Of all the international travel in 2021 we expect European travel to pick up first. Here are ten hiking and cycling trips in Europe, you should put on your bucket list.
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Iceland - Laugavegur from Thórsmörk to Skogar
East of Iceland's capital Reykjavik, glaciers, mountains in every colour of the rainbow and ancient forests overlook swirling rivers, soothing hot springs, incredible lava flows and deep gorges. Fantastical rock formations rise up out of carpets of Arctic flowers and brilliantly coloured moss. The Laugavegurinn hiking trail connects Þórsmörk with Landmannalaugar and this trip adds a hike to the famous waterfall at Skogar.
Crossing England west to east near its narrowest point, the just over 300 kilometre Coast to Coast Path is one of the world's classic treks. It leads through the dramatic scenery of three distinct national parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
From St. Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea you will walk through a variety of landscapes featuring dry stone walls, endless moors, steep hills and mountains and some very charming villages each with their own pub. Stupendous views are the order of the day on this classic English trek.
The Netherlands - Cycling The Netherlands
This tour of The Netherlands shows you the country away from the tourist brochures. While you may come across the odd windmill and tulip, this self-guided cycling holiday through the heart of The Netherlands excites even a Dutchman like Adventure Coordinators' Tom Gehrels. Visit forgotten fishing villages, historic Hanseatic towns, indulge in the wide-open spaces and lakes of Friesland, the farmer's fields of Holland and the National Heritage Landscapes of Gelderland.
Join us for a special presentation on Active holidays in Europe, including Camino and bike & boat. Click here to register.
The Netherlands & Belgium - Bike and Boat - Amsterdam to Bruges
Cycling along dikes, bike paths and small roads through the pretty countryside of the Netherlands and Belgium, encounter rivers, farms, small villages and hamlets, windmills and cafés. Take time to stop in some of the cities Holland and Flanders are famous for - relaxed Amsterdam, old Ghent (Gent) and pretty Bruges (Brugge) - and meet the locals who are always ready for a story and a chat.
The picturesque Moselle valley is at the heart of a famous wine-producing area in Germany. The region is home to the country's oldest town and a rick Roman and medieval history. An abundance of castles stand guard over pretty towns in a valley that offers relaxed cycling and an array of activities, historical sites and cultural traditions.
Central Europe - Bike and Boat - Vienna to Belgrade along the Danube
Cycling along the famous Danube you will ride through six countries and some fantastic landscapes: the spectacular Wachau Valley, the mighty canyon of the Iron Gates and the Carpathian mountains. Along the route you will visit lovely villages, wineries and monasteries and explore four capitals, all once belonging to the Austrian-Hungarian empire: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade.
Join us for a special presentation on Active holidays in Europe, including Camino and bike & boat. Click here to register.
Italy - Trails of the Italian Alps
High up in the Alps' Aosta Valley, against the border with France, Gran Paradiso, Italy's oldest national park, feels like a true wilderness. Encounters with ibex and chamois are common on your trek and the views of Mont Blanc and as far over as Matterhorn are simply stupendous. Glacial lakes, valleys carpeted in wildflowers and snow-covered mountains set the back-drop for a week of fantastic hiking. Nights are spent in atmospheric mountain refuges, adding to the alpine experience.
In medieval times the Via Francigena was an important pilgrimage route for those wishing to visit the Holy See and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul in Rome. Today the route follows the ancient trail from Canterbury in England to Italy's capital. This last section, from Orvieto to the Eternal City, takes you through the hills of Umbria, past hill top towns, ancient Etruscan villages and historical sites, all the while sampling delicious regional culinary specialities.
The Camino de Santiago is a network of trails of which the trail running from the south of France through the north of Spain (the Camino Frances) is by far the most famous and popular. The entire pilgrimage takes about 40 days but for those who are short on time, we offer a guided "Best of the Camino" option. In just under two weeks we take you and your fellow pilgrims and hikers along the most scenic portions of the trail, all the while staying in comfort. Best of all - you do not have to carry your own bag as we will transfer it for you.
Portugal - Self-guided Portuguese Camino
Quieter than the Camino Frances, the Portuguese Camino follows the route the body of the Apostle St. James took en-route his final resting place in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Starting in the city of Porto you walk this ancient pilgrimage route through small hamlets and pretty forests, over ancient bridges and through market towns dating back to the time of the Romans. As your luggage will be transferred for you, all you need to carry is your daypack.
Join us for a special presentation on Active holidays in Europe, including Camino and bike & boat. Click here to register.