Latest news with #HFHolidays
Euronews
01-07-2025
- Euronews
Escape Europe's heatwave with these scenic walking coolcations
Europe is currently sweltering amid a brutal heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in some areas. It's a similar story to last summer and, unsurprisingly, travellers are beginning to adapt. Already, one study has crunched the numbers and found that visitors are shying away from hot destinations this summer. The research by CaixaBank claims that up to 14 per cent of international visitors who would normally holiday in Spain have chosen to look elsewhere amid record-breaking temperatures in recent years. The result is a pivot to so-called 'coolcations'. Walking holidays specialist and co-op HF Holidays also reports that many of its mountainous and northern walking trips have been selling out. If you're looking for a fresher escape this summer, here are a few hiking routes to consider. Walk through breathtaking landscapes in Italy's Dolomites Last year, a new hiking trail winding through the wild, nature-rich landscape of Italy's Dolomites mountain range opened. The Cammino Retico is named after the ancient Raeti people who lived in the area in pre-Roman times. It connects various remote villages between the Veneto and Trentino regions. Set out by the social association Carpe Diem, the Cammino Retico begins and ends in Aune di Sovramonte, near the city of Belluno. The circular route is 170 kilometres long and can typically be completed in seven days. Island-hop with Sweden's archipelago trail The Stockholm Archipelago Trail launched in October 2024. The 270-kilometre hiking route connects over 20 islands, giving walkers the chance to traverse Sweden's rugged landscapes and pristine nature. The trail is well-marked and has amenities such as benches, shelters and fireplaces. Hiking for beginners in the Tatra Mountains The Tatra Mountains are part of the Carpathian chain, which forms a natural border between Poland and Slovakia. Many trails are extremely accessible, making it the perfect place for hikers with limited experience of trekking through the mountains. On the Slovakian side, you can even take a cable railway such as the Kasprowy Wierch, which takes you to the Lomnitz Peak, the High Tatras' second highest mountain at 2634 metres. In summer, head up high for a breath of fresh air amid icy lakes and wildflower meadows. Trek through fjords and mountains on St Olav's Way Saint Olav's Way in Norway is an ancient pilgrimage on Europe's list of walking routes. Seven possible routes take trekkers through rural parts of the country to Trondheim Cathedral, where Saint Olav, who was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028, is said to be buried. Travellers have been using the route since 1032, with a number of shelters built along the way through its hundreds of years of history. It requires a bit of planning, with hotels and lodgings more spaced out than on other trails. It is best to tackle this route between May and August, as bad weather and short days can hamper progress in autumn and later in the year.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The most beautiful UK islands for a walkable holiday revealed including one with Caribbean-like beaches
Want to ditch the rental car and explore on foot this summer? Luckily, you won't have to travel far to do so, as these five stunning island destinations are the perfect locations for a walking holiday. 'Some of the most beautiful and rugged islands lie just off the UK mainland, offering the perfect setting for discovery on foot,' say the experts at HF Holidays, who picked the list. 'Each destination blends wild natural beauty, rich local culture and a real sense of escape, all just a short ferry or flight from home.' The Isle of Man A self-governing island between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is officially one of the UK's prettiest spots for a walking holiday, according to HF Holidays. The experts say: 'Almost equidistant between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Isle of Man is a UNESCO Biosphere Region of fascinating history and phenomenal coast and countryside.' Their recommended walking route heads along the Raad ny Foilan (Way of Gulf) trail. Highlights include the 'winding streets of Castletown', the 'soft golden sands of Port Erin Beach' and a ride on the historic tram between Douglas and Laxey. Anglesey An island off the Welsh mainland's northwest coast, Anglesey is the ideal destination for birdwatchers. HF Holidays' experts say: 'The island boasts wild walking trails, sandy beaches and ancient castles. '[It's] renowned for being one of the best places in Britain for birdwatching, with thousands of rare bird species flocking to its scenic shores every year.' The company's recommended route includes a visit to picturesque Llanddwyn Island and the 19th century South Stack Lighthouse. Mull & Iona A pair of gorgeous islands in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, HF Holidays recommends combining visits to both Mull and Iona for a walking holiday. The experts explain: 'Adored for their breathtaking landscapes, rare wildlife, and peaceful feel, the stunning islands of Mull and Iona are located amongst the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.' The company's trip gives holidaymakers the chance to explore the islands 'long after the day-trippers have left' and combines it with another island Staffa. Highlights on the route include Staffa's 'towering basalt columns' and the chance to spot sea eagles, whales, seat otters and seals. Isle of Wight A favourite of Queen Victoria, the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, is a dreamy spot for a walking holiday. 'The Isle of Wight tempts with golden sand beaches, rolling green hills, dramatic white cliffs, ancient woodland and charming seaside resorts,' say the HF Holidays' experts. While the island's beaches are sure to be a highlight for any walkers, the Isle of Wight has many other must-see attractions. Tourists can pay a visit to Queen Victoria's island home, Osborne House, which offers a spectacular glimpse into the monarch's life. Channel Islands HF Holidays recommend combining the Channel Islands, an archipelago off the coast of France. The experts say: 'Blessed with better-than-average weather than mainland UK, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm offer awe-inspiring coastal walks, white-sand beaches and seaside resorts fit to rival those found in Europe.' Highlights of a trip to the Channel Island include Herm's 'Caribbean-like Shell Beach' and exploring St Peter Port in Guernsey. Walkers will also get the chance to learn about Alderney's World War II past. If you're wanting an even longer walk, along the South West Coast Path, you'll be sure to see some stunning beaches. We recently revealed ten that will be featured in Gillian Anerson and Jason Isaacs' new movie, The Salt Path, out now.
The Guardian
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
From DJing and folk to songwriting and salsa: 10 of the best music and singing holidays
The Kora Workshop is a small UK company that makes beautiful, high quality koras (a type of West African harp) and teaches people how to play them. UK festivalgoers may have bumped into its staff at Womad or Tribal Earth, but it also offers week-long immersion workshops in the Aveyron in southern France. They include seven days of tuition (both individual and group sessions), as well as shared accommodation and the loan of a kora. The first week got booked up quickly, so move fast if you're interested. 14-21 Sept, £510, HF Holidays is a co-operative whose origins date back to the early 1900s and a pioneer in developing walking holidays for working people. Its new three-nighter in the Peak District mixes singing and socialising with half-day walks in the valleys, forests and grasslands around Ilam and Tissington. The famous Dovedale stepping stones are less than a mile from the Peveril of the Peak country house where the trip is based. Vocal coach Su Grainger (founder of Singing Our Socks Off, Liverpool's longest running community choir) leads the singing sessions in a 'no-pressure environment' crafted to fit all abilities.7-10 Nov, from £459pp, To the outsider, Hard Trance Europe (HTE) – a record label on the heavier end of the electronic music spectrum – may not seem like the most likely organisation to be running a rural retreat with countryside views. But, as HTE puts it, 'the ability to learn is maximised from within a comfortable and relaxed environment'. So, a getaway by the River Tamar on the Devon-Cornwall border it is. Hosts Renegade System, Iain Cross, Lab4 and Nick the Kid boast more than a century of combined experience. Their three-day programme is tailored to participants, whether you're getting started or are mastering your mix. Expect workshops, guest speakers, hard beats – and splendid views.28-30 Sept, from £750, Halsway Manor, at the foot of the Quantock Hills, is the only residential folk music centre in the UK. The Halsway team offers a plethora of midweek and weekend-away courses, ranging from workshops on the Irish bouzouki to how to play the dulcimer. In July, the teaching trio of Amy Thatcher, Tamsin Elliot and Paul Hutchinson are leading a weekend class for levels 1-3 in accordion. You'll need your own instrument and a basic ability to read music, but that's it. Book a single or shared room, learn through the day and jam at night.4-6 July, £200 course-only or £215 to £330 with accommodation, Karuna Haus is set in an idyllic landscape, at the foot of forested hills with a backdrop of the Swiss Alps. This meditation retreat is the setting for holistic voice therapist Sophia Efthimiou's musical retreat in late August. Each day begins with gentle morning yoga and breakfast, followed by vocal exploration sessions, harmony singing and therapeutic voice work either side of lunch. Organic, plant-based food is included and there's a sauna and fresh water pool on site. Sophia also runs singing holidays (including a popular sailing week in Turkey, next dates April 2026).28-31 Aug, from £730 (£845 in a private room), Picture yourself watching the sun set over golden mountains in an ancient farmhouse in Andalucía, isolated between the Sierra Nevada and the Mediterranean. This is Finca Ara Oko, from where Bombo Productions – a community arts organisation focused on Afro-Latin American music – runs week-long retreats. 'Our place is remote, which is one of the attractions,' says founder of Bombo, Vicky Jassey. 'When guests arrive, they feel they can properly detach from everyday life.' Its upcoming salsa percussion retreat has an emphasis on the rhythmic aspects of Cuban music. When tuition time is over, guests can walk in the mountains or go snorkelling on the secluded La Rijana beach. The same team also runs singing retreats in the off-grid farmhouse.8-15 Sept, from £760, Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion The Sessions and Sail crew organise week-long voyages on gorgeous tall ships, giving fans of folk music the chance to live aboard and join workshops, sessions and ceilidhs as they sail. The trips usually operate off the west coast of Scotland, but they're trading Caledonian waters for the volcanic Aeolian Islands north of Sicily this October for an outing on SV Florette, a 40-metre brigantine. On shore, explore Lipari old town and sample Salina wine. On board, develop your fiddle, mandolin or guitar skills, and watch the sun rise and set over the Tyrrhenian Sea. All abilities 18-25, £1,525 adults, £1,395 under-30s, £1,295 hammock sailor, Immerse yourself in the landscapes that have inspired generations of musicians on a road trip around Ireland with the Guitar Social, an organisation born from the idea that learning the guitar is more fun with other people, and which now runs international retreats as well as regular meet ups and classes. Departing from Dublin, players head up to Kilnaleck in County Cavan, before going south-west to Cork, and on to a castle stay in Galway, improving their guitar skills as they go. 'We pride ourselves on welcoming all levels, and if we do get beginners, we tailor the learning to meet their needs,' says founder Thomas Binns. Ten guitar workshops and facilitated evening performances are part of the deal (and we assume a jar of whiskey can be acquired fairly easily as you go over the Cork and Kerry mountains).3-8 Sept, from £1,100 (£2,000 in a private room), Cosy down in a leafy, boutique riad in the medina of Marrakech for five nights, enjoying daily three-hour singing sessions with Belgian-Moroccan singer Laïla Amezian and discovering the storied streets and squares of a city where the scent of spices, orange blossoms and shoe leather fills the air. 'We'll explore Arabo-Andalucían melodies, chaabi [folk] songs, the rich Judeo-Arabic vocal heritage, and original compositions inspired by ancient poetry,' says Amezian. 'We'll journey between poetry and melodic lament, between entrancing tunes and captivating voices.' The trip culminates with a performance.20-25 Oct, from £2,250, It's hard to imagine a more inspiring backdrop for a songwriting retreat than Ardnamurchan. This rugged peninsula – with its wild coastline, rocky outcrops,sandy beaches, stags and sea eagles – juts out from the west coast of Scotland, reaching north to Skye, Eigg and Rum and south to Mull. Touring folk musicians Iona Lane and Katie Spencer are running a 'relaxed and inspired' songwriting retreat based in Kinlochmoidart House, a Scots baronial mansion built in 1884. The focus is on nurturing songwriting and musicality which responds to people and landscape – through workshops, creative sessions and walks in this unspoiled landscape.20-24 April 2026, £745 (£795 in private room),
Spectator
28-05-2025
- Spectator
My sitcom-worthy walking holiday
I've just returned from a walking holiday in Northumberland with Caroline and my mother-in-law. I say 'walking' but that makes it sound more physically demanding than it was. Billed as 'gentle guided walking', it was more like an ambling holiday, and the distances weren't very great. On the second day, I was anxious to make it to the pub to watch the League One play-off final, so raced ahead and completed the walk – the entire walk – in less than an hour. It was a packaged tour organised by HF Holidays, a co-operative set up as the Holiday Fellowship in 1913 by Thomas Arthur Leonard, a non-conformist social reformer. He wanted to save factory workers from the fleshpots of Blackpool by encouraging them to take walking holidays instead. A great believer in the improving effects of the great outdoors, he was a strong supporter of the National Trust and was also involved in setting up the Youth Hostel Association and the Ramblers' Association – a bit like Robert Baden-Powell, except without the links to African colonialism or Hitler Youth. Leonard was also a supporter of the Independent Labour party, a staunch pacifist and, towards the end of his life, a member of the Society of Friends. Not my cup of tea, then, but HF Holidays is now a broad enough church to accommodate sybaritic non-believers. Well, up to a point. I asked my mother-in-law if I could bring some wine, but was told this wouldn't be in keeping with the slightly frugal, ascetic atmosphere. We were staying in an hotel in Alnmouth owned by the company, and meals were communal, with the 60 or so guests sharing tables and expected to chat to each other while selecting from a limited menu.
