Top countries for winter walking

Take relaxed hikes through ancient white-washed villages and traditional fishing communities on our Eastern Algarve Walking Tour in Portugal. Or walk amongst a network of mossy Levadas and lush UNESCO protected laurel forest on our Madeira Portugal Walking Holiday. There are typically fewer tourists during the winter months, so the trails will be quiet, and you can soak up the pleasantly warm sunshine during November, December and January. Madeira is also a great place to visit for Christmas and New Year; browse Funchal’s all-night Christmas market, enjoy listening to the festive carol singing and watch spectacular fireworks over the capital Funchal on New Years Eve.

Avoid the crowds with a walking tour in Jordan in winter. The nights may feel cold, but you can expect mild and often sunny days and more comfortable temperatures for desert trekking. Plus, the more popular sites, such as the majestic Treasury in Petra, will be much quieter. Follow camels through the copper-coloured dunes of the Wadi Rum desert and immerse yourself in an ancient world of hand-carved 1st-century temples.

The best time to visit Oman is from October to April, when the temperatures are cooler than the scorching hot summer months, but still a pleasant 17°C to 35°C. Join our moderate-challenging Trekking in Oman Tour to explore the vast golden canyons of Jebel Shams mountain and camp amongst the honey-hued dunes of Wahiba Sands. Embark on a two-day trek across the Eastern Hajar mountains and discover an unexpected oasis of turquoise-coloured rock pools at Wadi Bani Khalid.

For a winter holiday with a difference, consider a two-week walking tour to Vietnam. Travel from north to south as you float in a traditional junk boat on the aquamarine waters of Halong Bay, delve into the colourful boutiques and market stalls of Hanoi, and sample aromatic street food in Ho Chi Minh. Get up close to the local culture on hikes through villages along the Perfume River near Hue and discover a hive of craftspeople busy silk painting and bronze casting.