10 Unique Montreal Tours

Looking for something different to do on your Montreal layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Montreal tour options to consider:
1. Quebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Trip from Montreal
2. Small-Group Quebec Wine Tour from Montreal with Optional Gourmet Lunch and Cheese Tasting
3. Main on a Plate: 375 years of Food and Culture
4. Montreal Rafting Trip on the Lachine Rapids
5. Professional Racing Simulation Experience
6. Old Montreal Discovery Tour
7. Downtown and Underground Montreal Walking Tour
8. 4-Hour Montreal Half-Day Bike Tour
9. Fashioning Expo 67
10. Montreal Mural Tour


Plus 3 great freebies!
FREE Things to Do in the Old Port - Old Port of Montreal
FREE Public Art in Montreal - Art Pubic Ville de Montreal
FREE Montreal Event Calendar - Montreal Mom


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique Chicago Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Montreal
Montreal International Airport (YUL) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Hong Kong Layovers

Looking for something different to do on your Hong Kong layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Hong Kong tour options to consider:
1. Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: City Sightseeing with Round-Trip Airport Transport
2. Hong Kong Layover City Tour with 2-way Airport Shuttle Transfers
3. 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour
4. Hong Kong Small-Group Hiking Tour: Life of Local Communities Beneath Kowloon Peak
5. 2-Hour Private Chinese Porcelain Masterclass
6. Fireflies Watching Tour at Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve
7. Lantau Island and Giant Buddha Day Trip from Hong Kong
8. Lantau Island Sunset Tour Plus Airport Express and MTR
9. Hong Kong Travel Pass: MTR and Airport Express Tickets
10. Café 100 Dining Package with Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Admission Ticket


If you stay at the airport:
Hong Kong International Airport Plaza Premium Lounge


Plus 3 great freebies!
Best FREE Things to Do in Hong Kong - Timeout
FREE Workouts in Hong Kong - Sassy Hong Kong
Top FREE Things to Do in Hong Kong - Ovolo Hotels


Related resources
Travel Fail: How not to visit Hong Kong - Glbetrottergrls
10 Unique Bangkok Tours
10 Unique Amsterdam Tours
10 Unique Rome Tours
Rock Your Layover Hong Kong
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Vancouver Tours

Walking the iconic seawall in Vancouver is free!

Looking for something different to do on your Vancouver layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Vancouver tour options to consider:
1. Historic Gastown Photography Tour
2. Segway Tour of the Botanical Gardens at the University of British Columbia
3. Vancouver Trolley Hop-on Hop-off Tour, Lookout Observation Deck and Vancouver Aquarium Combo
4. Small-Group Granville Island Market Tour
5. Vancouver City Tour Including Capilano Suspension Bridge
6. Independent Bike Tour of Vancouver
7. Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver Running Tour
8. Stanley Park First Nations Interpretive Walking Tour
9. Private Chauffeured Whistler Transfer from Vancouver with Sightseeing
10. Seaplane Flight to Victoria with Ground Transport and Butchart Gardens Admission


Plus 3 great freebies!
25 FREE Things to Do in Vancouver - Tourism Vancouver
Top Vancouver Gardens (mostly FREE) - Trip Savvy
The Best FREE Tours in Vancouver - Experience Vancouver Group


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Berlin Tours

Meta Trabant: Berlin Wall graffiti of the iconic Soviet-era car

Looking for something different to do on your Berlin layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Berlin tour options to consider:
1. Private Layover Tour: Berlin City Sightseeing with Airport Transport
2. Private Berlin David Bowie Walking Tour with a Historian Guide
3. 'An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace' Palace Tour, Dinner and Concert by the Berlin Residence Orchestra
4. Evening Berlin Food Tour by Bike
5. The Real Berlin Walking Tour: Art, Food and Counterculture
6. Private Half-Day Photo Shooting Tour With Local Photographer in Berlin
7. Private Tour: Berlin Art Galleries Walking Tour
8. Berlin Live-Guided Self-Drive Trabi Safari Tour
9. Private Tour: Berlin Architecture Tour
10. Berlin Street Art Tour and Graffiti Workshop


Plus 3 great freebies!
How to See the Best Views of Berlin for FREE - Travel Update
How to Enjoy Berlin for FREE - I Heart Berlin
Top FREE Things to Do in Berlin - Global Blue


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Berlin
Berlin Schönefeld International Airport (SXF) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
Berlin Tegel International Airport (TXL) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Tokyo Tours

Enjoy the best views of Tokyo free at the TMG towers!

Looking for something different to do on your Tokyo layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Tokyo tour options to consider:
1. Private Custom Tour: Tokyo in a Day
2. Tokyo Local Food and Drink Experience with a Bar Hopping Master
3. Authentic Geisha Performance and Entertainment including a Kaiseki Course Dinner
4. Kimono Shopping Tour in Tokyo
5. Tokyo Metropolis Photography Tour
6. Half-Day Tokyo Architecture Walking Tour
7. Japanese Bookbinding Lesson
8. Kintsugi Experience in Tokyo
9. Hands-on Ninja Experience in Tokyo
10. Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and Enjoy a Chanko Lunch


Plus 3 great freebies!
FREE Tokyo Walking Tour
FREE Tokyo Views from TMG Observation Deck
Top 10 FREE Things to Do in Tokyo


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Tokyo
Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Barcelona Tours

View from Gaudi's Park Güell

Looking for something different to do on your Barcelona layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Barcelona tour options to consider:
1. Gaudi in a Day Guided Private Tour
2. Barcelona FC Football Game or Camp Nou Tour
3. Sagrada Familia Facades Private Tour with Independent Interior Visit
4. 4-Hour Gaudi Mosaic Workshop in Barcelona
5. Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour
6. Gaudí’s La Pedrera at Night: A Behind-Closed-Doors Tour in Barcelona
7. Parasailing Experience in Barcelona
8. Private Bike Tour around Art Galleries in Monjuic Barcelona
9. Barcelona Private Tour to Tibidabo Mountain and Horta Labyrinth Park
10. Flamenco Night at Tablao Cordobes


Plus 3 great freebies!
FREE Barcelona Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
10 FREE Things to Do in Barcelona
ForFree: Your Guide to Barcelona's FREE Events


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Barcelona
Barcelona International Airport (BCN) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Bangkok Tours

Looking for something different to do on your Bangkok layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Bangkok tour options to consider:
1. Private Tour: Full-Day Customizable Tour of Bangkok City
2. Airport Departure Fast track Services - with VIP lounge access
3. Bangkok Stopover Package
4. Baipai Thai Cooking School Class in Bangkok
5. Tai-Chi in Lumpini Park Bangkok
6. Thai Boxing Match including Tickets and Transfer in Bangkok
7. Evening Siam Niramit Show with Thai Dinner
8. Colors of Bangkok
9. 3-Hour Handbag Making Class
10. Fore! Play Golf in Bangkok


Plus 3 great freebies!
20 FREE things to do in Bangkok - The Culture Trip
FREE things to do in Bangkok - Trip Savvy
10 FREE things to do in Bangkok - Lash World Tour


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Bangkok
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
Bangkok Don Muang International Airport (DMK) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 Unique Boston Tours

Play Ball! Here's a fun idea: take a
Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark

Looking for something different to do on your Boston layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Boston tour options to consider:
1. Fall Foliage Sightseeing Tour from Boston
2. Private Boston Freedom Trail Tour with Driver
3. PhotoWalks Freedom Trail Tour
4. Museum of Fine Arts Small-Group Tour with Art Historian
5. Boston Pizza and Taverns Tour
6. North End Pizza Tour
7. Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark
8. Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour
9. Salem Witch City Day Trip From Boston
10. Admission to Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum


Plus 3 great freebies!
FREE Things to Do in Boston - Boston on Budget
FREE Events in Boston - The Boston Calendar
What to Do in Boston for FREE - Boston Discovery Guide


Related resources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Boston
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 unique San Francisco tours

Golden Gate Bridge at sunsaet

Looking for something different to do on your San Francisco layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique San Francisco tour options to consider:
1. Harley-Davidson Rental in San Francisco
2. San Francisco Urban Hike: Hills and Hidden Gems
3. San Francisco's Spectacular Lands End
4. 90-Minute Wine Therapy Daytime Wine Tasting Cruise
5. America's Cup Sailing Adventure on San Francisco Bay: America's Cup Sail
6. Film Photography Crash Course and Walking Tour
7. Private Tour: Personal Travel Photographer Tour in San Francisco
8. San Francisco Scavenger Hunt Adventure
9. San Francisco's Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Walking Tour
10. Beginner Surfing 1-Day - Pacifica


Plus 3 great freebies!
24 FREE Things to do in San Francisco - Lonely Planet
FREE Museum Days in San Francisco - Free Museum Day
7 FREE San Francisco walking tours - Free Tours by Foot


Related reources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 unique Rome tours

The Colosseum at dusk

Looking for something different to do on your Rome layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Rome tour options to consider:
1. Day Trip from Rome: Ancestors Tour - Discovering Your Italian Family History
2. Vatican's Apostolic Palace Tour ( the Pope's private residence)
3. Borghese Gallery Revealed - A Tour with an Art Historian
4. Vittoriano Panoramic Rooftop Viewing with Skip-the-Line Colosseum Tour
5. Rome Photography Walking Tour: Learn How to Take Professional Photos
6. Rome Mussolini's Bunker and Villa Torlonia in 3 hours
7. Ancient Roman Dinner
8. Rome Art Safari and Jewish Ghetto Group Treasure Hunt
9. Rome Baroque Concert and Tour at Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone
10. Dinner at Local Chef and Sommelier's Home in Rome


Plus 3 great freebies!
40 FREE things to do in Rome - Lonely Planet
FREE museums in Rome (first Sunday/month) - BB Roma
FREE Rome walking tours - Free Rome Working Tour


Related reources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Rome
Rome Fiuminco International Airport (FCO) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

Rome Ciampino International Airport (CIA) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 unique Chicago tours

The Chicago skyline at dusk

Looking for something different to do on your Chicago layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Chicago tour options to consider:
1. Private Guided Tour by SUV in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish
2. Chicago Walking Tour: Tiffany Treasures
3. Pedway Explorers Tour
4. Macy's State Street Historical Store Tour
5. Chicagoland Speedway Driving Experience
6. Inheritance Room of Chicago (Escape Room)
7. Lakeside Architecture Sail
8. Wet Felting Class in Artist Studio
9. Breakfast in the Sky: Early Access to Skydeck of Willis Tower
10. Chicago Girls Getaway Luxury Shopping Experience


Plus 3 great freebies!
Always FREE Chicago attractions - Choose Chicago
FREE Museum Days in Chicago - Free Museum Days
FREE 2-4 hour guided visit - Chicago Greeter


Related reources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 unique London tours

Great view of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Looking for something different to do on your London layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique London tour options to consider:
1. Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Dining Experience in London
2. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour and Exhibition with Optional Afternoon Tea
3. Discover East End of London with a Londoner
4. Downton Abbey and Highclere Castle Tour from London
5. Private Tour: London Photography Private Lesson Walking Tour
6. Law in London Walking Tour
7. Quiz Tour in the Square Mile of London
8. Independent Shopping Tour of London with Private Driver
9. Couples Dance Experience with Choreographer
10. Private Tour: Pokemon Go Tour in London


Plus 3 great freebies!
101 FREE things to London - Visit London
FREE museums in London - Timeout
FREE London walking tours - Free Tours by Foot


Related reources
10 Unique Paris Tours
10 Unique NYC Tours
10 Unique Los Angeles Tours
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in London
London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
London Gatwick International Airport (LGW) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
London City International Airport (LCY) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
London Stansted International Airport (STN) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
London Luton International Airport (LTN) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
London Southend International Airport (SEN) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

10 unique Paris tours

The famous Les Deux Magots cafe in Paris

Looking or something different to do on your Paris layover?

If you want to avoid the crowds, or have simply seen the big sights, it's easy to get off the beaten track in the city.

Here are some unique Paris tour options to consider:
1. Private Tour: Customize Your Perfect Day in Paris
2. Half-Day Historical Jazz Tour of Paris with Breakfast
3. Paris Through Paint: Create a Watercolor of the Eiffel Tower
4. Stade de France: Behind the Scenes Tour
5. 1-Hour Paris Perfume Tour of Jean Patou Perfumerie
6. Experience France: Learn How to Play Pétanque in Paris
7. Unexpected Paris: Trainings of the French Horse Guards
8. French Table Setting and Manners Workshop in Paris
9. Galeries Lafayette Shopping with Premium Lounge Access and Champagne
10. Paris dinner with Parisian hosts


Plus 3 great freebies!
FREE Tours and Walks in Paris - Paris Visitors Bureau
The FREE Original Paris Alternative Tour - Free Paris Tours
Discover Paris on Foot: FREE Walking Tours - Timeout Paris


Related reources
Learning Layover: Jewelry (includes Paris options)
Get cooking on your layover: Europe (includes Paris options)
Go running on your layover (includes Paris options)
Rock Your Layover: Paris
Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Paris
Memorial sites near Paris Beauvais Airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
Paris Orly International Airport (ORY) transportation guide - IHateTaxis
Paris Beauvais International Airport (BVA) transportation guide - IHateTaxis

Layover Learning: Jewelry

Pewter crafting at the Royal Selangor in Kuala Lumpur - you can take classes here
Creative Commons image istolrthetv on Flickr

Addicted to learning? Why not spend your layover learning something new?

It's surprisingly easy. Whether it's self-directed learning at a museum, a university lecture, tour that has learning as its focus. a commercial course, or simply reading papers at the local library, there are lots of opportunities.

Here are some unique tours where you can learn jewelry-making and gemology on your layover:
1. The Ancient Italian Tradition of Jewelry Making in Rome
2. Leather Jewelry-Making Workshop in Florence
3. ccessory-Making Class in Paris: Cancan or Marie Antoinette Theme
4. Athens Private Workshop: Making a Greek Flower Crown With a Local
5. Kuala Lumpur: School of Hard Knocks and Pewter Foundry at Royal Selangor
6. Kuala Lumpur: Royal Selangor Visitor Center Tour including Pewter Crafting Lesson
7. Half-Day Cambodian Gemology Workshop from Siem Reap
8. Full-Day Cambodian Gemology Workshop from Siem Reap
9. New York City: East Village Jewelry Class
10. Chicago; Gorgeous Glass Pendants Class

You may find local jewelry-making and gemology classes in larger cities, both long and short, some even free, so it's worth Googling. To inspire you, here are a few that we found in popular layover cities:
Chicago Jewelry Classes - Eventbrite
New York Jewelry Classes Events - EventBrite
Jewelry Courses in the UK - Craft Courses
Jewelry Courses - The Birmingham Assay Office
Jewellery making holidays, courses & workshops - TravelQuest

Not enough time? Why not find a quiet area in the airport and indulge in some online learning time? And, yes, you can learn almost anything online! Check out:
FREE Jewelry Tutorials - Jewelry Making Journal
E-books and Classes for Jewelry Artists - Jewelry Making Journal
The Best Online Gemology Schools and Courses - Gemstone Advisor
10 Free Online Jewelry Making Courses - FREE Online Courses for All

Speaking of jewelry and travel...
Travel Tips From Six Jewelry Designers - Travel + Leisure
Travel Jewelry - A Fashion Love Affair


Related resources
Get Cooking on Your Layover: Europe
Get Cooking on Your Layover: Asia
Get Cooking on Your Layover: South America
Go Running on Your Layover
Layover Ideas: Crude Oil Bath

Halloween Layover Ideas

How about Halloween in Dracula's Castle?
Not only can you visit Bran Castle, but you can actually party there on Halloween!

Aside of playing trick-or-treat at the airport, what could you do, if you were stuck on a layover on Halloween?

If you are travelling on Halloween, there are all manner of interesting activities you could participate in around the world.

Just for fun, here are a few tours and activities around the world.

Transylvania - the land of Dracula!
2-Day Halloween Party in Sighisoara Citadel from Bucharest
2-Day Halloween Tour with Halloween Party in Bran Castle from Bucharest
2-Day Halloween Transylvania Experience from Bucharest including a Costume Party at Dracula's Castle
3-Day Halloween Tour in Transylvania from Bucharest
3-Day Halloween Tour in Transylvania from Cluj-Napoca
7-Day Trip to Transylvania: Halloween Midnight Tales

Boston
Salem Witch City Day Trip From Boston
Salem Super Saver: Wax Museum and Witch Village
Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Tour

Chicago
Chicago Halloween Haunted Cruise
Haunted Chicago Segway Tour

Columbus, Ohio
Columbus Short North Walking Tour

Dublin
Boyne Valley, Hill of Tara and Kells Tour from Dublin

Edinburgh
Haunted Halloween Tour of Edinburgh

Hong Kong
Haunted Hong Kong Tour: Wanchai District

Las Vegas
Las Vegas Halloween Party Crawl

Los Angeles
Haunted Tales of Downtown Los Angeles

New Orleans
Spooky Tales of the French Quarter Halloween Celebration Tour
Spirits of the French Quarter A Halloween Special Event Tour
New Orleans Garden District Ghost Tour
New Orleans Ghost Tour: Witchcraft and Voodoo
New Orleans Cemetery and Voodoo Walking Tour
New Orleans Vampire Tour
New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour
New Orleans Ghosts and Spirits Walking Tour

New York
Ghosts of New York Walking Tour

Philadelphia
Philly Oktoberfest Halloween and Haunted Tavern Tour

Salou, Spain
PortAventura: The Great Night of Halloween

San Francisco
San Francisco Halloween Segway Tour: Time Travel Though North Beach, Chinatown and the Embarcadero
The Home of Halloween at The San Francisco Dungeon

San Antonio
Halloween Historic Cemetery Tour
San Antonio Haunted Legends Segway Tour

Savannah, Georgia
Ghosts and Gravestones of Savannah
Ghost Hauntings Tour of Savannah
Sorrel Weed House Ghost Hunter Walking Tour in Savannah
Savannah Small-Group Ghost Tour by Bus
Savannah Gribble House Ghost-Hunting Tour
Savannah Ghost Walking Tour
Legendary Haunted Pubs of Savannah
Savannah Haunted Trolley Tour and 2-day Hop-on Hop-off Pass

Sydney
Sydney Harbour Halloween Party Cruise

Venice
Halloween Ghost and Mysteries Tour in Venice

We hope you've had fun reading and exploring, even if the farthest you get is your front door. Have fun and stay safe!

Happy Halloween!


Related resources
Halloween in Transylvania - one blogger's experience
Halloween In Transylvania: My Lucky Graveyard Escape - the Wandering Earl
The Pittsburgh Halloween Layover - a family's story
Flight attendant haunted layover hotel ghost stories (and a haunted plane!) - Heather Poole
Zombie tours

Layover PaxEx: the FREE airport transit tour

What to Do With Your Next Long Airport Layover - Free Layover Tours

NEW YORK (MainStreet) — Killing time during a long airport layover is never easy, or fun. Between the uncomfortable airport chairs and less than appetizing food options, not to mention the noise, exhaustion and boredom - it's an experience ranking somewhere between root canals and filing taxes. Many travelers are unaware, however, that airports around the world offer free layover tours, excursions that whisk you out of the airport to popular tourist attractions, for which all transportation and logistics are conveniently handled by someone other than you. (In other words - a mini vacation and you will be back in time for your connecting flight.) [... continue reading on The Street]

We were honoured to be interviewed by Mia Taylor, the journalist who researched and wrote the above piece, published today on TheStreet.com. And are definitely thrilled to be quoted in The Street!

We are big fans of the free layover tour, so we've updated our blog post, Roundtrip Layover Tours from Airports, with more of the tours cited in this article, as well as private tours you can purchase.

What about you? Have you taken a free airport layover tour? Please share your experience below, or on Twitter using the hashtag #FreeLayoverTour.

Read the full story on The Street
Follow The Street on Twitter: @TheStreet
Follow Mia Taylor on Twitter: @Luxewritergirl

Related resources
Airport Dining Worthy of a Long Layover
Airline VIP Lounges that Wow
Roundtrip Layover Tours from Airports - UPDATED