Tourist visa without group

I called the embassy and they said that I should join a tourist group in order to get a tourist visa but I don't want to join any group. I'd like to travel on my own, probably with one of my best friends and wouldn't like to be bound by travel agents to stay with the group. Also, Without a group, I might make necessary changes to my itinerary as well. Do I need to present myself to visa officer?( as she told me to do when I called as there are no restrictions posted on embassy's websites) any help would be greatly appreciated!