24 Walking Tours Make Europe A Must-See In May

Classic Journeys itineraries showcase nine countries at their springtime best

La Jolla, CA (February 2011) – Savvy travelers have known for some time that May offers the best in European travel, with fewer crowds than summer and typically excellent weather.

“I’ve found from my own European travels in May that everyone seems extra happy to see us," observes Edward Piegza, president and founder of the adventure travel company Classic Journeys. “Hoteliers, restaurateurs, guides, shepherds, potters...everyone is back from their own holidays and is excited to see the new season get underway. Beyond that, the wildflowers are in full bloom, making an almost cinematic backdrop to every one of our walks and visits.”

In response to guest demand,Classic Journeys has added more departures in May than at any time in its 16-year history. For 2011, that means two dozen departures to nine different European countries.Topping the list? The company's newest cultural walking adventure to Montenegro, making its debut on May 22.

As a walking destination, this brand-new country (circa 2006) is delightfully off-the-grid: untamed, untested, and largely undiscovered. From the moment the Classic Journeys' team scouted its palm-lined coastand the black-pine forests that blanket its mountains, they knew they had an itinerary that would prove very popular with guests looking for someplace new.

Along with Montenegro, here’s a preview of what’s in store for the company's European guests in May:

Italy

Coastal Tuscany & Pisa- May1
Amalfi Coast & Capri- May 8
Tuscany & the Cinque Terre- May 8 & 22
Southern Tuscany to Rome- May 15
Italian Lake Retreats- May 15
Sicily - Island in the Sun- May 15
Isles of Sardinia & Corsica- May 15
Apulia - Italy's Rustic South- May 29

France

Normandy & Brittany- May 1
A Week in Provence- May 8
Bordeaux & the Dordogne Valley- May 15

Spain
Spain: Seville, Granada & Cordoba- May 1
Barcelona & the Costa Brava- May 8

Great Britain

Cotswolds, Stonehenge & London-May 8
England's Cornwall Coast- May 15
Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands- May 22

Greece and Turkey

Greek Isles - Crete & Santorini- May 8
Turkey - The Turquoise Coast & Cappadocia- May 8

The Adriatic

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast- May 7
Croatia's Istrian Peninsula- May 15
Montenegro - Adriatic Treasure- May 22

Culinary Tours

Taste of Tuscany- May 1
Amalfi, Al Buon Gusto- May 1
Bon Appetit, Provence- May 22

All trips are seven days/six nights, with the exception of Tuscany & the Cinque Terre at eight days/seven nights and Turkey's Turquoise Coast at nine days/eight nights. Prices begin at $3895 per person, double occupancy, land-only.

Readers who want to learn more about specific European itineraries and pricing can click on www.classicjourneys.com/maytrips, or contact one of the company's Guest Services Coordinators directly at (800) 200-3887.



About Classic Journeys:

Classic Journeys offers cultural walking tours, culinary tours and family vacations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. Guests enjoy luxury accommodations and gourmet meals that reflect the best of each region, coupled with soft adventure activities, daily interactions with locals, and native guides who make countries and cultures come alive. Tours are six to 12 days long with two to four hours of easy-going walking per day. Land-only tour prices range from $2595 to $8895 per person (with discounts for small groups and children traveling with parents). Average tour size is 10, limited to a maximum of 18 guests per departure. Full details and links to itineraries are available at www.classicjourneys.com.

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