Active tour operator VBT | Country Walkers is widening its offerings next year with its new Discovery Tours.
The new travel style, debuting in 2027 with 10 itineraries, reflects "the evolution of how many travelers want to explore today," said president Timo Shaw. These tours will feature deeper engagement with local cultures and off-the-beaten path destinations.
The guided tours will be offered in Patagonia, Indonesia, Tahiti, Morocco, Colombia, Turkiye, Japan, Egypt, Australia and India.
The Indonesia trip pairs a resort stay with a cruise. Travelers will relax at a Bali resort before doing an eight-night cruise on a pinisi, a wooden Indonesian sailing ship. Trip highlights include snorkeling coral reefs, swimming with whale sharks and searching for Komodo dragons.
The Australia trip is described as a "rare gem," with a focus on cross-cultural discovery. The itinerary features a Great Barrier Reef cruise guided by a local marine biologist, visiting a First Nations artist enclave and exploring the Daintree rainforest with a First Nations guide.
VBT | Country Walkers will also launch new walking tours next year in Portugal and Poland/Slovakia, while the operator will debut cycling trips in Northern Ireland, Texas and Japan.
The Texas itinerary features the Unesco-listed San Antonio Missions, visiting the Alamo and enjoying some of the state's famous barbecue on a ranch.