WHEN thinking about a holiday to Europe we often consider planes, trains, coaches and automobiles as our means of travelling around. Have you ever considered the possibility of seeing Europe by foot? It may sound strange but soft hiking / walking tours are all the rage with the Europeans and I'm sure it will take off in Australia as well as we love the outdoors lifestyle just as much.

Europe is in the middle of their summer, the weather is at its best now and if you are into the outdoors and have always thought about getting off the beaten track to see the real Europe then now is a great time to take advantage of the best Europe has to offer. We as travellers are looking for more out of our holidays; just sitting around on a beach for two weeks isn't as popular anymore. We are finding that people are asking for more of an experience that will last and make them feel good. You can still have your big city experience as well as experiencing the regional side as well.

There are a number of tour companies offering these types of tours. One of these is Headwater Tours. They offer six to 10 night walking tours through out France, Italy, Spain, Central Europe, Greece, Turkey and Croatia. They are all escorted by an experienced guide and offer clients the chance to experience a side of Europe that you won't get from sitting on a tour coach or on a train. Headwater wants to make your time with them one you won't forget and because they are only for six to 10 days you will still have time to enjoy other parts of Europe.

To me the thought of a walking tour conjures up thoughts of walking 30, 40, 50 kilometres a day in 40 degrees heat with a back pack that weighs a tonne, starting a day break and falling into an uncomfortable bed at the end of the day. Only to do it all again the next day. Not my idea of a holiday. These tours are the complete opposite. The groups are small, you wake up at a reasonable hour have a lovely breakfast, pack your bags that are then collected and transferred by van to your next hotel where you will be staying that night and you set off with your tour guide stopping along the way in small villages and medieval towns. Lunch is generally in town where you can sit and soak up the atmosphere with a glass of wine, beer or water before heading off again. The distances covered on your tour do vary depending on the tour and duration, but you are walking for around four to six hours in a day and you aren't climbing Mt Everest. The hills are small and not taxing. Most of us would clock up more hours on a shopping trip to Sydney or Brisbane walking from store to store.

You will find walking tours all over Europe. The more popular ones like the wine growing regions of France, with vineyards and castles and the true French flair for fine foods and wines; the Tuscan hillsides of Italy and their postcard views and medieval towns and villages; the picture perfect area of the Austrian lakes region or one of Headwaters more popular walks called the Catalan Walk in Spain where you walk along some of Spain's loveliest coast and the famous Camino de Santiago walk that stretches some 800 kilometres.

These tours like with most tours in Europe operate while the weather is at it best. So they generally start in April and continue through to October. If you have been to Europe before and have seen the major cities and you wanted to go back but experience it from a much slower and regional perspective then I would suggest that you consider trying a walking/soft hiking tour.