Walking and Culture Holidays: the Perfect Combination?

Journey through landscapes and traditions: a unique holiday experience

There’s more to a walking holiday than fantastic views, fresh air and the joys of discovering a landscape on your own two feet  – though of course, each of those things in themselves are reason enough to pack your walking boots.

If you’re looking for a culture holiday, a walking itinerary might be the best place to start. On a walking holiday, you get to know a region in its entirety – how its history and landscapes intertwine, how traditions have adapted and survived and where and how regional cuisine developed. The scenery is beautiful, but that’s not all. It contains the foundations of cultures that have rooted there over thousands of years, meaning a walking holiday can offer much more than many mainstream options for cultural trips and tours.

At Inntravel, we pair our walking itineraries with a range of cultural activities and suggestions that take you beyond the standard tourist experience. Here’s what to expect on our cultural holidays – plus a few of our favourite cultural walks for a little inspiration.


 

Why choose an Inntravel history and culture holiday?

If you’re someone that travels to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and destinations – and enjoys doing so partly on their own two feet – Inntravel’s range of walking and culture holidays could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Our walking holidays take you beyond the stunning landscapes you walk through. Informed by over four decades’ experience and local knowledge, our itineraries take you deeper into the heart of your destination and its inhabitants.

With a range of cultural trips on offer, handy local restaurant tip-offs and in-depth walking notes to point out things you might otherwise miss, you’ll come back from an Inntravel holiday with a richer knowledge of your destination and an appreciation for cultures new.

All of our itineraries can be personalised to your particular needs and interests. If you’d like an extra rest day after a longer walk, or you’d like to linger a little longer somewhere to explore more of its historical sites, let us know when you’re booking – our team are more than happy to accommodate your requests.


 

3 walking holidays for history and culture enthusiasts

Hadrians Wall Path

Take in views over rugged Northumberland countryside as you walk in the footsteps of the Romans on this hotel-to-hotel itinerary, following the path of Britain’s greatest Roman monument a - UNESCO World Heritage site.

As you walk from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to the Cumberian coast, you’ll be greeted by a series of shifting landscapes, from your first stop at bucolic Chesters Fort, take your time to appreciate the astonishing scenery. As well as Housesteads – Britain’s most complete example of a Roman Fort . Each day brings a new discovery. We’d recommend adding an extra night at Twice Brewed Inn at Bardon Mill for its fantastic Dark Sky location and guided stargazing experiences.

> Walk This Way

Traditions & History of Crete

Delve into the history of one of Greece’s most fascinating islands on this relaxing, single-centre beach and culture holiday. Your hideaway rural hotel, tucked away from tourist spots and surrounded by rolling lemon and mulberry groves, is an ideal base from which to discover the ‘real’ Crete. With car hire included, you can choose from several walks or driving tours each day, offering complete flexibility for your interests.

> Walk This Way

Hill-Top Towns of Tuscany

Discover Tuscany’s rich culture and timeless countryside and savour the famous wines and beauty of the Chianti hills.

Nestled between the illustrious art cities of Florence, Siena, and Pisa, the Chianti hills are celebrated not only for their distinguished dark red wines but also for their charming vistas. This exceptional self-guided walking holiday invites you to traverse landscapes that inspired some of the world’s most revered artists, guiding you through lush vineyards and gently undulating scenery.

> Walk This Way
 

What to expect on Inntravel’s walking and culture holidays

Accommodation

On an Inntravel holiday, your accommodation is a window into the history and culture of your destination. Wherever we can, we prioritise locally owned accommodation that gives back to the local community, that’s often housed in historic, converted buildings (and of course, a pool or spa facilities are a nice bonus).

The type of accommodation you stay in will depend on your itinerary and your preferences – on some itineraries, there are upgrade options available. However, regardless of whether you’re staying in a cosy bed and breakfast, traditional guesthouse or luxurious boutique hotel, we can guarantee a great night’s sleep.

Food and Drink

Gastronomy is a huge part of any cultural tour or holiday, which is why we make sure you get to sample regional cuisine at its finest – from award-winning restaurants to tucked-away local cafés.

Where meals are included in your holiday, we make reservations at restaurants renowned for their use of locally sourced ingredients and menus that showcase local delicacies. Often (though not exclusively), these restaurants are situated at your hotel, as great food is one of our key criteria for accommodation selection.

For meals that aren’t included, we’re always happy to offer a tip or two about where to find the best food.

Support

At Inntravel, we use 40 years’ experience to take care of route planning for you, so that you get the best of both worlds – unforgettable routes that take in both spectacular views and oofer fascinating cultural insights.

As well as providing detailed route notes, we’ll reserve you comfortable accommodation and book any advance transport you need so that you arrive at your destination stress free. We’ll also provide in-depth sightseeing suggestions for when you’re not walking – so you can plan your activities around what you want to see.

When you’re on holiday, we’ll take care of any luggage transfers you need, so that all you need to take out each day is a day rucksack with the essentials.

 

Preparing for your Inntravel walking holiday

What Should I Pack?

Your packing list for your walking and culture holiday will depend on where you’re going, and how long for.

Below are some ideas of what to pack for a seven-day walking holiday. Take this as a base, and adjust to your own needs – you might want a couple more non-walking outfits on our most relaxed itineraries, for example.

Shoes: 1 pair walking boots and 1 pair evening shoes
Tops: 3 base layers, 2 mid layers, 1 sweater (that also works for evening), 2 evening shirts/tops
Trousers: 2 walking pairs and 1 or 2 evening pairs
Outer layers: 1 jacket and 1 set of waterproofs
Accessories: hat, gloves, scarf or neck gaiter, sunglasses, rucksack, walking poles

Need more detail on the type of clothes to pack? Check out our comprehensive guide to packing for a walking holiday.

How Fit Do I Need to Be?

Inntravel offers a range of walking holidays, from flexible single-centre itineraries like The History and Traditions of Crete to more challenging hotel-to-hotel routes like the Hadrian's Wall Path.

This means that whatever your level of fitness, there’s an Inntravel cultural holiday that will suit you.
To see whether a holiday is right for your level of fitness, you can check its rating on our walking holiday grading scale.

Check our walking grades and what they mean.

If you choose an itinerary that fits with your existing level of fitness, there’s no need to begin an intense training programme before you depart. Simply keep doing what you’re doing.



 

Walking and Culture Holidays - Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Inntravel’s walking holidays special?
We offer more than just breathtaking views and scenic walking trails. Our holidays offer opportunities to delve into the rich history and culture of your destination, with locally run hotels, recommendations for sites of historic and cultural significance and itineraries that can be personalised to your interest.

Which destinations are best for history and culture on Inntravel walking holidays?
With itineraries across the UK and Europe, there are plenty of cultural trips and tours to discover. You could walk the hills and coastlines of historic Sintra, walk in the footsteps of thousands of medieval pilgrims on one of our Camino de Santiago itineraries or discover the fairy-tale castles of Bavaria.

Are Inntravel’s history and culture walking holidays suitable for beginners?
Our range of walking and culture holidays has something for everyone, whether you’re an experienced hiker or are embarking on your first-ever walking holiday. Our easiest itineraries combine gentle strolls with plenty of time for cultural exploration.

How does Inntravel personalise their history and culture walking holidays?
We listen to your needs, interests and preferences to create itineraries that are just right for you. Add extra nights wherever you want – perhaps after a particularly long walking day or to give you more time to explore nearby historic sights – and use our insider knowledge to plan your sightseeing activities or make advance restaurant bookings.

What kind of cultural experiences can I expect on an Inntravel walking holiday?
Our walking and culture holidays provide the opportunity to visit fascinating historic sites, such as the Roman forts along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, and experience destinations rich in cultural heritage. Explore Crete’s traditional villages, discover the unique Moorish/Christian heritage of Andalucia, walk through rugged northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago and so much more.