This gothic cathedral, known as La Seu, is the most important building in the whole of Majorca. It took over three centuries to build after work started on it in the 13th century, and it is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Marvel at its stained-glass windows and check out the work of Gaudí, who was responsible for the canopy over the altar amongst other features. The cathedral is located in the Old Town and looks over the ocean, so check it out when you are walking in Majorca in and around Palma.

Castell de Bellver

This excellent 14th century fortress is in very good condition and is certainly worth a visit on any holiday walking in Majorca. It is perched on top of a hill near the city, and the views are absolutely fantastic. It used to be a summer palace for Majorca’s royalty, and was later used as a prison. Now it makes for an interesting visit and houses a good museum.

The Museu d’Art Espanyol Contemporani

Art lovers simply cannot miss this excellent museum of Spanish contemporary art. Housing works by artists including Picasso and Dalí, there are over 70 exhibits in its permanent collection and it also has some excellent temporary collections. It is located right in the centre of the city in a beautiful 18th century building.

The Banys Arabs

These Moorish baths in the medieval quarter of the city date back to the 10th century. Although there is not a great deal to see here, it makes for a pleasant stop on an exploration of the city, and there is a lovely garden that is a great place to escape from the tourist crowds. It is a wonderful place to simply rest, relax and cool down from a day spent walking in Majorca.

Explore Palma

Walking in Majorca is an excellent way to spend your holidays in the Balearics as it allows you to see such a variety of landscapes. There are plenty of sights to see when you visit Palma, and plenty of walking opportunities in and around the city. Make sure you spend at least some time exploring the capital when you next visit Majorca.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join tours walking in Majorca with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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Formentor Beach

This is a very well-known beach in Majorca because it is situated right in front of the famous Formentor hotel, a popular place to spot celebrities. The long, narrow, sandy beach is very attractive, and the surroundings are picturesque – located at the end of the peninsular in the north of the island. The only thing to be aware of is that it does tend to get rather busy in peak season, but if you don’t mind that then it’s a perfect place to visit to cool off after a day walking in Majorca.

Sa Coma Beach

This is another good beach in the east of Majorca with lots of restaurants nearby, and it is of special note because it has been awarded the blue flag for its quality. It is ideal for families, and is very long so you won’t have any trouble finding some space for your towel here!

Portals Vells Beach

This is quite a small beach a few miles from Magalluf, but it is very attractive and not quite as busy as the two mentioned above. There are a couple of bars where you can get food and refreshments, and the seafood comes highly recommended. This one is definitely on the must-see list.

Palma Nova

This is a beach for those who want a bit more action and excitement. It is near to Magalluf and gets very busy, but features a pleasant promenade to walk along if you want a break from the sand and crowds. There may be a few too many fast-food joints for some people, but there are plenty of better restaurants around if you’d rather try some traditional local cuisine as well.

Enjoy the Beaches of Majorca

You will probably visit quite a few beaches when on a holiday spent walking in Majorca. With so many beaches available, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to relax and cool off after a hard day’s walking. The above is just a small selection of the beaches on offer and there are many more to discover, so try to visit as many as possible during your stay – and keep on walking!

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join tours walking in Majorca with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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The Venetian Harbour

The old Venetian Harbour is one of the highlights of Chania, and if you go walking in Crete in the vicinity of the city then this is one of the places that you should spend some time. This is the buzzing focus of the city, where the numerous bars and tavernas serve up a plethora of excellent local cuisine – specialising in fresh local fish. Although pleasant to visit during the day, the place really comes to life at night when the tavernas fill up and the buskers set up alongside.

Limnoupolis Water Park

If you get tired of walking and you need some other form of diversion for a few hours, then the Limnoupolis Water Park is a great option. This is especially good for anyone who is travelling with children, as it is a great reward for the sometimes hot and energetic task of walking in Crete. It’s actually just outside Chania so you’ll need to drive or take a taxi, but once there you’ll find lots of rides and fun, including an excellent artificial river complete with waterfalls and caves.

Ancient Aptera

Crete has a huge number of historical attractions, and one of these is Ancient Aptera which is located near Chania. These are the ruins of the city of Aptera which dates back to the 7th century BC. Make sure to check out the old Turkish fort and the Hellenistic walls. Overall it’s a good historical diversion for adults and children alike when you are walking in Crete.

The Archaeological Museum

This is an excellent museum for anyone interested in the history of Crete, and although it is not considered the best archaeological museum on the island, it is still well worth a visit. Boasting an array of sculptures, pottery, coins and jewellery, the museum also has some very interesting mosaic floors, as well as Neolithic and Minoan items on display.

Enjoy Your Time in Chania

Chania is an excellent place to visit when you are on a holiday walking in Crete. With so many attractions there is always plenty to see and do, but it is the picturesque harbour area that really gives this place its unique atmosphere. Head here to relax and recharge your batteries before going off to explore some more of the island.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join tours walking in Crete with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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Crete is an island in the eastern Mediterranean, which is closer to Egypt than it is to mainland Greece. Its history and breathtaking natural beauty are world-famous and rightly so. It is also a popular holiday destination with a range of resorts and locations to suit just about anyone’s requirements.

To really see some parts of this island and its culture, you need to get out and about on two feet.  It may be perfectly possible to do so entirely on your own, but some people may find that slightly intimidating if they do not know the island and the language. One way to overcome that is to do your walking in Crete based upon fixed itineraries under the leadership of a very experienced and well-qualified tour leader.  That way you will get the benefit of exploring locations on foot but entirely without the dual risks of getting lost or missing something that you didn’t even know was there.

Although walking in Crete may sound intuitively attractive to many, some of the above mentioned myths might cause some people to think twice.

Let’s deal with those!

•    You need to be fit – there are walking holidays available to suit all ages and fitness levels.  If you are very fit and enjoy, for example, serious hiking, then there will be walks for you.  If, on the other hand, you are less fit, there will be less demanding itineraries to choose from.

•    It is too hot to walk – given its geographic location, Crete can be hot during the peak summer months though it is much less so during the spring, winter and autumn.  Even at the hottest times of the year, early morning or late evening walks are often at very pleasant temperatures.

•    You need special equipment – for the majority of guided tours the only equipment required is a sensible pair of shoes and perhaps some headgear for sun protection.  Even in more demanding guided walks, a sturdy pair of shoes and a rucksack with some basic supplies is typically all that is required.

•    It involves camping – there is no relationship between holidays involving walking in Crete and camping.  Walking tours can be arranged based upon the accommodation being in centres such as the island’s capital Heraklion or coastal resorts such as the chic and trendy Aghios Nikolaos.  You won’t need to camp – unless you want to!

Crete is a magnificent island and one of the world’s locations that has contributed hugely to European and global development.  While you are walking in Crete, you may discover at least some of the reasons why!

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join tours walking in Crete with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

Vulcan, God of the Forge

On the summit of Red Mountain, overlooking Birmingham Alabama, there stands a 56-foot tall statue of Vulcan, blacksmith of the Roman Gods. Originally created for the 1904 World’s Fair, he personified Birmingham’s pride in its iron industry, weighed nearly 51 tonnes, and remains the largest cast-iron statue in the world. Those walking USA roads in Alabama will probably be able to spot this pagan landmark from a long way off.

The House of the Temple

Neo-classically majestic and menacing, the House of the Temple in Washington D.C. looks as if it’s stepped straight from the pages of a thriller novel (and indeed makes appearances in several recent Dan Brown thrillers). Modelled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, its guardian sphinx statues (named ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Power’) each weigh 17 tonnes. The House of the Temple is the museum, library, and clubhouse of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. If you’re interested in walking, USA history, and the chance to learn more about a historically semi-secretive organisation, there’s no better place to be.

World War 2 Monument

If you’re walking USA soil with an eye on its military history, it might be worth stopping in Savannah, Georgia, to see their Chatham County World War 2 Monument. Officially titled ‘A World Apart’, it features two halves of a 20-foot-high globe split straight down the middle, to symbolise a world divided by war. The globe is steel, and features bronze oceans, and copper continents.

Unofficial Lego Museum

Here’s one museum to visit to satisfy the child in all of us: originally a school built in 1930, it has since been adapted to become the home of three-and-a-half floors worth of Lego statues. It houses everything from pictures of Harry Potter and the Mona Lisa, to the undeniably awe-inspiring life-sized replica of an eighteen-wheeler truck that was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. Icons such as Darth Vader and Spider-Man can also be found painstakingly reconstructed from millions of Lego bricks within the museum.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

• “I wish I’d met more local people”

• “I don’t know why I didn’t get to see XYZ”

• “we nearly saw that but unfortunately we got lost and couldn’t find it”

• “we were stuck in a huge traffic jam but we did manage to see it several miles away across the countryside as we waited”

• “had we known it was there, we would certainly have visited it”

• “We didn’t get to see it because after a very long journey, we arrived to find that it was closed”

• “We wouldn’t have gone up into that area had anyone told us that it was dangerous to do so”.

Okay, that may be slightly tongue in cheek but many holidaymakers have experienced those sorts of regrets and frustrations. One possible solution to that, when you are visiting the USA, is to base your holiday around walking. USA holidays, because of the excellent infrastructure, may be particularly well suited to that way of getting about.

The limitations of walking

Of course, the USA is a vast country and if you try and do it entirely on foot then the reality is that you’re not going to see very much! That’s why there are specialist USA walking holidays that will move you from one location to another (providing superb accommodation in the process), and which will allow you to follow guided walks to see local sights of interest. One of the most important aspects of this type of holiday is the provision of an expert tour leader who will conduct the walk so as to ensure that you miss nothing and manage to learn about the area and its history, nature, and anything else of interest.

Where you go will be largely up to you as part of choosing your holiday walking. USA tours of this type cover many of the major areas of the USA, ranging from the picturesque charm of New England, to the subtropical natural splendours of Florida and Texas, to the West Coast attractions running from California to Washington State.

The guided walks are defined around a set itinerary and they will fully take into account the physical capabilities of all holidaymakers in the party. There is another big advantage to this type of holiday which involves walking. USA attractions that are ideal for exploration by walking are sometimes based in countryside officially designated as a wilderness – be that desert or mountain terrain. Striking off on your own in these areas may be unwise unless you have extensive experience, local knowledge and are fully equipped. This is not something that you will have to worry about if you are on a guided walk in the company of an expert tour leader.

The Ones That Didn’t Get Away

Perhaps you’re someone that enjoys coming home at the end of a holiday and reflecting ruefully on all the ‘might have beens’ and sharing stories of your disappointments with friends and family but we doubt that! More likely you will be someone that values wonderful memories of a holiday involving your favourite pastime – walking. USA guided walking holidays may offer you the opportunity to achieve that, rather than mastering the art of trying to keep a smile on your face as you relate to others the stories of all the things you missed!

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

What you can do though, is to concentrate on a theme or perhaps a geographical region.
Let’s consider one such opportunity – the South. The South of the USA is sometimes called ‘Dixieland’ although not everyone agrees on its exact geographical definition. Broadly speaking, it comprises states running down the eastern seaboard from Virginia (some may say Maryland) to Florida and westward to include states such as Texas up to West Virginia.
This is a vast area, and one that contains many different and diverse US cultures.

Florida – The Sunshine State

For example, Florida has long been known as the ‘sunshine state’ and is a great destination for holidaymakers. However, many of its attractions are really best explored on guided walks, and that may include areas such as the Cape Canaveral Space Centre or the incomparable beauty of the Everglades.

New Orleans

If you like history and want a unique opportunity to explore Creole culture, you may want to try a guided walk around some of the older areas of New Orleans where you can experience superb cuisine and jazz culture.

Texas

Texas was once an independent republic and is a vast area. Many Texans still regard their state as being a little bit different to the rest of the USA. Your holiday can include guided walks that will allow you to see things such as working ranches and desert areas and you can get a real taste of the ‘Old West’.

Go With the Wind

If your idea of the old South is based very heavily on ‘Gone With the Wind’ then you may be able to find examples of magnificent mansions and the 19th-century cotton culture in places such as Alabama and Georgia – often best explored through guided walking. USA walking, by virtue of the size of the country, often involves intermediate transport from site to site and that will certainly be true on some of these itineraries.

A Taste of History

Moving further north, if you like military history there are excellent guided walks around many of the great American Civil War battlefields that can be found in much of the South and particularly in Northern Virginia. You can visit locations such as Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg to see where the major clashes of culture took place which led to the formation of the modern USA.

Your USA Walking Holiday

Although the language of the USA is, of course, English, finding the key locations and making your own logistical arrangements can be time-consuming. If you enjoy walking, USA holidays can be arranged where set itineraries are in place to meet your interests.
For example, if the South appeals to you, you can be assured of excellent accommodation in one or more centres, and the provision of an expert tour leader who will take you on guided walks each day to explore the local attractions. For walking, USA centred holidays offer a huge range of potential experiences within a framework of the ultimate of comfort.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

Costa Rica has a long-established reputation for nature conservation and protection of its environment that is the envy of many other countries around the world. To some extent, the country got off to a good start by virtue of the fact that its relative lack of highly valuable natural resources in the past (e.g. precious metals, minerals and oil) meant that it did not suffer the ravages of exploitation that other countries in central and South America experienced. Even so, Costa Rica showed from the very earliest days that it was well aware of the need to protect some of this incomparable countryside, comprising rainforest, high volcanic mountains and stunning coastline. It is something that the people and their governments are to be congratulated on.

Walking, Costa Rica, and your annual holidays

Although Costa Rica’s popularity is increasing rapidly as a holiday destination, it still may not instantly spring to mind when you are planning your annual break. If you are struggling to place it in your mind’s eye, it sits in Central America on the piece of land just at top end of South America. This means that it has a coastline that sits on the Pacific Ocean and another coastline that sits equally comfortably on the Caribbean.

A Spanish-speaking country, it has long had a reputation for stability and people that offer visitors a very warm welcome. If you enjoy the pursuit of walking, Costa Rica may be able to offer you attractions that you won’t easily find elsewhere on holiday.

Just consider for a second the geographical diversity touched on above. There is a range of volcanic mountains, some of which are still active and which provide a stunning mountain environment to explore. You can walk around the national parks and you may even have the chance to see an erupting volcano (from a safe distance of course!). The country is also famed for its extensive rainforest and the multitude of creatures that inhabit it. For example, at night you can see a multitude of amphibians, and during the day, in some locations, you may get the opportunity to see things such as squirrel monkeys or perhaps jaguars and pumas. Other walking opportunities may concentrate on the fabulous coastlines, their stunning scenery and birdlife.

Of course, if you do fancy a break from walking, Costa Rica has many other attractions as well. There are a wide variety of water sports, conventional beach lazing, or you can even go horse riding along some of the pristine coastal locations. Many of the towns are well worth exploring and whatever other experiences you may have, you can be sure that boredom will not be amongst them.
A walking holiday in Costa Rica

Walking may well be the best way to see many of these magnificent sights. There are guided walks available which can form the core of your holiday. Under the supervision of expert tour leaders, you’ll leave your excellent hotel accommodation and strike off on expeditions to take in the incredible surroundings. The itinerary is constructed to be perfectly manageable by all people of even moderate fitness levels, although more demanding walks may be available for those that wish them.

So, if you like a holiday with a difference that is based around walking, Costa Rica may justify being included well up on your priority list.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. While walking Costa Rica with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

Costa Rica is located around the Isthmus of Panama and has a coastline on both the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. It is a beautiful country which is heavily covered with rainforest and which has what appears to be a backbone of volcanoes. It was colonised by the Spanish and today it retains a significant Spanish influence including, of course, its language.

The people of Costa Rica have a long and proudly held history of independence and pride themselves on having a long established tradition of stability and peaceful development. The country is at the forefront of global conservation methods to protect the rainforest and its bio-diversity. What that means is that it is ideal for exploration by walking and you will have the opportunity to see volcanic terrain, rainforest, lowland agricultural areas and some stunning coastline.
Getting around

Some of the most beautiful scenery and richest opportunities for discovering the unique flora and fauna of this country exist in areas that are now strictly protected. What that means is that you simply cannot go driving around where you wish. That gives an incredible opportunity for people that enjoy walking holidays to get around and see natural beauty and grandeur without having the distraction of mass tourism.

If you enjoy walking, Costa Rica offers a range of holidays based around guided walks. Your tour leader will ensure that your party gets to see the stunning wildlife and scenery without you needing to worry about things such as road access and parking! You also do not need to worry about needing the prowess of a superhero to be able to participate in these guided walks. They are based around excellent accommodation and each day your tour leader will define an itinerary that is suitable for you and your party. This is all about enjoying the country and its people and not about trying to get you to stretch yourself beyond your capabilities.

The sights

While you are out and walking, Costa Rica won’t disappoint you in terms of things to see and discover. Just a brief taster or some things to explore includes:

• Lake Arenal – this is Costa Rica’s largest body of water and the highlight of the area is the stunning Volcano Arenal. This is a live and active volcano which every few hours is known to send gasses and clouds shooting up into the sky. At night, with luck, you can watch hot lava slipping from its summit. Don’t worry, though, this is a National Park and walkers are only allowed in the lower regions at a safe distance from the spectacle itself.

• The Manuel Antonio National Park. Here you’ll be able to see some stunning beach scenery and some incredible wildlife which may include the famous squirrel monkey.

• Monteverde cloud forest. This is a fantastic chance to explore a rainforest up close, including the opportunity to take a cable car ride up part of the mountain (the sky tram) at treetop height. If you are feeling very adventurous, you can make a zip line descent!

For a guided holiday based around walking, Costa Rica offers unrivalled opportunities. The costs may be a lot lower than you would expect and it may well turn out to be the holiday of a lifetime.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. While walking Costa Rica with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

The Rim Walk

A popular trail to walk is the Rim Trail Walk, which is 9.5 miles long and stretches from Mather Point on the eastern side of the canyon to Hermit’s Rest on the western side. Between the viewpoint stops there are very few hikers, so you will not be jostling for space on the trail. There are plenty of rest stops and the trail is easy enough for anybody to tackle, with only gentle rises.

There are more strenuous hikes that can be undertaken and some have access by helicopter or horseback as well as walking. USA guides trained in the Grand Canyon are experts in the topography and history of the area. They are also qualified in CPR and first aid to assist with any medical emergency that may take place, and will safely guide you through some of the country’s most spectacular sites. Due to the altitude of the trails, it is best if you have a good level of fitness for these and you will need to ensure that you are well equipped with water. If you are planning to walk one of these trails, it is important to take a guide with you.

Descending Into the Canyon

The Grandview Trail starts at the Grandview Viewpoint, which is located on the eastern side of the rim descending around 2600 feet over three miles. This trail was originally used by indigenous people and then it was formalised to resemble what you see today to access the Last Chance Mine in the 19th century. While on the trail you can see ancient rock paintings as well as some of the old mining operation. Bright Angel Trail is a longer hike at 9.3 miles and it descends 4400 feet to the Bright Angel campground. From Hermit’s Rest on the western side of the rim, you can take the Hermit Trail, which descends 4200 feet over 9 miles to end up at Hermit’s Rapid.

Make a Splash

Havasu Falls is a breathtaking site in the Grand Canyon that can be visited on walking tours. This is a 32 kilometre hike that starts at Hualapai Hilltop and descends for 10 miles passing through the Havasu Canyon. When you arrive you are greeted by the whisper of the 100 foot water falls and its turquoise pools below. One quick glance at the falls will be enough to have you stripped down to your swimsuit and ready to bathe in some of the world’s most beautiful and pristine swimming holes.

The Grand Canyon is home to some of the most spectacular walking the USA has to offer. Hiking the trails around and throughout the canyon has got to be the best way to get to know one of the world’s seven natural wonders

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

Where to Start?

Begin your exploration of Sweet Auburn at the corner of Howell and Irwin streets. Head south on Howell Street where you will see a number of renovated historic houses. Take note of number 102. This house, which dates to 1890, and has Corinthian columns and a Palladian window, was once the home of Alexander Hamilton, Jr., Atlanta’s foremost black contractor at the turn of the 20th century. Turn right on Auburn Avenue, and as you proceed, keep an eye open for markers that identify historic homes. Most of those houses are of the Queen Anne or Victorian styles that you will see in many cities walking USA streets.

The King Center

This is one of the highlights you can experience walking USA’s Atlanta, and is the focal point of the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. Admission is free. Here you can see many exhibits from King’s life and from the civil rights movement. Among them are King’s bible, a handwritten sermon, and a clerical robe. One room is dedicated to Rosa Parks, and another to Mahatma Gandhi. This centre houses an organisation that continues King’s work in reducing violence in communities and among nations. King is buried at Freedom Plaza, which is on the premises.

Birthplace of a Hero

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthplace is at 501 Auburn Ave. This is a place of pilgrimage for many people and often a highlight when walking USA’s historical places. King was born in this two-storey, Queen Anne style house on January 15, 1929 and lived here until the age of 12, when the family moved to another nearby house. The furnishings are all original, or are authentic reproductions. There are plenty of photographs and family mementos, and park rangers explain the relevance of each part of the house to King’s boyhood. During the summer, this is an especially popular attraction, so it’s best to try to be here by 9:00 a.m.

Lots to See on Auburn Street

Continue along Auburn Street to one of the favourite sites for kids on a USA walking experience in Atlanta – Fire Station No. 6, which was built in 1896. This was one of Atlanta’s original fire stations and is now a museum. On display are restored antique fire engines and vintage fire-fighting equipment. At 407 Auburn Street is the Ebenezer Baptist Church where King was co-pastor from 1960 to 1968. There are several other historic buildings worthy of visits, but be sure to save some time for the African-American Panoramic Experience Museum (APEX), and the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 65 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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Although Costa Rica is a Catholic country, Christmas isn’t the only major celebration that takes place at the end of December. Las Fiestas de Zapote is a fiesta of all things Costa Rican, from rodeos and cowboys to fried food and alcohol. Las Fiestas de Zapote marks the end of the year and is basically a four-day-long New Year’s Eve celebration. When walking Costa Rica you’ll see that many towns have their own celebrations. However, the best are in the capital, San Jose, and those close to the area of Palmares.

When you get to the festival, although you’ll find an abundance of attractions to choose from, humane bullfights are the main spectacle. As you’ll soon discover, Costa Rican bullfighting is nothing like the Spanish style of bullfighting. Amateur men and woman enter a caged arena en masse and then very large bulls are released into this arena with often hilarious consequences. No bulls are harmed in this style of fighting and, as an animal loving nation, the Costa Ricans would certainly not abide the killing of animals for simple pleasure.

The festival ground covers a large area and features some great fair rides. Small portable bars are set up around the grounds and locals are able to dance the night away to the funky Latino beats, stopping every so often to fill up on delicious sweet churros and cotton candy.

Walking Costa Rica around Christmas time is a rewarding prospect, not only do you have Las Fiestas de Zapote to look forward to, but Christmas also coincides with the Festival de la Luz, or, festival of lights. During the Festival de la Luz, the city of San Jose is decorated with bright lights and a carnival marks the start of the festivities.

You’ll also see many organised ‘topes’ while walking Costa Rica during the festive season; topes have taken place in the country since colonial times. In a tope, horseback riders from all over Costa Rica flock together to show off their best outfits and horses. Many have been training their animals all year for this event and topes often coincide with the Festival de la Luz.

Although you won’t see any pine trees in Costa Rica, you’re likely to see a lot of decorated Cypress trees hung with lights for Festival de la Luz, and mini portals for Christmas. Portals are the representation of the birth of Jesus and these are either hung from trees or included in household Nativity scenes. That is apart from the portal of Baby Jesus which cannot be placed with the others until December 25th, the date when the main presents are opened. Although, Christmas is celebrated on the same date as in the United Kingdom, don’t expect to come home to a filling roast dinner after a day walking Costa Rica. That kind of meal would be a little hard to stomach in the 22 degree heat. For this reason, hot tamales are the dish du jour and the spiced pork offers many visitors a welcome change from turkey and stuffing.

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Myth and Legend

The antagonistic relationship between humanity and hyenas dates back to Neanderthal times, when archaeological evidence shows many cave sites were occupied alternately by humans and hyenas. Paintings of hyenas on cave walls have been dated back 20,000 years – in Kenya, walking archaeological tours reveal many such cave paintings. In African mythology, the hyena symbolizes immorality, dirty habits, and other negative traits. In Tanzania, it is believed witches used spotted hyenas as mounts. This association may be due to the hyena’s diet – its ability to digest bone (leaving behind very little of any meal) meant it was typically associated with graveyards.

Laughing at Life

The Spotted Hyena is famous for its distinctive vocalizations – the whooping noises of its communication are a characteristic sound of the wilds of Kenya. Walking at night, when hyenas are most active, many of these cries can be heard. The calls of the hyena can often sound like giggling or grunting laughter, giving the animals an eerie presence, and adding to their reputation as trickster-figures in folklore. In the Middle-East, hyenas are often regarded as the physical incarnations of djinns, or supernatural spirits. Hyenas use their vocal range for complex communication, and live in matriarchal societies; a ‘clan’ of hyenas can range from as little as five to as many as ninety members, each having their own unique social standing within the group.

Hunting

One association commonly made with the hyena is the characteristic of cowardice, assigned because the animal has been known to scavenge for food, often attempting to steal kills away from other predators such as lions and leopards. Hyenas themselves are active hunters, using their distinctive cries to manage complex crescent formations while hunting.

The Chase

Though their chases are slow compared to the swift speeds of lions or leopards, hyenas are theorized to prepare beforehand – they are recorded as engaging in activities such as scent marking before attempting to hunt zebra, but not before hunting any other species. The scent marking itself is something to watch out for while walking Kenya – it takes the form of scraping the ground with their paws, which deposits their scent from glands underneath their feet.

Modern Myths

If you want to put your feet up after all your time walking Kenya and spotting wild animals, it can be nice to relax with a film. However many Disney films with animal continue to portray the much-maligned hyena as a cackling, mad villain. In the famous movie (and stage musical) ‘The Lion King’, characters Shenzi, Banzai and Ed are three hyenas in service to the villainous lion, Scar. On a less evil note, a laughing hyena was also seen in animated animal romcom ‘Lady and the Tramp’.

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Frogs

Frogs are plentiful in the rainforests and jungles of Costa Rica, often active during the day. One notable type is the Poison-Dart Frog, though many species are endangered. Their brightly-coloured bodies make them easy to spot while you’re walking Costa Rica. Though levels of toxicity vary from one species to the other, they are all somewhat poisonous – they’re often known as ‘dart frogs’, due to the native Amerindians’ use of them to poison the tips of their blow-darts. The most poisonous type, the Golden Poison frog, actually secretes enough venom from its skin to kill ten or twenty men, or about ten thousand mice.

Reptiles

There are a wide range of reptiles to be seen while walking Costa Rica, but some might present a strange sight! The Striped Basilisk possesses the unique ability to ‘walk’ on water, being able to run about four and a half metres along the surface of water before sinking, due to flaps between its toes creating a pocket of air. Another distinctive animal is the Spectacled Caiman crocodile; living in a range of lowland and wetland habitats, it’s the most common of all the crocodilian species – though not one you want to get too close to while walking in Costa Rica.

Big Cats

While once numerous, big cats such as the jaguar are declining in numbers in Costa Rica. The third-largest feline after the lion and tiger, and the most powerful feline in the western hemisphere, the jaguar is nevertheless classed as a ‘near-threatened’ species. Relative to the other big cats, the jaguar has an immensely powerful bite, allowing it to pierce the shells of armoured reptiles, and employ a killing strategy of biting directly through the skull of its prey to their brains. While the jaguar prefers rainforests for a habitat, it might also be seen in forested or open terrain while you’re walking Costa Rica – though it is often associated with water too and (along with the tiger) enjoys swimming!

Birds

One species of bird you just can’t miss in Costa Rica is the Scarlet Macaw. Though they are also suffering from a decline in population, in part due to the country’s spraying of pesticides to preserve their banana crops, they can be glimpsed fluttering overhead and are recognized by the distinctive squawk you may hear while you’re out walking in Costa Rica. Although popular as pets, it is currently illegal to take Scarlet Macaws from the wild without specific permits.

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The Catcher in the Rye

J.D Salinger’s classic novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captured a vision of New York like no other. Told through the eyes of Holden Caulfield, the novel was originally published in 1953 and has stood the test of time as an examination of disaffected youth, being included in Time magazine’s 2005 list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923. It was named by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best English-Language novels of the 20th century. Following Holden as he journeys through New York on a quest of self-discovery, and featuring a gripping stream-of-consciousness narration, a tour walking USA’s most vibrant city, New York, will allow you to appreciate the personal journey as much as Salinger did.

The Devil Wears Prada

Adapted into a hit movie in 2006, Lauren Weisburger’s successful novel presented the glamorous side of New York City, following central character Andrea Sachs, a graduate hired as a personal assistant to a powerful fashion magazine editor in New York, the ironically-named Miranda Priestly. Her job becomes more and more trying as her editor grows more and more demanding. While a walking USA tour of New York won’t bring you to the editorial suites of the city’s glossy magazines, the boutique shopping can provide the ‘Andrea Sachs’ experience.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Another novel adapted into a famous film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s was written by Truman Capote in 1958, and tells the story of a year’s friendship between Holly Golightly and the unnamed narrator of the novel. In 1961, the novel was adapted into a film starring Audrey Hepburn, and the role of Holly Golightly was considered the actresses most unique and identifiable role. The novel’s language, however, had to be toned down for the screenplay! If you’re walking the USA’s more glamorous side to New York, you will spot some of the film and novel’s iconic locations in Manhattan, such as the ‘Brownstone’ apartments that Holly resided in.

The New York Trilogy

Paul Auster’s famous meta-fictional detective stories, ‘City of Glass’, ‘Ghosts’, and ‘The Locked Room’, form his New York Trilogy – an intricate mixture of detective stories and a postmodernist deconstruction of identity, in which the author appears in his own book (or does he?). Be glad that a tour walking this USA author’s version of New York won’t take you to the depths of madness plumbed by character Peter Stillman, who memorably plans his walks around a New York park so that his route spells out ‘The Tower of Babel’, one letter at a time every day. It’s chilling material – New York has never been so mysterious.

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Getting In

There are a few things to consider when you plan to visit America to go walking. USA holiday planners should firstly remember that there are fees for entry to most of the national parks. The entry fees vary per park from $5 to $25 per week for entry with a car, although some of the smaller and lesser-known national parks are free to visit.

Don’t let the entry fee decide which is the best park to visit though as some of the lesser-known parks provide a fantastic experience to get away into the wild. However, special passes are available for year-round access to provide you with even more opportunities for some great walking. USA park authorities should be able to provide these to you if you want to visit more than one.

Finding Information

Normally the best places to get information about the national parks are in the visitors’ centres. Most parks will have well-equipped visitors’ centres where you can find out about weather conditions for your visit, discover what activities are available, and learn more about the wildlife of the park. When you first arrive at a park to start walking, USA national park rangers are your best bet for a whole wealth of expert knowledge. They will also be able to provide you with information on the various hiking trails as well as up-to-date advice on any situations on the park you need to know about.

Plan in Advance

It’s important to plan your trip in advance when you head to a national park to go walking. USA national parks can be very popular, especially some of the more famous ones, so if you are planning to camp it can be worth booking your camping spot months in advance. The same is true if you are hoping to experience backcountry hiking and camping, for which you will often need a special permit. These can be very popular so get one early to avoid disappointment. However, for the less-visited parks you can generally just turn up and go ahead with your trip.

Enjoy Your Walking Holiday
Walking holidays in the USA are a great way of enjoying a great-value and exciting holiday. Just make sure you do some planning before you go and you’ll have a fantastic walking experience to remember.

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The Ultimate Wild Experience

Safaris are a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one of those things that you just have to do when you get the chance. But most safaris take place from the safety of a vehicle, meaning although they are great fun, you can sometimes miss out on that feeling of getting up close to nature at its most wild.

A Kenya walking safari provides you with the ultimate wild experience where you will get to see the wildlife in a whole different way. One of the major differences you’ll notice is the sheer tranquillity of the surrounding landscape. Without the sound of vehicles buzzing around, all you’ll hear will be your footsteps on the ground and the animals of the bush. Indeed, you’ll often have the whole place to yourself.

Get More Involved

When you are on your Kenya walking safari, you’ll become more aware of the smaller details that you would normally miss from the vehicle. The ants and dung beetles, the shapes of the leaves on the plants, the tracks in the dirt – it is a much more involving experience.

A Safe Experience

Are Kenya walking safaris dangerous? Whenever you are in the vicinity of wild animals there is going to be a certain amount of danger. However, you’ll normally be accompanied by an armed ranger, and in most cases animals will prefer to keep their distance. As long as you remember to always follow the leader’s instructions and never to wander off alone there will be nothing to worry about.

Go Prepared

Do you need to make any special preparation for your Kenya walking safari? It really depends on where you go and the terrain that you will be crossing. Walking safaris are generally not too suitable for young children or elderly people who have trouble walking as you may be walking for long distances. In fact, some companies only allow people over 16 to take part. But as long as you are healthy and know what to expect you will be suited.

So Much Choice

One of the most important things to consider for your Kenya walking safari is where you will go. Luckily, Kenya is spoilt for choice when it comes to national parks for game viewing. You could head to the most famous one of all, the Masai Mara, where you could even coincide your walking safari with the annual migration of the wildebeest. Or visit Mount Kenya and spot wildlife whilst hiking to the top of one of Africa’s most impressive peaks. You could also head to Tsavo National Park – the biggest park in Kenya and a true wilderness.

Wherever you decide to go, a Kenya walking safari is an incredible way to see the diverse landscape and animals of Kenya, and an experience like no other. So get your walking shoes on and see what you can discover.

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This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts. ]]> http://www.travelarticlesdirectory.co.uk/the-franz-joseph-glacier/feed/ 0 http://www.travelarticlesdirectory.co.uk/a-gastro-tour-of-the-stellenbosch/ http://www.travelarticlesdirectory.co.uk/a-gastro-tour-of-the-stellenbosch/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:07:08 +0000 TAD http://www.travelarticlesdirectory.co.uk/?p=3251

Peru’s National Tree

Peru’s national tree is the cinchona, and if you’ve heard of it before then it’s probably because the bark of this tree is used to produce quinine. Quinine is used as a muscle relaxant, but is perhaps best known for being one of the main ingredients of tonic water and thus responsible for that bitter taste that you get in a gin and tonic. The ingredient is also the reason that gin and tonic glows in the dark under a black light. You’ll find that cinchona trees are fairly easy to spot when walking Peru  as they have distinct white, pink or red blossoms that are almost tubular in appearance.

Peru’s National Animal

Llamas are synonymous with Peru so most people wrongly assume that the llama is in fact the country’s national animal. However, Peru’s national animal is actually the vicuna, which is very llama-like in appearance. The animal is believed to be the wild ancestor of today’s domesticated alpacas and even features on the Peruvian coat of arms. Like alpacas, which are bred for their coats, the hair of the vicuna is widely sought after, particularly as the animal can only be shorn every three years. During the Incan civilization, the coat of the vicuna was so revered that only Incan royalty were allowed to wear garments made from the hair.

Vicuna can be found all over South America, but when walking Peru’s Andes you’ll see the highest population of these animals.

Peru’s National Flower

Peru’s national flower is the cantuta, a red tubular flower often found in the highlands of the Andes or the Yungas. The flower is also the national flower of Bolivia as it reflects the colours of the national flag.

There is an Incan legend associated with the cantuta that tells the tale of two prosperous kings both annoyed at the wealth of the other. Eventually these two kings attacked each other and both became mortally wounded in the battle. The two kings asked their sons to seek vengeance on one another after their death and the family feud continued.

Once again a bloody battle ensued and, like their fathers, both sons became mortally wounded. However, on their death-beds they generously forgave each other and asked that their servants place them side by side on the green grass of the battlefield.

The legend continues that the Goddess of fertility appeared beside the two kings and told them that they shouldn’t have suffered from their father’s unjustified enmity. To punish their fathers, two stars fell from the sky and became the highest peaks in Andes and the cantuta bloomed as a symbol of the people’s unity, bearing the colour of the two kings (red and yellow), with green standing for hope.

Peru’s National Bird

When walking Peru why not try a spot of ornithology too? Peru’s national bird is the brightly coloured and joyfully named, cock-of-the-rock. The bird has a stunning head-dress of framed orange and red feathers that are reminiscent of the fringes that the Incas used to wear as a badge of rank.

The birds are found in tropical and sub-tropical forests close to rocky areas, where they commonly build their nests.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

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What are the Nazca Lines?

The Nazca Lines are a series of gigantic figures engraved into the Peruvian desert surface, that can only been seen from the air. These lines run for 37 miles and comprise of 26 figures that range from llamas and dogs, to spiders, spirals and killer whales. These lines were made by the Nazca people, a civilization that flourished between 200BC and 600AD.

How were the Nazca Lines Built?

When you’re walking Peru, you’ll find that there is no sand in this area of the Peruvian desert. Instead, the landscape consists of dark-red surface stones, under which lies lighter-coloured subsoil. To make the Nazca Lines, the red surface has been scraped away to reveal the light colour underneath. Scientists believe that the creation of these lines had to be a communal effort stretching out over hundreds of years.

Weren’t they built by aliens?

The sheer size of the Nazca Lines, and the fact that no-one really knows the purpose of them has led many to believe that they were in fact built by aliens. Many academics have put forward the notion that the Nazca lines formed an airfield for alien spacecraft. However, this doesn’t really explain why the pictures of a llama, hummingbird and a dog were used, nor does it concern itself with the reason why aliens would need 37 miles of runway to themselves.

The reason that this theory has surfaced is because few people believe that primitive races, like the Aztecs and Mayans, had the tools or intelligence to create such a project. However, the fact that between them these races created the calendar, universal education, popcorn and chocolate should be proof enough that they didn’t however need alien help.

Why Were the Nazca Lines Built?

They may be fascinating to look at on your Peru walking holiday, but no-one really knows why the Nazca Lines were built. There have been various theories and whilst you’ve heard the theory about the alien airfield, academics and anthropologists are still researching what they believe to be the reason for these lines.

When Georg Von Breunig examined the lines, he found that they had been worn by continuous running. This led him to believe that the lines were used for running races in what could possibly have been a ritual for the Gods.

The most common theory is that the lines are in fact some gigantic astronomical calendar that shows various alignments that may have been useful for planting and harvesting purposes.

How can I see the Nazca Lines?

The lines are located in the Nazca Desert, which is an eight hour bus journey from the capital of Lima. Most people choose to visit the area after they’ve taken a tour of Machu Picchu, or just before walking Peru’s Inca Trail. When you reach Nazca you’ll find that flights over the Nazca Lines are very easy to arrange, as it is the alternative option of taking a hot-air balloon over the desert. With a good pair of binoculars you’ll be able to spot a few of the Nazca Lines from the town’s watchtower, but it’s only from the sky that the true beauty of the Nazca Lines can be experienced. Once seen never forgotten!

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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Coney Island, located in the New York suburb of Brooklyn is a stereotypical American seaside resort that’s perfect for both adults and children alike. Even better you can get to the resort by the New York City subway – now how convenient is that? There’s no admission cost for sightseeing New York’s seaside town, although if you like your roller coasters you’re probably better off buying a wristband entitling you to unlimited rides, but you can pay on a ride to ride basis.

Luna Park

The original Luna Park was ruined in 1944 after a pair of fires destroyed the attraction. However, the building reopened in May 2010 and is said to bear an uncanny resemblance to the original that first opened for business in 1903. The new park is set to be the first step towards re-establishing Coney Island as a top entertainment and amusement destination. One of Luna Park’s most popular attractions is called ‘air race’ and allows up to 24 people at a time to simulate the experience of a fighter pilot.

Deno’s Wonder Wheel

If you’re looking for an iconic Coney Island attraction to photograph when sightseeing New York, how about Deno’s Wonder Wheel? Deno’s Wonder Wheel is as synonymous with Coney Island as the Ferris wheel is with Santa Monica. The wheel is over 90 years old and can hold up to 144 people at a time. In the entire 90 years that it’s been running it’s only stopped running once and that was during the great New York City blackout of 1977.

Spook-a-rama

If you like ghosts and ghouls then you’ll love Spook-a-Rama, the kitsch ghost train experience. The ride once took over ten minutes and was billed the longest spook ride in the world, however the current affair only takes 45 seconds and during that time zombies, ogres and the Grim Reaper all make an appearance.

Nathan’s Famous

A spot of New York sightseeing just isn’t complete without grabbing a hot-dog en-route and of all the New York hot-dog vendors, Nathan’s is perhaps the most famous. The original Nathan’s opened in Coney Island with a small hot-dog stand in 1916 and now the brand has over 20,000 outlets worldwide. Nathan’s hot-dogs have been eaten by US presidents, movie stars and even the King and Queen of England, so while in Coney Island an original Nathan’s hot-dog is a must.

The Original Freak Show

In this time of political correctness, most circus freak-shows have died out. However, that isn’t the case in Coney Island and when sightseeing New York you can visit one of the last true sideshows. With exhibits such as Donny Vomit, a snake-charming contortionist, a two-headed man and a man that eats lit cigarettes this isn’t one for the faint-hearted; and with some x-rated acts appearing on the schedule it perhaps isn’t one for the children either.

Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city sightseeing. New York tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.com.

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The Turquoise Coast

Some of the most beautiful places in Turkey are only accessible via the coast, therefore bordering a luxury 90 foot gület is the only way in which to access them whilst on your Turkey walking holiday.

This Turkey walk begins in the bustling tourist resort of Marmaris. Just a short walk away from the resort centre is the Marmaris Castle Museum, which has a number of interesting exhibits relating to the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire. On a Turkey walk you may want to venture further out of the Marmaris’s centre to a nearby olive farm known as the ‘Mountain of the Roses’. This olive farm offers guided tours which allow you to sample the homemade olive produce, including delicious olive bread which is hand-baked on the premises every Friday morning. From Marmaris, the next part of your Turkey walking holiday is by gület along the Fetihye Gulf. Sailing this serene stretch of water, you will have the opportunity to stop en-route and spend time snorkelling or canoeing amongst pristine natural scenery. Your Turkey walking holiday once again commences on the famous Gocek Islands, where the mountains roll all the way down to the coast and the many coves and islands have long provided a source of inspiration for artists.

A Stroll around Istanbul

You don’t need to explore multiple destinations in order to have the perfect walking holiday in Turkey and with a capital as culturally rich as Istanbul; one destination can be more than enough for a Turkey walk. There are plenty of places to explore on a walk around Turkey’s capital from the Aya Sofya, which is still cited by architects as one of the most important archaeological buildings in Turkey, to the Blue Mosque whose six minarets dominate the city’s skyline. However, for a taste of the real Turkey you may want to take a stroll through the Grand Bazaar, where hawkers sell everything from traditional Turkish carpets to spices and Arabian slippers.

The Ancient Lycian Way

The tourist resort of Anatolia is the gateway to the Ancient Lycian Way. This historical trail is 509km long, providing the perfect destination in which to take a walking holiday in Turkey. The Lycian trail has many highlights, including a walk through the famous butterfly valley, and on the soft sand of the 12km beach at Pataras. You can even attempt to climb the famous Mount Olympos, on your Turkey walking holiday, which is 2388 metres high. Whilst walking the trail between Fineke and Ugaciz, your guide will point out the ancient wreck of a Phoenician trader-ship which dates from 1200BC and is believed to be the oldest shipwreck in the world.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest Turkey walks at the best value prices.

Our walk begins at the Michigan Avenue Bridge and across the Chicago River. The flow of this river was famously reversed in 1900 to keep sewage from flowing into Lake Michigan, then source of the city’s drinking water.

Almost immediately you will come across two important buildings: The Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower. Both of these buildings are completely different and, whilst The Wrigley Building is 1920s in appearance with its terracotta tiles, the Tribune Tower is a gothic building that mimics the Rouen Cathedral in France. You may want to take some time from your America walk to view this beautiful building, which is embedded with 120 stones from famous sites all over the world, including sites from all of America’s 50 states.

From the tower, take a staircase that leads into Lower Michigan Avenue and a bar called The Billy Goat Tavern. This bar is often frequented by local journalists and is famous for its ‘cheezborger’ skit that appeared on Saturday Night Live. You may want to halt your USA walking tour and try one of these famous ‘cheezborgers’ but make sure you tip well, as the pub is also famous for a curse that the Billy Goat Tavern placed on the Chicago Cubs.

Continue north and you will soon encounter a street of luxury designer shops. Female walkers may be tempted to make the most of the tax-free shopping opportunities that this street has to offer, from Ralph Lauren to Neiman Marcus. Across the street at Chicago Avenue are the few buildings that survived the Great Fire of 1871. Two of these buildings are the pumping station and the controversial water tower. The tower has been kept standing as a testament to the city’s determination but many, including Oscar Wilde, have criticised the aesthetic value of the building.

Your USA walking tour of the windy city continues to the nearby John Hancock Centre, which was built in the 1970s. The building is 100 storeys tall and from the 94^th floor observatory you can see across to the states of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. The price of a cocktail will allow you access to a further two storeys up, to the Signature Bar on the 96^th floor, where the views are even more spectacular.

After downing Cosmopolitans and looking out across America’s Great Plains you should feel inspired enough to continue with your America walk. The route proceeds onwards to the end of the Magnificent Mile and to Oak Street Beach.  From Oak Street Beach you can take an underground passageway that takes you onto the shores of Lake Michigan and to the end of your USA walking adventure in Chicago.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a holiday with Ramblers you can walk America’s most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.

What languages do they speak in Peru?

When walking Peru you’ll come across a whole range of different languages and dialects. Spanish and Quechan are the two official languages of the country. Although when you pass through the Lake Titicaca area you’ll hear Aymara spoken. In the jungle areas many different dialects are spoken, but English is widely spoken in the tourist areas of the country.

Do I need a visa to travel to Peru?

If you hold a British, Australian, Canadian, American or EU passport then you won’t need a visa to travel to Peru, unless you’re a Latvian national. You will need a return ticket though and at least six months remaining in your passport.

What is the Peruvian currency?

When walking Peru you’ll be buying your souvenirs in New Sol (PEN). There is roughly 4.1 PEN to 1 GBP. However, US dollars are also widely used and accepted in the major tourist areas. All major credit cards are accepted but outside of Lima and the tourist areas usage is somewhat limited. Traveller’s cheques are also limited outside of Lima.

What vaccinations do I need to travel to Peru?

Vaccinations are set to change at short notice, so it’s important to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at least two months before your date of travel. Most inoculations need to be taken at least eight weeks before you travel, so make sure you’re up-to-date. At the moment the Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid inoculations are the only ones needed for travel in Peru. A yellow fever vaccination is also required if you’re planning on visiting the jungle areas, but is not needed for travellers only visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Can I drink the water in Peru?

No, the water in Peru isn’t safe to drink and it is recommended that guests only drink bottled water, which is widely available.

Is it safe to eat meat and dairy in Peru?

Whilst walking Peru visitors should avoid eating dairy products that have been made from unboiled milk. This shouldn’t be a problem as pasteurised milk is widely available in most hotels and guest houses. As in all countries, visitors should only eat meat and fish that has been well cooked.

Do I need to tip in Peru?

Most restaurants will automatically add a service charge of 10% to your bill. However, additional tips of 5-10% are expected in better restaurants, whilst smaller restaurants generally appreciate you just rounding up the bill.

What’s the time difference in Peru?

GMT -5 is Peru’s time zone.

What kind of plug socket will I need when walking Peru?

Whilst walking Peru you’ll need to bring a 220v standard Continental Europe or Europlug plug socket. Both these plug sockets are widely used on the European continent so should be fairly easy to get hold of within the United Kingdom.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

If you are planning a trip hiking in Portugal’s Douro Valley, then your first stop is likely to be the northern capital of Oporto. The city is an enigma, in that it is both heavily industrialised and yet in other places sleepy and steeped in history. The historic buildings, such as the cathedral, Romanesque Church of Cedofeita and 15^th century houses have caused the city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage, whilst the modern facilities such as the Metro and D. Luis Iron Bridge have drawn comparisons with similar structures in America and Japan.

Before embarking on your Portugal hiking and whilst still in Oporto, you must visit the Cais De Gaia’s Wine Cellars. The views from Cais De Gaia are the best in the city and further enhanced by the old fashioned fishing vessels which bob surreptitiously on the water. The Cais De Gaia is where the majority of the world’s Port is brought to age and although not all of them are open to visitors, Taylors and Cockburn’s both offer free guided tours and tasting sessions. If you take a stroll further uphill, you will find a 19^th Century Manor House where yet more port is stored.

The Douro Valley is very picturesque with rows of neatly manicured vineyards leading steeply down to the riverbank. Although many of the vineyards are inaccessible, one of the best ways of visiting the valley is by train where, as the train sleepily winds its way through the valley, you are rewarded with fantastic views of the local landscape. An old steam train runs through the vineyards several times a week, during the summer season. However, there is also the option of a cruise where you can lie back and watch the verdant scenery roll past you. The colour of this scenery changes throughout the year as the vines mature and is at is most beautiful in February and March, when the almond trees in the area are also in blossom and when the landscape is dotted in pink and white.

The capital of the Douro is not Oporto, as one would expect, but Regua, which is also the headquarters of the Port Wine Institute. The town is backed by the Serra Do Marao Mountains, which provide some of Portugal’s best hiking trails. The town really comes alive at night when the riverfront bustles with a lively selection of bars and restaurants.

The nearby town of Villa Nova Foz Coa should also be visited on your Portugal hiking trip. Villa Nova Foz Coa is famous for its 22,000 year old rock paintings that were discovered during the construction of a dam. The whole region is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely worth exploring on a Portugal hiking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a Portugal hiking holiday with Ramblers you can walk the Portugal’s most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.

A Stroll in the Park

Christchurch is well-appointed to earn its name as the Garden City and has some beautifully manicured gardens which are easily accessed from the city centre. Hagley Park is a massive 165 hectare space which contains sports pitches, cycle and running tracks, a wetland park and lots of mature wooded areas. Hagley Park is the true heart of Christchurch and one of the best kept municipal gardens in New Zealand. Walking along the many tracks which criss-cross the park would make for a wonderful lazy afternoon; and if you’re lucky enough to visit Christchurch during one of the two floral festivals each year, you will be able to view the park in all its blaze of colourful glory.

World-class Wine

A city of many guises, Christchurch is also the wine capital of New Zealand. Walking amongst some of the wineries of the region you could be forgiven for thinking you have stumbled into France. In fact Christchurch is ranked alongside Bordeaux and the Napa Valley as one of the world’s top wine producing regions. Within a short driving radius of Christchurch there are many wineries you can visit on a day trip, where you will be able to sample acclaimed varieties of wine that are now famous on the world stage.

Adrenaline Anyone?

Christchurch is also the place to come if you want to experience the wilder side of New Zealand. Walking through lovely city gardens and tripping off wine-tasting is just not enough for some adrenaline-junkies and they may want to try something a little more energetic. If this is you, the choice in Christchurch is easy: skydiving, hot air ballooning and paragliding are all activities that can show you a very different view of the city.

A Cultural Attraction

If jumping out of a plane is not exactly your idea of fun, then for a quieter pursuit in Christchurch head to one of the city’s art galleries or museums. The Christchurch Art Gallery houses the largest collection in the South Island and the Canterbury Museum is home to the fascinating Hall of Antarctic Discovery.

Back to Nature

But of course, this is New Zealand and so, quite apart from the cultural and historical attractions, Christchurch is also renowned for its dedication to conserving and maintaining its unique animal populations. Head to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve to view its kiwi breeding program as well as seeing a host of other native bird life of New Zealand. Walking around the park is a delightful way to spend a day, surrounded by the melodic calls of the feathered population.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

The Yankee Stadium

The iconic original Yankee Stadium still stands, although a brand spanking new one opened adjacent to the site in 2009. The old stadium is now earmarked for demolition but throughout its impressive 85-year history it hosted over 6,500 baseball games. For a sports fan, sightseeing New York would not be complete without a visit to the new Yankee Stadium and, with a bit of planning and foresight, you could secure tickets to a game in what is one of America’s favourite sports. New Yorkers are mad about baseball and which team they support plays a large part in the family lives of the locals.

Meadowlands Stadium

Different game, different ball, but still garnering as much enthusiasm, the New York Jets and the New York Giants have, in the past, battled out their National League football games in nearby New Jersey at the Giants Stadium. Nowadays, their new home is the magnificent Meadowlands Stadium (adjacent to the old Giants site) which, at a cost of $1.6 billion is the most expensive sports arena ever built. With a capacity of 82,000 it is, in itself, an attraction for sightseeing. New York is deservedly proud of its new football stadium and the experience of attending a National League American football game is one not be missed.

New York Marathon

Although usually a holiday is for relaxing and sightseeing, New York’s famous marathon could be a tempting lure to combine a challenge with your culture. The world’s largest marathon attracts around 40,000 runners and up to two million people line the streets to cheer and encourage them to the finish. While the race is popular with elite athletes hoping to break records and secure a place in history, the beauty of the New York Marathon is that it is still a race for the everyman too. Anyone can enter and it is not unusual to see the old, the young, the fat, the thin, the fit and the not so fit, united in their attempts to complete the 26 mile course. Even if you don’t enter and you’re just there for the sightseeing, New York’s marathon creates an amazing atmosphere you will never forget.

Madison Square Garden

Given the title in 2007 as “The World’s Busiest Sports Stadium”, Madison Square Garden hosts over 300 events annually. Basketball, baseball, tennis and hockey are amongst them but the venue is also home to many other forms of entertainment as well. Most of the big names in music have played concerts there, with American singer-songwriter Billy Joel stating that, as far as he was concerned, Madison Square Garden was the centre of the universe. The Garden (as it is known by locals) has also featured in many films and TV shows and when sightseeing New York’s most high profile venue, you are truly seeing a piece of urban history.

About The Author:

Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city sightseeing. New York tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.com.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts. 

A gület is an old Turkish yacht, which typically has two masts. The gület originates from the south west of Turkey, which is where your Turkey walk begins in the popular resort town of Marmaris.

Marmaris is where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, resulting in one of the largest natural harbours in the world. This beautiful harbour surrounded on all sides by pine-clad hills is the perfect place to take a Turkey walk. However, as you have a few days here before your Turkey walking holiday begins, you may simply want to relax and enjoy some time on the popular sandy beach. This beach has attracted everyone from Marc Anthony to the Crusaders and it is still ever popular today with yachtsmen and tourists that enjoy the gin palaces and bustling nightlife.

Marmaris has plenty of historic attractions which you may want to spend time exploring on a Turkey walk. There is the famous Marmaris Castle and nearby phosphorus caves, as well an erstwhile Ottoman fort, which now acts an archaeology museum.

At Marmaris you will board your beautiful Turkish gület and sail along the Fetihye Gulf to the famous Gocek Islands. Sailing along the stunning coast gives you the perfect opportunity to relax and watch the world go by. Your evening meal is typically eaten underneath the stars whilst the calm Mediterranean laps at the sides of your ancient gület. The lack of light pollution in the midst of the Mediterranean is just perfect for star-gazers and it isn’t unusual to spot a shooting star or two whilst enjoying your traditional Turkish supper.

Whilst sailing to the Gocek Islands there will be plenty of stops on board, where you can explore rock tombs carved by ancients, which are mostly inaccessible by land. There are also plenty of opportunities whilst on your Turkey walking holiday to spend time snorkelling amongst the turquoise waters or using the onboard canoe to paddle alongside the gulet.

Before you reach the Gocek Islands, you will come to the Yassica Islands, which are well-known for their untouched sandy beaches, surrounded by olive and pine trees. The islands are also famous for their other speciality; traditional hand-cooked pancakes, which simply must be sampled whilst on your Turkey walking holiday.

The final stop on your walking holiday in Turkey is the famous Gocek Islands. The beautiful islands have a traditional fishing village feel to them and, though largely untouched by tourism, they are popular with yachtsmen who come to relax and enjoy the slow-paced island life. The islands have plenty of historic buildings and trails for you to explore during a Turkey walk. Cleopatra Bay was a favourite of Queen Cleopatra and famous for the Roman bath, which she requested be built on the island. The bath is now largely underwater but swimming around it on your Turkey walking holiday is rumoured to make you as a beautiful as the Egyptian Queen and will definitely provide the perfect ending to your Turkey walk.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest Turkey walks at the best value prices.

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city, and former capital. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait, and hosts the natural harbour, the Golden Horn. This fascinating city is the only metropolis in the world to be situated on two continents, straddling both Europe and Asia. Culturally, this city is rich and diverse, and it has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2010. This intricate city is best explored on foot, and a Turkey walking holiday will allow you to do just that.

Warm Summer Walking in the City

Istanbul’s climate is a combination of the oceanic climate of the Black Sea, the humid continental climate of the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean climate of the south west. In summer, your walking holiday in Turkey will involve many hot days in Istanbul, with the average temperature being about 28˚ and the humidity level being high.

A walk along the Golden Horn River will be lovely on a warm day, as you marvel over the region’s history, with the old city of Istanbul’s European area and Beyoglu sitting on each side of the river.

Interesting Architecture in Istanbul

Istanbul’s amalgamation of cultures is clearly visible in its diverse architectural designs. With structures ranging from mosques, synagogues and churches, to palaces, castles and towers, you have a dynamic array of beautiful structures to view while on your Turkey walking holiday.

Across Istanbul you will see Byzantine architecture. The church of Haghia Sophia (commonly referred to as Aya Sofya) is situated on Sultanahmet Square, and was designed by Isidour and Anthemius in 532AD. This is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture, and is certainly worth visiting on a walking holiday in Turkey.

Istanbul plays host to many beautifully designed mosques, and stopping at some of these will give you cultural and historical insight into Istanbul’s Islamic world while on walks in Turkey. Take some time to stop at the famous Blue Mosque, and admire the Iznik tiles of the Sulemaniye, Rustem Pasa and Sokollu Mehmet Pasa mosques.

Stop at the old capital of the Eastern Roman Empire on your Turkey walking holiday, as you admire the lasting evidence of Constantinople. There are several Roman structures which are interesting to see, such as the Valens Aqueduct, the Hippodrome of Constantine and the Basilica Cistern.

The many different styles of architecture visible in Istanbul make for excellent sightseeing opportunities on a Turkey walking holiday.

Visiting the Local Markets on Your Walking Holiday

One of the most interesting activities to do when on a Turkey walking holiday is to visit the vibrant local markets of Istanbul. Breathe in the scents at the Spice Bazaar, and spend time wandering through the flower and fish markets. The Grand Bazaar is a great place to visit if you want to pick up some Turkish items on your walking holiday in Turkey. From Turkish carpets to pottery to cotton and wool clothing, you can spend hours browsing through the many shops offering an interesting variety of wares.

From scenery to architecture to eclectic markets, Istanbul is an excellent city for a Turkey walking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest Turkey walks at the best value prices.

The Lovely Llama

Probably the most iconic animal associated with Peru is the llama. This odd looking creature has a strange charm and, like its cousin the camel, many people fall in love with their expressive eyes. A fully-grown llama can measure up to six feet from the ground to the tips of their ears and their strength puts them in demand for pack duties. The llama is an intelligent animal and has a pleasant gentle nature. Walking Peru’s mountains and villages you will see llamas used extensively in day to day working life as well as occasionally for guarding herds of sheep.

Spectacled Bear

You may come across this delightful fellow walking Peru’s dry northern habitats. Although unfortunately on the endangered list, there are conservation projects in place to protect the Spectacled Bear. It is so named because of its unique light colouring across its face which looks like a pair of spectacles, but it is also known as the Andean Bear. They are quite a docile animal but very protective of their cubs so if you want to get up close and personal with one of these unique creatures, perhaps the zoo would be the best option, otherwise the hospital beckons!

Magnificent Macaws

South America is one of the world’s premier bird-watching destinations. With many unique native birds it is a birdwatcher’s delight and the spectacular macaw is one of the most beautiful you will see. Walking Peru’s Amazon jungle will give you the best opportunity to meet a macaw and the brightly coloured plumage is easy to spot amongst the lush backdrop of the forests. Travelling in flocks of up to 300 the macaws congregate on clay ‘licks’, special deposits of clay along the riverbanks of the Amazon. There are many different species of macaws, each with their own individual colouring and markings in various vivid shades of blues, reds, yellows and greens.

The Andean Cat

Unfortunately your chances of seeing the Andean cat are quite slim as it has a reputation of being one of the world’s shyest cats. It also has another, unwanted, title which is as one of the world’s top five most endangered cats. Found in the high regions of Peru, the Andean cat is not much bigger than a normal domesticated cat with distinctive rust coloured spots and stripes on a silvery body. Although they look very cute and cuddly with their long thick fur, if you do happen upon one whilst walking Peru’s arid regions of the Andes, it is not advisable to approach them – but do try and get a photograph as proof!

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

The Witches Market, San Pedro, Cusco

Tucked away in the older and more colonial area of Cusco and found within the San Pedro market, the witches market is a true indication of the age-old and revered traditions of Peru. The myriad of stalls and booths sell little bottles of magic potions and concoctions of many different varieties which are both exotic and unusual. With incenses that can make people fall in love with you, dried frogs to bring you financial fortune, dried llama to bring you luck, and amulets that inspire lust, the magic simply seeps out of the stones in the market place. If you want to get really involved with the witchery, get your tarot cards read or your fortune told, and you might just get advanced warning of any bad luck that you might face whilst walking Peru. Forewarned is forearmed as they say!

The Witch Doctor

As well as the various potions you’ll find in the witches market, you will also come across all sorts of remedies and herbal medicines that can be used to cure any maladies you might have picked up whilst walking. Peru’s witch doctors have been around for centuries, and over the years they have collected an unfathomable amount of knowledge of traditional and homeopathic remedies, and the curative power of plants. So, make the most of the chance to get your blisters banished, your muscles soothed, and your aches and pains abolished by the alternative methods and medicines of the witch doctors of Peru.

The Witch Garden

After all the walking, Peru’s culinary offerings will certainly be most welcome. And, if you’re looking for tradition and witchcraft, where better to go for dinner than the Witches Garden. With a cosy and candle-lit dining room, this restaurant emanates the weird and wonderful atmosphere of a witches coven, with a menu that will leave you clamouring for second helpings. Featuring a vast menu of foods from all over the world, the Witch Garden also ensures that traditional Peruvian fare features on the menu several times, giving the restaurant a tremendous sense of authenticity. Lamb and vegetarian dishes are available for those who are feeling slightly less adventurous, or hoping to leave room for dessert, which is advisable given the infamous Black Hole Cake for which the restaurant has become renowned.

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts.

Rotorua is not exactly sleepy, but in terms of cities it is pretty laid back. In keeping with New Zealand’s friendly and welcoming culture, Rotorua is easy to navigate but still offers a huge range of activities for visitors of all ages and abilities. In New Zealand, walking trails criss-cross virtually every part of the country and Rotorua is no different, with many forest trails emanating from close to the city centre. But, aside from the wonderful lakes, walking, biking and fishing, most people come to Rotorua for the apparent healing properties it offers, or simply the curiosity value, of the thermal mud pools.

There are many places around the city to see instances of the thermal pools and indeed, their existence is ever-present in the sulphurous odour that cloaks the city. The smell is slightly unpleasant at first, but within a few hours of arriving in what is teasingly known as the smelliest city in New Zealand, walking around the thermal pools will keep you so fascinated, you will not smell a thing!

Relics from Rotorua’s volcanic origins, the thermal pools and geysers originated from the beautiful Lake Rotorua, and the lake’s tranquil guise belies a violent and dramatic past. Everywhere, in this part of New Zealand, walking even in the city’s parks and gardens, you will see random tell-tale plumes of steam rising from open pools and sulphur vents. There is no danger from these pools but do beware – they are hot!

A visit to the Whakarewarewa village on the outskirts of Rotorua will bring you to one of the most fascinating places in New Zealand. Walking through the village, which subsists entirely by harnessing the power of the incredible thermal activity, is one of the most fascinating examples of Nature’s power, you will ever see. The village, whilst a burgeoning tourist attraction is a living and working village and the traditional Maori residents live a communal existence in harmony with the majestic force which sustains them.

For a slightly more indulgent way to enjoy the thermal pools, you can head to one of Rotorua’s many indoor mineral pools or spas. Spend a day luxuriating in the waters which are reputed to have some amazing health benefits and have, in fact, been used for many years by medical practitioners to assist in some alternative therapies. The Rotorua Bath house, although now a museum, is a fascinating place to visit. In years gone by, the Bath House administered over seventy thousand baths a year and thirty thousand special therapies including, scarily, electric therapy! There’s none of that these days however, and the only shock you will get in any of Rotorua’s thermal spas or baths is how hard it will be to climb out, dry off and get back to reality.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators – the smartest SEO agency in London, and the proud host of a series of Internet Marketing training seminars and Social Media breakfasts. 

The Tomb of Santa Teresa

The town of Avila is an ideal place to wander when on a Spanish walking holiday. Steeped in a long and colourful history, the town makes for an interesting afternoon walk. Spain is a country of strong religious beliefs, and Avila is home to the revered tomb of Santa Teresa of Avila, a mystical saint conjuring many memories in the minds of the town locals.

The tomb is located in the church of the Carmelite Convent of the Anunciaciόn, a historical convent founded in 1570. A beautiful renaissance doorway marks the entrance, and the saint’s remains are preserved in a reliquary above the altar. This was a gift from Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, daughter of Phillip II of Spain. Walks in this area will undoubtedly inspire a sense of spirituality and history, as the area marks the place where many spiritual leaders have lived.

An Eastern Tip

The most easterly point in the Cordillera Betica is a prime location to visit on a hiking holiday in Spain. Cabo de la Nao is an area notable for its picturesque beauty and charm. With beautiful beaches around the cape, and views that will take your breath away, this is an area not to miss on your hiking holiday. Spain is a country with areas of dramatic coastline, and a view from the tip of Cabo de la Nao’s promontory will see the south of the rocky mass making up Penon de Ifach. This view is sure to evoke a feeling of awe, as you gaze out at the mass of rocks that rear out of the sea off the Punto de Ifach.

Walk in the Valley of Great Kings

Located in the south west of the Spanish, Canary island, La Gomera, the Valley Gran Rey is one of Spain’s best kept secrets. A Spanish walking holiday in this region would be nothing short of magnificent, with this exotic valley providing a unique walking experience. The valley is lined by towering palm trees and large banana plantations are scattered around. Quaint houses are dotted about, where you will often find interesting and alternative members of society have come to live.

One of the main features making this area one of the best Spanish walking holiday destinations is the unique landscape that has been created. Parts of the hillside have been turned into terraces for growing crops and tropical fruit. You could take a stroll from the orchards down to the coast, where dramatic rock formations and cliffs are waiting to be explored.

Navarra Castle of the Kings

Navarra is situated in northern Spain, a beautiful area great for walking. It is likely this beauty that led Charles III of Navarra to commission a team of brilliant French architects to alter and enlarge the area’s existing castle in 1406. With their grand designs, the castle was turned into a combination of a fortress and a palace. 15 slender towers stand tall against the sky, safe under the protection of the battlement walls. Inside the castle the design is no less grand, and magnificent décor makes it palatial.

Although parts of the castle were destroyed in the 19^th century, it is still an impressive sight to behold. And it makes an already beautiful area absolutely perfect for a Spain walk.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest Spanish Walking Holidays at the best value prices.

A Walker’s Paradise

Walking holidays in the UK are good for quiet moments in the English countryside, leisurely strolls along the shores of beautiful lakes, and seeing the country’s indigenous wildlife. And what better a place than the Lake District to enjoy all the country has to offer.

Situated in the north western region of England, the district consists of lakes and mountains spanning a wide area about 855 square miles. The terrain is varied enough that is good for UK hiking holidays as well as leisurely country strolls. Mountains with peaks reaching 978m make for excellent climbing, and lower peaks consisting of open moorland are great for more relaxed walks.

The area is interesting to geologists too, with Skiddaw Slate and Barrowdale Volcanic rocks dating back about 500 million years. The area’s features came about during a period of glaciation, where the ice carved U-shaped valleys in the earth. This geographically interesting area is great for walking holidays in the UK, where you can explore this ancient area.

The Lake District is situated in the dampest part of the UK, and temperatures in mid summer are around 15˚ during the day. This is an ideal temperature for a UK hiking holiday, as you won’t need to bring along extra jackets, but nor will you suffer from exercising in the heat.

A Wildlife Wonderland

The Lake District National Park is home to an abundant wildlife, hosting a number of protected animals, and many species indigenous to the United Kingdom. A walking holiday in this region will allow you to view the unique wildlife rarely found anywhere else.

Meander along the lakeside pathways and stop to enjoy the red squirrels scampering by. England’s only nesting pair of golden eagles can be found here, and you could be lucky enough to spot one.

For botanists, two fascinating flowers can be found here. The sundew and butterwort flowers and carnivorous plants native to England. The plants lure and trap their prey (unsuspecting insects), which provide most of their nutrition. There is certainly no shortage of interesting plant life to discover while on a UK hiking holiday in this region.

The life below the lake waters is of interest too, with three species of endangered fish found in the lakes. The endangered Vendace is found in the waters of Bassenthwaite and Derwent; the Schnelly in Brothes Water, Haweswater, Red Tarn and Ullswater; and the Arctic charr can be found in many of the lakes, including Buttermere, Coniston Water and Ennerdale Water.

Worth a Word or Two

The Lake District is associated with the English literature of the 18^th and 19^th centuries, with many great poets and novelists finding inspiration in this region’s beauty. Thomas Gray was first to write about the region, in the 1769 book, Grand Tour. It is no wonder then, that the Lake District is a popular UK walking holiday destination, if the region’s beauty is so marked that it is a source of inspiration to many great artists.

The poem Daffodils, one of the most famous poems of William Wordsworth, was inspired by the daffodils on the shores of Ullswater, and this famous poet lived in the Lake District for sixty years. Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey, all three notable poets, became known as the Lake Poets, because their time spent in the region was inspirational to their work.

Beatrix Potter, the famous children’s author, was resident for some time at Hill Top Farm, where she gained inspirations for many of her stories from the region. Look out for Peter Rabbit when on a UK hiking holiday, where you might just spot him hopping along the lake shores.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. They are dedicated to providing the very finest UK hiking holidays at the best value prices.

The area of Sussex Heritage Coast, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters Cliffs are particularly beautiful coastal sections of the walk, and can be combined with other pretty walks in the area such as Wartling, Herstmonceux and Hastings for great English walking breaks.

Here are a number of beautiful sites to see whilst walking in England in these areas.

The Seven Sisters Cliffs

These magnificent cliffs are situated in the Seven Sisters Country Park in Sussex. The area is simply perfect for English walking breaks, with 280 hectares of varied terrain and beautiful scenery waiting to be explored. The cliffs are particularly scenic, consisting of white chalk faces and grass tops.

You can enjoy pleasant coastal walks over easy terrain, as well as walks over areas of more moderate terrain, in the undulating surrounding hills and open plains. And with the fresh sea air refreshing you and invigorating you along the way, you’ll want to continue walking here forever!

Wartling and Herstmonceux

The quaint village of Wartling is lovely to visit whilst on a UK hiking holiday. Located in a beautiful countryside setting, this village typifies old English rural villages, and is great to explore. A church dating back to the 13^th century can be found here, and it is thought that this church is built on the same ground that the chapel mentioned in the Domesday Book was built on. If you’re interested in history, then this village is well worth stopping at whilst walking in England.

An English walking break stopping in Herstmonceux will give you the opportunity to see the Herstmonceux Castle, a magnificent attraction. Beautiful Elizabethan gardens are perfect for afternoon strolls, and the castle is surrounded by a traditional moat. The castle was built in the 15^th century, and was originally designed as a Medieval country home. The gardens are ideal for an afternoon on an English walking break, with beautiful woodland trails, and rhododendron, rose and herb gardens to enjoy.

Hastings – 1066 Country

The Battle of Hastings is one of the most notable events in the history of the UK. Hiking holidays passing through the Hastings region are popular as they afford walkers with the opportunity not only to walk through beautiful countryside, but also the opportunity to walk on the earth that the great battle of 1066 was fought.

With rolling hills, open grasslands, dramatic ? and the fresh English country air, it’s no wonder this region of Southern England is so popular for English walking breaks. With the well known and well trodden South Down’s Way situated here too, it is the perfect base for an UK hiking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Part of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, who have been operating since 1946, they are dedicated to providing the very finest English walking breaks at the best value prices.

The coastal walk from Penzance round to St Ives is one of the best UK walking holidays for enjoying the clean sea air. The prevailing south-westerly winds freshen the Cornwall air as it blows in off the sea before heading inland to the rest of England. Walking in Cornwall’s rolling fields and along its undulating cliff top paths, you will enjoy views of the blue sea, as well as the green countryside and woodland.

Coastal Route

If you visit the area on an organised UK walking holiday, you can enjoy up to four days of guided walking in England’s south coast, taking pleasure in the walk without having to worry about losing your way. The route makes use of the well-regarded South West Coast Path for 5 nights/6 days of UK hiking holidays, moving in a clockwise direction around the Cornwall headland.

Walking in England’s most southern county will take you through several areas of protected National Trust land. You’ll also get the chance to see the towns of Penzance and St Ives, the village of Porthcurno and the tourist viewpoints of Land’s End, Cape Cornwall, and Gurnard’s head.

Landscape

Along the way, this most southern of UK hiking holidays will take you past intricate cliffs, picturesque bays and the occasional lonely lighthouse. From time to time, you will come across small hidden coves, seemingly undiscovered, with a little sandy beach enclosed by rocky outcrops. You might see hawks and rabbits and other wildlife, too.

This popular UK hiking holiday route via Land’s End allows you to stand at the southernmost tip of England. Walking here is a pleasure and the trails are mostly of moderate difficulty, so should be suitable for most walkers. The terrain does get more taxing at times, so consult your UK walking holidays organiser when you book.

St Ives

After six days of walking in England’s freshest air, you will arrive at St Ives. St Ives is a holiday town popular with artists because of the coastal light, the sunsets over the sea and the pretty landscape. The local appetite for art is evident in the Tate Gallery in St Ives, where you can see all sorts of visual arts, with pieces inspired by the local environment. As well as hosting hikers on their UK walking holidays, St Ives is also a prominent site for surfers, partly because on average the sea here is the warmest in the country.

Walks throughout the Year

Cornwall enjoys a relatively mild climate, so this route can be good for walking in England‘s southwest throughout the year. Bear in mind though that the county is unprotected from weather fronts moving in from the Atlantic, so there could be a sudden rain shower to two. But it’s this proximity to the sea that makes the local temperature so pleasant; because of the milder climate you can see the Spring flowers emerge here earlier than if you were walking in England’s more central regions.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Part of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, who have been operating since 1946, they are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in England at the best value prices.

In the UK, walking holidays have become hugely popular, and there are a number of walks emanating from Lands End covering various degrees of difficulty. If you don’t have the time or the inclination to cover the entire twenty four mile walk to St Ives, the four miles to the cape can be covered in a short time and is not too hard going – it will give you a bite sized taste of the picturesque coastal scenery Cornwall is famous for.

Leaving Land’s End

Within minutes of leaving the carnival style atmosphere of Land’s End, you will follow a well trodden path heading around the peninsula. Walking in England is a wonderful way to delve into the history of the country, and as you stand on 200 ft cliffs and gaze out to sea, it is not hard to imagine the ancient medieval castles and amphitheatres this area was once home to.

As you follow the path around, you catch your first glimpse of Sennen Cove. Whitesands Beach within the cove is one of Cornwall’s prettiest stretches of sand, and is a popular swimming and surfing spot. Walking in England can take you through some incredible ancient monuments, and on your way down to the cove you will pass the ruins of the 4^th century Maen Castle, crumbling on the cliffs.

The village of Sennen itself has a traditional Cornish feel, and you may want to stop off for a cream tea or some light refreshment! After rejoining the coastal path, you will follow the cliffs along on your way to Cape Cornwall. A slight deviation will take you to Ballowall Barrow, an ancient chamber tomb dating back around 5500 years. At nearly 3m high and over 20m in diameter it is an astounding sight.

Cape Cornwall

Cape Cornwall holds the distinction of being the only cape in the UK. Walking holidays are a fantastic way of exploring our geography up close and this location where the two seas of the English Channel and St George’s Channel meet is truly unique. Until fairly recent times, Cape Cornwall was thought to have been the most westerly point of England, however it was discovered that Land’s End just beat it by a whisker.

As you near the Cape, you will sight the unmistakable landmark of its disused chimney stack atop the summit. The stack is a relic from the old tin mining days when the mine shafts extended hundreds of metres out to sea. The entire area shows evidence of the abandoned mining industry, and as often happens on English walking breaks you may stumble across some unexpected reminders of times gone by.

You can reach the summit by two paths, and when you’ve made the short trek the views out to sea and across to St Helens Oratory are stunning. Priest’s Cove hugging the coast below, is a typically Cornish picture postcard scene. It is dotted with fisherman’s huts and brightly coloured boats decorating the slipway.  Even though the beach is quite rocky, it has a small bathing pool which is popular in the summer months.

If you want to make the most of your English walking breaks to Cornwall, (and you have enough energy!) you can make the return journey back to Land’s End on foot. But if you’ve had enough for one day, then you can wander over to St Just and jump on a bus – and daydream your way back to your hotel, planning your next UK walking holidays!

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Part of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, who have been operating since 1946, they are dedicated to providing the very finest English walking breaks at the best value prices.

The Lake District is a region championed by Alfred Wainwright, a famous writer and fell walker from Lancashire. His legendary “Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells” guide book has been used as a yardstick for English walking breaks for decades has had a spike in popularity with the recently televised “Wainwright’s Walks” and “Coast to Coast” on the BBC. In the programs, the presenter, Julia Bradbury, embarks upon an extended United Kingdom hiking holiday, tracing the routes and descriptions laid down by Wainwright. The programs narrate some scenic and interesting routes for walking in England and provide an opportunity to show film footage of the remarkable landscapes along the way.

On a guided UK hiking holiday in the Western Lake District you will have the chance to explore Wainwright’s favourite part of the world, visiting some of the two hundred or so fells that he wrote so passionately about and in such detail.

Hassness House, located about thirty miles to the north west of Kendal, is an ideal base in the Western Lake district for a number of United Kingdom hiking holiday routes. It shares a woodland clearing with the Dalegarth Guesthouse, but is otherwise isolated in a quiet landscape with superb views of the western fells. From here you can truly embark upon a variety of walking in England’s Lake District trails to mountain peaks, undulating hills, dramatic valleys and around wide lakes.

From Hassness House, a UK hiking holiday itinerary may lead you to see places like Fleetwith Pike or Crummock Water with some walks having easy stretches and other parts with terrain that is moderate to hard. The difficulty varies depending on the guided itineraries you may decide to choose. There are departure dates throughout the ideal months of September and October, with some guided English walking breaks in the Lake District also planned around Christmas time.

Buttermere is a lake not far from Hassness House, set in the centre of some of the most picturesque peaks. It is a mile and a quarter at it’s widest with a path round its edge, and walking here you can look up upon Haystacks and High Stile. Haystacks is a hill fell that from Buttermere appears to be crimped, like a Cornish pasty. There are tarns among the knuckles of rock at the top. Four miles away is the very different High Stile, which is over eight hundred metres high, and you can see for long distances from the summit.

This is a beautifully remote area of the United Kingdom for hiking without the everyday hassles and stresses of modern life. Hassness House itself, is a home away from home and as there is almost no mobile reception in the Lakes, you can rely on a UK hiking holiday here to be a retreat from the constant distractions of modern technology and working life.

In the spirit of environmentalism, the majority of the meals during your holiday walking in England at Hassness will be prepared from local produce. You can enjoy hearty home-cooked food that will ensure you have the energy needed at the trailhead the next day.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Part of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, who have been operating since 1946, they are dedicated to providing the very finest walking in England at the best value prices.

For breathtaking walks in the Tuscany region head to the historic centre of San Marcello. History buffs will enjoy strolling through the town’s historic centre, which contains buildings such as the Consortium T’Delizia and The Observatory from where it is possible to view the star-clad skies of the region. Another important monument that you may want to visit on your walks in Italy is the Mammiano Suspension Bridge. Brave walkers may even wish to attempt to cross the rope clad bridge, which joins the two banks of the Lima River.

The Lima River is bordered by verdant woods, which offer a number of opportunities for tourists on their walking holidays in Italy. It is not only possible to spend a day horse-riding or mountain-biking in the thick forest, but you can also arrange excursions kayaking and even paragliding in this area.

Located nearby to San Marcello is the scenic town of Gavinana, a popular spot for walks in Italy. The town is the site of a former 16^th century fortified castle and still retains much of its medieval architecture. On your walking holiday in Italy spend a day exploring this town, which has an equestrian monument in memory of its local hero Francesco Ferrucci at its very centre.

All this walking is bound to make you hungry so head back to your hotel in order to learn some Tuscany cooking skills that you will astound your friends with at your next dinner party. Tuscan cookery is typically very home orientated with many casserole based dishes containing cannellini and borlotti beans all, of course, with a generous splash of olive oil. Roast suckling pig and wild boar are also two typical Tuscan dishes that you may find yourself cooking whilst on your walking holiday in Italy. The Tuscan chefs are particularly passionate about the food which they cook and will happily give you hints and make sure that you cook the best possible dish on your walking holiday in Italy.

Walking in Italy’s cultural capital of Florence is a great way to burn off the calories, so spend the next day on your walking holiday in Italy visiting the many art galleries and monuments of the region. Unmissable is the Accademia which houses Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery containing works by Botticelli and other giants of the Italian Renaissance. It is possible to spend a whole day in Italy’s premier art gallery, but the city has many incredible sights to visit including the Duomo (Cathedral) and the Ponte Vecchio.

You’ll need to take a great wine home in order to complement the Tuscan cookery skills that you have picked on your walking holiday in Italy. So before the end of your holiday head into the Chianti region between Florence and Siena and spend a day sampling the local produce. After all you don’t want to spoil all the effort you’ve made on your Tuscan dinner party by offering your guests cheap wine.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in Italy at the best value prices.

Wine and Walking in Italy

There’s more to the wine region of Tuscany than the much-coveted Brunello. The wine buffs would tell you that from the 1980’s Tuscany has been producing new wines called Super Tuscans that have found international popularity. It’s not uncommon to combine wine and walking in Italy into wine-tasting and walking holidays. The vineyards in Tuscany range from a small winery to a large producer in the grounds of a stately Castello, (a castle-like house) and walking here offers the chance to take in the views as you walk among grapes growing on the vines. Most vineyards are open to visitors and many arrange events or tours for groups.

Walk in Italy to Work Up an Appetite

Of course, nothing goes better with wine than food, and the Tuscan cuisine knows how to please. Some walking holiday packages offer the chance to try your hand at cooking delicacies as well as eating them. Such packages let you experience the Tuscan lifestyle in the kitchen as well as in the hills; the trouble is you’ll want to eat so much that afterwards you’ll find it hard to walk! Italy is proud and protective of its pasta, and Tuscany is no different. Each shape of pasta is said to be as individual as the region it comes from. One of Tuscany’s pastas is Pici, a hand-rolled pasta made from long solid fat tubes. After a day Walking in Italy’s hills, sit down to sample a local speciality meal such as rabbit stewed with olives, pasta with a local sauce, or perhaps artichoke pie.

The Tuscan Scenery

What will make that meal special though is the scenery. The towns of Tuscany are linked and surrounded by the gentle green slopes and pretty valleys of the countryside. Walkers can enjoy the mountain paths, some of which are strenuous enough for more serious hiking. Italy is big on cycling too, so you’ll hear the spokes spinning along the rolling hillside roads. The Tuscan landscape has something for its summer vacationers, too, with the sea coast and islands.

Walking in Italy’s Artistic Cities

This scenery has inspired generations of Italian artists to produce an enviable collection of art. Tuscany contains the magnificent cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa, which are filled with eye-catching architecture, famous galleries and sculpture. The best way to take it all in is to walk. Italy is a nation so rich with renaissance art that six of Tuscany’s cities have been made UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Why not take a sightseeing walk at Italy’s famous icons such as the leaning Tower of Pisa and the black and white Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral at Siena?

In true Renaissance style, there’s no reason why you can’t combine all the specialities of Tuscany into one, with the popular package walking Holidays in Italy. A hiking, drinking, eating, and inspiring walk in Italy is waiting for you.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. A long-established and highly respected company, they have been operating since 1946 and are dedicated to providing the very finest walking in Italy packages at the best value prices.

Hemmed by the Indian Ocean on one side and the Atlantic on the other, the Western Cape holds the key to many unique experiences while walking South Africa’s stunning coast and hinterland.

Cape Town

Chances are you’ll arrive into South Africa at Cape Town, and what an arrival it will be. This city thrives on a rich culture of arts and history and there is enough here to keep you busy for many days; and the absolute best way to explore the wonderful ‘Mother City’ is by walking. South Africa’s famous Table Mountain presides over Cape Town and this monolithic mountain is the city’s most-visited attraction. From Cape Town you can take a day trip to Robben Island, made famous as Nelson Mandela’s place of incarceration. The boat ride out to the island is invigorating and a wonderful way to see a different view of the city and, once there, it is a sobering, but nonetheless fascinating experience. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is another of Cape Town’s major attractions with its wealth of museums, shops and restaurants.

Cape Whale Coast

The name slightly gives away the major draw card of this area! Every year between the months of June and November, the gentle giants of the sea appear along the southern coast of the Western Cape. There are many places along the coast which are wonderful vantage points and many of them can be reached by walking. South Africa’s Stony Point, Walker Bay, De Kloop Nature Reserve and Witsand are just a few and the entire area is designated a Whale Sanctuary.

The Cape Winelands

The scenically blessed regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek and Wellington are amongst some of the best wine-producing areas in the world. Walking South Africa’s wine growing areas will take you through rolling green hills and amongst endless vineyards. There are many designated wine routes you can follow, or simply decide upon your own favourites and spend a few days exploring. There are approximately 500 wineries in the Cape Winelands so you will certainly find something for every palate.

The Garden Route

Probably the most famous of the towns along the lush Garden Route is Knysna but this charming natural attraction has many other highlights as well. The route is typified by long stretches of stunning coastlines with rugged mountains spilling down to meet the sea. Walking South Africa’s delightful Garden Route, or various parts of it, is one of life’s true pleasures. Depending on the season, your journey will be dotted with a profusion of wildflowers for which South Africa is famous, and the spectacular scenery and mild year-round climate will make it a holiday to remember.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. Whilst walking South Africa with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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How many countries can you think of where you might encounter both a sandstorm and a blizzard? Mongolia is a vast country of open grassy plains, deep green valleys, barren desert and snowy mountain ranges. The best Mongolia trekking itineraries will aim to provide a flavour of one or two of these landscapes, allowing trekkers the opportunity to appreciate some of the country’s huge 604,000 square miles – that’s the equivalent area of four and a half Germanys.

For adventurer Ripley Davenport though, a sample of what Mongolia has to offer is not enough. He plans to see all of Mongolia’s many characters and terrains as he plots a trekking route across the entire country. He aims to complete his epic journey in about three months. While it is usual for visitors on Mongolia trekking holidays to travel between late June and August, when the temperature averages around 15 degrees centigrade, Davenport started his adventure in April. This means he will have to endure a freezing springtime climate, although nothing as uncomfortable as the 20 degrees below of the Mongolian winter.

Ripley intends that his trekking across Mongolia will be unsupported, meaning he will not have a guide or ponies, or prearranged shelter, and has to carry all he needs with him. For this he has a small cart, like a rickshaw, which he has named Molly Brown. Fully loaded, Molly weighs almost 250 kilograms. If he succeeds in crossing the country Ripley Davenport will hold the record for the longest recorded solo and unassisted walk.

On the 14th April 2010, Ripley began his Mongolia trekking mission in the eastern steppes, near Choibalsan, the fourth largest city. He “was taken aback” by what he saw ahead of him: a landscape of extensive treeless prairie and ground littered with immense pot holes, soft sand, trenches and mud. It meant slow progress. In the first full day it took him four hours to cover one kilometre because of the uneven surface, and during the first night his tent and trailer froze solid.

It took just two days for the terrain to prevail over his ambitions. It was not his body that gave out, or his determination, but the wheel bearings on the axle of Molly Brown, which wore away completely. Unable to carry on, he had to call for evacuation. But Davenport is not willing to abandon his trekking adventure. Despite this adversity and setback, having made repairs, Ripley will return in May to complete what he began, and resume his record-breaking attempt.

Within the first few weeks of his Mongolia trek he will be cross the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, the 5700 mile track that bridges continents; joining China with Europe and Beijing with Moscow. From Mongolia, the tracks of the Trans-Siberian go south towards the Great Wall of China and north to the desolate wastelands of Siberia.

After that Ripley will progress into the open plains of Mongolia, trekking across vast eye-fooling open spaces of grassland and prairies. Beyond the grasslands, Ripley will encounter the Gobi Desert and the Altai Mountains of the west, all the time walking alone and unassisted in the Land of Blue Sky.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who run Mongolia Trekking holidays. They now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is the most revered destination in Greek mythology as it was believed to be home to the 12 principal Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient religion. It was once believed that the fabled mountain was built from crystal castles and that Zeus lived at the very top layer.

Mount Olympus is a perfect place for hiking in Greece as it features an endemic amount of flora and fauna, including Greek tortoises and brightly coloured geckos. The highest point of the mountain is called Mitikas, which means nose in Greek, and it stands at 2,919m high.

Temple of Hephaistos

The ancient temple of Hephaistos is an excellent place to begin a walk in Greece. It is located in the capital of Athens and boasts the accolade of being the best preserved ancient Greek temple in the world. However, despite this it still remains overshadowed by the Pantheon. You may know the site by its alternative name, the Theseum as it was once falsely believed that the legendary Greek hero, Theses, was buried at this site.

The temple was actually built to commemorate the God of blacksmiths and metallurgy and was designed by the architect, Ictinus, who worked on the Parthenon. The labours of Hercules are etched into the columns and it is worth taking a guided walk in Greece around the temple to gain a better understanding of the historical relevance of this magnificent site.

The legendary Acropolis is located just 500m away from the temple and it is possible to visit both of them during a themed walk in Greece.

The Tumulus of Marathon

This fertile plain may come across as one of the more bizarre sites that you’ll encounter on your walk in Greece. However, the site holds great historical significance. It was here that the battle between the Athenians and Persians was fought in 490BC and it remains the final resting place for the 192 Athenians that died in this ancient war.

The Ancient Agora

The Agora was once the heart of Athens and featured the political, commercial, administrative and social centre of Greece. It was also the seat of justice and remained occupied without interruption during all of Athens’ history. The site is a perfect spot for walking in Greece as it features many ancient restored buildings, including a Neolithic burial site, four colossal figures of the giants and tritons and the façade of an ancient gymnasium. The museum located in the grounds gives you a better understanding of this ancient culture and acts as a perfect pit-stop on your walk in Greece.

Rhamnous

One of ancient Greece’s lesser known sites is ‘Rhamnous’ situated on the north-west deme of Attica. Rhamnous features incredible views over the Ebola strait and is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely picnic whilst walking in Greece. The site is better known as the sanctuary of Nemesis, the implacable avenging Goddess. An acropolis dominates the harbours, from which grain was imported for Athens during the Peloponnesian war. The site also houses a 5^th century temple which was never completed and a smaller temple which is dedicated to the Gods, Nemesis and Thetis.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. A long-established and highly respected company, they have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. Their dedication to quality and experience of all things related to walking in Greece make them a superb choice for the discerning traveller.

What’s there to see?

New Zealand is often described in terms of its two main islands. Many areas of the North Island have a distinctive ‘Pacific Island’ feel with beautiful beaches, luscious flora and a volcanic appearance to much of the countryside. It is home to the bulk of New Zealand’s population and is proud of its multi-cultural status, and has a strong Maori legacy and presence. Auckland and Wellington are two major cities well worth exploring, as is Napier. Rotorua is world-famous for its geysers, hot steam vents and bubbling mud pools. The Bay of Islands contains marvellous opportunities for exploring the multitude of islets and sandy coves. Not to be missed also is the Tongariro National Park which contains stunning scenery.

The South Island is different! Much more sparsely populated, the island contains a vast range of natural spectacles including mountains, glaciers and fjords. It is home to the Southern Alps and some of the world’s most breathtaking views of mountains, lakes and coastlines. The largest town is Christchurch and other major attractions include Mount Cook with its alpine scenery; Te Anau with its fjords; Queenstown with its scenery and adventure leisure opportunities; and the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers. It’s also an ideal opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife; including exotic birds such as the Albatross; and around the coastal areas, whales, dolphins and seals.

Both the North and South Islands received rave reviews for their stunning scenery when it was seen around the globe as the backdrop to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. All these attractions are just a tiny sample of what a New Zealand walking holiday may be able to help you explore.

Why take a New Zealand walking holiday?

New Zealand is a beautiful country that has worked hard to keep its natural grandeur intact.
There are vast areas of nature that are relatively undeveloped and unspoilt by large-scale human encroachment. In some cases the only way to reach these magnificent sights is on foot. In other instances, you’ll be more likely to appreciate the locations ‘in context’ if you’ve walked to them. New Zealand walking holidays in general are also becoming more popular for environmental reasons; and if you need yet more convincing, they may also be better for your general health!

How does the holiday work?

A New Zealand walking holiday is fully guided by a tour leader that is an expert in the route and the attractions as well as the local history and culture. They are constructed for those with only a moderate degree of fitness and walking ability. It is a carefully and expertly crafted holiday experience and not a forced route march – so no need to worry if you don’t come into the ’superfit’ category! Each guided walk is carefully planned to ensure that it is not overly demanding and that it concludes each day with the opportunity to relax and unwind in excellent accommodation. You can sample the excellent local cuisines while you reflect upon the sights you’ve seen during the day.

The holidays offer a variety of choices. So you may wish to be based in a single centre or to vary between different locations. You can decide to explore only one of the major islands or spend time or both. That is one of the major attractions of a New Zealand walking holiday – you can select an option that suits your interests and then with the help of your tour guide, follow it. It really can be a different and more satisfying sort of holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

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The Cote d’Azur, or the French Riviera as it is referred to in English, is a magnificent stretch of coastline running between Menton, near the Italian border, and Hyéres. 115km of coastline makes up the region, and the Mediterranean climate provides 300 days of sunshine. It is a perfect place for a French walking holiday, where you can ramble beside the bright blue sea and sandy beaches.

The name Cote d’Azur, refers to the colours blue and gold, with the blue being that of the Mediterranean ocean and the gold referring to the region’s rising economy.

Early European Influences

Being an area of such great beauty with an excellent climate, it is no small wonder that many European countries wanted to have a share in the area. In the 7^th century BC, Greek sailors travelling from Asia Minor began visiting and establishing trading posts in the area. Settlements were developed and trading began with the inhabitants of the interior. This has seen a visible Greek influence in the region, and a great way to learn the history while you enjoy the scenery is on a hiking tour in France.

Roman influence began in 8 BC, when Emperor Augustus built La Turbie (Trophy of the Alps) and began building towns, monuments and amphitheatres along the coast, many of which you will still be able to stumble over on your French walking holiday. Two notable amphitheatres which still remain standing are the amphitheatre and bath at Cimiez, and the amphitheatre and Roman walls at Frejus. These ancient sites add a Roman twist to the ground you will tread on your walking holiday in France.

The Early Days of the Resort

The French Riviera was one of the first modern resorts to be established in the south of France, and hiking in this area will clearly show you why. Its beauty is unrivalled, and its climate is gentle, making it the perfect retreat to escape the British winter.

It was originally established as a winter health resort for sickly British tourists, where they could escape the cold and return to health. Until the end of the 18^th century, the area consisted of local people leading simple lives, where the focus was on growing olives, fishing, and producing flowers for perfume.

The French Riviera first started to gain attention when Tobias Smollett, a British traveller, described the benefits of the health resort in his book, ‘Travels Through France and Italy,’ in 1765. This was the beginning of spreading the idea of the French Riviera as an ideal place for a French walking holiday.

At the same time, Scottish doctor John Brown gained fame when he prescribed climato-therapy, a therapy based on climate change to cure a range of illnesses such as tuberculosis. A trip to the French Riviera was the ideal place for this therapy to occur, as the climate was perfect in the south of France. Hiking in this region could have a similar effect on a holiday, where the fresh sea air, exercise and warm weather will revitalise you.

A Perfect Holiday Destination

Once attention was drawn to the area, it became a favourite destination of the aristocracy. British nobleman Henry Peter Broughman loved the area so much after travelling through the region with his ill sister that he bought land a  built a villa there, where he spent most of his summers. Other members of the British aristocracy followed suit, recognising the benefits of a French walking holiday.

With the development of the railway in the 19^th century, the area became easily accessible to Europe, and in 1865, one hundred thousand visitors flocked to the area. Casino resorts were built, the most notable being Monte Carlo, established by Charles III. Gradually the area became more popular with tourists from America and Europe, and no longer belonged to the aristocracy.

The perfect place for hiking in France or simply sitting by the sea, the area quickly became popular celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot, Elton John, and Princess Diana. With so many people attesting to its beauty, it must be an ideal destination for a French walking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest French Walking Holidays at the best value prices.

A walking holiday in France is incredibly easy thanks to the advanced trail system that leads from one end of the country to the other. The system is 110,000 miles long and is made up of three distinctly different types of path.

The first type of path is called the sentiers de grande randonnee, or known as GR for short. These account for 38,000 miles of the trail system and are laid out in such a way that one point always connects to another. A GR path usually traverses long distances over the country, from border to border. The GR5 trail is one such example of this, and runs from the Luxembourg border, past the towering peaks of the Jura and Alp mountain ranges, all the way down to the azure blue waters of the Mediterranean coast.

The second type of trail is coloured red and yellow on a typical French map. These paths are known as GRPs or Grande Regional Paths, and are the most commonly followed on a typical walking holiday in France. There are 25,000 miles of GRP paths in the country and these often follow a circular motion, covering one particular region in detail. One of the most popular trails followed on a French walking holiday is the Chemin des Grands Crus de Bourgogne. This scenic trail follows Burgundy’s perfectly manicured vineyards and crumbling castles.

The smallest trails on a French ordnance survey map are simply coloured one consistent colour. These local paths are known as PRs and offer visitors on a French walking holiday the option of shorter, more relaxing trails. Generally it only takes a few hours to follow a PR trail, but some of the lengthier routes will need a good days trek. PRs usually lay out a scenic route from a traditional French village to a local beauty spot or place of historical importance. Villages often have more than one path leading from them, and with over 47,000 miles of PR paths, it is possible to combine a walking holiday in France with a number of scenic PR routes.

The GR and GRP paths cross through every region of France making a walking holiday such an easy prospect. It is possible to take a village-to-village route from anywhere in the country, and as almost all the land is privately owned, the trail you choose will pass through vineyards, orchards, forests and even people’s own backyards.

Gites and guesthouses are a common occurrence in even the most rural of French villages and it is always easy to find somewhere to settle down for the night. Alternatively you can book your French holiday with a specialist walking group, where routes and accommodation will be planned out for you well in advance.

If you decide to go it alone, The Féderation Française de la Randonnée Pédestre is responsible for maintaining the trail system and they publish a number of informative guidebooks with recommended restaurants and guesthouses for each trail. Sadly these books have yet to be translated to English but much of the practical information, such as addresses and contact numbers, can be understood by the English-only speaker.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays in France at the best value prices.

1.  Porto Santo’s most distinguishable feature is undoubtedly it’s long, sandy beach, stretching 9 kilometres, from the island’s city, Vila Baleira, all the way to Ponta de Calhleta.  With such ample space for visitors to spread out, the beach is free from the usual hustle and bustle of the seaside, allowing you to completely switch off and relax.  It has long been said that the soft sands of Porto Santo contain properties that can help to heal problems such as rheumatism and rickets.  Whether it is the sand that has the power to heal, or the complete calm that you will experience, you will find yourself refreshed and ready to brave the rest of your walking holiday in Madeira after a day on the beach at Porto Santo.
2. No trip to the beach is complete without a dip in the ocean, and where better to take the plunge than at Ponta de Calheta.  End a stroll along the beach with a swim at one of the island’s favourite swimming spots, and revel in the water, warmed by the currents of the Gulf Stream.  Ponta de Calheta is also a great place to reward your exertions with an evening meal, or even a well-earned cocktail.
3. Long-standing oral traditions state that pioneering explorer Christopher Columbus lived on the island of Porto Santo at one time, and the house where he is said to have lived has now been turned into a museum.  Having arrived in Madeira to work within local sugar-trade dealings, Columbus was married to the daughter of Porto Santo’s first governor, and it is thought that their first child was born on the island.  The Casa Colombo Museu do Porto Santo was opened to the public in 1989, and it provides a glimpse into Columbus’ various explorations and discoveries, exhibiting portraits of Columbus himself, as well as a selection of maps of the various routes that he sailed.
4. The peaks of Porto Santo provide a completely different view of walking in Madeira; found towards the North of the island, the gentle landscapes make for a slightly easier walk, but that does not make it any less beautiful.  Standing at 516 metres, the island’s highest peak is Pico do Facho, a lookout point that was once used in order to spot pirates and warn Madeira of their approach.  Although it is a slightly more arduous climb along a fairly tough walking route, the views from the top of Pico do Facho and some of the surrounding peaks are particularly special additions to walking holidays in Madeira.
5. Designed by Carlos Alfonso, the Quintas das Palmeiras botanical gardens add a splash of colour to a fairly arid area, about 5 kilometres from Vila Baleira.  This oasis is a haven of tranquillity with roses, hibiscuses and many other beautiful plants that will transport you into peace and serenity.  Attached to the garden, you will find a bird-park full of all manner of birds from the modest dove to the eye-catching parrot, all flying free around the park.  A small paradise where you can surround yourself in nature, these gardens are the perfect escape from a busy itinerary

Madeira’s smaller neighbour, Porto Santo, is perhaps the most unspoiled part of the Portugese archipelago.  With the beach stretching as far as the eye can see, you will find complete peace and quiet.  So if you want to enhance your experience of walking in Madeira with a small taste of paradise, be sure to include Porto Santo in your visit.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. On walking holidays in Madeira with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.

A Well-Rounded Experience

Greece is known for its idyllic beauty, ancient architecture, and culture rich in tradition and myth. A trip to the island of Samos needs to incorporate all these aspects, making your holiday a truly Greek experience. From the ancient ruins of Heraion and Pythagoreion, to the fortified monastery of Moni Vronta, to the highest peak of Kerkis Mountain and the sunny beaches of Kokkari, hiking in Samos is the best way to experience the island.

1. A Temple for a Goddess

In a low marshy region in the southern part of Samos, lie the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess, Hera. The Late Archaic Heraion of Samos was the first of the iconic Samos temples to be built.  Today, only one column remains standing, and the ruins are now a World Heritage site.

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Hera was born under a lygos tree. The annual Samian festival celebrates the binding of the image of Hera in lygos branches, a tradition which is still upheld.

This is a great stop when walking in Samos, as the area has a beautiful marshy landscape and it is located in a river basin near the sea.

2. Pythagoreion Paths

Another cultural stopping point when walking in Samos is the Pythagoreion ruins. This is an ancient fortified port, hosting Greek and Roman monuments and the famous Tunnel of Eupalinos, a popular tourist attraction.

The tunnel is 1036m in length, and was built in the 6^th century BC to serve as an aqueduct bringing fresh water into Samos. It was discovered through the writing of Herodotus, without which it may never have been found.

3. A Monastery on the Mountain

Perfect for hiking in Samos, the monastery of Moni Vronta sits high up on a mountain making for spectacular views of the sea and the hilltop village, Vourliotes. This peaceful sanctuary is the perfect stopping point when walking in Samos.

Only one monk still lives in the monastery, but if you knock, either he or one of the soldiers from a nearby post will gladly let you in to look around. Be sure to pay a visit to the ‘spileo’, a cave in the outer wall. The cave forms a chapel, where you can see a collection of ancient objects.

4. The Chalky Cliffs of Kerkis

The highest peak on the island is Vigla, in the Kerkis Mountains. This peak is 1434m high, and is a popular place for hiking in Samos. The mountain has a unique appearance, and the scenery is spectacular. Kerkis is an extinct volcano, and many of the cliff faces are white, due to thigh levels of chalk in the rock.

The mountain is also a sanctuary for endangered plants and animals and is part of a network of the EU’s protected sites, making it a great place to go walking in Samos. Several small monasteries dot the slopes, and there are many caves waiting to be explored. The Cave of Pythagoras can be found here, where Pythagoras is believed to have hidden before being exiled.

5. Coming to Rest on the Kokkari Shore

In an area of pine trees, olive trees and vineyards, walking in Samos is an extremely pleasant activity. Kokkari, on the northern part of the island, is the perfect area to unwind with slow walks as you pick the fruit and enjoy the sunshine.

Hiking in Samos is best enjoyed when you have a place to relax when you’re finished. Kokkari has three beaches. The Long Beach is situated on the waterfront, where you can enjoy walks along the coastline. There are also two secluded and sheltered bays, a great place to stop for a break when walking in Samos.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in Samos at the best value prices.

To complete the entire trail from Glade Wharf to Milford Sound is a four-day trek, but the walking is considered ‘easy’ so can be completed comfortably by any reasonably fit person. The trail can only be taken in one direction and the numbers of walkers is strictly limited in order to protect the delicate and diverse eco-systems which make up this region of New Zealand. Walking over the four days will take you through lush, cloistering beech forests; past crystal clear waterfalls; skirt eerie, other-worldly swamplands; and into granite walled gorges, the sheer faces of which soar up to impressive peaks.

The walk is basically divided into four stages, each of which should be covered in around six hours. Your introduction to the Milford Track will be a launch trip across Lake Te Anau and you will begin your walk from Glade Wharf. Setting off along a gentle meandering trail you cross the Clinton River and continue through the majestic beech forests. For the keen fishermen, the river offers ideal opportunities for trout fishing, a popular pastime made all the more enjoyable by the serene surrounds of New Zealand. Walking alongside the banks of the Clinton River affords spectacular and ever-changing vistas of the region’s peaks and glaciers and your first glimpse of Mackinnon Pass in the distance.

When, after an invigorating few hours walking through the forest, you arrive at Prairie Lakes, it is an almost startling contrast in the landscape, and you may be tempted into the glassy waters for a quick swim. The next leg of the Milford Track, upon re-entering the forest, wends its way across swing bridges and through low scrub before slowly beginning a gradual ascent to Lake Mintaro. From here you will begin your trek up, through, and out of Mackinnon Pass; your reward for your efforts being some of the most magnificent views in New Zealand. Walking beyond the Pass takes you once again into dense forests before encountering the spectacular natural phenomenon of time-worn Bell Rock – not to be missed.

As you reach the designated end of the Milford Track at Sandfly Point, the official sign is draped with abandoned walking boots – a symbolic sight, signifying a challenge set and met by the dedicated walkers.

 

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

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What Kind of Rambler are You?

The Romantic

Style: Consumed; Given to stunned contemplation of the infinite.
Heroes: T.E.Lawrence, Samuel Taylor Coleridge
You cannot be without: Parchment and a quill.
Good companion for a walking holiday?: Only if it need be immortalised in verse.

The Nomad

Style: Stoic; Long-suffering.
Heroes: Moses, The Tuareg of the Sahara interior.
You cannot be without: New horizons.
Good Companion for a walking holiday?: Undoubtedly, though the journey may never end.

The Survivalist

Style: Wary; Self-sufficient
Heroes: Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee, Ray Mears
You cannot be without: A machete.
Good Companion for a walking holiday?: No, for disaster inevitably seeks you out.

The Natural Philosopher

Style: Obsessive; Simultaneously baffled and astonished.
Heroes: Charles Darwin, James Cook
You cannot be without: A rigidly maintained journal.
Good Companion for a walking holiday?: Yes, purely for the Royal Society dinner upon return.

The Captain of Industry

Style: Commanding; Resentfully unconcerned by natural disaster.
Heroes: Richard Branson, Scipione Borghese
You cannot be without: 23 Sherpas to supply your entourage.
Good Companion for a walking holiday?: Absolutely not. Ever.

The Explorer

Style: Audacious; Listless when comfortable.
Heroes: John Cabot, Ferdinand Magellan
You cannot be without: A sextant.
Good Companion for a walking holiday?: Yes, if unfettered by Curs and Blackguards.

The ‘Summiteer’

Style: Perennially in the grip of ‘Summit Fever’; Indefatigable.
Heroes: Reinhold Messner, Richard Bass.
You cannot be without: A flag emblazoned with your face.
Good Companion for a walking holiday?: In no way whatsoever. You stand alone.

Keep your eyes peeled for more observations on the trekking holiday and walking holiday scene, particularly my ‘destinations guide’ for each of these styles coming in a few weeks…

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Both a travel company and a charitable trust, Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays at the best value prices.

What Makes Crete Special

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, covering an area of 3,219 square miles. Its mountainous terrain makes Crete walks a popular activity, and the White Mountains (covered in snow until mid summer) afford spectacular views. Walking in Crete is great at any time of year, with plateaus such as Lasithi, Omalos and Nidha, the Diktaion and Idaion caves, and a number of gorges making for diverse scenery. But it is in spring that this island truly shines, when the already spectacular views become covered in wild flowers.

Plan for Easter

For Cretans, Easter is a grand celebration, and if you’re planning a springtime trip to Crete, the week of Easter is a good time to go. After fasting for 40 days (as is the Cretan tradition), the local people will be preparing to feast and celebrate when Easter comes.

Spit-roasted lamb is prepared over the fire for over 6 hours, as it is cooked to live up to traditional Greek standards. And working off your Easter feast will be easy, with the idea of a Crete walk being so appealing in your beautiful surroundings! Most villages will have an Easter fire, and the churches will be decorated with wild spring flowers.

Floral Wanders

Walking in Crete truly is spectacular in springtime, with over 2 000 species of flowers in bloom, 150 of them being endemic. The whole island appears to blossom, with the mountains, plains, woods and even the seashore being covered in wild flowers. Poppies, daisies, irises, tulips, orchids and hyacinths (to name but a few), will line your path as you wander the countryside on your Crete walks. And herbs such as thyme, sage and rosemary will scent the air.

Cretan Countryside

There is no shortage of scenic spots on the island, with diverse landscapes allowing for different levels of walking in Crete. Chania, in the western region of the island, is particularly beautiful in spring and boasts exceptional scenery. The Samaria Gorge is located here, and it opens for visitors at the beginning of May.

The gorge is 16km in length, with vertical cliffs reaching 500m. Covering the gorge are rare types of Cretan flora, with the cypress, pine tree, dittany and wild flower found in this area. This gorge is also the natural habitat of the wild goat and kri kri, adding beauty and interest to your experience of walking in Crete.

Other gorges worth visiting in the area are the gorges of Agia Irene, Stakia and Topolia. Agia Irene is rich in vegetation, and Topolia is magnificently wild. Both offer great views of the wild flowers, and are beautiful in springtime.

On a Crete walk, you can also explore the many caves that dot the shoreline, or visit the Kentis Valley where you can wander through the orange and lemon groves. A highlight of the area is sure to be the White Mountains (so named for their almost permanent snowy tops), where a very rocky landscape is covered in low bushes and wildflowers with a backdrop of snowy peaks.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in Crete at the best value prices.

France is a classic walking holiday destination. Located just a short hop across the English Channel, France’s diverse countryside includes Mediterranean coastline, beautiful valleys, lush wine lands and the highest mountains in Western Europe. The cities can be just as attractive to explore as the countryside, with regional capitals such as Avignon and Dijon providing numerous architectural delights to enjoy on a walking tour.

Whether you want a tough walk through rugged mountain landscapes or a gentle stroll through the most picturesque parts of the country, here are some of the best regions to visit on a walking holiday in France…

The Loire Valley

‘The Garden of France’ is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and is understandably a popular choice for walking holidays in France. The Loire River itself meanders through rolling hills, lush landscapes and a seemingly endless succession of glorious 18^th century chateaux. Walkers and cyclists can follow the river itself or explore dozens of routes off the river into the heart of the Loire Valley.

The Alps

For anyone looking for high mountain adventure on their French walking holiday, the Alps is the place to go. Skiers dominate the region during the winter, but during the summer months the Alps become a Mecca for climbers and hikers from all over the globe. With some routes, such as the Tour du Mont Blanc and the Haute Route, regarded as being amongst the finest trekking routes in the world, this is an essential destination for European adventurers.

Provence

Provence features an enviable mixture of scenery – a spectacular coastline, sun drenched fields of wild flowers overlooked by mountains, and some beautiful historic towns. The countryside has inspired numerous artists, most notably Cezanne, and if your French walking holiday takes you to Provence, you can alternate between visits to the stunning countryside and fascinating towns such as Avignon, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence.

Burgundy

Wine lovers who want to combine a French walking holiday with the opportunity to sample some of the country’s finest vintages will inevitably be drawn to Burgundy. The region is justly famed as the heart of wine production in France, and a walking holiday here is likely to spend plenty of time exploring the beautiful landscapes around the vineyards. The regional capital, Dijon, is another highlight, with stunning architecture that is a delight to explore on foot.

The Cote d’Azur

Also known as the French Riviera, the Cote d’Azur is the finest stretch of coastline in France and is the natural destination of choice if you are looking to combine coastal walks with blazing sunshine. Picturesque Nice is an essential place to visit, and the numerous gardens, such as those found at La Villa Ephrusi de Rothschild and the Gardens of Eze, are a real highlight of the region.

Brittany

Brittany sometimes feels like an entirely different country within France, with its own language, unique culture and individual history. It also features some spectacular walking country, with the rocky coastline a real pleasure to explore on a French walking holiday. Don’t miss out on the spectacular Abbey at Mont-St-Michel, perched dramatically above the sea and accessible only at low tide.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays in France at the best value prices.

Europe is blessed with some of the finest walking country in the world, and millions of people travel to the great valleys and mountain ranges on the continent every year. Of course, great trekking isn’t confined to the continent – there’s plenty of outstanding walking to be done in the UK, with the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Peak District offering spectacular peaks to climb and routes to traverse. But if you are itching to leave the familiar behind and experience some of Europe’s finest scenery, here are six of the best routes and destinations for walking holidays in Continental Europe…

Le Tour Du Mont Blanc

Le Tour Du Mont Blanc is a truly stunning walking holiday, an epic 100 mile circumnavigation of the Mont Blanc Massif. It is one of the most famous and popular walks in Europe, taking in high mountain passes, dramatic valley walking and some truly stunning vistas of the major peaks whilst enjoying the hospitality of the Alpine huts along the way. It typically takes two weeks to walk, and while not technically challenging it does demand a good level of fitness and mountain walking experience.

The Haute Route

The other classic route through the Alps, The Haute Route (or “High Route”), stretches from Chamonix to Zermatt, beginning in the shadow on Mont Blanc and ending at the foot of the Matterhorn. With many climbs to high passes it isn’t for the fainthearted or inexperienced, but it is one of the most challenging and exciting European trekking holidays. Alternate routes that avoid the glacier crossings are also available.

The Lycian Way

For those who prefer coasts and culture to high mountain adventure, the Lycian Way in Turkey is the perfect walking holiday. This coastal route runs from Fethiye to Antalya, and offers a splendid mixture of beautiful landscapes (cedar forests, pasturelands, and rocky mountain routes) and ancient archaeological sites, including the sunken city at Kekova.

The Dordogne Valley

Located in the South West of France, the Dordogne valley is one of France’s national treasures, and is home to one of the country’s great walking holidays. The valley is rich in natural splendour, with forests, limestone cliffs and the great river of the Dordogne itself, and the region is peppered with charming traditional towns and medieval castles. There are also many old cave paintings and prehistoric sites in the Dordogne, along with an excellent museum in Les Eyzies.

The Dolomites

While the Alps may be the most famous mountain range for walking holidays, the Dolomites offer a completely different experience – dramatic limestone pillars, glaciers and lunar plateaux stand above rolling meadows filled with wild flowers, and the many routes in and around the Dolomites provide some of the best unspoilt walking to be had in Europe.

The Mountains of Sardinia

Known as “the land of silence”, the Italian island of Sardinia offers some of the most remote and peaceful routes for a European walking holiday. The ancient mountain ranges in the north of the island offer visitors stunning walking through the gorges and ridges, as well as the chance to see prehistoric monuments of the Nuraghi people. The perfect weather, friendly island culture, and stunning scenery make Sardinia an ideal destination for a relaxing walking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Both a travel company and a charitable trust, Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays at the best value prices.

Formed of volcanic rock that has been cut away over time by the River Colca, the Colca Canyon ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 metres – more than twice the depth of America’s famous Grand Canyon.  However, unlike the Grand Canyon, parts of the 100 kilometre long Peruvian canyon are habitable, and have long been home to both animals and humans.

The Andean Condor

One of the main attractions of the Colca Canyon is undoubtedly the Andean Condor.  The population of this bird of prey is unfortunately dwindling and a visit to the canyon is the best way to ensure that you don’t miss seeing this national symbol during your walking holiday in Peru.  Condors hunt both in the early morning and late in the afternoon, and Cruz del Condor is well reputed as the best place to observe them as they soar gracefully on the thermal winds that blow up through the canyon, searching for carrion to eat.  Whether you are an avid bird watcher or not, catch a glimpse of the Condor and you will be struck by their effortless elegance.

La Calera Hot Springs

In a volcanic area such as the Andes, there is often an abundance of hot, thermal springs – the perfect way to unwind after a day’s hiking.  Peru is no exception to this rule and within the Colca Canyon, you will find the sacred La Calera hot springs.  Situated just a few kilometres outside of Chivay, La Calera hot springs have both indoor and outdoor pools, with water temperatures of around 38 degrees Centigrade.  Find yourself bathing by a water inlet however, and you’ll be able to make the most of the water as it first enters the pool at 50 degrees Centigrade.  The water in these springs is said to have curative properties, and a good long soak will leave you feeling refreshed and more than ready to face the rest of your walking holiday in Peru.

Toro Muerto Cemetery

On the way to one of the deepest points of the canyon, you will come across the Toro Muerto Cemetery – final resting place of the Wari Indians.  The Wari Indians were buried in the foetal position as was tradition in ancient Peru, as they believed that man should exit this world in the same way that they entered.  However, it remains a mystery to this day how the burial party succeeded in navigating a cemetery that is built into the steep cliff side of the canyon.  Attempt to puzzle this out as you take a wander through the area, steeped in mystery and intrigue.

For anyone who enjoys walking holidays, Peru is a fantastic choice; it’s varied landscapes of volcanoes and peaks making every day a new adventure.  The Colca Canyon, with its enormous depth, its diversity of wildlife and people, and its natural beauty, is certainly an adventure not to be missed.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. On walking holidays in Peru with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.

What do you need to pack for a walking holiday in France? This is what Robert Louis Stevenson pondered before undertaking his adventure. He settled on the fail-safe combination of a frying pan to be fried, a whip with egg, a sleeping bag, cooked gigot, a spirit lamp, a bottle of Beaujolais and a bottle of brandy.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s French walking holiday took 12 days, although he often stopped for half days en-route to write up his journals and swig from his bottle of brandy. It should therefore be possible to follow the same route on a nine day walking holiday in France.

Despite the fact that Stevenson’s book is entitled ‘Travels With a Donkey in the Cevennes’ he actually started his French walking holiday in the Velay region of France. The town of Le Puy en Velay was where he began his travels, and it’s also one of the main towns on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route to visit the shrine of St James. Stevenson started his adventures here as he was keen to visit the spectacular volcanic puys of the region. With Darwin’s theories recently emerging, volcanic cones were considered evidence that the Earth had been around much longer than it was originally thought. Robert Louis Stevenson considered himself an atheist and visited these puys to witness evidence against the literal and fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible.

As well as his atheist beliefs, Robert Louis Stevenson was also fascinated by the Cevenols, descendants of the Camisards who fought and were persecuted after the revocation of the edict of Nantes. He hoped this walking holiday in France would put him into contact with these noble people.

After a month’s stay in Velay, Stevenson set off on his French walking holiday from the town of La Monastier Sur Gazelle with his lone companion, Mondestine, a stubborn and temperamental donkey, who occasionally carried Stevenson’s baggage. You will find on your French walking holiday that the first day’s walk is anything but flat; the upper Loire Valley is gouged deep into the plateau and the descent into the valley at Goudet is quite steep. The second day is a lot more leisurely as you continue across volcanic plateaux via the market town of Landos.

The next region is the Gevaudan area, known as the region of the beast, which giant man-eating wolves are said to frequent. Stevenson wrote about these wolves in ‘Travels With a Donkey in the Cevennes’, and claimed to have spotted at least one of these fabled animals on his French walking holiday.

The next highlight is the region of Mont Lozère, where yellow broom announce the start of the earth’s climatic cycle, and are later replaced by the violet heather and blue myrtles of late summer. The summit of Finiels is a hiker’s paradise, from where the Alps or the Pyrenees are visible on a clear day.

The Cevennes make up the fourth region of your walking holiday in France. These rolling mountains dart between chestnut forests and refreshing riverbeds, before clambering up to tree-covered summits.

After Saint-Germain, the trail follows the Gardon valley and after Saint-Etienne Vallée Française, the path climbs towards Saint-Pierre pass, where Modestine and Stevenson had their last meal together. The market town of St Jean marks the end of a memorable walking holiday in France, whether you have a donkey to carry your luggage or not.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays in France at the best value prices.

Five Iconic Ramblers

5. William Wordsworth

Average time spent on a trekking holiday?: A Sabbatical Year

If ever there were a peculiarly English dedication to rambling, it was embodied in the life of William Wordsworth. Famously living in Grasmere in the heart of the Lake District, he would compose poetry and prose while hiking the north of England alongside intimate contemporary S.T.Coleridge. He famously spent his twentieth year on a grand European holiday, walking extensively throughout the alpine regions and crossing the Simplon Pass.

4. Bilbo Baggins

Average time spent on a trekking holiday?: One Adventurous Year

Though an extremely unwilling rambler, Bilbo can be said to be one of the most accomplished in literature. Despite his diminutive size, mild manner and perennial hunger for home comforts he travels far from his verdant homeland to the dark forest of Mirkwood, the land of the Elves and on to the Lonely Mountain; spending much of this time separated from his companions. A tremendous achievement for any Hobbit, and an adventure that lays the foundation for the trials of his adopted ward Frodo in The Lord of the Rings.

3. Grendel

Average time spent on a trekking holiday?: Unknown

“…from the moorland, by misty crags, with God’s wrath laden, Grendel came”… Though very little is revealed of Grendel in the classic Beowulf, we are told that both he and his mother are descendents of Cain, who himself was cursed to wander the world in repentance for the murder of his brother Abel. Presumably the monstrous Grendel shares the same fate, and so who could put a figure on the extent of his travels? What we can be certain of is that he would make an extremely poor partner for a walking holiday.

2. Charles Darwin

Average time spent on a trekking holiday?: Five Revelatory Years

The voyage of the Beagle, immortalised in the text of the same name, lasted five years from 1831 to 1836. While Captain Fitzroy and the vessel spent the majority of that period mapping coastlines, Darwin, who was serving as a naturalist to the expedition, spent much of his time on land observing and categorising creatures from all across the Southern Hemisphere. As one might expect this was far from a holiday, walking great distances being a daily task. From these years of diligent labour was born the theory of evolution and a sea change in the philosophical history of Man.

1. Ranulph Fiennes

Average time spent on a trekking holiday?: One Week to Three Years

Among this remarkable man’s achievements are; travelling up the length of the white Nile by hovercraft, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, and travelling from one pole of the earth to the other by land. He has also taken part in various expeditions to climb Everest and several solo and unsupported attempts to reach the poles. Familiar with every one of the harshest environments on the planet, there can be few people in history that have seen so much or travelled so far.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. A long-established and highly respected company, they have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays at the best value prices.

Walking in Italy doesn’t usually conjure up images of a peaceful city break sauntering around the sites of Rome, but there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the case.  The term ‘flaneuring’ was coined by Charles Baudelaire in 1917 and is defined as’ a person who walks a city in order to experience it’. With ancient history and Roman architecture around almost every corner in Rome, there has never been a more apt city to ‘flaneur’.

An ‘Angels and Demons’ themed walk is a beautiful and unique way to see the main sites of Rome and whilst many tour companies offer themed tours there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go it alone.

Earth

The first stop on our walk in Italy is the Church of Santa Maria Del Popolo, a notable Augustinian Church which stands to the north side of the Piazza Del Popolo. The church has five smaller chapels located inside and the most notable of these is The Chigi Chapel. This features in ‘Angels and Demons’ as the element of earth and here the statue of Habakkuk and the Angel point out the path of illumination. The skeleton cupermiento covers the subterranean crypt, and a demon’s hole where the first Cardinal is found murdered inside the book.

Air

The second element mentioned in ‘Angels and Demon’s’ is air and the next stop on our walk in Italy is St. Peter’s Church and square.

The site is famous for being the largest Christian church in the world and the lavish piazza commissioned by Bernini has the effect of humbling all those that visit it. The church features the beautiful Papal altar with a golden coffer surrounded by ninety-nine glowing oil lamps which are said to burn until the end of time.

Fire

The fourth Cardinal in the book is hung by incensor cables and burnt alive in the Santa Maria della Vittoria, the next stop on our walk in Italy. This church is notable for featuring the beautiful and astonishing Ecstasy of St. Teresa, which was also designed by Bernini. At the time the statue was built it was described as the “most unfit ornament to be placed in a Christian Church’ and deemed pornographic.

Water

The beautiful and intricately designed Fountain of Four Waters located at Piazza Navona is the final stop on your Angels and Demons tour. The piazza was once a stadium built by order of Emperor Domitian, but is now one of the most peculiar squares you’ll encounter on a walk in Italy. In the middle of the piazza is Bernini’s tribute to water with the four male figures portraying the four continents where the Catholic Religion had spread at the time the fountain was commissioned in 1650, and, of course, the four most important rivers of the Old World: the Rio della Plata, the Nile, Ganges and Danube.

In the film these locations make up the ‘Four Altars of Science’ and are believed to hold the key to the meeting place of the Illuminati. However, even if you’re not a fan of Dan Brown’s books these sites should be experienced, even if for nothing other than the sheer beauty of their ancient architecture.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. A long-established and highly respected company, they have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. Their dedication to quality and experience of all things related to walking in Italy make them a superb choice for the discerning traveller.

On a UK walking holiday around Wiltshire you will encounter a number of white horses cut into the landscape. This practice is known as ‘leucippotomy’ and has been practised in England since prehistoric times. Although the white horse has long been considered mythical, it is debated what the significance of this equine mammal placed upon a hilltop is. Some believe that the horses were simply carved to commemorate historical occasions whilst mystics believe that they hold much stronger significance, however after viewing these carvings whilst walking in England you will be able to decide for yourself.

The White Horse Trail, which opened in 1999 as part of a Millennium Project, is home to eight very different chalk horses. The oldest of these is the Westbury White Horse, and although the original date of its carving has been lost with history, we do know that it was restored in 1778. Many historians associate the symbol of the white horse with the house of Hannover, believing that the horse was carved in the 18^th century as a symbol of loyalty to the reigning monarch.

Whatever the reason for its existence, walking in England’s ‘Trail of the White Horses’ is definitely a unique way in which to spend a UK hiking holiday. Most of the 92 mile trails take place in designated areas of natural beauty, incorporating older trails, such as The Ridgeway, which is believed to be the oldest road in Europe. The White Horse Trail also takes in the pretty Kennett and Avon towpath, including the famous flight of 29 locks at Caen Hill in Devizes.

You will come across many quintessential British towns during your UK walking holiday a number of which contain a white horse of their very own. An example of this is the Preshute Horse, located near to the town of Marlborough. The horse was designed by a student at a local school in 1802, a number of years before Marlborough College first opened in 1843. However, the private school, whose alumni include John Betjeman, Kate Middleton and Chris De Burgh, is now responsible for the upkeep of the smallest of the Wiltshire white horses.

The Marlborough horse may be considered modern, when compared with the Bronze Age carving of the Uffington White Horse in Berkshire, but it has nothing on the Devizes White Horse which was only carved recently in 1999, to commemorate the opening of the Millennium Trail. However, whilst walking in England you will discover little evidence of the true age of the Devizes Horse, as there is very little which sets it apart from its older counterparts. Devizes latest addition was suggested by a newcomer to the village in 1998, who had no prior knowledge that a chalk horse originally stood in a spot less than half a mile away. Some 200 local volunteers took part in cutting the outline of the figurine, failing to be halted by the torrential rain and gales which threatened to put a damper on the joyous community event.

With more than half a dozen historic horses to spot on the White Horse Trail you’re sure to have an excellent time on your UK walking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Part of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, who have been operating since 1946, they are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in England at the best value prices.

“What Kind of Rambler are You?” Part 2: Destinations.

The Romantic

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: The Alps.

After months of reading poetry by candlelight in the coffee houses of Vienna you leave your home in March, borne by the winds of an early Spring. What starts as a sabbatical soon evolves into a trekking holiday to be recounted through the ages. Making your way up the spine of the Austrian Alps you make slow progress marching to a rhythm of Petrarchan Sonnets and stopping every time you fail to find a rhyme for the word ‘Lush’. Months later, having arrived in Switzerland while hunting for Edelweiss, you stumble upon Lake Geneva determined to complete Shelley’s unfinished poem ‘The Triumph of Life’ before the winter cold aggravates your consumption.

The Nomad

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: Western Australia.

Your travelling companions awake on their first day in Perth to discover you missing, but your backpack and clothes still present. They search for you in vain until a month later you return, naked and sun-browned, with the sands of the Gibson desert between your toes. You respond to their anxious questions with nothing but a smile and the offer of a Wichetty grub.

The Survivalist

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: The Kamchatka peninsula.

Tempted by rumours of Bears, Wolves and Lynx in an isolated volcanic area the size of Spain, you board the first cargo ship for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. You buy an old Soviet 4×4 that runs on a grade of diesel you don’t recognise and drive north without a map. Breaking down 700km from the nearest town you spend your holiday walking back to civilization, unsure of your chances. Perfect.

The Natural Philosopher

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: Ecuadorian Highlands to the Galápagos.

With well-thumbed copies of The Lost World and On the Origin of the Species in your satchel you spend a month wandering the lush Ecuadorian highlands. You stalk the Imperial Snipe by day and smoke a cheroot by night, gazing into the embers of the fire and philosophizing in broken Spanish. You reach the coast and, eventually, the Galápagos. After trying to make a name for yourself by debunking Darwin you realise he was probably right and content yourself with serialising your travel journal to ensure your fame.

The Captain of Industry

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: Canada’s North-West Territories.

Sparing less expense than Hannibal, you and your 400-man expedition leave Calgary aiming to discover reserves of oil, gold and diamonds revealed by retreating ice sheets. Unfortunately you leave at the end of autumn and find yourself waylaid by an impenetrable winter. Heading west you’re overwhelmed by the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and decide to abandon your previous plans, founding a ski resort instead.

The Explorer

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: Madagascar’s Rainforests.

You’re shipwrecked on the shores of Madagascar while trying to find the Chagos Islands. Believing yourself to be on the East African coast you head inland. Upon reaching the sea in a matter of weeks you’re overjoyed to realise that you have in fact trekked through Madagascar’s virgin rainforest and have inadvertently secured a place in the history books.

The ‘Summiteer’

Perfect destination for a walking holiday?: The Patagonian Andes.

What begins as a trekking holiday with friends soon becomes a feverish pursuit of new heights as you realise how many of the peaks are unnamed and untouched. While your travel mates walk through the Argentine Lake District, enjoying the serenity and beauty of the glacial landscapes, you test your limits in a carnival of ambition, endurance and frostbite.

Wherever you spend your holiday, walking, hiking or otherwise, make sure you choose the right location and you’re bound for the experience of a lifetime.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Both a travel company and a charitable trust, Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays at the best value prices.

A UK hiking holiday could encompass climbing the highest peaks of all four countries in the United Kingdom, giving you an overall view of the area, and a knowledge of the geography and environment in each region. All four countries are popular destinations for holiday-makers interested in hiking and the outdoors, and reaching their peaks is well worth the effort.

Reaching the UK’s Highest Peak in Scotland

Ben Nevis is the highest peak both in Scotland and in the UK, with its highest point being 1344m. Of the eight UK peaks over 1200m,  this mountain range is home to three, with Ben Nevis’ neighbours, Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag both falling into this group. This makes the whole region great for a UK hiking holiday, with beautiful mountain ranges covering the area.

Home to the longest and steepest hill in the whole of the UK, Ben Nevis’ western and southern flanks rise about 1200m in 2km. This makes for challenging United Kingdom hiking, if you attempt to ascend the mountain from this angle. The northern side of Ben Nevis sees cliffs dropping 600m, to a corrie containing the Charles Inglis Memorial Hut, a private hut often used as a base for many of the climbing routes.

This igneous mountain range is probably the best place in Scotland if it’s a walking holiday in the UK you’re after, with beautiful scenery as well as challenging peaks for those looking for a more active holiday.

Welsh Walking

Wales is an enchanting area for a UK walking holiday, with many interesting birds and plants populating the country.  Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon, is 1085m high, and is known for being one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Shaped like a starfish, Snowdon has six ridges, each with their own characteristics and geological build.

The mountain boasts some of the most spectacular views you will see on your United Kingdom hiking experience, with a number of different scenery types. If you’re willing to engage in some complicated scrambling, you have the opportunity to see glaciated valleys high up near Snowdon’s peak. When standing on the actual summit, you will see ancient fossils, and interesting volcanic rock formations can be found all over the mountain.

Your UK hiking holiday will be even better, with a number of rare species of flowers and insects being found in this region. One of the most fascinating plants is the insectivorous Sundew, which traps its prey on sticky droplets before devouring them. The beautiful and rare yellow four-petalled Tormentil can also be found here, and ravens and white-bottomed wheatears soar through the skies.

Scaling Scafell Pike

England’s highest peak is Scafell Pike, being 978m tall. It is situated in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, an area known for being one of the best UK walking holiday destinations. Being in such a beautiful destination, this mountain can only be great for United Kingdom hiking.

It is a very popular hiking destination on weekends, with a relatively easy route available from Wasdale Head. For a more taxing hike with exceptional scenery, the route from Seathwaite Farm is know for its beauty, and is one of the best trails for United Kingdom hiking.

Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountain range is home to Northern Ireland’s highest peak, Slieve Donard (849m). Situated in the southeastern region of Northern Ireland, this is among the most famous mountains in the country, and an ideal place for a UK hiking holiday.

The Mournes consist of 35km of dry-stone wall, crossing a total of fifteen summits. The area is scenically very beautiful, and heather, bog cotton, harebell, heath spotted orchids and Marsh St John’s wort are all found in the area. Sheep graze high in the mountain tops, and ravens, buzzards and peregrine falcons patrol the skies. With so much wildlife in the area, it is the perfect place for United Kingdom hiking.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. They are dedicated to providing the very finest United Kingdom hiking holidays at the best value prices.

If you should choose to tackle the Lycian Way whilst on your Turkey walking holiday, you will be in for beautiful and inspiring trip. From the thick forests and jagged coastline of Kas, to the small island of Kekova and the challenging stretch of the walk in Kemer, the Lycian Way will afford exceptionally beautiful views.

Kas

Kas is a small town on the southern part of Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline, and the surrounding area lends itself to being explored. Kas is set at the foot of a mountain range facing the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and this small fishing town comprises a mix of both ancient and modern architecture, allowing it to retain its ‘old fishing town’ feel. It makes an ideal base for Turkey walks, with the quaint town and comfortable accommodation creating a welcoming atmosphere to return to after a day out walking.

Your walks in the surrounding area can lead you up to the cliff tombs, or to the ancient sites of old Lycian cities. If you feel like visiting a beach or two, some beautiful pebbly beaches provide desirable spots for gazing out at the Mediterranean Sea whilst on a walking holiday in Turkey.

Finike and Kekova

As your make your way along the Lycian Way to Finike, a great stopping point for a Turkey walking holiday is the island of Kekova, where you will find the ruins an ancient sunken city. This is one of the most beautiful regions in Turkey, and was declared a protected area in 1990. The offshore area of the ancient sunken city is fascinating to view, where half-submerged ruins line the island’s shore. In the 2^nd century AD, an earthquake caused part of the land to become submerged, and houses’ staircases can be seen leading down into the water.

Finike is a sleepy fishing town, and its most desirable asset must surely be its exquisite white pebbly beaches. With a number of fascinating ancient sites situated close by, you won’t be lacking in places to explore whilst based in Finike on your walking holiday in Turkey.

Kemer

Based in Kemer, you will experience the most challenging part of your Lycian Way walk. Your Turkey walking holiday in this destination will lead you around the footpaths of Tahtali Mountain, which is 2360m at its highest peak. Situated so close to the sea, you can expect some beautiful and diverse scenery in this mountainous region on your Turkey walk. The lower regions of the mountain are covered in forest, turning into rocky terrain at about 1800m above sea level.

The Lycian Way is the perfect route to choose for a Turkey walk, as it covers a range of different terrains and scenic locations, providing you with a combination of cultural, historic and beautiful stretches of walk.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest walking holidays in Turkey at the best value prices.

The birthplace of opera, Italy is well known for its classical music. The piano and violin were invented in Italy, and the influence of Italian composers is notable, with their development of musical forms such as the symphony, concerto and sonata, establishing the foundation for centuries of musical development.

The home towns of each classical composer have a long musical heritage, and you can get a feel for the musical atmosphere of each town by visiting them on a walking holiday in Italy. Stroll through the streets as you learn about its musical mysteries, and if you’re lucky, you might get a chance to see some live performances.

Venice and Vivaldi

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born in Venice in 1678. During this time, opera was the most popular music form, inspiring much of Vivaldi’s bold works and resulting in his many operatic compositions. Walking in Italy, particularly in Venice, will allow you to see the grand Baroque architecture of the time to which this music belongs.

Vivaldi’s father, Giovanni Battista, taught him how to play the violin. Finding musical inspiration in walking in Italy, they toured together performing for locals. Walks in Italy will allow you to tread in their footsteps, as you make your way around this musical country.

Scarlatti’s Operas in Palermo

Scarlatti was born in 1660, in Palermo. Walking in Italy is particularly beautiful in the south, where Palermo lies. Scarlatti’s musical influence extends from the south to Rome, where he studied under Giacomo Carissimi. Rome is one of the best cities for a walking holiday in Italy, and a stop in this city will not only give you insight into Scarlatti’s music, but also into its ancient history.

Scarlatti’s sister was an opera singer, and he composed many operas inspired by her singing. Some of his finest works were produced at the Teatro Capranica in Rome, one of the city’s most famous opera houses. On a walking holiday in Italy, visiting these musically noteworthy sites is a must.

Touring Genoa and Parma with Paganini

Niccolo Paganini was born in Genoa in 1782. He is known as a pillar of modern violin technique, with his Caprice in A minor being inspirational to many composers. Listening to the country’s music when walking in Italy will give you some indication of Paganini’s influence on its musical development.

Growing up, Paganini sought musical guidance from Paer and Ghiretti in Genoa. He then spent many years touring through the area, performing frequently and gaining local support. But it was not until 1813 that he began to receive recognition across Europe. His concert at La Scala in Milan was hugely successful, spreading his name across the continent. Walks in Italy can lead you in this composer’s footsteps, from Genoa and Parma to the exciting city of Milan.

Verdi’s Opera’s in Busseto

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was born in 1813 in Le Roncole, a small village just outside of Busseto. Known primarily for his operas, Verdi’s works have had great influence all over the world. Hum the tune of ‘La donna e mobile’ on a walking holiday in Italy, as you wander through the towns and footpaths once trodden by this great composer.

Later in his life, Verdi moved to Milan, a musical centre at the time. His operas are still performed all over Europe today, and are pillars of excellence for classical operatic composition. When walking in Italy, you could enjoy an evening of opera at one of the many theatres performing Verdi’s works.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest holidays walking in Italy at the best value prices.

#1 The White Horses of Wiltshire

Allow this historical UK walking holiday to take you along the ancient paths of the Marlborough Downs. This fascinating part of English countryside is home to the eight white horses of Wiltshire, etched into the hillside and visible from the footpaths. This unique UK hiking holiday will take you through archaeological sites, making for some historical sightseeing in a beautiful location.

#2 Land’s End and Cape Cornwall

This coastal walk in England provides some exceptional scenery, with dramatic cliffs, remote lighthouses and pretty little fishing villages lining your way on this 44 mile hike. The walk will lead you from Penzance to St Ives, a beautiful route perfect for UK hiking holidays.

#3 St Cuthbert’s Way or Northumberland’s Heritage

This peaceful 44 mile walk follows in the footsteps of St Cuthbert, a saint known for his inspired appreciation of nature. You can use the beautiful scenery from Melrose on the Scottish Borders to Lindisfarne, Holy Island, to contemplate and reflect whilst on your UK walking holiday.

#4 Northumberland: England’s Last Wilderness

Take a walk on the wild side on your UK walking holiday, in the beautiful, unspoilt area of North Tyndale. Wander through the moor lands of Pennine Way and though the tranquil north Tyne Valley, as you take in the beautiful English countryside.

#5 South Downs Coast

From gentle to more challenging walking, England’s South Downs area is ideal for UK hiking holidays. This beautiful route will guide through the battlefields of times gone by, along the coast and Pevensey Levels, and through the green hills of the Weald and South Downs.

#6 Discover Dartmoor

This striking region promises great UK walking holidays, where the open moors and the granite tors constitute superb scenery. Based in Mortonhampstead, you can explore this region, along with its legends and history, on your UK walking holiday.

#7 Skipton – The Gateway to the Dales

Discover the Yorkshire Dales on a wild, green and ultimately very beautiful UK hiking holiday. Bronté’s favourite moor land walks await you, alongside the walk through Lady Anne’s Way to Grassington.

#8 Matlock Bath – The Best of the Peak District

Based in the spa town of Matlock, walking in England will be relaxing in this region. Admire the beauty of the Peak District National Park, the rolling hills and dramatic rock formations. Stroll through the quaint English towns of Bakewell and Ashford-in-Water, and tackle the ascent to the top of the rock precipice, High Tor.

#9 Hassness: The Lake District

Walking in England may well reach its peak in the Lake District, with its beauty and scenery being uncontested. Loved by the great Alfred Wainwright, you can experience the region that so inspired him on your UK hiking holiday.

#10 Hadrian’s Wall National Trail: A Roman Frontier

Walk along the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail and enjoy easy walking along this World Heritage Site. Starting near Heddon on the Wall, you will begin your 66 mile UK hiking holiday finishing at Bowness on Solway Firth.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Countrywide have been operating since 1946 are dedicated to providing the very finest UK walking holidays at the best value prices.

Cornwall: A Breeding Ground for Celtic Saints

For some reason or other, a large proportion of saints appear to come from Cornwall. This may have something to do with the region’s history of Celtic missionaries in the area, although not many of these men were actually canonised. Perhaps the area just has a propensity for converting sinners into saints, and you will return from an English walking break in the area holier than ever.

In the 5^th and 6^th centuries Celtic missionaries began arriving from Ireland and Wales, and started to convert the local people to Christianity. The story of their arrival is enveloped in myth and legend, with stories of these men sailing across the sea on flimsy leaves, having been passed down through the generations.

On arrival, they were challenged by the great giants of Cornwall, where they fought their foes and, with a little divine intervention, were victorious over their towering opponents. When on a walking holiday in the UK, this region is particularly interesting to visit, as you can discover these stories as you stroll the paths once trodden by the saints themselves.

Celtic Saints Sail to Cornwall

The stories of how the saints sailed to Cornwall are intriguing in themselves. St Budoc braved the stormy seas bobbing across in a barrel, while St Piran made the swim using a millstone as a floating device. It is not recommended that you attempt this feat should you go to the region on an English walking break.

St Ia (the founder of St Ives) and St Fingar were perhaps the most impressive of all, as they sailed across the waters on leaves. A UK walking holiday will see you traversing their paths, and could perhaps turn out to be a spiritually enlightening experience.

A Saint for Tin-Miners

St Piran is the patron saint of tin-miners. He sailed to Penhale Sands with a millstone hung around his neck. It is said that he was thrown off an Irish cliff with the stone, and as he hit the water’s surface, the waves ceased and he floated on the stone to Penhale.

He is known as the tin-miner’s patron saint because he stumbled across the method for making white tin while sitting at the fireside one evening. The heat from the fire cracked open a hearthstone, revealing the shining white tin inside. Retread the path of this patron saint on your English walking break, as you wander through Penhale Sands, where St Piran is reputed to have lived.

St Piran died when he was 300 years old, one night when he was suffering the effects of inebriation and fell down a well!

Cornwall’s Official Saint

St Petroc is the official patron saint of Cornwall, arriving from Wales in AD 540. As legend has it, he rid Cornwall of its last dragon, saving the region from its fiery wrath, and making it safe for your UK walking holidays. He also is said to have turned water into nectar, and converted Constantine to Christianity.

In Bodmin and Padstow, where St Petroc first landed, he established two monasteries. A wander through the region on your English walking break would be well worthwhile, as you follow in the footsteps of this spiritual man.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. They are dedicated to providing the very finest English walking breaks at the best value prices.

George Mallory

One of the heroes of the climbing world, and perhaps the most famous mountaineer of all, Englishman George Mallory became famous for a series of unsuccessful (and ultimately tragic) attempts to summit Mount Everest (8848m) in the 1920’s. In what became a burning obsession, Mallory led three attempts on the summit. On the third attempt, on the 8th June 1924 he, and his climbing partner Andrew Irvine, disappeared somewhere on the slopes of Everest. Fierce debate has raged ever since as to whether or not Mallory and Irvine made it to the summit before they died. His famous quote (”Because it is there”, in response to a journalist asking why he wished to climb Everest) has inspired countless mountain lovers on their trekking holidays and climbing expeditions ever since.

Maurice Herzog

In 1950, French mountaineer Maurice Herzog made history by being the first person to successfully summit a peak over eight thousand metres above sea level – Annapurna I (8091m). He lost his gloves on the way up, and the terrible weather on the descent almost claimed the life of Herzog and his fellow climbers. Frostbite cost him most of his fingers and toes, but he managed to make it down alive. His book of the experience, Annapurna, became a massive best seller and trekking holidays in and around the Annapurna massif are hugely popular today – but only a few elite climbers have repeated Herzog’s feat and made it to the top of Annapurna I.

Sir Edmund Hillary

While a trekking holiday to Everest Base Camp is within the capabilities of most fit hikers, the summit of the world’s highest mountain eluded mountaineers for decades. New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary will forever be famous, alongside his climbing partner Sherpa Tenzing, for being one of the first men to finally make it to the top of the mountain in 1953.

Reinhold Messner

Reinhold Messner’s biography reads like a list of mountaineering records and world firsts. Born in Italy in 1944, he was one of the first two people to make a successful ascent of Mount Everest without bottled oxygen, the first person to make a solo ascent of Everest (also without oxygen), the first climber to successfully summit all fourteen eight-thousanders, and so on. In terms of raw achievement, Messner can be considered to be the world’s greatest mountaineer, living or dead.

Joe Simpson

Joe Simpson has become a modern day mountaineering hero due to a near death experience in 1985 in the Peruvian Andes. While attempting to climb the west face of Siula Grande (6344m), a route that had never been successfully attempted, he first broke his leg, then fell down a crevasse after his partner was forced to cut the rope connecting them. Astonishingly, despite suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and the severe pain of his broken leg, after three and a half days he managed to crawl back to their base camp to be rescued. His book of the experience, Touching the Void, has become one of the contemporary classics of mountaineering literature, and was recently made into an award winning documentary.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who have provided trekking holidays for over 20 years. They now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

The ancient Lycian way starts in the Mediterranean resort of Kas which is known for its rocky coastline and unpolluted waters. On your Turkey walking holiday you will find the beaches of this region perfect for relaxing before you begin your walk along the Lycian trail. However, historically the city offers much more than perfect sandy beaches for sunbathing. Here you can join a glass-bottomed boat tour to the ancient sunken cities around Kekova Island where the secrets of ancient civilisations lurk out of reach. Not so out of reach are the ancient archaeological sites of Myra, Demre and the Xanthe Valley which give you the opportunity to walk around Turkey’s ancient past. Myra was the capital of the Lycian Empire and whilst visiting here on your Turkey walking holiday you will spot many ancient tombs cut into the rock face above the old amphitheatre.

The old amphitheatre was the largest in the Empire and is notable for the theatrical masks that decorate the stonework. On your Turkey walking holiday you will also come across the church of St. Nicholas and although his body was taken to be buried in Italy, the site still contains his sarcophagus and is therefore a popular pilgrimage destination with many pilgrims taking the walk to Turkey’s third most important Byzantine Monument.

Leaving Kas your walking holiday in Turkey will take you through rocky coastlines and ancient forests to the town of Finike. Now a popular yachting destination, Finike is the perfect blend of old and new. A modern marina sits alongside the ancient city of Limyra and the wreck of a Phoenician Merchant Ship dated from 1200 BC. The town is best known for its oranges and sea turtles, with the former being the towns emblem and the latter facing grave extinction.

Although Finike may be popular with the older tourists, the town of Kemer is popular with the young due largely to the tourist infrastructure of the region. The town has a vibrant nightlife with many bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Kemer was formerly the Lycian town of Idyrios, and whilst on your walking holiday in Turkey you can visit a number of notable historical sites. Of all these sites the most fascinating is the Ancient Greek phenomena of Chimaera, a mysterious site on the rocky outcrop of the Cragus Mountains where the rock mysteriously shots flames with no apparent energy source.

The last stop on your Turkey walking holiday around the Lycian trail is the resort town of Antalya. Now the capital of the Antalya Province the site has a number of historic sites including Hadrian’s Gate and the Kesik Minare. However the numerous sandy beaches of the region provide the perfect place to relax and take in all the incredible sites that you have visited on your Turkey walking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Ramblers Worldwide have been operating since 1946 and now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries.  They are dedicated to providing the very finest Turkey walks at the best value prices.

Samaria Gorge

At around 18 kilometres in length, the Samaria Gorge is the longest in Europe and is one of the biggest tourist attractions on the island, playing host to thousands of visitors between May and October each year. Situated in the prefecture of Chania in south west Crete, the gorge runs from the Omalos Plateau in the White Mountains to the village of Agia Roumeli on the southern coast. Taking between four and seven hours to walk, the route covers some quite rough terrain but is still suitable for the inexperienced, although walkers are recommended to wear sensible walking boots. Those taking part in the guided walk during the summer months, especially during July and August, are also advised to take plenty of sun screen and drinking water along with them, although there are places en route where you can buy bottled water. With steep cliffs and forests of pine and cypress, the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and the gorge is also home to around 450 different species of plants (all of which are protected and may not be picked or removed from the gorge). If you are lucky, you might also catch sight of one of Crete’s famous inhabitants, the increasingly rare Agrimia, or Kri-Kri goats as they are commonly known. With other endemic species in and around the gorge, this is a wonderful place to visit and it certainly represents one of the highlights for anyone walking in Greece.

Deliana Gorge

The walk along the Deliana Gorge is an unchallenging one, but one which is rewarding for those walking in Greece due to its beautiful scenery. During the cooler times of the year, a stream runs alongside the path and down the rocks, accompanying your walk with a soft tinkling sound. You are likely to see many goats during your walk, but most visitors come here to see the Griffon vultures which can be spotted throughout the year. The walk through the gorge and back again is not a long one and is only likely to take around two hours in total depending on your fitness or walking ability.

Arkoudospilios Cave

The walk to the Arkoudospilios Cave on the Akrotiri Peninsula in the municipality of Chania is about two kilometres and affords some spectacular views. Starting at the monasteries of Gouverneto and Agias Triadas and following a footpath which often features steep drops to one side, you will come to the cave where there stands a large stalagmite in the shape of a bear bowed over a cistern. Several different legends account for the significance of the animal. Some believe that it was once alive and that it used to drink the water from the cistern, leaving nothing for the local inhabitants and the monks. When one of the monks prayed to the Virgin for help, it is said that the beast was petrified and has stood in its position in the centre of the cave ever since. Others believe that the goddess Artemis, who was worshipped by the Pelasgians in the form of a bear, was worshipped here and that the stalagmite is a sacred representation of her. The footpath which continues from the cave also leads to the ruins of the Monastery Katholiko and the church of St John the Hermit. As you stand underneath the towering rock face in this extremely isolated place, it is not hard to imagine why the monks who used it many years ago sought their sanctuary here. With so much spectacular beauty along this route, walking in Greece will not only be enjoyable for the senses, but an experience which will open you up to wanting to learn more about this fascinating and stunning island.

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London.

Greece and the Greeks

Even people that proclaim they know nothing of even their own history probably have heard some of the echoes of Greek history ringing down through the ages. The 300 Spartans, Mount Olympus and the Gods, The Trojan War, great architecture, art, literature and science – all these often come to mind when the word ‘Greece’ is mentioned. More recently, Greece has also become associated with marvellous holiday opportunities through its beaches, crystal clear waters, marvellous historical sites, great food and fabulous people. There are so many destinations on both the mainland and islands of Greece that it’s hard to know where to start first in terms of choosing a destination. Yet one thing should be clear from the outset; while you’re in Greece you’ll want to get the most out of your experience.

Walking in Greece – getting the most out of your holiday

The majority of tourists to Greece tend to visit a relatively small number of main centres. Their holiday is usually based around a major resort, typically on a beach and there may be a few short day-trips by coach to see some sights. There’s nothing wrong with that at all but, if you’re interested in seeing a little more of the “real” Greece and a little less of the pool and beach, a walking in Greece holiday may be for you.

These holidays are taken in many parts of Greece including the Peloponnese, Samos, Crete, Rhodes and other locations. There are guided walks under the supervision of an expert and well-qualified tour leader and you’ll get the chance to see rural Greece at its best, or the wildlife of some of the more the remote parts of the countryside. You’ll come across isolated bays and inlets or mountain villages – places that most tourists will never see.

If that’s not appealing enough, then some of Greece’s best-kept historical secrets are far more easily reached on foot than by coach or car. You may even get to Delphi and ask the Oracle what the future holds for you! To see large parts of Greece, your own feet are often the very best way to get there – and you’ll see far more en-route in so doing.

Walks for all tastes

Don’t worry, unlike Pheidippides who ran 26 miles after the battle of Marathon in 490BC to bring Athens news of their great victory over the Persians, you won’t have to push yourself too hard! There are plenty of holidays to choose from and many are specifically arranged to allow a gentle pace for people to explore at leisure.

Walking in Greece holidays also cater for the modern tourist’s demands for comfort. Your guided walk accommodation and daily itineraries have been provided to ensure that you don’t get too stretched and are able to relax in civilised and pleasant surroundings at the end of the day. Your tour leader is there not only to act as an expert in helping you see all that there is to see, but also to ensure that you’re being well looked after in terms of creature comforts.

Guided walks in Greece – not just for the countryside

If you’ve ever visited a major city overseas, you may have found it a good but possibly a very tiring and even intimidating experience. That’s why there are also walking in Greece holidays that include walks around Athens and other major urban areas to admire at the art, history and architecture under the helpful eye of an experienced tour leader. You won’t get lost and you won’t miss anything important.

The walking holiday – a growing phenomenon

As people increasingly recognise the benefits of exercise, walking holidays are booming. Lying around all day eating and drinking is becoming less fashionable – and perhaps for good reason. So walking in Greece may be not only be very enjoyable, but possibly better for your health than a conventional break!

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London

To Innominate Tarn

Labelled by some as the most challenging walk in Britain, this Wainwright walk affords views over lakes, valleys, mountains, moorlands, tarns and waterfalls, with average daily ascents of 4,000ft. This walk was conceived by Alfred Wainwright, who mapped out the 102 miles into 11 stages. Some may wish to tackle the whole of this lengthy but exciting walk; but for those who do not have the time, a week’s walking in England can give you the opportunity to enjoy many of its highlights.

Beginning in Buttermere, you can climb to Innominate Tarn, the site where Alfred Wainwright was finally laid to rest. With his spirit in the air, you will be inspired by this beautiful area, where you can follow in his footsteps and climb every peak. UK walking holidays frequently follow the paths that so inspired this brilliant writer, and whilst you may not wish to complete his full walk, sections of it will be magnificent too.

Lands End and Cape Cornwall: Coastal Hiking

England’s south coast is one of the best areas for more challenging UK walking holidays. This 44 mile walk from Penzance to St Ives will give you the opportunity to view these magnificent seascapes from the coastal paths. Winding paths will lead you along dramatic cliffs and past intriguing rock formations that will delight keen geographers.

You can walk to remote lighthouses, old mine workings and traditional fishing villages, adding a touch of history to your English walking break through Cape Cornwall and Lands End. The walk is split into 4 stages. The first is from Penzance to Porthcurno, a gentler introduction to the area. The second day of the walk is the most strenuous, beginning in Porthcurno and ending in Cape Cornwall, a beautiful stretch of English countryside. Day three will see you walking from Cape Cornwall to Curnard’s Head, and from here you will walk the final stretch on day four, from Gurnard’s Head to St Ives, a relaxed and scenic way to end off your UK walking holiday.

Hasness Hiking

The Lake District is one of the most popular destinations for walking in England. Its rolling hills and challenging peaks make for excellent and scenic walks, and it is considered to be one of the most inspirational regions in the UK. Walking holidays in the area allow for quiet contemplation, and more difficult mountain paths can be quite meditative as you focus on where you place your feet.

Staying in Hassness, a number of peaks will be at your disposal to climb. You can challenge yourself to climb all the peaks in the area, such as Haystacks, High Stile, Fleetwith and Pillar. Whichever peak you decide to climb, you can expect breathtaking views from the top and beautiful scenery along the way.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Countrywide Holidays. Part of Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, who have been operating since 1946, they are dedicated to providing the very finest English walking breaks at the best value prices.

Dance on Taverna Tabletops

After walking in Greece the last thing that you’re going to want to do with those tired feet is dance on taverna tabletops, so we’ll leave that to the locals. You may want to take advantage of the lashings of local food and drink on offer during the feast day of the Virgin Mary, so plan your walking trip around 15th August to take advantage of the eating and merriment. No matter where you are in Samos, every village square and every local taverna will be hosting their own celebrations. Wine and music play a big part in the celebrations and most followers of the Greek Orthodox religion will have been fasting for a fortnight prior to this date.

Splash Around in Samos

When you’ve been walking in Greece on a warm summer afternoon, the idea of swimming in a nice cool lake can seem like heaven; but what about entering a swimming tournament? In the town of Pythagario, swimming tournaments are just a small part of the celebrations intended to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Mikali. The anniversary takes place on August 6th and if you don’t like the idea of competing against an Olympian in the swimming races, you can simply watch the local children dance a traditional Samoan dance, called the ‘Sirtos’, in their local costume. Religion plays a big part in the anniversary celebrations, but the sermons are all in Greek so you may want to give them a miss. Foodies will be delighted to know that the Battle of Mikali has its own designated dish; giorti. Giorti is made with minced lamb, grains and paprika and doesn’t look dissimilar to porridge. However, giorti is a lot tastier, and will definitely fill you up after a long day walking in Greece.

Feast with Fisherman

By now you should have spotted a distinct formula to a Greek festival; dancing, eating and wine. If you head to Pythagario in June during the Feast of the Fisherman you’ll be delighted to find that the food and wine are free. The food consists of fresh fish delivered by the local fishermen and is organised by the local council. The festival wouldn’t be complete without dancing and this goes on throughout the night. If you’re planning to continue walking in Greece the next morning, you may want to rest your feet earlier on in the evening so that you are good to go.

Party for Panagia Vrondiani

Remember giorti? Well it makes another festival appearance on the 6th and 7th of August. In fact, anyone who plans a trip walking in Greece during the first week of August may find themselves in the midst of a three-day party. Straight after the celebrations commemorating the Battle of Mikali end, the feast day of Panagia Vrondiani begins. Dancing in the tavernas, followed by local wine and giorti are very much the flavour of the next two days. Walking during the day and feasting with the locals at night? It certainly sounds like the perfect holiday combination to us.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London. 

There are a number of resorts in the Turkish Riviera that are well worth visiting next time you are in Turkey. Walks to any area of the Riviera will provide you with some amazing experiences, but if you manage to pass through any of the three places listed below you won’t regret it.

Marmaris

The port city of Marmaris is a very popular tourist destination. Some may say that it has become a bit touristy, but despite the crowds there’s a lot to enjoy here. It used to be a sleepy fishing village, but all that changed a few decades ago and it is now a premier tourist resort in Turkey. Walks that lead through the town will take you to a resort that, although extensively developed, retains much of its old character, as you’ll see if you take a trip to Marmaris Castle.

Essentially, if you want to stay away from the discos and the crowds then it’s easy to do so. You should also be aware that it gets very hot here in the summer months, so many people visit the town in September when it is a little cooler.

Antalya

Antalya is the capital of Antalya Province and is a very popular destination for anyone visiting Turkey. Walks are a particularly popular activity in this area due to the city’s proximity to the nearby Taurus Mountains, which are a walker’s dream. But even though you may initially be attracted to the area because of the mountains, the town also has a lot to offer visitors.

The main area of Antalya is the centre, called Kaleiçi, where you will find lots to see and do. Take some time to visit the attractive mosques and churches, of which there are many, and admire the ancient Hadrian’s Gate, dating back to the 2nd century – a real relic of Turkey’s history. Overall the city has a wonderful character and to top it all off it has some fantastic beaches.

Kemer

When you visit this resort in Turkey, walks in the surrounding pine forests and the mountains are a must as the spectacular countryside is wonderful to explore. The town itself is very popular with tourists, but don’t let that stop you: they come here because it’s such a great destination! The nearby Göynük Canyon, the historical Byzantine church and the large marina are all great places to visit during your time here, so be sure to make this into a destination next time you are in Turkey.

A Fantastic Place to Walk

There are many more attractive resorts to see when you go to Turkey. Walks provide the perfect way to explore them, as you can combine visiting the resorts with walking in the spectacular natural scenery that surrounds them. Try to make sure you visit at least a few of these amazing locations next time you are walking in Turkey.

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While on Turkey walks with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London.

Gyros

If you build up a healthy appetite following a day of walking, in Greece you have the satisfaction of knowing that a good gyros awaits you in practically any restaurant you walk into. You may well be familiar with the doner kebab served in kebab houses throughout the UK; well this is along the same lines but a lot, lot better.

Gyros’ originate from a large vertical pillar of meat turning around on a spit. Rather than being made of one single column of processed meat like back home, the traditional gyros is comprised of lots of layers of succulent strips of real meat. This mouth-watering treat will not only fill you up but will also provide you with a taste sensation to enjoy after a long day of walking. In Greece, gyros is usually served in pita bread after being shaved off the pillar. It’s delicious and filling, so make sure you try it.

Moussaka

You many well have tried versions of moussaka back home, but when you next go walking in Greece, you should find an opportunity to try this local delight. Aubergine is the key ingredient of this delicious meal, but that’s just the start. Moussaka is made in layers: cooked aubergine in olive oil makes up the base, followed by a second layer of mince (usually lamb), and topped off with white sauce or egg custard, all baked in the oven.

When you go walking in Greece, you’ll realise that there is no end to the variations of moussaka that you will encounter. If you walk through different regions of the country, try moussaka in all of them and judge for yourself which region makes the tastiest dish.

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is classic Greek fast food, so next time you are walking in Greece and don’t have much time to stop off for a meal, this is a good option. It consists of a mix of vegetables and meat cooked on a skewer. It can then be eaten either straight from the skewer or from your hand, depending on where you are eating it.

The meat can vary, and although pork is the traditional choice, chicken is often used as well. It is generally served with a side salad, garnish or fried potatoes, but if you are in a rush then you can even eat it whilst walking. In Greece this is a very popular dish and unless you are a vegetarian then you will almost certainly find yourself tucking into a good souvlaki at some stage of your trip.

Eat Your Way Around Greece

There are many more delicious Greek dishes to try out when you are walking in Greece, and this is just a start. Baklava, horta vrasta and the famous Greek salad are served pretty much everywhere you go, so if you build up an appetite next time you go walking in Greece you know that you are never far from a mouth-watering dish to keep you going.

About The Author:

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London

Rotura

Rotura is a beautiful area for walking holidays in New Zealand, near the city of Auckland. The area is known as a water wonderland, with 17 lakes providing endless hours of entertainment, from water-skiing to swimming to fishing. The lakes are also the hosts of international events, such as the water-skiing championships which were held there in 2007.

The area is home to an abundance of thermal rock pools too, where geysers bubble and mud-pools churn. Fascinating to walk through, the area is accompanied by an unfortunate smell of sulphur, resembling rotten eggs. This smell is particularly noticeable in the southern regions of the Government Gardens, so you may not wish to spend too much time there. However, the mud-pools further north are ideal spots for soaking weary feet when you’re walking in New Zealand.

Historically, this area is phenomenal, and it adds a fascinating element to walking holidays in New Zealand. In 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted, burying the village of Te Wairoa. Today, it is known as the Buried Village, and has become a well known tourist attraction.

Milford Sound

Some claim that Milford Sound is the most spectacular destination in the world, and perhaps they are right. The fjord in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is a breathtaking scene, and one could quite confidently say that it is the best place in New Zealand for walking. As a testament to this are the massive 550,000 people who flock to the area each year, to experience its majestic beauty for themselves. One of the bays even has an underwater viewing tank, where black coral, which is extremely rare in shallow waters, can be seen.

This incredible fjord stretches for 15km, running all the way from the Tasman Sea. In the glistening waters you will find penguins, seals and dolphins popping their heads above the surface every now and then, and whales swimming below. On either side of the fjord, tall cliffs rise up into the sky, reaching a massive height of about 1,200m on either side. Some famous peaks you can spot along the fjord are The Elephant, which is the tallest, and Lion Mountain, which portrays the figure of a lion.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

Two of the most fascinating sights to see when on walking tours of New Zealand are the Fox and the Franz Josef Glaciers. These glaciers are exceptionally beautiful, and attract thousands of tourists to the area each year. The Franz Josef is situated in the Westland National Park, spanning along 23km of the South Island’s west coast. Lying 20km to its south is the Fox Glacier, which descends from the Southern Alps to just under 300m above sea level. Surrounding the glacier and making the setting so spectacular, you will see lush greenery and thick bushes, and the entire area has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a holiday walking holidays in New Zealand with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.

Here are three of the best, which will provide you with experiences you’ll be recounting to your friends back home for weeks to come.

Turkish Baths (Hamams)

Turkish baths, or hamams as they are known locally, are found all over Turkey. Walks are a great way to see the country, but they can leave you tired and in need of some rejuvenation. So what better way to get over your stiff joints than by a trip to a Turkish bath?

In the hamam you can relax in the warm, steamy rooms and you can even experience a number of different massages. These can include a foam massage, an exfoliating massage and a luxurious oil massage. Hamams are part of the daily routine for many locals, and you may well find you get quite fond of them as well.

Don’t miss out on visiting a hamam when on a walking holiday in Turkey. Walks may be the best way to see the country, but it’s just as important to treat yourself to a bit of luxury every once in a while.

Turkish Kebabs

Turkey is, for some, the home of kebabs – and not the kind of kebabs that you are likely to find in some late-night joint in a town centre in England. Turkish kebabs are of the highest quality, and will provide you with a culinary treat to remember long after your trip to Turkey. Walks that lead through any town or city are certain to take you past a restaurant or bar serving kebabs. And even if you don’t spot them, just follow your nose; the wonderful spicy aroma wafting out into the street will lead you straight to them.

Kebabs are different all over the country, with most regions having their own specific style. Whether a SiÅ? (shish) kebab, Adana kebab or the well-known (but entirely different) Doner kebab, you are going to give your taste buds a treat when you try any kebab in Turkey.

Turkish Coffee House

In Turkey, walks will allow you to experience both the countryside and the bustling cities alike. But wherever you decide to go, you will never find yourself far from a coffee house selling strong Turkish coffee.

Coffee is an important part of daily life for Turkish people. It still plays a role in many rituals involving prayer and marriage, although not as much as it once did. It is made from a fine powder and the resulting drink is much stronger than you may be used to. Cardamom is sometimes added, and the distinctive taste is something you won’t forget in a hurry.

When you head to Turkey, walks of any type will lead you past one of these coffee houses sooner or later. And if you feel yourself getting tired during your walk, there is no better remedy than a shot of hot strong Turkish coffee to restore your energy levels.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While on Turkey Walks with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

The Ancient Acropolis

To the north of the modern Sparta, you’ll find the site of the ancient Acropolis. This extensive site takes you back in time and truly shows the glory of Sparta. Consisting of the Roman Agora, the Church of Christ Saviour, the Temple of Athena Chalkionos, the theatre, and many other archaeological remains, this impressive site does not fail to portray the power for which the Spartans were so famous. Offering some of the most fascinating ruins you’re likely to see whilst walking in Greece, the ancient Acropolis will transport you back to the original Sparta.

Mystra

Follow the road eight kilometres out of Sparta, and sooner or later you will come across Mystra. A city once enclosed within walls, Mystra’s history is long and complicated. However, today the remains of its castle, churches and mansions, and what’s left of the walls enclosing it, remain the only example of a medieval settlement left in Greece. Teeming with history and legends the slopes of this ancient town were declared an archaeological site in 1921, when the last inhabitants were removed. The site has now been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list and only the nuns living in the Pantanassa monastery remain. A popular place for those on holiday or walking in Greece, Mystra is full of myth and mystery.

Taygetus Mountains

The majesty of the Taygetus Mountains is inescapable. Taygetus itself, standing tall at 2407 metres high is one of the largest mountains in Greece. Named after Tayget, the daughter of Atlas, the rugged mountain looks down upon Sparta and Laconia, tempting all who visit to try to climb it. For anyone on holiday walking in Greece, tackling Mount Taygetus is a definite must. Walking in the foothills of the mountain you will come across olive groves galore, amongst other spectacular flora and fauna. However, for nature lovers, the real appeal of the spot is the birdlife. Lying on a major migration route for birds travelling from Europe to Africa, and covered in dense forest, this mountain is a haven for birds and birdwatchers alike.

Sparta has been represented as a powerful and strong Grecian entity for many years, and today, with Mount Taygetus looming over it as its protector, the modern Sparta still emanates this. Whilst you’re walking in Greece be sure to stop off at Sparta and enjoy the sense of seclusion that comes from being off the tourist track. As you wander around the ruins, let yourself be taken back to a different age that exists to us now only in books and on screen.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Thank you for visiting Travel Articles Directory. Feel free to use any of our travel writing articles for your own website, on the condition that you also take the link we have included in the text. Check back for more travel writing soon; we’re uploading more original travel articles all the time!

Pizza-making in Italy certainly isn’t a slap-dash affair and, it’s only right that, a nation that loves its food so much, may lay down a few rules in order to prevent just anyone claiming to produce an authentic pizza. In fact, for a pizza to be classed as an authentic Neapolitan it must abide by rules proposed by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. There are three different types of Neapolitan pizza; the Marinara made with tomato, garlic, oregano, basil and olive oil; the Margarita with tomato, mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil; and Margarita Extra where the mozzarella is served in fillets from the Campania region. A Neapolitan pizza,that abides by these rules is classed as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed product, under an EU regulation that protects food from a certain region. In fact, all the ingredients for an authentic Neapolitan pizza can be found locally, and walking in Italy’s Campania region should allow you to pick up everything you need to make Italy’s most famous pizza.

San Marzano Tomatoes

Walking in Italy’s south instantly conjures up images of a few places that you simply can’t afford to miss. One of these is Mount Vesuvius, a dormant volcano that occasionally emits a few streams of lava. From the top of this breathtaking mountain you can see images out over the Bay of Naples, Capri, Ischia and the Almafi Coast. However, walking in Italy’s most active volcanic region certainly isn’t an easy affair and walkers should be warned that the hike is quite strenuous. There is, however, another reason that you may be tempted to visit the fertile soils of Mount Vesuvius and that is to collect the first of your ingredients, juicy San Marzano tomatoes which grow on the fertile soils to the south of the volcano.

Buffalo Mozzarella

Another scenic walk around the Campania region is in the rustic area of Lazio. In this area, verdant hills give way to sprawling rustic towns, and the region is one of the most attractive and traditional in the whole country. Lazio is home to the Abruzzo National Park and, in the town of Opi, mountain-life is still very prevalent. Whilst walking in Italy you’ll be able to watch the locals hand-make pecorino cheese and ricotta, but the cheese that you’re here to collect is buffalo mozzarella; made from the milk of the water buffalo that roam in a semi-wild state in this area.

Cooking Your Pizza

Now that you’ve collected these two ingredients, you’re well on your way to making an authentic Neapolitan pizza. The first part of your lesson involves making the dough or the base of your pizza. You’ll be shown the traditional way to work the dough in an Italian cookery class. The dough needs to be both formed and kneaded by hand and should be no more than 3mm thick. You can then choose your Neapolitan topping to place on the dough, before baking it in a traditional stone oven for no more than 90 seconds. However, if you’re not yet convinced by your own culinary genius, you may want to eat out at one of any number of Naples’ famous pizzerias. The Antica Pizzeria Brandi, which still stands in town, is the pizzeria where pizza was first invented and once you’ve tried your hand at creating your own authentic Neapolitan pizza it’s worth going back and seeing how it compares to the original.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While walking in Italy with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

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The 6 ‘Must Haves’ for a Walking Holiday in Greece

1. Sunglasses

As Louis de Bernières pointed out in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, the brightness of the light in Greece can be quite overwhelming for the first time visitor. Whether it’s the white-washed walls of the tavernas and villages, the hazy greens and browns of the fields or the striking blue of the sea that causes it, you’ll need something between the sun’s rays and your adjusting eyes! That’s not to say that walking in Greece is an uncomfortable experience, but there’s a reason why such a relaxed atmosphere descends upon the country when the sun is high in the sky. A good pair of sunglasses will help you drink in the amazing beauty of your surroundings without overloading your senses.

2. Fine Footwear

As you’re hiking in Greece it’s a given that you’d take a strong pair of walking shoes. With some sturdy footwear you’ll be able to roam over hot sands, pebbled stone and winding paths without impediment. But here’s an interesting question… what will you do as the sun begins to set? With such beautifully warm Mediterranean evenings to enjoy, it’s a good idea to bring some soft, open sandals that will let your feet breathe in the cool, soothing air. Remember, if your feet feel hot, you’ll feel hot and if they feel relaxed and free, so, in turn, will you. There’s no better way to spend an evening.

3. Phrase Book

Anyone who wants to walk in Greece and see the real, local country should have at least a few greetings stitched into their mind. With a simple ‘Yiá sas’ (‘Hello’) and a ‘Hérome yia tin gnorimía’ (‘pleased to meet you’), you’ll give an open impression of yourself to the people you meet on your travels, and will soon experience some of the warmest hospitality in the world. It’s surprising just how far you can get with even a basic phrase book, and there are few things quite as fun as exchanging compliments with a curious stranger, particularly if neither of you speak the other’s language.

4. Swimming Costume

One of the great virtues of walking in Greece, particularly in the warmer months, is the many attractive coastal routes that you can follow. The heat of the day need never inconvenience you as the cool waters of the Mediterranean are often no more than a stone’s throw away. So warm are the sea breezes that a towel may not even be a necessity. Come to think of it, many of the routes are so secluded and peaceful that the swimming costume may not be a necessity either!

5. Compilation of Greek Myths

Hiking in Greece is not only a feast for the senses, but a chance to explore the birthplace of classical literature. So many evocative myths and tales have come from Greece and her islands that you’re spoiled for choice at every turn. Whether this is at the remains of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi or by hoping to stumble upon Jason’s Golden Fleece, Aphrodite’s Girdle, or Hermes’ Winged Boots is up to you. However, a ball of twine is a wise investment if you plan to search for the Minotaur’s Labyrinth on Crete, as finding your way into its lair is famously easier than finding your way out.

6. A Guide Book

The wise old Greek leaders said that when walking in Greece, all paths go from the back of one church to the back of another church. Given the ubiquity of churches and chapels this isn’t a bad maxim to follow. However, in reality hiking in Greece isn’t that simple and paths can be extremely difficult to find, unless they are motorways like the Samaria Gorge on Crete. For this reason investing in a good map or guide book is a wise choice and going with a company that has already worked out the routes in advance definitely pays dividends.

You will not be able to resist the charm and beauty of Greece and once you fall under her spell – you will be smitten forever.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, a long-established and highly respected company. They have expertise in more than 70 different countries, offering over 250 holidays, including many related to walking in Greece, making them a superb choice for the discerning traveller.

Apart from its stunning natural setting, which offers arguably the most beautiful walking in Italy, and its fascinating Etruscan history, Siena is most famous for the unique bi-annual ‘Palio’ horse race. The Palio di Siena is one of the most exciting events on the Italian calendar and the thrill of attending this frenetic, heart-stopping race is a true once in a lifetime experience.

The race is steeped in the loyalty and history of the town’s ‘Contrade’; the districts into which it is divided. Each individual Contrada has its own coat of arms, emblems and patron saints, and each is fiercely loyal to their ancient roots. There are seventeen Contrade today, but the number was originally as high as fifty-nine, and ten take part in the pageantry of the Palio which is held in July and August every year. The Campo – the central town square – is transformed into a sawdust-strewn track, and thousands of people pack tightly into the central piazza around which the race is run. The only entrances to the square are closed off minutes before the race begins, and once you’ve been locked out there’s no way to enter, even by walking in. Italy’s most celebrated traditional horse race is all year in the preparation; three days of festivities in the build-up; yet unbelievably, the race itself is over in a mere two minutes.

The preparation for the Palio begins as soon as the previous year’s race finishes, but the true party kicks off with the three-day festival which precedes the race. The entire city is adorned with the brightly coloured flags and emblems of the Contrade, and the carnival atmosphere is contagious. There are banquets, parades, blessings of the horses and all other manner of pomp and circumstance which the Sienese so love. If you are lucky enough to be in Siena for the Palio, it is hard not to get tangled up in the allegiances of the Contrade and everyone will find a favourite to cheer on.

When the hour of the race approaches you must join thousands of spectators jostling and shoving for a prime position in the square. If you are one of the very, very lucky, or know a local with an apartment overlooking the square, you can sit back from a prime position and watch the crowd, like so many thousands of ants, walking in. Italy’s most famous horse race is about to begin.

It is hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the moment, and the roar of the crowd from the piazza as well as the overlooking apartments is deafening. After several circuits of the track by traditionally dressed horsemen, musicians and race participants, the race proper is ready to start. The steward calls for silence and after an obligatory two, three and sometimes many more, false starts – they’re off! Two hair-raising laps around the piazza, with many thrills and quite a few spills, and the victor is decided. It’s over for another year, but the festivities continue well into the next few weeks for the winning Contrada – the prestige associated with winning the Palio is the best prize of all, and next year, they’ll be back to do it all again.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. On walking in Italy with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

The cradle of Western civilisation, Greece is a destination that mixes the myth with the modern, spectacular landscapes with ancient ruins. It is home to some of the most important ancient sights in the entire world, and walking in Greece is the best way to experience these remarkable places up close.

There are countless remarkable places to visit whilst walking in Greece, but these are three of the most remarkable…

Atlantis, The Sunken City

Ever since Plato first mentioned the lost city of Atlantis, it has captivated generations of archaeologists, historians, writers and artists. No one knows if the city ever actually existed, or where it might have been, but one school of thought believes that the most likely location of Atlantis is in the archipelago of Santorini. This archipelago used by a single island until thousands of years ago an enormous volcanic eruption separated the islands. There is evidence of an advanced civilisation that lived on the island before the eruption – many believe this to be none other than Atlantis itself.

Whether or not it is truly home to Atlantis, Santorini is a stunning island to visit. Vertical red and black volcanic cliffs plunge down and circle a part of the sea known as the caldera. The caldera is utterly spectacular, and the only thing that makes it even more remarkable is imagining the sunken city that may lie beneath the waves!

Delphi, Home of the Oracles

In the ancient world, prophecies changed the course of empires, and kings would make fantastic offerings of gold and silver in the hope of receiving a favourable prophecy. By far the most famous and prestigious oracles were the oracles of Delphi. Though they rarely spoke plainly – in one famous incident, King Croesus of Lydia asked Delphi what would happen if he went to war with Persia, and was told that ‘he would destroy a great empire’. He eagerly went to war, only to realise too late the prophecy referred to his own empire!

Today, Delphi is one of the essential historical sites to see whilst walking in Greece. It is home to a cluster of excellently preserved ruins, which include a temple, gymnasium, and a beautiful theatre. For a real taste of ancient Greek architecture, Delphi is a great place to visit.

Crete, The Land of the Minotaur

Even today, most children soon learn the myth of the minotaur, a terrible bull-headed monster that stalked a Labyrinth and who was eventually slain by the Greek hero Theseus. Crete was the mythical sight of this event, and the bull remains a potent and important symbol of Cretan culture. No one will ever know what historical basis the legend has, but the famous archaeological site at Knossos certainly ties in with the stories – the ancient labyrinthine palace is a remarkable sight.

In addition to the archaeological site, the countryside of Crete makes it one of the best places to go walking in Greece. Mountains, coasts, forests and traditional Cretan villages make it a diverse and rewarding place to explore on foot and the excellent weather means that it can be visited at any time of the year.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. Walking in Greece with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

3 Italian Cities to Explore on Foot

Italy is not short on spectacular scenery. The Dolomites, Tuscany, and the Pelion Peninsula are some of the most popular and beautiful places to go walking in Italy, but if you like to stroll around a city as much as you enjoy hiking up a mountain or along a spectacular coastline, you’ll be well served by the Italian cities.

Whether you want to enjoy exquisite Renaissance architecture, fine churches or cathedrals, or outstanding art and museums, you are sure to find plenty to keep you occupied. Here are three of the finest cities to explore whilst walking in Italy.

Venice

With its interlocking canals and traditional houses, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and Venice more than lives up to the hype. The major sights, such as St Mark’s Square and the Rialto are always crowded, but take a few turns off the main streets and you’ll have the city to yourself.

Venice is a city that endlessly rewards explorers, and days can be spent simply wandering the back streets and enjoying the totally unique architecture and design. Apart from the streets themselves, Venice has long been an important place for European art, with numerous museums showcasing the very best in Renaissance and contemporary artwork. The city is also home to numerous beautiful churches that are filled with paintings by Old Masters. Whatever your interests, Venice is truly one of the best cities to go walking in Italy.

Rome

The Italian capital was at the very heart of the mighty Roman Empire, and today the city is a delightful blend of the ancient and the modern, historical sites combined with a energetic cosmopolitan vibe. The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and the museums of Vatican City are amongst the most famous sights in the world, but the city is filled with galleries, parks, and classical buildings that it will take weeks to fully explore. Some of the very finest restaurants in the world are to be found in Rome, and for a destination that combines major sights with a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, it is hard to beat Rome.

Florence

The beautiful hills of Tuscany are one of the best places to go walking in Italy, but the nearby city of Florence, the capital of the region, should not be neglected if you take a trip to this area. Home to one of the best preserved medieval city centres in Italy, Florence is great place to walk around, with the enormous and spectacular domed cathedral forming the dramatic centrepiece of the city. Florence was at the very centre of the Renaissance movement that transformed Europe, and is home to the most important galleries in Italy. The Galleria dell’Accademia is home to the city’s most famous work, Michelangelo’s David, but there are dozens of other galleries that you shouldn’t miss. Florence combines architectural beauty with great art, all within easy reach of the stunning Tuscan countryside. What more could you ask for?

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946