Winning tip: A walk in the Lake District helped me feel refreshed
I took a walk around the Old Man of Coniston in the Lake District on a drizzly weekday in October, and it quietly refreshed my brain. I was always running in on mode, but going uphill slows me down and allows me to breathe properly. From the Coppermines valley to the ridge, along the rocky peaks and back via Goat’s Water, the route is rugged yet unremarkable. The weather kept the crowds low, and the low clouds made the lake feel like a secret. I returned home soaked in mud and strangely calm and set about making space for another long walk.
Brandon Kindell
I left my car after cycling in Italy.
A few years ago, after turning 60 and retiring, I invested in a simple yet stylish bike and participated in the ‘Silver Giro d’Italia’ organized by a cycling club in Milan. I met like-minded people from all over Europe and we followed our own mini-tour, starting from Milan Cathedral to Pisa and ending with a route around the famous towers along the coast. We stopped at a nice trattoria along the way, had a pasta lunch, and slept in a rustic hotel. That experience made me think about selling my car and getting around by bike. It was really cool. I feel healthier and better. I did something good for myself and the environment.
bill
Volunteering broadened my horizons
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) ran very popular walking holidays for conservation in the 1980s. There were exciting wildlife adventures such as building fences, walls and weeding in England, and tracking wolves in Slovakia. Volunteers ranged from teenagers to pensioners, some were employed and some took part on a weekly basis. My first experience was building a footbridge and hanging some farm gates in a remote part of Devon. We slept on the floor of the local village hall, cooked our own meals and showered at the sports center during the week. Teamwork and friendships blossomed over the course of a week, and I largely exceeded my wildest expectations of what can be achieved with unskilled, honest labor. BTCV changed its name to Community Volunteers in 2012 and I continue to volunteer with local groups that are members of the TCV Community Network. I still get scratched and sore, but I enjoy my time at work and continue to be amazed at what has been accomplished.
boy name
Each week we ask our readers for travel recommendations. Various tips may appear online or in print. To enter the latest contests, visit the Reader Tips homepage.
–
“,”Credit”:””}”>
contour
Reader tip: Send us a tip and you could win a £200 Coolstays holiday voucher.
show
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
Each week we ask our readers for travel recommendations. Various tips may appear online or in print. To enter the latest contests, visit the Reader Tips homepage.
–
Seasick captain gave me a North Sea adventure
In 1962, when I was 16, I took a small wooden yacht on an overnight voyage across the North Sea from Belgium to the Suffolk coast. The wind got stronger and the waves got higher. The captain stayed below until dawn, suffering from severe seasickness. The sea was getting bigger and bigger and I was looking up at it crashing down on me as I sailed alone following my compass. I was strapped into the open cockpit with two ropes. Finally, the Southwold Lighthouse was in sight, flashing its welcome light. My adventure included fear and uncertainty. But learning persistence and perseverance was a life-changing experience.
David Innes-Wilkin
Alpine yoga and hiking in Austria
Desperate for an exciting winter break, we ended up choosing MoaAlm near Kals am Großglockner, Austria. In addition to MoaAlm’s excellent vegan food, we discovered true Austrian warmth as locals greeted us in town. Sophie’s yoga classes transformed our practice. Especially the sun salutation when dawn light flooded the mountain-view studio. I experienced one of the best mountain hikes of my life. Climbing up to the snow field and seeing the distant Dolomites beyond were at their peak. For my wife, it was an opportunity to rediscover her love of skiing through one-on-one lessons. The holidays were with Wearreactive.
Adam
Florence hospitality and kindness
Florence’s night sky exploded with noise and color as I celebrated the Festival of San Giovanni with hundreds of excited locals in June. After my bereavement, I decided to book a three-week Italian course through Apple Language Courses and stay with a local host family. During that time, I fell in love with learning the fascinating language, spent my free time admiring Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery, daydreaming on the shores of the Arno reflected in terracotta, eating gelati and experiencing some much-needed Florentine hospitality and kindness. I returned from my Italian adventure with a heart soothed and a hope that money can’t buy.
Allison N
Children’s delight on a road trip to France
Our first road trip as a family sparked our love of France and traveling with our sons. Take an exciting ferry ride into the Loire Valley and visit wildflower meadows where you can picnic and stretch your legs. And then there was the wonder of our “tiny” house (our campground mobile home). There was daily swimming, endless seafood and pain au chocolat. Although we planned and executed with very little money, our biggest and most valuable lesson was realizing that the little parts of travel that we take for granted as adults can be awe-inspiring in children.
claire
Scandinavia with my daughter
After traveling to Scandinavia with my adult daughter on a backpacking trip, I changed my clothes and returned home. The Abba experience in Stockholm turned into a pure joy to sing. In Gothenburg, we slowed down and did some vintage shopping, enjoyed green spaces, and stopped by cafes to make space for real conversations. In Copenhagen, the city rewards curiosity, as we walk everywhere from the lights of Tivoli Gardens to the cool Meat-Packing District. Traveling with my daughter broke away old roles and reminded me that the best trips are not determined by where you go, but by who you travel with. Ask your loved one to come with you. It will make your trip unforgettable.
Lindsay Partridge
Serenity in Croatia
Our sailing holiday in Croatia was truly serene, with breathtaking scenery everywhere we went. From crystal-clear waters to dramatic coastlines, each island had its own beauty. As we explored the island, we discovered an incredible variety of landscapes and atmospheres. Split and Dubrovnik are particularly memorable cities, rich in history, charm and timeless beauty. Walking through the ancient streets and admiring the coastal scenery was an unforgettable experience and deeply moving.
Debra
Backpacking in Colombia taught me how to improvise.
Sometimes what changes you the most is when things go wrong. I went on a backpacking trip to Latin America when I was 26 and had everything organized and needed according to plan. In Mocoa, where the Colombian Amazon tangles with the Andes, dense jungle clings to steep green mountains and monkeys howl from the canopy. I didn’t speak Spanish, had no phone signal, and didn’t bring enough cash to catch the bus, but the kindness of strangers got me where I needed to be. I learned that I don’t have to plan everything, and I sleep much better for it.
Sarah