VBT | Country Walkers has announced a collection of new walking, cycling and Discovery tours debuting in 2027, expanding its portfolio of immersive travel experiences across six continents. The new itineraries emphasize active exploration, authentic cultural immersion, meaningful local connections, and insider access to the people, traditions and landscapes that define a destination.
Highlights include new journeys through Japan, Morocco, Indonesia, Patagonia, Colombia, Australia, India and beyond, featuring experiences, such as home-hosted meals, artisan workshops, wildlife encounters, conservation-focusesd activities, and expert local guides.
“Our latest tours reflect the evolution of how many travelers want to explore today,” said Timo Shaw, President of VBT | Country Walkers. “Guests still want to be active and engaged, but they also want meaningful access to local traditions, cuisine, landscapes, and people. These journeys stimulate both heart and mind through exclusive experiences that feel authentic and inspiring.”
NEW FOR 2027: DISCOVERY TOURS
VBT | Country Walker’s newest travel style, Discovery combines enriching local encounters, expert Trip Leaders, seamless Tour + Travel Packages, and thoughtfully paced itineraries that prioritize cultural depth, flexibility, and authentic connection.
Indonesia Discovery Tour with Bali & Komodo Cruise
Can’t choose between an Indonesian beach vacation and a cruise? This unique Discovery adventure delivers both.
- Relax and become enchanted at a luxurious Bali resort upon arrival, then venture inland to discover the temples of Ubud before boarding a charming wooden pinisi ship for a fascinating eight-night cruise.
- Snorkel through vibrant coral reefs, swim with gentle whale sharks, and kayak in the crater lake of an extinct volcano, while a Indonesian Trip Leader brings guests to seaside villages to meet the locals, spot Komodo dragons, and explore pink sand beaches.
Japan Discovery Tour from Tokyo to Kyoto
On this remarkable Japan Discovery adventure, the sights of Tokyo and Kyoto are juxtaposed with the Japanese countryside most travelers never see.
- In the spa town of Awara, experience traditional Japanese hot spring baths, travel through rice paddy fields to visit a local chef who demonstrates how to make soba noodles, and venture into the mountains to discover the ancient Eiheiji Temple.
- In the company of a Japanese Trip Leader, learn the subtle art of calligraphy in Tokyo, visit the minka village at Shirakawa-mura, and explore the Nomura-ke samurai house in Kanazawa.
Morocco Discovery Tour with Fès, Marrakech & the Sahara
Take a deep dive into the many facets of Moroccan culture, exploring the medinas and mosaics of four imperial cities with a Moroccan Trip Leader.
- Join a local family for a traditional tea ceremony in their home and visit a neighborhood women’s collective to learn how to prepare traditional Berber dishes.
- Explore the stunning sands of the Sahara Desert during a stay in a luxurious tent oasis and where the haunting notes of traditional Berber music set the mood for a starlit alfresco dinner.
Türkiye Discovery Tour with the Turquoise Coast & Cappadocia
Discover Türkiye’s famous Turquoise Coast, with the fascinating coastal city of Izmir as homebase.
- Perched perfectly on the crystal-clear Aegean Sea, Izmir is the perfect spot to discover the ancient site of Ephesus, the historic archeologic site at Troy, and the riveting village of Urla.
- Stay at private boutique hotels that showcase the true character of the region, including a remarkable 5-star hotel in Cappadocia that is built right into the caves overlooking the region’s magnificent fairy chimneys.
Tahiti Discovery Tour Cruise with Bora Bora & Moorea
In partnership with Windstar Cruises, indulge in seven nights on a nimble sailing yacht which glides into smaller harbors the larger cruise ships can’t reach.
- Join a Tahitian Trip Leader on the island of Mo’orea where a local friend hosts a cooking class in her tropical garden, then snorkel with sharks and manta rays and visit a pearl farm where guests can dive for their own pearl.
- Learn about conservation efforts in the region during a visit to a coral garden and visit a sea turtle rescue where guests swim with these gentle giants.
Australia Discovery Tour with Uluru & the Great Barrier Reef
Few Australia vacations focus on cross-cultural discovery with an eco-friendly twist, making this adventure a rare gem.
- Cruise the Great Barrier Reef on a sailing catamaran, preserving the fragile ecosystem as a local marine biologist guides the discovery. Visit a First Nations artist enclave to learn the fine art of traditional dot painting.
- Explore the Daintree rainforest with a local First Nation’s guide and enjoy a traditional bush tucker lunch, then visit Sydney’s iconic Opera House, and explore Bondi Beach and its century-old surf lifesaver’s culture.
Colombia Discovery Tour to Medellín & the Cocora Valley
Dive deep into Colombian agriculture and traditions with a local Trip Leader on this eco-friendly adventure.
- Visit a cacao plantation to discover the aromatic beans used in fine quality chocolate and journey to a coffee plantation and take part in a coffee cupping workshop.
- Visit an orchid farm and take in the vibrant array of spectacular blooms, and explore Medellín, known for its sustainable “green corridor” network of gardens that keeps the city cool.
Egypt Discovery Tour to Cairo, Luxor & the Nile
Experience the architectural wonders of Egypt the way they’re meant to be seen: without the crowds and led by a trained Egyptologist.
- This Nile River adventure includes a traditional Egyptian dahbiya rather than a cruise ship, offering a flexible timetable, so guests can explore fascinating archeological sites at sunrise and sunset when the crowds are at their thinnest.
- Meet a camel merchant and his animal companions, visit a family’s home to enjoy fresh bread baked in their wood-fired oven, and ride a tuk-tuk to an outdoor market known only to locals.
India Discovery Tour to Jaipur, Udaipur & Agra
Go beyond the main attractions of India on this unique adventure led by a local Indian trip leader, journeying from the blue city of Jodhpur to Ranthambore National Park.
- Ride through the golden sands of the Thar desert, returning to a delightful oasis for an evening of traditional music and dance beneath the stars. Explore the brilliant blue city of Jodhpur, and practice yoga with an Indian yogi.
- Search for the thrilling orange streak of tigers against the lush green of the forest — and visit a non-profit organization helping protect them, and visit the pink city of Jaipur to meet a local businesswoman and ride in her tuk-tuk.
Patagonia Discovery Tour with Torres del Paine
This adventure contrasts sophisticated cities with the wild, untamed beauty of Patagonia.
- Starting in Buenos Aires, uncover vibrant art, exquisite Michelin-starred restaurants, and lively milongas, and set out for the splendor of Patagonia’s soaring peaks and turquoise lakes.
- Among Argentina’s windswept steppes, meet local gauchos and enjoy an authentic lunch at their estancia, explore the prehistoric Midolon Caves, and take a hands-on pottery workshop at a local artisan’s studio before exploring alluring Santiago.
NEW FOR 2027: WALKING VACATIONS
VBT | Country Walkers delivers exclusive small-group adventures off the beaten path. Traveling on foot with local leaders frees guests to experience life in new and delightful ways.
Azores Walking Tour on São Miguel Island
On Portugal’s lush volcanic island of São Miguel, follow scenic footpaths past crater lakes, waterfalls, tea plantations, and dramatic Atlantic coastlines.
- Guests gain exclusive access to thermal pools at Terra Nostra Park, explore the geothermal wonders of Furnas, and walk beside the twin blue-and-green lakes of Sete Cidades, one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders.
- Cultural immersion comes alive through a hands-on cooking experience in a local chef’s home, garden-to-table island cuisine, and tastings of volcanic-inspired cheeses and artisan chocolates shaped by the island’s fertile terrain.
Poland & Slovakia Walking Tour through the Tatras
This alpine walking journey pairs breathtaking mountain scenery with centuries-old Central European traditions.
- Guests hike forest and meadow trails beneath the dramatic peaks of the High Tatras, discover UNESCO-listed Banská Štiavnica and its rich mining heritage, and immerse themselves in authentic Goral Highland culture through music, artisan foods, and village life.
- Experiences include sharing a home-hosted lunch in the Polish countryside while learning to prepare traditional pierogies and regional flatbreads, relaxing in boutique mountain hotels with spa amenities, and walking to glacial lakes and panoramic viewpoints that reveal the Tatras at their most spectacular.
NEW FOR 2027: BICYCLING VACATIONS
Exploring the world on two wheels with VBT | Country Walkers lets guests experience their surroundings on a deeper level, with friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts around every bend in the road.
Northern Ireland Bike Tour
Pedal through rolling emerald hills, dramatic Atlantic coastlines, and storybook villages while tracing the cultural heartbeat of Northern Ireland.
- Walk the wave-splashed basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway, sip whiskey straight from the source at Old Bushmills Distillery, cycle beneath the haunting beech tunnels of the “Dark Hedges,” and watch master artisans hand-paint porcelain at Belleek Pottery.
- Along the way, guests experience the warmth of Irish hospitality through lively pubs, traditional music sessions, and relaxed village encounters across Derry, Donegal, and the Fermanagh Lakelands.
Texas Bike Tour through San Antonio & the Hill Country
On this Lone Star State experience, discover a landscape where German heritage, cowboy culture, music, vineyards, and wildflower-lined roads converge.
- Riders explore the UNESCO-listed San Antonio Missions, visit the legendary Alamo, and cycle rolling ranchlands dotted with wineries and historic dance halls.
- Experiences range from tasting Hill Country varietals and savoring Texas barbecue on a working ranch to hiking Enchanted Rock and spending evenings in Fredericksburg, where live music and front-porch hospitality embody the spirit of the Lone Star State.
Japan Bike Tour through Shikoku & the Shimanami Kaido
Combining serene cycling with deeply rooted Japanese traditions, this immersive journey traverses the islands of Honshu and Shikoku via quiet mountain roads, pilgrimage routes, and seaside villages.
- Guests receive a cyclist’s blessing cloth at a Shinto shrine, craft delicate washi paper by hand, participate in a tea ceremony with a Buddhist monk, and stay in traditional inns and luxury ryokan with restorative hot spring baths.
- One of the journey’s most memorable evenings features a private dinner with geisha, offering rare insight into one of Japan’s most refined cultural traditions.
For more than 50 years, VBT | Country Walkers have been providing active, experiential, and stunning travel experiences throughout the world. From their home base in Williston, VT, the company’s adventures and insider access bring the beating heart of a destination to life with well-crafted itineraries for walking and biking vacations. A range of guided and self-guided options highlight local cuisine, authentic accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences. VBT | Country Walkers is recognized as a leading provider of active vacations worldwide, having garnered countless awards including National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime,” AFAR’s “Traveler’s Choice” Awards, and Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards. For more information, visit vbt.com.
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