Five Gorgeous On Foot Holidays Holidays Destinations
Holidays are very much about getting away from it all, but for many travelers, the traditional sun, sea, and sand break is no longer enough. More and more holidaymakers seek activity and adventure on their escape from everyday life, with walking holidays, in particular, becoming an increasingly popular choice. One of the really positive aspects of engaging in a walking holiday is that you do not need to be a seasoned hiker to participate. There are lots of different levels of walks available from gentle ones that are suitable for the complete beginner to more challenging trails for accomplished trekkers.
Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. We aim to give you as wide a choice of walking holiday as possible – different guiding options and lengths of the holiday, themed walks, and classic treks, from a central base or point-to-point
Coast and country in Cascais, Portugal
Cascais is a town and municipality in the Lisbon District of Portugal, located on the Portuguese Riviera. The population in 2011 was 206,479, in an area of 97.40 km2. Cascais is an important tourist destination. Its marina hosts events such as America’s Cup and the town of Estoril, part of the Cascais Municipality, hosts conferences such as the Horasis Global Meeting.
Portugal’s most chic resort, Cascais is known for its three stunning bays and boasts delicious upscale restaurants, luxurious hotels, and non-pareil beaches. But it is the tranquil atmosphere of luxury and ease, along with its stunning seaside esplanade that makes it one of Europe’s most prized seaside destinations.
This amazing walk tour will go through Cascais’ highlights, starting in Cascais center, you will visit the beautiful town of Cascais, mainly outside the busiest tourist attractions: the historical center, the old town walls, the Cascais Citadel, Boca do Inferno…, During the 2 hours walk, you learn not only the history but also Cascais life, the right place to dinner, where to go shopping, what beach to go, what to do around.
Discover the best of the Portuguese riviera as you embark on a half-day excursion from Cascais. Join a small group and walk along the Estoril promenade that features beautiful coastal views as well as historical buildings and cafes. Then, head back to Cascais and grab a bike for a ride down to the wild beach of Guincho, passing dramatic landscapes along the way.
Fjords by foot in western Norway
The West Norwegian Fjords is the common name of two fjords in Norway listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Situated in south-western Norway, north-east of Bergen, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, set 120 km from one another, are part of the west Norwegian fjord landscape, which stretches from Stavanger in the south to Andalsnes, 500 km to the north-east.
The two fjords, among the world’s longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine, such as submarine moraines and marine mammals.
The name fjord originates from a Viking term meaning ‘where you travel across’ and in the past sailing up, down and across these outstretched fingers of water was the only way to get around. Guided walking trips in Norway are the best way to tackle this landscape because getting your bearings as a newcomer in such a wild and fragmented place can be difficult. There are narrow channels branching off from the main fjords, mountain lakes, islands, glaciers and narrow peninsulas to navigate.
The walks here are diverse. You can admire the majestic scenery from a mountain peak, or feel it envelope you as you walk and sail through the valleys. Pounding waterfalls echo off the walls of canyons. Seals, porpoises and even whales can be seen swimming along the deeper fjords, and overhead eagles soar. Combined with the ever-changing weather and the fact that once you get off the main tourist routes you have an atmosphere of complete silence and isolation, Norway’s Fjordland makes a truly humbling backdrop for a walking holiday.
In the footsteps of samurai on Honshu in Japan
Honshu is Japan’s main island and home to most of the country’s major cities and cultural sites. On the east coast is the Japanese capital, Tokyo, a busy global hub for finance, industry, fashion and cuisine. Mount Fuji, an iconic, snow-capped volcano, lies southwest of the city. In central Honshu, the city of Kyoto is famed for its Zen temples, gardens lined with cherry blossoms and traditional geisha entertainment.
Walking holidays in Honshu promise greater depth in your cultural exploration than you might get from a standard sightseeing tour – they link exciting metropolises such as Tokyo, Kyoto and foodie paradise Osaka, but they also take you into remote, mountainous reaches that are steeped in ancient ways of life, where tradition is deeply ingrained into sparsely populated communities and the natural scenery is little short of mind-blowing.
From the sacred pilgrimage trails of the Kumano Kodo to the ancient Nakasendo Way samurai route, this active itinerary takes you on some of the best multi-day hikes Japan has to offer, combined with city stays in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Peak hiking season begins in June when most of the snow has melted off the high peaks, opening up a network of trails winding between small remote villages and little discovered temples. The Japanese are very keen hikers themselves, so walking the trails and staying in traditional ryokans along the way is arguably one of the best ways to appreciate rural Japan’s natural beauty.
Walking safaris all’italiana
A walking safari is one of the best ways to get really close to nature and learn about the intricate working of the African bush. You may not always see as much ‘big game’ as you would from a vehicle, but being out in the wilderness on foot allows your senses to come alive – sight, hearing, smell, touch and even taste. A good guide will encourage you to use all these senses, and will teach you how to interpret the incredible natural world around you.
Rudston Steward is one of those blessed people who touch an undiscovered part of Tuscany, while revealing the route Monte Amiata, between the Val d’Orcia and Maremma, he found that its gorgeous hidden paths and forests, ruins and byways, on foot. After that in 2016 he managed to run Maremma Safari Club to show the same experience to other audiences as well with a slow-travel, super-small scale walking-tour outfit (master Italy fixer Emily FitzRoy of Bellini Travel first turned me on to Steward a couple of years ago).
His club also introduces A five-day hike around the Aeolian Island of Salina in Sicily, climbing both its twin volcanic peaks, traversing Malvasia vineyards and exotic sea-and-landscapes, and ending each walk with a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
From the town of Leni we follow a footpath climbing to Pizzo Corvo, with stunning vistas. We then descend through an ancient volcanic caldera to the hamlet of Pollara and its impressive bay. Dinner and overnight in Pollara at Hotel Locanda Del Postino. He added
Pilgrim’s progress in the UK
Choose a self-guided walking tour following a scenic pilgrimage route in the British Isles. Follow well-trodden iconic paths across the UK which have held special significance to so many. Every tour we offer features accommodation chosen for its delicious local cuisine and warm welcome. Stay in charming B&B’s, guesthouses and inns.
A thoroughly modern pilgrimage route, this 40-mile waymarked path was opened four years ago to celebrate the life of the seventh-century local heroine. The route goes in a semi-circle from Hinderwell near the coast, up on to the North York Moors, and down the Esk Valley to Whitby Abbey. On the way it takes in no fewer than eight churches dedicated to St Hilda, a fine Yorkshire “trod” – a stone pannierway indented by medieval wayfarers and their packhorses – and stepping stones over the River Esk at Lealholm.
