A look back at the 2020 walking season.

2020 has been quite a year! Please let us take this opportunity to express how grateful we are to those adventurous travellers who began to take walking holidays again as soon as they could after the national lockdown in spring 2020.

Your actions not only supported a huge number of businesses along our trails, but you also helped us understand what the ‘new normal’ would look like for us all. Your feedback has helped shape the way that we will direct the business over the next year.

Throughout Lockdown, we invested in better systems throughout the business so that we can react quickly to any necessary changes.

Every section of our business has been reviewed so that we can confidently create the same seamless holidays for you.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK Our Walk Packs have been updated to include extra Covid guidelines.  It was rewarding to hear ‘ Your guidance in the walk pack had “pre-warned” us of possible implications and consequences, so there were no major surprises’.We do take enormous pride in our walk pack production. Celtic Trails plan to do all of the thinking for you, so that you can completely relax.   Of course, we felt that a walking holiday was always going to be a safe way to explore and naturally socially distance, but our Holidays Feedback forms also included a new section asking ‘What were the implications, if any, of Covid-19 on your holiday?’ 

Guest’s answers thankfully all followed a very similar theme;“Despite the unusual times it was a wonderful experience and I had a great time”  and  “Everything worked perfectly from accommodation, luggage transfers and taxis”.  “We had a fabulous holiday thank you; we really enjoyed the whole experience…with regard to Covid-19 there was not a major impact…  In many ways the holiday suited the current conditions as we spent our days walking with limited contacts, and only ever in small numbers, and we were never in among big crowds or in a position where we might have felt less safe.”

“In terms of covid, it didn’t affect the walk at all. I just carried hand sanitiser in case I needed it.“

“All the hosts – and cafes/pubs – had ample arrangements in terms of sanitisers, social distancing, masks, so I was aware of covid but not worried.“

“None – compared to the overall experience, the restrictions were minimal.” We also asked ‘Is there any advice you would pass on to people commencing a walking holiday in 2020?’ 

“Go ahead and do not be put off by worries about restrictions or inconvenience”  said one walker. ‘We would highly recommend this sort of holiday at any time’.    

Another mentioned “Most people are doing their best to keep to the rules. Stay calm.“

This guest replied‘we felt very supported by you’ and we also heard ‘Covid didn’t really impact on our holiday, I’m pleased to say’.   

PREPARING FOR YOUR HOLIDAY IN 2021Most aspects of our holidays remain the same as ever. Pre-planning meals was the most commonly suggested advice from walkers this year. Pre-ordering breakfast helped many of our hosts. Smaller properties sometimes prefer a booked breakfast time, all easily arranged on arrival.

When thinking about dinner arrangements, it really does pay to research the area and book ahead. After walking all day, most people prefer an early table. 

To help with this we provide lunch and dinner recommendations within our walk packs, so that you have time to take a look at websites before your holiday commences and book ahead, 

We can always help with this too, just let us know.

EUROPEAN DESTINATIONSWe hope that you will be able to take advantage of our European breaks over winter, we will keep you updated on destination availability on this page. Keep checking back with us.UK HOLIDAYSFor the UK holidays in 2021, we have already had a taste of the interest in ‘Staycations’ and the effect this had on availability. As you might expect, iconic walks and coastal paths are always the first to book, so it’s time to start getting those plans in place.   

ONGOING LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONSThe government’s guidance on local lockdowns is evolving and, as it currently stands, the rules are different dependent upon where you live / where you are travelling.

Our 2020 season has now finished and we have switched our focus to 2021 bookings. In the case that your future holiday cannot go ahead as planned due to travel restrictions, we will be in touch proactively to help you rearrange your holiday.You may have more questions than usual about the year ahead. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like any advice or holiday inspiration