What’s in a Guide’s Backpack? Behind the Scenes with Our Team
- Samira
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Every walking tour is a mix of storytelling, spontaneity, and subtle coordination and behind it all is a guide who’s prepared for anything. While guests are soaking in the sights and sounds of the city, our guides are quietly navigating logistics, reading the group’s energy, and adjusting the route on the fly. The backpack they carry isn’t just a bag it’s their lifeline. Inside, you’ll find a thoughtful blend of practical tools and personal touches that keep the experience smooth, safe, and full of little surprises. It’s proof that the best tours are crafted not just with knowledge, but with care.
Discover with us:
The Essentials: Tools of the Trade
Every tour begins with preparation, and our guides come ready. In their backpacks, you’ll always find printed tour routes, notes with historic facts and quirky stories, and sometimes even laminated old maps or photos for added flair.
Tech gear is just as important portable phone chargers, Bluetooth speakers for larger groups, and a backup set of earphones or audio devices ensure every guest can hear the stories, even on a busy street. Some guides also carry notebooks to jot down feedback or fun facts shared by curious guests.
Staying Fresh: Hydration and Snacks
Walking through winding streets, steep hills, or under the summer sun means staying energized is key. Our guides carry reusable water bottles and often keep a few granola bars or pieces of fruit on hand not just for themselves, but occasionally for a guest who needs a pick-me-up.
Some even carry herbal throat lozenges or honey packets the secret weapons for maintaining a strong voice after hours of storytelling.
Safety First: Mini First Aid Kits
Scraped knees, unexpected blisters, or minor allergic reactions they happen. That’s why every guide carries a compact first aid kit stocked with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, blister patches, and antihistamines. It’s not glamorous, but it’s vital.
We believe that feeling safe and looked after is just as important as learning local history or snapping great photos and our guides are always prepared to lend a helping hand.
Weather-Proofing the Experience
Sunshine or drizzle, our tours go on. To prepare for all types of weather, our guides carry compact umbrellas, ponchos, and sunscreen. In colder months, you’ll even find gloves and extra scarves tucked into their bags sometimes offered to guests who come unprepared for the local breeze.
And yes, we’ve been known to carry paper towels to dry off a rain-soaked bench or wipe down a seat for someone needing a break.
Little Extras that Make a Big Difference
Beyond the practical, there are personal touches. Some guides bring along postcards of the city as parting gifts, local candy to surprise kids on the tour, or even small souvenirs to award guests who ask particularly great questions.
You might also find chalk for impromptu sidewalk storytelling, or a printed photo of a location as it looked 100 years ago to add historical depth. These aren’t just props they’re memory makers.
Behind every great tour is a guide who’s part historian, part performer, part emergency responder and their backpack reflects that. It’s a carefully curated mix of practical tools and personal touches, all aimed at creating an unforgettable experience for you.
So the next time you see your guide sling that backpack over their shoulder, know that it’s more than just gear it’s a mobile toolkit built from experience, love for the city, and a deep commitment to making your day memorable.
If you’re curious to learn more about how our team prepares for different seasons or unique tours like the Fado and Food Night Walk, check out our other blog posts. Follow us @thewalkingparrot for updates and inspiration and keep exploring with us!
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