Choosing the perfect holiday is all part of the fun. Secretly, it can be just as much fun as the trip itself.
Two options often come to mind when thinking of big trips: the freedom of a road trip versus the immersion of a hiking holiday. Both options allow you to explore, and at different places, but which one is right for you?
The freedom of the open road
A road trip is a classic holiday choice, and for good reason. It has an unparalleled freedom and flexibility in many ways – you can just head directly to exactly where you want to go, or you can stop off, slow down, and go at your own pace.
One big draw is the ability to see many places in a single trip. For a European road trip, you could see Amsterdam, Brussels, Waterloo, and head to a Dortmund match all in the space of a long weekend. If you like driving, you can pack a lot in – not just literally, but figuratively, as you can fill up the boot with suitcases. They’re great for sharing a car radio with friends and family too.
But it’s not without its downsides. You’re driving in an unfamiliar place, with different rules, and that can be stressful. Spending long hours in a car is tiring for some, and the logistics of booking multiple accommodations with good parking can end up becoming a hassle. Road trips are often deceptively expensive, as they first seem cheap, but you need to factor in dining out, fuel, parking, and so on.
The journey of a hiking holiday
For those who want to connect more with nature than roads, a walking holiday can be a slower way to really digest your surroundings. It’s a more primal experience, as we are without not just technology but machines – even just being away from the rumble of cars can be relaxing. But for those interested in culture, walking from town to town is also a way to smell the produce on the way up, before being served those very same ingredients in a bistro.
Like a road trip, there’s plenty of planning involved. For those who want to lessen this burden, companies like Orbis Ways do a good job at providing you with a route and booking the accommodation.
Of course, a hiking holiday requires a certain level of physical fitness. Some are more accessible than you’d think – but you’ll still get very tired, sore, and find it more challenging than sitting in a car. For some, this is worthwhile, for others, they find driving to be more relaxing.
Finding your perfect pace
The choice will likely just come down to personal preferences. For a taxi driver who is fed up with driving and traffic, they may crave the rural escape to the countryside. For those who have lived inland for many years, they may want to hike from one side of Madeira to the other, along the coast. But if you’re interested in taking a family to many different sites or cities, and find adventure in random service station stop-offs, then a road trip could be for you.
