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7 experiences on guided hikes around the world you can’t have on your own

Credit: Getty Images/ Helivideo

From deliciously cool, crystal-clear lakes to lush fields and paddling through iceburgs, you won’t find these stops on just any itinerary.

Whether you’re keen to scrabble your way up winding mountain passes in Slovenia or take in the endless green idyll of Norway’s fjord region, one thing’s for certain: travelling on foot is by far the most immersive way to see the world. Lace up your boots and experience each wildflower, cobblestone and tree for yourself with a walking tour by Tasmanian Walking Company’s international branch, Guided by Nature.

About Guided by Nature

Panorama of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Europe
Explore unique parts of the world, from Ljubljana in Slovenia to Patagonia in Chile. (Credit: Getty Images/ Katso80)

A Guided by Nature walking trip is unlike any holiday you’ve experienced before. Small groups are guided by knowledgeable locals who live, work and play in the regions, so you’ll get the kind of authentic experience most can only dream of. From mountain hut accommodation accessible only on foot to the surreal experience of paddling beside hunkering icebergs, a Guided by Nature walking trip takes you places you’d never see by yourself.

A dedicated crew handle logistics (from comfy accommodation to curated cuisine) so you can focus on the transformative experience of seeing the world in the best way possible: slowly, mindfully and by the power of your own two legs.

Previous Guided by Nature guest Nicole says, “It’s the best thing you will ever do. You’re so well looked after – all you have to do is show up and enjoy the gift you’ve given yourself. And there will be no regrets!"

Here are seven places Guided by Nature will take you that you couldn’t experience on your own.

1. Remote mountain stays

Seven Lakes Hut slovenia
Stay in remote mountain huts. (Credit: Iztok Medja)

Littered with old battle ruins and stone military mule tracks from the First World War, the Komna Plateau in Slovenia’s Julian Alps is bursting with history. Accessible only on foot, the plateau rewards those who make the climb with expansive views over the peaks and valleys of the mountains. You’ll also have the chance to soak up the wildly vivid sunset before retiring for the night to your remote mountain hut.

2. Explore Slovenia’s Lake Valley

Seven Lakes Valley in Triglav National Park slovenia
Explore Seven Lakes Valley. (Credit: Getty Images/ Helivideo)

Tucked away high in Triglav National Park lies a sprawling valley of glacial pools whose origins are as mysterious as their waters are clear. The ascent to Slovenia’s Seven Lakes Valley is steep, but it’s worth every metre for the view of lush green conifers and the teal waters of Black Lake. Keep your eyes peeled for the alpine newt; you’ll recognise it by its orange belly.

3. Dine with local farmers

traditional farmers' lunch in Soča Valley
Savour a traditional farmers’ lunch in Soča Valley. (Credit: Lipar Design Photography)

Eat like the Slovenian locals and savour the very best of the Soča Valley’s fresh, local produce with a traditional farmers’ lunch. Rich alpine grazing lands create the perfect conditions for the valley’s ancient cheesemaking tradition, which has resulted in world-renowned cheeses like Tolminc and Bovec, both unique to this region.

4. See famous Lake Bled from a different angle

Panoramic view of Lake Bled from Mt. Osojnica, Slovenia
See Lake Bled from above. (Credit: Getty Images/ Alberto Loyo)

Lake Bled is a fairytale setting come to life, from the clear waters bordered by verdant vegetation to the picturesque castle rising from its small central island. For Nicole, who experienced Slovenia with Guided by Nature in 2025, it was a trip highlight.

“No one wanted to go home," she says. “It was just so peaceful and beautiful."

While the lake is a sight to behold from ground level, it’s even better viewed from above. Climb Ojstrica, a sharp slope above the lake, to be rewarded with picture-postcard views (and a bench to rest on).

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5. Explore Calanques of Cassis on a private boat

boat in Calanques of Cassis france
Take a private boat around Calanques of Cassis. (Credit: Getty Images/ akrp)

Give your feet the day off and explore France’s Calanques by boat. This maritime national park boasts sparkling turquoise waters and is dotted with narrow limestone inlets. Dive into the welcoming waters of this secluded Mediterranean cove and explore the hidden sea caves, then relax on deck with a cheeky glass of rosé or two.

6. Paddle through icebergs

lake grey glacier patagonia chile
Be humbled by the towering icebergs around Lake Grey. (Credit: Getty Images/ SL_Photography

As far as eerie, otherworldly landscapes go, few parts of the world can compete with Patagonia. Be humbled in the presence of towering icebergs as you paddle around Lake Grey; it’s an unforgettable experience you’ll carry with you for life, and moments like these make a Guided by Nature walking tour unique. After your paddle, relax in your refugio – accommodation accessible only on foot on the shores of Lake Grey – and enjoy a hard-earned dinner.

As Patagonia guide Edoardo says, “The combination of exploring those amazing places during the day and relaxing at night in comfortable accommodations with gourmet meals makes a huge difference. But really, it’s the passion our team shares for the outdoors and how we pass that on to our guests that makes it unforgettable."

Book your next walking adventure at guidedbynature.com. 

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Janina Waldmann
Janina is a writer and reader living and working on Gadigal Land. With a writing degree from UTS under her belt, she now spends her days writing about everything from the energy transition to home improvement while chipping away at a political science degree from the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. 
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.