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Travel. Be In It.

Why An Active Holiday Is Good For Everybody

The UTracks travel philosophy is all about being active and completely immersed in your experiences. This approach results in health benefits, spreads income across local regions, and ultimately creates a better experience for you.

Watch our inspiring video and read on for the advantages of active travel. Plus check out our inspiring Be In It blog series.

There are travel health risks associated with the wrong type of travel that extend past accidents and illnesses. We’re talking about the risks associated with watching the world go by from the seat of a tour bus or the deck of a large boat. In 2019, UTracks is combating these risks and the 'click and tick' travel experience with our new campaign 'Travel. Be in it', which encourages people of all ages to get moving and change the way they travel.  

Active over Passive Travel Experiences

Active travel is an entirely different approach to the holiday experience.

Step beyond the days of passive sightseeing: endless hours sitting on a coach, shouldering crowds to take photos of well worn tourist sites, being fed meals fit for tourists.

Active travel lets you become completely immersed in your trip.

Walk village back roads and stumble upon authentic farmers’ markets. Cycle through crisp alpine landscapes and soak up the scenery in the fresh air. Encounter locals who are genuinely happy to welcome you to their region. Feel unbridled satisfaction when you reach your destination and create more valued memories as you recount/celebrate the journey.

And, after a day of lively activity, the food and wine is so much tastier – trust us.

The stunning Dalmatian Coast in Croatia

Lower the Environmental Impact

One of the hot topics in travel these days is overcrowding by tourism. Travel has become more affordable and accessible than ever before, which is great for those with itchy feet. 

Unfortunately, one major disadvantage to this is the negative effects of too many people on local infrastructure and the environment. 

By partaking in foot or pedal power and journeying the back roads between major sites, active travellers help spread the tourist dollar and reduce any adverse impact.

There has never been a better time to step off the overly-beaten path.

Idyllic walking along the Camino Sanabres in Spain

Spread Wealth across Wider Regions

Also on the topic of tourism and its effect on the local environment is wealth distribution. Tourism is a powerful income stream and if a town isn’t on the tourist trail it doesn’t receive any economic benefits.

At UTracks, we’re determined to continue expanding our range of routes and itineraries to include lesser known trails. For example, in 2020 we now include: 

- The Camino Sanabres, a recently re-discovered Camino route in Spain.

- The Andros Trail Self Guided Walk, one of Greece’s first islands to be recognised by the European Ramblers Association with a Leading Quality Trails certification.

- The Rota Vicentina, a long-distance footpath which opened in 2013 and represents a successful eco-tourism initiative to develop low impact tourism in a relatively untouched region of Portugal.
Get away from the crowds on the Rota Vicentina long-distance walking path |  <i>John Millen</i>

Avoid 'Click and Tick' Health Risks

There are travel health risks associated with the wrong type of travel that extends past accidents and illnesses. We’re talking about the risks associated with watching the world go by from the seat of a tour bus or the deck of a large boat. UTracks is combating these risks and the 'click and tick' travel experience by encouraging people of all ages to get moving and change the way they travel.

An American study has found that not exercising enough puts us at greater risk than smoking, diabetes or even heart disease.
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic studied more than 122,000 patients who participated in treadmill testing between 1991 and 2014. Results showed better cardio-respiratory fitness was linked to living longer, while extreme aerobic fitness provided the greatest benefits, especially to patients over 70 and patients with hypertension.

The study, published in the American Medical Association Journal, found that there is no limit to how much exercise is too much – which is great news for those who enjoy staying active (and need another excuse to book that next walking or cycling holiday).

All smiles from the self guided walkers of the Italian Camino |  <i>Allie Peden</i>

Better Travel Memories for You

Ultimately we travel for pleasure and, after acknowledging all of the added benefits of staying active while on vacation, a walking or cycling trip will surely enhance your travel experience. 

If you haven’t yet tried an active travel trip, make it your next holiday – we think you’ll love it.

All smiles on the self guided cycle between Porto and Santiago |  <i>Pat Rochon</i>

Get in Touch

If you’re an active traveller and have a story to tell, we’d love to hear it!  Send your photos or story to our team and we’ll share it on our blog so others can become inspired. 

There's the inspiring Be In It blog series to read which features in depth articles on places such as Puglia, Monte Rosa and cycling from Prague to Dresden.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest active travel news, European inspiration and helpful advice from fellow travellers. 

 

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