If you have come back from a vacation feeling like you need another one just to recover, then you’re not alone… unfortunately, in recent times, for example, a holiday to a country like Rome is anything but relaxing. Attractions are often crowded, you need to rush to see all of the tourist spots, not only that, but you also need to stick to a strict schedule. This can leave you more exhausted than when you left. But did you know that there’s a better way to travel? Yes! A walking holiday!
It’s not only a lot more relaxed, but also the best way to explore and discover a new side of a place. Here you change the crowded buses for stunning trails, and the hotels for picturesque guesthouses in ancient villages, but the best is that you also get a ton of health benefits!
So, get ready and let’s explore a type of traveling that will change the way you think about holidays!
Why Take a Walking Holiday?
In recent years, walking holidays have gained a lot of popularity thanks to ancient trails like Camino de Santiago that have become mainstream and attracted millions of people each year, way more than just a religious audience. And this way of traveling has taught us that it’s not about pushing yourself to the limit or checking landmarks off a list.
It’s about what happens between point A and point B, which means that the important thing is the journey itself.
It’s the ultimate form of slow travel, one that lets you truly immerse yourself in your surroundings. When you’re walking, you notice the small details, and this creates a deeper connection with the trail and the holiday itself.
But the benefits are a ton more than just a connection a clean, fresh air. Here are some of the most important benefits of a walking holiday:
Get Fit Without the Gym
It’s not a secret that walking is a great low-impact activity that improves your cardiovascular health, builds strength in your legs and core, and boosts your overall stamina. So, most walking holidays have a lot of that! You see, this type of holiday consists of long-distance trails, like the Camino or the West Highland Way, where you get to walk for several days, staying in different towns until you reach your destination.
The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking, throughout the week, and a walking holiday easily beats this.
It’s the only type of traveling that makes exercising a natural part of it.
Unwind and De-stress
Most of us travel and take holidays for one reason: to unwind, to relax, and take a break from our busy daily life, and that’s exactly what a walking holiday is all about. Especially if you do it with a specialized walking holiday agency like Orbis Ways.
This agency is packed with people that have already done many of the holidays across Europe, that’s why they know exactly what you need to have an amazing experience. Their packages cover everything for you, from booking places to stay to transporting your luggage, as well as detailed information on the trail. Orbisways also offers more than 200 routes to choose from in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, and beyond.
This attention to detail will give you a lot more peace of mind to truly enjoy and focus on relaxing, but the true core of a walking holiday is to unwind, since walking itself is known to calm the mind. Here you leave behind deadlines, screens, and daily issues, letting your brain truly reset.
Also, many studies have shown that spending time in nature reduces stress and improves mental well-being.
Connect with Culture and Nature
Perhaps the biggest pro of a walking holiday is how deeply it lets you immerse yourself in a culture. Here, you can stop at a small family-run café or restaurant that otherwise would have been missed by mass tourism. Or maybe you stumble upon a local market in a tiny village, and have a real interaction with local people.
This kind of travel supports local communities directly and offers a whole different level of cultural immersion that’s usually missed by most tour agencies. You’re not just observing from the outside; you’re stepping into daily life in another part of the world, but without all the noise.
Boost Your Brainpower and Creativity
It’s not a secret that the best ideas usually pop into your head when you’re out on a stroll, and there’s a scientific fact behind that. You see, walking increases the blood flow to the brain, and this has been linked to improvement in creative thinking and problem-solving.
So, taking these facts into account then a walking holiday is not only a way of traveling but also a long, almost uninterrupted brainstorming session with yourself. And all of this with a stunning backdrop.
Create a Real Sense of Achievement
The sense of achievement a walking holiday gives you is unmatched, and this is a huge boost to your emotional and mental health. Achieving something increases your confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.
Fortunately, on a walking holiday, you have several wins and achievements. You see, most long-distance trails are composed of different stages or sections you need to complete each day, usually, those are walks between towns.
Completing each of those sections is an accomplishment! Also, completing the whole walking holiday is an even bigger achievement.
Each step is a small victory, and completing the journey is a fantastic confidence booster.
It’s an Eco-Friendly Way to Travel
Thankfully, the world is moving toward sustainability, slow but on a steady pace. That’s why being conscious of our carbon footprint and adopting more eco-friendly options is the right move.
This makes a walking holiday perfect; it’s the ultimate sustainable travel, since your main way of transport from place to place is your own two feet. Not only that, but you also reduce the environmental impact by staying in local guesthouses and eating at small village restaurants. This way, your tourism dollars directly benefit the communities you pass through.
It’s a way to see the world that feels good for the soul and is kind to the planet.
Conclusion
As you can see, a walking holiday is more than just a typical holiday. On this type of vacation, you experience a place at its most profound level, truly connecting with it, and on top of that, you also have the health benefits of walking, as well as the stunning landscapes of the trail. All of those combined with an agency like Orbis Ways make this experience the ultimate form of traveling. One that truly lets you unwind and relax.