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Walk with Confidence
Perfect pacing and ongoing support make your path clear
A reliable rating system that steers you in the right direction. Perfectly planned routes. Daily options to pace yourself. Vehicle support whenever you need it. And all the tools of the trade, at your fingertips. Whether you’re marching up to Machu Picchu or traipsing through a Lake Como garden, your walks with VBT will always be footloose and fancy free.
“The poles made the hiking much more enjoyable. It was like giving us a second pair of legs. They provided the extra stability needed for some of the trails.”
- Susan M., The Amalfi Coast & Capri
Our leisurely approach invites in-depth discovery
It’s not a race—it’s a vacation! So our walking tours are designed to be leisurely paced, with plenty of opportunities for relaxing and spontaneous diversions. You’ll never be worn out by a whirlwind itinerary. We zero in on a particular region, with overnight stays in just three to four locations that are great jumping off points for further exploration.
A choice of routes
Every day your Trip Leaders will preview the “coming attractions” and explain your various options for routes of varying degrees of challenge, and different scenery and diversions along the way. So you can regulate your activity level based on your energy, your interests, your every whim! If you prefer not to walk at all, you can always stay back at the inn, explore on your own, or ride along in the support vehicle or other means of transport.
Custom maps and all the tools of the trail
We’ll give you a clear, well-marked map for every walk, so you can regulate your day. Then we provide complimentary custom VBT walking poles with straps, so you're always sure-footed. Each day you may choose to walk with one walking pole, two poles or without poles.
Why use walking poles?
• They help you maintain balance when crossing slippery terrain, bending under low branches, or traversing hillsides.
• They support your knees, legs, feet, joints and back.
• They can help prevent a fall.
• You can lean on them, or just use them to push aside brush, debris, spider webs and anything else that impedes your progress or obstructs your view.
• They are visible markers that help you locate your travel mates on the trail.
Support vehicles and other transport
We occasionally walk from one lodging to the next, with our support vehicle shuttling luggage ahead of us. Our vehicle typically waits for us at designated checkpoints to offer a lift if you want a rest. When this is not feasible due to unpaved roads or inaccessible trails, support is never far away because we also use various local resources -- perhaps a gondola, a motorboat or ferry, cable car, public bus, or even a horse-drawn jaunting cart. It’s a great way to assist the weary (and add some fun!)
VBT Walking Vacation Rating System
Every VBT vacation is designed to meet a wide variety of fitness levels of our guests. Each day offers multiple mileage options and times of your choice. Should you find that your pace differs from one day to the next, or from that of your traveling companion(s), there will always be a suitable route option.
Easy: Relatively flat terrain. Well-kept paths. Fine for even occasional walkers.
• Average daily distance: 2–6 miles
• Average walking time: Up to 4 hours
Easy to Moderate: Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular
basis. Footing may be a variety of surfaces. No extended ascents or descents, but
some rewarding climbs.
• Average daily distance: 4–8 miles
• Average walking time: Up to 5 hours
Moderate: Suitable for experienced walkers who are comfortable with ascents and
descents (but no scrambling!). Uneven terrain possible. Elevation gains of up to
2,000 feet.
• Average daily distance: 6–10 miles
• Average walking time: Up to 6 hours
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800-245-3868
