Combining bikes and boats is growing in popularity

Tours that combine biking and barging are all the rage, tourism operator UTracks reports.

Bike and boat holidays aim to combine the comfort of river and canal cruising with the freedom to explore well beyond the riverbanks.

And Europe’s waterways, from the flats of the Netherlands to France, Germany and the along the Danube, enable small vessels to glide into lesser-known ports while cruisers spend days cycling through river towns, vineyards and picturesque landscapes.

The Mediterranean, particularly along the coasts of Greece and Croatia, offer similar experiences at sea.

Guests can cycle village lanes, and rural backroads before heading back to their ship for dinner.

A range of routes are available and for the less energetic (raises hand), electric bikes are available for a supplement.    

https://www.utracks.com/bike-boat-information

A way to explore Chianti at a slower pace

 

Fancy a few days strolling through one of the most picturesque vineyard regions in the world? 

Chianti in Tuscany is just delightful - and well worth a few days of leisurely exploration. 

UTracks has just launched a new Chianti Highlights Walk, a five-day itinerary designed for people who "enjoy unhurried days and evenings that stretch longer than planned". 

The walk can be enjoyed as a group experience and combines scenic walking with cultural and culinary experiences.

 
You don't need to be super fit: walks clock in at around 10 to 16 kilometres per day. 

The walk covers beautiful villages and vineyards between Siena and Florence. The promo material says it showcases olive groves and low wooded hills, following quiet roads and clear trails through delightful Chianti towns like Radda and Greve, where medieval streets and small piazzas are buzzing with locals. 

The experience is promoted as being "ideal for couples or a group of friends". 

Accommodation is pre-organised, luggage is transferred ahead and a navigation app helps the days unfold without fuss.

For details see www.utracks.com/Italy/Self-Guided-Walking/Chianti-Highlights-Walk

Discover walking tours designed with seniors in mind

A growing number of senior travellers are enjoying multi-day walks designed for the less mobile. 

Active travel company UTracks says it has developed a collection of itineraries for senior travellers, with an emphasis on manageable walking distances, optional rest days and comfortable, pre-booked accommodation. 

Daily luggage transfers mean walkers can explore without carrying unnecessary weight, allowing them to travel in a way that suits their energy levels and interests.

Detailed route notes, an easy to use navigation app and reliable on-ground support aim to take the stress out of day-to-day logistics, UTracks says. 

"This allows travellers to focus on the scenery, historic villages and local food. Options range from short highlight walks to complete route itineraries, self-guided journeys or guided small group tours."

Among the destinations on offer are Britain’s national trails, France’s alpine passes and the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage paths.

Popular UTracks senior-friendly walking tours include: 

Hadrian’s Wall Walk: 10 days
Follow in the footsteps of ancient Romans along one of the UK’s great trails, stretching 133km across open countryside, forest and moorland.  UTracks offers several different itineraries along the Hadrian's Wall path, including a 10-day Rambler from Whitley Bay and one from Carlisle.
https://www.utracks.com/United-Kingdom/Self-Guided-Walking/Hadrians-Wall-Walk-From-Whitley-Bay-10-Days

Mont Blanc Guided Rambler: 7 days
Enjoy the Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Switzerland and Italy at a slower pace, with the added benefit of small-groups and support from an experienced guide.
https://www.utracks.com/France/Alpine-Hiking/Mont-Blanc-Rambler-Guided-Hike

Guided Camino Walking Tour for Senior Travellers: 12 days
A relaxed guided walk covering the final 115km of the Camino Francés. Daily distances range from 10–18km, with honey and cheese tastings and optional church visits. Comfortable hotels and guesthouses round out the experience.
https://www.utracks.com/Spain/Guided-Walking/Guided-Camino-Walk-for-Senior-Travellers

There are also a range of walking tour for seniors devoted to exploring local cuisine. 

For more info see www.utracks.com 

Holidaymakers have a growing focus on wellness

Holidays that focus on health and wellness are all the rage as we approach Global Wellness Day on June 14. 

Regenerative travel, recharging. physical health, mental clarity, and long-term wellbeing are among the main drivers of vacation choices, trend forecasters and travel platforms like Kayak’s What the Future Travel Trend Report say. 

They suggest that by the end of the decade, holidays that support longevity and wellness will rival traditional luxury escapes in popularity.

Savvy travellers are trading indulgence for purpose and seeking itineraries that move their bodies, clear their minds, and connect them more deeply with nature.

So I'm told. 

Active travel company UTracks reports a growing appetite for wellness-focused holidays. 

“Our itineraries naturally align with this shift,” says general manager Kate Baker. 

“Walking and cycling, staying in small locally run lodgings, and spending time immersed in nature, it’s a style of travel that, while not new, seems increasingly in tune with what people are looking for in 2025.

“Our travellers want to feel recharged, not just during the trip, but afterwards. Our tours offer a healthy dose of time in nature, terrain that moves you, and transformation that lasts. 

"When people return home feeling clearer, stronger, and more connected to the places they’ve visited, that’s a good sign our tour balance is right.”

UTracks Tours in Europe fitting this vibe include:

• Mont Blanc Guided Walk (France, Italy, Switzerland)
https://www.utracks.com/France/Alpine-Hiking/Mont-Blanc-Guided-Hike

• Cycling the Danube Path (Austria)
https://www.utracks.com/Austria/Self-Guided-Cycling/Blue-Danube-Cycle-to-Vienna-in-Comfort

• Amalfi Coast Walk (Italy)
https://www.utracks.com/Italy/Self-Guided-Walking/Classic-Amalfi-Coast-6-Days

and
• Lake Bled and the Julian Alps Circuit (Slovenia)
https://www.utracks.com/Slovenia/Self-Guided-Walking/Lake-Bled-and-the-Julian-Alps

A gastronomic stroll through rural France

Calling all wine and food lovers who also enjoy getting some exercise.

The folks from UTracks recently sent me the details of what they call a Gastronomic Pilgrimage Through France.

UTracks, describe themselves as :active Europe travel specialists' and have launched a Camino Le Puy Food Lovers Tour, a culinary/vinous twist on France’s historic Le Puy/Santiago Camino route.

The tour is described as "tailor-made those who seek the perfect pairing of food, wine and walking" through the rustic heart of rural France. It covers regions that really are off the beaten track. 

The walk blends a centuries-old pilgrimage with the indulgent pleasures of French regional cuisine. Sounds right up my alley!

Over eight delicious days, travellers walk from Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac, through volcanic highlands, forested trails and sleepy villages, stopping to sample Auvergne cheeses, locally farmed lentils, artisan charcuterie, and local wines, including the star malbecs from Cahors. 

Aubrac produces some of the best beef in France and guided tastings and daily three-course regional dinners are a highlight.

“We wanted to create a Camino experience that speaks to the food lover’s soul,” says UTracks general manager Kate Baker.

“This is for travellers who enjoy walking for the pleasure of discovering what’s around the next bend, and what’s on the next plate.”

With luggage transfers, local accommodation, and a route navigation app provided, the trip offers something just a little bit different.

Departures run from May to October. See more here: https://www.utracks.com/France/Guided-Walking/French-Food-Lovers-Le-Puy-Camino

On your bike: a new element to barge holidays

There is a growing trend towards active holidays and as Australians return to Europe in growing numbers, many are upgrading the classic barge cruise with a new twist: the bicycle.

Bike and Barge holidays, where travellers cycle each day and stay aboard a floating hotel each night, are surging in popularity, offering an active yet relaxed alternative to traditional river cruising.

The trend reflects a broader shift in the way Australians want to travel: slowing down, staying active, and experiencing Europe more intimately.

"It’s an effortless way to explore," says Kate Baker, general manager at UTracks, a specialist in small-group active holidays.

"You cycle as much or as little as you like during the day, then come home to a warm meal and your own cabin; no bags to move, no rushing around, just pure travel enjoyment."

On a typical Bike and Barge tour, travellers can cycle scenic paths through vineyards, farmland, and historic towns by day, and return to their barge, a cosy vessel carrying between 12-140 guests, each evening for relaxed communal meals and sunset drinks on deck.

With the same cabin each night, there’s no need to pack and unpack, and no long coach transfers interrupting the flow of the journey.

“More Australians are choosing to add this active element to their river cruise experience,” Baker says. “It’s a way to stay healthy on holiday, while also creating more memorable and personal encounters, whether that’s chatting with a local in a village square or stopping spontaneously at a market or café.”

With electric bikes available, the holidays are accessible to a wide range of fitness levels. Now you are talking!

Here are some suggested UTracks Bike and Barge options open for 2026 bookings.

The Danube by Bike & Barge
Cycle along the Danube River, discovering charming Austrian villages, grand riverside castles, and vibrant cultural hubs between Passau and Vienna. Gentle, scenic cycling routes lead to baroque abbeys, vineyards, and the historic heart of the Habsburg Empire.
https://www.utracks.com/Austria/Bike-Boat/The-Danube-by-Bike-Boat

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike & Barge
Journey through the Netherlands and Belgium, cycling past windmills, vibrant tulip fields (in season), and canal-laced cities. Each night, a comfortable barge awaits, docked near bustling market squares or picturesque waterways.
https://www.utracks.com/Netherlands/Bike-Boat/Amsterdam-to-Bruges-Bike-Barge-Comfort

Veneto Bike & Barge
Cycle through the stunning landscapes of Italy’s Veneto region, from the enchanting city of Venice along the canals and waterways of the Po River. The route offers a mix of Renaissance architecture, fantastic food and wine, and serene country trails.
https://www.utracks.com/Italy/Bike-Boat/Veneto-Bike-Boat

Provence Bike & Barge
Follow in the footsteps of great artists as you cycle through Provence’s lavender fields, vineyards, and historic villages. The route passes through the Rhône Valley, with opportunities to sample local wines and Provençal delicacies before returning to the comfort of your barge.
https://www.utracks.com/France/Bike-Boat/Provence-Bike-Boat

Tulip Tour Bike & Barge
Cycling through the tulip capital of the world while based on board a comfortable river barge. The journey takes in springtime highlights including the world's largest flower gardens of Keukenhof in Lisse, where plants such as hyacinths, crocuses and, of course, tulips will dazzle with their colour. 

https://www.utracks.com/Netherlands/Bike-Boat/Tulip-Tour-Bike-Barge-Comfort

Remote walking holidays make huge strides

Remote walking tours are booming as more travellers seek off-the-beaten-path experiences, one leading travel company is reporting. 

More Australians embracing active travel in Europe than ever before, UTracks has said, saying demand for immersive experiences in remote destinations is among their fastest-growing segments.

These journeys take travellers deep into some of Europe’s most remote landscapes, from Romania's dramatic peaks in Romania to Iceland's Nordic wilderness.

Albania is a trending destination, gaining attention for its rugged terrains and rich cultural history. 

The remote village of Theth, nestled in a stunning valley, provides access to some of the country’s most spectacular trails, including the renowned Peaks of the Balkans Trail. 

This multi-country guided hike weaves through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo at elevations of up to 2,300 metres. 

“Travellers are increasingly drawn to destinations that offer a sense of discovery,” says Kate Baker, general manager of UTracks (www.utracks.com.au). 

“Places like Albania deliver that in spades, offering pristine nature, deep history, and warm local hospitality.

"With more people seeking out destinations that feel personal and unspoiled, our walks offer the perfect balance of exploration and cultural immersion.” 

UTracks offers a range of hiking experiences in wild and remote destinations, including: 

# Iceland: Footsteps of Thor https://www.utracks.com/Iceland/Guided-Walking/Iceland-Footsteps-of-Thor

# Poland Pieniny and Tatra Mountains Hike https://www.utracks.com/Poland/Alpine-Hiking/Poland-Pieniny-and-Tatra-Mountains-Hike

and 

# Transylvania Castles amd Mountains https://www.utracks.com/Romania/Self-Guided-Walking/Transylvania-Castles-Mountains 

Image: Walking in Albania