We often receive questions about our tours and the trip planning process.  We love this, and encourage every adventurous traveler to ask lots of questions.  After all, choosing the right tour company and the right trip is the first step to a rewarding adventure.  These questions and answers will let you know what to expect from a trip and how to make the most of your walking experience.  As always, please call or e-mail our travel experts for further information.

WHO TRAVELS WITH COUNTRY WALKERS?
Likely, someone just like you.  Perhaps one of the most delightful experiences of your Country Walkers vacation will be the camaraderie that manifests from your first encounter with your fellow travelers.  Each group is comprised of people who are adventurous, inquisitive, well-educated, and environmentally aware, and loves the out-of-doors.

WILL I FEEL COMFORTABLE AS A SOLO TRAVELER?
Over and over, we hear from our solo guests that a Country Walkers trip is an exceptional congenial way to travel.  All trips comprise a mix of couples and solo travelers.  Based on availability, if you reserve a tour at least 91 days prior to the tour start date and wish to share a room, you will not pay the single supplement fee, even if we cannot find you a roommate.  Of course, you may prefer to select a private room, available with a single supplement.

HOW MANY WALKERS WILL BE ON A TRIP?
To ensure a memorable and personalized travel experience, two expert guides accompany each group of 8 or more guests.  Our average group size ranges from 12 to 14 guests, with a maximum of 18 (some tours have a maximum of 16 guests).  Private & Custom Adventures allow great flexibility in group size.

WILL MY TOUR BE CANCELED BECAUSE OF LOW ENROLLMENT?
No – you will never be disappointed.  Reserving with us gives you peace of mind—your trip will not be cancelled due to lack of participation.* We guarantee the departure of every trip paid in full 90 days in advance of the departure date, excepting only in cases of force majeure. Setting the standard, we were the first in the industry to offer this important guarantee. *(Does not apply to Turkey: Cappadocia & the Turquoise Coast).

CAN I SPEAK WITH ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE TOUR IN WHICH I AM INTERESTED?
Our staff!  Our trips are researched and developed from start to finish by an in-house tour manager.  Additionally, staff join tour departures throughout the year, so our ‘home team’ is always eager to share their expertise.  We are also pleased to refer you to past guests who have experienced the tour you are considering.

CAN I PHYSICALLY DO IT?  HOW LONG AND STRENUOUS ARE THE WALKS EACH DAY?
Any reasonably fit person can enjoy a Country Walkers vacation.  We take special care to accommodate varying fitness levels and preferences.  From Walking à la Carte Adventures for guests seeking a more leisurely walk pace and more cultural diversions to Hiking Adventures for more advanced travelers, there’s a tour that's right for just about everyone.  While you can note each trip's rating for terrain and distance on each tour page under the "details tab", you may also gain further insight into which trip best suits your ability and interests by speaking with one of our ‘home team’.

WHO WILL BE GUIDING THE TRIP? 
A professional Country Walkers guide who has received extensive training and support from our home office.  We know that our guides are a key reason we set the pace in adventure travel.  They hold the key to your experience and you could not be in better hands.  They possess skills that enable them to lead you to experiences reserved only for the most fortunate traveler—they introduce you to local culture from a local’s perspective.  The respect our guides have earned allows them to introduce you to the welcoming restaurateurs, hoteliers, farmers, and artists with whom they and we maintain close relationships.  Our guides' talents extend well beyond the trail.  They are musicians, educators, photographers, authors, artists, storytellers, comedians, farmers, ecologists, and lawyers—to name just a few of their specialties.  They are experts at letting magical moments unfold, yet the day is perfectly balanced, respecting the schedule while creating plenty of room for spontaneity and surprises.  Fun-loving and well-rounded, they make sharing the trail an extraordinary experience.

WILL THERE BE A VAN FOLLOWING US IF I WANT TO STOP WALKING?
While our tours do not include support vans, many of our walks are designed to provide shorter and longer options.  On tours with drivers, our driver may meet us at specific locations so guests have the option of returning to the hotel or inn early.  Our Walking à la Carte adventures combine easier walks with non-walking cultural options which are ideal if you prefer a tour with a more relaxed pace.

CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE MY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
With advance notice we can accommodate most any dietary restriction.  Specific regions and some tours may be particularly well-suited for certain diets, so let us know your needs and we can review different tour opportunities with you.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES COUNTRY WALKERS FROM OTHER ACTIVE TRAVEL COMPANIES?
In 2009 we proudly celebrate our 30th anniversary in adventure travel—with a reputation and exceptional tour lineup reflecting this significant milestone.

• An important, distinguishing factor of Country Walkers is that we know walking – we are the world’s #1 walking company.  Unlike other companies we do not offer biking or rafting or horseback riding tours.  We specialize in walking adventures; this results in exceptionally well-researched and well-executed tours.  Our colleagues and worldwide associates recognize and support our ‘off the beaten path’ approach. Our Home Team experts can advise you how to choose a tour best suited to your activity level and experience, how to best prepare for your tour, and further understand how a walking adventure will get you ‘up close’ to the best a region has to offer.
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• And yes, our guides are a distinguishing feature.  Mature guides are with you throughout the tour (24/7) and are local to the region in which they guide; guides can simply make or break a tour experience, and ours are veterans.  We conduct worldwide tour trainings, assuring our guides receive updated certifications, share best practices, and know (and practice) all the elements that comprise an experience worthy of the Country Walkers name.
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• Guest service is a Country Walkers hallmark.  You speak to a tour expert every time you call our home office with our guarantee that your tour is our priority.  From the moment you first contact our home office to your return home from the trail, our expert staff and guides take care of every detail.  We are available to assist you with every aspect of your adventure.
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• Our departures are guaranteed, so you have piece of mind.  Your trip will never be cancelled due to lack of participation. This is a high standard to set, but allows you to go ahead and make air reservations and other arrangements.  You will never be disappointed.

Naturally, there are other good adventure travel companies, and we encourage you to speak with the staff at several prior to reserving a tour. After all, there’s so much more to a trip than a locale and the price.  We suggest comparing trips with questions such as: How long has the company been in business?  Is the company a member of a legitimate tour association?  What is a typical day's schedule?  How large is the group?  What exactly is included in the tour price (check carefully to compare apples and apples; what meals, lodgings, entrance fees, tips, and other items are extra?)  Ask about the guides, understanding if guides will be with you throughout the tour or change every few days.  What procedures are in place in case of medical emergency?

WHAT WILL THE ACCOMMODATIONS BE LIKE?
Throughout our years as a leader in the travel industry we have discovered some of the finest, most authentic accommodations in the areas in which we walk.  We chose small, first-class hotels, inns, lodges, châteaux or villas that typify the area.  Each is noted for their hospitality and character, meeting our strictest standards for quality and commitment to responsible tourism.

WHAT WILL THE MEALS BE LIKE?
After a full day of exploring on foot, you deserve to be rewarded with cuisine reflecting a destination’s most discriminating taste.  Ingredients are always fresh and painstakingly prepared, featuring local specialties.  With advance notice, we can accommodate special dietary requirements.

ARE THERE AGE LIMITS FOR TRAVELERS?
Country Walkers travelers generally range from 30 to 60 years old – yet individuals in their 80's have walked with us, as have young adults. Our Home Team is happy to help determine which tours best suit the interests and abilities of college-age travelers or older high school students.  Naturally, children of all ages are welcome on Private & Custom Adventures, specially crafted to suit the diverse needs of your unique group.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IF I WISH TO HAVE MY CHILDREN TRAVEL?
Children and young adults are great adventurers, and we love introducing them to the world’s cultural and natural wonders.  It is popular to plan a Private or Custom Adventure for your family (sometimes including many generations) that can be tailored for the young and ‘young at heart.’ Share your family travel ideas and dreams with us, and we’ll turn your travel dreams into reality.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TRIP PRICE? 

• All accommodations
• Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner, as noted*)
• Experience, professional guides. We guarantee two guides with each trip of eight guests or more, and additional city guides or naturalists for select trips
• Entrance fees for special events, such as wine tastings, cultural festivals, and musical events as included in the trip itinerary
• Activities, such as rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, etc., as noted in the itinerary
• Transportation during trip
• Daily trail snacks
• Local maps to trace your route
• Trip literature including pre-tour information and reading list
• Gratuities for all hotels, porterage, meals
• Signature gift
• The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the Country Walkers staff
• Plenty of fresh air, exercise, and memories that last a lifetime!

*All travelers enjoy an opportunity for discovery and free time. Most trips offer time for you to try a café or restaurant that has been recommended.

IF I TAKE MORE THAN ONE TRIP, DO I RECEIVE A DISCOUNT?
For every additional trip you take within the same calendar year, you receive a 5% savings off the price of each subsequent trip for a maximum of 10% savings per trip.  Many guests, for example, design a longer trip by combining two or more Country Walkers adventures. Some of our tours can be planned back-to-back, so travel expenses are minimized.  To facilitate this experience, we offer a one night complimentary pre-or post-tour lodging at accommodations of our choosing!

WHAT DO WE DO IF IT RAINS? 
We walk!  It can be just wonderful, especially when you're dressed properly.  Your pre-departure confirmation material will contain a detailed list of what to bring.  Of course, if you choose not to walk, your guide can suggest alternative plans for the day.

DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL GEAR TO TAKE ON A COUNTRY WALKERS VACATION? 
A daypack, a broken in pair of suitable hiking boots, rain gear, sunscreen, and a water bottle are essential.  We emphasize that hiking boots with thick soles, good tread, and sturdy ankle support are suggested for all tours.  (Or hiking shoes for our Walking à la Carte adventures.) A customized list of what to bring is included in every confirmation packet.