Short break walking guide

Short break walking vacations are about that all important breath of fresh air. Whether it is English, Turkish, French or even Moroccan fresh air, those lungs will be loaded with mountain or sea goodness by the time you come back. In just a few days you will escape the everyday stuff and embrace the extraordinary stuff. Read more below in our short break walking vacations guide, and breathe…

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Short break walking guide

2 MINUTE SUMMARY

We probably don’t take short breaks as often as we should and, if we do, many of us just plump for a city break. However, imagine swapping London for a few days hiking through dunes and coastal nature reserves in Suffolk. Or along ancient mule paths on the Lycian Way in Turkey instead of the busy streets of Istanbul. Nice is nice, but heading into the hills of Provence, enjoying a cookery class in the morning and a hike through olive groves in the afternoon is all possible of a weekend. Most short break walking vacations are tailor made and self guided, although some do offer the services of a local hiking expert, which makes for an even more relaxing get away. Stay in local guesthouses, be fed delicious local food, go hiking, have your bags transferred for you. Just walk. And to think – you might have just plumped for Paris.

Read more in our short break walking vacations guide.

Is a short break walking vacation for you?

Responsible Travel recommends

Go on a short break walking vacation if…

… you need just a quick foray into nature, or a romantic weekend away for wanderlusters.

… you are preparing for a long distance hiking vacation and need to flex those mountain muscles.

… you have a thing about Italy. There are bountiful belli breaks to be had.

… you want a small company break with a difference. Company getaway in a kasbah, hiking by day, hammam by night? Discuss that five year plan walking along the French Riviera? You get the picture.

Don’t go on a short break walking vacation if...

… you want five star accommodation. Locally owned guesthouses, who pack your picnic for you and collect you on the trail in their mountain battered 4x4 is more the scenario here.

… you aren’t flexible about plans if the weather doesn’t turn out good. Just invest in good rain gear instead.

… you are a strict timekeeper. Walking vacations are for taking your watch off and switching off.

… you like walking with a guided group. The majority of short break walking vacations are for independent walkers.

Photo credits: [Top box: Warren Talbot]

Written by Catherine Mack

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