Not Another Boring Bucket List
travel experiences Guaranteed to make your year even better 28
Put You to Sleep
Some people make resolutions. Some make goals. And some make bucket lists. We encourage you to make a bucket list this year that leaves “boring” so far behind that you can’t even see it in your rear-view mirror. It’s got travel. It’s got food. It’s got invigorating treks and unforgettable hotels.
Deb C. from Massachusetts basks in the natural splendor of Glacier National Park.
Make New Friends _and_ Celebrate Old Ones
For the last 45 years, Country Walkers has sent thousands of guests on active vacations. 98 percent of those guests want to recommend us to friends after they experience one of our awardwinning tours. We crowdsourced these bucket list ideas directly from our guests. The result? Everything you didn’t know you wanted to do this year. 1 2
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Meet new people in a new way. “My travel companions were a wonderful group, and I am grateful to have met each of them,” reflects Deb C. from Massachusetts about her guided walking adventure at Glacier National Park. “My sixth Country Walkers vacation did not disappoint!”
Let travel grow your circle of friends. Cathy M. and friends joined a guided walking tour in Provence as a 60th birthday celebration. They made new friends on that trip and a couple years later, they all went with Country Walkers to Ireland—where they made even more friends!
Celebrate friendship on the trail. “I have traveled extensively, but never on a guided tour,” says Penne S. from New Jersey. “This was a celebration of 50 years of friendship with my best friend. I spent decades as a backpacker and climber, but it’s been 15 years since I’ve been on the trail. Thanks to all of you for making our friendship trip perfect in every way.”
Cathy M. and friends bonding on the trail.
Change the Way You Travel
Carol M. from Colorado trekking the coast of Normandy and Brittany.
Walk your way to memories. “The spectacular scenery, hiking excursions, delicious French wine and cuisine, historic landmarks and, of course, the company all formed cherished memories,” Carol M. from Colorado shares of her recent trip to Normandy and Brittany.
4 countrywalkers.com / 877.797.4485
Let your next vacation be planned for you. “What an amazing trip to Peru!” exclaims Anne R. from Massachusetts. “I cannot say enough about the care and planning that went into making this a seamless and wonderful vacation. We never could have gotten this much out of the trip on our own.”
Learning about the ruins of ancient Greece with a Country Walkers guide from Rod W., California.
Get away from the tourists. “Exploring inland Greece, off the beaten track of the usual Greek tourism, proved a valuable experience, discovering the potent mix of history, mythology and legend, geology and culture—all woven together,” reminisces Rod W. of his sixth tour with Country Walkers. “The hikes were about perfect and added to the ability to engage the land that plays such an important part of Greek history.”
Try a vacation curation. “Breathtaking scenery, interesting insights into local and regional history and culture, extremely knowledgeable and attentive guides and a nice variety of accommodations, foods, and engaging walks,” sums up Kieth K. from Pennsylvania of his Scottish Highlands trip. “Every detail was well curated.”
Smiles in Scotland from Keith K., Pennsylviania.
Add a Pre- or Post-Trip Extension and stay a little longer. “We included the pre- and post-trip offerings to Innsbruck and Venice,” says Vernard B. of his Dolomites tour. “Innsbruck offered many museums and things to do along with being close for a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. Our stay in Venice allowed us to visit the many museums including Doge’s Palace and St. Jacob Basilica.”
What Kind of Walking Adventure Should I Try in 2025?
A completely subjective guide to choosing the walking tour that best fits you.
When you hear “group travel“ you think...
I’m so excited to meet new people! I’d rather just travel with people I know.
What excites you the most about a new destination?
What excites you the most about a new destination?
The food
Italy
Guided
Italy:Matera, Otranto & the Puglia Coast
The history
The food
France
Self-Guided
France: Provence & St. Rémy
Greece
Guided Greece: Athens, Delphi & Meteora
Exploring the landscape
Scotland
Guided Scotland: The Highlands
The history
Exploring the landscape
Portugal
Self-Guided
Portugal: Sintra & Rota Vicentina
Switzerland
Self-Guided
Switzerland: Zürich, Wengen & Zermatt
Peaceful Norwegian landscapes unfolded on every walk from Brett G, Michigan.
Let Croatia surprise you. “This was my first walking trip with Country Walkers, and my first time exploring the stunning Dalmatian Coast of Croatia,” says Deb H. of New York. “The country itself is incredibly beautiful, and the warmth and friendliness of the people made the experience even more special.”
Find Inspiration in the Heart of a Unique Destination
“I learned more Greek mythology on this trip than I did in all my years of formal education.” 10
Go outside the classroom to truly learn. “Sicily is visually stunning and steeped in ancient history,” recalls Ronni G. from Massachusetts.
Resting amongst the ruins during an invigorating walk in Greece from Winslow U., North Carolina.
Live like a local on the Amalfi coast.
“We felt like we were living life as a local on the trails and in the small villages we explored,” says Californian Jane S. “We hiked Path of the Gods and ate food hand-carried several miles and prepared for us by locals...food was delicious! We visited a paper mill and ceramic studio and were treated with demos and opportunities to be creative.”
Learn traditional dance in Greece.
“Country Walkers showed me that Greece is so much more than its remarkable ruins,” says Winslow U. of North Carolina. “The guides even gave us a dance lesson to Greek music performed on traditional instruments.” 14
Elevate your life in Norway. “We left Norway
having an appreciation of what life was (and is) when you live in a country that is mostly vertical,” remembers Brett G. of Michigan. “The scenery is frequently stunning, and just as frequently surprising. The apple orchards of Lofthus, for example, were intriguing in both the fjord-based microclimate that supports the fruit, and the government certification of the products produced in the region. Very special.”
Let your feet carry you to the heart of Portugal. “We walked vineyards, ancient Roman roads, part of Camino de Santiago, and even sailed in the Douro Valley,” says Kathy G. from Virginia. “From hills and vineyards, Moorish castles, medieval towns and the beautiful cities of Lisbon and Porto, this was a trip to remember.”
Stay at an agriresort in Puglia. “All of the hotels were lovely, but Masseria Muntibianchi was amazing,” says Amy S. of the farm-estateturned-resort. “The location, ambience, and accommodations all made for a relaxing place to return to after spending the day discovering this part of the country.” 15
This is Your Year to Discover aMAZEing Food
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Invite nature to lunch. “We hiked every day and many days we would stop mid-hike for lunch in idyllic places,” reminisces North Carolinian Sue L. of her trip to Olympic National Park. “At one of these picnics, deer came right to where we were sitting.”
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Share lunch on top of the world. While hiking through the Dolomites, Vern B. couldn’t get over the experience at mountaintop rifugi. “We were amazed at how great the food was in such a remote location, and the scenery we enjoyed while at them was simply amazing,” he says.
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Let new restaurants inspire you.
“Particularly the two restaurants our guides Claire and Marc chose—Cadran Solaire in Courmayeur and Le Monchu in Chamonix,” remembers Susan S. from South Carolina of her Mont Blanc hiking tour. “Excellent meals and ambience.”
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Break bread with the locals.
“Lunch served by the women of a small village in a lovely establishment, lunch at the home of a local wine maker, and lunch at the home of the man who created and heads the blood orange growers’ association—no small feat in Sicily,” remembers Matthew B.
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Try a new food that makes you squirm a little. “I even tried, and liked, haggis,” admits Lisa C. of her Scottish Highlands experience.
Help the Country Walkers guest get to her return flight home. Stop to learn about some unique mealtime experiences along the way.
Go Beyond the Tourist Path with a Local Guide
Let unexpected people be the gateway to new experiences. “We couldn’t have asked for more professional and convivial guides in Rob and Gillian (also our driver Augie—in all his sartorial splendor!),” says Oregonian John E. of his Scottish Highlands tour. “Their expert knowledge of the area, particularly the historical meaning of the region, as well as its environmental uniqueness, provided an unforgettable experience.”
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Become part of the family. “Infinitely enjoyable to walk with two very competent leaders,” remembers Rozelle O. of her trip to Ireland. “All our questions were answered with patience and a smile. We felt like part of the family.”
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Have your “cousin“ show you around.
“Exploring the fjords with Heidi and Helen was like having a cousin there to show you around her favorite places and secret treasure hikes,” says Kentuckian Vanessa D. of her trip to Norway. “Never felt we were ‘tourists’ as we avoided tourist spots, felt more like explorers.”
Off into the woodlands of Ireland from Rozelle O. California.
Hang loose in Norway from Vanessa D., Kentucky.
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Walk with an encyclopedia. “Our guides, Sergio and Jorge, had encyclopedic knowledge of the Inca culture and the archaeology of Machu Picchu,” says Angie K. of her trip to Peru. “They were attentive to the safety and pace of each participant. It was a breathtakingly beautiful experience. It was one of my best adventures ever.”
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Learn more about the world. While exploring the Dolomites, Gregory L. got a deeper appreciation for all facets of his destination, thanks to the complimentary passions of his two trip leaders. “Alex liked food, art, culture and history,” the Minnesota native tells us.
“Keegan was a scientist. They were super knowledgeable about the history, culture and geology of the Dolomites.”
Explore Paths That Will Inspire Your Mind and Spirit
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Hike a living volcano.
Matthew B. from Connecticut says his Sicily tour was the best of the ten Country Walkers trips he’s done. “It included two days of trekking in each different terrain—lava, limestone, and sandstone. Hiking Mount Etna, a living volcano, was a unique experience.”
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Discover new hikes that will spark wonderment. “I especially enjoyed our trek up—and down, down, down the Devil’s Staircase,” says Lisa C. from Connecticut of her tour in Scotland.
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Let the diversity of trails inspire you. “The walks were a nice combination of hills and flat, through fields, forests, and paddocks with sheep, cows, and even horses who seemed very happy to see us,” remembers solo traveler Elizabath P. of her guided Cotswolds tour.
2025 bucket list
I want to see
Make Your Own Bucket List
Feeling inspired? We hope so! Use this template to create your dream bucket list for 2025 (and beyond). Rip out the page, stick it to the fridge, near your computer, or someplace where you will see it often.
Let the adventures begin.
Share an experience with
Hear the sound of
Travel to
Do more
Do less
Savor the flavors of
I want to try
I want to try (even though it scares me)
I want to create
Read
Listen to
Watch
I want to visit
Enjoy Relaxing Walks on our Easy Tours
Gentle routes with just the right amount of invigoration.
Lithuania & Latvia: Vilnius to Riga Guided Tour
Grassy paths, level dirt roads, boardwalks, and cobbled streets lead through old-world villages, forests, and farmland. See page 34.
Canada: Nova Scotia & Cape Breton Island Self-Guided Tour
Features spectacular coastal walking trails with low mileage—and a wealth of quaint villages and lively musical venues along the way. See page 37.
England: Bath & the Cotswolds Guided Tour
While strolling through iconic sandstone villages, you may stop to discover local shops or linger over a traditional English cream tea. See page 22.
Italy: Tuscany & Umbria Guided Tour
Enjoy guided tours of Assisi and Siena, lunch at the home of olive oil and wine producers, and dinner with views of Roman ruins. See page 25.
Portugal: Minho & the Douro Valley Guided Tour
Stroll along quiet trails and country lanes as you tread portions of the Way of St. James on this splendid walking adventure. See page 32.
UK & IRELAND
Add an Air Package with flights, hotels, and airport pick-up to any international vacation.
SELF-GUIDED
IRELAND
Cork & Kerry
Tour Only: 7 days from $3,995 Air Package: 10 days from $4,995 Walking Rating: Easy/Moderate Daily Mileage: 4-9 miles
all UK & Ireland tours
Get Your Miles in on a Challenging Tour!
For those challenge seekers, look no further than this selection of tours that offer invigorating hikes and walks.
Montana: Glacier National Park Guided Tour
Hike switchbacks and singletracks through wildflowervalleys and past glaciers and waterfalls, while surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. See page 36.
Italy: Genoa & the Cinque Terre Self-Guided Tour
Discover this outdoor Stairmaster that rewards you with breathtaking coastlines and pastel-hued villages. See page 26.
France, Italy & Switzerland:
The Mont Blanc Circuit Guided Tour
Skirt the slopes of Western Europe’s highest peak with inn-to-inn hiking and an average of seven hours a day on the trail. See page 29.
Utah: Bryce & Zion Canyons Guided Tour
Test yourself with hiking the switchbacks of Walter's Wiggles, sloshing through the Narrows, and at high altitude in Bryce. See page 37.
Italy: The Dolomites Guided Tour
Four to six hours of hiking each day along rugged trails that trace verdant valleys and rocky ridges through this iconic mountain range. See page 27.
an Air Package with flights, hotels, and airport pick-up to any international vacation.
Book for only a $150 deposit per person
From now until February 20th, you can reserve your spot at a reduced rate—with no further financial commitment until 90 days before your departure.
Tour
Tour Only: 7 days from $6,445
Air Package: 10 days from $7,545
Walking Rating: Moderate/Challenging
Mileage: 4-6 miles
Tour Only: 7 days from $4,645
Air Package: 10 days from $5,795
Walking Rating: Easy/Moderate
Tour Only: 7 days from $6,245
Air Package: 10 days from $7,295
Walking Rating: Easy/Moderate
Add These Historic Showstoppers to Your Bucket List
Walking tours can lead you into the past—to the world’s grandest historic sites— and allow you to experience the echos of history and legend.
France: Normandy & Brittany Guided Tour
Walk scenic coastal landscapes immortalized by French Impressionists and important D-day beaches where World War II history was made. See page 29.
Scotland: The Highlands Guided Tour
Meander winding roads past medieval castles that were once home to the mighty kings who dominated Scotland’s ancient past. See page 23.
Italy: Sicily Guided Tour
Explore ancient Greek theaters and forums and discover Bronze Age cliff tombs on spectacular hikes. See page 26.
FRANCE
Add an Air Package with flights, hotels, and airport pick-up to any international vacation.
Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley Guided Tour
Nowhere is history more present than in the Andes Mountains, where monuments like Machu Pichu have fascinated historians and archaeologists for centuries. See page 39.
England: The Cotswolds Self-Guided Tour
Explore the enchanting grounds of the beautifully preserved Sudeley
Castle & Gardens, resting place of Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. See page 22.
Tour Only: 7 days from $5,945
Air Package: 10 days from $7,645
Walking Rating: Easy/Moderate Daily Mileage: 3-5 miles
Tour Only: 9 days from $5,845
Air Package: 12 days from $7,445
Walking Rating: Moderate/Challenging
Tour Only: 7 days from $3,745 Air Package: 10 days from $4,995 Walking Rating: Easy/Moderate
Sip and Stroll Your Way
Through these Notable Regions
How do you make a day of walking even better? That après-trail glass.
Italy: Sicily Guided Tour
There'll be ample opportunities to sample the wines of the Nero d’Avola of Caltagirone and to witness an emerging viniculture on Mt. Etna’s slopes. It’s all in a day’s walk in Sicily. See page 26.
Portugal: Minho & the Douro Valley Guided Tour
Portugal’s renowned reds, whites and ports take center stage during hikes along the Douro River and the impossibly scenic sloped vineyards of one of Europe’s most beloved wine-growing regions. See page 32.
Scotland: The Scottish Highlands & Cairngorms National Park Self-Guided Tour
Discover Scotland, land of Scotch whiskey, and experience whiskey tastings in unique local distilleries—including Balvenie and Glenfiddich. See page 23.
Italy: Tuscany & Umbria Guided Tour
In the heart of Italy, you’ll pair breathtaking walks among gentle hills and Renaissance treasures with the Montepulciano, Brunello and Sangiovese wines that made these regions famous. See page 25.
England: The Cornwall Coast
Self-Guided Tour
Savor carefully crafted Cornish gin and tonics and wonderful waterfront vistas at a trio of seaside boutique hotels. See page 22.
See all spain & portugal tours
Add an Air Package with flights, hotels, and airport pick-up to any international vacation.
Tour
Tour
Tour
Tour
Take the World's Most Famous Trails
These trails and walkways belong on every rambler’s bucket list.
Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley Guided Tour
Browse bustling Andean markets and follow ancient pathways—and part of the famed Inca Trail—to Machu Picchu and other renowned sites. See page 39.
Italy: Pompeii, Capri & the Amalfi Coast Guided Tour
Walk in the paths of gods and emperors in this impossibly scenic corner of Italy, where dramatic cliffs and pastel-hued villages spill into the legendary Tyrrhenian Sea. See page 26.
Portugal: Sintra & Rota Vicentina Self-Guided Tour
Stroll Portugal’s breathtaking Atlantic Coast, from the wooded slopes crowned by the fairytale Pena Palace to the spectacular oceanside cliffs of the Vicentine Coast. See page 32.
France, Italy & Switzerland: The Mont Blanc Circuit Guided Tour
Skirt the slopes of Western Europe’s highest peak, hiking three countries and indulging in haute culture and hearty alpine cuisine amidst breath-taking vistas. See page 29.
England: The Cornwall Coast Self-Guided Tour
Follow pristine grassy bluffs, rock-strewn shores and sandy beaches along the legendary Cornish Coast, exploring charming seaside villages and the tidal island of St. Michael’s Mount along the way. See page 22.
FARAWAY ESCAPES
Add an Air Package with flights, hotels, and airport pick-up to any international vacation.
Our Sister Company
Perfect Balance
Enjoy the most well-rounded vacation there is, with the ideal combination of invigorating exertion, offthe-bike exploration, and expert support. Choose to bike hard one day and take it slow the next.
Ultimate Flexibility
It’s your vacation. You’re in control. Choose your bike and your pace. Need a lift? A support vehicle is always nearby. Prefer to spend a day poolside? Grab a towel. It’s all up to you.
A Rich, Robust Vacation
Cycle spectacular routes. Savor stellar local cuisine. Enjoy superb accommodations. Gain exclusive insider access to local sites. All at a price that’s friendly to your travel budget.
Expert Care
From the moment you reserve, VBT handles every last detail. Trip planning? Covered. Flights and hotels? Check. Bikes, equipment, meals, snacks for the road, shuttles? Well, you get the point.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, world-class biking adventures await with our sister company, VBT Bicycling Vacations. We share our Vermont offices with them, which makes it easy to also share our organic approach to creating unrivalled experiences that truly connect you to local cultures. Join them for the bike ride of a lifetime.
We handle your
travel
to-do list. All of it.
Air Packages
Reserve your entire journey with just one phone call. Thanks to our long-standing relationships with airlines, hotels, and car services the world over, we can seamlessly arrange all the details of your travel—and at advantageous prices, too. Our air contracts give you flexibility to modify your international air arrangements until shortly before your departure. Pre- and post-trip accommodations in well-situated hotels provide a soft landing in your destination—with included breakfasts. And our airport car service makes arriving at your destination a breeze.
Trip Extensions
Stay longer. Explore more. Repeat as necessary.
There’s no limit to your discoveries when you stay longer in a world-class city. Take this extra time to explore on your own, with travel plans woven seamlessly into the beginning or end of your Guided Adventure (available in conjunction with the Air Package). You’ll be free to follow your own whims and take in as much or as little as you’d like. We’ll set you up in a hotel perfectly situated so you can take advantage of the area’s highlights, and we’ll suggest things to see and do.
Self-Guided Air Packages
Let our air team manage your flight plans.
Our Self-Guided Walking Vacations are designed to give you flexibility, so you’ll need a flexible travel option. Customize your travel plans by adjusting your flights up to three days before or after your tour without any change in price—with the option of adding an additional hotel night on either end. All tours are designed to let you easily reach the tour’s starting point by public transportation.
Custom Air Packages
Tailor-made air to suit your most ambitious plans.
Fly your way with our customized air packages. Select your preferred airline, departure city, time, and route. Splurge with an upgrade, and request premium economy or business-class options. Opt to stay longer or arrive earlier in your destination by selecting flight dates up to 30 days before or after your tour Additional costs may apply.
Croatia: Brač, Korčula & Mljet National Park
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
England: The Cornwall Coast
England: The Cotswolds
France: Normandy & Brittany
France: Provence & St. Rémy
France, Italy & Switzerland: The Mont Blanc Circuit
Greece: Athens, Delphi & Meteora
Ireland: Cork & Kerry
Ireland: County Clare, Killarney & Dingle
Italy: The Dolomites
Italy: Genoa & the Cinque Terre
Italy: Matera, Otranto & the Puglia Coast
Italy: Pompeii, Capri & the Amalfi Coast
Italy: Sicily
Italy: Tuscany & Umbria
Lithuania & Latvia: Vilnius to Riga
Norway: Bergen & the Fjords
Portugal: Minho & the Douro Valley
Portugal: Sintra & Rota Vicentina
Scotland: The Highlands
Scotland: The Scottish Highlands & Cairngorms National Park
Spain: Balearic Islands, Mallorca & Deià
New! Spain: Landscapes from the Camino de Santiago
New! Switzerland: Zürich, Lucerne & the Alps
Switzerland: Zürich, Wengen & Zermatt
NORTH AMERICA
Canada: Banff, Yoho & the Canadian Rockies
Canada: Nova Scotia & Cape Breton Island
Maine: Acadia National Park
Maine: Portland, Camden & Acadia National Park
Montana: Glacier National Park
Utah: Bryce & Zion Canyons
Vermont: Fall Foliage
Washington: Olympic Peninsula
FURTHER AFIELD
New Zealand: The South Island
Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
Reserve your spot with just a $150 deposit per person!
