Sneakers?

I just got a pair of Naturalizer "Vanke" sandals, and are they comfortable. They are closed toe (which I would definitely recommend for cobbled streets) and rubber soled. They are a stretchy weave, Mary-Jane style, and feel like a foot massage all over my foot, all day long. I'm going to get another pair in another color.

i also have a pair of Ecco walking shoes and New Balance walking shoes from our trip to Switzerland and Austria, and we walked uphill and down everywhere, every day. The NB probably has better support, maybe too much! The Ecco are more comfortable at the end of the day, even still.

I like a non-flexing sole for walking on cobblestone streets. But shoes like that are hard to find these days.

When we travel I take a pair of Sketcher's (grey) and two pair of Tom's (black and navy). I use inserts due to plantar fasciitis and was extremely skeptical about them but due to positive reviews, gave them a try. They're lightweight, easy to pack, and I can walk all over Europe on the cobblestone and barely know I have them on.

Interesting, dsg, that you find Skechers comfy in Europe. I felt as if I could feel every cobblestone through them. I prefer a shoe with a Vibram (or similar) sole. They really grip the surface under them. I have seen too many people slip and fall in Europe due to uneven surfaces. I wear some serious trail runners (Salomon) for walking. I also have high arches. They served me well in Italy and Scotland. I did not win any fashion contests, though. I am looking for something to wear to Greece this summer that will give me the support and safety of my trail runners, but let my feet breather more since it will be hot.

Puma Zandy in black were great for walking 5-6 miles a day in Paris last month. It was too cold for sandals or I would have brought my Merrel Agaves, which have served me well on previous trips to Europe. Oh and Bernie Mev's are super cute and comfortable. Skirts, simple dresses, capris and a couple of cardigans and a pashmina are all you will need. River cruising does not include formal nights. Dress code is smart casual. For cathedrals you will need to cover your arms. No shorts while touring. Solid, basic colors are best. Hope you have a great time!

They may look awkward, but a good-fitting pair of athletic running or walking shoes & proper socks will make your day (& night) so much better. A wide base & arch support will help stabilize your ankles & prevent fatigue.

New Balance, Ryka & Saucony seem to fit my wide feet best & I esp. like the slip on type w/ elastic laces.

These last are Khombu brand - last summer I wore a pair of them out wearing them every day, they were so comfortable.

Look at Keen and Merrill shoes, many great styles.

I've worn Naot Kirei on all 3 of our trips to Europe. They are THE most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. Great support.

Ded, I was also surprised how well the Sketcher's and Tom's worked for me; certainly wasn't expecting it! I really wanted to avoid a typical walking shoe, preferring something cute yet comfortable. It's a very individual thing for sure!

We went on a river cruise last August - Prague to Basel. Be prepared for all kinds of weather. When we arrived in Prague there was a heatwave, but the weather quickly changed, and we had more rain than I had anticipated, so I didn't wear my new walking sandals as much as I thought I would. I just wore my Nikes. It wasn't particularly cold, but an umbrella was a must.

Plan on hot for Budapest. We lucked out and were between hot spells, but others just days before us said how hot it was.

I honestly can't remember what shoes I wore, but I think I wore a lot of rubber-soled sandals and as I recall I had a pair of leather mocs with rubber soles that didn't look like slippers but were good to go for miles....made by earth origins. I may have had a pair of aerosoles too as I find them comfortable and cushy with their rubber soles, but they look dressier than sneaks.

Maybe this will help?

Thanks for all the comments. I don’t care for sneakers, particularly, and was hoping to find some recommendations for something equally comfortable, yet a bit more stylish. I’m looking at all your recommendations, and have already put in an order at Zappo’s to test several out. Very intrigued by the Nadt Kirei, in spite of the expense!

Trust me, the Naot Kirei are worth it. Even my best friend (we travel with her and her husband) bought the same shoes, but in a different color and she is a fairly frugal person. She would agree that they are totally worth the money and so comfortable. I wear mine all the time, even when we're not traveling.

I love my Skechers, they have lot of styles not just sneakers. I have very bad feet and they are the most comfortable shoes I have. I also have Keen, Merrill , Clark's all good shoes. But my go to are Skechers.

At least one pair for me would be Tieks. I told DH yesterday that the more I wear them the more I like them. For travel they also have the plus that they take up almost no room, but that is true of most flats.

I tried some Skechers in the past that had thin soles. I have some newer ones that have a very cushioned sole. I wear them mainly for working in the yard, but I could see walking a lot in them. My DH and sons each have a pair of Skechers that have memory foam in the soles. The boys wore them in Europe for lots of walking -- they didn't want to wear sneakers and stand out as tourists. My youngest got a second pair. I would get another pair is they had another style in my size. I looked up Naot and found a pair of sandals i would order -- if they came in my size, even though they cost more than my typical sandals (some are Aerosoles).

I suggest you go to a specialty walking shoe store. I googled and found three in my area. I went this week because I want sandals for an upcoming trip out west and it will be too hot for socks and sneakers. They can direct you to the right brands for your feet. I tried on several brands....Birkenstock, Vionic, Olukai, and ended up buying Naot.

When I was looking for shoes, someone here suggested off the beaten track (OTBT) and I liked how their shoes looked comfy but stylish. I know that many swear by wearing runners or walking sandals for European trips, but I am vain and wanted something so that I could tour and look good, too. I wore my cork wedges our whole two week trip last summer and my feet felt great - I even manuevered cobblestones without problem. Fly is another brand that has gorgeous rubber soled shoes that are extremely comfy, but look good.

i have a pair of clarks halley stork sandals which are along the same lines as the jambu shoes above... they're very comfortable and look a little nicer than sneakers...

Great recommendations - but I so agree with Joanieponie about going to a walking store to try shoes on. In fact, I think Joanie started another thread and that was my suggestion. What works for one person may not work for you. Someone above suggested Puma. I have those shoes; loved them before this recent bout of PF - but even before, don't think I could have walked extensively in them.

I went to a store that sells only walking-type shoes, Birks, Naot, Clarks, Keen, etc. I tried on many, many shoes, including Finn Comfort, which are supposed to be the ultimate. I found them too heavy. In another thread, someone said they didn't like Olukai or Vionic. I bought four pairs of shoes, Olukai (the leather thong), Vionic, Aetrex and Naot. I love them all. I love all of them; they are all suitable for different occasions. I do love Naot and will probably get more of those for the fall as, although, the Naot are closed-toe, the others are all sandals. Everyone is different. I agree with those above - I am not a tennis shoe person, except for walking or going to the gym. But there are so many other options out there. Good luck!!

I go to Europe every year and rely on my Naot sandals, Munro ankle boots, and Merrill hiking shoe.

My suggestion is buy the shoes, yes, more than one style, early and start using them. Walk around your downtown, take a long walk, wear the shoes for 12 hours straight, replicate the things you'll be doing to see which pair is the best for which function. You'll want more than one option while in Europe, due to hot, sweaty feet or cold, rainy days so buy more than one pair. Good shoes will last for years after this trip, so it's worth it.

hhireno, thanks, this is precisely what I plan to do. You know where I live, and why my flip flops are my standard footwear. Because I’m so accustomed to this casual lifestyle, I already ordered three pairs of shoes, (Naot Kirei’s, Merrell sandals and Vionics), and plan to wear them, instead of my flip-flops, to break them in.

Heidi, I ordered a pair of Bon Gout by Flexx based on a recommendation on the Tieks post. They are a ballet flat but they have a rubber sole and the inside is very padded and comfy. If I had to do a lot of walking as a tourist this would be the shoe for me. It looks stylish but it is the most comfortable shoe I've ever had and that includes a pair of Taryn Rose shoes that I recently purchased. I bought mine on eBay but they only had a few sizes but Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom ave a much bigger selection.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/the-flexx-bon-gout-quilted-skimmer-flat-women/4217879?cm_mmc=Google_Product_Ads_pla_online--datafeed--women%3Ashoes%3Aflats-_-834992_5&amp%3Bcountry=US&amp%3Bcurrency=USD&mr%3AreferralID=72c7e9ed-1c37-11e6-a988-005056946dac&gclid=CLTulpqi4cwCFUxZhgodj_gLig

I also just found this and think I am going to order a pair. I love the black patent.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/the-flexx-bon-bon-flat/3557683?origin=coordinating-3557683-0-2-PP_3-Data_Lab_Recommendo_V2-also_viewed2&recs_type=coordinating&recs_productId=3557683&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=2&recs_placementId=PP_3&recs_source=Data_Lab_Recommendo_V2&recs_strategy=also_viewed2&recs_referringPageType=item_page

I could have sworn that some one advised using Smartwool inserts in their walking shoes, and now I can’t find that post. I’ve read them all, and still couldn’t find it. If you recall what that advice was, could you repeat it? I got the Naot Kerei’s, Merrells and Vionics today and will definitely keep the Naot’s , still trying others before I made a final decision on a sandal.

I bought these Ecco's and wore them a few times to break them in before our Alaska trip started (we board today in Vancouver and are chillin' in the hotel this morning). Love them. I also have a long fairly narrow foot, especially in the heel, with a high arch. You can believe I ordered and returned several pair before landing these. Yippee!!

I'm wearing thin running socks with them but I also have some thin smartwool socks that would probably work.

Altra Tennis, my daughter swears by them and I have a pair arriving tomorrow..

they have arch support and box toes.. Here's the one's we got

Grapefruit, those are soooo cute!. Right up my alley, thanks for sharing!

Agree with lascax that Tieks are worth considering. They are incredibly comfortable and easy to travel with. Whatever you decide on for shoes, wear slip on's to go through the TSA check points.