Locally Guided Walks
No one knows their hometown like a local. Whether their roots run deep, they’ve married ‘into the family’, or they simply call the place home, locals hold the key to unlocking its hidden treasures. Our walking tours are not designed to simply scratch the surface; they aim to educate, inspire, and immerse you in the story of each site, its people, and their culture.
From unraveling the origins of how gladiators got their name, to delving into why the Moors used calligraphy as an art form, or uncovering how a duo of judges toppled the Sicilian mafia, our guides are passionate storytellers with a wealth of knowledge and a knack for making history come alive.
If you join us for a morning walking tour through the streets of Seville, Rome, or Dublin, your time with our guide will lay the foundation for an afternoon of independent exploration. Should you choose one of our full day, ‘Your Choice’ experiences you will find our walking tours, combined with visits to local sights, will encompass insider insights and off-the-beaten path experiences which make your day unique.
As we stroll through cobblestone lanes and bustling marketplaces, you will learn that a walking tour with a local isn’t about sightseeing; it’s about gaining a personal perspective and discovering the true essence of our destination. So, slip on your walking shoes and let us lead you on a journey like a local.
Here are some examples should you wish to walk with us.
The Amalfi coast and the lemon walk
Italy with Sicily and Malta: Echoes of the Empires
A magnet for ‘privileged’ visitors the Amalfi coast is a modern-day mecca for the rich and famous. We search for signs of previous imperial guests and conquering entrepreneurs, both private and political, amongst the streets, alleys and sun-umbrellaed waterfronts of its colorful villages and shop fronted towns as we tour the Amalfi. Driving its coastal roads, we cannot help but wonder about its acres of steep terraced lemon groves. This much maligned fruit has for centuries been at the center of all things in towns like Ravello, Sorrento and Positano. We join a local expert as they tell the ‘sweet’ story of the lemon and its place in every Italians heart. Sipped as an aperitif, sales of Limoncello are second only to Campari in Italy. Our guide entertains us with mythical legends and tales of intrigue and of course our stroll through the lemon groves is rewarded with a tasting of Limoncello, making this the perfect Amalfi experience.
Roaming Rome
Italy with Sicily and Malta: Echoes of the Empires & The ‘Rivieras’: A Mediterranean masterpiece
Lace up your walking shoes, slip on a hat and slap on sunscreen to join this comprehensive locally guided tour. Established in an era when few Romans owned transportation, the center of historic Rome is perfect for walking. With every square foot offering a fascinating fact, the list of sites we experience is limitless. Architectural highlights include the chariot stadium of Circus Maximus, the underground excavations of Nero’s golden house and ancient sites such as the Colosseum, the Forum, Trajan’s column, the Arch of Constantine and the engineering marvel; the Pantheon. Artistic gems and political sites include the Trevi fountain, the Piazza Venezia, Vittoria Emanuelle 11 Monument, Spanish Steps, via Condotti and the Piazza Navona, along with the plethora of ‘souvenirs’ housed in the Capitoline Museum with its artworks, statues and oddities collected from across the city. Each site tells a story as we take time to witness its place in the past with our expert guides.
Wandering the medina of Marrakech
Spain and Morocco: Moor than a Myth
After breakfast we meet our born-and-bred Moroccan guides whose passion for their homeland is infectious.
This morning, we explore the city’s main attractions including the Almohad wonders of the Koutoubia Mosque, the geometric zellij (mosaics) and intricate cedarwood of the former Koranic school Ben Youssef Medersa and one of Marrakech’s oldest surviving buildings – the mausoleum of Almoravid Koubba. We discover bustling souks, walk through a maze of laneways and covered markets bursting with energy, and stop by the Spice Square where everything from herbs, spices, snakeskins, and chameleons have been sold for centuries. No day in Marrakech is complete without a visit to fabled Djemâa el Fna Square. We immerse ourselves in the captivating energy of this mythical square, one of the world’s great spectacles, where for centuries locals have gathered to watch storytellers, magicians, and performers.