Contrast historic Genoa, which you can explore thanks to our notes for a city walking tour, with the beautiful coastline of the Portofino Natural Park. There’s ample opportunity to savour the fresh fish and seafood which features widely on menus.

Nestled on Lake Garda’s tranquil, western shores, the delightful small town of Gargnano makes a perfect base for a laid-back, short walking break. Here, by the water, you’ll find the excellent, family-run Hotel Gardenia, away from the bustle but with easy access to numerous places of interest and scenic walks.

Combine a stay in Portugal's vibrant capital, Lisbon, with an exploration of the nearby city of Sintra on this cultural break. There’s a wealth of cultural treasures to discover, not least Sintra’s opulent palaces, so we provide notes for self-guided walking tours to help you explore.

To set the scene, you begin with two nights in Porto, friendly capital of the port-wine trade, before discovering the timeless landscapes where the wine originates, showing the great contrast between the bustle of the historic sea port and the slow, traditional ways of life upriver.

This self-guided short break offers rewarding walking in the Grazalema Natural Park as well as the chance to explore the atmospheric city of Ronda. Savour traditional Andalucian tapas, encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna, and stay in two excellent hotels.

Piedmont holds many treats in store for visitors: first-class wines, a gastronomy to match, enchanting landscapes and timeless medieval villages. Our self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking break is indulgent on many levels, featuring hotels of character and an included wine-tasting (with opportunities for more).

This leisurely walk, perhaps the most relaxed and enchanting of all our short walking breaks, follows attractive paths through these most Mediterranean of landscapes, where the air is perfumed with the scent of herbs, and buzzards and falcons soar overhead. To discover this secret region on foot is a delight, all the more so when you stay in high-quality hotels throughout.

Explore some of Switzerland’s most beautiful scenery on this self-guided short break. There is a good choice of routes – all featuring magnificent Alpine views – and both of your friendly, welcoming hotels offer an indoor pool.

Explore vibrant Palma, with its striking seafront cathedral and colourful marina, before transferring to Sóller, a bustling town against a spectacular backdrop of rugged mountains.

Staying in one of Europe’s prettiest harbour towns, explore dramatic cliff paths and quiet lanes that link crowd-free beaches, gardens, and the remnants of its long history. This gentle short break on the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Herm and Sark, reveals islands with a distinct Gallic feel.

Located just a few miles from France, Jersey offers a unique fusion of cultures, as well as varied scenery, excellent local produce and a remarkable history – including a fascinating legacy of German occupation. Enjoy a diverse and rewarding walking experience featuring imposing forts, sheltered bays and wonderful cuisine.

Accompanied by the unrivalled backdrop of heather-clad peaks and rolling, lowland pastures, you are immersed in unforgettable views with wow moments around every corner. Enjoy a true variety of walking as you make your way north from Aberfeldy via Pitlochry to the lower reaches of the Cairngorms National Park.