Centre based walking travel guide

Firstly, as you’re based in one place you can take more luggage – great for those who like to lose the trekking trousers in the evening. Once you’ve settled in you’re free to relax or explore or soak up local life. Staying in one, or maybe two, locations can also be comforting if you feel tired, or are keen to get to know your surroundings a little better. Knowing that you can duck out of a day’s walking is also important if you fancy an alternative activity.

Centre based walking vacations let you set off when you please without the worries – will I reach the next hotel on time? Will my luggage arrive before I do? What will the next place be like? Will I be able to find it? Finally, it’s much more relaxing to just hop in the shower and rest before an evening meal or take your time over breakfast without the hassle of repacking. The pressure’s off; it’s a vacation, after all.

Read on in our center based walking vacations travel guide.

In a nutshell, center based walking vacations start and finish from the same front door. You could be setting out from a self catering apartment in Andalucia, a count's guesthouse in Transylvania, a shared, family run chalet in the French Alps or a B&B in the Balkans, but from whichever door you set off from, you'll be returning that afternoon or evening for rest, recuperation and to sample a slice of local life.

Aside from this one simple rule, center based walking vacations can take whatever form you like. They can be tailor made to suit your preferences; they can be self-guided in as much as you have a map, walking route notes and 24hr assistance, if needed – or you can opt for guided walks in the company of an expert who knows the local area like the back of their hand. They may also include a few short transfers to get you to the start of a trail or to the next hotel, guesthouse or B&B. You might opt to share the experience with a small group of likeminded walkers, some of whom may well become part of future walking vacation plans or at least memorable stories to tell on the next trek.