Are you the type of traveler who prefers the path less traveled? If that’s the case, then you’ll love the European hiking vacations designed by Inntravel.
The Slow travel specialists at Inntravel seek out vacations along the lesser taken paths of Europe. These are destinations that are well away from the honeypot sites.
Check out their new 2022 self-guided programs featuring sustainable and immersive travel. When experiencing one of Inntravel’s programs you’ll discover that your hike also includes delicious local food, embracing local culture, and restful stays in welcoming, privately-owned hotels.
NEW SELF-GUIDED HIKING VACATIONS
‘The Old Way’ on the Portuguese Camino – along the World’s only Waterborne Pilgrim Route
2022 is set to be a big year for the Camino de Santiago: following the Pope’s announcement, the Camino’s Holy Year is to be extended for a further 12 months due to Covid. Eschewing the crowded Camino Frances across northern Spain, this new vacation along ‘the Old Way’ begins on the Portuguese border and takes one of the quietest paths to the shrine of St. James, along the picturesque Portuguese Camino through Galicia. It follows the Variante Espiritual – part of which is the world’s only waterborne pilgrim route along which the body of James was carried by boat upriver. Besides tranquil trails, discover charming riverside villages known for their seafood; the magnificent city of Pontevedra; and the beauty of the Rías Baixas region with its famous Albariño vineyards. Unlike most pilgrims, Inntravel hikers stay in a series of high quality hotels – from boutique rural hideaways to city Paradors. There’s even the option to end the journey in Santiago’s 5-star Hostal dos Reis Católicos, which has been providing shelter to pilgrims since the 15th Century, and is possibly the oldest hotel in the world. Price: from £1,190pp inc 10 nights’ B&B, 5 dinners, 6 picnics, taxi transfers en route. Available 1 April – 30 June & 1 Sept – 31 Oct 2022.
The Quiet Side of the Italian Riviera
Away from the crowds, explore the Ligurian Riviera’s alluring villages and stunning coastline from one stylish base at Moneglia, using the inexpensive local rail network. Conveniently set between the Cinque Terre and Portofino Bay (2022 will mark 25 years since the Cinque Terre gained UNESCO status), Moneglia is a charming seaside village with bars, restaurants and small shops, and a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach. Excellent rail links provide easy access to many of the coastal villages and some of Italy’s finest coastal hiking, and allow the hikes to be tailored to suit individuals. Set in the hills just behind the seafront, the friendly, family-run boutique hotel, Villa Edera, has a gourmet restaurant and a pool and provides quick access direct to the railway station from an intriguing lift in the hotel’s garden. The hideaway’s home-grown produce supplies the restaurant that serves seasonal tasting menus and there are optional hands-on cooking classes and sommelier-run wine tastings on offer. Price: from £860pp, inc 7 nights’ B&B and wine tasting session with tapas. Available 1 April – 15 July & 1 Sept – 31 Oct 2022.
Discover the quiet charms of Western Sicily and the dreamy Egadi Islands with their distinct North African accent and gentle pace of life. From the medieval hill-town of Erice, hike to vibrant Trapani, where an hour’s ferry takes guests to Marettimo, the furthest-flung of the Egadi Islands. Three nights here, in a comfortable apartment, enable visitors to slow down and enjoy long leisurely al fresco lunches and follow Inntravel’s trails, including those along thyme-scented slopes where peregrine falcons and Bonelli’s eagles swoop overhead. The final two nights are spent in the Moorish coastal village of Scopello, gateway to Sicily’s beautiful Zingaro Nature Reserve. Price: from £775pp, including 7 nights’ B&B, 1 picnic and return ferry Trapani to Marettimo plus transfer on day 5. Available 1 April to 15 June & 1 Sept to 31 Oct 2022.
This route showcases some of the National Park’s quieter corners and more surprising attractions including its slate landscape which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site this year. From Porthmadog, hike past the Glaslyn Estuary, via quiet sandy coves, each perfect for a wild swim, to the town of Criccieth on the Llŷn Peninsula. Riding the historic steam-pulled Welsh Highland Line, the UK’s longest heritage line, guests travel further into the mountains with a two-night stay in Beddgelert, where a circuit takes hikers to a Victorian copper mine and past the waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan. The final two nights are spent in Llanberis, reached after a walk from Rhyd Ddu through one of the National Park’s remotest landscapes, an area little-touched by roads. From Llanberis guests can strike out for the summit of Snowdon on foot or by train, or escape the crowds with a lakeside circuit of Llyn Padarn. Price: from £645pp, inc 6 nights’ B&B, 2 picnics, 2 dinners, and return transfers to car. Available 1 March to 31 Oct 2022.
Inntravel has introduced a short scenic hiking break along the very best parts of the 116-mile long Fife Coastal Path which, in 2022, marks its 20th anniversary year. Beginning in Anstruther, a timeless seafaring village, guests discover everything that makes the region so special: quaint fishing villages; dramatic ruins that hint at a far-reaching history; an abundance of marine and birdlife; and some really excellent local food and drink – visit smokehouses, distilleries and a rather wonderful chocolate shop. The final two nights are spent in the historic town of St Andrews, home to the celebrated golf course where, in 2022, the 150th Open Golf Tournament is set to take place. Price: from £345pp, inc 4 nights’ B&B, and return transfer to car. Available 1 March to 31 Oct 2022.
An Italian Lake Paradise – the quiet side of Lake Garda – Newly Introduced
Discover the quiet side of Lake Garda, staying in Gargnano, a small waterfront town, much-loved by D.H Lawrence. Today, it remains one of the Lake’s most authentic destinations and is home to hundreds of ancient ‘lemon houses’ which once sheltered Garda’s precious citrus fruit produce. Its quiet location makes an excellent base for exploring: there is a good choice of leisurely hiking trails nearby, the frequent ferries that criss-cross Garda’s vast waters make harbor-hopping a real pleasure, and there are suggestions for some rewarding sightseeing. Stay in the family-run Hotel Gardenia al Lago, full of old-world charm, right on the shores of the Lake, with views over to majestic Monte Baldo. Price: from £760pp inc 7 nights’ B&B, 2 dinners, and discount travel card. Available 1 April – 17 July & 20 Aug – 15 Oct 2022.
