UTracks, the active European holiday specialist, knows it takes several key ingredients mixed together to make the ideal guide. It prides itself on ensuring its guides are the perfect blend.
Ingredients
Lashings of Local Knowledge
Our guides are passionate about the countries and regions their group is walking or cycling through and will help bring to life the history, culture, flora and fauna. They can help travellers reach a level of immersion that an individual might not be able to achieve and experience the most out of their holiday in the given time frame. They have received specialist training (our alpine guides are all certified ‘International Mountain Leaders’) and are passionate about enhancing the traveller experience.
‘This trip was amazing!!! Couldn’t believe we walked as much as we did. The trip guide, Jorge Bela, was wonderful. Very knowledgeable, approachable, easy to talk to, and a great coordinator. Always added a bit more to every stop we made. Thank you.’ | W Mueller, San Diego, USA | Best of the Camino
Mounds of Motivation
Our guides have seen it all and can help prepare and cajole a group for a long climb with their ‘can do’ attitude.
While the UTracks pre-booking information is designed to ensure that travellers are of an adequate level of fitness to complete their chosen tour, guided trips can be a good option for travellers who are fit but haven’t done a multi-day hike before and think they may benefit from the support of an experienced guide.
‘Most amazing thing I have ever done. The scenery was beautiful. Our guide, Maxime, was incredible. Refuges were excellent, as was the food provided – plentiful and culturally varied. It is a physically challenging walk, so you need to be prepared as you will enjoy it more. Maxime did an amazing job of controlling the group dynamic, and himself, under very difficult circumstances at times!’ | S Howell Willetton, Perth | Mont Blanc Encompassed
Cups of Fun Loving
Guides have a special knack for making good trips great. From informative daily briefings, funny stories over dinner and drinks and pep talks when the going gets tough, guides strive to make sure things are fun and that each traveller is having the trip of a lifetime.
‘Excellence across the board! “Wow” experiences every day in the food, wine and walking. Our guide Andreas was fabulous, going beyond what was expected.’ | R Bono, Mansfield | Food Lover’s Spanish Camino
Kilos of Camaraderie
It takes a special kind of person to be a guide. In addition to being friendly and engaging, they are skilled at getting groups to interact and become fast and lifelong friends.
‘This was the first time abroad and alone but the group was wonderful and we all gelled together and helped each other out. Elodie was a very helpful guide and she knew quite quickly our limitations and guided us safely through the wonderful snow laden mountains. The trip is hard with long days but I really enjoyed it. Sleeping in one room with bunk beds was new to me but we worked around it with rotas for showers and toilets. I would definitely do it again if asked.’ | T Hart, Suffolk | Haute Route – Switzerland
Tablespoons of Tailored Experience
Our guides understand the active travel style and the preferences and expectations of UTracks travellers, and work tirelessly to tailor trips to everyone in the group’s interests so that everyone has a great experience.
‘Tina was an excellent guide. She was exceptionally organised, friendly, considerate and thoughtful. Her instructions were clear and she went out of her way to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves. This was our first guided cycling tour with UTracks and it definitely won’t be our last.’ | P Batterham, Port Macquarie | Greek Islands Bike & Boat
Method
Bring the Appetite to the boil
One of the most important aspects of any holiday – food! From knowing the best traditional restaurants in the area to making sure travellers try all of the local delicacies on offer, our guides will ensure that everyone is sufficiently fuelled throughout the trip.
‘Under the guidance of Mary Moody we walked the hills, and the cobble stoned streets of some historic and beautiful villages. Le Puy en Velay and the volcanic countryside surrounding is a wonderful sight to behold. Conques, Cahors and Rocamadour were magical destinations. Mary very generously gave us an insight into living in rural France, taking us to her local market , to lunch at a local restaurant, and then giving us afternoon tea at her village house in Frayssinet-le-Gelat. The end destination of Biarritz came too soon.’ | E Ward, Lake Tyers Beach | Food Lover’s French Way of St James
Navigating the kitchen
If you are unsure about your navigational skills, a guided trip could be the perfect way to experience Europe’s tracks and trails. Our guides will ensure you reach the destination with time to relax before dinner.
‘A highlight was getting to the top of the mountains and seeing the sights. John the guide was the best, very helpful and went way beyond his duty. Thanks for a great trip.’ | B Gibbons, London | Coast to Coast Classic Guided Walk
Bake for 24 hours
Our guides are with the group from the time the trip commences until it concludes, offering round the clock support and working tirelessly to ensure each holiday runs smoothly.
‘It was extremely well organised and I loved our guide Manuel in particular. He was very attentive to the group and communicated well and regularly. He ensured we were well looked after. The meals and accommodation overall exceeded expectations.’ | K Chaffer, Sydney | Guided Camino Walk – Sarria to Santiago
