Anytime is the perfect time to start planning your next adventure-filled getaway. If you’re looking to get active outdoors and explore some of the undiscovered gems in Europe that go beyond just touristic spots, then chances are you’ll be in need of a private jet charter to reach those remote locations in comfort.
But before we jump straight to the best way to get around Europe, let’s take a look at what the old continent has in shop from enthusiastic anglers and campers to hiking experts.
Best spots in Europe for the ultimate active holiday
There are only so many places in Europe that can fit the full description of a truly active holiday. If your luggage includes fishing rods, sturdy boots, and weather-appropriate clothes, it means you’re in search of locations that have it all – fishing, hiking, and options for camping.
Outer Hebrides, Scotland
The archipelago, also known as the Western Isles, is comprised of hundreds of small islands and is a gem of a spot, still untouched by popular tourism. Scottish mountains, moors, and white sandy beaches encapsulate the very best of wonderful Gaelic culture, wildlife, and food.
For outdoor enthusiasts interested in fishing, Outer Hebrides is a great choice – the Western Isles offer fishing opportunities for both sea and game anglers. With more than 4,000 lakes and sea inlets that are spread across the islands. The waters here offer one of the best summer salmon and trout fishing in Europe, and even opportunities to catch Arctic char, brown and sea trout, and wild salmon.
The landscape around these fishing spots is one-of-a-kind. From peat moorlands to imposing mountains, the spots are also a great place for hiking enthusiasts. Outer Hebrides is home to fantastic hiking trails that are of varying degree of difficulty and accommodates any type of hiker – beginners and seasoned experts.
For those, interested in a challenge, The Hebridean Way offers hikers an opportunity to walk the length of the archipelago. Over the course of 252 kilometres, the route itself covers 10 islands, crosses 6 causeways, and two ferry journeys. The Hebridean Way hiking trail is a perfect way to uncover the stunning Gaelic landscape – from deserted beaches to wild mountains, making this one of the best hiking holidays in Europe.
To truly experience Scottish nature at its most natural, incorporating camping into your trip simply is a must. Choosing a camping or caravanning holiday in the Outer Hebrides is a choice well made, as the archipelago has a number of campsites, making it a great place for camping in Europe.
On top of that, Scotland – including the Outer Hebrides – allow wild camping, pitching up a tent way off the beaten path and communities. This type of camping is not always allowed in a number of European countries, but Scotland offers that opportunity.
Getting to the Outer Hebrides is quite convenient if you’re traveling from mainland Scotland. There are three island airports in the Outer Hebrides connecting the mainland: Stornoway Airport (Isle of Lewis), Benbecula Airport (Isle of Benbeucla), and Barra Airport (Isle of Barra). But getting to the Western Isles from elsewhere could prove challenging, as this means at least one connecting flight, depending on where you’re flying in from. This is where private jet charters come to the rescue.
Not only do private jet charters cut down the waiting time at airports, and let you avoid long queues and connecting flights, but they also provide comfort and security. This also means your fishing rod (or multiple ones), and camping equipment is a-okay to make their way aboard the jet, saving you immense headache trying to figure out the best way to kick off your adventure-filled holiday in Scotland.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
In the far north within the Arctic Circle lies the Norwegian Lofoten Islands – a place very well-known for its fishing heritage. Ever since the Viking Age the Islands played a key role in fishing for the Norwegian Arctic cod, and the place is a bucket-list item for a number of adventurous anglers. The waters are home to a wide variety of fish – pollack, coalfish, cod, plaice, and mackerel, as well as sea trout and salmon, and even halibuts.
Lofoten offers a unique opportunity to experience a different pace of life by visiting several of the fishing villages situated by the Norwegian Sea – Reine, Nusfjord, Å, or Henningsvær. Many adventurous holidaymakers also try not to miss the chance of spending a few nights in several hundred-year-old fishermen’s huts to truly live out their angler dreams.
Just like the Outer Hebrides, Lofoten Islands are also proud of their beautiful natural landscapes and offer exciting hiking trails. One of such more challenging walks – Reinebringen trail. The viewpoint is one of the biggest across the Lofoten Islands. It’s a steep scramble to a breath-taking panorama of Reinefjorden and the unbelievable Lofoten Wall. While Reinebringen stands only at 448 meters in height, the hike itself is almost straight up, and sometimes slippery, which makes it a trail for seasoned hikers and caution is essential.
For less dramatic hikes, Nordheia is a great choice. One of the easiest trails can be completed in four hours and offer as beautiful a landscape as any other. The hike is really accessible to everyone and the trail itself is well marked, with a gentle slope all the way up to the summit.
Like Scotland, Norway is also another country on the list that allows wild camping – to be more precise, it actively encourages to explore and enjoy nature, and follows the “allemannsretten” concept, which means freedom to roam. If wild camping is less of your style, Lofoten also offers a number of camping grounds to stay at. Some offer as much as free WiFi – a perfect addition to updating your social media with amazing photos snapped on hiking trails.
Similarly to the previous location, getting to Lofoten Islands with commercial flights means at least one stop-over on your way to your unforgettable active holiday. This, however, can prove to put unnecessary stress on your holiday planning. The best way to approach this and kick off your holiday the right way is by getting to Lofoten Islands by chartering a private jet – simple, and comfortable!
Ponta Delgada, Azores
Switching the hemispheres, the final spot on the list takes us to the Azores archipelago, far off the coast of Portugal – São Miguel Island and its capital region Ponta Delgada. The waters around the island in the inland are abundant with different types of fishes that any aspiring or professional angler has ever dreamed of catching.
With the Azores, it’s difficult to decide where to cast your rod first. From shore you can stumble upon bluefish, barracuda, and white trevally; colourful reefs and rocky structures hide seabream, grouper, and amberjack; inland water basins are home to rainbow trout, pike, and carp. And the ocean, well, the ocean is where you can try wrangling tuna and both blue and white marlin.
The scenic views are nothing to sneer at as well – the lush volcanic landscape is as colourful as the variety of fishes roaming the shores. Regardless of difficulty levels, hiking trails in Ponta Delgada all offer breathtaking views of the Island. The hiking trail leading up to Rocha da Relva stoned lava platform offers a wondrous view of the ocean. The platform is created by lava debris and landslide embankments, where vineyards grow and wine is produced in some areas. The trail covers a distance of 5,5 kilometres and is considered of medium difficulty.
When it comes to camping, Ponta Delgada is any camper’s paradise. In total, São Miguel has five great campsites. Two of the campsites are free all year round and the other three are low cost. A couple of them are situated in the craters of volcanoes with unbelievable views and others are near the coast, with both beaches and swimming pools nearby. This sounds like an outdoor holiday you won’t forget!
Being in such a remote archipelago, São Miguel Island and Ponta Delgada can be tricky places to reach – with a limited number of direct flights, making your way to the Azores could take up to a couple of days. To avoid that, a private jet charter is a way to go.
Chartering private jets
When it comes to reaching such remote locations for your adventure-filled fishing, hiking, and camping holiday, getting around by commercial flights can become a headache and an unnecessary one. These and similar active leisure spots in Europe are reached easiest with a long-established and trustworthy private jet charter. Only experts can ensure direct, comfortable and secure flights to your most-desired holiday destinations.