Intrepid Travel is doing day tours differently in a number of key European cities, offering alternative experiences away from tourist hotspots.
The operator’s local teams have developed the new range of day tours in Barcelona, Paris and Venice that are being billed as Uncommon Day Tours, which have been designed to meet growing visitor demand while highlighting that responsible visitation is still possible amid overtourism pressures.
Intrepid’s launch of Uncommon Day Tours comes as European destinations continue to face record visitor numbers, rising pressure on infrastructure, and increasing concern from local communities about the impact of tourism in major urban centres.
For Canadians, Europe remains one of the most in-demand regions. Italy is Intrepid’s top European destination for Canadians year-to-date, representing 15% of European bookings, while France and Spain have seen year-over-year booking growth of 112% and 11%, respectively.
Christian Wolters, President for Canada at Intrepid Travel, explained: “The conversation is shifting from simply where people go to how they show up when they get there. That includes travelling in smaller groups and opting for experiences that support local communities. We wanted to offer Canadians travelling to Europe this summer a fresh and more intentional way to experience some of the continent’s most visited cities.”
Travelling in small groups of no more than 12, the new day tours run for two to three hours and build on Intrepid’s growing day trips range. They take travellers into lesser-known neighbourhoods while supporting local businesses and fostering meaningful cultural exchange.
Erica Kritikides, General Manager Experiences at Intrepid Travel, said: “These tours are proof that you can still have incredible local experiences in some of the world’s most popular destinations, going beyond the hotspots to explore a genuinely local side of the city.”
Uncommon Barcelona – with prices from CDN$95 – see travellers visiting a community garden in El Born, a protected green space supporting local life amid pressures of gentrification in the Old Town. They also explore the neighbourhood of El Clot, including its local market and La Rambla, experiencing everyday city life away from the main tourist crowds.
Juan Sanchez, Barcelona-based Intrepid leader who helped develop the tour, observed that: “The issue of overtourism in Barcelona is not that people are travelling here — it’s how they are travelling. There is so much more to Barcelona than nightclubs, beaches and cruise ship stopovers.”
Uncommon Venice – from CDN$129 — In Venice, travellers are invited beyond the city’s busy canals to discover a different side of the destination. Experiences include a visit to the Pescheria di Rialto market, which dates back to the Middle Ages, and a chocolate tasting workshop at a women-owned artisanal shop, where travellers learn how Venice became one of Europe’s earliest gateways for cacao.
Intrepid Tour Leader Camilla Feiffer, who was born and raised in Venice and contributed to the development of the tour, pointed out that: “Venice is a unique and fragile city, and the challenge is finding a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving everyday life for its residents. Authentic Venice still exists, but you need to go deeper and be willing to look beyond the most crowded spots.”
Uncommon Paris – from CDN$89 – In Paris, travellers enjoy fresh pastries at a neighbourhood market and visit tranquil parks that offer a quiet escape from the busy city. Along the way, they see the Eiffel Tower from unique vantage points, revealing a side of Paris defined by everyday life rather than crowds.
Benoit Collas, an Intrepid Tour Leader in Paris, where he was born and raised, said that: “While iconic sites are often overcrowded, many equally charming areas remain overlooked. This new tour highlights one such neighbourhood which has a real local feel, is charming and historic and offers travellers amazing views of the Eiffel Tower, far from the usual crowds below.”
With the addition of these three new day tours, Intrepid now runs 25-day tours in Europe, across 11 cities. Intrepid also runs 236 multi-day tours in the region, spanning 42 different countries.
New trip departures commence from June 2026 and for more, go to www.urbanadventures.com/uncommon-day-trips
