Make Travel More Convenient, Flexible and Economical
Florence,Italy(may3,2001)--Gone are the problems and inconveniences associated with using tours guides when visiting Italy's most renowened travel destinations. With self-directed audio walking tours by The Cierone, seeing the sights in Pisa,Lucca,Siena and Florence is now easier than it has ever been.
The audio guides-which not only provide details about tourist attractions but also point out travel conveniences such as ATMs, taxies, toilets and food --are produced by the Italy and USA-based company Bellew's Tours. World traveler, historian and co-owner Shelton Bellew got the idea for the audio guides when he moved to Italy and saw a need ofr more touring options.
"Normal tours can be great -- unless they are too crowded, or your guide is hard to understand, or you want to take your tour on a holiday or holy day,"said Shelton. "With the walk with me tours, travelers can pick and choose which sites they want to see, when they want to see them, and at what pace. And the best part? All you need to know about each city is included on just one affordable audio cassette."
Given the convenience and affordability of the audio guides, which are edited by scholars for accuracy, Shelton and his business partner--who also happens to be his mother, Virginia Bellew--are not surprised that the portable guides are quite a hit. "The idea just makes sense, and travelers are appreciating the way the tours are simplifying travel without sacrificing invaluable cultural exposure. We've already sold thousands of tapes in the Tuscan region alone," said Virginia. Further, she indicted, tourism authorities are also recognizing the audio guides' merits. "Ours is currently the only tour of Florence offered at the Florence tourist information office."
Bellew's Tours also has plans to soon offer audio guides on compact disc, and to expand the number of destinations available by adding cities of Rome and Venice and others in England, France and Spain. Visit the Bellew's Tours web site at www.bellewtours.com to purchase an audio guide, get more information, or to find a list of locations within Italian cities where audio guides can be purchased in Tuscany. Tours may also be found on Amazon.com in the travel books section.