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Choose Your Dream Active Travel Holiday
What's your dream active European travel experience? Need some inspiration? Our experienced team of active travellers from our offices around the world have put their travel minds together to come up with our definitive 'Best in Active Europe' collection. With 450+ walking & cycling trips to 40 European countries, there's a trip for everyone - and every interest.
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BEST IN WALKING
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Crossing Corsica
The tiny French island of Corsica is simply one of the best walking destinations in Europe. There is much more than just the GR20, there are actually walks there for everyone. Watch the video above to get an idea of the rugged beauty of this mountainous walkers retreat.
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Mont Blanc Guided Walk
We didn't actually nominate this trip for the list - our travellers did. Year on year this is our number one walk in the Alps. Why? It packs in all the highlights of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc Circuit through France, Italy and Switzerland in just 7 days. You won't go wrong if you choose this as your first walk in the Alps.
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Transylvania Castles and Mountains
We're tipping big things for Romania, as active travellers look further east for more walking and cycling ideas. This is a great short walk through the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains, one that will leave you telling others that this unique country is much more than just the home of the legend Dracula.
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Coast to Coast Rambler
Who wants to walk across England? This is exactly what the Coast to Coast Walk, or Wainright's Walk, offers hikers. It's as tough as it sounds, but it is very achievable. This version of the walk gives you extra days to complete the hike from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay to make it a little less daunting.
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BEST IN CYCLING
VIDEO
Treasures of the Baltic by Bike
According to Lonely Planet cycling contributor, Andrew Bain, the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are the easiest countries in Europe for cycle touring. While the landscapes are largely flat, they are also very diverse – and beautiful. Listen to
Andrew's radio interview following his ride with us.
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Cycle Normandy
Sample the famous cider and apple brandy (calvados) - and possibly the best cheese in France - while cycling to various WWII landing sites through classic Normandy countryside blanketed in apple orchards and villages with half-timbered houses.
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Cycle Puglia
Located in the heel of Italy’s famous boot, this region is literally like no other in Italy. It has its own dialect, culinary scene, unique history thanks to its position as the gateway to the Orient, and a coastline just made for cycle touring.
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BEST IN BOAT & BARGE
VIDEO
Ionian Islands Bike and Sail
Who doesn't dream about cruising through the Greek Islands? If the standard offerings just don't excite you (read BIG boats), and you prefer your trips to be active, you'll love our boat, the challenging rides and fresh meals prepared by our crew.
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Rhine Valley Barge and Bike
For pure gobsmackingly stunning scenery - this is your trip. Germany's Rhine Valley serves up pot pourri of experiences along the river including imposing castles, striking panoramic views, lovely chocolate box villages and great wine.
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Amsterdam to Bruges – Deluxe
Who says you can't tick off all of Holland's highlights yet only unpack once? This is our more comfortable version of the classic cycle journey between Holland and Belgium, which has been one of the most popular experiences with our travellers since it was first launched.
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BEST FOR FOODIES
Combine great food on the iconic Camino in Spain
Via Francigena: Best of Tuscany
Savour the local cuisine and discover rich culinary traditions and the farm-to-table connection as you walk the Tuscan section of Italy’s Via Francigena.
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Food Lover's Spanish Camino
We've handpicked the best walks along the Camino and combined them with an insiders taste of the culinary scene, from small rural villages to a Michelin Star restaurant, as well as comfortable accommodations to provide a Camino experience like no other.
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Food Lover's French Way of St James
Taste the culinary specialties along the Way of St James, explore the best walks of the region and discover the most beautiful villages and towns whose history is linked to the trail.
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BEST FOR FAMILIES
VIDEO
Catalonia by Bike for Families
The Spanish region of Catalonia provides numerous distractions for both young and old. Dali's art, medieval history, quiet Mediterranean beaches, wetland wildlife - all connected with a gentle, well thought out cycle route through fields of sunflowers and wheat.
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Mont Blanc Family Adventure
Hike with donkeys, and the kids, around the tallest and most celebrated mountain in the European Alps. Tick off three countries - France, Italy & Switzerland - as you travel with other like minded families on this specially tailored walk for active families.
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Loire Valley Castles
Every kid loves a castle, and every parent loves the idea of only unpacking once when there are children involved. This short centre-based exploration of France's 'playground of the kings' is perfect for active families. Parents, if you're worried about keeping up with the kids, then take up the electric bike option.
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Croatia Family Adventure
Swimming, cycling, walking, rafting, jumping off the boat - the variety of activities on offer will wear the kids out while the great food, changing island scenery and relaxing on the boat enjoying a magical Mediterranean sunset will more than keep the parents happy.
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BEST FOR FIRST TIMERS
Hikers on their way to the Cirque de Gavarnie
Provence Backroads
There's no finer introduction to the delights of cycle touring than pedalling around Provence. If the medieval castles and picture-book Montagnette villages could inspire Van Gogh to create some of his best works, imagine how you will feel after your first ride. Electric bikes are available.
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Blue Danube Cycle
Slow down and soak in the magic of the Austrian castles, Benedictine monasteries and ancestral vineyards that line the famous Danube River at your leisure. The cycling is gentle, but if you’re worried about your fitness you can always hire an electric bike.
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Rhine Valley Cycle
Follow dedicated cycle paths along the German Rhine, as well as a section of the Alsace Wine Route in France, for a safe and simple first time cycling experience in one of the most culturally rich regions in Europe.
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Mont Blanc Rambler
A relaxed walk around Mont Blanc that takes in the vistas for which the Tour du Mont Blanc is so famous. In the company of a small group, a bilingual guide and a mule to carry your gear, the walk traverses high passes, meadows brimming with alpine flowers and wanders through typical mountain villages.
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BEST FOR A CHALLENGE
Corsica's Grand Randonee, or GR20, is an iconic European walking challenge
Tour de Monte Rosa Walk
Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci to discover a fascinating world of rock, ice and 4000m giants in Switzerland. This is one of Europe's most celebrated long distance treks, and a natural choice for those seeking a serious alpine challenge.
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Chamonix to Zermatt
From the head of the Chamonix Valley, ascend passes gaining breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and, on reaching Zermatt, take in the instantly recognisable Matterhorn. Suitable for experienced trekkers and with considerable altitude gains, the route requires participants to have a high level of fitness and endurance.
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Corsica's GR20
It's Europe's most celebrated and challenging long distance walk - for good reason. The rugged 200km trail that splits the island has it all, offering something different every day. The extraordinary diversity of views and landscapes, from the Mediterranean to snow-capped peaks, will only be rewarded to those who take on this iconic challenge.
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BEST FOR CULTURE & HISTORY
VIDEO
The Full French Way of St James
The Way of St James encompasses the paths that pilgrims walked in France to join the Camino in Spain en route to Santiago de Compostela. It's a virtual travelling museum of Romanesque art, passing a multitude of churches and monasteries - and glorious French landscapes - between central France and the Spanish border.
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The Full Spanish Camino
Can’t decide which section of Spain’s Camino to walk? Problem solved – take a month off and do them all! That way you won’t miss out on any of the cultural highlights and have more time to brush up on your history of this fascinating pilgrimage path.
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Rome and the Amalfi Coast on Foot
Soak in the history of Rome and Pompeii. Climb Mt Vesuvius. Walk the best trails on the island of Capri and along the Amalfi Coast. From ancient sites to sublime coastlines, this trip serves up a healthy balance of activity and history for one action packed week of walks.
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Ancient Greece on Foot
The Greek Gods may have been mythological, but the beauty and intrigue of the places they were said to have inhabited in Greece are most certainly real. Visit them on this comprehensive itinerary taking in the ancient sites of Athens, Delphi as well as the ‘floating’ monasteries of Meteora.
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BEST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
VIDEO
Mont Blanc Classic
One of the highlights of a walk along the Tour du Mont Blanc is a night in a dormitory, where you'll share tales, and a glass of vino perhaps, with other like minded walkers from around the world. The other benefit to 'dorms' is that you don't need to worry about covering the supplement of an empty bed if you are a single traveller.
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Croatia Bike & Sail
Southern Dalmatia encompasses a stunning chain of islands and this unique cycling trip captures the highlights with an ideal balance of activity, culture and relaxation. If you can't find a travelling companion to join you on this trip, don't worry. We'll match you up with another person of the same gender.
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Via Ferrate Guided Walk
For those with a head for heights and adventure, climbing the iron ladders and cables on the vertical walls in the Italian Dolomites will have a strong allure. If you can’t convince others to join you then do it anyway, travelling as an individual on this trip is still very, very affordable.
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So, have you decided what active travel trip is the right match for you? Let us know in the comments, we love hearing from our UTracks Travellers.
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