There is no way more genuine to see the world than the same way our ancestors and predecessors used to do it, hundreds of years ago—on foot. Don’t be a tourist, most tourists are advised before setting out into the unknown, the magic, the adventure and the mysteries of a foreign land. That is to say, act like
a man or woman of the world, knowledgeable and wise. Don’t be intrusive and aggressive toward the lands you end up visiting. When you come into contact with new territories, try to approach them with a genuinely open heart and imagination. Engage with the world around you much in the same way as a local would. And what better point to start from in such an effort, than from the very transportation means employed. In a world increasingly concerned with matters of carbon footprints and eco-friendliness, walking is the best solution for tourism anyone could adopt. Provided you are physically fit enough to take on such a challenge, you will be glad you did so, instead of taking the trodden path of a car or coach tour. Therefore, read on below for tips and suggestions on some of the most scenic places that we consider ideal for those who want to give the concept of world walks a try.

Corsica

The island of Corsica is well known in history, for having served as home to the legendary troop leader Napoleon Bonaparte. Not only is the land rich in history, but it is also resplendent when it comes to natural beauty. The locals claim that the French Mediterranean island is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, and one knows better than to argue with the locals, since Corsicans are well known for their hot-tempered nature. But beyond this, the island is also very rich in culture, since it is a perfect blend of Italian spirit and French refinement. The island features a superb coastline, with spectacular sights of rocky mountains and white sandy beaches. The climate is warm and the island has managed to maintain its natural vibe, in spite of its increasing popularity among tourists the world over.

Madeira

And since our first destination recommendation took us to the Mediterranean Sea coast, let’s stay in the region and explore a part of Portugal that is less known, yet immensely beautiful. We will head on down to the quaint Portuguese region of Madeira, in order to explain that world walkers would be hard pressed to find any destination more suitable for a scenic walking route. The reason behind this is that Madeira is extremely quiet, relatively untouched by the perils of modern civilization, and features a landscape that is at once arrestingly beautiful and greatly varied. It features sea cliffs, rocky peaks, mountain plateau perfect for resting after a hard day’s walk, valleys with lots of lush vegetation, as well as superb mountain terraces. To boot, the landscape here features a specifically Portuguese particularity, which consists of local ‘levadas’ – elevated man-made irrigation channels.

Kenya

We’ve seen forests, coast lines and mountains – now’s the time to leave the Old Continent behind and head on down to sunny, untamed Africa for a walking safari experience in Kenya. While nowadays you can take a safari in lots of places around the world, such as India or even Spain, nothing beats the original. Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, with the Crater Lake and Crescent Island sanctuaries, Lake Elementaita and Hell’s Gate National Park, is a genuine cornucopia of naturally beautiful places to explore on foot. There are giraffes, big cats and flamingoes to be spotted live here, and it would be a shame to miss out on such beauty.

When asked what makes a great holiday for them, some regular tourists will cite great natural scenery as their main prerequisite. Others will say they want to visit a place rich in history and vestiges of times past, while others still will prefer to see resplendent examples of exquisite architecture. The beauty of traveling and exploring the world is the insight it allows you to amass, in order to identify truly spectacular places. One such place that has the scenery, the historic background and the superb architecture, is the area that has been deemed ‘The Heart of England’ – the hilly area of the Cotswolds. This ninety-mile-long range of hills extends across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, with smaller areas spilling over into Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The area has been officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a title that is as difficult to attain as it is pretentious-sounding. Indeed, there are many things to do and see in the Cotswolds, irrespective of whether you enjoy luxurious customized holidays, or if you like to rough it up and take a scene walking tour. Either way, read on if you’re interested in the concept of Cotswold journeys and would like to know what it is you can see and experience in the area.

Scenic Walking Tours

The Cotswolds are one of the best areas in Europe to do some intensive walking, as the gentle slopes of the hills and hillocks never goes over one thousand feet. As such, you will be able to enjoy scenic landscape, without exerting yourself beyond the comfort limits of what should be a pleasant holiday. The views range from calmly rolling plains with herds of sheep gently grazing in the background, to charming little medieval cities, towns and villages. The area is home to some of the best preserved medieval human settlements in Europe, and you can visit several of them, as you head on down to Oxford, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water or Winchcombe.

Active Cycling Tours

Cycling tours are great for active travelers, who are also green-minded and would like to take their time in exploring any given area. Luckily, the Cotswolds are great for this activity, as they offer both smooth plain areas, as well as steep escarpment slopes along the area’s north-western border. If terrain variety is your thing as a biker, then you will love this region for its country lanes, which extend from one quaint village to the next, in a well-appointed and maintained network that has most areas of interest permanently interconnected. To boot, while visiting the area you can always stop in any of the said medieval villages to witness a local arts festival, attend a fair or buy something to remember the place by from the local farmers’ market. Cycling in the area is entirely safe, as you can opt for local back-up. If you plan on coming in from a long distance away, you needn’t worry about bringing your own bike along. There are plenty of places in the region from where you can hire a bicycle.

Defining the Area of Outstanding National Beauty

The region was first awarded this title in the mid-to-late nineteen sixties and was further evaluated in 1991. It is the largest such region in English and Wales and is protected and maintained by the Cotswolds Conservation Board. The reason for its inclusion in this exclusive category was the natural-park quality of its landscapes, specifically the rare limestone grassland habitats, the old beech forests, as well as the large number of flora and fauna species that are endangered or under threat of extinction. Many such species call this area in England and Wales a home, proof that whenever beauty comes across a truly wonderful place on Earth, it comes in large numbers.

The first on our list here would be the town of Utrecht, which is located some 45 minutes away from the city of Amsterdam. The place is famous for its tall cathedral, the Utrecht University and the excellent restaurants. The town is reached through one of the most beautiful canals in Amsterdam, and along this canal there are many narrow streets with small shops and cafes, etc. Every year in June here is organized the Blues Festival.

This photo of The Hague

Den Haag is another tourist destination close to the city of Amsterdam. Here is the seat of the government of the Netherlands and also the residence of the royal family. The town has picturesque houses and palaces, as well as several museums and historical landmarks. In the town is annually organized the biggest jazz fest in the world known as the Sea Jazz Festival.

The town of Haarlem is also close to the city of Amsterdam. It is situated on River Spaarne banks and is a center for making of cloths and a center of arts. The town is famous with its old buildings, peaceful atmosphere and the Frans Hals Museum. The place is also famous with the flower fields around it.

Among the other places near Amsterdam is the town of Aalsmeer, where is situated the largest flower market in the area. This town is also close to the Schiphol Airport. It is visited by many tourists who want to buy flower bulbs. Aalsmeer is well known for the Flower Parade organized here, which is among the most important annual events in the country.

Another interesting town near Amsterdam is Alkmaar, which features medieval buildings and a cheese market. The village of Marken is also interesting with its museum, nice built houses, souvenir shops and snack bars. The old fishing village Volendam is also interesting to see. Here for a shirt period came the painters Renoir and Picasso. The place features many nice souvenirs.

Edam, placed near Amsterdam, is a beautiful town with brick buildings and nice houses, canals and open-air cheese market on certain days in July and August. Tourists also love to visit De Zaane Schans, which features seven working windmills and cottages, as well as a network of canals. There is also a bakery and a cheese-making workshop, as well as clog making shop.

Also popular is Scheveningen, which is a Dutch seaside resort with a great harbor and a museum. The resort has many restaurants serving sea food and various attractions including the eight meter long tunnel under the sea, where one could see sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures.

A post by Albert Jansen who also writes about Warsaw apartments and Budapest apartment.

This photo of The London Bicycle Tour Company

The first on our list is the London Bicycle Tour Company, which offers three cycling tours that come with a guide. These include the Central London Tour, the Royal West Tour and the East Tour. Each of the tours comes with a bike hire and with an experienced and professional guide. The London Bicycle Tour Company offers bikes that fit all sizes and shapes and are good for beginners and for experienced bicycle riders. The company has a central location by the river, wherefrom one could go on long rides along Thames, the Royal parks and the canals and thus to avoid the pollution and the traffic. The guided tours usually last for three hours and make the travelers experience the real atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city.

This photo of The London Bicycle Tour Company

The other popular company that offers this kind of tours is the Flat Tire Bike Tours Company. It has comfortable bikes and experienced guides, who do not spare their time or energy to provide the travelers with information, so that they can make most of the trip. The company was founded in year 1999 and it works also in other cities such as Berlin, Barcelona and Paris. The one day bike tours they offer cover Hyde Park and the Buckingham Palace, the Big Ben and Trafalgar Square, the St. James Park and the Parliament. The rest of the stops include Kensington Palace and Park with the Princess Diana’s Memorial, the Cabinet War Rooms and the Royal Albert Memorial.

This photo of Fat Tire Bike Tours

Another good company is Capital Sport, which offers day bike trips as well as longer tours for groups and families. The tours start from London and from Windsor and the rates include the bike hire, as well as the luggage transfer and the accommodation. The areas that are explored include Oxford and Windsor, Cotswolds and Kent, as well as the Devon coast. There is also a Heritage Tour de Great Britain that lasts for twelve days.

Great service is also offered by the Blue Badge Tourist Guides. During the bike tours, these professionals are presenting all the must see sites in the British capital. They offer professional guides in forty languages and can also recommend museums, restaurants, cafes and pubs.

A post by Lily Green who usually writes about Paris apartments and apartments in Prague.