I'm planning a trip with my sisters to celebrate a 70th birthday. We're thinking of the 14 day RS tour to Spain. I've never gone on an organized tour, I always do the planning myself when my husband on I travel using the help of RS guide books of course! My sisters and I thought a tour might be the best way to travel since no one had to make the decisions as to where to go, what to see or where to stay, it was all done for us.
I'd love input from folks who may have previously taken this tour. How much walking is involved? The tour says you may walk cup to 8 miles a day which seems like a lot. I'm fine with that if that's the case, but the sister that's returning 70 has some feet issues.
I'd love to hear from folks!
Sue
Posted by
Midwest
541 posts
8 miles does seem extensive. Haven't been on this tour but 5 others. There is a lot of walking and lots of standing on uneven cobblestone for example. Hopefully someone that has taken the tour will respond. We love the tours. You don't find many that have taken one that regret it. Good luck
Posted by
Folsom
2734 posts
They are not kidding about the walking. Most of it is on flat ground, but you are in older cities with streets and sidewalks that are rough or cobble stone. Then there is a fair amount of walking/standing as you visit museums, palaces, churches. We had folks older than 70 on our Best of Spain tour this past summer, but they were exceptionally fit. Even so, they opted out of some activities and took alternative transportation when available. If your sister can't walk distances without pain, this may not be a fun trip for her.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
You always have the option to drop out if it's too much and meet up with the group later in the day - your guide will help you on the spot or to plan ahead if the next day's schedule looks daunting. Some days, some of the walking is optional. There is a more detailed day-by-day itinerary on the tour page - read carefully. For instance, a guided tour of the Prado can be miles of walking - it's huge - but if you're falling off your feet, there are benches in some rooms and a cafe where you can wait for the rest of the group for an hour.
Posted by
Central Florida Coast. (Melbourne)
93 posts
I took the Best of Spain RS this past October. (and loved it)
To be honest, I think all the RS tours tend to exaggerate the actual milage just a little. That said, my iPhone/Watch definitely logged me at 10 miles on some days, but that was including other optional sightseeing on our own. So it is an active on foot tour.
Make no mistake, with RS tours (and this one is no exception) you tend to be on foot a lot more than a traditional bus tour and it varies from day to day. Lots of subways, trains etc mixed in. Drop off and walk a half mile or so to the hotel is not uncommon. So if any are the type who like to sit and be taken everywhere and dropped off at the entrance to the museum.... you might consider another tour as RS in general is not about that kind of travel. I've been on three RS tours now and Spain was probably the most active of them all.
The benefit is that it is by far the best way to see things.. but if you have issues walking, it probably isn't your best option.
Generally the format is that an RS tour will stay in a city 2 (sometimes 3 in larger cities like Barcelona or Madrid). When you arrive there is usually an orientation walk to get you bearings.. Then a main city tour, where you see the museum etc.. Personally the standing in museums and cathedrals is more taxing than the actually walking but that's me. What I would recommend is something I recently saw in a travel catalog which was sort of a stick that had a little seat that folded out from it. So you could sort of lean on it. Nice for those long cathedral tours with enthusiastic guides who want to tell you every detail :)
That said, we had several people in their 70's (actually my wife and I were probably among the youngest at 54) and they seemed to do just fine. As long as your sister is in good shape and enjoys walking it is fine.. But if she does have feet issues and say being on her feet on a walking tour that lasts 2 hours and a couple miles.. then she may not be very happy. The RS guides will do their best to accomodate everyone... but the reality is if you can't walk.. no bueno...
We did get a bit tired about 2/3 through the tour and when we were in a hill town (Arcos Fronterra) we skipped the day trip to a horse farm.. Guides are very understanding about wanting to deviate a little and skip things..
Not trying to scare you off as RS tours are wonderful (I hate normal tours).. but they are active and you will walk and be on your feet a lot.