when you post your essay for review at this forum, you are required to post the original prompt requirement along with your essay. That is because I will be unable to properly review your essay without it. The original prompt contains the scoring considerations required for the essay discussion. Since you were not able to provide the original prompt here, I cannot give you an accurate review of your discussion. I can only review the most obvious parts and mistakes instead.

Your general discussion is engaging and informative. It implies that you have personally done this activity before in the manner that you are discussing. Since the TOEFL test usually considers personal experience and examples as better evidence or supporting reason in its essays, you may have done very well in this essay. You would have created a more impressive presentation if you had used the first person pronouns throughout the essay because it is obvious that you have considered such situations before and dealt with is successfully. My only concern, has to do with the prompt requirements.

While I am highly impressed by your discussion format, unless I see the prompt requirement, I cannot be sure if this is an essay that will pass the test or not. It is too late for you to present the prompt requirement now. I can only give you one free advice per thread. This is a wasted chance. I hope that you will remember to post the prompt with your next essay for a more thorough review of that essay.

@Holt
I am so grateful for your timely review. Forgive me that I am not aware of the requirements. For confirmation, is it required to add these 'Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The best way to travel is in a group led by a tour guide. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.'？.Is that what is needed along with my post? Thanks again for your help！