michelle/nyc

I would like to consider a guided walking tour through Tuscany's countryside... I'm usually a very independent traveller and I'm not sure if this would suit me. any feedback or recommendations??

pam

Try www.theaccidentaltoursit.com <BR>Accidental Tourist has walking tours,cooking classes and wine tastings...all wonderful and a deligthful afternoon lunch. <BR>Also try: Simone Gaddini at firenzeantica.org. Each tour is private. This is a bit more expensive, but worth every penny. See if you can get "little" Simone to be your guide. He is so wonderful! <BR> <BR>

andi

I am going on a hiking/walking trip to Tuscany in October, with a company called Wilderness Travel. I'd love to hear from anyone who's been anywhere with them. This is my fourth such trip, having been to New Mexico with BAck Roads, Provence with a group called Active Journesy and Morocco with Classic Journeys. All have been wonderful, also all pretty upscale. Most of hte people on these trips have been independent traveler types who for some reason or other decided to join a group this time around. Check out gorp.com also - it's a site that lists lots of adventure travel groups.

xxx

Following are a few of the many companies that offer walking tours in Tuscany: <BR> <BR>BCT Scenic Walking <BR>Ciclismo Classico <BR>ATG-Oxford <BR>Country Walkers

s.fowler

Pam -- could you report the website address for accidentaltourist? I'm starting to save stuff for a future trip and every morsel is welcome

Meg

I just returned from a trip to Tuscany and took a walking tour/cooking class with the Accidental Tourist. It was really wonderful. Their web site is wwww.accidentaltourist.com. <BR> <BR>What a great day!

tara

We also really enjoyed Accidental Tourist for a walking tour of Tuscany. We had a fantastic lunch at a farm house after a great two hour walk. We are not tour people, but this was a memorable day and even my two teenagers really loved it.

michelle/nyc

these are fabulous suggestions!! more questions for you. I tried looking up Accidental Tourist but their site is under construction and there is no toll free number listed... can you help? <BR> <BR>Country Walkers looks great, but a little pricey... any feedback from someone who has taken one of their tours? how are the tours, meals/restaurants, accommodations, etc. I'm willing to spend the money if they are a good company. any thoughts on Butterfield & Robinson? <BR> <BR>I've been told average age is 50... has anyone experienced groups with 30-40 year olds?

Carolyn

My husband and I have taken 7 trips with Country Walkers and have been extremely satisfied each time. The age range was from teenage to upper 70's, but everyone was vigorous, well educated and excellent in making worthwhile conversation. Do not hesitate to do one of the CW walking tours. Our next one is Tuscany in September!

carol

I've been on walking tours with Ciclismo Classico, BCT and Country Walkers. The best was my first one with Ciclismo Classico, a walking tour in Tuscany called Tuscan Wanderlust. The guide was Guido Giuntini. I don't think he still works for them, but if he does, a Tuscany tour led by him would be great. The worst by far was my second with Ciclismo Classico, a walking tour in Sicily. It was the first time they ever ran that tour and it was a real mess. Both of the BCT tours were very good-- one in Provence and one in the Dordogne. I did not like the guides on the Country Walkers tour to Crete, and thought the price of the tour was excessive in light of the very inexpensive hotels we stayed in. <BR> <BR>I think it's true that the typical age for these tours is old baby boomers and slightly older. the BCT groups tended to be a little older; as an early 50's I was among the "young" ones. The Country Walkers Crete trip had the largest group and the widest age range of the nicest people--mid 30's to late 70's--with a very high % of people in medical fields, coincidentally. I've heard rave reviews of the British company, ATG-Oxford, but have never taken one of their tours.

Carol

Carolyn, which tours did you take with Country Walkers? I'd consider trying them again.

s.fowler

For michelle/nyc -- the first address didn't work. Try this one: http://www.accidentaltourist.com/

Carolyn

Dear Carol, We started with a CW trip in Vermont, maybe the best because we learned so much. One of the guides was a photographer for National Geographic and a storehouse of info on wildlife. <BR>The trip to Ireland(Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula)was a pleasure. The van driver was a tenor, the main guide a fiddler and we had a few memorable evenings of sitting by the fire with Jameson's singing away. <BR>Other hikes were in Switzerland, France(Loire/Burgundy),Czech Republic, etc. <BR>Our accomodations were always top class with exquisite meals. <BR>We do lots of travel on our own after the hikes are over for less money, but it is a pleasure to have the breather to let someone else make arrangements for us. By the way, we are two retired foreign language teachers. Travel is a way of life for us. Enjoy!

michelle/nyc

I found Accidental Tourist, but unfortunately they only do day trips. has anyone heard of Club Alpino Italiano? I found them online but they don't seem to have an english translation. at this point I'm leaning toward CW... but will probably post another question to get other feedback...