Younger travelers don’t want to just sit back and relax during a vacation. According to Contiki’s Voice of a Generation survey, more than 80% of Gen Z travelers are interested in active trips, with hiking ranking as the top sought-after activity.
“For many young travelers, booking an active trip gives them a fitness goal to train toward long before departure, making the accomplishment of completing a multi-day trek even more rewarding,” says Tom O’Hara, head of brand at Contiki. “The preparation becomes part of the anticipation, and reaching the end of a route carries more personal meaning…Active travel also responds to Gen Z’s growing desire to spend more time outdoors, with movement built into the itinerary so travelers can maintain their fitness without fitting in a separate gym session before exploring.”
That’s why the social travel company for 18- to 35-year-olds is debuting new ways to experience two of Europe’s most iconic hiking routes through expert-led small-group trips. On Contiki’s new eight-day Hiking the Dolomites: Alta Via 1 trip, groups of just 12 travelers explore the UNESCO-listed mountain range. Challenging high-altitude hikes are followed by nights in remote high-altitude mountain huts called rifugios, where it’s easy to observe the mountain peaks glowing at sunset in shades of pink, red, orange, and gold during what’s known as the Enrosadira.
“Italy is already high on many young travelers’ lists, but the Dolomites offer a completely different way to experience the country away from its cities and coastlines,” says O’Hara. “The route takes travelers through dramatic limestone peaks and sweeping alpine valleys, with nights in remote rifugios giving travelers the unique opportunity to stay immersed in the mountains from the moment they finish hiking until they set out again the next morning.”
Contiki’s new eight-day Hiking the Camino de Santiago trip follows the final stretch of the storied pilgrimage route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Travelers collect stamps in a Pilgrim Passport and pass through historic Galician towns before glimpsing Santiago’s cathedral spires from Monte do Gozo.
“The Camino offers a break from the pressure to make the most of every moment of a trip and allows young travelers to slow down and live in the moment,” says O’Hara. “Instead of racing between highlights, the experience is shaped by steady progress toward Santiago, giving travelers time to settle into the journey and appreciate what happens along the way. There is also something powerful about following a route that pilgrims have walked for centuries, with that history adding deeper meaning to each day on the trail.”
Both trips start from $1,500 per person and include accommodations, internal transportation, activities, most meals, and the support of expert Contiki Trip Managers throughout the tour. These new experiences join Contiki’s wide range of active adventures around the globe, which include trips in Nepal, the Alps, and New Zealand, with more coming down the road.
TourScoop takeaway: We love that both of these trips combine active pursuits with immersive travel. Seeing a destination in a new way can often lead to memorable and meaningful experiences.
