3 Reasons to find your stride
Four-time Walking Tour travelers Richard and Mary Anne share why they enjoy stepping off the beaten path—and a few of their favorite photos from their trips.
Sometimes a certain interest drives your travel plans. Just ask travelers Richard and Mary Anne, who have been on four Walking Tours. Here’s why this active duo enjoys stepping off the beaten path—plus a few of their favorite photos from their trips.
1. The chance to savor the season
Picking a particular time of year to travel in is one way Richard and Mary Anne tailor their trip to their interests. “We’re flexible but we try to travel in the fall when the weather isn’t too hot or cold, plus you don’t have the summer crowds,” Richard offered. There are never more than 28 people exploring by foot on this type of tour. This means small groups of like-minded adventurers for Richard and Mary Anne to soak in the scenery of each destination with.
2. A closer look at new cultures
The Walking Tour experience offers a full picture of a destination. “You get out, you walk around, and you go through places that you wouldn’t normally see if you were on a different type of tour,” said Richard of his trips to Spain, France, and Italy. “We found a lot of times that you go into a country and sort of have preconceived notions, and then it’s not what you expected.”
3. Memorable surprises
Along with many organized activities, the Tour Directors always have a few surprises up their sleeves. “One site in particular that I was fascinated with was the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast in Italy,” Richard shared. “The Tour Director took us along a walkway where there was a shepherd’s hut built on the side of a mountain hanging over this valley—it was just amazing.” He recommends carrying a camera all the time, just in case an amazing photo opportunity presents itself when you least expect it.
Interested in exploring your destination by foot? Check out our Walking Tours of Europe.
