How many will be in a group? Will I have time to explore on my own?
Groups tend to comprise at least eight people and no less than 24. Guide-to-tour ratio may be a factor in tour quality when comparing prices. Guides should be experts in the area who can direct you to activities you'll enjoy and which will enhance your vacation. But the larger the group, the less quality time a guide can spend with you. That's why many groups are limited to 16 or so travelers. Unscheduled time varies from tour to tour, but tour operators seem aware that walkers tend to be more independent and are responsive; many guides can offer suggestions for solo routes, should walkers choose to break away from the pack.
Here are some websites of tour companies offering walking tours in France (as well as other destinations) in 1999. Many target U.S. and Canadian travelers and offer English-speaking guides. If you're interested in booking a walking tour from another country, ask local travel agents for recommendations, or look online.
Randonee Tours
Tre Laghi
Experience Plus
The Wayfarers
Walkers World
Europeds
Distant Journeys
ReQuest Adventures
Sounds great, but I know I can't afford it.
No problem. If you're a budget traveler or intend to become one, you probably know that your number-one ally in saving money is research. With time and effort, there's not much a tour can offer than you can't put together yourself. Get a few guidebooks, learn about the places you'd like to visit, map each day's walk to the next hostel or gite d'etape, and go. Relax each evening with a good book that will tell you more about the area you're visiting. And who knows, after you complete your own tour, you might interest tour companies in your savvy and find yourself inventing and leading a brand-new tour.
