When it comes to deciding on the type of holiday you’d prefer, there are so many options to consider. Do you want something more relaxed and invigorating, or would you prefer your holiday to be more hands-on and adventurous?
There are many types of holidays that fit into both of these categories, including the choice between a city break or a walking holiday. This guide will help you choose the best holiday for you and determine whether you should go for a walking holiday or a city break.
Walking Holiday
A walking holiday can be a great way to experience a quieter side of a country and it will leave you feeling refreshed, invigorated and energised. Here are a few reasons why you should choose a walking holiday.
Better for Fitter and More Athletic People
While there will certainly be walking holidays that are suitable for people of all ages and abilities, generally speaking, they’re best suited for fitter and more athletic people.
The Camino de Santiago, for example, is a series of routes that continues through Spain and Portugal and is approximately 800 km long; certainly not a feat for the faint-hearted. While of course you could take as long as you like to complete the hike, it would be more ideal for those who have an experienced level of fitness.
You’ll Be Able to See Much More Countryside
For nature lovers and generally outdoorsy people, a walking holiday is the perfect holiday.
You’ll be spending the majority of your time outside as there’ll be very few museums, cafes and art galleries to attract your attention. Instead, you’ll be wandering through the beautiful and vast countryside. Again, the Camino de Santiago is an idyllic place that’s teeming with heaps of countryside.
Walking Holidays are Ideal If You’re Not a Huge Fan of Crowds
If you’re not accustomed to large groups of people and instead prefer large, open spaces, then a walking holiday would be ideal for you. You’ll obtain so much fresh air and vast expanses of freedom; a walking holiday is the perfect option to escape the crowds.
The Lake District in the UK is a great place to experience this sense of freedom.
City Break
While a walking holiday can be a great way to enjoy yourself while remaining as fit and active as possible, a city break can also help you get your steps in, too. Here are a few more reasons why you should consider a city break.
You’ll Gain a Unique Insight into the Culture of a Place
A city break is the perfect opportunity for you to dive head first into the culture and authenticity of a particular place.
It’ll also provide you with a chance to learn more about the city, particularly if you’re partial to visiting museums and art galleries; something which New York City is abundant in.
City Breaks Allow You to Try New Things
Furthermore, when you embark on a city break, you’ll also be able to try so many new things. From different dishes and delicacies in Paris, to trying your hand at white-water rafting and bungee jumping in New Zealand, a city break is the perfect excuse to try something you’ve never done before.
Ideal If You Want a More Luxury Experience
City breaks can also provide more of a luxury experience than walking holidays can. For example, if you pay a visit to Barcelona or Santorini, you’ll likely be staying at a slightly more lavish apartment, hotel or accommodation facility than on a walking holiday.
While it’s not always the case, walking holidays are usually more synonymous with camping in tents, while a city break is usually more associated with hotels and apartment complexes.
A city break will certainly be more tailored to you if you prefer the finer things in life. Not only will you get to experience new things and the unique culture of a place, you’ll also be staying somewhere slightly more upmarket than on a walking holiday.
Conclusion – Walking Holiday vs. City Break: How to Choose the Best Holiday
To sum up, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to determining the ‘right’ or ‘best’ holiday; it’s entirely down to your own personal preferences.
A walking holiday is typically more associated with outdoors enthusiasts and those who prefer to spend time with nature in the countryside. On the other hand, city breaks are generally more synonymous with people wanting to spend their time admiring fantastic pieces of architecture, wandering around museums and art galleries and staying in more luxury accommodation.
Whatever type of holiday you choose, it has to be suited to your needs, wants and abilities and you should make the choice based on your personal preference, rather than going with the general consensus of what people seem to be choosing for their own holiday.
Rebecca is a translator by day, and a traveler mostly at night. She is an expert on living with jet lag – and packing in tiny suitcases. You can read more of her exploits at RoughDraft
