Five European itineraries that won’t break the budget

Five European itineraries that won’t break the budget

You hear it every year, you feel it every year, and it’s happening again. The dreaded Australian winter is almost upon us.

Semi-cold days! Wind! Sunny days where it’s too cold to go to the beach! How will we cope?!

Well, not to worry, because you can join the rest of the Aussie population and head right on over to Europe for the summer (or at least part of it).

And if you don’t have any money? UTracks has you covered with these cheap-as-chips initeraries! You know, for if you love Europe, champagne and luxe travel but only have the funds for beer and backpacking.

CROATIA: Villages of Istria Walk – from $1250 per person

Croatia_Istria walk

Discover beautiful hilltop medieval towns, lush green valleys, rolling vineyards and fragrant olive groves as you immerse yourself in the history and culture of a region that has been inhabited since the 11th century BC. Who says you can’t have history on a budget?

Following parts of the famous Parenzana Trail, you will visit Groznjan, (the ‘town of artists’ and the country’s only settlement with an ethnic Italian majority), Hum (officially the smallest town in the world), Buzet (the truffle capital of Croatia) and the cobblestone town of Motovun. The seven-day self-guided trip also includes a hike to the summit of Mount Vojak, Istria’s highest peak, for sweeping views over the Bay of Trieste, the Julian Alps and the Adriatic islands.

ITALY: Portofino and the Cinque Terre from $1250 per person

Italy_Cinque Terre

A new self-guided walk following one of the most spectacular parts of the Italian coast, from the Portofino peninsula close to Genoa to the colourful seaside town of Porto Venere – on the edge of the Gulf of Poets. In other words, it’s absolutely stunning.

Along the way, you will have the opportunity to experience the five famed villages collectively known as Cinque Terre as well as the chance to explore some of the region’s lesser known settlements, such as Camogli, Bonassola, Deiva Marina, Framura and Levanto. Following well-marked coastal footpaths and mule tracks, this eight-day route promises views of lush vineyards and fragrant olive groves, with panoramic vistas of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea along the way.

BALTIC STATES: Lithuania Coastal Cycle from $1250 per person

Lithuania_Cycle

If you want to pedal off the beaten track, this new, eight-day trip explores both the scenic coastal landscapes and the culturally diverse traditional countryside of stunning Lithuania.

From the bustling seaside town of Klaipeda, you will discover the ‘Land of Three Waters’ – the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Spit and the Nemunas River Delta – as you cycle along the country’s first signposted route, the spectacular Seaside Cycle Route, towards Nida – the largest settlement on the Curonian Lagoon, home to Europe’s highest moving sand dunes and the westernmost point of the Baltic States.

ITALY: Puglia Coastal Walk from $1250 per person

Alberobello is famous for it collection of Trulli, tradtional dry stone dwellings. Alberobello represents the largest collection of original buildings. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The sun-drenched coastline of Puglia, between Otranto and Gagliano del Capo, hides an untouched landscape of little-known villages and crystal clear swimming spots well off the beaten track (crowded tourist attractions aren’t super great for your Insta feed).

Walk along traditional ‘tratturi’, ancient roads and footpaths running through orchards and olive groves, and follow the breathtaking Cipolliane Path towards the lighthouse of Punta Palascia, Italy’s easternmost point. Pass tiny fishermen hamlets, quaint seaside towns and ancient Messapian villages before your eight-day trip ends at the historic city of Lecce, whose abundance of baroque palaces and Roman masterpieces have given it the nickname of ‘The Florence of the South’.

IRELAND: Kerry Camino Walk from $1290 per person

Ireland_Kerry Walk Credit Tourism Ireland

Bring your pilgrim passport with you to be stamped as you walk along the Kerry Camino, one of the most beautiful and inspiring pilgrim routes in the world. Saint James Church in Dingle in north-western Ireland was once the farewell point for Irish pilgrims, as they set sail to Finisterre in north-western Spain to continue their walk to Santiago de Compostela.

At almost every turn, there are breathtaking views enhanced by the sounds of the wild Atlantic, crashing against the ancient shoreline. During four days, you will walk from Tralee, the largest town in County Kerry, along the southern shores and on to Dingle; on the final day, the trip reaches Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula’s westernmost point, overlooking the historic Blasket Islands.

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