A few of our favourite things

Occasionally we are asked “what are your favourite routes?”, a question which caused us to take a quick poll in the On Foot office. Interestingly, everyone came up with different answers, which hopefully is a credit to the diversity of our holidays!

In case you’re still looking for inspiration, we thought we’d share just a few of our staff recommendations.

Northern Portugal – Mary’s choice
Mary has a fondness for Portugal, having lived and worked there for a while. She says the Peneda-Geres National Park is particularly special – a place where you truly feel you are stepping back in time. Here the stone-built rural villages feel almost untouched by modern life, where oxen are still used to farm the green slopes.

The eclectic accommodation includes traditional B&Bs, a sympathetic modernisation of village houses with a remarkable restaurant, and a touch of grandeur at the final Pousada.

Classic Slovenia – Debbie’s favourite
Our walk through the Karst landscapes and vineyards of Classic Slovenia has been in the On Foot portfolio since its early days, and is still as good as ever.

It’s a favourite for Debbie, who has walked it and tweaked it many times, keeping it up-to-date for our clients.  She says this route makes a great introduction to self-guided walking holidays, with well-marked paths and nothing especially strenuous – perfect for those trying this type of vacation for the first time.

There are some fun farmhouse stays too, where you can’t refuse the local produce, especially the Prsut ham, honey and Teran wine.

Andros – Heather’s recommendation
If you’re looking for a Greek island where tourism still has a light touch, Heather recommends the green haven of Andros in the Cyclades. The only way to get there is by ferry, so don’t rush, and just enjoy the gentler way to arrive.

You’ll find friendly hosts in the picturesque little town of Chora, and flower-fringed mule tracks that have been painstakingly restored by local volunteers for hiking. Drop into the cool of a monastery courtyard along the way, and take advantage of the many opportunities for a swim.

This is a single-centre holiday, so you stay in the same accommodation throughout.  You have the flexibility to choose which walk to do each day, with the help of buses and our wonderful local family of taxi drivers to get you to the further reaches of the island.

Welsh Borders – Simon’s top walk
On Foot’s Director has walked more of our routes than anyone else, and covered many miles searching out the best hiking for you in all corners of Europe. Despite this, his top pick is quite near to home – he loves the hills and valleys along the Wales/England border.

Starting at the quirky little town of Bishop’s Castle with its imaginatively painted houses, the route winds southwards to bookish Hay-on-Wye. Offa’s Dyke Path forms much of the route, following the 8th century earthwork that defined the border.

The walk is quite a leg-stretcher, but never difficult, and you’re rewarded with expansive views and some hearty pub meals along the way.

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Portugal is the place to be! And it’s not just us saying that – it was voted Best Tourist Destination in the World for two years running in 2017 and 2018 at the World Travel Awards. We heartily endorse this, and add that the warmth of the welcome here is hard to beat. In fact, there has been a special affinity between Portugal and Britain over many years, which continues to this day.

While many visitors will be looking for beaches and wall-to-wall entertainment, we know that On Foot walkers are far more adventurous, and the remote hills of the Peneda-Geres National Park in the north of the country are gorgeous, if challenging, hiking country. Here are communities living a life that has barely changed in centuries amongst stone houses and granaries, gorse-clad hills and rolling pastures. You’ll share the paths with picturesque horned cattle and Garrano ponies.

Do you need more reasons? Well, there’s port wine to be tasted, as well as the local Vinho Verde, which is not green as its name suggests, but a light, refreshing white with a touch of fizz. Among other delicacies to be tried is Bacalhau – dried, salted cod which is used in many different dishes, especially at Christmas. And the famous Pastel de natas, of course – deliciously light and crispy custard tarts.

Why not stay an extra night or two in the vibrant city of Porto? June is an especially fun time to visit, when the São João Festival fills the streets with music and stalls selling grilled sardines and beer, not to mention the intriguing custom of hitting your friends over the head with a plastic hammer or a fresh leek…. Try the Majestic Café, a fabulously ornate Belle Époque building said to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, with lots of gleaming brass, crisp white table linen, and a tinkling piano.

And with a good choice of international flights into Porto, it’s an excellent gateway to the walk – or a place to treat yourselves after you’ve finished!

For a truly remote escape in a timeless landscape, the golden hills and lush green valleys of Northern Portugal are hard to beat. This part of the country is well off the beaten track – the people you’ll meet on our self-guided walking holiday are far more likely to be farmers and villagers than tourists, living a centuries-old lifestyle.

Our route designer remembers a resident summing up the difference between life here and in the towns:  In the village, if there is a knock on the door at night, you will hear the voice inside say ‘Come in whoever’s out there’. In the town it would be ‘Who’s out there?’ and only after the reply, ‘Come in’.

Here you’ll find reminders of the area’s Celtic and Roman heritage along the old paved tracks and footpaths. Farmers keep long-horned cattle to haul their ox-carts, and the staple food is maize, stored in distinctive granite espigueiros.

Our village accommodations are rustic and welcoming, but walk’s end is a touch of grandeur – a magnificent monastery now converted into a top hotel. And we recommend adding a day or two in historic Porto.

Find out more about our walk in Northern Portugal here