In the high Dolomites villages of Alta Badia you can go walking in Summer or skiing and snowshoeing in Winter. At altitudes of around 1500m, these villages get good snowfalls and plenty of sunshine making them a great destination for summer walkers and winter skiers alike. The area is also known as Südtirol, due to its history when it was part of Austria.
We visited Corvara at the end of August to sample an organised walking holiday. Once we arrived we heard about the attractions of Via Ferrata (also known as Klettersteig), a range of protected scrambling routes that have existed in this area since World War I.

A Via Ferrata usually has a series of fixed cables, ladders and gorge-spanning bridges to which you hook up to climb and scramble your way to the end, and they culminate in breathtaking views over the valleys surrounding Arabba, Corvara & Pedraces. The Via Ferrata are clearly marked by the local mountain guides – you can follow them independently or with an organised group. It is best to wear a safety helmet, harness and specialist kit to hook yourself on to the cables. This kit can be hired in your resort for around €10 per day. Read more »

Tags: adventure holidays, Italy, walking holidays

Holidays in Greece – In and Out of the Mainstream

There are many quieter, traditional areas of Greece which repay investigation and can provide an idyllic holiday, away from the more bustling tourist centres. The power of Greece is very much contained in its diversity – many different kinds of holiday are on offer in this ancient country with a traditional heart.

Without doubt, those looking for hedonistic holiday pleasures will never be disappointed – the sun, sea and sand; the warm, lazy days and nights; the waterside wining and dining – it is all here in abundance.

Greece has the second highest number of Blue Flag beaches of any country in the world – an award which confirms and demonstrates the quality and cleanliness of its beaches and sea. Read more »

Tags: beach vacations, cheap package holidays, walking holidays

A self guided walking holiday through the Beaujolais vineyards in August or September would be the ideal holiday for any wine loving walkers.  Starting from the town of Fleurie, the tour give you the opportunity to visit the home of the Beaujolais Crus.  The trek is called the Beaujolais Ridge Tour, and it offers six full days of walking, following marked footpaths.  Fully detailed maps are supplied, and your luggage is transported each day to your next destination.  All you need to do is pull on your boots, pick up your packed lunch and start walking.

Walking in the Beaujolais region, north east of Lyon, comprises a series of rolling hills, reaching a maximum height of 1000m above sea level. Although the hills are quite gentle, the scale of the peaks and the depths of the valleys means you see some superb panoramamic views during your walks. Passing through some of the most famous Burgundy vineyards, you will walk through the maturing vines during the summer months, or if you take this walking holiday in the Autumn you will see the spectacular changing hues of the vine leaves. Read more »

Tags: France walking holidays, walking holidays

Day one of our trek on the Lycian Way in Turkey saw us travel by car for 45 minutes to the south of Antalya for the start of the trek. This avoided walking through the sprawl of the city and gave us the chance to enjoy the wooded paths and coastal sections. The dropoff point in Camyuva was unceremonious, at the side of a dual carriageway. The footpath was marked on the other side of the road, and off we went after stopping for a sunblock application. The weather was hot and sunny – about 35 degrees Celsius, and it was to continue that way for the whole week. After five minutes we came to a split in the path and we saw another walker. This did not seem remarkable, but in fact we only encountered six others in five days of trekking. That is a definite plus point: if you are thinking of following this route, go soon before it becomes overpopulated with walkers.

Today the walk was only 6km long. At first we walked through pine forests on level ground to a small deserted bay. At the other side of the bay the path was signposted up the hill, where we reached the lost city of Phaselis. This was an important port right up until the 15th century, with three harbours. Now the harbours are derelict and you can paddle among the fallen stones. Further on there is an amphitheatre, the original main street and the town baths. The site is not very well interpreted but there is plenbty of atmosphere because it has not been beautified.

from Phaselis we could hear loud music coming from the other side of the hill in the next bay. this was to be our destination, but we expected to be going to a very small village. Once we crested the hill we discovered the noise was coming from a Gulet that was moored in the bay so the trippers could swim and sunbathe. These boats are really a nuisance in the way they arrived into idyllic deserted bays making such a din. At least they were not staying all night!

At the other end of the second bay was our second hotel, the Sundance. It is situated on a private beach with no other buildings nearby, in total peace and seclusion – Gulet trips notwithstanding. Tranquility is the name of the game at this hotel, and generally they do a good job. Our room was very basic, with a dodgy looking undermount sink and – shock – no aircon! In these areas at the beginning of June, airconditioning is essential. We were told the hotel was full and a fan was supplied instead. the fan was adequate but took up vital space in the tiny bedroom.

Tags: Lycian Way Trekking, Turkey holidays, walking holidays

The attractions of Turkey for anyone who enjoys walking or trekking holidays are huge. This is a country enjoying a Mediterranean climate and possessing historic sites and archaeological heritage that are easily the equal of the Greek destinations. Tourism in Turkey is relatively young, and you can still find traditional hospitality in family-run hotels and pensions (Pansiyons).


The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have sadly fallen victim in many parts to uncontrolled hotel development, but walking holidays in Turkey pass through some beautiful beachside villages, such as Adrasan and Çirali, that remain unaffected by package holiday hordes. Cirali and Adrasan are close to the Roman ruins at Olympos, about two hours’ drive west of Antalya. They are also close to the Lycian Way, the famously stunning long distance coastal footpath that is gaining in popularity with walkers and trekkers following the publication of the ‘Lycian Way Guide’ by Kate Clow.

It is unusual to find a really good walking route close to the coast and I have been checking out the tour operators offering vacations to explore the Lycian Way. Because the route is well marked there are plenty of self guided walking holidays in Turkey on offer. This is a good idea if you prefer not to be in a group of fellow walkers for the entire vacation! The arrangements for a self guided walking holiday usually include transport to the first night’s hotel or pension, luggage transfers and all meals. Some itineraries take you to a different location every night, others stay at certain hotels for two nights during the week.

At the end of your week trekking, you will usually spend the final night in the Old Town of Antalya, where you are a short ride from the airport.

The route snakes along a dramatic coastline to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, now known as Mt Tahtali. For more energetic trekkers the highlight of the trip is the chance to climb Mount Tahtali (2388m), with superb views along the coast from the summit ridge. After your success in conquering the mountain The descent is through shady, wooded valleys, with the opportunity to visit the ruins of Olympos. At Cirali you will find one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on this coast. Cirali beach consists of two miles of soft sand where the azure ocean water laps at your feet. This is definitely worth taking time to rest and sunbathe.

The next day the Lycian Way route takes you to Adrasan, followed by the culmination of the trip – the walk from the coastal resort and farming village of Adrasan along the cliffs and coves to Cape Gelidonia.  There are small pensions and hotels along the route that are benefiting from the increase in visitors. For the moment a self guided walking holiday on the Lycian way meets almost all the requirements of an eco holiday, as you are a part of the local landscape supporting the local economy.  The upside is that you should be able to spend a week on the Lycian Way without seeing any huge package tour hotels.

Walksworldwide (01524 242000, walksworldwide.com) offer walking holidays covering the best of the Lycian Way from Camyuva to Cape Gelidonia. From £425 FB excluding flights

On Foot Holidays (01722 322652, onfootholidays.co.uk ) A fairly challenging seven-night itinerary along the Lycian Way.From £620 HB excluding flights

World Walks (01242 254353, worldwalks.com ) Walks in the Lycian Way. From £378 HB excluding flights

If you like a reasonable level of home comforts on your walking holiday, the companies above offer luggage transfers so you only need to carry your lunch, drinks and camera during the walks. You stay in Hotels or Guest Houses with ensuite facilities. NOT ALL companies offer this! Many trekking holidays to the Lycian Way involve use of sleeping bags (!), carrying all your luggage with you, and extra payments for transport. I travelled on a Ramblers Walking Holiday once, and they charged  for “local transport costs” – an extra £45 per week. The hotel was dismal and cold! Ramblers do not charge any less than the other operators reviewed here so if you do not want to rough it on your walking holiday, start with the companies reviewed here.

If you are a single person a walking holiday is one of your best vacation options. The best singles holiday operators charge no single room supplement, which could otherwise cost you more than £20 a night. I have been on two walking holidays with Solos (solosholidays.co.uk) and their itineraries are excellent for single travellers. Solos do not offer a walking trip to the Lycian Way, but they do have a Turkey multi activity holiday. Solitair (solitairhols.co.uk) have a programme featuring the Lycian Way. Prices start from £699 Full Board – flights included.

Read more »

Tags: adventure holidays, singles holidays, Turkey holidays, walking holidays

How big is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle ?

The only living member of the genus Caretta, the Loggerhead sea turtle can grow up to an intimidating 364 kg and 1.1 metres long. The species is so named for the turtle’s over-large head punctuated by a set of strong jaws suitable for feeding on a wide range of sea life from molluscs (whelks and conch) to crustaceans (crabs and shrimp) to fish and jellyfish. They have also been known to consume small or immature marine animals such as sea birds and mammals.

Loggerheads have a large habitat ranging from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the Indian Ocean. Atlantic migratory routes span from Newfoundland to Argentina with breeding and reproduction taking place in the warm waters of the southern hemisphere. Read more »

Tags: conservation holidays, walking holidays