Marcia Abramson
to the Old Bailey Court to see the white-wigged, black-robed judges, the golden voiced barristers and the formally clad prosecutors and court personnel presiding at a criminal trial was most interesting and highly recommended. And a stroll in Paris from the Café de la Paix after shopping at the Gallerie Lafayette, past the Tuillerie shops and gardens, crossing one of Paris¹ colorful bridges, the Pont Neuf, to the Left Bank¹s D¹Orsay Museum can be delightful. But imagine an active vacation with planned walks through European countries.
I learned of a company located in Illinois specializing in planning Active Walking Tours in Great Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia and France. It is the Euro Bike & Walking Tours located in DeKalb, Illinois, and Holland. They claim that a perfect tonic to dispel modern day stresses is to find a beautiful place and go walking. Their itineraries include walking six to 10 miles each day or up to 15 miles per day on moderate walks. A local English-speaking guide escorts the walker on local footpaths and hiking trails, stopping along the way to visit interesting sites, explore out-of-the-way villages, or relax beside a shimmering lake. They are always on the lookout for a beautiful landscape even if it involves walking on a glacier, under waterfalls, through forests, and in high Alpine meadows.
The company rates the Walking Levels of Difficulty as ³Easy, Moderately Easy, Moderate, and Challenging.² Easy means that the terrain is not strenuous, and should not pose a problem for anyone who has maintained a minimum level of fitness. For those who enjoy an occasional challenge to reach a better vantage point, the Moderately Easy designation has a few longer climbs and a gently rolling terrain. The Moderate level is slightly more difficult and is best suited for those who exercise on a regular basis. Lastly, Challenging calls for more experienced walkers or people with a high level of fitness who can deal with hilly terrains and longer climbs.
Of course, accommodations at deluxe European hotels with three meals are included in the cost of the tour as well as luggage and van support. The walker is expected to carry only personal essentials. There is a driver who transports the luggage to the next hotel and sweeps the route, ready to transport weary walkers, offer assistance, or even refill water bottles. Also included are admission to historic sites along the route, group travel by bus, boat, rail, cable car, or ski lift, pick up or drop off on tour start and end days, hotel gratuities. The group size is never more than 15.
I have visited all the countries on the 2007 Walking Trips of Euro Bike & Walking Tours and can certainly recommend the tranquility and scenic beauty of the green rolling-meadows and a pint of ale in the amiable pubs of the Cotswolds in southwest England. The seascapes of Cornwall, another walk in England can also be rated as a top choice for the walker. The Scottish Highlands tour is a must with Edinburgh, ³The Athens of the North² on the itinerary before taking to the hills with marvelous vistas of Loch Lomond and a visit to ancient castles, treading the colorful moors and try a ³wee dram.² Ireland¹s Ring of Kerry Tour of the Emerald Isle is a must walk in my judgment. The grass is definitely greener in this country with its most friendly Irish people, Iron-age forts and castles and gifted authors and poets.
The 10 additional walking tours include the Austrian Tyrol; Vienna-Prague Trail; Swiss Alps and Lakes; Dalmatian Coast, Croatia and the walled Dubrovnik walk; the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Three Italian Lakes (Como, Maggiore, Lugano), Tuscany& Umbria, Italy; Dordogne Trails and the Paths of Provence² in France. Anyone of these tours can make a great active holiday starting in late April through October.
Happy Trails!
My next column will describe some interesting foreign bike tours for active travelers.
For further information visit www.eurobike.com or call 800-321 6060 or see your travel professional.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
E-mail:mascribe@aol.com
