Guided bike tours in Victoria

Guided bike tours in Victoria

Victoria art tours

Explore scenic routes, lush gardens, and hidden gems that only locals know about. Here, you're given the time and space to truly immerse yourself in the experience, making each moment more memorable. Lean more about Best Victoria sightseeing tour company here. This one-on-one consultation ensures that your tour is perfectly tailored to your desires.

Guided bike tours in Victoria - Victoria art tours

  1. Victoria art tours
  2. Victoria hiking tours
  3. Victoria urban exploration tours
  4. Victoria scuba diving tours
  5. Victoria hiking tours
  6. Victoria urban exploration tours
  7. Victoria scuba diving tours
  8. Victoria hiking tours
  9. Victoria urban exploration tours
  10. Victoria scuba diving tours
  11. Victoria hiking tours
  12. Victoria urban exploration tours
  13. Victoria scuba diving tours
  14. Victoria hiking tours
  15. Victoria urban exploration tours
You won't just snap photos from a distance; you'll feel the grandeur envelop you as your chauffeur shares tales that bring the stones to life. Learn more about Guided bike tours in Victoria here Each building tells a story, from the majestic Parliament Buildings to the historic Craigdarroch Castle; you're not just sightseeing; you're walking through chapters of history.
You could be sipping tea in a historic Guided bike tours in Victoria mansion, usually closed to visitors, or exploring the hidden alleys of the city with a knowledgeable guide who knows stories you won't find in any guidebook. You'll find seasonal deals that make your trips more affordable, allowing you to experience the best of Guided bike tours in Victoria without breaking the bank. You'll start by visiting Star Sightseeing's sleek, user-friendly website, where you can browse through various tour packages. Your guide will lead you to Melbourne's heart, the bustling Federation Square, where the city's pulse is palpable.
Imagine the thrill of spotting seals basking on the rocks at Seal Rocks or catching a glimpse of koalas in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve. Check the weather forecast the day before you leave and adjust your packing list accordingly. Once you've pinpointed your interests, it's time to consider logistics. This isn't just a tour; it's a journey through the heart and soul of Guided bike tours in Victoria.
Whether you're into historical landmarks, nature trails, or local cuisine, Star Sightseeing's got you covered. You'll walk the same streets where gold-laden carts once rolled and visit the Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum, a perfect recreation of a 19th-century gold mining town. This way, you can prioritize what you're most excited to see. But that's not all.

Imagine sitting in a cozy, dimly-lit restaurant, a glass of fine Guided bike tours in Victoria wine in hand, as you anticipate a meal crafted by some of the most talented chefs in the country. Star Sightseeing's customized tours will guide you through enchanting forests, along sparkling rivers, and over scenic hills that promise breathtaking views at every turn. Victoria walking tours As you journey with Star Sightseeing, you'll find yourself whisked away to vantage points offering panoramic views that stretch beyond the city's skyline into the wild, untamed beauty of nature. Nestled just an hour's drive from Melbourne, this lush, mountainous region invites you to immerse yourself in its cool fern glades, towering forests, and quaint hilltop villages.
As dusk settles, watch in awe as the little penguins, the smallest of their kind, emerge from the waves in groups, waddling their way across the beach to their homes. First off, check the weather forecast for Guided bike tours in Victoria to ensure you're dressed appropriately; the city's weather can be quite unpredictable. As the sun sets, you'll find yourself embarking on a guided food tour, hopping from one beloved eatery to the next, each offering a bite more tantalizing than the last.
For families, couples, or solo explorers, the promise is the same: a tour that feels like it was made just for you. Victoria adventure tours Crafting your perfect day in Guided bike tours in Victoria starts with deciding what sights and experiences top your must-see list. Keep in mind, these tours are in high demand. Read more about Guided bike tours in Victoria here
You're in for a treat as this expansion isn't just about adding more destinations; it's about redefining what you expect from a luxury tour. Lastly, once you're happy with the proposed itinerary, you'll confirm your booking with a deposit. Star Sightseeing's guides are your gateway to discovering these treasures, sharing tales that breathe life into every corner.



Guided bike tours in Victoria - Victoria scuba diving tours

  • Victoria winter sightseeing
  • Unique Victoria tours
  • Victoria adventure tours
  • Victoria hop-on hop-off tours
  • Victoria spring sightseeing
  • Victoria fall sightseeing
  • West Victoria sightseeing tours
  • Victoria walking tours
  • Victoria eco tours
  • Victoria sightseeing itineraries
  • Victoria sightseeing tickets
  • Victoria cultural experience tours
  • Victoria travel tips
  • Victoria paddleboarding tours
  • Victoria ghost tours
  • Indigenous cultural tours Victoria
  • Victoria VIP tours

Victoria sightseeing for families

Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of 91,867, and the Greater Victoria area has a population of 397,237. The city of Victoria is the seventh most densely populated city in Canada with 4,406 inhabitants per square kilometre (11,410/sq mi).

Citations and other links

Exclusive Scenic Boat and Harbor Tours

Enjoying a leisurely meal or a coffee break not only gives you a taste of the local cuisine but also provides a moment to soak in the city's ambiance. Imagine stepping into a world where every corner turned reveals a spectacle so breathtaking, it'd make the very concept of beauty blush; this is precisely the promise Star Sightseeing makes with its exclusive sightseeing tour of Guided bike tours in Victoria. As the leaves change color, the Fall Fairfield festival in autumn offers a chance to experience local arts, crafts, and culinary delights. Victoria hop-on hop-off tours With a Star Sightseeing private tour, you're not just a tourist-you're an explorer diving deep into the heart of Guided bike tours in Victoria. Here, you can try your hand at panning for gold, and who knows?

Stepping into Guided bike tours in Victoria's historical sites, you're transported through time to witness the rich tapestry of its past. It's not just about seeing the sights; it's about engaging with them, learning about the history and ecology that make each spot unique. Star Sightseeing's team prides itself on accommodating guests' wishes, ensuring your experience is nothing short of spectacular. You'll want to act fast to guarantee your place on this one-of-a-kind adventure. Victoria eco tours Victoria fall sightseeing

It's not just a tour; it's a journey through time, tailored just for you. This Great Ocean Road adventure with Star Sightseeing isn't just a tour; it's an immersion into the heart of Australia's natural wonders, promising memories that'll last a lifetime. From the intricate First Nations art and totem poles that stand as silent sentinels of a proud cultural legacy, to the Guided bike tours in Victorian architecture that whispers tales of a colonial past, you'll find yourself on a journey through time. You won't have to worry about getting lost or missing out on must-see destinations.

Guided bike tours in Victoria's charm is also in its details – the intricate facades of Chinatown, the oldest of its kind in Canada, and the innovative designs of the Dockside Green community reflect the city's commitment to sustainability. Star Sightseeing doesn't just show you a place; they introduce you to the essence of Guided bike tours in Victoria through its hidden gems. Star Sightseeing ensures each visit is more than a glance at art pieces. You won't have to worry about the road; our professional chauffeurs are at the helm, navigating seamlessly through Guided bike tours in Victoria's scenic routes.

Victoria urban exploration tours
Exclusive Scenic Boat and Harbor Tours
Guided bike tours in Victoria Island parks and gardens

Guided bike tours in Victoria Island parks and gardens

You'll appreciate the flexibility offered. Each landmark tells a unique story, revealing the layers of history that have shaped this vibrant city. This means you're always equipped with the most current information, making your exploration of Guided bike tours in Victoria hassle-free. First off, you've got the Classic City Tour, perfect for first-time visitors. It's the easiest and most enjoyable way to ensure you're not missing out on any of the splendor Guided bike tours in Victoria has to offer.

Star Sightseeing challenges you to push your limits with whitewater rafting. From the historic elegance of the Royal BC Museum to the modernist lines of the Vancouver Island Technology Park, there's a blend of old and new that captures the essence of this vibrant city. Guided bike tours in Victoria's numerous cafes and restaurants offer the perfect opportunity to relax and refuel. Imagine the elegance as you glide past the Fairmont Empress, a true icon of the city's rich heritage.

Our selection of vehicles isn't just about getting you from point A to B; it's about ensuring your journey is as memorable as the destinations themselves. Just a stone's throw away, the Empress Hotel stands as a testament to early 20th-century luxury, its châteauesque style making it a favorite subject for photographers. From the moment you're picked up, you'll notice the difference. Once your booking is confirmed, you'll receive a detailed itinerary and your personal chauffeur's contact information.

After pinpointing your interests, it's time to match them with the best Guided bike tours in Victoria has to offer. As you immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural tapestry of Guided bike tours in Victoria, don't forget the natural beauty that awaits in its lush landscapes. Imagine the golden hues of sunset casting a soft glow over the city, framed by the distant, rolling hills. Venturing further, you might find yourself on a coastal path, where the ocean breeze carries tales of the deep blue.

Guided bike tours in Victoria - Victoria spring sightseeing

  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria urban exploration tours
  • Victoria scuba diving tours


Guided bike tours in Victoria BC sightseeing cruises

Here, you'll find yourself on specially constructed viewing platforms that ensure you get the best view without disturbing the penguins' natural habitat. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and create lasting memories on Phillip Island. Imagine standing at the edge of the world-renowned Great Ocean Road, where the Twelve Apostles rise majestically from the Southern Ocean, sculpted by relentless waves and time.

Guided bike tours in Victoria - Victoria multi-day tours

  • Victoria day trips
  • Victoria scuba diving tours
  • Victoria hot air balloon rides
  • Victoria rainforest tours
  • Victoria fall foliage tours
  • Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  • Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  • Victoria heritage tours
  • Victoria Christmas market tours
  • Victoria paranormal tours
  • Best tour operators in Victoria
  • Victoria helicopter tours
  • Victoria suburbs sightseeing
  • Victoria sightseeing tickets
  • Victoria cultural experience tours
  • Victoria travel tips
But it's not all about the past.

Another highlight includes an exclusive visit to a secluded island wildlife sanctuary, where you can interact closely with native Australian animals in a protected and ethical environment.

Guided bike tours in Victoria - Victoria sightseeing itineraries

  • Victoria hiking tours
  • Victoria night tours
  • Victoria waterfront tours
  • Victoria history tours
  • Victoria wine tours
  • Victoria seaplane tours
  • Victoria photography tours
  • Victoria island tours
  • Butchart Gardens sightseeing tours
  • Best sightseeing in Victoria
  • Victoria nature tours
  • Victoria whale watching
  • Victoria architecture tours
  • Victoria Chinatown tours
  • Victoria food tours
  • Victoria holiday lights tours
  • Victoria snorkeling tours
  • Victoria local tour guides
  • Victoria underground tours
You'll find yourself mesmerized by the elegant Guided bike tours in Victorian facades along historic streets, where every brick seems to whisper tales of the past. Beyond the well-trodden paths, you'll find neighborhoods brimming with local art, cafes that feel like secrets shared between friends, and parks where the city's pulse slows to the rhythm of nature.

It's not just a tour; it's your own private exploration of Guided bike tours in Victoria's best-kept secrets. The tour doesn't stop there; you'll also explore the historic Chinatown, one of the oldest in Canada, where the narrow alleyways and colorful markets offer a glimpse into the area's rich cultural tapestry. If you've ever yearned for a travel experience that transcends the ordinary and catapults you into the extraordinary, the details of this tour might just hold the key to your next grand adventure.

This is your chance to immerse yourself in Guided bike tours in Victoria's rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or seeking culinary adventures, make sure you're clear about what you're looking for. Next, you'll experience the majestic Craigdarroch Castle, immersing yourself in the opulence and history of Guided bike tours in Victoria's Guided bike tours in Victorian era.

Guided bike tours in Victoria BC sightseeing cruises
Outdoor experiences Guided bike tours in Victoria Island
Outdoor experiences Guided bike tours in Victoria Island

Star Sightseeing listens and adjusts, making sure your time in Guided bike tours in Victoria is exactly what you dreamed it would be. They're not merely modes of transportation; they're integral parts of the experience, ensuring that every moment of your journey is as enjoyable as the destinations themselves. We listen carefully to what excites you and tailor your itinerary accordingly, balancing famous attractions with hidden gems that align with your interests. You'll find yourself at awe-inspiring viewpoints that most visitors miss, where the city lights meet the night sky in a breathtaking display. Unique Victoria tours

Whether you're an adventure seeker looking for thrills or a history buff eager to delve into Guided bike tours in Victoria's rich past, they've got you covered.

Guided bike tours in Victoria - Victoria adventure tours

  • Victoria hot air balloon rides
  • Victoria rainforest tours
  • Victoria fall foliage tours
  • Budget-friendly Victoria sightseeing
  • Victoria senior-friendly sightseeing
  • Victoria heritage tours
  • Victoria Christmas market tours
  • Victoria paranormal tours
  • Best tour operators in Victoria
  • Victoria helicopter tours
  • Victoria suburbs sightseeing
  • Victoria fall sightseeing
  • West Victoria sightseeing tours
  • Victoria walking tours
  • Victoria eco tours
  • Victoria sightseeing itineraries
  • Victoria sightseeing tickets
  • Victoria cultural experience tours
  • Victoria travel tips
  • Victoria paddleboarding tours
Exploring Guided bike tours in Victoria becomes an unforgettable adventure with Star Sightseeing, your go-to guide for personalized tours. Building on the theme of tailored experiences, let's uncover some of Guided bike tours in Victoria's hidden gems that are sure to captivate your curiosity.

Imagine standing before the majestic Parliament Buildings while historical figures and events come to life before your eyes, offering a dynamic learning experience you won't find elsewhere. Don't just see Guided bike tours in Victoria; experience its hidden night-time magic with Star Sightseeing. After exploring the coastal and vineyard charms of the Mornington Peninsula, we'll guide you through the serene pathways of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

It's a fantastic way to experience Guided bike tours in Victoria's natural beauty up close. The city also boasts stunning contemporary designs that push the boundaries of architecture, blending beautifully with the classic aesthetics that Guided bike tours in Victoria is renowned for. West Victoria sightseeing tours Each stop is an opportunity to dive deeper into what makes Guided bike tours in Victoria truly special.

Luxury Limousine Sightseeing in Guided bike tours in Victoria

From the opulence of the fleet to the knowledge and professionalism of your personal chauffeur-guide, every detail is meticulously crafted to ensure an unforgettable experience. You won't just be another tourist in a crowd; you'll feel like a local explorer, uncovering secrets of Guided bike tours in Victoria's charming streets and stunning architecture. How do you make a sightseeing tour in Guided bike tours in Victoria uniquely yours? They'll take you there, at the perfect time. You'll find that all their vehicles are regularly maintained and subjected to rigorous safety checks before hitting the road.
You'll wander through the enchanting Butchart Gardens, where the floral displays and themed gardens will take your breath away. And if you're traveling solo, don't worry. It's not just a journey; it's a step back in time, where the pace slows and nature takes center stage. You'll get to explore vineyards that produce some of the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines in Australia.
You'll explore quaint towns brimming with character, where every cobblestone and corner tells a story. Star Sightseeing ensures you won't miss out on the rich history and ecological wonders that dot this spectacular landscape. Booking your tickets in advance is a must. Whether you're a nature lover, an avid hiker, or someone looking to find peace in nature's embrace, Guided bike tours in Victoria's landscapes offer something for everyone. Victoria scuba diving tours
Star Sightseeing's exclusive tour doesn't just whisk you away to remarkable locations; it plunges you into experiences that blend comfort with the exhilaration of discovery. As the day turns to evening, your tour doesn't stop. With exclusive access to sights and personalization at the heart of their service, they ensure that your adventure is uniquely yours. But it's not just about looking back.

Explore Guided bike tours in Victoria here
Luxury Limousine Sightseeing in Guided bike tours in Victoria

 

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]

 

 

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

Yes, you can customize the tour itinerary for private groups or special occasions. They're flexible and work with you to create a unique experience that meets your group's needs and makes your event memorable.

You'll need to check Star Sightseeing's cancellation policies directly, as they vary. Typically, there's flexibility for unforeseen circumstances, but it's best to review the terms or contact them directly for specifics on refunds or rescheduling.

Star Sightseeing prioritizes your safety by implementing strict health measures, including regular sanitation of vehicles, mandatory masks, and health screenings for all travelers, ensuring a secure experience amidst current global health concerns.