Walk with VBT

Perhaps you’ve never taken a guided tour before – much less a walking tour. So how do you know a VBT walking vacation is right for you? It’s right if you love exploring off the beaten path … if you want a more authentic and intimate encounter with the culture … if you find that physical exercise stimulates your mind. Maybe you’ve traveled independently for years and are now ready to let someone else handle the logistics. Maybe you no longer bike, but still want a way to be physically engaged with the destination. Perhaps walking is a “sport” that both you and your spouse can enjoy, or the perfect family vacation. Our travelers love that we pack our walking vacations with great activities—many of which you could not arrange on your own. Yet our trips are never regimented, and always leave room for personal choice and free time. If that sounds like the perfect balance to you, you’re ready to walk with us! 

It’s not a race, not a competition—just an opportunity to be at one with your surroundings. You’ll travel at your own pace and with purpose – the purpose being to achieve a state of well-being and awareness that lets you fully appreciate the physical and cultural nuances of a place. You came to see the sights, and will do so as you roam enchanting roads, country lanes, woodland trails and urban alleys. You’ll make intriguing detours as they arise, and as you walk, your Trip Leaders will share stories, history, lore and natural observations. 

Our prices are hands-down the best you will find out there today, and we are the only walking tour company to include round-trip international airfare. But what makes our trips truly valuable is more than a matter of money. It’s about the meticulously planned itineraries, charming accommodations, memorable cuisine, and expert trip leadership. In a word, it’s about quality. Due to our longstanding relationships with major suppliers, we are able to offer that superb quality at prices you could never match on your own.

With prices averaging $800 more than our land-only packages, our Air Package Plus includes roundtrip international airfare from up to 30 U.S. cities aboard world-class airlines like LAN, Alitalia, British Airways, United, and Delta Airlines—plus an extra night or two of hotel accommodations. With our new Custom Air Service you also choose the carriers and routing you like, or add Business Class upgrades at our low rates. Learn More about our Air Advantage.

We don’t spend excessive time transferring between far-flung locations, instead zeroing in on a specific region and staying in a handful of places, usually for two to four nights each. Each day you’ll have choices of routes with varied terrains and distances. You can walk as much or as little as you want — or not at all — because you’ll have a support vehicle or other form of transportation to assist at points along the way. 

A rooftop sun terrace with an infinity pool overlooking Lake Maggiore. A Costa Rican plantation that’s also a spa resort. An historic Patagonian estancia set on the shores of Lake Argentina. At the end of every road, you’ll find a beautiful night’s rest waiting for you at VBT’s splendid accommodations. We choose small hotels, inns, and resorts that abound with character and charm — never cookie-cutter hotels.

Our Trip Leaders are residents of the areas they serve, so they know all the ins and outs. Each day they’ll lead your walks and man the support vehicle, making sure you’re never more than a few steps away from the comfort you crave. They speak fluent English, but most important, they understand the lay of the land—what Arenal trail has the most bird life, which Irish hedgerows skirt the prettiest farms, where the stone path gets slippery in Cuzco. They’ll delight you with stories and insights on local history, politics, and customs, and their humor and kindness set the tone for the whole group.