Do you love walking, but also enjoy the finer things in life? Do you want to explore the stunning landscapes, rich cultures, and delicious cuisines of Europe, but also have the freedom and flexibility to go at your own pace?
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If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be interested in luxury walking holidays in Europe. These are self-guided tours that combine the best of both worlds: walking and luxury.
In this blog post, I will tell you everything you need to know about luxury walking holidays in Europe, including what they are, how they work, where to go, and what to expect.
What are luxury walking holidays in Europe?
Luxury walking holidays are self-guided tours that allow you to walk through some of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Europe, while staying in hand-picked boutique hotels, manor houses, historic inns, or guesthouses.
Luxury walking holidays offer you more comfort, privacy, and convenience than regular walking holidays, but also require more planning, budget, and responsibility. You can customize your trip according to your preferences, such as the duration, the difficulty, the destination, and the theme.
You can also enjoy the services and support of specialized travel companies, such as The Carter Company or UTracks, that provide you with everything you need for your trip, such as the itinerary, the accommodation, the luggage transfer, the route directions, the maps, the guidebooks, and the emergency support.
Luxury walking holidays are a unique and exciting way to explore the continent, combining the thrill of walking and the comfort of luxury. They are a great way to challenge yourself and reward yourself, and to discover the hidden gems and local secrets of Europe.
I hope this helps you understand what luxury walking holidays in Europe are and how they differ from regular walking holidays.
How do luxury walking holidays in Europe work?
Luxury walking holidays work in the following steps:
You choose your destination and route. You can browse the websites of specialized travel companies, such as The Carter Company or UTracks, to find the best destination and route for your preferences, such as the duration, the difficulty, the theme, and the season. You can also contact them to customize your trip or ask for advice.
You book your trip. You can book your trip online or by phone, and pay a deposit or the full amount. You will receive a confirmation email with your booking details and instructions.
You will also receive your travel documents, such as your itinerary, your accommodation vouchers, your luggage tags, your route directions, your maps, and your guidebooks, either by email or by post.
You prepare for your trip. You can pack your bags, check your travel insurance, arrange your travel to and from your destination, and get ready for your adventure. You can also contact the travel company if you have any questions or concerns.
You enjoy your trip. You can walk at your own pace, following the route directions and the maps, and enjoy the scenery, the culture, and the cuisine of your destination. You can also explore the places of interest along the way, such as the historical sites, the natural wonders, or the local markets.
You can stay in comfortable and charming hotels, where you can relax and recharge. You can also have your luggage transferred from one hotel to another, so you don't have to carry it with you. You can also contact the travel company or the emergency support if you need any help or assistance.
These are the main steps of how luxury walking holidays in Europe work. I hope this helps you understand how they work and what to expect.
Where to go for luxury walking holidays in Europe?
Luxury walking holidays are available in many countries and regions, such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, UK, Ireland, Norway, and more.
You can choose from a variety of themes and difficulties, such as coastal walks, mountain hikes, cultural trails, or gastronomic tours.
You can also enjoy the scenery, the culture, and the cuisine of your destination, and explore the places of interest along the way, such as historical sites, natural wonders, or local markets.
Some of the most popular and recommended routes for luxury walking holidays in Europe are:
The Tour du Mont Blanc
This is a classic route that circles the Mont Blanc massif, crossing France, Italy, and Switzerland. It offers stunning views of the Alps, glaciers, valleys, and lakes, as well as charming villages, alpine meadows, and wildlife.
It is a challenging but rewarding walk, covering about 170 km and 10,000 m of ascent and descent in 10 to 14 days. You can stay in comfortable hotels or mountain huts, and enjoy the local food and wine.
The Via Alpina
This is a network of five long-distance trails that traverse the entire Alpine arc, from Slovenia to Monaco. It covers eight countries and 14 regions, and showcases the diversity and beauty of the Alps.
It offers spectacular views of mountains, forests, lakes, and glaciers, as well as cultural and historical attractions, such as castles, churches, museums, and festivals.
It is a moderate to difficult walk, covering about 5,000 km and 300,000 m of elevation gain in 342 stages. You can choose any section or stage that suits your preference and ability, and stay in cozy hotels or guesthouses.
The Amalfi Coast
This is a stunning route that follows the coastline of southern Italy, from Sorrento to Salerno. It offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, the cliffs, the islands, and the villages, as well as the lemon groves, the vineyards, and the gardens.
It is an easy to moderate walk, covering about 100 km and 4,000 m of ascent and descent in 8 to 10 days. You can stay in luxurious hotels or villas, and enjoy the delicious Italian cuisine and wine.
The Douro Valley
This is a scenic route that follows the Douro River, the oldest wine region in the world, in northern Portugal. It offers splendid views of the river, the hills, the vineyards, and the quintas, as well as the historical towns, the bridges, and the monuments.
It is a moderate walk, covering about 80 km and 3,000 m of ascent and descent in 6 to 8 days. You can stay in elegant hotels or manor houses, and enjoy the famous port wine and the local food.
The Cotswolds
This is a charming route that explores the quintessential English countryside, in south-central England. It offers delightful views of the rolling hills, the fields, the woods, and the villages, as well as the stone cottages, the churches, the gardens, and the pubs.
It is an easy to moderate walk, covering about 160 km and 2,000 m of ascent and descent in 10 to 12 days. You can stay in cozy hotels or inns, and enjoy the traditional English food and ale.
These are some of the best destinations and routes for luxury walking holidays in Europe. I hope this helps you find the perfect place to walk and relax on your trip.
What to expect from luxury walking holidays in Europe?
You can expect to enjoy the following benefits and challenges from luxury walking holidays in Europe:
You can explore the continent at your own pace and style. You can choose from a variety of destinations, routes, themes, and difficulties, and customize your trip according to your preferences.
You can also enjoy the freedom and flexibility to walk as much or as little as you want, and to stop and explore the places of interest along the way. You can also have the option to extend your stay, add extra activities, or change your plans if needed.
You can experience the comfort and convenience of luxury accommodation and services. You can stay in comfortable and charming hotels, where you can relax and recharge after a day of walking. You can also enjoy the delicious local cuisine and wine, and the friendly and attentive service.
You can also have your luggage transferred from one hotel to another, so you don't have to carry it with you. You can also contact the travel company or the emergency support if you need any help or assistance.
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You can discover the hidden gems and local secrets of Europe. You can walk through some of the most scenic and diverse landscapes of Europe, such as the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Cotswolds, or the Douro Valley.
You can also learn about the rich culture and history of Europe, such as the castles, the churches, the museums, or the festivals. You can also meet and interact with the local people, and experience their hospitality and traditions.
You can challenge yourself and reward yourself. You can test your physical and mental stamina, and push yourself to new limits. You can also enjoy the sense of achievement and satisfaction, and the memories and stories that you will create.
You can also treat yourself to some extra indulgences, such as a spa, a massage, or a special dinner. These are some of the things that you can expect from luxury walking holidays in Europe. I hope this helps you get excited and prepared for your trip.
Final Thoughts
Luxury walking holidays in Europe are a unique and exciting way to explore the continent, combining the thrill of walking and the comfort of luxury. They are self-guided tours that offer you more freedom and flexibility, but also more planning and responsibility.
They are available in many countries and regions, and cater to different interests and abilities. They are a great way to challenge yourself and reward yourself, and to discover the hidden gems and local secrets of Europe.
I hope this blog post has helped you learn more about luxury walking holidays in Europe, and inspired you to try one for yourself.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And if you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family. Thank you for reading and happy walking!