How To Choose A Walking Holiday In Four Easy Steps

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How To Choose A Walking Holiday In Four Easy Steps
Walking is said to be the number one most popularoutdoor activity in the UK these days. Certainly, in a world that is growing more and more aware of the beneficial aspects of a healthy lifestyle and plenty of exercise, and walking is a form of activity towards which many people are gravitating. Figures are showing that around three and a half million walking holidays are taken by British travellers each year.
Walking holidays offer an exhilarating combination of exercise and fresh air, but more than this they provide an ideal opportunity to get really close to the part of the world you are exploring, to experience the landscape, culture and people in a way that is just not possible from inside a vehicle.
The advantages of such a vacation are clear, but that doesn’t mean to say it should be something that you rush into. Making a careful selection helps to avoid any potential pitfalls, and the first step towards choosing the kind of walking holiday that is right for you is a process of careful elimination.
Independent Or in a Group?
This is down to whether you enjoy the company and security of travelling in a group, or prefer to go it all alone? Naturally, there are pros and cons to both preferences. With group walking you get to enjoy the experience in the company of like-minded people with whom you can socialise. The other side of the coin, however, is that travelling with others can tend to isolate you from the travel experience.
However, it cannot be argued that when you are in unfamiliar territory that there is safety in numbers. The security of travelling en masse helps to reduce the aspect of risk, a comforting element which in itself can aid enjoyment.
Group walking also offers the advantages of a talented guide who is familiar with the landscape, society, culture and history and who can pass that knowledge on to you while ensuring that you don’t get lost.
Walking with a group leaves you with less to take care of yourself, your days are planned for you and you can simply go along and enjoy it all. However, there inevitably needs to be compromises as you are required to fit in, more or less, with what the majority wants. Fitting in with the walking speeds of others is an example of this. Some walking holiday providers do cater for differing levels of ability within groups, and make arrangements accordingly.
Another factor you might want to take into account is that the self guided walking holidays can be a lower priced option than their group equivalents.
As you can see there is a lot of difference between the two types of walking holiday, so make sure you choose the right type for your next trip.