Travel inspires a natural curiosity about the world, and travel advisors are in the distinct position of delivering that never-ending thrill to enrich their clients’ spirits, especially as the travel industry emerges from the pandemic and vaccine rollouts escalate. Curious-minded consumers are ready to embark on global adventures, but where can advisors suggest while keeping in mind that remaining safe is still top-of-mind for their clients? Consider Europe’s nature-inspired, slow adventure experiences as the ideal way to satiate consumers’ appetite…
What does slow adventure mean? Think natured-powered experiences that connect travelers with the European outdoors and local culture. Experiences that tap into Europe’s unique narrative, allowing clients to discover an enhanced sense of place at their own pace. Opportunities to pause hectic everyday life, engage in immersive and authentic experiences, and re-energize by gaining knowledge and enriching perspective.
Slow adventure pursuits in Europe can be enjoyed year-round as activities transport travelers to areas that are not mass-market or overcrowded. The Eurail is a sustainable, well-connected system that allows travelers to seamlessly enjoy the best of slow adventures around the continent – a great way to celebrate 2021 as the European Year of the Rail. Here is a selection of travel ideas to consider for clients. Learn more on how Europe is ideal for the #NaturallyCurious.
Walk, Hike, Explore
Wander along the 1,500-plus-mile Wild Atlantic Way route, and discover western Ireland from County Donegal to County Cork. This off-the-beaten track coastal road introduces travelers to majestic cliffs that plunge into Atlantic waves and small towns beckoning visitors to chat in local pubs and listen to music.
Hike long-distance on the Via Dinarica transnational trail to see steep valleys, high mountains and sparkling Alpine lakes. The White Trail runs along the entire length of the Via Dinarica in the high peaks of the Dinaric Alps through the Balkan Peninsula.
Europe features numerous experiences where travelers can seamlessly cross from one country to another. Explore the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site – an UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching along the coasts of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands – on walks of varied distance. Winding its way through Austria, Slovenia and Italy, the Alpe Adria Trail features picturesque villages, waterfalls and stunning landscapes. The Baltic Forest Trail takes hikers to wooded spaces and national parks in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Visitors can embark on the Tour de Mont Blanc, which crosses France, Italy and Switzerland, and trek the highest peak in the Alps and Europe.
Slow Adventure On Two Wheels
Cycle the EuroVelo 15, a network of long-distance routes crisscrossing Europe, including the new Rhine Cycle Route through the Swiss Alps to the Alsatian countryside and Middle Rhine Valley, up to the North Sea. Breathe fresh air, enjoy re-invigorating bike rides, and see UNESCO sites along the way.
For leisurely biking, explore European Greenways, ancient tracks that have been converted exclusively for non-motorized journeys. Head out on the Dampfross-Drahtesel Greenway through the landscapes of Austria and the Sentiero della Bonifica Greenway along the embankment of the River Chiana and the countryside of Valdichiana in Italy.
Delve Into Rural Culture
Europe’s rural wonders reveal a fascinating cultural perspective at every turn. Visit one of the tiny quaint Ethnic Villages in Serbia, and indulge on a meal of locally-grown food fresh farm-made milk. Explore the village of Lipovo in Montenegro, where travelers can pick wild berries in the morning, fish at a nearby lake, learn to make homemade cheese, and sip locally produced brandy. Stay at a boarding house in Romania, and learn alongside locals how to do woodcarving, work the land and make hay. Take a train ride along the coast of Flanders in Belgium, and observe shrimp fishermen on horseback in Oostduinkerke, the only place in Europe where this trade is still practiced. Meet flowers stylists and visit the world’s largest flower auction, RoyalFloraHolland, in the Netherlands.
Leisurely Outdoor Pursuits
Outdoor adventures enjoyed at an unhurried pace deliver a delightful sense of discovery and freedom. For an exhilarating experience, embark on a guided kayak tour in Eastern Romania’s Danube Delta, an UNESCO protected natural park, to see plentiful plant and animal species and diverse bird life while gently gliding on the water. Visitors can go stand-up paddle boarding and canoeing on the waters of Soomaa National Park in Estonia, then gather colorful wild berries and edible mushrooms in the wild. There is abundant wildlife to observe in their natural splendor – bison in Lithuania, birds in the forests of Estonia, white Siberian tigers, and free-roaming elk in Poland.
Spectacular Scenery At Every Turn
There is no shortage of stunning European views to thrill nature lovers. Norway is resplendent with its breathtaking landscape of fjords, mountains and beaches. There are also opportunities to sleep under the stars, allowing travelers to appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty. Via ferrata routes in the Dolomite mountains of northern Italy traverse otherwise-hard-to-reach rock faces while delivering spectacular scenery front and center. Trek up Vihren Mountain in Bulgaria, and be rewarded with views of deep valleys and sparkling lakes below.
For more information on safely traveling to Europe during the pandemic, visit the Re-open EU website.