First I thank the community here for advice on how to get from Seville to Porto and what to do in Porto. You all are the best! This time I'm looking for opinions on hiking tours that are like Backroads but less bougie- but not camping. I just used Backroads to hike a portion of the Camino Portuguese and loved them. The guides, organization and accommodations were amazing. I highly recommend them. However, some in my group thought the dinners were a little too fancy and the people they attract not such hikers, and I have to agree. I understand who they're 'catering' to but would rather have a less fancy dinner and maybe younger crowd. I'm thinking big pot of paella or something similar. Is there a hiking company that doesn't skimp on quality but is a little less about "Pan Seared A5 Wagyu Tenderloin with Truffle-Infused Béarnaise and Gold-Dusted Asparagus Spears" ? (Thank you for the fancy menu item Chat GPT!). I've looked at Marly but they're similar to Backroads. I've heard REI does trips but don't know anyone who has used them. Someone hiked Machu Picchu with their adult kids but it was camping and I can't talk my group into that. Curious who you all like and for what reason. For Europe most likely. Thank you!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2916 posts
RoadScholar does hiking tours:
https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure?page=1&pagesize=12&tags=Walking%252FHiking
I've done a couple here in the NE. They were the opposite of bougie.
Also:
https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/
I haven't gone with them yet, but a friend likes them a lot.
Posted by
Reston VA
395 posts
Still haven't used them, but really like the variety of options and information (and their website) of the Macs Adventures folks.
If for nothing else, I suggest checking them out and using them as a neat way to plan and dream. Tons of good ideas on their site for hiking tours, and a few may resonate with you. And with widely varying options - from simple bag help & route instructions up to fully supported, full Bougie experience.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3164 posts
REI pulled out of the travel business as of January. I can't help with other suggestions, sorry.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2401 posts
A couple friends of mine swear by NatHab (Natural Habitat) tours.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6090 posts
Intrepid Travel has some hiking tours; I have no personal experience with them.
Posted by
WestCentral MN
389 posts
Gate 1 has walking/hiking tours. We've been on a number of their "Classic" trips and they're never fancy. Our guides have always been top-notch. I doubt, though, that during their walking/hiking tour meals the travelers would share a pot of paella. 😁
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9382 posts
Just look for any of the Camino tour companies. There are lots of them out there and many of them cater to those that are actually carrying their backpacks and staying in private albergues. Portugal may not have as many as Spain, but this is a growing business on all of the Camino routes.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35077 posts
I haven't lived in the US for decades so I'm not up with the current new vocab.
What does "Bougie" mean please? I've never heard it before....
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Thank you everyone! Very helpful and many companies to investigate. Nigel- "bougie" or "bougee" means feeling or acting rich.Sorry for my colloquialism. It became popular here in the US after a country song used it and it went viral.
Posted by
UK
1018 posts
Nigel- "bougie" or "bougee" means feeling or acting rich.Sorry for my colloquialism.
I know it from Instagram and from teaching students in the UK. I believe it comes from the word “bourgeois,” but of course that has the slightly different implication of being a kind of stuffy self-satisfied middle class.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35077 posts
maybe I'm toooooo old - thanks
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2054 posts
Nigel,
I am with you. I guessed it came from "bourgeois" but never heard it before. Then again, I am not on any social media...not Facebook, Instagram, etc . etc. I don't even follow Youtube stuff and get my news from the legacy sources (LA Times, NY Times, OC Register, NPR, PBS, CBS, ABC......you get the picture). And I am too old also...81. (I do remember watching Edward R Murrow and cohorts on TV in the fifties, and seeing Walter Cronkite before his hair turned gray.)