Spanning coast to coast across the north of England, Hadrian’s Wall is a spectacle of emperor Hadrian’s reign in the once-Roman province of Britannia. These days, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wall and nearby ruins provide the trail for a seven-day exploration of pre-British history on two feet. Walking from the western outpost of Carlisle to the eastern reaches of Port Gate near Newcastle upon Tyne, you’ll spend a week following one of the richest examples of Roman history in the United Kingdom. Stop in traditional English villages, discover the well-preserved sections of the Wall and explore the surrounding countryside on a walking trip full of history and rolling landscapes.
I had a very well planned and arranged trip on the East Coast to Coast from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood's Bay. The accommodations arranged were comfortable, friendly, and well situated along the trail. The bag transport worked very well, as did the return transfer to Kirkby Stephen where my car was waiting. The advice on dining was right on and the maps, instructions, and attractions along the way were super. Well done!
This 17-day adventure around Italy takes in some of the most ancient sites in European history and shows you the lesser-known countryside, too. With a local by your side, you’ll explore the bustling streets of Rome, then travel through beautiful countryside past villas, vineyards and rolling hills as you visit historical sites like Pompeii, Lecce and the Sassi dwellings in Matera. There’s plenty of free time available to explore the area and take in the sites at your own pace, whether you want to indulge in food and wine or enjoy local experiences.
The Camino Frances, starting from St Jean Pied de Port in France and ending in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, has featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1993, a total distance of 790km / 490 miles. Known as one of the most challenging sections of the pilgrimage, many see this section as also the most rewarding, with pilgrims traversing the Pyrenees from France into Spain, a dramatic and incomparable landscape.
During this stage of the Camino Frances, you will visit the ancient medieval towns of St Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles and Puente la Reina, experience the challenging, scenically stunning walk across the Pyrenees and wander through the beautiful countryside, passing through towns and villages, each with a long history intertwined with this most famous pilgrimage. The cities of Pamplona and Logrono are filled with places of interest to visit, examples of Gothic and medieval architecture, cathedrals and palaces. Logrono is the capital of the Rioja wine region, so be sure to take in some wine tasting here, but don't forget to collect your stamp for your Pilgrim Passport!
This incredible 5-day Bansko ski tour offers a compact, yet unforgettable experience skiing in Europe. Ski on the gorgeous Bulgarian mountains while warming up for the lively Apres Ski. This Balkans ski tour caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders with fantastic value for money. Enjoy 4-star superior accommodation, airport shuttle transfers and all breakfasts and dinners with unlimited beer and wine included. This tour also includes ski/snowboard equipment.
This trip on Rewilding the Apennines took us on incredible walks to magnificent views that made us feel we were the only people on earth. We had the opportunity to walk within an European old growth forest and see wolves, chamois, deer, a golden eagle and other wild animals (a bear in action on a camera-trap but not real life, unfortunately!). The walks were just the right amount of challenging and we trekked through stunning wilderness with our incredibly knowledgeable guide, Andrea - a former forester, who enhanced our experience with deep knowledge of the trees, animals and forest ecology. One of the days spent with the Rewilding Apennines team helped give an extra level of expertise about the challenges of nature preservation and community education. The meals on this trip were always freshly cooked and delicious!
Follow old trails through ancient hamlets and past impressive castles on the Francigena Way, the Italian Camino, between Ivrea and Pavia. From Canterbury in England to Rome in Italy, the 1900km "Francigena Way" dates back to the 11th century when pilgrims travelled across Europe on foot to visit the site of Martyrdom of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. With the modernisation of Europe and the shifting of borders the route became obsolete, until a recent revival of the pilgrimage making it one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe today. This section travels through the plains of Piedmont. From March to May the rice fields are flooded and treat you to a wonderful view of the "chequered sea". At other times of the year you will spot herons and egrets. The trail continues into the Lombardy region before ending in Pavia. Here you can enjoy the artistic wealth of Pavia's old town, while reveling in the vivacity of the student quarters.
We loved how quiet and well marked the trails were, along with the detailed trail descriptions provided. The small towns we visited were an unexpected treat as well. For a coastal walk, there was an amazing amount of variety from cliffs, to beach, and through fields. The ability to easily take a bus or tram from place to place if desired, was an added benefit. The accommodations were nice (especially those rooms with a sea side view!) and the people friendly.
Journey by foot through the little-known region of Tuscany between Pontremoli and the walled town of Lucca along the Via Francigena, the Italian Camino. The Via Francigena has experienced a recent revival and is now one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe. This section of the trail takes you through a little-known region of Tuscany. Starting in Pontremoli, in the heart of the Lunigiana region where the green hills are dotted with fine castles, you will descend to the sea in Versilia. Enjoy the coastal scenery as you walk along the sandy beaches and during the warmer months you can happily stop for a swim en route. Leaving the coast behind, you will head back toward the Tuscan hills. You can visit the fascinating artists' workshops in Pietrasanta, known as the Italian Athens, which rests at the foot of the Apuan Alps. The highlights continue as you reach the walled town of Lucca, one of the most captivating old town centres of Tuscany.
Ascend high passes of the Austrian Alps on foot and journey along picturesque valleys by bike. Cycle the serene alpine valleys and hike among the peaks of the Austrian Alps on this active trip from Innsbruck to Salzburg. Enjoy a variety of experiences as you travel through lush meadows, dramatic gorges and postcard-perfect villages. Walk to the dramatic Krimml Waterfalls – one of Europe’s highest – and explore peaceful ski towns nestled in the Zillertal Valley. Ride scenic cycle paths past traditional alpine huts, take a guided visit to the Moserboden hydroelectric dam, and discover local heritage at a salt mine or brewery. Evenings are spent in handpicked hotels, where you can relax with hearty regional meals and warm Austrian hospitality.
Santorini and Naxos are two of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades but here is where the similarity ends. Santorini feels like no other place on earth: an ancient island that endured one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. Here everything is bright like the whitewashed cube-shaped houses, the lapis lazuli sea and the sunsets that light up the caldera. Whilst the towns and beaches are understandably popular, the walking opportunities on the island are numerous, through volcanic landscapes and along spectacular cliffs along a series of mule tracks. Naxos on the other hand is the largest of the Cyclade islands with some of Greece's best white sand beaches, a smattering of ancient ruins and a lively town. Away from the coast, life has changed little in the last century. Traditional farming practices abound in a landscape of fertile valleys home to 1000 year old olive groves and impressive mountains beckoning to be climbed. One day is spent ascending the highest mountain of the area: Mt Zas. From its summit enjoy breathtaking views of olive-orchards set in sharp contrast with the deep blue Aegean Sea. The pace of the holiday is dictated by you, with plenty of opportunity after the walks to swim in the sea or hotel pool, wander through markets in the small towns and relax at a taverna to watch the sunset.
The walk was very satisfying. It was tougher than we expected however. Especially the Le Monastier to Le Bouchet. The app worked well for the most part. I would say all accommodation was good with the exception of one where the hotel room was very small and the staff not that helpful.