Walking is one of best ways to travel. You have got time to slow down and drink it all in: the fresh air, the scent of a wildflower on the breeze, the tinkle of a cow bell in the distance. A good walk should be about relaxation, getting away from the stresses of everyday life - and that's exactly the secret to what makes our most popular walking holidays such firm favourites.
There's such a wealth of variety of scenery on offer - with breezy coastal routes, rolling agricultural hills, or dramatic mountainous panoramas, there's no shortage of stunning viewpoints and vistas to discover on foot. We've hunted down the very best of each region to reveal to you what makes them so special, from the perfect places to stay to the hidden gems that make your holiday unforgettable.
Enjoy our selection of favourite walking holidays.
The Italian Dolomites are a Mecca for high-level walkers and this holiday combines superbly varied walking by day with luxury 4 star comfort at night - a highly sought-after mix! Excellent birdspotting, stunning flowers and unrivalled Alpine views.
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Perfect for year-round walking, the floating garden of Madeira is a paradise of tropical flowers, exotic birds and trees, romantic gorges and emerald seas. Luxury 4 and 5 star hotels throughout provide exquisite local cuisine with possibility of sampling the island's famous full-bodied wine.
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This triple centre holiday explores the unspoilt north western tip of Sicily and the nearby Egadi islands. It's a relatively undiscovered region where highlights include pristine sandy beaches, coral-lined grottoes, ancient hill villages and marvellously preserved nature reserves.
DEPARTURE MONTHS
There are few places in Italy as stunning as the Amalfi Coast with its emerald seas, plunging gorges and pastel villages linked by ancient walking paths. This linear walk follows the coast from elegant Amalfi to chic Sorrento, taking in en route vertical Positano and (optional) the beautiful island of Capri.
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Superb hotels, world-famous wines and exceptional cuisine are just some of the reasons to choose this 8-night walking holiday! The route takes you through softly rolling hills, sun-drenched hamlets and via the pretty wine towns of Barbaresco and Barolo.
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Based at the exclusive Ta Cenc Hotel, the tiny island of Gozo offers secluded beaches, Arabic-style honey-coloured houses, lemon groves, palm trees, red GPO phone boxes and 'Dixon of Dock Green' police stations!
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A warming winter walking discovery allowing you to see the best of the unspoilt Western Algarve region. The lush flora and diverse fauna of the Algarvian hinterland compliment the dramatic seascape scenery of the Atlantic coastline perfectly. The hotels are a brilliant mix of rustic charm and stylish grandeur, complete with swimming pools and serving the best of local Portuguese cuisine.
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The wonderfully unspoilt Venetian countryside is only an hour or so from the great city of Venice, but couldn't be more different! Here is a landscape of rolling hills, shady forests, vineyards and fields ablaze with colourful flowers.
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Here, in the 'jewel in the crown' of classic Switzerland, you'll find many of the highest peaks, the deepest valleys, the tallest waterfalls, the oldest glaciers and the most beautiful mountain lakes in the country.
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You walk through timeless white washed villages, along flower decked paths - poppies, wild iris, and pink oleander - and there's a good chance of spotting golden eagles soaring overhead.
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