Your Travel Specialist On: Hiking and Walking Adventures

By MAUREEN JONES (Star Patcher)

Dreaming of where your travels might take you in 2016, if you are someone who likes to hike we have over 60 incredible trips celebrating what active travel is all about. This can also be a wonderful holiday for a solo traveler. You can gather up a group of family or friends and make it a private trip.

I have taken hiking trips all over the world and have my favorite destinations. I have taken a trip where you carry a huge pack for the entire week, and other trips where you only carry your day pack, and the remainder of your luggage goes to the next stop by a van. It’s your choice. I like to just carry my camera, binoculars and my lunch. There are also trips which have a combination of biking, and hiking.

I’ve been in a group as small as 8 fellow travelers, or one of 20. You can set off early behind a tour leader, and the slower walker can leave later, with another tour leader to be at the end of the group. I am always in the rear since I am a birder, and photograph flowers. I am always making notes as I wander.

• Related: Your Travel Specialist On: Solo Travel

A new aspect to this kind of holiday is you can hop aboard a river cruise, and bike and hike during the day, and sleep on board the ship as it sails to the next port of call. You can see some of Europe and Asia’s most beautiful ports of call. River cruising has been one of the top sellers for the last few years. I’ve really enjoyed several trips on the Rivers Rhine and Danube and was surprised at all the different ages of the hiking and biking passengers.

My favorite country is New Zealand. I could live in the South Island of New Zealand. The alps there are a mixture of Switzerland, Australia, Norway, and Scotland – fantastic scenery and few people. There are seven different treks you can do from 3 days to 7 days with the most famous being the Milford Track, and I like the Routeburn which is only 3 days. Each trek has something special about it.

Hiking in Tuscany, Italy is a unique experience, with cooking lessons, great wine, and if you have a passion for food and wine, this would be a good one for you. I also like the Italian Lake District, Como, Maggiore and Orta are worth seeing, as well as the Amalfi Coast, going from Sorrentine Peninsula to the Isle of Capri.

The French and Italian Alps, Mont Blanc, Megeve to Chamonix where I used to ski every winter are magnificent views and there is something special about hiking in the alps.

Switzerland is also a great destination, with great food, hiking, and scenery out of this world.

England has easy hiking, rambling in the Cotswolds, makes this a lazy six days, only offered in June, July and August. Have a few days in London afterwards, and go to the theatre.

It is possible to explore so many countries, depends on what tickles your fancy, from Croatia to Switzerland, Norway to Ireland.

We have several hikes in Canada, and Alaska, if you want to explore closer to home. This is a fun experience for a family in one of the National Parks. You can hike, river rafting, mountain biking, and camp. The moment you realize your teenager is having a meaningful conversation with you hiking among the spectacular spires of Bryce Canyon, and he is not looking down at his phone, you are showing them the places where history happened activating their senses and broadening their horizons.

We have seen active grandparents treat the family to a unique trip, so they can spend time together with no Ipads. Groups of 12 or more will pay a lower price.

Think of something unusual to give as a gift this year. Travel will give them something to remember.

• Also see: Your travel specialist on: Stylish Stays in Europe

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street, Los Altos. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.