Intrepid reimagines day trips in Europe's most overtouristed cities

May 2026

Created and run by locals, the new experiences take travellers beyond the hotspots where tourism can have a deeper impact.

Intrepid Travel, a global leader in responsible travel, has released a new range of day trips in Barcelona, Paris and Venice, offering alternative experiences away from tourist hotspots. Developed by Intrepid’s local teams, the new ‘Uncommon Day Trips’ have been thoughtfully designed to meet growing visitor demand while highlighting that responsible visitation is still possible amid overtourism pressures.

Travelling in small groups of no more than 12, the new trips 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.

• On the Uncommon Barcelona trip, travellers visit a community garden in El Born, a protected green space that nurtures local life amid the pressures of gentrification in the Old Town. They also spend time in the neighbourhood of El Clot, exploring its local market and rambla and experiencing local life away from the crowds.
• The Uncommon Venice trip invites travellers beyond the busy canals to discover a different side of the city. Experiences include a visit 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.
• On the Uncommon Paris trip, travellers enjoy fresh pastries at a neighbourhood market and visit tranquil parks offering a quiet refuge from the busy city. Along the way, they’ll have the chance to see the Eiffel Tower from unique vantage points, revealing a side of the city defined by everyday life, rather than crowds.

Erica Kritikides, General Manager Experiences at Intrepid Travel commented: “These new day trips are designed to promote responsible travel in cities grappling with overtourism, responding to the high demand with a meaningful alternative. They 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. They reflect Intrepid’s overarching experience design philosophy – providing immersive, locally-led experiences that encourage cultural exchange, a deeper connection to the destination and respect for the daily lives of the communities we encounter.”

Intrepid Operations Manager Juan Sanchez lives in Barcelona and helped to develop the new day trip in the city. He commented:

“As someone who lives in a one of the lesser-known neigbourhoods, I can tell you that most people, especially the vendors in the market, were surprised that we wanted to bring visitors there, but also open to seeing how it goes. This will be a learning process for both sides and I believe the best thing we can do is start taking small but meaningful actions as a responsible company, helping to redistribute tourism dollars to local areas, supporting residents and showing travellers that there are other ways to explore the city.”

Intrepid Tour Leader, Camilla Feiffer, was born and raised in Venice and has been a tour guide for 10 years and was involved in the development of the new day trip. She commented:

"Overtourism in Venice is a major issue, and while it’s difficult to stop, it can be managed more effectively. 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 a bit deeper and be willing to look beyond the most crowded spots. I believe part of the solution lies in moving toward a slower, more mindful way of travelling. Instead of trying to see all of Italy in a week, it’s about seeing less but experiencing more - engaging with the local culture and dedicating time to explore each place in greater depth.”

Benoit Collas is an Intrepid Tour Leader in Paris, where he was born and raised. He said:

"Overtourism is obviously an issue in Paris as it is one of the most visited cities in the world. Locals feel their neighborhoods are being taken over and no longer feel like their own, while tourists may be disappointed if they were expecting an ‘authentic experience’. While iconic sites are often overcrowded, many equally charming areas remain overlooked. This new trip 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 trips, Intrepid now runs 25 day trips in Europe, across 11 cities. Intrepid also runs 236 multi-day trips in the region, spanning 42 different countries. Its European operations are run out of five local offices, including their newest in Rome, Italy which opened in March 2026. Intrepid also acquired French adventure travel company Altai Group in April 2026 and Dutch tour operator Sawadee in February 2025, strengthening its regional operations and responding to growing demand for culturally immersive, responsible travel in Europe.

New trip departures commence from June 2026.

To find out more information, visit: www.urbanadventures.com/uncommon-day-trips