Review Introduction
Tourist Tracks specialize in MP3 audio walking tours which can be downloaded from the Tourist Tracks web site or, if like me you don't have an MP3 player yet, they can post a CD to you. (Note: they can only post to a UK address, but it can be a hotel address.)
Tourist Tracks have produced the audio walking tours in partnership with Visit London. This is a review of the City of London tour.
Instructions
The audio CD comes with a simplified map of the area covered in the walking tour. The CD starts with 1.5 minutes of instructions about how to use the audio tour. I would particularly recommend taking heed of the advice to "be aware of your surroundings". London is a busy city with lots of people and lots of traffic. Make sure when you stop to listen to the tour details, you stop against a wall and not near the curb. And when it comes to crossing the road, do use the designated pedestrian crossings. You may have to wait a few minutes but when you see the green man all the traffic must stop.
The directions to help you find the next audio point can be a bit lengthy and hard to remember. I had to replay directions a few times to check which way to go. (The City area of London has lots of small roads as it's so old.)
Walking Tour Tips
Good Points and Bad Points
Pros
Tourist Tracks specialize in MP3 audio walking tours which can be downloaded from the Tourist Tracks web site or, if like me you don't have an MP3 player yet, they can post a CD to you. (Note: they can only post to a UK address, but it can be a hotel address.)
Tourist Tracks have produced the audio walking tours in partnership with Visit London. This is a review of the City of London tour.
Instructions
The audio CD comes with a simplified map of the area covered in the walking tour. The CD starts with 1.5 minutes of instructions about how to use the audio tour. I would particularly recommend taking heed of the advice to "be aware of your surroundings". London is a busy city with lots of people and lots of traffic. Make sure when you stop to listen to the tour details, you stop against a wall and not near the curb. And when it comes to crossing the road, do use the designated pedestrian crossings. You may have to wait a few minutes but when you see the green man all the traffic must stop.
The directions to help you find the next audio point can be a bit lengthy and hard to remember. I had to replay directions a few times to check which way to go. (The City area of London has lots of small roads as it's so old.)
Walking Tour Tips
- A bit obvious this, but do wear comfortable shoes.
- Take a bottle of water and maybe a snack. You might like to take a picnic and stop at one of the many churchyards.
- Take spare batteries for your CD player or MP3 player.
- Don't forget your camera - and some spare batteries!
Good Points and Bad Points
Pros
- Good for independent travelers
- Good information and history at each audio point
- Don't have to wait for other people
- Can always hear the guide (if you turn the volume up!)
- Can walk at your own pace
- Can stop anywhere you choose
- 'Tour guide' has quite an expressionless voice
- Can't ask questions like you can with a 'live' tour guide
- Can't share the experience with others
- Some complicated directions to remember
- Some steps and cobbled paths
- Hard to hear on a weekday - best to do the walk at the weekend