Walking Holidays In Rural France

There are lots ways of having holidays, and the usual bus tours, cruises and package tours are even now extremely popular with a certain percentage of society. If, however, you are concerned about the earth and global warming there are some other methods of enjoying vacations in Italy, France, and Europe as a whole. Minimize your global warming footprint, and have a nice walking holiday in the countryside.

France is an area that is as well known for its wonderful countryside as it is for its foie gras and some of the finest wines in the world. Spending some time in the French countryside, sampling some of the famous French cooking and wine and walking across the rolling pastures, green valleys and magical woods is as close to paradise as you may get.

One of the walking holidays currently available , for example, is a 7-Day Holiday in The Poitou, Charentes, France. Based in the Le Moulin du Chemin. In the mid 17th century, this facility was a cereal mill. It has been lovingly converted into an lodge, which is run by Peter Roche and Carolynn Grimaldi. Peter is very knowledgeable on the surrounding countryside and a wine expertenthusiast of considerable reputation, whilst Carolynn's cookoing are absolutely first class.

Whether you want to explore the rolling hills, or walk along the strange little paths that lead to beautiful fruit-laden orchards, it is your choice. You can also explore the local Loire Chateaux in La Rochelle or some of the renowned distilleries in Cognac. Take along a picnic lunch to enjoy under the shady chestnut trees, or just feast off the land by collecting berries, peaches from the countryside as you walk, and drink in the crystal streams.

Throw away the old idea of going on package tours, experiencing only the superficial side of a country. If you really want to see what a country is really like, then you need to have a rural holiday where you will live in anything from a beautiful suite in a chateau to small gites.

The difference is that it is not an enormous hotel chain but a privately-owned houses.Rural holidays give you the chance to see how the real people live. You can see the arts and crafts of the region and the local cuisine. You may forget the plastic food served up in flashy cafes.

Agritourismo or agritourism is also an excellent way of experiencing the land in Europe. Agritourism enables you to see life on working farms in various areas in France, Italy, and Spain. Living in the farmhouse, and taking part in various farming tasks, and eating from the land the food that you have collected.

Learn all about how to cultivate the grapes and make the wine that certain regions are famous for, help to look after the cows, or look after a farm stall for your hosts at a farmers' market. Many of these farms use organic methods of farming, and all of them produce food from their own labours. Depending on the farm, they may also provide the wine for the evening meal from their own cellars, or at least from the area.

It is not necessary to use plastic knives and forks in a cafe being stuck for hours in an organised excursion. You can experience one of the most rewarding, healthiest holidays amongst local people of the land.


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David Tatham has travelled extensively throughout France and lived in the country for many years. He has a wealth of information and knowledge on the culture, the food and the wine. His website can be viewed at http://www.perigeux.com and if you are contemplating visiting, we would highly recommend the Dordogne area of SouthWest France.