by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 6:40 PM ET, Tue May 26, 2026
The best part of travel for me, has always been the opportunity to interact with locals or experience a destination like a local, whether that's eating at a small mom-and-pop restaurant, engaging in a unique cultural activity far beyond the tourist haunts, exploring a local market or doing some other meaningful activity.
Intrepid Travel certainly understand that desire among globetrotters and has long been a leader in offering tours that allow for such local experiences and connections.
But now Intrepid is taking an even bolder step to ensure travelers have unforgettable local experiences. The company has just announced 'Uncommon Day Trips' - a new range of day trips in Barcelona, Paris, and Venice, that are created and run by locals.
The new experiences have been designed to take travelers beyond the hotspots to places where tourism can have a deeper impact and more directly support local communities, Intrepid explained in a press release.
“Developed by our local teams, the new trips have been thoughtfully designed to meet growing visitor demand while highlighting that responsible visitation is still possible amid overtourism pressures,” the press release states.
Each tour that’s part of Uncommon Day Tours has been thoughtfully designed to meet growing visitor demand in the region, while also highlighting that responsible visitation is still possible, even amid overtourism pressures.
The launch 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 centers.
"Tourism to Europe isn't slowing down, and we're not trying to fight that. What we can do is give travelers a better framework for how they show up when they get there,” said Leigh Barnes, President for Americas at Intrepid Travel. “Uncommon Day Tours is about helping people decide what kind of traveler they want to be in some of the most visited places on earth, through smaller groups, locally-led experiences, and a more intentional approach to exploring destinations that see millions of visitors each year."
The new Uncommon Day Tours will be limited to no more than 12 people and will run for 2 to 3 hours. Departures will begin in June.
Here’s a closer look at some of the exciting new options that are part of Uncommon Day Tours, which can be booked here.
Intrepid Travel has just launched 'Uncommon Day Trips' in cities throughout Europe, which are created and run by locals. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Intrepid Travel)
Uncommon Venice (from $95)
In Venice, travelers 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 travelers learn how Venice became one of Europe’s earliest gateways for cacao.
“Venice is a unique and fragile city, and the challenge is finding a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving everyday life for its residents,” said Intrepid Tour Leader Camilla Feiffer, who was born and raised in Venice and contributed to the development of the tour. “Authentic Venice still exists, but you need to go deeper and be willing to look beyond the most crowded spots.”
Uncommon Barcelona (from $69)
In Barcelona, travelers visit 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 neighborhood of El
Clot, including its local market and La Rambla, experiencing everyday
city life away from the main tourist crowds.
“The issue of
overtourism in Barcelona is not that people are travelling here—it’s how
they are travelling,” said Juan Sanchez, Barcelona-based Intrepid
leader who helped develop the tour. “There is so much more to Barcelona
than nightclubs, beaches and cruise ship stopovers.”
Uncommon Paris (from $65)
In Paris, travelers enjoy fresh pastries at a neighborhood 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.
"While iconic sites are often overcrowded, many equally charming areas remain overlooked. This new tour highlights one such neighborhood which has a real local feel, is charming and historic and offers travelers amazing views of the Eiffel Tower, far from the usual crowds below” said Benoit Collas, an Intrepid Tour Leader in Paris, where he was born and raised
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.
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