European walking tours now available for the visually impaired

A specialist walking tour operator has teamed up with a leading charity to provide walking holidays in Europe for the visually impaired.

Waymark Holidays, one of the UK’s leading Europe walking tour companies is working with disability charity Vitalise to offer walking tours in Austria and Spain this year for visually impaired clients.The trips, which this year are to Trins in Austria and Sierra des Mamblas in Spain, involve easy to moderate walking at the standard grades offered to all Waymark clients, with groups consisting of 16-22 clients with a helper each and two guides.

Managing director for Waymark Holidays Neil Saunders said the company had been offering such tours for over ten years and the scheme has proven a success for all involved.“It is well known that visually impaired people have heightened senses, so the trips have been chosen to capitalize on their enhanced sense of smell, taste and hearing, while giving them the chance to get out and walk in some of the most beautiful areas in Europe,” he said.

“While some of the clients may not be able to enjoy the visual aspect of the scenery as much as full sighted clients, they can fully appreciate the crisp mountain air, the smell of flowers, the great food. We get many people coming back year after year to get this experience.”Vitalise Holidays is part of Vitalise, a leading UK charity providing breaks for disabled people and careers.“

Vitalise Holidays aims to contribute to the well-being of visually impaired people by giving them access to a wide range of specialist holidays, both in the UK and overseas, and is very pleased to work alongside the team at Waymark,” he said.The next trip on offer for Vitalise Holidays’ clients is Sierra de las Mamblas from 22-29 October, walking along old pilgrim routes across the hills to ancient hermitages, villages and monasteries.

It is based in the historical town of Covarrubias with ensuite accommodation in a comfortable hotel.