LUXURY WALKING TOURS

Dalmatian Coast
Butterfield and Robinson
The cruise vacation merges with the walking tour in Butterfield and Robinson’s eight-day Dalmation Coast By Sea trip. Days are dedicated to exploring the small towns and hidden islands dotting the Adriatic’s coastline while nighttime is spent aboard the Calisto, the company’s yacht. “The experience will make you acutely aware that there are still a few places in the world where going slowly (and traveling on your own yacht) is the only way to go,” says trip guide Michele Harvey.

From $8,450.
For more information: Dalmatian Coast


The Mountain Gorillas of Uganda
Geographic Expeditions
San Francisco-based Geographic Expeditions takes would-be Livingstons into the cool, lofty climes of Uganda's hill country in search of gorillas. Travelers bunk at the Gorilla Forest Camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park while spending their days trekking through meandering jungle paths in search of our chest-thumping cousins. Note: the park sets strict time limits on access to the gorillas out of preservation concerns.

From $3,395
For more information: The Mountain Gorillas of Uganda

County Cork, Ireland
Country Walkers
As their name implies, Vermont-based Country Walkers is exclusively devoted to bipedal jaunts, and their County Cork tour along the coast of Southern Ireland is rife with wind-swept bluffs and verdant dales. Highlights along the amble include a stop in the seafaring hamlet of Baltimore, sea kayaking in the remote Rinn Harbor, and a chance to witness a true rarity -- Irish surfing. Nightly pub visits are encouraged.

From $2,698
For more information: County Cork

Custom New Zealand
Abercrombie & Kent
There is no hiking, trekking, or walking in New Zealand. There is only the local term -- tramping. Thanks to decades-long efforts on behalf of its government, Aotearoa (its Maori name) is blessed with hundreds of well-maintained trails designed to showcase the breadth of its countryside, from craggy heights reminiscent of Scotland to lush semi-tropical forests. In addition to its standard New Zealand itineraries, Abercrombie & Kent arranges custom tours for walkers -- they recently put together a jaunt for a client celebrating his fiftieth birthday.

Pricing Varies
For more information: Abercrombie & Kent

Amalfi Coast
Butterfield and Robinson
Negotiate the winding mountain paths of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, accompanied by historians, naturalists and even a pasta connoisseur who offers a private cooking lesson in his villa. When trekking through Positano’s Lattari Mountains, the tour group (and only the tour group) stays at the clifftop Le Sirenuse Hotel, thanks to B&R’s established friendship with owner, Antonio Sersale.

From $7495
For more information: Amalfi Coast


Shanghai to Tibet
Butterfield and Robinson
The Blade Runneresque buzz of Shanghai gives way to the high-altitude idyll of Tibet on this nine day tour. Highlights include Zhongdian, a cowboy town whose residents travel via horseback; and Yunnna, home of south China's first luxury hotel, the Banyan Tree Rhinga (which is, of course, where you’ll stay). B&R has negotiated with the Tibetan government to create an exclusive visit to the sacred Potala Palace. A group of savvy locals referred to as “cousins” handles all the logistics.

From $8995
For more information: Shanghai to Tibet

Bordeaux Culinary, Wine and Cultural Tour
Travel Off the Beaten Path
“Exclusivity is the key word to describe all our small group tours," notes Off the Beaten Path LLC’s president, Christy Destremau. That helps in an area like Bordeaux, whose vineyards are far more cloistered than their counterparts in Napa. On this five day tour, local connections ensure much more than just a spot on the guest list: they also grant you private, VIP grand cru wine tastings and gourmet picnics amidst the grapevines. Lodging throughout the trip is in a private 19th century farmhouse.

From $3890
For more information: Bordeaux Culinary, Wine and Cultural Tour


Morocco—Fès to Marrakesh
Classic Journeys
From dizzying alleys to towering red dunes, Morocco’s scenery deserves an up close and personal approach. Stops on this seven-day trek include a restored Thirteenth Century fortress; Fes’ Jnan Palace, a sort of Persian Central Park with seven acres of private gardens totally sequestered from the Medina market hustle; as well as some bona fide desert digs -- a Berber nomadic encampment, complete with camel hair tents and decorative lanterns.

From $3395
For more information: Morocco—Fès to Marrakesh

Tuscany and the Cinque Terre
Classic Journeys
Dante mentions the Tuscan village of Monteriggioni in The Inferno, but this eight day trek from Classic Journeys is far from hellish. In addition to the former Tuscan fortress, notable rest stops include a Portofino monastery, an 11th century Benedictine Abbey, a private family vineyard located on the grounds of a 15th Century castle. In the village of Chianti, walkers learn how to make terra cotta pottery and the odd batch of sheep's milk.

From $3495
For more information: Tuscany and the Cinque Terre
www.classicjourneys.com

Walking through Peru
Off the Beaten Path
Hiking the Incan trail is on many a "Things To Do Before I Die" list, and this trek has unique access to recently opened Salcantay Trail, which approaches Macchu Piccu from the west. The ardors of an authentic Incan trek are mitigated by the occasional Jacuzzi soak and spa treatment. Note -- the area's high altitudes may not be suitable for young children.

From $4,495
For more information: Walking through Peru


India: Royal Rajasthan
Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys' fourteen-day Royal Rajasthan tour takes you from the colorful chaos of cities like Delhi and Jaipur into traditional desert Rajasthani villages. Lodging runs the gamut from Delhi’s acclaimed Imperial Hotel and the Umaid Bhawan Palace (where you just might spot a member of Jodphur’s royal family), to tented camps in the Thar Desert (where you probably won’t).

From $3995
For more information: India: Royal Rajasthan

Spain: Vintage Rioja
Boundless Journeys
Spain is a natural choice for a foodie tour, and Boundless Journeys' seven-day, traditional inn-to-inn hike through La Rioja features all manner of guilt-free tapas and fine wine. Bounce back and forth between epochs -- 12th century parador to converted 17th century monastery to 16th century inn -- this is after all the historic pilgrimage route to Santiago.

From $3495
For more information: Spain: Vintage Rioja


Exploring Patagonia
Off the Beaten Path
Step among the steppes (and glaciers, pampas and mountains) on this twelve day walking journey. Lodging for the last four days is at the eco-chic Explora Lodge, and on the seventh you’ll don crampons and trek toward Perito Morento, one of the world’s largest and most active extant glaciers. The trip’s optional photo safari, in which guides will take you and your camera to the best vantage points, ensures maximum bragging rights when you return from the end of the world.

From $6,995
For more information: Exploring Patagonia