5 Ways to best experience a walking tour

There is no “proper” way to go about enjoying a walking tour. You’re on vacation after all, so definitely don’t go over-thinking it. There are, however, a few things we’ve learned that we’d like to share to encourage you to get the most out of a walking tour. Here are the top 5:

1. Take lots of pictures
No you don’t want to let your camera get in the way of a great experience, but don’t you want to be able to share your experience with family and friends who couldn’t make it? Whether you have a digital camera, smartphone, or something a little more classic, don’t be shy and be sure to snap away. How better to remember all the great things you will see?

2. Don’t be afraid to get social
If you’re walking with a smartphone, don’t be afraid to post those pictures that you’ve taken and share them on social networks for your friends and family to see in real time. Checking in to various locales on programs such as Foursquare is also a great way to find out what people who’ve visited before you have to say.
Of course, don’t be afraid to get social in the traditional sense too; interact with your fellow tour goers and your guide. Walking tours are a great way to meet new people. Of course, make sure you respect when your guide is speaking and try not to to distract others 🙂

3. Ask Questions
Although walking tours are typically not too fast-paced, it may happen that your guide says something that you didn’t fully hear. Ask a question! You don’t want to end the day wondering if you missed something. The guide can be as important to your experience as the sights that you see, so make sure you give yourself the opportunity to hear all that he or she has to contribute. The same goes if you don’t understand something that your guide says. Our attention is often all over the place, especially in a completely new city, so don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if needed. Remember, you may not be the only one who didn’t hear or understand something, so it never hurts to ask.

4. Come prepared
Do all those standard things such as making sure you wear good shoes, dress for the weather (make sure to check the forecast on the day of), and bring a reusable water bottle if necessary. Yes, do these things, but also make sure to be ready to learn some (put your listening ears on), and most importantly, be prepared to meet new people and of course…

5. Have fun!
Walking tours are the best way to see a new city, so be sure to have fun while taking part in one. Your tour guide is there because he or she is passionate about the city and sharing it with you and your fellow tour goers, who are there for the same reasons as you, so it shouldn’t be too hard to have fun.