Walking Tours –  A great way to vacation, be active and explore the area

Vacations and getaways to commune with nature are becoming more and more popular. Gone are the days when hiking across difficult terrain or mountain climbing was the only way to enjoy the great outdoors.

Today many tours let you stretch your legs without coming home with sprang ankles or broken bones. Travel professionals know their clients want to stay active while traveling and explore the great outdoors.  Tour companies are starting to create trips all about soft-adventure.  This involves activities requiring less mobility, physical exertion and schedules activities other than hiking, mountain climbing and extreme sports such as zip-lining, rock climbing and rafting down rough waters. Soft-adventures are low risk.  They keep you moving and offer an option for travelers with limited mobility or little to no experience. The soft-adventure tourist is not looking for activities which require greater levels of skill or incorporates significant risk.

Some of the types of walking tours are:

Cultural walking tours allow you to visit historic sections of cities, explore their culture and meet residents. Tour companies offer an opportunity to study the city with culinary tours around town, attending cultural events, wandering through museums and walking along waterways.  These tours can immerse you in the culture either on-your-own or by matching you with residents on a personal guided tour, showing you what’s unique about their city.

National Geographic Tours – Known for finding the best spots around the world for adventure, there’s no doubt their walking tours will provide exercise and great views

• Great Smoky Mountains, U.S.
  This area has long been regarded as the ancestral homeland of the Cherokee Indians and home to a rich history of European American, who settled in the region.  With such a diverse and rich natural history you’ll find a variety of options for walks requiring minimal skills and athletic ability. According to National Geographic, “Within proximity of its extensive 900 miles of walking trails lies an abundant reserve of both natural and historic interests. The Smokies are home to more than 130 species of trees, 1,500 varieties of flowering plants, and 200 types of birds. Entering into this immense and abundant forest, walkers can retrace a pioneer past that follows the footsteps first marked by the Cherokee Indians.” An excellent way to see a historic region of Americana in a beautiful setting.
• Quebec, Canada
  I recently visited Quebec during the winter.  Walking the city covered in snow and ice had a few challenges, yet by slowing my pace and wearing proper shoes, it was a fun adventure each day.  Quebec is considered one of the 20 most romantic cities in the world, there is so much to explore and experience in this city on the banks of the St. Lawrence River.  National Geographic recommends:  ” The Saguenay Fjord Estuary is a unique ecosystem where fresh water blends with sea tide, creating this journey’s special environment. Granite cliffs plunge into the St. Lawrence River, where villages cluster by the water’s edge.” Here you will find a network of walking trails along the Saguenay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Beautiful waterfalls, wildlife, birds and natural surrounding.  You’ll find it all, and it doesn’t matter the time of year.

• The Oregon Trail
  On a trip last year, I walked each day around the parks in Bend, Oregon.  There are options for everyone – skilled hikers and rock climbers to casual walkers. There was something for everyone.  For those wanting to walk the Oregon Trail, tours begin at the base of volcanic Mount Hood, along the mighty Columbia River, past waterfalls leading to spectacular mountain views and meadows filled with wildflowers. The Oregon Trail is also rich in the history of Native Americans, with thousands of years of history. There are so many areas for walking each day.  I recommend afterward, enjoy dinner with wine or beer from the region. It’s becoming known for its breweries with beer made from crystal clean water.

• Switzerland
  One of the great advantages of taking a walking tour in Switzerland is the ease of travel around the country. Soft-adventure walking tours in cities or the countryside.  The expansive scenery will not disappoint. And, Switzerland is very safe for solo travelers. You will feel safe and secure on adventures around the country.  And transportation is easy to navigate.  Cities are perfect for getting out walking, exploring museums and historic buildings.  And the best way to end the day is by sharing a fondue and a yummy Swiss chocolate.

Extensive walking tours like the Camino Walking Tours may not be known by everyone, yet there are a combination of spiritual experience and physical endurance.  On Camino tours travelers make the pilgrimage along the traditional Way of Saint James or El Camino de Santiago to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela.  Trek through some of Europe’s most historic paths, beautiful pastures and explore cathedrals, churches and museums along Spain’s Castilla y Leon region.  The paths are well marked, and people make life-long friends along the trek with other travelers.

There is always a great walk on the beaches on Jekyll Island; my favorite is Driftwood Beach.  Along Georgia’s beautiful coast are several great islands for walking.   Cumberland Island is all about trekking around the island.  You walk from one ferry dock to the other among saw palmetto trees,  huge Live Oaks and wild horses. Bring a picnic because you’ll spend the whole day on the island.  The beauty will captivate you, so bring your camera.

Sapelo Island is ideal for walking along Cabretta Beach and Nannygoat Beach.  Take the nature path to Nanny Goat Beach and look for wildlife, bird watch and once on the beach comb the shore for whelk shells – Georgia’s state sea shell. Bring a bag for collecting shells.

Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach filled with just that – driftwood.  You walk a couple of miles before you know it, just taking in the scenery and admiring the artistic shapes and forms of the trees lying on the beach.

Important tip:
Consult a travel professional to help you find the best walking tour by asking these questions about:
– Location you’re interested in
– How much or how little activity is involved in walks and tours
– The grade or physical difficulty
– And, time of the year
Customized trips are the best. It’s a good idea to work with a travel professional to help you determine what’s best for you.

Go take a walk!