Short Scenic Walking Holiday Advice please

bex88

Hi all.

My Mum is turning 60 in October and I'm considering surprising her with a short break away (probably 4 nights).

The thing is, I definitely have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when it comes to overseas travel as I haven't been abroad since I was about 12 (I'm now 37) and if course I didn't have to sort anything out.

Basically, I'd love to take her somewhere breathtakingly beautiful, lakes & mountains type holiday with walks on the doorstep or easily reached with good public transport. Ideally not a busy a place with kiddie attractions etc... and not too overly expensive.

I'm not too keen to drive, so must have got transport links, or walks and amenities close by.

I was thinking it might be best for myself as an inexperienced traveller to just go with some sort of package holiday, rather than try to navigate separate flights and accommodation?

Was thinking mountain/lake French/Italian/Austria areas?

It would be in the end October school holiday (unfortunately) as she works in a school.

Any recommendations and advice greatly appreciated.

elsien

it really does what you mean by not overly expensive, and also what whether you might be looking for inOctober, presuming that you want to go away around the time of your mother’s birthday.

bex88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905505#Comment_81905505

Weather-wise anything ideally from 12-18 degrees (We don't like it too hot for walking) and it would likely be 4 nights from the 24th Oct. Really looking for under £700pp, but a lower price would better as long as it's still a nice place. Whatever option is most stress-free in terms of the travelling.
Don't mind sharing a room if it has twin beds, or a bed and sofa / sofabed.
Also don't mind self-catering accommodation as long as we have access to a food shop.

Woodstok2000

Italy is lovely in the autumn...the amalfi coast or Tuscany would fit the bill maybe.

bex88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905543#Comment_81905543

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a look into those. I've read riva del garda is supposed to be lovely too

Brie

beautiful walks up from Obergurgl in Austia. The ease of it is that there are ski lifts that take you up the mountains and then you can walk around or down. Can't beat the views.

Robin9

Second Austria = buses, trains and the chair lifts.

Have a look at what Inghams have to offer

michele-p

I was going to suggest Inghams Walking - we use them in winter for skiing, but the mountains in summer/Autumn are just so stunning too. Obergurgl as mentioned above is a fantastic resort (for skiing!), not too far from the airport. I remember it having lots of walking routes too. Places like Mayerhoffen might be good too in Austria.

A package might be easier if you're a bit nervous about organising transfers ect, so it would all be included.

The most stunning place we have visited outside of ski season was Grindelwald and Gimmelwald in Switzerland - you have the Jungfrau railway to get to the very top of the mountains too. I can't imagine there being a cheap deal there though. You can access via Interlarken.

Sounds amazing, good luck!

daveyjp

Weather at end of October would be a factor in choosing anywhere in northern Europe, however another vote for Switzerland. Plenty of flights to Geneva where you can get trains anywhere - however it isn't a cheap place to be a tourist.

As an alternative for amazing scenery, plenty of walking, good public transport, decent weather and better value have a look at Madeira.

Slinky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905547#Comment_81905547

I'd look at Sirmione which is at the other end of Lake Garda. Riva can be very windy, it's where a lot of kite surfers go.

bex88

Thank you so much everyone for your suggestions so far, I looked a bit more into Austria last night and I think it fits the bill in terms of type of scenery I was looking for, more so than Riva etc.. I'm thinking trying to see if I can find something around the Kaprun / Seefeld / hohe Tauern park areas.

Not entirely convinced I'll be able to get her on a chair lift though, she's ok with being up high but being suspended is a different thing, she'd be quite nervous, but that's not to say she wouldn't., I'm not sure.

I was trying Ingame but they don't seem to let you pick dates in October for some reason. Maybe I'll send them a message.

Alternatively, I did go on Lastminute and they have lots of choice on there which says includes flights, but not sure if they include everything needed like the main travel companies like TUI etc...

Those that mentioned Switzerland, it's a bucket list place as it looks incredible and mum would also love to try one of the train journeys like Michael Portillo did, but I think it's going to way to expensive for me personally.