It’s back! Book our improved Northern Provence route

This lovely route in the quiet hills of Provence is available again, having had a break while we made improvements. Our Local Contact, Emily, has been working hard to seek out the best hotels, with some long-standing favourites remaining too. And we’ve updated and refreshed the walking, adding a new circuit. So if it’s been on your wish list before, now may be the time to give it a try!

This area, to the east of Avignon, is full of extraordinary geological features.  At the centre lies ‘le Mont Ventoux’ (the windy mountain), well known to cyclists and spectators of the Tour de France. While the view of its lonely summit is often on the horizon, our walks wind through its greener foothills.

The medieval cliff-top village of Venasque makes a great starting point, with views to the peaks of the ‘Dentelles de Montmirail’ (lace points) where you will walk later in the week.  From Venasque you’ll walk to Mazan, tiny Le Barroux, and finally to a top restaurant with comfortable rooms just outside of Vacqueyras for two nights, your base for an exploration of the Dentelles.

And of course as this is France, the food and wine are most definitely not of secondary importance.  As well as excellent restaurants along the way, a couple of the hotels boast excellent kitchens. There are plenty of opportunities for wine lovers to try not only the well-known regional wines but also Vacqueyras whites and a variety of ‘marcs’ – straight from the vineyards you pass on the way.

If you’ve got time, we recommend you add a night or two in historic Avignon to see the Palais des Papes, the bridge and also the fascinating side streets and museums. A great way to round off your adventure.

Find more about our Northern Provence route here

Whether you are a dedicated walker or an armchair wanderer, travel books are a wonderful way to transport yourself to a different landscape. As passionate walkers and readers, the On Foot Team recommends these great reads…

“Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere” by Jan Morris – read by Debbie

An easy and absorbing read with the remarkable description of a city that has fallen from grace. From being one of the principal Mediterranean ports, its glorious history is reduced to that of a small city, almost forgotten in northeastern Italy. Yet it has an extraordinary atmosphere that is so well evoked by the wonderful Jan Morris – whose prose beautifully describes the character of this once great city.

“Lonely Planet’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe” – read by Heather 

This is a glossy book to dip in and out of, which will inspire glorious journeys and fun stopovers for your travels round Europe by train. Via the device of half a dozen long distance journeys on high-speed routes, it covers many of Europe’s most scenic lines, with plenty of enchanting places to stop on the way. Useful for general advice and route planning, rather than forensic detail.

“As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning” by Laurie Lee – read by Viiktoria 

This is a classic travel memoir that describes the physical and emotional journey of a young man setting out in life. Laurie left his quiet Gloucestershire village to walk across Spain, only to find himself caught up in the escalating civil war in Andalucia. Lee writes a frank but poetic portrayal of his experiences and the people that he gets to know along the way.

“Neither Here Nor There” by Bill Bryson – read by Tina 

Bryson takes you on his journey through Europe as a student, sharing his highs and lows. He has created a light-hearted, funny summary of his travel experiences, and reminds me that exploring new cultures isn’t always as easy and glamorous as we might wish.

“The Salt Path” by Raynor Winn – read by Emma 

I read this whilst walking On Foot’s Coastal Exmoor route with my Mum. The route follows the South West Coast Path (SWCP) on several days – it was lovely to be walking the path and then reading Ray and Moth’s journey over the same parts of the path, albeit in the opposite direction!

It’s the true story of Ray and Moth losing everything they own, including their beloved farm in Wales. On top of this, Moth receives a devastating health diagnosis. From their misery they make the incredibly brave decision to walk the 630 miles of the SWCP. The book follows their epic journey of endurance, courage, love and ultimately hope, with lots of tears and laughter along the way.

If you enjoy The Salt Path then there is a follow on that you might like – “The Wild Silence”, about their life in Cornwall.

“A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemmingway – read by Harriet 

A Farewell to Arms is an unflinching historical romance that follows the events of the Italian campaign of WWI. The author’s minimalist writing style heightens the sense of suspense and danger during the lovers’ daring escape across Lake Maggiore and into Switzerland. The narrative features many places included in or near our Lake Maggiore walking holiday, so you can step back into the local history and see through Hemingway’s perspective. A passionate and refreshing read.

Hemingway’s most iconic novel – a dramatic portrayal of love and war. Loosely biographical.

And if you liked those, here are more suggestions for books to fire the imagination of a keen traveller:

Mythos by Stephen Fry – a vivid retelling of the myths of the Greek gods and goddesses. Ideal preparation for your own Greek odyssey!

The Red Room by Mark Dawson – a murder mystery starring private investigator Atticus Priest, set in On Foot’s home town of Salisbury.

Europe, An Intimate Journey by Jan Morris – a portrait of a continent forged over decades of journeying.

Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – an exciting account of this aviator’s flying adventures, from the Pyrenees to the Andes.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières – a modern classic, blending a tender love story on the Greek island of Cephallonia with the harsh realities of World War II.

The Writer’s Map edited by Huw Lewis-Jones – this is a beautifully illustrated “atlas of imaginary lands” for map lovers, which will take you to Narnia, Middle-Earth and Moominvalley, as well as the semi-fantastical charts of early explorers.

So said the great man of the mountains, John Muir, and it’s a sentiment that resonates with many a walker. The soaring peaks and clear air, meadows bursting with wild flowers, and the gentle music of cow bells are salve to the soul. There’s really nothing quite like reaching a magnificent view and stopping to drink in the majesty of the mountains.

Does that sound appealing? Then do take a look at our Alpine routes for your next walking holiday. From France to Slovenia we have itineraries that will suit hikers looking for everything from modest mountain walking to something a bit more challenging. None of them require serious mountaineering experience, but all will reward with heart-stopping views and a huge sense of achievement.

Visit the Dolomites in northern Italy for towering rocky peaks and tree-clad valleys. You’ll journey from the Germanic influences of the South Tyrol to Italian Cortina, stopping at a jolly mountain refuge on the way. It’s a short summer season, so do plan ahead!

Still in Italy, a gentler route on the fringes of the Alps will take you from Lake Maggiore with its lovely island villas and gardens, to the top of Mottarone – quiet in the months when the winter sports facilities are deserted. Descend to little Lake Orta, with cultural and spiritual sites to visit and plenty of restorative Piedmontese food and wine to sample.

At the southwestern tip of the Alpine range, the Alpes Maritimes descend through France to the coast at Menton. Here the medieval villages perchés are the highlights, with mazes of tiny, winding streets and cosy cafes. On reaching hilltop Ste Agnes, the view of the Mediterranean suddenly opens gloriously before you.

At the opposite eastern end of their massif, the Alps tip into Slovenia, where our Slovenian Highlands route will take you into the lower reaches of Triglav, the national peak. It’s a land of steep valleys, tumbling waterfalls, and crystal clear lakes, complemented by hearty cooking and some great Slovenian wines and beers. Finish your holiday in style with a visit to picturesque Lake Bled.