Country Walkers

Based in Williston, Vermont, Country Walkers has established itself as a specialized tour operator with a history stretching back to 1979. This travel agency focuses intently on providing immersive travel experiences centered around walking, hiking, and active engagement with destinations across the globe. Their portfolio of trips spans multiple continents, including North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, catering to travelers who prefer to discover a place on foot rather than from behind a bus window.

The On-the-Ground Experience: Strengths and Highlights

Repeatedly, feedback from travelers highlights the exceptional quality of the tours themselves. The core product—the experience of walking through stunning landscapes with expert guidance—is where Country Walkers consistently seems to excel. Customers have praised their journeys, such as a tour of the Cotswolds and Bath, as amazing and exhilarating. This positive sentiment is often directed at the quality of the local guides, who are described as knowledgeable, passionate, and amazing, significantly enhancing the overall trip.

The company offers a diverse range of vacation packages to suit different travel styles:

• Guided Walking Tours: These are their flagship offering, featuring small group tours that typically average between 10 to 14 people. This ensures personalized attention and fosters a sense of camaraderie among travelers.
• Self-Guided Tours: For those who prefer more independence, self-guided options provide the logistical framework (accommodations, route notes) without a dedicated guide, allowing for travel at one's own pace.
• Private Tours: The agency also provides the ability to arrange private and customized itineraries for a more exclusive experience.

A strong emphasis is placed on cultural immersion. Itineraries are designed to go beyond simple sightseeing, often including stays in locally-owned inns and meals at authentic restaurants, which travelers have noted as being "top notch." This focus on authentic experiences is a significant draw for those looking for genuine active travel.

Administrative and Back-Office Concerns

While the field operations appear to be a clear strength, some customers have raised significant concerns regarding the company's administrative functions. A key point of friction appears to have emerged following the company's acquisition. Xanterra Travel Collection now owns Country Walkers, operating it as a division of its sister company, VBT Bicycling Vacations. Some long-time customers have reported a noticeable decline in the home office's performance since this change.

Specific issues that potential clients should be aware of include:

• Flight Arrangements: There are explicit warnings from past travelers about the travel packages that include airfare. One repeat customer described the flights arranged by the agency as "horrible" and strongly advised against booking flight-inclusive tours.
• Customer Service and Accounting: Reports of poor customer service and accounting discrepancies are a notable red flag. One traveler detailed being overcharged and facing difficulty in getting a transparent, line-by-line accounting of the costs, with the company allegedly just subtracting payments from an inflated total.
• Logistical Details: Even minor administrative tasks have shown signs of weakness, such as issues with managing mailing lists, where one individual reported receiving catalogs for a stranger multiple times despite requests to update the information.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

For a potential customer, the decision to book with Country Walkers involves a clear trade-off. The on-the-ground experience, from the walking tours themselves to the guides and accommodations, receives high marks and appears to deliver a premium adventure travel product. The company has a long-standing reputation for crafting excellent itineraries that allow for deep cultural immersion.

However, the journey to get to that point may be fraught with administrative challenges. The booking process and subsequent interactions with the home office require careful attention from the consumer. It would be prudent for travelers to double-check all invoices, be cautious when bundling services like airfare, and be prepared to be proactive in their communication with the company. For those who value a seamless administrative experience as much as the trip itself, the reported issues in customer service and billing could be a significant deterrent. Ultimately, Country Walkers seems to offer a fantastic travel experience, provided you can navigate a potentially flawed back-office system.