According to the Cambridge dictionary, sightseeing is the act of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holidays.
I will do some sightseeing in London.
You can do some sightseeing: on your own, in groups, with a guide or with an audio guide. This will depend on your expectations, the time you have, your abilities and the place you want to explore.
Guided tours:
A guided tour will provide with the comments of an experienced professional. A Licensed or official tourist guide will be happy to give historical details, explain the architecture or answer all your questions in your own language! The official guides usually have knowledge in history, art and architecture, besides they often speak several languages.
In some countries, some street vendors will propose you tour packages. Unfortunatly, these may not be the more reliable tours and your guide may not be able to give thorough information about history and culture. Moreover, you may be asked for more fees during the tour that the vendor forgot to tell you about.
It is, indeed, advisable to choose your own experienced guide from the official country guides or from a company specialized in this business.
Some English vocabulary for guided tours : https://www.englishclub.com/english-for-work/tour-guide-interest.php
Sightseeing on your own
Sightseeing on your own is an enriching experience that offers unparalleled freedom and personal growth. It allows you to explore at your own pace, savoring moments without the pressure of a group itinerary. You can linger in places that captivate you, skip those that don’t, and indulge in spontaneous detours that might lead to hidden gems. I have always been in awe of people who explore new countries on their own.
My personal experience
As far as I concerned, my first limitation is my poor sense of direction. Even though I know I can, partly, rely on GPS or maps, not everyone is a born adventurer, and I can only push myself beyond my own boundaries for a short period of time. Actually, I have visited new places abroad on my own or even with young children. But I feel some kind of selfconsciousness stops me from using all my freedom potential, is it lack of confidence or lack of sense of directions which leads to lack of confidence? I guess both. Therefore, personnaly if I want to explore thorougly a new place to set myself some goals that go way beyond seesighting.
What about your personal experience of sightseeing on your own?
Traveling solo fosters a deeper connection with your surroundings. Without the distraction of companions, you can immerse yourself fully in the sights, sounds, and scents of a new place. This heightened awareness often leads to more meaningful interactions with locals, offering a more authentic glimpse into the culture.
Planning your solo adventure can be both exciting and empowering. It gives you the opportunity to tailor your journey to your interests, whether that’s art, history, nature, or food. With resources like travel blogs, apps, and guidebooks, crafting a perfect itinerary is easier than ever.
A great advantage of exploring solo, is that you can wander in streets or paths without any set target or destination, in order to feel the atmosphere, and not only follow some blogger experience but make your own. When you have company, it might be harder to agree on the random wandering.
Safety and practicality are important considerations. Always be mindful of your environment, keep your belongings secure, and stay connected with loved ones back home. By being prepared and staying open to new experiences, solo sightseeing can be a profoundly rewarding journey, offering memories and personal insights that last a lifetime.