Intrepid Travel is encouraging travellers to look beyond Europe’s busiest hotspots, launching new “Uncommon Day Trips” in Barcelona, Paris and Venice.
The small-group experiences are designed to steer visitors into lesser-known neighbourhoods while supporting local communities and businesses amid ongoing overtourism concerns across Europe.
Limited to 12 travellers, the 2-3 hour tours were created by Intrepid’s local teams and focus on more everyday, community-driven experiences rather than crowded tourist icons.
In Barcelona, travellers visit a community garden in El Born and explore the local market culture of El Clot, while in Venice, travellers move beyond packed canals to the historic Rialto fish market and a chocolate tasting at a women-owned artisan store.
Meanwhile, the Paris tour includes pastries at a neighbourhood market, quieter green spaces and alternative Eiffel Tower viewpoints away from the usual crowds.
The tours launch from June 2026 and build on Intrepid’s growing European day trip portfolio, which now spans 25 experiences across 11 cities.
The company says the trips reflect rising demand for more responsible and culturally immersive travel experiences in Europe.
“These new day trips are designed to promote responsible travel in cities grappling with overtourism, responding to the high demand with a meaningful alternative,” Intrepid Travel General Manager Experiences Erica Kritikides said.
“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.”
Shared vision
Barcelona-based Intrepid Operations Manager Juan Sanchez, who helped develop the Spanish city’s tour, said the new experience would be “a learning process for both sides”.
“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,” he remarked.
“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.”
Venetian Intrepid Tour Leader, Camilla Feiffer, said that while overtourism in Venice is a major ongoing issue, it could 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,” she stated.
“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.”
Feiffer’s counterpart in Paris, Benoit Collas, said “locals feel their neighborhoods are being taken over and no longer feel like their own”.
“While iconic sites are often overcrowded, many equally charming areas remain overlooked,” he added.
“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.”
Intrepid has also expanded its European operations in recent years, opening a Rome office in March 2026 and acquiring French adventure company Altai Group and Dutch operator Sawadee.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Europe’s overtourism debate isn’t going away anytime soon. Intrepid’s move shows travellers still want iconic cities – they just increasingly want to experience them without feeling part of the problem.
