What better motivation to book a walking holiday than National Walking Month – which falls in May every year.  With the added bonus of an extra bank holiday, make the most of time off to enjoy a range of destinations with leading self-guided activity holiday specialists Macs Adventure Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452). From National Whisky Month in Scotland to a royal route in London, there's plenty to explore closer to home. Further afield, stroll through poppy-filled fields in Tuscany, enjoy wildflowers in the Catalan Pyrenees or explore the iconic Brocken peak in German's Harz region.

Make May a Royal Month: The Thames Path - from Henley-on-Thames to Windsor

Enjoy a walking holiday with a royal flavour along the National Trail of the Thames Path.  A constant source of inspiration for writers and artists, the path follows the iconic river for some 185 miles, from its source in the Cotswolds to Woolwich in London. Macs offer a variety of trips on the route, including a 17 night itinerary that covers it in its entirety. 

This three night short break has a bite-sized chunk of the trail, starting in Henley-on-Thames - famous for its royal regatta, and finishing in Windsor, home to the royal palace.  Along the way, pass through serene countryside, historic sights and villages and towns with literary and artistic connections from Bourne End - birthplace of Enid Blighton; Cookham – former home to artist Stanley Spencer, as well as the market town of Marlow, where Mary Shelley penned Frankenstein.  There are plenty of fine pubs en route for sustenance - or perhaps tea rooms for a well-deserved cream tea.   Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers a three night Thames Path Short Break from £385 per person.

South West Coastal Path: Lyme Regis to Poole

The South West Coastal Path is celebrating 50 years in 2023.  One of the path's most treasured trails is the unique stretch from Lyme Regis to Poole offering spectacular walking along the picturesque Jurassic Coast.  May is the ideal time to walk the Southwest Coast Path with beautiful wildflowers along the clifftops, plenty of sunshine and little rainfall.  Absorb yourself in its unique history and search for fossils – with great views all the way from secret coves to lagoons.  Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers a seven night South West Coastal Path trip from £785 per person.

Celebrate National Whisky Month in May on a Speyside Short Break

Whisky Month is also celebrated in May and if another excuse to raise a wee dram is needed, there's even World Whisky Day on 21st May.  Macs Adventure features a range of whisky-themed walking holidays to Scotland, including a short break to Speyside and Strathspey - home to almost half of the 100 or so malt whisky distilleries in the country.

Starting in the small town of Craigellachie at the heart of malt whisky country, follow way marked trails between distilleries on a route created to provide the best combination of walking and whisky.  Visit the world-famous Speyside whisky distilleries, walk along the fast flowing salmon filled River Spey and sample famous malts and blends from Glenlivet and Glenfiddich.  With 4 days walking and 5 nights, there is the chance to visit at least 6 distilleries without ever having to drive! Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers a Speyside Whisky Short Break from £350 per person for three nights.

Poppy-Filled Tuscan Hills

The rolling hills of Tuscany become a sea of red in May as poppies come into bloom.  Temperatures in the mid 20s also make it an ideal time to visit, before the heat of the summer sun.   Explore Tuscany's timeless rolling scenery, walking between Renaissance and medieval hilltop towns, before arriving in iconic Siena on an 8-day walking holiday with Macs Adventure. Winding through a unique linear, almost geometric landscape of hills, vineyards, and olive trees, follow picturesque trails through the lesser-known wine regions and join the Via Francigena pilgrimage path for part of the journey.  Highlights en route include the historic spa baths at Bagno Vignoni and the Romanesque Sant' Antimo Abbey. Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers a seven night Hill Towns of Tuscany trip from £1,095 per person.

Villages of the Catalan Pyrenees

May is a walker's paradise in The Catalan Pyrenees with its unspoiled mountains, quaint villages, Romanesque churches, and the warmest climate of the Pyrenean range. Wildflowers bloom in May in this part of Spain – and on this seven night self-guided walking holiday, enjoy fantastic mountain walks through the wooded hills of the Garrotxa and the dramatic final peaks of the Pyrenees.  Explore pretty villages such as Camprodon, Setcases and Ribes de Freser featuring stone houses, cobbled streets and alleyways and travel by rack train to the ancient monastery of Nuria with phenomenal mountain views. And watch out for booted eagles, griffon vultures and the beautiful chamois. At the end of the day, tuck into a hearty Catalan dish of sausages or cured meats, accompanied by a delicious glass of wine.  Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this 8 day/7 night Villages of the Catalan Pyrenees self guided walking holiday from £920 per person.

The Harz Witches Trail Short Break:

The Harz Witches Trail is one of Germany's Top Trails, crossing a magical region famed for fairy tales, witches and legends.   On Walpurgisnacht – also known as 'Night of the Witches' – a pagan festival celebrated each year on 30 April, according to folklore, witches and wizards descend on the Harz Mountains on broomsticks and goats.  Steer well clear and travel in May. Enjoy spectacular scenery, as waterfalls run full from winter, and the streams flow alongside the dramatic Bode gorge.

 Explore forests, rocky canyons, towering cliffs, medieval half-timbered villages and summit the Brocken, North Germany's highest peak on this 5-day short break. The hike finishes in Quedlinburg, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and the jewel in the crown of the Harz's traditional villages and towns.  It's ideal for hikers interested in German history, folklore and classic long-distance trails.  Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452) offers this self-guided 5 day/4 night Harz Witches Trail Short Break from £520 per person. 

To book contact Macs Adventure (www.macsadventure.com, 0141 530 5452).  Prices include overnight accommodation in a mix of B&B's, guesthouses, inns, hotels & pubs with rooms, breakfasts, luggage transfers, detailed Information Pack, Guidebook and maps, access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Smartphone App and 24/7 telephone support from our UK office.  Flights are not included.

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For further media information, please contact Sarah Bolam – 07714 337756 or Nicole Walsh – 07771 5540247, media@macsadventure.com 

Notes to editors

The leading self-guided walking and cycling holiday specialists, Macs Adventure offers over 600 exciting self-guided trips to 40 countries worldwide. Itineraries are tried and tested and allow travellers the freedom to go their way, at their own pace, with accommodation in carefully selected properties, ranging from friendly b&bs to local hotels. The Macs experience comes with the security of knowing that all the booking logistics have been handled, the route has been mapped out safely in advance, and a free and easy to use Macs Adventure app full of GPS routes that can be downloaded and followed offline. Each morning, luggage is transported to the following accommodation, ensuring guests are free to enjoy the day's adventure.

Founded in 2003 by owner Neil Lapping, who is still at the company's helm, an adventurous spirit lies at the heart of the Macs ethos. Carefully planned itineraries are crafted by a team of passionate travel enthusiasts who love sharing the secrets that make unforgettable travel moments and deliver outstanding active holidays The team are driven by a shared goal of leaving people inspired and connected to the people and the world around them.