There’s nothing I enjoy more than ditching a diet prior to leaving on vacation. And what better way to gorge on regional delicacies and not have to deal with the guilt (or extra calories) that comes with doing so than by taking part in a walking tour.
One of the leaders in the walking tour industry, Breakaway Adventures, offers more than 200 cycling and walking tours each year in 30 countries. The tour company keeps groups small and personal (there’s rarely more than eight people per group) so you can move at your own pace.
The guided tours include pick up and drop off at airport/train station, breakfast each day, most dinners and fully researched route notes and maps. In addition, the tour includes staffers who moves luggage from inn to inn and is available on call for special assistance.
Here is a sampling of the company’s new walking tours available for 2008:
Vineyards of Barolo Walk: This is an independent (not guided) hotel-to-hotel walking tour that explores the tranquil Langhe region of Piedmont – in northwestern Italy. The picturesque countryside features a mix of hills cloaked by layers of vines, sunflowers and oak forests, crowned with Savoy castles. The tour starts and ends in Benevello and follows the Tanaro River before climbing through a string of hamlets to Diano d’Alba. Distances are reasonably short, leaving plenty of time to explore. Tours run from May 5 – Oct 14 and prices start at $2,355 per person.
Delights of the Dalmatian Coast: This walking and sightseeing tour explores the beautiful, unspoiled Dalmatian Coast. The tour includes travel between destinations by minibus. The walking is done along coastal and forest paths that lead to rocky coves and waterfalls. Highlights include a stop in Trogir, where the first Greek settlers landed, and Dubrovnik, Croatia’s most wealthy independent Maritime. Tours run from May through September and prices range from $3,150 to $3,400 per person.
Islands of Sicily Walk: This independent walking tour starts in the village of Scopello on Sicily’s north coastline, adjacent to one of Italy’s most pristine coastal nature reserves, the Riserva dello Zingaro. The tour then continues by ferry to Marettimo, the most mountainous of the three so-called Egadi Islands just off the western coast. The tour then returns to the mainland at San Vito Lo Capo. Tours run from April to October and prices range from $2,100 to $2,300 per person.
For additional tours click here.
Related Articles:
Exploring Exotic Locations On Two Wheels and Two Feet
Walking or Cycling Through Europe
Biking and Walking Tours Of Europe