‘I WAS WORRIED. I NEEDN’T HAVE BEEN.’

Liz Hallissey recently went on her first guided group holiday. Here’s what she learned…

“I’m not the fittest or fastest walker, and I’m never that confident going into a group of new people. But I couldn’t have felt more welcome on my first guided trip, which was to the Austrian Alps along with my husband.

“I liked the way the leaders made the next day’s options absolutely clear the night before, and the way they controlled the pace during the day. The group itself was lovely: everyone had different levels of experience (many had travelled with the same company many times), but we could all talk about walks we had done in the UK, and they inspired me with so many ideas for future walks at home and abroad.

“We had options for easy and hard walks, and based on the leaders’ advice for each walk, I tried both kinds on different days. It amazed me that I could actually get myself to the top of an Alp, with just a little encouragement from the guides. Sometimes I walked with my husband, sometimes we chose different options. I loved meeting the other group at the end of the day and comparing notes and photos over a glass of wine or Almdudler (a weird fizzy blend of grape, apple and mountain herbs).

“If you want to push yourself and head to new places, but to do it safely and with confidence, I can’t recommend it highly enough.”