Butterfield & Robinson vs Classic Journeys - Tour Companies Compared

Born in 1966, Butterfield and Robinson specializes in higher end guided and self-guided biking and walking tours to many of the world’s top destinations.

What Makes Butterfield & Robinson Stand Out?

The seamless combination of luxury minded travel and the active travel style of cycling are what have consistently made Butterfield a household name among affluent 50+ travelers.

You can choose your own activity level, whether it’s a ramble through the Burgundy countryside in France or a more strenuous hike along the Inca Trail in Peru. On cycling trips, bikes are customized to fit the riders, and they have a high staff and support vehicle ratio per guest -- making them a top choice for travelers seeking a high-service biking adventure.

They offer several tours around the world, small group is their primary offering, though private guided and customizable itineraries are also available.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Butterfield & Robinson?

They offer trips for all ages, but are definitely most popular among older active travelers with a taste for the finer things.

If a leisurely 25 mile bike ride through European vineyards, stopping for picnics, going at your own pace, and meeting up with your small group for a nice rustic dinner with a well deserved beer or glass of wine at the end of the day sounds like your perfect vacation, then Butterfield & Robinson is for you.

Activity levels vary with the terrain and there are several different activity categories that B&R offers for you to choose from. They’re open to people of all ages -- kids under 18 are eligible to go on special family trips -- and athletic abilities.

Ebikes make it easier for even the most basic physical fitness level to travel farther and in more comfort. Of course it’s not a complete ride with no effort - you must pedal, but it is possible to travel on a cycling trip with Butterfield & Robinson without feeling like you’ve entered the Tour de France.

Trips with Butterfield & Robinson are not budget by any means, though a range of price options are available in the mid to upper budget category.

Top Destinations

Over the years, they’ve expanded to more than 100 biking and walking trips around the world, including Bhutan, the Baltics, Jordan and Colombia as well as favorites like Spain, France, and Italy. Wherever you are, you can expect to be showered with refreshments, route maps, and suggestions for interesting places to stop and explore.

Butterfield & Robinson Travel Style

Most tours with Butterfield & Robinson are easy to moderately paced. Cycling is the primary means of transportation from point a to point b on most trips, with a generous helping of stops to enjoy unique cultural experiences or explore a historical site.

Guided bike trips average about 25-30 miles a day (longer for expert level), while walkers average six to ten miles a day. Group sizes are kept small, to allow for travel along all kind of roads, and create the opportunity for a lot of space between riders, allowing you to find your own pace. On most trips you’ll be joined by more than one guide, allowing for very personalized and dedicated attention throughout your cycling experience.

Small group sizes also help Butterfield be able to arrange unique accommodations. On a B&R trip, it’s not unusual to find yourself in a renovated castle, chateau or other signature lodging.

They are known for cycling, however Butterfield also offers Walking Tours, Family Trips, Boat Trips & Cruises, Safaris, Food & Wine centric tours, and Corporate Holidays.

Why Choose a Tour With Butterfield & Robinson?

Even for avid hikers and cyclists who choose the more expert options, B&R sees to it that all you’ll have to cope with is that next hill. You never have to carry your own luggage or purchases that you might make along the way -- the support van, which you’re likely to encounter several times a day on your route -- takes care of that.

You also have plenty of flexibility in pacing your walk or ride; group members don’t have to stay together -- you can stop at cafes or museums along the way as you see fit. You can even take the afternoon off if you wish.

In short, Butterfield is the pinnacle when it comes to well planned, fun, expertly guided, cycling tours with a luxury travel touch.

Classic Journeys began in 1995 and has since carved out a unique niche in the luxury travel market, providing high end travel with an adventurous twist, all over the world.

What Makes Them Stand Out

They describe themselves as having “sophisticated gusto” an apt way to get an idea of their travel style. It’s luxury travel but not the stuffy sort. In France, you might find yourself in the chateaux-lined Loire Valley or the lavender fields of Provence. In Italy, you might walk the Amalfi Coast or through Sardinia. In Southeast Asia, you can meet the locals while walking through Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In North America, you might explore Nova Scotia's coast or the streets of Savannah and Charleston. In Latin America, Cuba, Costa Rica, Belize and Chile are all possibilities. As Classic Journeys puts it: "We meet and mingle…in markets, vineyards, piazzas and homes." And always at a relaxed pace.

Who Travels With Them

Many of their customers are independent minded travelers who are fed up with planning the logistics. As such they focus on keeping an element of spontaneity in their trips. You’ll enjoy their itineraries if you enjoy unique local experiences combined with the luxury that comes with having everything expertly taken care of. Group size ranges between 10 and 18 on their walking, culinary, and family tours, and they can also arrange private custom itineraries.

Where Do They Operate

They arrange trips all over the globe, from South America to New Zealand. A majority of trips are in France, Italy, Canada, and the United States.

Why Travel With Them

They emphasise keeping the feeling of spontaneous, authentic local travel in their approach to guided travel. You can choose from between specialized itineraries in four main “buckets”: Cultural Walking Adventures, Culinary Tours, Family Multi-Sport, and Private Journeys. Local guides will provide a deeper perspective as you experience each destination from all sides, through unique and immersive cultural activities, never losing the element of luxury travel.