Walking Holidays

a href="http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/theme.aspx?productid=212781" target="_self">Walking holidays could be the perfect opportunity for travellers to make good on their New Year's resolutions and get more active, while taking in a diverse range of surroundings.

Walking holidays could be the perfect opportunity for travellers to make good on their New Year's resolutions and get more active, while taking in a diverse range of surroundings.

According to The Adventure Company's managing director Claire Wilson, walking and trekking trips proved more popular than ever in 2009, accounting for more than one-third of its total passenger numbers.

The company offers walking holidays to a variety of locations, meaning that travellers are sure to be able to find a destination which suits their tastes. Culture vultures and history aficionados may like to consider the Inca Trail, while sunseekers may be keener to walk around the island paradises of Madeira or Cyprus.

Meanwhile adventurous travellers could welcome the chance to scale Kilimanjaro.

Walking the Inca Trail

Experienced walkers and even beginners are likely to be aware of the Inca Trail, which is one of the most famous treks anywhere in the world.

Travellers have been encouraged to book holidays in Peru for years, driven by a desire to walk the same routes that were trod by the Incan people hundreds of years ago.

Mountainous terrain and 4,000m high passes are combined with spectacular scenery on the Inca Trail. As if this wasn't enough, the trail culminates in the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, which has been named as one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Madeira Walking

Seasoned travellers may be keen to see the sights and history of the Portuguese island of Madeira. Especially popular with nature lovers, the walking holiday takes in the island's mountainous interior which is packed with unique vegetation.

Furthermore, practically every inch of flat land in Madeira's lush terraced valleys is covered with vines, bananas, tropical fruits and flowers such as orchids.

Walking in Cyprus

Cyprus may be better known as a destination for beach-loving holidaymakers, but the island also has plenty to offer walkers.

The scenic routes which The Adventure Company's trips take in across Cyprus give travellers the chance to avoid the busy tourist locations and experience deserted forest tracks used only by local farmers.

Some of the island's many medieval ruins can be witnessed, such as the dramatic St Hilarion Castle, which used to defend North Cyprus from scavenging Arab pirates.

Walking holiday to Kilimanjaro

Travellers have been encouraged for years to book Tanzania holidays after being drawn by the challenge of walking to the roof of Africa.

Standing at some 5,895m tall, walks up the mountain's various routes give travellers the chance to take in diverse African scenery, from lush rainforest to moorland to the bare, high-altitude deserts which make up the upper slopes.

The Adventure Company allows travellers to choose whether to tackle the Machame, Rongai or Marangu routes.