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Hiking Holiday
Hello, I'm Simon Peters.
Everyone knows that you have to have some experience in order to select the best Hiking Holiday destination. The Fact is that without some help it is very hard to choose the perfect Walking Holiday for you and your family. This website focuses on helping you to know what to look for when planning your next Hiking Holiday.
The aim of this website is to assist you in getting the best Hiking Holiday for you money. Here we lay out certain points that may help you select the best walking holiday for you. |
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Hiking Holiday
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Walking or hiking holidays are popular these days. Instead of loud nightlife in cities and shopping or dining in fancy outlets, more people are opting for quiet walks in the mountains where the natural scenery comes close to sublime. |
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The top places to go for walking holidays are Europe, the Caribbean and in New Zealand where you can have the best of these countries up in the mountains or down in the valleys.
In Europe, there are several hiking or walking holiday targets. You can test your walking mettle on Mont Blanc, a mountain shared by three countries - Switzerland, France and Italy. The walks can take as much as two weeks or more to complete. On Mont Blanc, snow capped mountains greet your eyes and below the lush valleys await you. Along the way, there are rustic alpine villages where you'll get a taste of the warm hospitality of the locals. The hike won't be easy, so make sure you have the stamina for several ascents and a two-week hike.
Italy is another destination for guided hiking holidays. In Sardinia the hiking holiday will be along the mountain ranges and the colorful countryside. Where but in Sardinia can you find deserted white beaches, turquoise seas and river valleys thriving with lush foliage. There are dazzling ochre cliffs, pretty fishing ports, forest trails and costal paths among the mountain ranges of the North. The silence in the mountains can mesmerize your senses. To sum it up, you can never have enough of Sardinia.
In another part of Italy you can find the Dolomites, those fantastic yellow and sheer pink limestone walls that proudly tower over stretches of ascents and slopes. The view is beyond your expectation and so unspoiled you cannot believe that such vistas still exist in this stressed-out world. You'll need to forget the outside world for seven days as this the average time for a hike along the Dolomites and a hike take about five to seven hours a day. The hike begins takes off in the small city of Bolzano where you can entertain yourself in museums, plazas and gorge on pizza. From Bolzano a bus will take you to St. Ulrich and finally you'll be on your guided hiking tour through lovely hiking trails.
The Dordogne Valley of France still holds ancient secrets in its caves; the forests are still and silent and there are the stunning cliffs that have witnessed the history of the valley. In the valley, there is a medieval market, old stone houses, castles and the famous Rocamadour Shrine. Climb up the tallest structure in the town of Sarlat and view the picturesque Dordogne River. Walk along the river banks and fill your senses with the lushness of the foliage adorning the banks and the cliffs.
If you want mystical landscapes, colossal glaciers and to take in the deep blue of the surrounding waters, New Zealand should be your top pick. This is one of the world's most captivating places for hiking holidays. Once you walk the north and south islands, the experience transports you to the time of elves, fairies and dragons if they indeed existed.
The Spice Island in Granada could be a perfect hiking itinerary this Christmas. It is warm and sunny in this part of the globe during winter time so if you want to escape the cold, the Spice Island should be your next stop for a hiking holiday. An 8 day walking tour along grassy savannahs and rough tracks leads to mesmerizing views of waterfalls and lush hillsides. Along the trails, there are comfortable inns and great food served too.
For the holidays, give yourself a break from the rat race of city living with hiking holidays. Explore and experience nature at its best.
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Hiking Holiday - Absorbing Nature |
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There are great benefits to getting away from the beaches and shopping strips where you might have spent many vacations in the past and escaping into the woods for a hiking holiday instead. If you are interested in escaping daily life by yourself for a while or finding healthier,
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more unique destinations for a family vacation, a hiking holiday could be just what you need.
Beautiful Scenery
A hiking vacation will expose you to some of the most spectacular scenery available anywhere in the world. You can now hike through some of the biggest, most amazing mountain ranges, through national forests in every state, and through spectacular canyons.
Hiking delivers access to rough terrain as well as beautiful rivers and lakes, and all of the wildlife that comes with those surroundings. This is what attracts many photographers to take a hiking holiday. There is beauty in the skyline over the beach, but have you ever snapped a picture of wildlife in the center of a still forest?
Relaxation
Going on a hiking holiday is also extremely relaxing. You are able to get away from the stress of everyday life and take a big, refreshing breath. When you stare at the trail stretching out before you, hear the birds singing from the trees, or watch your children giggling over a frog on the edge of a river, there is nothing to do but take a deep breath of fresh, unpolluted air, and smile.
Bonding Time
Relaxation is extremely important in the fast-paced world we all live in today. A hiking vacation can actually save marriages by allowing a couple to rediscover what originally made them fall in love, without the stress that may have come between them to begin with. Families are also drawn closer together on a hiking vacation.
Health Benefits
While hiking through remote locations, or even just national parks near your home, your body goes through physical transformation. You strengthen your existing muscle mass and build up new muscles. You increase your overall flexibility and increase cardiovascular fitness. Even your balance is improved.
As a result of this improved fitness, your everyday life after the hiking vacation will be greatly enriched. You will find it much easier to bend over and pick things up and you will be able to keep up with your children, no matter how old they are or what sports and games then enjoy playing. Even just sitting at your desk working or walking through a store, you will find that you breathe easier. Your cheeks will even have a healthy glow for a while, due to the fresh air in your blood.
If you take a hiking vacation on a regular basis and incorporate some regular exercise into your routine at home, you will drop weight, tone up, and feel better than ever. You will also drastically reduce your risks of dying of heart disease, developing diabetes, and even cut your chances of getting many types of cancer.
It is relaxing and enjoyable to strip down to your bikini and waste day after day on a sandy beach, but the perks of a hiking holiday are even more attractive. You will look better and feel better every single day of your life once you discover the pleasures of the hiking holiday.
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Walking Holiday |
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The smog and the pollution in congested cities drives jaded city dwellers to dream about the picturesque countryside where the air is fresh and nature unspoiled and her colors vibrant with life and promise. |
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Walking holiday offer this unique experience.
Europe is the place to go if you want to savor the thrill and the tranquility of walking tours in the countryside or along the high rises of Mont Blanc. Imagine walking along high mountain passes dotted with rustic Alpine huts or challenging yourself to higher peaks on the Mont Blanc. Perhaps you would like to walk on the ancient routes in Turkey. The choice of your walking holiday is yours.
The Mont Blanc is a popular destination for walking tours. Up there you can see the majestic view of snow-capped mountains and sunny valleys down below. Imagine experiencing seeing France, Switzerland and Italy from up there! The Mont Blanc is a mountain that is shared by these countries and has played an important role in the history of these countries.
There are two popular routes of the Mont Blanc walking tour: The Mont Blanc Tour takes two weeks to complete on foot. You go up towards the higher peaks where you can survey the beauty of the scenery above and below. The Haute Route is a more challenging walk because it involves several climbs; this is the most challenging walk of the tour. Both tours are not for the faint hearted and walkers should be physically fit to endure weeks of walking.
The ancient mountains of Sardinia in Italy offer a different walking experience. As you walk along the mountain ranges in the north, you can feel the silence in this remote but peaceful route. The stunning views and prehistoric monuments combine to make the walk on the mountains of Sardinia offers one of the perfect walking holiday worldwide.
The Dolomites also in Italy offers a walking holiday that leads you to view ancient glaciers, stunning limestone pillars, flat plains and rolling meadows awash with the colors of wild flowers. The view is fantastic and worth all the walking. This is where nature has remained unspoiled by the onslaught of progress.
In the South of France is the Dordogne Valley. This is the pride of France; the valley boasts medieval castles, charming towns and enchanting caves with ancient cave paintings, lush forests and splendid cliffs. The best view though is provided by the great Dordogne River that nourishes the valley. Overhead you can see the grand religious shrine in Rocamadour. A unique shopping experience is offered in the medieval town of Sarlat so hike there if only to walk on the ancient cobbled alleyways and see the ancient tombs better known as the Lamps of the Dead.
In Turkey the Lycian Way beckons. The best time to take on the five kilometer marked footpath is during spring and autumn. From atop you can see the beautiful Patara Beach, the castle, and the church of Angel Gabriel on the hills overlooking Myra. The route takes you along Patara and Kalkan. But up there in Kalkan and Kas you can enjoy spectacular views of land, sea and mountains. The route also includes Cirali, Kas, Myra, Finike, Adrasan and Olympus.
Along the way there are quaint houses and small hotels, where you can stay for the night but you can camp under the stars, an experience that amazes the senses when it communes with the ancients. The Lycian Way is a gradient walk with several ascents and descents along the way but it is still worth a walking holiday.
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Walking Holiday Tips
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Walking holiday is an extremely popular way to take a vacation or tour the world. Not only are they an excellent way to stay fit but they also offer an upfront view of an area, |
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from the native people to the plants in the region. But a walking holiday can also have an impact on the environment - and the impact may not always be positive. For those considering walking tours or holidays, it can help to learn some basic tips about reducing harmful effects on the environment, landscape and ecology of the areas visited. This results in a win/win situation.
Tip one: Think about transportation used to arrive at the walking holiday destination. Flying contributes to global warming so it might be wiser to choose a site closer to home. If there aren't any locations within walking distance, consider bicycling to the destination. Bikes can then be left with a friend or in storage during the length of the walking holiday. With these simple adjustments, walking holiday can start off by being eco-friendly.
Tip two: Be aware of the local and cultural traditions of the area. Even if a walking holiday is taken inside the United States, certain regions of the country have populations of people with specific customs and traditions. They may be uncomfortable having their photos taken or having certain routines interrupted. Special holidays may take place. So do research and learn about the area to be visited. Part of being eco-friendly is respecting the culture and environment visited, including the people living in the area.
Tip three: Make sure to carry a minimum of disposable items and don't discard them along a walking trail or anywhere outside (except a proper trash receptacle or can). When taking a walking holiday, why spoil the environment for the next person - or group of people - who come along? Be respectful and limit use of disposable items.
Tip four: If taking a long walking holiday, don't just avoid air travel to your destination. Avoid internal flights as well. Always think of the travel options which will impact the carbon footprint of an area less often. Plan ahead. Try to arrange alternate forms of transportation.
Tip five: Try to make your walking holidays last as long as possible. Not only will you be helping local communities and tourism in the areas by being there but you'll be avoiding less eco-friendly ways of traveling and making the most of your vacation time.
Tip six: Think about combining a walking holiday with volunteer opportunities which help a local community. Whether helping to build a well, plant an organic garden or some other volunteer effort, walking holidays can include short stopovers in village and towns which can use volunteer help. Not only will travelers have a chance to enjoy themselves but have the satisfaction of doing good. In addition to reducing harmful effects on the environment, there can be a lasting and positive impact for the future of an area.
Tip seven: Try to find a travel agency or tour guide that promotes a eco-friendly walking holiday and options. There are many that cater to tourists looking for eco-firendly choices.
Tip eight: If bringing gifts to hosts or local people in various areas, think of the impact they'll have on the environment and the people. Consider bringing gifts that could help improve the lifestyles of peole visited, while being considerate of their customs and beliefs. Obviously, it would make little sense to give a disposable camera to people who hate having their photos taken. Similarly, giving a t-shirt to those who wear only certain types of clothing would be less helpful than providing items used regularly by the people in the area.
With a little sensitivity and common sense, eco-friendly walking holidays can be good for travelers and for the planet as well. |
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