Country Walkers Celebrates 30 Years as an Adventure Travel Innovator

Special Anniversary Trips to Egypt and Vermont, Plus Win a Trip to Venice!

Waterbury, VT (January 2009) – Human beings may have several million years of walking experience under our collective ancestral belt, but only in the last 30 years has walking become such an incredible adventure. In 2009, Country Walkers – the world’s leading small-group walking tour provider – celebrates its 30th anniversary with two charitable “Giving Back Tours,” new destinations and itineraries, an innovative, new “Walking à la Carte” program and, most importantly, an unfaltering passion for adventure travel.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Country Walkers has launched several wide-reaching new adventures for 2009 – from Laos & Vietnam and Ecuador to Maine and Alaska. Several of these new tours offer the new “Walking à la Carte” program, allowing guests even more cultural options and a more relaxed pace. In addition, the company will donate 100% of its profits to community and environmental projects on two new 30thanniversary tours in Egypt and Vermont. Travelers who book a 2009 Country Walkers tour can submit their favorite travel memory for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to Italy on the new Venice à la Carte tour in September. More special anniversary offers and benefits are available on www.countrywalkers.com.

There’s no better way to explore the world than by foot. Low-impact and environmentally-friendly, walking immerses travelers in surroundings they could never experience from a tour bus, car, or even a bike. A healthful alternative to the usual travel grind, walking in groups inspires camaraderie and a sense of adventure that sets the tone for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

The Vermont-based tour operator has come a long way since launching in 1979 with two tours through the Green Mountain wilderness. But even at a pace that now encompasses more than 70 international itineraries, Country Walkers’ success can’t be measured by the thickness of its trip catalog alone. Over the decades, the company has employed creative thinking; an attentive ear for client feedback; a global team of expert, local guides; and a knack for staying on top of travel trends.

“We’ve come a long way since 1979, but after 30 years in the business our passion for travel remains steadfast,” said Timo Shaw, President of Country Walkers. “We are continually inspired by the regions we explore and especially by our guests, whose input has fostered many of our innovative programs and itineraries.”

All Country Walkers tours are lead by local, expert guides who lead guests on journeys that include exceptional cuisine and accommodations and unique cultural experiences – from visiting Buddhist shrines in Nepal to learning authentic Mexican cooking from a local family in Baja. Also new, Culinary Adventures in Provence, Sicily, and Tuscany are as tasty as they sound, celebrating food and wine with culinary explorations of regional markets and cooking classes with local chefs.

For more information or to make reservations with Country Walkers, please contact (800) 464-9255, or www.countrywalkers.com.

ABOUT COUNTRY WALKERS
Country Walkers, based in Waterbury, Vermont (www.countrywalkers.com) was established in 1979 and is the world’s premier small group walking tour provider. Country Walkers offers well-crafted itineraries for Classic, Walking à la Carte, Hiking, and Private & Custom Adventures. All trips highlight superb cuisine, outstanding tour guides, and authentic accommodations.

First Choice Holidays PLC is a leading international leisure travel company. It operates from 17 major source markets, has 8 million customers and 72 brands. For more information visit First Choice Holidays PLC www.firstchoiceholidaysplc.com

Contact:
Carolyn Walters Fox
800-464-9255/802-244-1387
carolyn@countrywalkers.com

Stacey Francisco
Hawkins International PR
212-255-6541
stacey@hawkpr.com
www.hawkpr.com

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