Outside the sun is painting the pre-dawn sky various shades of red. But it's cold and it's still quite dark. You're lying in bed thinking about getting up but something holds you back. You know you should be dressed and outside, waiting for that most magical moment of every new day, sunrise. However, you are warm and cosy in your sleeping bag and absolutely nothing is going to drag you out of it. But somehow you manage!

Sunrise in the mountains is something everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. No matter the time, the place or the temperature, it is one of the most rewarding experiences in this world. Of course the weather doesn't always work on your side and it may take many early rises before you see that 'once in a life time' sunrise.

I have an insatiable love of travelling and exploring new areas on foot and have found that the best way to appreciate the country and its people is to get away from the usual tourist traps and into the real country. I have walked or climbed in many areas of the world from the high mountains of Nepal to the vineyards of Tuscany in Italy. There is a real sense of achievement when you reach your destination by 'Shanks's pony' whether it be at 18,000ft in the Himalaya or the local pub at the end of gentle stroll around England's Cotswolds.

So next time you have a few weeks to spare why not go for a walking holiday far away from the noise and the smog of the city and the stresses of modern day living. A walking holiday isn't only spending weeks trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. You can enjoy a gentle stroll through the vineyards of the Dordogne in France, appreciate the loneliness of Scotland's West Highland Way, take delight in walking through the remote Mountains of the Moon in Africa or follow the colour coded paths in the European Alps.

"But I'm not fit enough to go on a walking holiday" I hear you say. But that's just not true. Remember, you don't have to go to a mountain range for a walking holiday. As long as you have a sense of adventure you can walk almost anywhere in the world.

Anyone can enjoy a walk in the country unless you are overly obese or have certain medical conditions. Being super fit is not a pre-requisite, however, being active in your every day life and having a good mental attitude will certainly help you to appreciate this kind of holiday. Just because you have asthma doesn't mean you can't walk at high altitudes. Altitude may not affect asthmatics any more that it does those without asthma. However, you should always check with your doctor before forking out your well earned-money.

"Okay, so I'm fit enough but how do I know where to go"? Throughout the world there are various seasons and climates and you are able walk in some mountain range or country area on some continent at any given time of the year. August may be the best time to walk in Scotland but it certainly isn't the best month in Nepal. It may be winter in the Polish Tatras but you can enjoy the delights of walking in the Jbel Sahro of Morocco. A walk in Provence is very enjoyable in October but it's not the best time to explore Turkey's Taurus Mountains.

Generally, summer is the best time for walking in most parts of the world, however, certain climatic conditions such as monsoons and high altitudes may preclude certain countries. Personally I prefer to walk during the autumn months when the days are still quite long and the leaves are changing colour.

A few nights spent in a library can be time well spent. You can read through a range of reference books, newspapers, magazines, atlases and mountaineering books. Both words and pictures will help you get a feel for the areas you wish to visit. Slide shows put on by various travel and educational organisations can also be valuable sources of information. A good knowledge of the culture, people and the history of the area you wish to visit will certainly pay dividends when you are there.

If you are locked into certain dates for your holidays you are then only able to go to those areas best suited for that time of year. In other words you may have to compromise on your destination through a process of elimination. However, if you are able to decide when to take your holidays you can then also decide exactly where you want to go. The latter then puts the world at your feet so to speak and the world becomes your oyster.

Now that you have worked out where and when to go, you now have to decide who to go with. For many people this is not a hard decision, all they want to do is to pay the required money (which can be a reasonable amount) to a reputable trekking company who will then do all the required work. Once you are at the airport you are with the group and everything is organised until the day you step off the plane back home.

Going on a walking holiday by yourself can be lots of fun if you have time. However you will have to spend much more time researching, not only your destination, but the bureaucracy required for walking in many Third World countries such as visas and trekking permits. Once armed with the necessary paperwork, maps and guidebooks you are on your own. Then you just buy your air ticket and away you go. You are now free to do whatever you want, go wherever you dare and walk with anyone you choose or meet.

Whether you go walking with a group or just with a few friends you will return having experienced new cultures, met new friends and enjoyed one of the best holidays of your life. Not only will you return with body and soul intact but you will already be planning your next walking holiday.
Colin Hood

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