Travelling the World the UP Way

When travelling near or far, few would argue that the best way to experience new destinations is by self-propelled means.  Walking tours are an especially intimate, interactive and sensual way to experience the world. Whether it be an urban stroll, a wilderness hike, or an epic pilgrimage, Nordic walking with Urban Poles powers up your walking activity.  Not only do Urban Poles turn a walk into a workout by engaging the upper body muscles including your core, but they relieve some of the strain on the lower body during long walking days and they help with ascending and descending steep terrain.  Most ancient cities, towns and villages still have cobblestone paths where Urban Poles provide much needed security on the uneven terrain, avoiding painful strains and sprains that would be most unwelcome on an exciting vacation.

Rosie Sears of Ottawa in Capri, Italy

Michelle of Johannesburg, South Africa on her Camino de Santiago adventure

So many of you have already experienced the benefits and joys of Nordic walking while discovering the world.  Over the past years, we have heard many stories of people completing 800+ kilometers on “The Way” – the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and they have emphasized they could not have done it without their Urban Poles. Others have reported trekking to Machu Picchu, Croatia, Ireland, climbed up and over the Andes, tackled the Grand Canyon, explored the Mediterranean coast, the desert of Namibia, and taken their poles cruising. We have also been proud and thrilled to hear many stories of people who were unaccustomed to regular physical activity, who took up Urban Poling to progress from short walks around the block to the most amazing trekking adventures around the world.

Mandy Johnson of Active by Nature hosted a sold-out Nordic walking tour of Italy’s spectacular Amalfi Coast last year.  Everyone agreed that their walking poles were critical to their enjoyment of this tour. There was hardly any level ground over the course of the week where between 50 & 70 km of walking was completed.  Despite the rigours of daily walking on such challenging terrain, the entire group loved it, even though there were a few in the group in their 70’s and a number with hip and knee replacements or knee issues.  For a recap of that adventure visit this page:  https://activebynaturecanmore.ca/up-adventure-tours/

This year, Mandy is excited to be hosting a trip that will explore the beaches and coastlines of Portugal.  Deposits are due for this trip by March 31^st.  Details: https://activebynaturecanmore.ca/activities/2019-international-nordic-walking-tour/

Lois & Lynne of Natural Trekkinghave been hosting international Nordic walking tours for a number of years to the world’s most spectacular destinations. Check out some of their past adventures here.  Their June 2019 tour to Ireland has a waitlist but a planned safari trip to Kenya in 2020 is now booking.  Details: http://www.naturaltrekking.com/tours/international-tours/epic-Kenya-Safari-tour-january-2020/

Wherever and whenever you travel, don’t forget to “go where the poles take you” ….. and they will take you to some pretty amazing places!

If you have a story of international travel with your Urban Poles to share with us, please send your photos and stories to info@urbanpoling.comor use the hashtag #GoWhereThePolesTakeYou on social media.