New Twist On GPS Steers Adventurers In Right Direction

10 simple steps can lead to an unforgettable walking vacation

La Jolla, CA (June 2011) – Classic Journeys, five-time winner of Travel + Leisure magazine's World's Best Tour Operator award, has paved the way for travelers in search of adventure with a new guide called 10 Foolproof Ways To Find A Walking Tour: 

"Vacation time is a precious commodity," observes Edward Piegza, president of Classic Journeys.  "By  thoroughly researching their options, travelers can locate value-for-money no matter what their destination."

Speaking to every potential guest, Piegza recommends they follow these simple, yet self-empowering, steps when selecting a walking tour operator:

1)  Give your mouse a workout. 

Spend some time on the company's website to get a real feel for what they're all about.  Scenic photos are lovely, but sections called "About Us" or "Our Philosophy" will reveal if you're on the same page with the company founders and their team when it comes to seeing the world.

2)  Compare apples with apples. 

Read a sample daily itinerary (or two or three) to see if the company's approach to exploring a new destination jibes with the way you like to travel.  How many hours a day do you like to walk?  Does a relaxed pace -- like pausing for picnics under the trees or visiting village artisans along the way -- appeal to you?

3)  Get to know your companions. 

Check for short bios about the company's long-time guides.  Do you consider it a plus that the person leading your tour is native to the region?  Or that the same on-the-ground experts accompany you every step of the way, rather than making occasional cameo appearances?  

4)  Consider your sources. 

Speak to a member of the company's Guest Services team for firsthand answers to your questions.  They're the masters of minute details, whether it's describing a specific hotel, sharing inside info on must-see sites, or solving scheduling challenges.  Then take them up on their offer of testimonials from recent guests.

5)  Remember, size matters. 

It's probably the most common misconception about guided walking tours: that you and a flock of others will be herded around like sheep.  Many companies encourage groups of 20, 25, or even more.  But if the maximum number of guests per departure is under 18 and the average is 10 or 12, you're good to go (with not a "baaaaa" to be heard).

6)  Insist on keeping it real. 

Authenticity tops the list when it comes to cultural travel.  Shop for the kind of non-touristy experiences you could never access on your own, like cooking lessons in private homes and professional kitchens, private tastings with winemakers and olive growers, and private visits with local children at their village school.

7)  Focus on inherent value.  

"Greatness" is reserved for companies who go the extra mile to match their guests to the perfect trip.  In addition to achieving the requisite level of luxury, it's the intangibles like eliminating logistical hassles and language barriers and providing painstaking attention to detail that make a tour company truly priceless. 

8)  Strike the right balance. 

Adults on vacation need time for themselves, too.  On most family trips, keeping the kids entertained and happy is a full-time job.  If a carefully orchestrated blend of kid time, grown-up time, and together time sounds better to you, look for a company with guided itineraries geared specifically to active, multi-generational families. 

9)  Put your personal stamp on things. 

Say you love an itinerary, but the company's departure dates aren't in sync with yours.  Or that you want to  choose the people who'll be by your side on a private tour, large or small.  Can they custom-tailor a trip for you?  All it takes is a company with the imagination, capability and clout to make the proper tweaks in all the right places. 

10)  Gain added insight from travel insiders.

No, awards aren't everything.  But being singled out for recognition by the travel industry is a definite bonus.  Is the company generating a positive buzz within the travel press?  Click on links to awards and special media mentions to find out what in-the-know national publications are saying before making a decision.

Classic Journeys has been steering guests in the right direction for 15 years, currently with 68 small-group walking adventures in 31 countries on five continents. 

Readers wishing to learn more can find day-by-day itineraries and pricing at www.classicjourneys.com, or  contact a Guest Services Coordinator directly at (800) 200-3887.


About Classic Journeys:

Classic Journeys offers cultural walking adventures, culinary tours and family journeys 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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