We are looking into taking a self guided walking tour next Spring. We are hoping to spend about a week, preferably self guided and we want to take advantage of luggage transfers from inn to inn. Does anyone have any suggestions as to good companies to make our plans with? We are thinking of Italy (Tuscany maybe) or possibly the Camino de Santiago (Portuguese section maybe) but we are open to suggestions. Any help you can offer is much appreciated!
Posted by
7659 posts
Many large cities as well as smaller cities have Free Walking Tours. Many are local, not provided by a large tour company. They are free, except for whatever tip you provide at the end.
Viator.com will help you find tours anywhere. Viator doesn't do the tours, but provides access to them.
TripAdvisor.com is another source of tours. Of course, the internet will provide you with many more depending on your location.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8367 posts
I don’t think the previous poster understood that you were talking about walking several miles a day from one lodging to another so I will clarify that.
HF holidays out of the UK has European walking tours.
Posted by
Philly
80 posts
Cassandra Overby's book 'Explore Europe on Foot' will give you great foundation, tons of great information on 2-foot trekking. She has been on Rick's podcast and TV show. It's a great book!
Posted by
2 posts
We just finished a hike in Germany using Mac’s Adventures. They used high quality inns, hotels and no hitches with luggage transfers. Found a few discrepancies with hiking map verses step by step guide but nothing we couldn’t manage with their excellent mapping. Covid has closed some small food businesses so be prepared with food in your backpack. We have also used Great British Walks for the UK with good results. Macs Adventures goes to many countries.
Posted by
OP
BC Canada
8 posts
Thanks for the info everyone. It is so helpful to get recommendations from folks who have actually used a tour company in the past as, while there are many companies out there, not all are good.
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1322 posts
We have used https://www.contours.co.uk/ for two walks in UK (Great Glen Walk and Thames) and would be happy to use them again.
Posted by
Chicago
792 posts
I have used Intrepid Travel for group hiking/trekking tours and was very pleased. And since Covid, they have been advertising custom self guided tours.- I have not tried one but they are a very reputable company.
They had options for both the Camino Frances (a portion of it obviously) and the Camino Portuguese in the group tour section so they have experience experience with those routes.
I have heard positive things about macs adventures and camino ways on camino forums but can’t give a personal recommendation.
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
We've used Utracks and Tripsite the past. both are good.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8942 posts
If you are walking any of the Camino routes, either in Spain or Portugal, there are cheap luggage transfer services available. Usually costs about 5€ per day. No need to pay a company extra to arrange these services for you. Every hotel and Albergue can do this. Or you can use the Spanish postal system, which many people do. They pay for it ahead of time.
Visit one of the many Camino forums for more information, but this is my favorite one: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/