Why Join a Walking Tour in Europe?
Europe is home to some of the best hiking and walking adventures in the world! From the towering peaks of the Alps, to the romantic coastlines of Greece, to the historically rich landscapes of Ireland, Europe offers the active traveler a myriad of world-class options.
Combining breathtaking scenery with wonderful, local cuisine and thousands of years of well-documented history, Europe offers the inquisitive mind and all your senses a stimulating and invigorating experience. It is truly a place where you can immerse yourself in the culture, the landscapes, the history and the food.
A guided tour provides the ability to relax and enjoy your walk through Europe without having to worry about logistics, language barriers, food restrictions and much more. With an expert, local guide leading the way, you will see the very best of the area you visit, enjoying the must-do hikes and learning about the fascinating history of Europe as you go.
When to Go
The question of when to visit Europe is an important one. The answer depends on where you’re going.
When to Hike In the Alps and Pyrenees
The Alps and Pyrenees are most accessible and enjoyable in the summer months of June, July, August and September. June and September will be less crowded than July and August.
When to Hike IN Iceland and Norway
Iceland and Norway are also best in the summer months of June, July, August and September. Like the Alps and Pyrenees, June and September will be less crowded. However, in June especially, you could be walking in quite a bit of snow compared to July and August.
When to Hike IN Greece
Greece is best in Spring and Fall. Because of its Mediterranean setting, summers can be quite hot. Spring and Fall offer the best opportunity to enjoy Greece’s amazing coastlines, islands and deserts in warmth, but without the more intense heat of summer.
When to Hike IN Ireland
Ireland, like Greece, is best in the Spring and Fall. Summers in Ireland are exceptionally crowded, so the shoulder seasons offer a wonderful combination of lesser crowds and moderate walking temperatures.
When to Hike IN Madeira
Madeira, being an island, is also best in the Spring and Fall. Enjoy its ocean-moderated temperatures as early as late winter and early fall as well!
Join a Guided Walking Tour of Europe or Go On Your Own?
Whether to join an organized tour or go on your own is a common question would-be visitors ask when planning their trip to Europe. There are strong benefits to each option, which we’ve outlined below.
Joining a Guided Walking Tour
There are many benefits of joining a guided tour. First and foremost, you will be with a local, professional guide who will provide several key functions:
- They will smooth out the language barrier so you can more easily navigate logistical issues related to transportation, food needs, medical needs, accommodations and much more.
- They will provide an important element of cultural immersion. By going with a local guide, you will have an opportunity to learn about the local customs, traditions, foods, economic trends and more from someone who is from that culture.
- Your guide will educate you about the history of the area as only a local person can. You will learn about the cultural history, the natural and cultural history, the flora and fauna, the geology and more. These elements vary in many nuanced ways between destinations, so having an expert to walk you through them is invaluable.
Joining a guided tour also provides a fun social element, as you and a group of like-minded people explore a new area together. Our Europe walking and hiking tours have maximum group sizes of 12, so perhaps you won’t connect with everyone, but often guests find several people in the group who they truly enjoy. And more often than you might think, entire groups bond with each other in meaningful ways.
Going On Your Own
There are also benefits to going on your own. The biggest benefit is that you can change your plans if and when you desire, easily shifting into new and spontaneous options as they arise. Another benefit is cost – it will likely cost you less to go on your own than it will to join a guided tour.
Whether you choose to join a tour or go on your own, which is a very personal choice, your trip to Europe will be an experience you’ll never forget!
