When walking around a great destination, enjoying the sights and learning about a new place, nothing can put a damper on the experience like sore feet.
Finding good shoes for travel is essential. Travel professionals talked to the New York Times about the best choices in women's footwear to make your trip great.
"Everyone wants to look good when they travel," wrote Sofia Bartlett, a director for Tauck, a tour company, in e-mail. "I would be only too happy to die in my Prada or Gucci pumps, but, alas, that's not an option when traveling.
"Not only can you injure yourself with an awkward step, but your whole day (or even your entire trip) will be ruined if your shoes start hurting your feet," she said.
Bartlett wears Skechers when traveling.
There are extreme choices available, like the popular barefoot style running sneakers from Vibram FiveFingers that separate your toes, and Injinji's toe socks, which are a similarly styled sock. These styles can help prevent blisters.
Many tour guides throughout Europe provided advice on the best shoes for travelers, footwear that would allow mountain climbing and walking along city streets and cobblestones.
"For me, comfort is number one, but I refuse to compromise on style," said Susan Rose, who is a tour guide with Tauck, and leads travelers through Spain, Portugal and Italy. "I almost cried when I bought my first pair of orthopedics at 30, but since I've found Fly London, my boring orthopedic loafers are in the closet."
Fly London is available online as well as at sites like Planetshoes.com.
"They are all soft leather sandals and boots with mostly rubber soles and a stylish, funky, sometimes playful design," said Rose, who owns black leather boots and lace-up leather sandals with a platform. She says they "are as comfortable as tennis shoes but always get compliments.
"They are the best quality I have found without having to pay a fortune for designer brands," Rose said.
Many tour guides avoid sandals altogether, but Tina del Campo, who is also a tour guide with Tauck, leading travelers through Italy, said her favorite walking shoes are Privo by Clarks Fissure, which are sandals that provide support and look good with skirts and pants.
"I've got a bad back and they've saved my life the last few years," said Ms. Del Campo.
Robbi Battey leads Tauck tours in France and England, and says her favorite style is "classic American." She has brown Hush Puppies loafers and SAS black loafers.
"I must have shoes that can go from urban Paris to countryside petanque courts and wine cellars to riding a bike in Hyde Park," she said.
For rugged terrain, Candice Criscione, who is a trip development coordinator for Backroads in Italy, says she buys over-the-ankle boots for proper support and to avoid sprained ankles.
"I've seen many guests come with running shoes or trail shoes," she said. "The support isn't good enough for the miles in the mountains."
Other brands they recommends are Quechua, Ecco, Pikolinos, Stonefly, Arche, Rieker, Salamander, Munro, Dansko, Merrell, Biviel, Vialis, Keen, Cole Haan with Nike Air, Salomon, Scarpa and Chaco.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
