Jan 22 2009
City Walking Tours
I’m a fan of walking tours as a way to get to know a city—you get a closer more “local” feel than you do on a bus, but can still get a nice overview of major sites with some interesting information. There are many kinds of walking tours depending on the city, including:
Self-guided walking tours: These are the do-it-yourself walking tours. For some, you download a map and related information and lead yourself around town. I used Frommer’s version of this when visiting London a few years ago and enjoyed it—I learned some interesting things, saw all the major sites, and, most importantly, was able to move at my own pace. With today’s technology, there are also many sites where one can download an audio walking tour to their MP3 player or Ipod and use that to lead them around town.
Group walking tours: Of course, each major city has numerous tour companies offering walking tours. Often these tours happen every day and depending on the season, may also happen more than once a day. They usually don’t cost very much (some even have free walking tours) and often don’t require advanced reservations. Depending on the season, groups could be very large which can be embarrassing and frustrating when you can’t hear the guide, but they can also be small which allows for more “personal” attention. Visit tourist information sites for your destinations when looking for tour companies.
Niche walking tours: These walking tours are often my favorite—I’ve done the “Ghost Tour” in Colonial Williamsburg, the “Jack the Ripper Tour” in London, and the “Munich Beer Challenge.” Each city has its own unique culture, so be sure to look into these special tours as well.
Each type of walking tour has its advantages and disadvantages, so consider your goals, your destination, and your budget (both time and money) when deciding on a tour.
Please leave information on your favorite walking tour in the comment section.
Photo by scasha, www.sxc.hu
