Free tours or the "Free Tours" project around Europe
It doesn’t matter who decided to make a trip abroad – young, old, groups, families, individuals … the goal is usually to see as much as possible, for as little as possible. But this can be a too optimistic wish.
About ten years ago
SANDEMANs NEW Europe made these too optimistic wishes into reality and started the project »
Free tours«. Larger European countries decided to offer all travellers – regardless of their budget – a quality guided tour. It all works based on volunteers that guide tours on weekends, through their selected locations. They present their stories of cities, historical facts, make a pleasant atmosphere and can be everything but dull!
There are many organizations that offer »
Free tours« around the world and they all have the same modus operandi. They have the maps in hostels, pubs and other places of gathering, with an approximate route of the tour, with the time and date of the departure – and the starting point. The tours are about two hours long and give you a great informative walk in any kind of weather. It’s usual to contribute a donation, if you’re satisfied. The tours are usually in English, but there are cities where more languages are offered.
From my experience so far, I can say the guides really are anything but uniformed. There are those that will make you laugh your guts out, those that will reward you for your knowledge of the city, those that will just come and chat to you… anyway, they always show you their city and are willing to answer your questions!
»
Free tours« has spread a lot during the past few years, so you can find them in smaller cities as well and I always suggest, if you travel, to check out if the place you visit offers free tours for the price you can afford (through your voluntary donation).
Volunteer Tina
