The Natural Adventure

Circumnavigating the Mont Blanc massif on foot is one of Europe's defining mountain experiences. This classic anti-clockwise itinerary follows the full Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland, combining hthrilling igh passes, glacier views and atmospheric mountain refuges. Starting in Les Houches, the route crosses cols including Bonhomme, Seigne and Balme, passing through Courmayeur, Val Ferret, La Fouly, Champex-Lac and Trient. Depending on conditions, you may tackle the Fenetre d'Arpette or choose a gentler alternative through alpine pastures. Every stage delivers striking scenery, from the Glacier de Bionnassay and Vallon de la Lee Blanche to the Trient Glacier and ...Read more >

A five day, self-guided vacation cycling in Marche by e-bike, which gives you plenty of power to explore one of Italy’s lesser-known but stunning coastal regions. However, this trip also takes you to some of Marche’s inland idylls with two nights in a rural hotel near the medieval UNESCO hillside town of Urbino, and three in the coastal town of Pesaro. As well as exploring the Adriatic coast, cycle through traditional villages and the cliffs of San Bartolo Natural Park, the trails inland include Furlo Gorge and the Candigliano River, a route that’s framed by Monte Pietralata and Monte Paganuccio. Accommodation on this tour is in just two places: a seaside four-star Hotel in Pesaro and a cozy ...Read more >

An 11 day, self-guided walking vacation on three of the islands of this otherworldly archipelago: São Jorge, Faial  and Pico island. The wild volcanic land and seascapes of these Portuguese islands are a magnet for magic, with trails to volcanic craters, along ancient coastal paths and secret waterfalls. Island-hopping between these three islands, they all offer something special: on Pico you walk in the shadow of the highest mountain in Portugal (2,351m); on São Jorge the volcanic plains or fajãs make for wild walking and, on Faial, walk alongside the crater in the heart of the island, formed by the most recently active volcano of the Azores, Capelinhos. Read more >

This Portuguese archipelago of four islands is way out there in the Atlantic but this week of hiking in Madeira takes place on the main island of the same name. Although it is only 55km long, it’s mostly the coast that has been developed, leaving an inland idyll of wilderness areas. These include the high altitude Madeira Peaks, UNESCO Laurisilva forests and the island’s unique levada trails, man-made irrigation channels dating back to the 16th century. Based in two hotels, this vacation covers a gamut of Madeiran gorgeousness on the north-eastern side of the island. Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. Read more >

The West Highland Way is Scotland's most popular long-distance walking route. It stretches 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie to Fort William, taking in some of the best scenery in Scotland. Enjoy some moderate to strenuous walking in the Highlands between Tyndrum and Fort William.Read more >

On this Highlights of Rila walking break, you will be based in the village of Govedartsi, nested at the foothills of the mountain. You will discover mount Musala (2925 m), the famous Seven Rila Lakes, and the Malyovitsa valley.Read more >

Take your trekking in Bulgaria to another level on this 12 day, self-guided adventure in the heart of the Rila, Pirin and Rhodope Mountains. The first four days are spent in the Rila Mountains’ resort of Govedartsi, which gives you easy access to Mounts Malyovitsa (2,729m) and Musala (2,925m), so you are hitting the highs from the get go, with Musala being the country’s highest peak. Moving on to the ski resort of Bansko, in the heart of the Pirin Mountains, trek to Bulgaria’s second highest peak, Mount Vihren (2,914m), and Mount Polezhan (2,850m). This trip really is peak Bulgaria. Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional ...Read more >

A seven day, self-guided cycling vacation, by e-bike, that starts and ends in the Renaissance town of Ferrara, and follows trails through the heart of the Po Delta’s UNESCO-listed wetlands. Ferrara Province proffers the prettiest of trails, crossing traditional pastoral landscapes, raised embankments across wetlands and waterfront towns and villages. Including Comacchio, sometimes called Little Venice, but definitely without the crowds. Another highlight is the narrow Argine degli Angeli cycling path through Valli di Comacchio lagoons. This part of Italy is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 370 bird species, including iconic pink flamingos.  Read more >

Sao Miguel is the largest of the Azores archipelago and maybe the most fascinating due to the great variety of landscapes it offers. Walk across green pastures, primaeval forests and around stunning crater lakes, while enjoying the luxury of charming 4-star hotels with all transfers included.Read more >

This five day, center-based tour, walking in the Rhodope Mountains, follows a self-guided itinerary along trails in and around Trigrad, with three full days of hiking. Trigrad is a traditional mountain village, at an elevation of 1,240m, and from your three-star family-run hotel, you get to explore superb Rhodopian landscapes famous for their limestone gorges, caves and prolific forests. Treks along ancient trails include the visit to the village of Kesten, Devil’s Throat Cave and Orpheus Peak (1,532m). This is an easy to moderate walking vacation and It’s also very popular with solo travelers. The trip includes complimentary transfers to and from Sofia Airport. Read more >

Bulgaria's magnificent UNESCO sites are threaded together by this rewarding self-drive vacation. From medieval fortresses and rock-hewn monasteries to Thracian treasures and Black Sea heritage, the route reveals an impressive sweep of the country's history while also introducing mountains, nature reserves and attractive towns. Beginning in Sofia, you'll visit Boyana Church before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo, Ivanovo Rock Monastery, Sveshtari, Srebarna Nature Reserve, the Madara Rider and ancient Nessebar. The journey then turns inland via the Thracian legacy of Kazanlak, creative Plovdiv, Pirin National Park and the remarkable Rila Monastery. The contrast between cultural and natural ...Read more >

The West Highland Way is one of the most magnificent Scotland walking vacations, covering 154km between Milngavie, just north of Glasgow up to Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, with Ben Nevis waiting to greet you on the final stretch. Although you won’t have many ascents, you definitely have wilderness, including Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the wilds of Rannoch Moor and the Glencoe peaks. This itinerary takes ten days, walking an average 19km per day. Stay in a mix of small, mostly locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses, with luggage transfers.  Full list of our West Highland Way itineraries is available here. Read more >

A seven day, self-guided walking vacation around the northern shores of Lake Garda, to explore the natural and cultural heritage of Valle dei Laghi. Although Garda takes center stage, there are many more lakes to discover, such as Lakes Toblino and Molveno on this route through alpine terrain, ancient forests and traditional farmland. With highlights including a walk to the summit of Mount Ranzo (1,835m), and nights in traditional towns that are either overlooked by the Alps, or on the shores of lakes. Starting in either Riva del Garda or Arco, both gorgeous Garda spots, and ending in the elegant town of Trento, this off the beaten path walking tour takes you into Italia at its most ...Read more >

A five day, center-based walking vacation, based in Tossa de Mar, a coastal town with ancient heritage, a medieval walled Old Town and three beaches. It’s also gateway to Massís de Cadiretes, a mountainous wildlife reserve with trails through valleys and ruined villages, as well as to Puig de Cadiretes (519m), the highest point of the massif. This adventure through ancient terrain also takes you on sections of the Camí de Ronda trail, which was originally created for police to look out for smugglers. Now you just need to keep an eye out for the next heavenly headland or beckoning beach. And, as you are based at the same boutique hotel throughout, you will have plenty more time to chill at ...Read more >

Walk in the Aveyron region of France over eight days and discover one of France’s lesser-known regions of top class cultural and natural heritage. Located in the Occitanie region of southern France, start off in Les Vignes, a small village in Gorges du Tarn with glorious GR 6 and GR 736 hiking routes along the Tarn River. Followed by trails through the region’s grand causses, which are vast limestone plateaus with panoramic views. There are some fine examples of ancient architecture en route, such as troglodyte villages of Saint-Marcellin and Eglazines, medieval hilltop villages and fortifications built by the Knights Templar. Stay in small, locally-owned accommodations, with luggage ...Read more >

An eight day, self-guided walking vacation on two of the islands of this otherworldly archipelago: Pico and Faial Island. You spend four nights on Pico and three on Faial, staying in mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. Each island’s Azorean natural heritage offers something special. On Pico, you walk in the shadow of Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal, and also get to enjoy the local wine, grown in volcanic soil. On Faial, you walk alongside the crater in the heart of the island, formed by the most recently active volcano of the Azores, Capelinhos. Read more >

Lose yourself, figuratively, in the natural beauty of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains as you embark on a week of self guided walking within some of the region’s most impressive gorges and canyons. Some of the panoramic views from the Eagle’s Eye platform close to the village of Lagodina are simply breathtaking with Buinovo Gorge, Tirgrad Gorge and the Canyon of Waterfalls also offering ample excuses to pause for awhile and soak up the scenery. This region of Bulgaria abounds with myths and folklore tales which always make for an enthralling accompaniment to a day’s walk especially for any travelers interested in the legendary Greek, Orpheus. Throughout this moderate week of walking in ...Read more >

This week of self guided walking in Bulgaria also carries the reward of a few overnights in 4-star spa hotels which always proves popular with those who prefer to be pampered upon returning from a hike. Local Rhodopean cultural heritage also features throughout this week-long Bulgarian break with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the traditional hearty fare of the mountains after working up an appetite on average daily distances of 14kms. Thanks to the slow pace, this self guided itinerary offers every chance to connect with the natural, silent world of the Bulgarian wilderness where steep canyons and thick forests lead to lakes and waterfalls right in the heart of the resplendent Rhodope ...Read more >

A five day, self-guided snowshoeing vacation in Chamonix Valley, based in the traditional mountain spa town of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, which has many snowshoeing routes on its doorstep. With three full days of winter walking, some of the most terrific snowshoeing routes include Vallorcine Valley, the summit of Mont d’Arbois (1,833m), Plateau du Truc and a balcony trail facing Mont Blanc. With some cable car and bus transfers to start you on your way, this self-guided vacation is a world away from downhill skiing and packed pistes. Also accessible by rail.  Please note: as winter conditions can vary from day to day on snowshoeing vacations, the suggested itineraries may be adjusted ...Read more >

Scotland's best-known long-distance walking trail becomes more accessible on this carefully designed self-guided vacation. By combining manageable stages with a handful of helpful transfers, you can experience the finest sections of the West Highland Way without having to tackle every kilometre of the route. Beginning near Glasgow, the trail leads to Loch Lomond, ancient woodland, remote glens and the dramatic landscapes of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe. Highlights include Conic Hill, a ferry across the loch, the Devil's Staircase and the final approach to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. The scenery changes constantly, from lochside paths and forest tracks to broad mountain valleys. There is ...Read more >