Have you ever thought about the benefits of a warm winter vacation? If autumn has returned for you with the grey monotony of city life and you're longing to reconnect with nature and recharge your energy, treat yourself to the well-being of the winter sun.
What we call a warm winter vacation is often associated with long-haul destinations that the mind links to tropical paradises and long ocean crossings. By doing so, we forget that Europe has fantastic destinations capable of offering the perfect mix of natural beauty, history, and, for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts, vast spaces to explore on beautiful trails and walks.
Where? Let’s discover them together...
Would you like to discover the shapes and colors nature takes in a volcanic archipelago exposed to the currents of the Atlantic Ocean? To find out, let's pack our bags and head to the Canary Islands, a destination offering a wide range of solutions for hiking and adventure lovers who will enjoy a mild, constantly temperate climate. Imagine the privilege of walking surrounded by the Ocean, your eyes filled with the blue of the sky while you hear only the pleasant crunch of your footsteps on the volcanic soil. Or you could also delve into the lush nature of La Gomera, which will restore your energy and well-being thanks to its wild, at times primordial flora. You will appreciate the silence of these places, far from the city routine, and, immersed in the beauty of landscapes full of contrasts, you'll feel the ocean breeze on your face. But don’t think that Tenerife offers only sun and relaxation: you can challenge yourself with the 3,718 meters of Mount El Teide, the highest peak in Spain.
Traveling awakens the desire to broaden our horizons, fill our eyes with beauty, and discover unexpected curiosities. Every journey is an indissoluble blend of experiences that we can hardly replicate elsewhere. This is certainly the case with the Azores, a natural and chromatic jewel nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, benefiting from the Gulf Stream's influence.
From a landscape perspective, the Azores are characterized by the typical volcanic island vegetation and rocky formations, but here nature has shaped panoramic lakes, thermal springs, and spectacular waterfalls. Meanwhile, human hands gave birth to the first European tea plantation dating back to 1883, still active today on the island of Sao Miguel. Let yourself be transported by the shades of lush greens and ocean blues, walk trails tailored to your needs, and savor unique dishes cooked in geothermal springs, a true discovery for your palate, perhaps while sipping excellent local tea.
If you want to discover the beauty of a paradise island where it's always spring but don't love crowded, overrun destinations, Madeira is the place for you. Balancing between picturesque bays and typical rural villages, the undeniable protagonist of Madeira is its lush nature, well-represented by a wide variety of tree species that benefit from the mild local climate. In fact, the island boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the Laurisilva laurel forest, a must-see for green hiking and botany enthusiasts. But Madeira also offers beautiful walks along the characteristic levadas, irrigation channels dating back to the 16th century, used to divert water to the drier areas of the island.
Do you want to change course, slow down, and immerse yourself in a lifestyle different from the usual? Want to do it authentically? Portugal offers an alternative itinerary through the Rota Vicentina, between Algarve and Alentejo, allowing you to follow pilgrims' and fishermen's paths and discover beautiful trails, breathtaking cliffs, and endless beaches. You will enjoy vast spaces and the peaceful and genuine atmosphere of these places, with the ocean as your travel companion most of the time. And when you venture inland, history will speak to you with an itinerary that takes you to discover archaeological remains like the prehistoric menhirs of Vila do Bispo.
Imagine an elegant destination, rich in history, and at times mysterious. Combine these ingredients with lush nature and a landscape outlined by jagged cliffs and breathtaking views overlooking a crystal-clear sea, and you have the profile of beautiful Malta. Malta, along with the nearby island of Gozo, can surprise you with a truly unique combination of attractions: nature lovers and walkers can enjoy easy trails accessible to everyone, while history enthusiasts will appreciate the refinement of baroque buildings, the exotic charm of Medina, not to mention UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hagar Qim and the Ggantija Temples. Additionally, a particularly pleasant note is the local cuisine, which, along with the history, is the result of layers and influences from all the peoples who have interacted with Malta.
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