Walking holidays have grown in popularity with tourists seeking adventure and relaxation in equal measure. From hikes through the rolling hills of the English countryside, to treks along the Camino de Santiago, in Spain, or the even more rugged terrain of the Swiss Alps, this kind of holiday offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and see the world from a different perspective-on foot. Of course, this is not without logistical challenges, most of them relating to luggage and packing, but there are ways to handle the challenges, predominantly, the main challenges can be eliminated by shipping some of your belongings ahead of you.
If you choose to send at least some of your luggage to a destination, well in advance, that will give you a hopefully hassle-free journey, and make your walking holiday as enjoyable and free from stress as it could be.
The benefits listed below provide reasons for sending belongings ahead and a few helpful tips on packaging for a stress-free and enjoyable vacation.
Minimizing Stress While Maximising Comfort:
Large and/or multiple pieces of luggage really add to the stress factor one feels upon traveling through airports, train stations or getting on and off buses, not forgetting that heavy bag hawling sure is exhausting. With door to door luggage shipping, you are not forced to carry all that heavy luggage throughout your journey.
Avoid Baggage Restrictions and Fees:
Most airlines and transport services will only allow so much weight or quantity of baggage, often charging extra for oversized luggage. For the traveler attempting to carry more than what is usually considered a normal allowance, with essentials such as hiking boots, trekking poles, or camping equipment, these can add up very quickly to an additional cost. Shipping your belongings negates weight restrictions and extra costs incurred for the additional baggage when excess luggage charges are applied.
Safeguard Your Property:
When it comes to valuables like electronics, jewellery, or important documents, it’s best to leave them at home if they’re not essential for your trip. For documents you need, like passports or travel insurance details, keep them on you rather than sending them ahead. A smart backup option is to save digital copies in a secure cloud storage, so you can access them anywhere. If you’re heading to remote areas with limited facilities, planning ahead is key—double-check what you truly need to bring and ensure everything is packed safely to avoid loss or damage along the way.
Convenience and Flexibility:
Sending your luggage ahead of you will most definitely provide you with convenience and flexibility that cannot be matched by any other conventional means of shipping. Once your luggage has arrived at the destination, upon checking into your accommodation it will be waiting for you. This would save you the hassle of carrying luggage from airport to hotel, or even having to deal with the same on the way there if the journey happens to be a long one and involves some changeovers.
Most of the shipping alternatives are offering their packages’ tracking options to enable knowledge of an expected time the merchandise arrives at your destination, too.
Multi-day or Multi-stage Walks
The logistics involved in handling luggage for those on multi-day or multi-stage walking holidays can be very confusing. If your vacation involves multiple accommodations, a shipping service will permit you to forward your luggage to each stop along the route. This will save you the hassle of having to lug heavy bags between each stop and allow you to totally focus on the walking part of your vacation. Many shipping providers also offer direct-to-accommodation shipping, which means that once you arrive at the next hotel, your baggage will be waiting for you.
Must-Read Packing Tips for Walking Holidays…
Pack Lightweight, Functional Clothing:
When it comes to packing a walking holiday, you need to aim to be comfortable and functional. Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics are great and will help you stay dry and comfortable throughout those extended days of walking. Synthetic or merino wool fabrics breathe and wick moisture fast to reduce odors. Whereas cotton should be avoided as it can feel very heavy once it has soaked up a lot of sweat. Pack layers so weather adjustments in clothing become easier and comfortable.
Comfortable Footwear:
The most vital item you will carry on a walking holiday is your footwear. Bring along comfortable, well-fitting shoes or boots, suitable for the terrain you will be tackling. For paths that have a rough or muddy portion on your hike, you will find it to your best interest to wear hiking boots with excellent support and waterproofing-wear these ahead of time so that you will not feel blisters or discomfort on your trip. Bring along a few pairs of lightweight socks in breathable fabrics such as merino wool, which will help keep your feet dry and prevent chafing.
Weather Forecast:
Check the weather in the place that you are going to and pack accordingly. If you’re heading into an area where rain is highly unpredictable, it is better that you carry a compact umbrella along with your rain gear. A very lightweight and breathable sun hat is also recommended for hot sunny conditions.
Documentation:
You also want to have on your person important documents: a passport, information related to your insurance, tickets, or confirmation of accommodation and transport. Keep these in easily accessible and safe places in your luggage. A very trendy option amongst travelers is making digital copies of the important documents to carry on phones or in the cloud.
Snacks and Hydration:
You’ll want to stay hydrated and energised; bring a refillable water bottle along and plan on refilling it as the day goes on. Healthy options to refuel include nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars. If the temperatures are going to be too hot for walks, bring some electrolyte replacement tablets to rehydrate.
Conclusion:
When coupled with thoughtful packing, a walking holiday can be an unforgettable and enriching experience. With the right preparation and the freedom of shipping your belongings, you’ll be able to walk freely and fully enjoy the beauty of your journey.
Author: Stuart Cooke