The dreamy landscapes, romantic villages, fine cuisine and famous wines of France can all be savoured on one of four walking vacations offered across the country by European, self-guided walking tour operator, On Foot Holidays.
Australians and Kiwis who combine two of the pack-free walking holidays in the one trip to France can also enjoy a 10 per cent saving.
According to On Foot Holidays, walking – as the purest form of ‘slow travel’ – is the best way to really get to know a place more intimately and vividly. And with On Foot Holidays offering a foolproof formula by which they book your nightly accommodation in charming local inns, include dinners at village restaurants and porter your luggage ahead each day, a self-guided walking holiday on a date that suits you becomes a carefree, richly rewarding and eco-sensitive way to experience the essence of a country like France.
On Foot Holidays offers four different, multi-day walking trips in France, each immersing independent and adventurous travellers in the tranquil backwaters of rural France where culture and nature come alive.
Dordogne – In central France, On Foot Holidays’ seven-night walk through the hills and valleys of the Dordogne region reveals some of the prettiest villages and most beautiful countryside in France. The walk from Beaulieu to Belcastel includes seven nights’ accommodation with breakfasts, four picnic lunches, five dinners and transfers and is available from £1335 per person, twin-share (approx A$2800 depending on exchange rates).
Gorges du Tarn – In southern France, On Foot Holidays offers a seven-night route through the dramatic gorges, sleepy hamlets, lofty meadows and whispering woodlands of the Tarn River Valley. The walk from Villefort to Le Rozier includes seven nights’ accommodation with breakfasts, four picnic lunches, five dinners and transfers and is available from £1140 per person, twin-share (approx A$2391 depending on exchange rates).
Alpes Maritimes – In the far southeast of France, On Foot Holidays offers a spectacular, seven-night ‘Alpes Maritimes’ route from the mountains to the Mediterranean coast, from the medieval village of La Brigue to Menton by the sea. Including seven nights’ accommodation with breakfasts, four picnic lunches and four dinners, the walk is available from £1145 per person, twin-share (approx A$2401 depending on exchange rates).
Northern Provence – Also in south-east France, On Foot Holidays has a six-night walk through the famous food and wine region of Provence. The route from Venasque to Vacqueyras traverses vineyards, verdant hills and dramatic peaks with a focus on gourmet food and local wine. Including six nights’ accommodation with breakfasts, two picnic lunches, three dinners and transfers, the walk is available from £1170 per person, twin-share (approx A$2454 depending on exchange rates).
All the routes in France are available from April to October each year, except the peak summer months of July and August, with walkers selecting their own departure date from those available. Each walk is self-guided, with all directions and maps provided, and guests stay in character-filled B&Bs and family hotels along the way. Luggage is transferred ahead each day, meaning hikers only need to carry a day pack.
* By walking two of On Foot Holidays’ routes in France, travellers can save 10 per cent when two hikes are booked at the same time for the one European holiday (discount applies to the cheaper walk). A discount of £40 per room is also offered for walkers opting to use a digital walking guide on their phones without printed materials.
On Foot Holidays offers 37 self-guided walking tours across Europe, with each route designed by locals and tested by On Foot Holidays.
To see On Foot Holidays’ four walks in France, visit www.onfootholidays.co.uk/
