There’s nothing like a British winter to get us all dreaming of inspiring days spent hiking in warmer places, striding through stunning scenery and lingering over delicious food and wine.
HF Holidays specialise in walking and leisure activity holidays all over the world, so they can help you find the one that’s perfect for you. For starters, check out these two top destinations…
Italy
Discover timeless landscapes, architectural treasures and a rich culinary heritage in Italy – a land of rolling hills cloaked with vineyards, charming seaside villages clinging to rocky cliffs, towering mountains and intriguing history.
Hiking in Italy is extremely popular and it's easy to see why. Western culture has been massively influenced by Italian cultures and cuisine, hence why so many of us love a classic escape to Italy. If you fancy a challenge or discovering hidden gems, you’ll find further inspiration from HF Holidays 'Undiscovered Italy' blog.
Here are just three of the many, many options you can choose from:
Dolomites High Routes and Hutting
Steeped in history and with some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, the Dolomites are a hiker’s delight, and exploring challenging routes in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a memorable experience. Add in the thrill of spending one night in an authentic mountain hut and you get a great way to enjoy some spectacular walks previously off-limits. You walk from 8-13 miles per day with some rough, exposed, scrambly passages, scree sections and steep descents.
Price: From £1,499pp for 7 nights
hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/high-routes-hutting-selva
Tuscany Guided Walking & Sightseeing Holidays
Enjoy a choice of gentle countryside walks through classic Tuscan countryside crowned with historic towns. Sample the natural hot springs at Bagno Vignone. Explore the beautiful setting of San Quirico d'Orcia with walks in undulating terrain. Visit the historic hilltop villages of Montepulciano and Pienza, and explore the Renaissance city of Siena with a local guide. And round off your walk with a coffee or ice cream in an enchanting hilltop village. This trip includes a full programme of guided walks with 2 options every walking day plus 1 full sightseeing day.
Price: From £1,249pp for 7 nights
hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-sightseeing-san-quirico
Sorrento Peninsula Guided Walking Holiday
Sorrento has a fascinating atmosphere and is a hugely popular tourist destination. This guided trip explores the world-famous Sorrento peninsula with its stunning coastal scenery as well as the remarkable Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Walk around Amalfi, Ravello and Positano, including meanders through olive groves between sleepy villages. There is also the opportunity to enjoy the ‘Path of the Gods’ high above the coast, and visit the bijou towns along the stunning Amalfi Coast.
Price: From £1,299 pp for 7 nights
hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-sorrento
France
France remains one of Europe’s top holiday destinations. It has so much to offer, and there's no better way to discover the country than on foot. From idyllic Provence with its traditional market towns basking in the most romantic of warm landscapes, to superb walking past glaciers and crystal-clear lakes in the mountains and meadows of the Alps or the French Pyrenees. Explore the rich culture of French Catalonia or Basque country and wander in the footsteps of history in the Haute-Savoie region.
Here are three contrasting holiday options:
French Catalonia Guided Walking Holiday
Nestled between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean in the Languedoc, Argelès-sur-Mer in northern Catalonia offers superb walks taking in secluded coves, pretty beaches and wild landscapes. Enjoy a mixture of green inland hills and wonderful rocky coastline, including the outstanding section made famous by the Cadaques to Collioure long-distance path. Inland, discover shaded routes between pretty French towns or with far-reaching sea views, or visit local markets to soak up culture. The routes near the Spanish border feel 'off the beaten track' and are filled with incredible history including WWII forts.
Price: From £1,349pp for 7 nights
hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-argeles
Provence Guided Walking Holiday
A full programme of guided walks with 2 options every walking day, makes this a superb trip for anyone wishing to discover unspoilt Provence, famed for its food and wine. Relax in pretty Gréoux-les-Bains, known for its thermal spring; visit charming hill-top villages including Moustiers Ste Marie, officially one of the prettiest in France; explore delightful Quinson and enjoy views of the spectacular Verdon Gorge.
Price: From £1,349pp for 7 nights.
hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-greoux-les-bains
Tour Du Mont Blanc Guided Trail
Take on the challenge of Europe’s most popular long-distance trail. This famous alpine circuit circumnavigates the majestic Mont Blanc massif, Western Europe’s highest mountain at 4,810m. Relish awe-inspiring panoramas of glistening glaciers, snow-covered summits and majestic Mont Blanc itself. The trail traverses the Alpine passes and pastures of France, Italy and Switzerland with stunning views and picturesque villages throughout. This holiday takes a comparatively leisurely 10 nights with time to soak up the spectacular scenery, flora and fauna and you will be left with no doubt that this is Europe's top trail.
Price: From £2,099 pp for 10 nights
hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/mont-blanc
HF Holidays have more than 100 years’ experience organising outdoor holidays, and specialise in flexible walking trips suited to any ability or experience level.
Every year more than 60,000 guests choose to travel with HF Holidays to destinations all over the world specialising in offering a fantastic range of walking and leisure activities holidays.
To take a look at all of the fantastic guided walking holidays they have to offer, go to hfholidays.co.uk
Holidays subject to availability, see website for details and terms and conditions.
