Our tours are designed to be enjoyed by as many different types of travellers as possible. That being said, you are responsible to ensure that you can participate in our tours as they are designed – that includes ensuring that you have an appropriate level of physical fitness for the tour that you choose to book, making sure that you can enjoy the activities we have planned for you, as well as packing accordingly (we will help you with a detailed packing list of must-have and optional items to pack for your specific tour).
Please click here to review the physical requirements for your individual tour.
While the physical requirements vary slightly tour to tour, to join an Approach tour, you are required to:
- Keep a good pace walking 5+ hours per day (regular breaks are scheduled)
- Go up and down stairs independently (sometimes without handrails)
- Walk on slick, uneven, or uphill surfaces (eg. wet cobblestone)
- Stand for longer periods of time (during walking tours or in popular museums exhibits)
- Carrying your own luggage through the airport
- Climb on and off the coach bus unassisted
The use of a wheelchair, walker or cane while on tour or during your time in the airport is prohibited. As per our terms & conditions, you will be required to leave the tour if you are unable to walk without one of these devices.
Be prepared to spend most of the day in warm weather upwards of 25°C and also be physically prepared to spend lots of time outdoors while exploring famous highlights and hidden gems.
I use a cane, walker, wheelchair or walking sticks; can I join an Approach Tour?
The activities on all of our tours, including getting on and off of our coach buses, are prohibitive for individuals who require a cane, walker or wheelchair to be mobile. You may join if you use walking sticks by choice to help you keep pace, not if you require them for mobility.
Why are the physical requirements so important?
There are two main reasons why we take our physical requirements so seriously (and expect you to as well):
- For your safety and the safety of others. We never want to see anyone get hurt. If you overestimate your physical abilities, the risk of incidents—such as slipping on cobblestones and sustaining a serious injury—is too high. Please do not join a tour unless you are completely confident that you meet its physical requirements.
- For the enjoyment of the group. While Approach tours include generous free time to explore on your own, many key activities—from navigating airports to enjoying lunch—occur as a group. If you’re unable to maintain the required pace, it can negatively impact others’ experience and put the group at risk of falling behind schedule or missing activities. It’s only fair to your fellow travellers that you take these requirements seriously and avoid joining a tour that exceeds your physical ability.
Is there a maximum/minimum age to participate in an Approach Tour?
All adult-aged individuals are welcome on an Approach Tour, anyone from 18 to 99! Our tours are designed for active seniors, so in our experience they may not suit the interests of travellers under the age of 50. It is common however for individuals under 50 to join our tours and enjoy themselves with someone in that age group (such as an adult child joining their parent).
What are the cognitive requirements on tour?
For everyone’s safe enjoyment of the tour, it is important you do not join if you or your travel companion experience any symptoms of cognitive impairment, no matter how minor. These include:
- Memory loss or confusion
- Difficulty speaking, understanding, or expressing thoughts
- Repeating questions
- Wandering or getting lost
- Losing balance or problems with movement
What if my physical condition changes between booking and my travel date?
We get it – things can change between booking and departure, especially when you’re planning well in advance.
If your physical condition changes, and you’re no longer confident you can meet the requirements for your tour, please reach out to us immediately! Unfortunately, we can’t modify the physical demands of our tours, as they’re designed around specific activities and destinations for everyone’s safety. This is exactly why we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance when you book.
Please check out our cancellation policy to make sure you fully understand when your payments become non-refundable.
We are proud to provide quotes and sell trip cancellation and interruption insurance underwritten by Manulife. The price of coverage depends on your travel dates, the price of your tour, your age, and your chosen coverage. To receive a quote, select that option when you complete your online booking or ask your Sales & Traveller Champion when you complete your booking over the phone.
