Untours

When is a tour not a tour? When it’s an Untour, of course. Pennsylvania-based Untours stakes out its own ground in the tour business, offering “all the fun of independent travel without all the work.” And they’ve been doing it for more than 40 years, building an experienced, knowledgeable staff both in the U.S. and Europe.

What Makes Them Stand Out?

As its name suggests, Untours is different than a typical tour agency. It doesn’t offer guided tours or group tours, but it does offer unlimited pre-trip planning advice, orientation upon arrival at your European destination, a private apartment to stay in, and transportation while there.

Who Travels With Them?

Untours clients like the idea of being mostly on their own while traveling, but are looking for extra assistance in planning, getting oriented, and arranging for lodging and transport. Since the Untours method saves time and energy when traveling to an unfamiliar place, it’s especially popular with people of working age or those who don’t enjoy extensive research.

Where Do They Operate?

Untours operates in 24 European locations, including multiple cities, towns and villages in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Other locations are in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Holland, Ireland, the UK, and Greece.

How Does it Work?

You choose the European location of your dreams – it could be Alsace, France; Tuscany, Italy; London, England; Budapest, Hungary; Barcelona, Spain; Leiden, Holland; Nafplio, Greece; or a village in Switzerland, among others – and Untours will set you up. You can ask all the questions about your destination that you want, and you’ll also be given an Untours guidebook to the region. When you arrive, Untours’ local staff will fill you in on anything you want or need to know. They’ll transfer you from the airport to your private apartment, cottage, or farmhouse -- where you’ll stay for one to two weeks -- and also set you up with a rental car, rail pass, or mass-transit pass, depending on your location. Otherwise, you’re entirely on your own to do what you want.

Why Travel With Them?

Untours offers an unusual service that strikes a balance between a guided tour and independent travel. Of course, you can put together your own group of friends or family if you don’t want to travel strictly on your own. You can also combine Untours (they’ll provide transfers between regions) if you want a longer trip, or opt for customized itineraries and luxury-level properties. You can even choose to just book one of their properties and dispense with the other planning and orientation.