Walking Holidays in Europe

Do something positive for your body, mind and social life
when holidaying in Europe

So, you finally made it to your well-deserved holiday. You have some time to decide on your destination, but you feel so drained from your job, combined with other duties, that you'd rather just not go anywhere.

After all, if you live in a city, it has plenty to offer. There could be a lot of catching up to do in your hometown's galleries, theatres, pubs, concert halls, whatever your preference is.

But before you go for the city break, stop and think about it for a second.

While on holidays in Europe, consider doing something that's good for your body and mind, by going on a walking holiday.  (Image by Pexels)

Do Something Different

Let's get realistic - if you are so tired that you don't feel like going anywhere, you probably won't engage in much city life anyway. You will probably spend your precious holiday on your couch, stuck in front of your screens, perhaps invite some friends over for dinner, or go bike riding once or twice. In your usual environment, your holiday will just fly by, and before you know it, it will be time to go back to work.

What anyone who is overwhelmed by their daily grind needs is a reset, a re-charge, even if it initially takes a certain amount of effort.

Wouldn't you like to do something different, something that will have a positive impact on your body, your mind and your social life?

If the answer is yes, then taking a walking holiday might be just what you need to achieve a full recovery from your impending burnout.

What is a Walking Holiday?

A walking holiday is a type of active holiday where you will be engaging in recreational walking on an everyday basis. The central part of a walking holiday usually takes place on specially designated trails, in beautiful surroundings.

It's not only the location that makes a walking holiday, it is your intention as well - your will to rejuvenate yourself by stretching your legs during your entire vacation.

Are There Any Good Walking Holidays in Europe?

Europe offers plenty of walking holiday opportunities, with a surprising variety of environments you will be enjoying while hiking.

To give you a better view of the diversity of the Old Continent, here are a few examples of attractive European walking holiday opportunities. Note that there are many more options as well.

Greece

For a Mediterranean walking holiday, there's no such inspiring place than Greece, the home of the marathon and ancient Olympic Games.  (Image by Flickr.com)

If you crave for a sunny Mediterranean walking experience, you won't regret if you choose to walk in Greece. Greece offers many potential mainland and island walking tours and many interesting attractions to keep you involved and busy while on the road.

Ancient Greek archaeological sites, sandy beaches and turquoise seas, olive orchards, rugged Mediterranean rocks and mountains, old villages painted white, ancient Orthodox churches and monasteries - Greece is an entire world waiting to be explored (on foot, of course). Just make sure you have quality sun protection.

The Camino de Santiago

The vast distances of Camino de Santiago offer plenty of walking trails,  from France though to Span and Portugal.  (Image by Freeimages.com)

The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is a network of ancient pilgrim trails stretching from the heart of Europe to the Iberian Peninsula. There are several major Camino routes, starting in France, Portugal or Spain, all leading to the same point – the Santiago de Compostella Cathedral in Galicia, Spain. It was there that, according to the legend, St. James was buried.

Over the years, the Camino de Santiago has evolved from being a religious endeavour once upon a time, to one of the world's most frequented walking holiday destination.

Among the different trails that you can choose from, the most popular is the Camino Frances – the French Way. As the name suggests, it starts in France and takes you over the Pyrenees into some of Spain's most beautiful landscapes, with calm forests, vineyards and olive groves. The entire French Way is around 800 kilometers long, but you can also arrange a shorter version by using another starting point. Sarria is probably the most popular starting point of the entire Camino, only 100 km away from Santiago. On the Camino Frances, you will find excellent-quality hiking trails and roads, as well as great accommodation options and facilities.

The Far North

If anything's going to provide "food" for your body, mind and soul, it's the majestic scenery of Norway fjords, which will amaze you.  (Image by Pexels)

Northern Europe is a world of its own. The Scandinavian landscape is very varied - depending on your chosen country and trails, you will get to enjoy green grasslands, Norway's well-renowned fjords, northern pine forests, or charming old northern villages.

Volcanic Iceland is like a different planet, with black sand beaches, hot springs, and of course the lively capital Reykjavik. And if you're brave enough to venture into the polar circle, you'll be able to experience days that never end. Since it's always cold in the North, even in the summer, you will have to gear up for this sort of expedition.

Hopefully, you feel inspired to try something different this holiday season. On a walking holiday, you will not only soak in the natural and architectural marvels and rejuvenate yourself, but you may also re-define and re-discover what it means to be an active, walking human being.

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