In the old days, a traditional tour involved big groups in climate-controlled buses rolling along while the tour guide explained the significance of what you were seeing as you go by. These days, travelers are looking for something more and many turn to walking tours as a way to get more exercise, get closer to the local culture, and really experience the environment in which they are traveling.
Walking tours give travelers the unique opportunity to experience a place in a more intimate way rather than whizzing by with your nose pressed against the glass. As with other forms of slow travel, walking is also a great way to reduce the environmental impact where you travel. If you usually gather a few extra pounds of weight on your vacations, a walking tour is the perfect style of travel and you don’t have to feel badly about that extra glass of wine or dessert in the evening after a day of walking.
There are many types of walking tour groups all around the globe and the features of each vary widely. Some walking tour groups are relatively limited in their services – handing the traveler a map and hauling their luggage from location to location. Others plan and guide all your walks, organize the lodging and meals, and can assist you if you are injured.
A walking tour is a relatively active form of travel and it’s important to realize that accidents and illnesses happen anywhere, anytime. Before you book a walking tour, let’s review what can go wrong and how to protect your trip investment and yourself before you leave.
You break your ankle when you slip off the trail
While walking isn’t a particularly dangerous activity, a walking tour may guide you along city streets or rough trails. Depending on how fast your group is walking and where you are walking, there is always some risk of injury. Those walking the Camino de Santiago, for example, are walking on rugged trails, back roads, paved streets, and various other terrains.
If you are injured in a place where your own health insurance doesn’t cover, you could be facing a relatively hefty medical bill. In addition, and depending on your injury and how long it takes you to recover and the walking tour’s terms and conditions, you could lose the remainder of your walking tour investment.
Having travel medical insurance will protect you from the expensive medical costs and provide an emergency medical evacuation, should you need it? In addition, a travel insurance plan with trip interruption coverage will reimburse you for your lost trip expenses should you be forced to abandon your trip and return home to recover.
Your wallet is stolen as you gaze upon gorgeous frescoes
Recently, the staff at the world-famous Louvre closed the museum to protest the high numbers of aggressive pickpockets who were tormenting the patrons and staff. Losing your wallet and/or passport during any type of tour is common because thieves know what to look for: a busy group of people who are distracted by what they are seeing (see How to spot a pickpocket for useful tips.)
Of course, passports, credit cards, and other travel documents are not typically covered by baggage protection, so it’s important to keep those documents on your person when you travel.
Having a travel insurance plan with passport and credit card coverage means you’ll have help replacing your passport and reimbursement for the fees associated with an emergency passport replacement. You’ll also have help with emergency cash advances and identity theft services to help if your identity is compromised by the theft on your trip.
[Source: http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/2013/04/29/whats-the-best-travel-in...