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Context Travel

Context Travel

Travel Arrangements

Philadelphia, PA 18,063 followers

Tours guided by experts, led by your interests in 60+ cities across 6 continents. Certified BCorp

About us

Context is a network of scholars and specialists whose aim is to invite travelers off the tourist track and into the real life of the people, history, and culture of the world's greatest cities. While over 80% of our guides have MA or PhD-level degrees in their fields of expertise, we live by the rule that learning isn't a finite activity. We're inquisitive about the places and people around us. We're inspired by conversations ripe with new perspectives and oft-untold stories. We don't play loose with the facts. Ours is the intellectual seeker's approach to the world: both in life and in work, we thrill at the potent possibility of "yet". At day's end—we believe that travel is the ultimate form of education, one best served with a heaping side of meaningful interaction and memorable conversation. Curiosity is Key... and that's been true since the beginning. Context was founded in 2003 by Paul Bennett and Lani Bevacqua, a husband and wife who landed in Rome after over two years spent sailing across the Atlantic. Once in Rome, Paul and Lani fell in with an eclectic group of professors and specialists—architects, native Romans, researchers, writers, archaeologists—and formed Context as a means to connect those experts with travelers yearning for an in-depth understanding of the city. Now, 20-plus years and over 250,000 tours later, we've grown from a single-city operation to a group of scholars, nerds, and curious travelers spanning over 60 cities across 6 continents. (Someone once called us "affable weirdos," which may be the nicest compliment we've gotten, ever). Just about the only thing that hasn't changed is our passion for ideas and sharing knowledge.

Industry
Travel Arrangements
Company size
51-200 employees
Headquarters
Philadelphia, PA
Type
Privately Held
Founded
2003
Specialties
tours, walking tours, travel, sustainable tourism, education, online learning, private tours, and guided tours

Locations

Employees at Context Travel

Updates

  • Venice is a city like no other—floating on the water, steeped in history, and overflowing with beauty. But beneath the romantic facades and gondola-filled canals lies a growing crisis: over tourism. Every year, millions of visitors flood the city, often for just a few hours, straining its delicate infrastructure and pushing out local residents. If you truly want to experience Venice—not just consume it—here’s how to travel responsibly and help protect La Serenissima for generations to come: https://bit.ly/3DbW3oN #Bcorpmonth

  • Context Travel reposted this

    View profile for John Owen

    Director of Expert Community and Product Development at Context Travel

    What a trip! Dana Schafer and I have just got back from a whirlwind week in Japan. From contemplative time in the Peace Park in Hiroshima to a marvellous day trip to Kanazawa, a dinner amid the bustle of Osaka and several days spent in the fascinatingly different cities of Kyoto and Tokyo, we saw a lot. More importantly from our perspective - however - was the time we spent with our team there. Our Experts made us feel welcome and helped us unlock the country in a matter of days - exactly what they do for clients too. We ran trainings with them, listened to their suggestions of how we can continue to iterate on our product. We met around 40 of our team in few days but particular thanks are due to Marcin, Rafael, Nadia, Susan, Nathan, Yoko, Miyo, Joy and Jackie who helped us organise events and travel. There were lots of highlights but one that will live long in my memory was the training walk that Nathan led at Fushimi Inari. Nathan is both an academic and an ordained Buddhist priest, a combination which allows him to contextualise and explore the Buddhist and Shinto religions with layered depth. Moving, insightful and cleverly designed (we didn't see other tourists for 2.5 hours at one of Japan's most famous sights). It was an extraordinary experience. As the plum trees come into bloom and the first of the cherry blossoms emerge, the season in Japan is about to get very busy indeed. I feel more confident than ever in our product there and wish the team every success for the sakura months. Once the jet lag subsides, we will be putting some serious thought into how we can continue to show off this extraordinary culture to our clients. Context Travel

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  • With the Jubilee already beginning to draw the millions of expected pilgrims and the Oscar-nominated movie Conclave sparking renewed curiosity about Vatican traditions, interest in papal processes has never been higher. During this surge in interest, Pope Francis is sadly facing serious health challenges. We sincerely hope for his swift recovery. In such a situation, it’s natural to wonder – what happens when a pope passes? And if you're planning a trip to Rome, how might these traditions affect your visit? This guide will walk you through the key Vatican customs during a papal transition, provide insights into what to expect in the city, and most importantly—help you travel with confidence and peace of mind. Read more: https://bit.ly/3FcGwFN

  • What does it mean to be a Certified Bcorp? It means protecting the cities we love while enriching your experience. Travel’s not just a flyby—it’s a chance to dig deep, done right. We exceed B Corp’s gold standard, honor local experts, and unpack cities’ histories, cultures, politics, and climate challenges. Here are 9 things you can do this year to travel more sustainably: - Skip the big venues & go off the beaten path. - Use public transportation vs. taxis/ride share apps. - Shop & eat at small independent local shops outside touristy areas. - Spend 3 days or more in one city to reduce transportation congestion. - Avoid high season and festival times as much as possible. - Avoid AirB&Bs and the like. - Walk everywhere! - Bring your own water bottle & use public water fountains for refills. - Traveling within Europe? Use trains vs. airplanes. Join us to learn the why and how in 68 cities across 6 continents: https://bit.ly/3Xt65sv #bcorpmonth #certifiedbcorp

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Funding

Context Travel 1 total round

Last Round

Series B

US$ 5.0M

See more info on crunchbase