Based in 1913, HF Holidays is Britain’s longest-running co-operative tour operator. Drawing on over 111 years of expertise in organising strolling and exercise holidays worldwide, have recognized the highest strolling vacation journey developments set to form 2025.
From group adventures that join like-minded individuals by means of shared experiences to multi-generational household holidays that bridge the technology hole, these developments replicate the evolving methods travellers are embracing the outside and rediscovering the enjoyment of strolling.
1. Collective adventures
“Collective adventures are about encouraging human connections and HF Holidays is famend for bringing collectively like-minded individuals who share a ardour for the nice outside. With 54% of our visitors selecting to journey solo, we’re the trusted supplier for holidays that supply individuals the chance to create new and long-lasting friendships by means of shared experiences.” says Kath Morris, Abroad Product Supervisor at HF Holidays.
HF Holidays curate journeys that not solely enable their visitors to discover new locations, however meet new individuals, too. And their new Adventures in Albania & Lake Ohrid itinerary isn’t any exception. Whether or not travelling solo or with another person, visitors will be a part of a gaggle of like-minded individuals and be guided by an professional chief by means of the varied landscapes of this under-the-radar vacation spot. Strolling and speaking go hand in hand and solo travellers quickly discover that the shared expertise of the journey usually results in lasting friendships.
Highlights visitors will get pleasure from collectively embody strolling a part of the traditional Roman By way of Egnatia route and exploring Galičica Nationwide Park for views over Lake Ohrid – one among Europe’s deepest inland our bodies of water. They will additionally stay up for a guided tour of Albania’s capital, Tirana, and a conventional Albanian cooking demonstration throughout their keep in Voskopoje.
2. Multi-generational journey
“Our clients have a famend love for strolling and the nice outside, and their ardour is being handed down by means of generations. We’re more and more receiving buyer testimonials on how having fun with an annual HF Vacation collectively has change into a practice amongst households, some courting way back to the Nineteen Thirties. We’re eager to assist younger individuals foster a lifelong reference to the countryside from an early age and our household strolling adventures encourage children to swap screen-time for spending high quality time with their dad and mom, grandparents, and siblings out in nature. Better of all, youngsters beneath 11 go free.” says Wendy Turner, Senior UK Product Supervisor at HF Holidays.
Whitby, the historic harbourside city famed for its Dracula connections, stunning seashores, and iconic fish and chips, affords a great household getaway. Households can spend time collectively looking for fossils on West Cliff Seashore, wandering the ghostly ruins of Whitby Abbey, or reaching the summit of Roseberry Topping for sweeping views over the Yorkshire Coast. They will additionally journey the Hogwarts Categorical-style steam prepare by means of the countryside with a cease at Goathland — the station that starred as Hogsmeade Station within the Harry Potter movies — and luxuriate in a guided coastal stroll to the smuggling village of Robin Hood’s Bay for tales of piracy and journey. And when it’s time to unwind, households will get pleasure from a full board keep at Larpool Corridor, HF Holidays’ characterful nation home on the North York Moors.
3. Holidays with which means
“Holidays with which means proceed to rise in reputation as travellers search deeper connections with the native tradition and communities within the locations they journey to. At HF Holidays, we consider journey ought to be a pressure for good and we work intently with our abroad companions to present visitors with distinctive experiences that promote financial prosperity for native individuals while creating memorable moments for visitors that resonate lengthy after the journey ends. As a B Corp Licensed enterprise, we’re dedicated to moral, sustainable practices that make each journey significant,” says Rob Carroll, Product Common Supervisor at HF Holidays.
HF Holidays’ new Tea Trails & Backwaters of Kerala vacation, affords extra than simply an thrilling journey journey. Visitors go to the village of Poothotta, the place a neighborhood information introduces them to conventional crafts like coir making, adopted by a home-cooked meal with a neighborhood household. As a part of the Group-Primarily based Accountable Tourism undertaking, the actions within the expertise are hosted and owned by native individuals, guaranteeing they profit instantly from tourism. Different highlights embody spending time within the historic buying and selling port of Kochi, and scenic treks round tea, cardamom, and occasional plantations in Munnar within the Western Ghats. Travellers may also spend an evening aboard a conventional Keralan houseboat, cruising the backwaters of Alleppey, earlier than mountaineering by means of Periyar Nationwide Park, recognizing Indian elephants, wild boar, and buffalo with an professional information.
4. Seasonality and over-tourism: Shoulder Season as peak
“Lots of HF Holidays’ clients will not be restricted to highschool holidays for journey, and the luxurious of selection implies that most have been choosing vacation dates exterior of peak summer time to steer away from the vacationer crowds. This ongoing demand has led to product growth geared in the direction of providing visitors extra enriching experiences within the locations visited. New for 2025, our Uncover Extra excursions supply intimate, small-group experiences exploring the UK’s lesser-known points of interest. With departures in April and October, visitors can go to common locations with fewer crowds and luxuriate in experiences not normally attainable as half of a bigger celebration.” says Wendy Turner, Senior UK Product Supervisor at HF Holidays.
Uncover the best-kept secrets and techniques of Sussex and the South Downs on a seven-night South Downs Uncover Extra Tour. With assured small group sizes, travellers will style award-winning wines on the Wiston Property, stroll by means of the wildlife haven of Pulborough Brooks, and uncover Roman historical past at Bignor Villa with a specialist information. There’ll even be a visit to historic Hever Citadel, an opportunity to observe conventional crafts in motion at Amberley Museum, plus a scenic journey on the Bluebell Railway.
5. Astro-Tourism
“Astro-tourism continues to surge in reputation as customers proceed to hunt experiences that present a way of psychological readability and inside leisure away from our screen-led every day lives. The UK has been trying to defend and enhance darkish skies within the British Isles and the most effective place to witness them are in deeply rural areas the place HF Holidays’ nation homes get pleasure from privileged entry. 2025 is anticipated to be a terrific 12 months to see the Northern Lights resulting from a peak within the solar’s 11-year photo voltaic exercise cycle,” says Mary Bragg, UK Product Supervisor at HF Holidays.
There are 4 Darkish Sky Discovery Websites within the Shropshire Hills, all conveniently located over the Lengthy Mynd Valley which sits on the doorstep of HF Holidays’ nation home, Longmynd Lodge. Every web site has the darkest Milky Manner Class score, which means the skies are darkish sufficient to see the Milky Manner with the bare eye. Visitors can spend the day exploring the charming village of Church Stretton with its quaint bookshops, nation pubs, and church buildings, or visiting close by Ludlow to find a market city famed for its remarkably well-preserved citadel. As soon as the solar units, eager stargazers can witness the great thing about the evening sky because of Longmynd Lodge’s splendidly distant location.