Tour Guides and France make the Best of Friends

Not perfectly comfortable environment, in a different country, with a different language, and travelling alone, Candice Walsh found a comforting way to experience the wonders of France through Context Travel. Candice Walsh got to enjoy the business trip of a lifetime after concern by the small tours found on Context Travel led by experts as she states in . Thanks to a "bit of a gamble," Candice Walsh met her guide Lily, who helped her experience the best of the best and feel safe at the same time while in France.


However, disaster kept thwarting me at every corner. 1) I don’t speak French. 2) My hotel was outside the city boundaries, near the Charles du Gaulle airport, where absolutely no tour operators would venture. 3) I only had one evening to explore. 4) I was a young lady traveling alone. Running out of options, I Googled “private tour guides”, and stumbled upon Context Travel: walking tours for the intellectually curious.


After speaking English at an excruciatingly slow pace for two weeks, I was incredibly relieved for a normal flow of conversation. Since it was my first time in Paris, I asked Lily to show me all the major highlights. The fact that this tour was completely customizable was the highlight of my trip: we crammed a great deal of walking and sightseeing into five hours.


We wandered into the Notre Dame, gaping open-mouthed at flying buttresses and columns and gothic stained-glass windows. I saw the Place de la Bastille, the Pantheon, St Germain des Pres with its ancient tower, the Grand Palais, and the Louvre. And yet, we still had time to discover the Italian district, browse a Canadian bookstore, read poetry painted on a building, and skip into Gelati Alberto for my first gelato experience shaped like a flower (Lily insisted it was the best, and she has great taste).


Our last stop was the Eiffel Tower. Lily took me to a spot along the Seine where I had a clear view, and then she told me to wait.

When the Tower began twinkling, I nearly toppled headfirst into the water. The view of the monstrous structure was impressive enough, but I had absolutely no idea that it twinkled for five minutes every hour.


Without Lily’s expert knowledge of the city and her ability to speak two languages, I would never have enjoyed Paris as much as I did. When the evening was over, she ensured I safely found a cab, kissed me on both cheeks, and told me to keep in touch. I left Paris richer, with one new friend.

Walk your way around the world

Looking to see the world but not interested in taking crowded trains or buses? Well then I might have found the perfect website for you. I came across Country Walkers in a Best in Travel list in the Travel Smith catalog and I had to let others know about this alternative travel deal! Below is a blurb about who they are and what they offer:

Country Walkers, a premier walking tour company, offers unsurpassed walking tours and hiking vacations around the globe. With exceptional local guides, distinct, breathtaking regions, sumptuous cuisine, and authentic accommodations, Country Walkers proves that walking is the best way to explore the world.

From the lush green hills of Ireland to the vast wine country of Tuscany, our European walking tours promise an enriching journey by foot. Traverse the breathtaking terrain and immerse yourself in the culture and culinary delights of New Zealand, Bhutan, Morocco, Peru, Vermont, Nova Scotia, Alaska, and many more exciting locations. On our Family Adventures, each hiking vacation discovery becomes a cherished family memory in the making. Our woman's walking tours are for our female travelers who enjoy the companionship and spirit of women with enthusiasm for active travel.

Whether on an invigorating hike through a national forest or a leisurely stroll in a quaint, historic village, our walking tours and hiking vacations will enliven the senses and soothe the soul. As a walking tour company, we interweave health, adventure, culture, and awe-inspiring vistas in a single hiking vacation trip and walking tour, which is why so many of our guests are Country Walkers repeat travelers. So join us for your next walking tour adventure in travel and explore the world one step at a time.

To read on please visit their website!