Intrepid Travel launched a new collection of walking tours focused on Europe's most iconic routes and sustainable travel.
The Great Walks of Europe collection features six tours led by qualified and vaccinated local walking tour leaders. It is set to offer journeys for a variety of fitness levels, including a a mix of center-based itineraries, where travellers can skip some walks should they choose to do so, and point-to-point hikes, which require travellers to complete specific routes to get to the tour's next destination.
Each trip will include stays at smaller, family-run hotels and similar accommodations, with minimal transport, as Intrepid Travel focuses this collection on sustainability and support for local communities.
“Fresh air, iconic routes, remote locations and a guarantee of vaccinated trip leaders and fellow travel companions make these new walking tours a safe and desirable option for North American travellers looking to explore Europe,” said Matt Berna, managing director, North America, Intrepid Travel.
The Great Walks of Europe collection tours depart from APR 2022 onwards,
Some itinerary highlights include:
Walk the Camino de Santiago (Spain): a 7-day tour where participants walk along the iconic, final stretch of Spain’s Camino de Santiago, passing through traditional countryside, past Roman ruins and more, while sampling unique Galician specialties like polbo a feira octopus in Melide and learning how to make the traditional Queimada drink.
Hike the Rota Vicentina (Portugal): an 8-day tour departing from Portugal’s Rota Vicentina, also known as the Fisherman’s Trail. The walking tour follows a coastal path that passes through the Alentejo and Algarve regions. Travellers will enjoy a seafood lunch in the village of Zambujeira do Mar with ingredients from the local fish market, spend a day at leisure in Aljezur, and hike to Cabo de Sao Vicente, mainland Europe’s southwestern most point.
Hiking in the Dolomites (Italy): an 8-day tour, where travellers are based in the Italian town of Dobbiaco, spending each day exploring the Dolomite region. Participants will hike the Three Peaks of Lavaredo loop, a full day walk in the Dolomites; and see the Earth Pyramids of Platten, naturally formed earth towers which are the tallest earth pyramids in Europe.
Hike the Lycia Way (Turkey): an 8-day tour where guests hike along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and the rocky tracks of the Lycian Way – a trail used in ancient Greek and Roman times. The itinerary explores ancient Lycian tombs in Fethiye, and visit Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon, Turkey’s longest sand beach at Patara, and the coastal town of Kas.
Mont Blanc Highlights (France): an 8-day tour where travellers hike through the French Alps each day with an International Mountain Leader guiding the way before returning to their base in Chamonix.
Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland): an 8-day tour, with guests following a circuit route from Chamonix in France, through Switzerland and Italy. Participants will embark on several included hikes and cable car rides around the slopes along the way.
As of SEP 2021, all travellers and tour leaders with Intrepid Travel are required to be vaccinated, and Intrepid notes that each of its trips operates under Safe Travel protocols developed and endorsed by the World Travel & Tourism Council.
For more information on Intrepid Travel's walking tours, visit its web site.
