I have always found, going (a long way) back to the time when I was a child, that the week between Christmas and 1 January had something magical about it: the old year is clearly over – newspapers and TV schedules are full with reviews and “this was the year that was” analyses – while the new year still lies in hiding somewhere, slouching towards Bethlehem to be born.
Read also: Themed Walks for your holidays!
For hikers and walkers, too, this is a week between what was and what will be: a time to reminisce and a time to look ahead, a time to plan. But also perhaps a time for reflections of a more general type and to indulge in some great travel writing of the past year.
Here are some readings to prepare your travel adventures for 2017
Now I am sure you don’t need me to help you reminisce about your own travel adventures of 2016, but here are a few suggestions of where to go in 2017 and of what you might want to read until the new year party starts. (Simply click on the image for the entire article.)
Christmas may be over, but the season of sharing joy and interesting little facts continues. In this spirit, I would like to draw your attention to the following account of an outdoors adventure that went seriously awry, the most fascinating piece on hiking that I have read all year.
If you – like me – read a lot about hiking, you will be surprised at the large number of famous people who have walked for pleasure and inspiration, from Aristotle to Samuel Beckett.
Many of these would fall into the category of the “usual suspects” (Wordsworth, Nietzsche etc.), but there will always be some who do not – such as this writer, most people’s very idea of urbanity and metropolitan sophistication.
Helping you to prepare your travel adventures in 2017, I now invite you to leap across the great pond into the New World where they do things differently. Not always better, mind you: European hikers are often told by their American friends that anything that they are doing is just a gentle stroll in the park and that “proper” hiking is only possible in the United States.
Well, perhaps, but there is a lot to be said for the European philosophy on hiking, too. Do you also think that the US is the Promised Land for hikers? Then prepare yourself for some uncomfortable facts.
Not that there is anything wrong about a stroll in the park. You will be surprised at how much there is to discover – as long as you pick the right park.
Finally, here is something for the armchair traveller …
… and something for all those who take the long view when making their travel plans.
After all, there are only 360-or-so days left until next Christmas.
I totally agree, Agata. There is something about walking close to bliss.
Well said! I have recently participated in a meeting with famous Polish walker: he reached South and North Poles in the same year as the only person in the world so far. His name is Marek Kaminski and he promoted his new book about walking the Camino. He walked more than 4000km in 120 days. It looks like he knows a lot about walking! Fascinated with his story I started reading another book on a philosophy of walking. Indeed, there was Nietzsche and Rimbaud as role models for walkers and suddenly I felt I need a long walk this year! So my only New Year’s resolution is related to at least 2 weeks holidays spent with my backpack far away from civilisation. Walking is a bliss!
Some of these are in your corner of the world, Ted! Happy hiking!
Happy New Year and thank you for the reading tips. I will have to check some of these out. Always love a good travel book.
Indeed, Sophie! There are some we’ve not yet done and our feet are itching!!!
Lots of good hiking ideas here. Both the one in London and the North Downs look tempting.
If you do, Jools, then we have done our duty!
What a great little round-up! Even lazybones like me might be inspired to get out and hike this year, cheers!