Victoria Sightseeing Highlights

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights

Victoria harbor tours

We've worked closely with local attractions to secure these exclusive opportunities for you. Delving into the heart of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights, customized tour experiences let you uncover the city's essence through a lens that's uniquely yours. Moreover, these tours aren't just about gazing upwards; they're immersive experiences. Learn more about Victoria Sightseeing Highlights here You've likely heard of the Butchart Gardens or the Royal BC Museum, but have you ever embarked on a whale-watching tour where the majestic creatures of the deep become your companions? It's not just a feast for your eyes; the fragrant aromas are a balm for the soul.
Imagine a tour that's designed just for you, where your interests and desires are the priority. You'll come away with more than just memories; you'll leave with a profound connection to this beautiful place and its people. Victoria brewery tours Each stop is a new chapter in a story of taste, tradition, and innovation that you'll surely want to relive. From rock climbing that offers breathtaking views from the summit to mountain biking down rugged trails, each activity is designed to make your pulse race while safely guided by our experienced team.
All you need to do is visit our website and browse through the range of tours we offer. Each artifact and portrait adds layers to the story of those who walked these halls before you. Come summer, the focus shifts to the coastline with its sparkling beaches and lively markets. The guides are locals who share insights not just on the sights but on how to enjoy Victoria Sightseeing Highlights responsibly. Lean more about Best Sightseeing Tour Company In Victoria here.
Whether you're a gardening aficionado or simply seeking a tranquil retreat, Butchart Gardens promises a memorable journey through nature's exquisite artistry, making every visit an enchanting escape. Let's make your next trip to Victoria Sightseeing Highlights truly memorable. Let's uncover what makes these tours the key to unlocking the true essence of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights. You'll be encouraged to walk or cycle along scenic routes, reducing carbon footprint and immersing you deeper into the stunning landscapes and vibrant city streets.

You'll start with intimate farm-to-table experiences, where local chefs showcase the freshest ingredients right from Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's bountiful surroundings.

Victoria ferry tours

  1. Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  2. Victoria wine tours
  3. Victoria cultural tours
  4. Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  5. Victoria private tours
  6. Best viewpoints in Victoria
  7. Victoria travel tips
  8. Victoria coastline tours
  9. Victoria boat tours
  10. Victoria waterfront tours
  11. Best places to visit in Victoria
  12. Victoria photography tours
  13. Victoria sunset tours
  14. Victoria city tours
  15. Victoria guided tours
  16. Victoria road trips
  17. Victoria Christmas market tours
  18. Victoria botanical garden tours
  19. Sightseeing Victoria
  20. Victoria sightseeing deals
The tours also guide you along rugged coastlines, where you can gaze out at the endless ocean, its surface glittering under the sun's embrace. Each stop on the tour is a chapter in Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's story, and you're not just a spectator-you're part of the narrative. Moreover, Star Sightseeing hasn't overlooked your comfort.

Things to do in Victoria

  1. Victoria VIP tours
  2. Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  3. Victoria day trips
  4. Victoria extreme sports tours
  5. Victoria hiking tours
  6. Victoria island tours
  7. Old Town Victoria tours
  8. Victoria paddleboarding tours
  9. Victoria history tours
  10. West Victoria sightseeing tours
  11. Victoria kayaking tours
  12. Victoria fall sightseeing
  13. Victoria tour packages
  14. Victoria scuba diving tours
  15. Victoria ski resort tours
  16. Victoria local tour guides
It's not just a visit; it's a journey through the very heart of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's political past.

Comfortable seating, top-notch telescopes, and warm blankets ensure you're cozy and fully equipped to gaze at the stars. Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's history is alive with captivating stories waiting for you to discover them. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in a cooking class or food tour. As you wander through the lush, meticulously manicured paths, you're enveloped in an array of floral scents and the soft sounds of nature that make the outside world feel miles away.

You'll wander through the majestic halls of the Parliament Buildings, where the echoes of past decisions still resonate.

Victoria spring sightseeing

  • Best sightseeing in Victoria
  • Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  • Victoria wine tours
  • Victoria cultural tours
  • Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  • Victoria private tours
  • Best viewpoints in Victoria
  • Victoria travel tips
  • Victoria coastline tours
  • Victoria boat tours
  • Victoria waterfront tours
  • Best places to visit in Victoria
  • Victoria photography tours
  • Victoria sunset tours
  • Victoria city tours
  • Victoria guided tours
  • Victoria road trips
  • Victoria Christmas market tours
  • Victoria botanical garden tours
  • Sightseeing Victoria
From hidden art installations that spark creativity to serene spots by the water that offer a moment of tranquility amidst urban exploration, you're in for a treat. You can post pictures, update your social media, or even live-stream parts of your tour without using your data plan. Whether you're interested in exploring the historic landmarks, experiencing the natural beauty, or indulging in the local cuisine, we've got you covered.

You'll leave with a greater awareness of your environmental impact and how to travel more sustainably. Star Sightseeing guides don't just lead the way; they enrich your experience with stories and facts that breathe life into these stone and mortar monuments. Simply fill out the online form with your details, including the number of people in your party. Personal guides are at your beck and call, ready to share fascinating insights about the constellations and celestial events you're witnessing.

Victoria Tourist Attractions Tours

Entity Name Description Source
Queen Victoria Queen Victoria was the queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901, a period known as the Victorian era, marked by significant cultural and political changes. Source
Harbour Air Seaplanes Harbour Air Seaplanes is a Canadian airline providing seaplane services, mostly in British Columbia, offering scenic flights and transportation. Source
Butchart Gardens Butchart Gardens is a group of gardens located in Brentwood Bay, near Victoria, British Columbia, famous for its natural beauty and variety of plants. Source
Downtown Victoria Downtown Victoria is the urban core of Victoria, BC, offering cultural, historical, and commercial attractions in a vibrant coastal city. Source
Gray Line Worldwide Gray Line Worldwide is a global tour operator, offering sightseeing tours in many cities across the world, including bus and walking tours. Source
Chinatown Chinatown in Victoria, BC, is one of the oldest in North America and a cultural hub with historic sites, shops, and restaurants. Source
Victoria Harbour Victoria Harbour is a natural harbour located in the city of Victoria, BC, known for its picturesque waterfront and marine activities. Source
The Empress (hotel) The Empress is a historic luxury hotel located in Victoria, BC, known for its grand architecture and as a significant part of the city’s cultural landscape. Source
Water taxi A water taxi is a small boat used for short-distance transportation on water, commonly used in cities like Victoria for harbor transport. Source
Bus A bus is a large vehicle used for transporting passengers over long distances, commonly used for public transportation in urban areas. Source
Floatplane A floatplane is an aircraft designed to take off and land on water, often used for travel in regions with numerous lakes and rivers, like Victoria, BC. Source
Royal British Columbia Museum The Royal BC Museum in Victoria is a major cultural and natural history museum in British Columbia, known for its exhibitions on BC’s history and environment. Source
Wildlife Wildlife refers to non-domesticated animals and plants, which can be observed in their natural habitat in regions like Victoria, BC. Source
Greater Victoria Greater Victoria is a metropolitan area on Vancouver Island, including several municipalities and offering a mix of urban and natural landscapes. Source
Songhees The Songhees are an Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast, with historical ties to the Victoria area. Source

Victoria Nature And City Tours

Known as "the Garden City", Victoria is an attractive city and a popular tourism destination and has a regional technology sector that has risen to be its largest revenue-generating private industry. In 2019, Victoria was in the top 20 world cities for quality of life, according to Numbeo.

Citations and other links

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Adventure Attractions

Next, embrace the serene majesty of the Victoria Sightseeing Highlights coastline. Once payment is confirmed, you're all set! Prefer to skip something? Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or culture enthusiast, your guide's expertise will enrich your personalized tour, making it not just a journey through Victoria Sightseeing Highlights but a journey into what truly captivates you.

You prefer personalized tours that cater to your interests, whether that's history, nature, or culinary adventures. Head to Star Sightseeing's user-friendly website, where you'll find a comprehensive list of tours. Select your preferred date and time, fill in the necessary details, and you're all set.

Family-friendly tours in Victoria

  1. Victoria sightseeing deals
  2. Victoria hop-on hop-off tours
  3. North Victoria sightseeing tours
  4. Victoria food tours
  5. Victoria scenic drives
  6. Victoria night tours
  7. Victoria helicopter tours
  8. Victoria heritage tours
  9. Victoria ghost tours
  10. Victoria zipline tours
  11. Victoria snorkeling tours
  12. Victoria eco tours
  13. Victoria multi-day tours
  14. Victoria festival tours
  15. Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  16. Victoria cherry blossom tours


With knowledgeable local guides at your side, you're not just passing through; you're being woven into the rich tapestry of history and breathtaking natural landscapes Victoria Sightseeing Highlights has to offer. You're no longer just looking for the traditional sightseeing experiences. These tours don't just whisk you through the main pathways; they offer an immersive experience that takes you behind the scenes. Victoria ferry tours

They're equipped to pivot, ensuring your adventure continues seamlessly, regardless of the circumstances. This means that your adventure helps fund conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and community education programs. Recognizing that every traveler's interests and preferences are unique, many of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's sightseeing tours offer customizable experiences tailored to your desires. Victoria architecture tours

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Adventure Attractions
Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Bus And Coach Tour Packages

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Bus And Coach Tour Packages

Each feature of the Butchart Gardens invites you into a different world, a testament to the vision and dedication that have shaped this place into a global treasure. Winter isn't left behind, with the Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens, where thousands of twinkling lights and holiday decorations set the scene for a winter wonderland. Exploring Victoria Sightseeing Highlights with Star Sightseeing's new premium tours is like stepping into a carefully curated gallery, where each exhibit is more breathtaking than the last. There's also Jamie, a marine biologist by training, who turns the seaside excursions into immersive lessons on the local ecosystem, making each wave and tide pool a story worth discovering. Next, you'll find yourself strolling through the lush, vibrant paths of Butchart Gardens.

Autumn isn't to be overlooked, with the Japanese Garden turning into a fiery display of reds, oranges, and yellows. Star Sightseeing revolutionizes how visitors explore Victoria Sightseeing Highlights, offering an experience that's both immersive and uniquely personalized. You're not just a visitor here; you're a witness to the timeless beauty that thrives in Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's secluded spaces, ready to leave with memories that are as pure as the surroundings. You'll discover alleyways illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns, each turn revealing a new secret or story.

Victoria fall sightseeing

  • Victoria multi-day tours
  • Victoria festival tours
  • Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  • Victoria cherry blossom tours
  • Victoria VIP tours
  • Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  • Victoria day trips
  • Victoria extreme sports tours
  • Victoria hiking tours
  • Victoria island tours
  • Old Town Victoria tours
  • Victoria paddleboarding tours
  • Victoria history tours
  • Victoria whale watching
  • Victoria rainforest tours
  • Victoria architecture tours
  • Victoria wildlife tours
  • Best sightseeing in Victoria


With Star Sightseeing, your Victoria Sightseeing Highlights experience is exactly that-yours. Each guide at Star Sightseeing isn't just a local; they're storytellers, nature lovers, and history buffs rolled into one. It's not uncommon to overhear others expressing their awe, with many returning visitors saying the gardens offer something new with each visit. The city's New Year's Eve fireworks are a spectacular sight, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new with a dazzling display.

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights isn't just about the stunning Butchart Gardens; it's a city rich with history, culture, and natural beauty.

Things to do in Victoria

  • Victoria harbor tours
  • Victoria sightseeing bus
  • Victoria brewery tours
  • Family-friendly tours in Victoria
  • Things to do in Victoria
  • Craigdarroch Castle tours
  • Victoria seaplane tours
  • Victoria spring sightseeing
  • West Victoria sightseeing tours
  • Victoria kayaking tours
  • Victoria fall sightseeing
  • Victoria tour packages
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria ski resort tours
  • Victoria local tour guides
And Star Sightseeing knows them all.

Craigdarroch Castle tours

  • Victoria festival tours
  • Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  • Victoria cherry blossom tours
  • Victoria VIP tours
  • Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  • Victoria day trips
  • Victoria extreme sports tours
  • Victoria hiking tours
  • Victoria island tours
  • Old Town Victoria tours
  • Victoria paddleboarding tours
  • Victoria history tours
  • Victoria tour packages
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria ski resort tours
  • Victoria local tour guides
Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's cityscape unfolds a treasure trove of architectural wonders that beckon you to explore their storied pasts and stunning designs. The festive lights and Christmas decorations add a magical touch, ensuring your tour remains enchanting.

Victoria tour packages

  • Victoria sunset tours
  • Victoria city tours
  • Victoria guided tours
  • Victoria road trips
  • Victoria Christmas market tours
  • Victoria botanical garden tours
  • Sightseeing Victoria
  • Victoria sightseeing deals
  • Victoria hop-on hop-off tours
  • North Victoria sightseeing tours
  • Victoria food tours
  • Victoria scenic drives
  • Victoria night tours
  • Victoria helicopter tours
  • Victoria heritage tours
  • Victoria ghost tours
  • Victoria zipline tours
  • Victoria snorkeling tours
  • Victoria eco tours
  • Victoria multi-day tours


Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Food And Wine Sightseeing Packages

Having explored the enriching experiences our expert guides offer, it's time to secure your spot on this unforgettable journey through Butchart Gardens. You'll find yourself venturing into the heart of ancient forests where the air is fresh and filled with the scent of pine and eucalyptus. With careful planning, your visit to Butchart Gardens will surely be a memorable part of your Victoria Sightseeing Highlights adventure with Star Sightseeing. One of the standout features of our premium sightseeing tours is the exclusive access benefits you'll enjoy, allowing for a more intimate exploration of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's iconic Butchart Gardens. You'll have a chat with a Star Sightseeing expert, sharing what draws you to Victoria Sightseeing Highlights, what you're itching to explore, and any specific desires for your visit.

If you're curious about what makes this tour a must for both avid gardeners and casual admirers alike, you'll find that the secrets of the gardens and the exclusive perks of touring with Star Sightseeing are just the beginning. Next, the tour takes you to Craigdarroch Castle, a Victoria Sightseeing Highlightsn-era mansion that tells the tale of the city's wealthy elite in the late 1800s. You won't just be a spectator; you'll actively participate in cultural workshops. A rushed tour won't do justice to the beauty and tranquility of Butchart Gardens.

Stay tuned, as we're about to embark on an adventure that will reveal why these tours are not to be missed. As you explore Victoria Sightseeing Highlights with guided tours, you'll find that their commitment to sustainable tourism practices ensures your visit not only enriches your experience but also protects the local environment and community. You'll meet local artisans crafting their works as they've done for generations, taste the unique flavors of regional cuisine at hidden gems that only locals know about, and even participate in traditional activities that give you a firsthand understanding of the local way of life. They've ditched the one-size-fits-all approach.

But it's not all about serene walks. Star Sightseeing now offers cultural immersion experiences, letting you dive deep into Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's unique traditions and local lifestyle.

Victoria ski resort tours

  1. Craigdarroch Castle tours
  2. Victoria seaplane tours
  3. Victoria spring sightseeing
  4. West Victoria sightseeing tours
  5. Victoria kayaking tours
  6. Victoria fall sightseeing
  7. Victoria tour packages
  8. Victoria scuba diving tours
  9. Victoria ski resort tours
  10. Victoria local tour guides
  11. Victoria ferry tours
  12. Romantic tours in Victoria
  13. Victoria whale watching
  14. Victoria rainforest tours
  15. Victoria architecture tours
  16. Victoria wildlife tours
By the time you leave, you'll understand why so many consider Butchart Gardens a must-visit destination, promising yourself you'll return to once again experience its enchanting allure. First, you'll want to visit their website to check out the available tour dates.

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Food And Wine Sightseeing Packages
Victoria Sightseeing Highlights BC Tourism Company
Victoria Sightseeing Highlights BC Tourism Company

As you delve into Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's culinary journeys, you're not just tasting food; you're experiencing the city's heartbeat. Why settle for a typical tourist experience when you can immerse yourself in the extraordinary? After experiencing the thrill of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's adventures, it's time to uncover the hidden treasures that await in the city's less-traveled paths. Next, you're whisked away on guided tours of bustling markets and hidden culinary gems that only the locals know about.
You'll marvel at the grandeur of the Royal BC Museum, where history comes alive through its captivating exhibits.

Victoria sightseeing bus

  1. Victoria photography tours
  2. Victoria sunset tours
  3. Victoria city tours
  4. Victoria guided tours
  5. Victoria road trips
  6. Victoria Christmas market tours
  7. Victoria botanical garden tours
  8. Sightseeing Victoria
  9. Victoria sightseeing deals
  10. Victoria hop-on hop-off tours
  11. North Victoria sightseeing tours
  12. Victoria food tours
  13. Victoria scenic drives
  14. Victoria night tours
  15. Victoria helicopter tours
  16. Victoria heritage tours
  17. Victoria ghost tours
Often, the most captivating secrets of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights unveil themselves through its lesser-known alleyways and hidden gems, waiting for you to discover them. As you delve deeper into the city's architectural landscape, don't miss the chance to visit The Empress Hotel.
You're looking for insights, anecdotes, and a connection to the place you're visiting.

Victoria seaplane tours

  • Victoria zipline tours
  • Victoria snorkeling tours
  • Victoria eco tours
  • Victoria multi-day tours
  • Victoria festival tours
  • Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  • Victoria cherry blossom tours
  • Victoria VIP tours
  • Victoria sightseeing recommendations
  • Victoria day trips
  • Victoria extreme sports tours
  • Victoria hiking tours
  • Victoria island tours
  • Old Town Victoria tours
  • Victoria paddleboarding tours
  • Victoria history tours
  • Victoria local tour guides
  • Victoria ferry tours
  • Romantic tours in Victoria
Here, the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel stands as a testament to luxury and history, having welcomed royalty, celebrities, and travelers for over a century. Ever wondered about the hidden tales behind the historic buildings or the origin of local traditions? Family-friendly tours in Victoria Read more about Victoria Sightseeing Highlights here
Finally, a visit to the historic Chinatown, the oldest in Canada, reveals a vibrant community and rich cultural heritage. Imagine the vibrant hues of fall as you meander through the city's famed gardens, or the delicate cherry blossoms of spring framing historic buildings. Specially curated to enhance your journey, these treats are more than just snacks-they're a taste of the local cuisine, offering a sensory exploration of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's rich culinary heritage. Victoria tour packages

Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Historical City Tours

They strive to accommodate all guests, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to fully participate and enjoy what Victoria Sightseeing Highlights has to offer. They're on it. Art lovers will appreciate the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Sightseeing Highlights, showcasing an impressive collection of works, including those by the famous Canadian artist Emily Carr.

Victoria rainforest tours

  1. Victoria ferry tours
  2. Romantic tours in Victoria
  3. Victoria whale watching
  4. Victoria rainforest tours
  5. Victoria architecture tours
  6. Victoria wildlife tours
  7. Best sightseeing in Victoria
  8. Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  9. Victoria wine tours
  10. Victoria cultural tours
  11. Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  12. Victoria private tours
  13. Best viewpoints in Victoria
  14. Victoria travel tips
  15. Victoria coastline tours
  16. Victoria boat tours
  17. Victoria waterfront tours
  18. Best places to visit in Victoria
  19. Victoria photography tours
They're diversifying their tour options to include not just the sights but the soul of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights.
It's these moments, these revelations, that transform your trip into an unforgettable adventure. You'll find yourself immersed in the blooming beauty of spring, where gardens burst with colorful flowers and wildlife awakens. Your guide, a local expert brimming with knowledge and enthusiasm, will unveil the secrets of Victoria Sightseeing Highlights's landmarks.
You'll wander through bustling markets, where the air is thick with the scent of street food and the sounds of live music. Victoria sightseeing bus Transitioning from the vibrant tapestry of cultural experiences, breathtaking scenic views await to captivate your senses and leave you in awe. If you're curious about what sets them apart from the rest and how they can transform your visit into an unforgettable journey, you're in the right place to uncover more.
Exploring the Butchart Gardens further, you'll discover unique garden features that distinguish this landmark from any other in the world. These new offerings promise not just a visit, but an experience that'll leave you with memories to cherish. You're not just observing architecture; you're standing in the shadow of history, where decisions that shape the province are made.

Victoria rainforest tours

  • Victoria whale watching
  • Victoria rainforest tours
  • Victoria architecture tours
  • Victoria wildlife tours
  • Best sightseeing in Victoria
  • Custom sightseeing tours Victoria
  • Victoria wine tours
  • Victoria cultural tours
  • Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  • Victoria private tours
  • Best viewpoints in Victoria
  • Victoria travel tips
  • Victoria coastline tours
  • Victoria boat tours
  • Victoria waterfront tours
  • Best places to visit in Victoria
  • Victoria photography tours
  • Victoria sunset tours

Explore Victoria Sightseeing Highlights here Victoria rainforest tours
Victoria Sightseeing Highlights Historical City Tours

 

Tours is located in Centre-Val de Loire
Tours
Tours
 
Tours
Medieval buildings on Place Plumereau
Pont Wilson over the Loire
Prébendes d'Oé garden
Flag of Tours
Coat of arms of Tours
Location of Tours
Map
Tours is located in France
Tours
Tours
 

Coordinates: 47°23′37″N 0°41′21″E / 47.393611°N 0.689167°E / 47.393611; 0.689167CountryFranceRegionCentre-Val de LoireDepartmentIndre-et-LoireArrondissementToursCantonTours-1
Tours-2
Tours-3
Tours-4
IntercommunalityTours Métropole Val de LoireGovernment

 

 • Mayor (2020–2026) Emmanuel Denis[1] (The Greens)

Area
1

34.7 km2 (13.4 sq mi) • Urban

 (2018)

684.9 km2 (264.4 sq mi) • Metro

 (2018)

3,631.6 km2 (1,402.2 sq mi)Population

 (2022)[2]

138,668 • Rank26th in France • Density4,000/km2 (10,000/sq mi) • Urban

 (2018)

359,992 • Urban density530/km2 (1,400/sq mi) • Metro

 (2018)

516,973 • Metro density140/km2 (370/sq mi)Demonym(s)Tourangeau (masculine)
Tourangelle (feminine)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal code

37261 /37000, 37100, 37200

Elevation44–119 m (144–390 ft)1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Tours (/tʊər/ TOOR; French: [tuʁ] ⓘ) is the largest city in the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France. It is the prefecture of the department of Indre-et-Loire. The commune of Tours had 136,463 inhabitants as of 2018 while the population of the whole metropolitan area was 516,973.[3]

Tours sits on the lower reaches of the Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Formerly named Caesarodunum by its founder, Roman Emperor Augustus, it possesses one of the largest amphitheaters of the Roman Empire, the Tours Amphitheatre. Known for the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, it is a National Sanctuary with connections to the Merovingians and the Carolingians, with the Capetians making the kingdom's currency the Livre tournois. Saint Martin and Gregory of Tours were from Tours. Tours was once part of Touraine, a former province of France. Tours was the first city of the silk industry. It was taken by Louis XI, as the royal capital under the Valois Kings with its Loire castles and city of art with the School of Tours. The prefecture was partially destroyed during the French Wars of Religion in the late 16th century and again during the Second World War in June 1940.

The White and Blue city keeps a historical center registered in the UNESCO, and is home to the Vieux-Tours, a patrimonial site. The garden city has a green heritage and an urban landscape strongly influenced by its natural space. The historic city that is nicknamed "Le Petit Paris" and its region by its history and culture has always been a land of birth or host to many personalities, international sporting events, and is a university city with more than 30,000 students in 2019. Tours is a popular culinary city with specialties such as: rillettes, rillons, Touraine vineyards, AOC Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine cheeses and nougats. The city is also the end-point of the annual Paris–Tours cycle race.

Etymology

[edit]

A popular folk etymology of the word "Tours" is that it comes from Turonus, the nephew of Brutus. Turonus died in a war between Corineus and the king of Aquitaine, Goffarius Pictus, provoked by Corineus hunting in the king's forests without permission. It is said that Turonus was buried in Tours and the city is founded around his grave.[4]

History

[edit]

In Gallic times, Tours was an important crossing point over the Loire. It became part of the Roman Empire during the 1st century AD, and the city was named Caesarodunum ("hill of Caesar"). The name evolved in the 4th century when the original Gallic name, Turones, became Civitas Turonum and then Tours. It was at this time that the Tours Amphitheatre was built.

Tours became a metropolis in the Roman province of Lugdunum towards 380–388 AD, dominating Maine, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. One important figure in the city was Saint Martin of Tours, a bishop who shared his coat with a naked beggar in Amiens. The importance of Martin in the medieval Christian West made Tours, and its position on the route of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a major centre during the Middle Ages.

Middle Ages

[edit]

In the 6th century, Gregory of Tours, author of the Ten Books of History, restored a cathedral destroyed by a fire in 561. Saint Martin's monastery benefited from its inception, at the very start of the 6th century from patronage and support from the Frankish king, Clovis I, which increased considerably the influence of the saint, the abbey and the city in Gaul. In the 9th century, Tours was at the heart of the Carolingian Renaissance, in particular because of Alcuin, of York in Northumbria, a renowned book collector and an abbot of Marmoutier Abbey.

In 732, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi and an army of Muslim horsemen from Al-Andalus advanced 500 kilometres (300 miles) deep into France, and were stopped at Moussais-la-Bataille[5] (between Châtellerault and Poitiers) by Charles Martel and his infantry. This ignited the Battle of Tours. The Muslim army was defeated, preventing an Islamic conquest of France.

In 845, Tours repelled the first attack of the Viking chief Haesten. In 850, the Vikings settled at the mouths of the Seine and the Loire. Still led by Haesten, they went up the Loire again in 852 and sacked Angers, Tours and Marmoutier Abbey.

During the Middle Ages, Tours consisted of two juxtaposed and competing centres. The "City" in the east, successor of the late Roman 'castrum', was composed of the cathedral and palace of the archbishops as well as the castle of Tours. The castle of Tours acted as a seat of the authority of the Counts of Tours (later Counts of Anjou) and the King of France. In the west, the "new city" structured around the Abbey of Saint Martin was freed from the control of the city during the 10th century (an enclosure was built towards 918) and became "Châteauneuf". This space, organized between Saint Martin and the Loire, became the economic centre of Tours. Between these two centres were Varennes, vineyards and fields, little occupied except for the Abbaye Saint-Julien established on the banks of the Loire. The two centres were linked during the 14th century.

Place Plumereau, Medieval buildings

Tours became the capital of the county of Tours or Touraine, a territory bitterly disputed between the counts of Blois and Anjou – the latter were victorious in the 11th century. It was the capital of France at the time of Louis XI, who had settled in the castle of Montils (today the castle of Plessis-les-Tours, at the junction of the Loire and the Indre rivers). Tours and Touraine remained a permanent residence of the kings and court until the 16th century. The Renaissance gave Tours and Touraine many private mansions and castles, joined to some extent under the generic name of the Châteaux of the Loire. It is also at the time of Louis XI that the silk industry was introduced – despite difficulties, the industry still survives to this day.

16th–18th centuries

[edit]

Charles IX passed through the city at the time of his royal tour of France between 1564 and 1566, accompanied by the Court and various noblemen: his brother the Duke of Anjou, Henri de Navarre, the cardinals of Bourbon and Lorraine. At this time, the Catholics returned to power in Angers: the attendant assumed the right to nominate the aldermen. The Massacre of Saint-Barthelemy was not repeated at Tours. The Protestants were imprisoned by the aldermen – a measure which prevented their extermination. The permanent return of the Court to Paris and then Versailles marked the beginning of a slow but permanent decline. Guillaume the Metayer (1763–1798), known as Rochambeau, the well-known counter-revolutionary chief of Mayenne, was shot in Tours.

19th to 20th centuries

[edit]

The arrival of the railway in the 19th century saved the city by making it an important nodal point. The main railway station is known as Tours-Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. At that time, Tours was expanding towards the south into a district known as the Prébendes. The importance of the city as a centre of communications contributed to its revival and, as the 20th century progressed, Tours became a dynamic conurbation, economically oriented towards the service sector.

First World War

[edit]
Tours Cathedral: 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic west front with Renaissance pinnacles, completed 1547.

The city was greatly affected by the First World War. A force of 25,000 American soldiers arrived in 1917, setting up textile factories for the manufacture of uniforms, repair shops for military equipment, munitions dumps, an army post office and an American military hospital at Augustins. Because of this, Tours became a garrison town with a resident general staff. The American presence is remembered today by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Loire, which was officially opened in July 1918 and bears the name of the President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Three American air force squadrons, including the 492nd, were based at the Parçay-Meslay airfield, their personnel playing an active part in the life of the city. Americans paraded at funerals and award ceremonies for the Croix de Guerre. They also took part in festivals and their YMCA organised shows for the troops. Some men married women from Tours.

Inter-war years

[edit]

In 1920, the city hosted the Congress of Tours, which saw the creation of the French Communist Party. One future consequence of that congress was the presence of Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese nationalist, who became one of the first members of the party.

Second World War

[edit]

Tours was also marked by the Second World War, as the city suffered massive destruction in 1940. For four years it was a city of military camps and fortifications. From 10 to 13 June 1940, Tours was the temporary seat of the French government before its move to Bordeaux.

German incendiary bombs caused a huge fire, which blazed out of control from 20 to 22 June and destroyed part of the city centre. Some architectural masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries were lost, as was the monumental entry to the city. The Wilson Bridge, which carried a water main that supplied the city, was dynamited to slow the progress of the German advance. With the water main severed, nobody could extinguish the inferno. That made inhabitants have no option but to flee to safety. More heavy air raids by Allied forces devastated the area around the railway station in 1944, causing several hundred deaths.

Post-war developments

[edit]

A plan for the rebuilding of the central area drawn up by the local architect Camille Lefèvre had been adopted even before the end of the war. The plan was for 20 small quadrangular blocks of housing to be arranged around the main road (la rue Nationale), which was widened. This regular layout attempted to echo but simplify the 18th-century architecture. Pierre Patout succeeded Lefèvre as the architect in charge of rebuilding in 1945. At one time, there was talk of demolishing the southern side of the rue Nationale to make it in keeping with the new development.

The recent history of Tours is marked by the personality of Jean Royer, who was mayor for 36 years and helped save the old town from demolition by establishing one of the first Conservation Areas. This example of conservation policy would later inspire the Malraux Law for the safeguarding of historic city centres. In the 1970s, Jean Royer also extended the city to the south by diverting the course of the Cher River to create the districts of Rives du Cher and des Fontaines. At the time, it was one of the largest urban developments in Europe. In 1970, the François Rabelais University was founded and centred on the bank of the Loire in the downtown area, not, as was the current practice, in a campus in the suburbs. The latter solution was also chosen by the twin university of Orleans. Royer's long term as mayor was, however, not without controversy, as is exemplified by the construction of the practical but aesthetically unattractive motorway, which runs along the bed of a former canal just 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) from the cathedral. Another bone of contention was the original Vinci Congress Centre by Jean Nouvel. The project incurred debts although it at least made Tours one of France's principal conference centres.

Jean Germain, a member of the Socialist Party, became mayor in 1995 and made debt reduction his priority. Ten years later, his economic management was regarded as much wiser than that of his predecessor because of the financial stability of the city returning. However, his achievements were criticised by the municipal opposition for a lack of ambition. There were no large building projects instituted under his two terms. That position is disputed by those in power, who affirm their policy of concentrating on the quality of life, as evidenced by urban restoration, the development of public transport and cultural activities.

Climate

[edit]

Tours has an oceanic climate that is very mild for such a northern latitude. Summers are influenced by its inland position, resulting in frequent days of 25 °C (77 °F) or warmer, whereas winters are kept mild by Atlantic air masses. The entire valley between Orlans and Angers is famous for the luminosity of its air and for its fabulous châteaux, most of them Renaissance (over 600 between Orlans and Angers).

Climate data for Tours (1991–2020 averages)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.9
(62.4)
22.1
(71.8)
25.3
(77.5)
29.2
(84.6)
31.8
(89.2)
39.1
(102.4)
40.8
(105.4)
39.8
(103.6)
35.5
(95.9)
31.1
(88.0)
22.3
(72.1)
18.5
(65.3)
40.8
(105.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.7
(45.9)
9.0
(48.2)
12.9
(55.2)
16.0
(60.8)
19.6
(67.3)
23.4
(74.1)
25.9
(78.6)
26.0
(78.8)
22.1
(71.8)
17.0
(62.6)
11.4
(52.5)
8.1
(46.6)
16.6
(61.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.1
(41.2)
5.6
(42.1)
8.6
(47.5)
11.0
(51.8)
14.5
(58.1)
18.0
(64.4)
20.2
(68.4)
20.2
(68.4)
16.8
(62.2)
13.0
(55.4)
8.3
(46.9)
5.5
(41.9)
12.2
(54.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5)
2.3
(36.1)
4.3
(39.7)
6.0
(42.8)
9.4
(48.9)
12.6
(54.7)
14.4
(57.9)
14.3
(57.7)
11.4
(52.5)
9.0
(48.2)
5.3
(41.5)
2.9
(37.2)
7.9
(46.2)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7)
−14.2
(6.4)
−10.3
(13.5)
−3.4
(25.9)
−0.6
(30.9)
2.6
(36.7)
4.3
(39.7)
4.8
(40.6)
0.9
(33.6)
−2.3
(27.9)
−7.1
(19.2)
−18.5
(−1.3)
−18.5
(−1.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 63.0
(2.48)
52.4
(2.06)
48.7
(1.92)
53.0
(2.09)
57.7
(2.27)
53.2
(2.09)
46.6
(1.83)
44.0
(1.73)
51.8
(2.04)
66.0
(2.60)
69.3
(2.73)
72.1
(2.84)
677.8
(26.69)
Average precipitation days 11.0 9.8 9.3 8.9 9.0 7.6 6.7 6.6 7.5 9.8 11.4 11.5 109.0
Average snowy days 2.4 2.9 1.8 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.7 10.6
Average relative humidity (%) 87 84 79 74 77 75 72 73 77 84 87 89 79.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 68.4 95.2 148.8 187.3 214.2 228.5 247.1 237.7 191.3 122.9 78.9 64.6 1,884.8
Source 1: Météo France[6][7]
Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity and snowy days, 1961–1990)[8]

Sights

[edit]
Hôtel de Ville, Place Jean Jaurès
St Gatien Cathedral, from Rue Lavoisier, just north of the Rue Colbert intersection.
Pont Wilson

Cathedral

[edit]

The Cathedral of Tours, dedicated to Saint Gatien, its canonized first bishop, was begun about 1170 to replace the cathedral that was burnt out in 1166 during the dispute between Louis VII of France and Henry II of England. The lowermost stages of the western towers belong to the 12th century, but the rest of the west end is in the profusely detailed 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic, which were completed just as the Renaissance was affecting the patrons who planned the châteaux of Touraine. The towers were being constructed at the same time as, for example, the Château de Chenonceau.

When the 15th-century illuminator Jean Fouquet was set the task of illuminating Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, his depiction of Solomon's Temple was modelled on the nearly complete cathedral of Tours. The atmosphere of the Gothic cathedral close permeates Honoré de Balzac's dark short novel of jealousy and provincial intrigues, Le Curé de Tours (The Curate of Tours) and his medieval story Maître Cornélius opens in the cathedral itself.

Other points of interest

[edit]

Language

[edit]

Before the French Revolution, the inhabitants of Tours (Les Tourangeaux) were known for speaking the "purest" form of French in the entire country.[9] The pronunciation of Touraine was traditionally regarded as the most standard pronunciation of the French language, until the 19th century when the standard pronunciation of French shifted to that of the Parisian bourgeoisie.[10] That is explained by the fact that the court of France lived in Touraine between 1430 and 1530. French, the language of the court, had become the official language of the entire kingdom.

A Council of Tours in 813 decided that priests should preach sermons in different languages because the common people could no longer understand classical Latin. This was the first official recognition of an early French language distinct from Latin, and can be considered as the birth of French.

The Ordinance of Montils-lès-Tours, promulgated by Charles VII in 1454, made it mandatory to write laws and oral customs in the native language of the area.

An ordinance of Charles VIII (born in Amboise, near Tours) in 1490 and one of Louis XII (born in Blois, near Tours) in 1510 broaden the scope of the ordinance of Charles VII.

Finally, the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts, signed into law by Francis I in 1539, called for the use of French in all legal acts, notarized contracts and official legislation to avoid any linguistic confusion.

Gregory of Tours wrote in the 6th century that some people in the area could still speak Gaulish.

City

[edit]
Pont Wilson crosses the river Loire at the old civic core

The city has a population of 140,000 and is called "Le Jardin de la France" ("The Garden of France"). There are several parks located within the city. Tours is located between two rivers, the Loire to the north and the Cher to the south. The buildings of Tours are white with blue slate (called Ardoise) roofs; this style is common in the north of France, while most buildings in the south of France have terracotta roofs.

Tours is famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Unique to the Old City are its preserved half-timbered buildings and la Place Plumereau, a square with busy pubs and restaurants, whose open-air tables fill the centre of the square. The Boulevard Beranger crosses the Rue Nationale at the Place Jean-Jaures and is the location of weekly markets and fairs.

Tours is famous for its many bridges crossing the river Loire. One of them, Wilson Bridge, collapsed in 1978 but was rebuilt.

In the garden of the ancient Palais des Archevêques (now Musée des Beaux-Arts) is a huge cedar tree said to have been planted by Napoleon.[11] The garden also has a stuffed elephant named Fritz. He escaped from the Barnum and Bailey circus during their stay in Tours in 1902. He went mad and had to be shot down, but the city paid to honor him, and he was taxidermied as a result.

Tours is home to University of Tours (formerly known as University François Rabelais of Tours), the site of one of the most important choral competitions, called Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choir Competition, and is a member city of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.

Population

[edit]

The population data in the table and graph below refer to the commune of Tours proper, in its geography at the given years. The commune of Tours absorbed the former commune of Saint-Étienne in 1845 and Sainte-Radegonde-en-Touraine and Saint-Symphorien in 1964.[12]

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1793 21,000 —    
1800 20,240 −0.53%
1806 21,703 +1.17%
1821 21,928 +0.07%
1831 23,235 +0.58%
1836 26,669 +2.80%
1841 30,072 +2.43%
1846 30,766 +0.46%
1851 33,530 +1.74%
1856 38,055 +2.56%
1861 41,061 +1.53%
1866 42,450 +0.67%
1872 43,368 +0.36%
1876 48,325 +2.74%
1881 52,209 +1.56%
1886 59,585 +2.68%
1891 60,335 +0.25%
1896 63,267 +0.95%
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1901 64,695 +0.45%
1906 67,601 +0.88%
1911 73,398 +1.66%
1921 75,096 +0.23%
1926 77,192 +0.55%
1931 78,585 +0.36%
1936 83,753 +1.28%
1946 80,044 −0.45%
1954 83,618 +0.55%
1962 92,944 +1.33%
1968 128,120 +5.50%
1975 140,686 +1.35%
1982 132,209 −0.88%
1990 129,509 −0.26%
1999 132,820 +0.28%
2007 136,578 +0.35%
2012 134,978 −0.24%
2017 135,787 +0.12%
 
Source: EHESS[12] and INSEE (1968–2017)[13]

Transportation

[edit]
Tram model, design by the French agency RCP Design Global

Today, with extensive rail (including TGV) and autoroute connections linking to the rest of the country, Tours is a jumping-off point for tourist visits to the Loire Valley and the royal châteaux.

Tours is on one of the main lines of the TGV. It is possible to travel to the west coast of Bordeaux in an hour and forty minutes. From there, the line follows the Mediterranean coast via Avignon, and then to Spain and Barcelona. There are also lines to Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille. It takes less than one hour by train to get from Tours to Paris by TGV and one and a half hours to get to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Tours has two main stations: Gare de Tours, the central station, and Gare de Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, used by trains that do not terminate in Tours.

Tours Loire Valley Airport connects the Loire Valley to European cities.

Historically, Tours was served by trams and trolleybuses, the trolleybus system lasting from 1949 to 1968. Tram service returned to the city in 2013, when a new tram system began operation. Twenty-one Alstom Citadis trams were ordered.[14]

There is also a bus service, the main central stop being Jean Jaurès, next to the Hôtel de Ville, and rue Nationale, the high street of Tours. The tram and bus networks are operated by Fil Bleu and they share a ticketing system. A second tram line is scheduled for 2025.[15]

Sport

[edit]

The city's football team, Tours FC, currently play in Championnat National 3, the fifth level of French football. They also have a second team, CCSP Tours. CCSP's home stadium is the Stade des Tourettes and they play in the Division d'Honneur Regionale de Centre, the seventh tier of the French football league system.[citation needed]

Tours has served as the finish location for Paris–Tours, a one-day road cycling classic race held almost every October since 1896.[16]

Tours also has a volleyball club named the Tours VB.

Catholics from Tours

[edit]
Venerable Leo Dupont, Holy Man of Tours

Tours is a special place for Catholics who follow the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1843, Sister Marie of St Peter of Tours reported a vision which started the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, in reparation for the many insults Christ suffered in His Passion. The Golden Arrow Prayer was first made public by her.

The Venerable Leo Dupont also known as The Holy Man of Tours lived in Tours at about the same time. In 1849 he started the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which spread throughout France. Upon hearing of Sister Marie of St Peter's reported visions, he started to burn a vigil lamp continuously before a picture of the Holy Face of Jesus. The devotion was eventually approved by Pope Pius XII in 1958 and he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) for all Roman Catholics.[17] The Oratory of the Holy Face on Rue St. Etienne in Tours receives many pilgrims every year.

Tours was the site of the episcopal activity of St. Martin of Tours and has further Christian connotations in that the pivotal Battle of Tours in 732 is often considered the first decisive victory over the invading Islamic forces, turning the tide against them. The battle also helped lay the foundations of the Carolingian Empire.[18]

Notable people

[edit]
Louise de la Vallière, 17th.C
General Régis de Trobriand, 1865

Public service

[edit]

Arts

[edit]
Jean Fouquet self portrait, ca.1450
Philippe Néricault Destouches, 1741
statue of Honoré de Balzac

Science and business

[edit]
Gabriel Lamé

Sport

[edit]
Pascal Hervé, 2000

Twin towns — sister cities

[edit]

Tours is twinned with:[28]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Comparateur de territoire". INSEE. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. ^ Historia Brittonum 7, 10–11
  5. ^ The Andalusian History, from the Islamic conquest till the fall of Granada 92–897 A.H. (711–1492 C.E.), by Professor AbdurRahman Ali El-Hajji, a professor of the Islamic history at Baghdad University, published in Dar Al-Qalam, in Damascus, and in Beirut. "Second Edition". p. 194
  6. ^ "Données climatiques de la station de Tours" (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  7. ^ "TOURS (37)" (PDF). Fiche Climatologique: Statistiques 1991–2020 et records (in French). Meteo France. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Normes et records 1961–1990: Tours – St Symphorien (37) – altitude 112m" (in French). Infoclimat. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  9. ^ "Tours, France". Meet Minneapolis. 2012. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  10. ^ de Montvalon, Jean-Baptiste. "Philippe Boula de Mareüil : « Les accents participent à la richesse de notre langue". Le Monde (in French). Paris. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  11. ^ "City summary: Tours". us.media.france.fr.
  12. ^ a b Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Tours, EHESS (in French).
  13. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  14. ^ "Tours selects Citadis and APS". Railway Gazette International. London. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Tramway de Tours – Le Tram de Tours". letramdetours.net.
  16. ^ "City tourism: Tours". Paris–Tours. Amaury Sport Organisation. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  17. ^ Dorothy Scallan. "The Holy Man of Tours." (1990) ISBN 0-89555-390-2
  18. ^ Davis, Paul K. (1999) "100 Decisive Battles From Ancient Times to the Present" ISBN 0-19-514366-3
  19. ^ "Berengarius" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 768–769.
  20. ^ "La Vallière, Louise Françoise de" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 290–291.
  21. ^ "Viollet, Paul Marie" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 107.
  22. ^ "Foucquet, Jean" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 737.
  23. ^ Williamson, George Charles (1911). "Clouet, François" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). pp. 559–560.
  24. ^ "Destouches, Philippe" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 104.
  25. ^ "Dutens, Louis" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 736.
  26. ^ "Bouilly, Jean Nicolas" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 318.
  27. ^ Saintsbury, George (1911). "Balzac, Honoré de" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). pp. 298–301.
  28. ^ "Jumelages et partenariats". tours.fr (in French). Tours. Retrieved 16 November 2019.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

 

 

Early tour bus in Salt Lake City, 1909
A colourful tour bus at Kuranda, Queensland, Australia
Tourists taking photos from a ParisCityVision open-topped tour bus in Paris.
Salvador Bahia Bus in Santo Antonio da Barra Lighthouse, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
The Needles "Breezer", Isle of Wight, England

A tour bus service is an escorted tour (sometimes a package holiday) or bus service that takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around tourist attractions.

Information

[edit]

Double-decker buses and open top buses are commonly used, for providing a good view. Large coaches are used internationally by tour operators, intercity bus lines and charters, for short and long distance destinations. These buses are larger than regular transit buses, with 2 to 4 axles (6 to 10 wheels).

The history of tour buses in North America began in the early 20th century, when trucks were converted to provide a means for sightseeing within large American cities.[1] Gray Line, the largest sightseeing operators, began operations in 1910.[2] Sightseeing was likely a side business for many intercity bus operators because the same types of buses were used (this remains true even today). World War II saw the industry decline, but it slowly re-emerged as an alternative to driving.[1]

Many musicians, entertainers, dancing crews and bands travel in sleeper buses, commonly referred to as "tour buses". While most if not all of the buses and coaches listed above are for commercial applications, there are many coaches manufactured for personal use as motorhomes. These bus based motorhomes are considered the top end of the RV market.

Common features

[edit]
  • Padded fabric or leather front-facing seats, often reclining.
  • Foot and arm rests.
  • TV monitors connected to DVD player or VCR to provide entertainment or possibly analog TV or DTV for local news or programs (possibly in seats with viewer choosing what station).
  • Basic lavatory – riders may be discouraged from using it except in an emergency,[3][failed verification] but some newer buses feature full service lavatories[4]
  • Cool water dispenser, refrigerator, hot water urn.
  • Wheelchair lift or ramp and "kneeling suspension" for easier access (especially for the elderly and infirm).
  • Tinted windows (and/or curtains or blinds).
  • Luggage compartment (or bins) below in the underbelly of the bus, with overhead hand-luggage racks.

Tour coach manufacturers

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Driven John Mack Kept on Truckin', Helping Build Modern America". Investors.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  2. ^ Risko, Karin (2018). A History Lover's Guide to Detroit. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4671-3567-2.
  3. ^ "Bus Toilets / Toilets of the World". toilet-guru.com. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  4. ^ "New Prevost features to be showc". Prevost-stuff.com. December 22, 2006. Retrieved March 28, 2011.

 

 

Methods of travel in Hong Kong, the most visited city according to Euromonitor. Top to bottom: the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the MTR.
Train travel – Passengers on a train on a bridge of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, between Mettupalayam and Ootacamund, in Tamil Nadu, India

Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.[1] Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements, as in the case of tourism.

Etymology

[edit]

The origin of the word "travel" is most likely lost to history. The term "travel" may originate from the Old French word travail, which means 'work'.[2] According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century. It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil).

In English, people still occasionally use the words travail, which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers' Tales (2004), the words travel and travail both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means "three stakes", as in to impale).[citation needed] This link may reflect the extreme difficulty of travel in ancient times. Travel in modern times may or may not be much easier, depending upon the destination. Travel to Mount Everest, the Amazon rainforest, extreme tourism, and adventure travel are more difficult forms of travel. Travel can also be more difficult depending on the method of travel, such as by bus, cruise ship, or even by bullock cart.[3]

Purpose and motivation

[edit]
Traveler's motorcycle with large rear box

Reasons for traveling include recreation,[4] holidays, rejuvenation,[5] tourism[4] or vacationing,[4] research travel,[4] the gathering of information, visiting people, volunteer travel for charity, migration to begin life somewhere else, religious pilgrimages[4] and mission trips, business travel,[4] trade,[4] commuting, obtaining health care,[4] waging or fleeing war, for the enjoyment of traveling, or other reasons. Travelers may use human-powered transport such as walking or bicycling; or vehicles, such as public transport, automobiles, trains, ferries, boats, cruise ships and airplanes.

Motives for travel include:

History

[edit]

Travel dates back to antiquity where wealthy Greeks and Romans would travel for leisure to their summer homes and villas in cities such as Pompeii and Baiae.[9] While early travel tended to be slower, more dangerous, and more dominated by trade and migration, cultural and technological advances over many years have tended to mean that travel has become easier and more accessible.[10] Humankind has come a long way in transportation since Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World from Spain in 1492, an expedition which took over 10 weeks to arrive at the final destination; to the 21st century when aircraft allows travel from Spain to the United States overnight.

Travel in the Middle Ages offered hardships and challenges, though it was important to the economy and to society. The wholesale sector depended (for example) on merchants dealing with/through caravans or sea-voyagers, end-user retailing often demanded the services of many itinerant peddlers wandering from village to hamlet, gyrovagues (wandering monks) and wandering friars brought theology and pastoral support to neglected areas, traveling minstrels toured, and armies ranged far and wide in various crusades and in sundry other wars.[9] Pilgrimages were common in both the European and Islamic world and involved streams of travelers both locally and internationally.[11]

In the late 16th century, it became fashionable for young European aristocrats and wealthy upper-class men to travel to significant European cities as part of their education in the arts and literature. This was known as the Grand Tour, and included cities such as London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome. However, the French Revolution brought with it the end of the Grand Tour.[9]

Travel by water often provided more comfort and speed than land-travel, at least until the advent of a network of railways in the 19th century. Travel for the purpose of tourism is reported to have started around this time when people began to travel for fun as travel was no longer a hard and challenging task. This was capitalized on by people like Thomas Cook selling tourism packages where trains and hotels were booked together.[12] Airships and airplanes took over much of the role of long-distance surface travel in the 20th century, notably after the Second World War where there was a surplus of both aircraft and pilots.[9] Air travel has become so ubiquitous in the 21st century that one woman, Alexis Alford, visited all 196 countries before the age of 21.[13]

Geographic types

[edit]

Travel may be local, regional, national (domestic) or international. In some countries, non-local internal travel may require an internal passport, while international travel typically requires a passport and visa. Tours are a common type of travel. Examples of travel tours are expedition cruises,[14] small group tours,[15] and river cruises.[16]

Safety

[edit]
Travelers in a British Airways 747 airplane. Air travel is a common means of transport.
MS Skania ferry in the port of Szczecin

Authorities emphasize the importance of taking precautions to ensure travel safety.[17] When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence.[18] Some safety considerations include being aware of one's surroundings,[17] avoiding being the target of a crime,[17] leaving copies of one's passport and itinerary information with trusted people,[17] obtaining medical insurance valid in the country being visited[17] and registering with one's national embassy when arriving in a foreign country.[17] Many countries do not recognize drivers' licenses from other countries; however most countries accept international driving permits.[19] Automobile insurance policies issued in one's own country are often invalid in foreign countries, and it is often a requirement to obtain temporary auto insurance valid in the country being visited.[19] It is also advisable to become oriented with the driving rules and regulations of destination countries.[19] Wearing a seat belt is highly advisable for safety reasons; many countries have penalties for violating seatbelt laws.[19]

There are three main statistics which may be used to compare the safety of various forms of travel (based on a Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions survey in October 2000):[20]

Mode Deaths per billion
Journeys Hours Kilometers
Bus 4.3 11.1 0.4
Rail 20 30 0.6
Air 117 30.8 0.05
Ship 90 50 2.6
Van 20 60 1.2
Car 40 130 3.1
Walking 40 220 54
Bicycle 170 550 45
Motorcycle 1640 4840 109

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Travel". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. 12 Apr 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  2. ^ Entymoligical dictionary (definition). Retrieved on 10 December 2011
  3. ^ Buzard, J. (1993). The Beaten Track. European Tourism literature, and the Ways to 'Culture' 1800 - 1918. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Road to Travel: Purpose of Travel." University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. (Compilation for History 3931/REL 3938 course.) Accessed July 2011.
  5. ^ "Motivations of Travel" (PDF). U.S. Travel Association.
  6. ^ Simonson, Lawrence R.; Koth, Barbara A.; Kreag, Glenn M. (1988). "So Your Community Wants Travel/Tourism? Guidelines for Attracting and Servicing Visitors". conservancy.edu. hdl:11299/178439. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Motivations for Travel Fact Sheet" (PDF). U.S. Travel Association. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Cultural Experiences". Worldpackers.
  9. ^ a b c d "A History Of Why People Travel". Matador Network.
  10. ^ "A Brief Visual History of Travel". Accessed May 2017.
  11. ^ Peters, F. E. (1994). The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places. Princeton University Press. p. 164. ISBN 9780691026190.
  12. ^ "A brief history of travel: From elite hobby to mass tourism". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  13. ^ Beni, Shauna (July 29, 2019). "This Gen Zer Just Became the Youngest Person to Travel to Every Country: Alexis Alford—or Lexie Limitless, as she's known on Instagram—has set the record at just 21 years old". Conde Nast Traveler. Retrieved March 6, 2020. ... By age 12, Alexis Alford ... Alford, now 21, has accomplished her goal...
  14. ^ "Unrivaled Expedition Cruises". National Geographic Expeditions. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  15. ^ "Book a small group tour with National Geographic Journeys and see more of the world for less". National Geographic Expeditions. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  16. ^ "River Cruises from National Geographic - Book one of our new authentic River Cruises across Europe or Asia". National Geographic Expeditions. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Tips for Traveling Abroad." Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Accessed July 2011.
  18. ^ "A Safe Trip Abroad." Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Accessed July 2011.
  19. ^ a b c d "Road Safety Overseas." Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Accessed July 2011.
  20. ^ The risks of travel Archived 2001-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
[edit]

 

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll have peace of mind knowing that they prioritize your privacy and security during exclusive excursions. They employ trained security personnel and use discrete routes to ensure a safe, private experience tailored to your needs.

You can't bring pets on the tour, even in outdoor areas. It's important to plan accordingly if you're thinking of including any furry friends in your travel plans, as they won't be allowed.

Yes, there are age restrictions on the new exclusive excursions. You must be at least 12 years old to participate, and anyone under 18 needs an accompanying adult to join them on the tour.