This five-day, 75-mile walk along the iconic Camino de Santiago trail (marked by its yellow arrows and scallop shells) winds through the quaint villages and lush landscapes of Galicia, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, where the remains of St James are believed to lie. Guided by an official ‘Camino’ walking guide, it’s a group experience staying at local hotels and guest houses.

Based on a hillside in the pedestrianised centre of Selva di Val Gardena, Hotel Mignon is your base for this holiday, making it as easy to explore the town (a Unesco world heritage site) as it is to discover the alpine scenery, with free guided hikes from June to September. Combine this with full use of the spa, which boasts a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and whirlpool, as well as a fitness room and relaxation room, and it’s a hiking holiday from heaven.

How about combining your walk with small-ship cruising in the Adriatic? Each day, your ship drops anchor in some of Croatia’s most spectacular spots for escorted shoreline strolls, countryside rambles and history-laden tours. Take a pine-forest path around the stunning saltwater lake of Mljet National Park, wander the vineyards of the Pelješac Peninsula and enjoy a guided tour of magnificent Dubrovnik, finishing with a walk up Mount Srđ for its memorable views.

The Black Forest offers some of the best cuisine in Germany, with specialities based around wild garlic, game, river fish and foraged ingredients, as well as the famous gateau – all very welcome after a day hiking these fairytale highlands. On this holiday, you’ll walk from hotel to hotel (with your luggage transferred as if by magic) on self-guided routes designed to show the Black Forest’s Hansel-and-Gretel charm at its best. Hike at your own pace, picnic where you wish and create your own mystical tales as you follow forest floor trails past cosy wooden cottages.

The early rain showers of autumn turn Crete into a botanical wonderland, where flora enthusiasts can spot a stunning variety of crocus, cyclamen, colchicum and narcissi nestled within the dramatic terrain. The Naturetrek ‘Crete’s Autumn Flowers’ tour is based in the charming, historic port of Chania, with daily walks led by a specialist botanist. You’ll explore Crete’s many gorges, follow ancient paved footpaths, delve into caves and admire cliff-dwelling plant life. There are also handy stop-offs for sea swimming, along with visits to the island’s many historical sites.

The ‘Tapas, Walks & Sunsets Tour’ visits the pretty seaside towns of the eastern Algarve, explores the islands of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and dips across the border into Spain for a tapas lunch. As one of Ramble Worldwide’s slower-paced ‘Adagio Collection’ holidays, it moves at an easy rhythm, with most daily walks no longer than three miles and across relatively flat terrain.