Pretty much the only time I like to take organized tours are when it would otherwise be extremely difficult to get around. For example, a friend and I arranged an independent "package" for the two of us in Jordan. Public transport didn't seem particularly easy, and we figured the road signage and neither of us speaking Arabic would make renting a car hairy. Or I'll take an independent tour if there are a lot of sights relatively close together that I want to see, but there's no public transport in between them. I'll hire a car and driver for the day, like I did in Albania.
Now, when I go to Egypt this Fall, I getting a package tour. I've read that there are only so many peope allowed in the temples and pyramids per day, and an organized tour will have all those tickets taken care of. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting all the way to Luxor, for example, and not being able to actually get inside the major sights. At least that's what I've read, so I'm not going to take a chance.
As for Europe, though, public transport is great and I really don't think you'd need a contiki tour or anything like that. You'll meet people in the hostels and around, so if your mate doesn't go with you, you still won't be alone.
Good luck! And keep us upated...
worldwidemike
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"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."
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