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Portugal Reviews & Ratings

Highlights of portugal.

Although described as a fast paced tour(which it was), it was a good introduction to visiting Portugal with many highlights as well as vising some lesser known par...

Raymond Rivero

Best of Portugal Small Group

Already did in my comments!!

Gilbert De La Cruz

Best of Spain and Portugal End Madrid

Really enjoyed the many sights we were able to see and explore.

Vincent Corso

Treasures of Spain and Portugal End Barcelona

The trip was great, especially the tour director and coach driver. They were b...

Jane Renaud

The itinerary was wonderful just wish you offered a 16 day tour so we could experience more free time. Pascal our tour director is fabulous should be rated a 40. H...

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Epic Morocco & Epic Portugal   Reviews

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Reviews 4.7.

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The Most Epic Trip to The Azores Ever!

My son and I just returned from a 14-day trip to the Azores, facilitated by Epic. Hands down, it was the greatest trip of our lives. We wanted to see as many islands as possible and to have as many adventures as possible, and our goal was met and then some. Alyssa planned a perfect itinerary, and Carlotta made sure that all details went smoothly during the trip. The guides selected by Epic were wonderful; they all became friends with whom we'll stay in touch. Each guide knew about my and my son's respective unique interests, and each one worked hard to give us experiences that would be meaningful for us. The accommodations were great and each one unique. I have never used a service to plan this type of trip before, so I was a little apprehensive at the beginning, but going with Epic was a great decision. The trip was essentially perfect, with no problems or disappointments. I give Epic my unqualified recommendation.

Date of experience : 01 August 2024

Morocco Milestones

Morocco Milestones! We just returned from the most magical trip to Morrocco in celebration of our daughter’s college graduation. At the risk of sounding cliché – the trip was EPIC! Carla created a custom itinerary that included everything she wanted from sand boarding in the Sahara, surfing the Atlantic and absorbing all the culture and cuisine that Morocco has to offer. Carla also included some of her own suggestions that truly made the trip even more amazing such as the perfume making workshop (thank you Amina), the side car through the streets of Marrakesh (thank you Hussein) and a visit to Tangier which was one of our favorite cities (thank you Anas). A special thanks to Ismail our trusted driver and companion as we traveled the entire country. Lastly, there are so many details to manage and the entire team at EPIC Travel should be celebrated – every hotel, meal and experience was perfect! We are excited to work with Carla and EPIC Travel as we plan our next family adventure to the Azores!

Date of experience : 17 May 2024

Reply from Epic Morocco & Epic Portugal

Dear Kristine & Peyton, what a wonderful tribute to your magical trip with us, thank you ever so much for writing such a glowing review and highlighting some of our stellar Epic partners and guides. We truly enjoyed having you both in-Kingdom and are thrilled to hear that the journey exceeded your expectations. Looking forward to showcasing the marvels of the emerald isles of the Azores soon too!! Have a great summer ahead. Kind regards, Carla & the Epic Team

Exceptional No Stress Vacation

My family just returned from our trip to Portugal, and everything about working with EPIC was spectacular! Alyssa helped us plan a tailor-made itinerary, sparing no detail. She was a delight to work with and truly went out of her way to make the trip a perfect experience for my family. Alyssa listened carefully to what we wanted and went above and beyond to give us special, authentic experiences. She helped us plan a trip we could have never put together ourselves. She communicated with us via email many times to ensure all details were sorted out and even met us at our first hotel to welcome us to Portugal! We felt like royalty with the treatment we received. Each hotel, car transfer, activity, and restaurant felt carefully curated to make the experience special just for our family. Every driver and tour guide was exceptional. Nicole was our concierge in Portugal, and from the first text of communication, we knew we were in the best hands and that this was going to be the most amazing trip. And were we ever right! Nicole was in touch with us every step of the way, and we didn't have to do anything other than enjoy ourselves. Just like everyone else in this company, Nicole was so kind and professional. She even checked in with us to make sure we arrived home safely. Every aspect of working with EPIC exceeded all of our expectations. This was by far the most amazing experience. My husband and I have already decided our next vacation will be to Morocco so that we can work with EPIC again. We have been so spoiled by their service that I’m not sure we could ever go back :) If you are looking for an exceptional, no stress Portugal Vacation, Epic is the company for you!

Date of experience : 20 July 2024

Dear Nicole, thank you so much for sharing these wonderful words with us. It was an absolute pleasure to assist you and your family on your trip to Portugal! Knowing you felt supported and valued throughout your trip means the world to us. Next up Morocco! 😊 Alyssa, Nicole and the Epic Team

Magical Morocco

My husband and I, and a couple of dear friends, recently returned from an amazing Moroccan adventure which was perfectly planned by Epic. From my first conversation with Carla I knew we were in good hands. She listened as we described our travel experience and styles and designed a perfect itinerary. We definitely got off the beaten path with authentic experiences and finished our busy days in some beautiful riads and dars. In fact, we all agreed that these were some of the most memorable stays we had ever had! Our trip had such a wonderful beginning when we were greeted at the airport in Casablanca by our driver for the entire two weeks, Ismail…what a gem! Ismail exemplifies the warmth of the Moroccan people and was so excited to show us all this country has to offer. And all the guides Epic booked for us were so knowledgeable and engaging…we really learned a lot! Returning to Morocco is definitely on our list as is planning another trip with Epic!

Date of experience : 01 May 2024

Dear Randy and Julie, thank you so much for having embraced the Moroccan odyssey with such open eyes, hearts and fervor. You four were exemplary travelers, soaking up and reveling in the hospitality extended to you by such lovely, loyal people. We thank you for taking your time to share your sentiments with us all, Ismail is thrilled to read this ... as are we ! Looking forward to creating another magical journey for you to the Azores and the mainland of Portugal soon :-) With our most heartfelt thanks, Carla & the entire Epic team

Wonderful company / amazing honeymoon experience

Nicole planned our honeymoon to Portugal and Diana was our concierge and both of them were absolutely wonderful. Everything about this process from the planning, travel, accommodations, and experiences ran so smoothly. We needed to change our dates later in the planning process and Nicole made a potentially stressful situation feel like no problem at all! Diana was there for us the entire trip and we felt so taken care of. Highly recommend!

Date of experience : 12 August 2023

Dear Breena and Justin, it was a pleasure to help you on your honeymoon, we always like to make it very special and go above and beyond! I'm glad you enjoyed it and that you had happy days in Portugal. Behind the scenes It's a job done by many hands and we all appreciate your kind words. We hope to see you soon! Nicole, Diana and the whole Epic Team.

Amazing trip with a fantastic company

We spent 12 days touring all over Morocco with Epic Travel. From the first conversation with Carla, I knew the trip would be special. She really listened to our preferences and put together an itinerary that felt unique to our interests. She made appropriate adjustments to fit our budget and schedule. Once we were on the ground, our driver/guide Mbark took wonderful care of us. The Riad accommodations selected were stunning and the activities and local guides were top notch. Everything operated so seamlessly between all the providers. We felt like we were on a magical relay race, being carefully passed from one activity and location to the next. I would not hesitate to book another trip with Epic.

Date of experience : 12 March 2023

Dear Gloria, Many thanks for sharing your sentiments and compliments with us, we hope you will harbor many wonderful memories of your magical journey with us. Next up is Portugal for you, we'd love to weave a journey for you together there too :-) ! Many thanks, Carla & Team Epic

The Epic team is really great

The Epic team is really great. From the very beginning they were quick to reply to our enquiries and were so helpful with every bit of the planning. Carla listened to everything we wanted for our trip and provided the perfect mix of touristy activities, adventure, art, and local experiences. Every driver we had was friendly and helpful. We had tours and excursions with several partners (Marrakech Food Tours, Souk Cuisine, Ciel d’Afrique, Insiders Experience) as well as all the accommodations were absolutely amazing. We will definitely be planning another trip with Epic.

Date of experience : 11 December 2022

Dear Hayat & Michael, many thanks for your time in writing such a lovely message to share with our partners, very much appreciated and we look forward to welcoming you back to this Kingdom or Portugal for your 1st wedding anniversary next year :-) Happy New Year ! Carla & the entire team at Epic

Morocco Honeymoon

My husband and I had the most wonderful honeymoon in Morocco! Carla from Epic did an outstanding job planning the trip! From every riad we stayed in to all the experiences including traveling by street car, leather making workshop, food tours etc-- the entire trip was seamless and an absolute unforgettable time. Our guide and driver for the whole trip Mubarak was incredible. He taught us so much about Morocco and was always on time and just a pleasure to be around. Overall, we had the best honeymoon we could have asked for!

Date of experience : 30 July 2022

Dear Melat and Aditya, what music to our eyes to read that you had such a great Honeymoon. It was an absolute pleasure showing you this magical Kingdom and we are thrilled that you will harbor such great memories of this special occasion. See you back here or Portugal for your 1st anniversary :-) All our thanks and appreciation ! Carla & the Epic team

My family had a great trip booked with…

My family had a great trip booked with Epic. Nicole was so responsive and helpful both before and during the trip, including helping us find a doctor when our son got hurt unexpectedly. Nicole was able to adjust anything on the go that we needed and coordinated with all our various tours and concierges so we didn’t have to worry about anything. Our hotel and room were spectacular and all our tours and activities the right mix of kid and adult friendly which is just what we wanted. We would definitely use them again for a trip in the future.

Date of experience : 27 March 2023

Hi Hayley, thank you very much for your review and we are delighted you had such a successful trip. We hope to see you again in the future. All the best, the Epic Team.

Amazing experience from a professional team!

Amazing experience from start to finish, the staff, guides and drivers at Epic made every effort to make sure our holiday was memorable. Great selection of hotels allowing us to experience some of the wide diversity Morocco has to offer. Cannot speak highly enough...Thanks to the Epic team!!

Date of experience : 24 September 2022

Dear Grahame, thank you very much for taking the time to write a review on your trip to Morocco. It was a pleasure to show you some of our favourite places and thank you very much for all of the great photos you shared with us and our guides. We hope you have happy memories of your trip and we hope to see you again one day. Best wishes, the Epic team.

Used Epic travel for the Lego land package in Florida very very disappointed. They screwed up my tour dates because they did not coordinate it with the resort properly and then tried to offer me another tour time in which I could not attend because I had to check out of the resort. Also the tour location they were offering was 30 minutes away and ending up charging me $300 for something that was their fault. I will post this to all my social media so this does not happen again to someone else.

Date of experience : 04 November 2022

Hello, I am sorry but you have posted this review to the wrong account. We are Epic Travel and we only organise vacations in Morocco and Portugal. Please can you delete this review and post it to the Epic that you have mistaken us for. This has happened on a number of occasions and tarnishes our reputation through no fault of our own. We will again take up this issue - which has happened on a number of occasions - with Trustpilot. Thank you in advance. The Epic team.

Wonderful service for an all age …

Wonderful service for an all age family holiday. The choices of where to go made by Charlie, hit the spot every time for everyone. He certainly knows his stuff. The office back up, and on-ground organisation made it a truly excellent, worry free holiday. Even in a 47'c heat!

Date of experience : 27 July 2022

Dear Mrs Bicknell, thank you very much for your review. It was a real pleasure to look after you and your family in Portugal. We hope to see you again soon. Best wishes, Charlie and the team.

Best vacation yet!

We just returned from Portugal where Epic Travel helped plan our 30th wedding anniversary trip and first visit to the country. Nicole was our planner and concierge and did a lovely job finding very exclusive and romantic experiences and highly skilled guides every step of the way. The hotels included some of the most luxuriant we have ever seen. Nicole’s concierge service as we travelled was top notch - she always responded within moments and was incredibly professional throughout. We traveled by private car/ driver throughout and all drivers were guides in their own right and the cars were lovely. In 10 days we were able stay in 4 distinct areas of the country and the guides and experiences were always away from the tourist crush allowing us to feel as though we saw the “real” Portugal. Super customized to our individual interests. We have done a lot of travel and decided this was our best trip yet! If you are looking for a real taste of luxury and exclusive travel — highly recommend Epic!

Date of experience : 08 October 2023

Dear Kathryn and James, it was a big responsibility to organize a beautiful celebration for your 30th anniversary, but what a pleasure it was! Our team is delighted with your review - you get to know me, but we have a whole team behind the scenes helping to make the trip extra special. How nice to know that you will take sweet memories of Portugal with you for life and that we were part of it. We can't wait to see you again! Nicole and Epic Team.

THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER

We have had the utter pleasure of travelling with EPIC to Morocco on three separate occasions and I honestly say that each of the three holidays were the most memorable of my life. One with two family, one with one family and one was a girl's trip. We travelled all around the Atlas mountains, experiencing everything from very local, authentic hospitality, to luxury camping, quad bikes and camels rides. Charlie and our amazing guide Nouri were amazing and out of a score of 10, they get 100% of my vote. Next on my list is definitely Portugal. Thank you Charlie and I hope to see you very soon.

Date of experience : 15 July 2020

Thank you very much for your lovely comments Gabrielle. Nouri really enjoyed spending time with you and I'm sure he'd love to see you again soon. We look forward to seeing you in Portugal as well, so do let us know how we can help. Thanks again, Charlie and the team.

Flawless Multi-Family Morocco Trip

Flawless Multi-Family Morocco Trip 36 people including 18 children of various ages. Excellent guides, super organized, super practical and a taste of the cities, the desert and the Atlas mountains. Our friends consistently say it was the best trip they've ever had. We are veterans of travel to Morocco and the Epic team put together a trip that simply blew us away. No detail was missed. As the "organizers" of the trip for our friends, we expected to have some stress in the planning and execution of such a big adventure, but we enjoyed every minute of the journey. Perhaps the best tour company we have worked with -- 5 stars do not do justice -- we would book with them again in a heartbeat, as should anyone reading this review.

Date of experience : 26 June 2020

Thank you Tim and family for your kind words. I will always have very happy memories of looking after you and your friends in Morocco. Look forward to the next time. All the best Charlie and the Epic team

Truly Epic!

We booked a very last minute holiday to Morocco with Epic for 6 people over the Christmas holidays. Peak season, big group and last minute. But Charlie wasn't phased! He booked us the most amazing 12 night adventure, ticking off everything on our To Do list and adding some amazing suggestions of his own. He even came in under budget! On the actual trip everything went smoothly without a single hiccup, the places we stayed were small, unique & perfect - it would have been so hard to book such a trip independently without the insider, grass roots knowledge that Epic have. I would (& have) recommend Epic and Charlie to anyone looking for a trip to Morocco and I'm absolutely delighted to see Epic is branching out to other countries. I need a Charlie in every country!

Date of experience : 12 January 2021

It's lovely to hear from you Emma and thank you very much for your comments. It was great to look after you and your family. We hope to see you again soon when travel becomes a bit more practical. Take care, from Charlie and the team.

Great trip and super guide

I booked a trip with Epic Travel in January 2020. I had already done a great deal of research into where I wanted to visit. I contacted several places and Epic stood out as the best. Charlie always got back to me right away and had useful ideas about my route to make the best out of my time. He was very realistic about the timing it took to get around. Best of all, I got a fantastic guide, Abdelhadi, with a wealth of local knowledge and passion about his country. I absolutely recommend Epic, Charlie, and Abdelhadi if you want an unforgettable trip.

Date of experience : 24 December 2020

Thank you very much Frank for your kind words. Abdelhadi also has very fond memories of the trip you took together. Hopefully we'll see you again some time. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. best wishes Charlie and the team.

Portugal and Morocco experiences

I have been on several holidays with Epic ranging from mountain biking in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco to a bespoke journey in Portugal. Epic have always gone that extra mile to provide a hugely enjoyable experience with their amazing staff , high quality hotels and itineraries . Some must do’s in Portugal are the private dining at one of the top wine hotels and the tour around the Douro as well as the highlights of Lisbon. I can’t wait to see what Epic will arrange for me next time keep up the good work!

Date of experience : 22 June 2020

Thank you John - it has been a pleasure to look after you, your friends and family down the years. Here's to the next adventure! Best wishes, the Epic team.

We Went to Morocco Thru Epic

Just before the pandemic hit the US, we spent a week in Marrakesh, Morocco with Epic as our guide. They built the itinerary from scratch from cursory knowledge of my family and hit it out of the park. We are 5 people, my wife and i in our late 50's, our 3 girls 21, 24 and 26 so we wanted action but also downtime. it was planned to perfection and resulted in our best family trip to date.

Thank you very much Rich and family. We are delighted that you enjoyed your trip so much and hope to see you again soon. Best wishes from the Epic team.

Amazing Experience with Epic Travel

Charlie and his team at Epic Travel did an amazing job planning our family trip to Morocco. It was a long time coming after two failed attempts due to Covid, but they were great through all the changes and cancelations. Their hotel recommendations, guides, restaurants and excursions were all top notch and the itinerary was very well organized. I especially appreciated their attention to detail when it came to customizing the trip for my family. I would highly recommend Epic Travel to anyone thinking about a trip to Morocco.

Date of experience : 12 April 2022

Hi Molly and family, thank you very much for your kind comments. After all of the struggles of the last couple of years we are so happy that you had such a good time and that your Morocco trip lived up to your expectations! We very much enjoyed looking after you in Morocco and we hope to see you again one day. Best wishes from Charlie and the whole Epic team.

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Reviews 4.7.

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EPIC in every way!

This was one of our best holidays and our 2nd trip with Epic Travel, and we travel a LOT! Charlie Shepherd's ability to hear the client and tailor accordingly is extraordinary! I cannot recommend Epic Travel highly enough - we are now planning our third trip with Epic - this time to Portugal. Thank you so much for such a brilliant set of memories. Kim Gray

Date of experience : 16 May 2022

Reply from Epic Morocco & Epic Portugal

Hello Kim, delighted to read your comments and to hear that you enjoyed your epic journey through Morocco so much! We are really looking forward to welcoming you to Portugal. I'm sure that will be equally epic. Thanks again and best wishes, Charlie and the team.

Proposed in Marrakech. She said yes thanks to Epic :)

I wanted to propose to my now fiance in Marrakech, and after several recommendations I picked the Epic team. It was probably the most well organised and thought after trip I had in my entire life. Everything was perfect. Cannot recommend this team enough. Thank you thank you thank you.

Date of experience : 23 September 2022

Dear Tiago, thank you very much for your comments! We are all delighted to read that your trip was such a success. Congratulations to both of you and we wish you all the best. Hope to see you out in Morocco again soon for another adventure. All the best Charlie, Carla and the team.

Oh my goodness

Oh my goodness, all the superlatives have been written in the previous reviews but I totally echo all of their sentiments. We had a truly "epic" trip in Morocco. Charlie was always patient and so obliging as we booked and rebooked our way through covid..at least 4x but it could have been 5x. What a well thought out journey it was..every accommodation was perfect and each different from each other. Every excursion was fun, exciting and informative. Our main guide, Ismail was just a wonderful guide and person and our driver Mohamed (Simo) was equally qualified. To be greeted upon our arrival and then our departure by Carla was such a treat, we knew we were in good hands should any changes or mishaps occur enroute. We could just relax, sit back and thoroughly enjoy every bit of a wonderful country. I so look forward to a second trip and I won't consider any company but Epic Travel. In fact the first night back, bleary eyed from traveling, I found myself searching through their web site thinking about the next adventure! Beverley and Nadia Smith, Canada

Date of experience : 31 March 2022

Dear Beverley and Nadia, we are so happy that your long-awaited trip to Morocco lived up so well to your expectations. The team had great fun showing you the country, and thank you very much, on behalf of us all, for sticking with the plan through the difficult days of the pandemic. We got there in the end! We are very much looking forward to seeing you again soon. Best wishes, Charlie, Carla and the Epic team.

Amazing Trip to Portugal!

Our trip to Portugal with Epic Travel was fantastic. The activities and tour guides were outstanding and all of the experiences they arranged for us surpassed our expectations. I was traveling with a group of friends and we all wanted to relax and not worry about the details and that is exactly how it felt. We would not hesitate to recommend Epic to others, and we're hoping to book a trip with them to Morocco in the future.

Date of experience : 15 July 2022

Dear Corinne, Thank you so much for your review. We are really glad to hear you enjoyed your trip booked with Epic, and had a proper chance to relax! It was wonderful to meet you all here in Portugal and our team would absolutely love to welcome you to Morocco so please do keep in touch. Best wishes from Harry and everyone at Epic

An unforgettable experience!

My partner and I had wanted to go to Morocco for several years. I had been quite some time ago and had many wonderful memories. I did quite a bit of research into the trip I was interested in taking, but could not find I travel company that gave me the same comfort level as Epic. It only took a phone call and a couple of emails for Penny to understand what I wanted, give me options and then plan an unforgettable vacation. Everything was thoughtfully planned with accommodations and guides that were exactly what we were looking for. The excursions were personalized and we had the right balance of activity and downtime. We travel a lot and I only wish I could use Epic for all our travel needs--they are the best company I have ever worked with.

Date of experience : 04 July 2020

It's lovely to hear from you Karen and thank you very much for your comments. We are delighted you had such a successful trip and wish you all the best, from Penny and the Epic team.

Great trip!!

We were beyond happy with the trip that Epic planned for us. All of the guides we were matched with were super knowledgeable and engaging. Harry, our point person from Epic, was attentive and responsive to every question we asked. Everything happened like clockwork. It was a fantastic trip.

Date of experience : 27 June 2022

Hello Peter, Thank you for taking the time to write about your Epic trip to Portugal - it was a pleasure following your journey here. We are very proud of our guide partners so we are thrilled to hear you were pleased with your experience. We hope to welcome you again very soon! Best wishes, Harry and all the team at Epic

Even Better Than Expected!

This was our first time using a travel agency. We thought it might make a trip to the Azores easier than planning everything ourselves, and were we right. We worked with Nicole Figueiredo throughout the planning phase, as well as for an assistant throughout our trip. I am a pretty critical person, and I can say without hesitation that Nicole's service was virtually flawless. Not only is Nicole very personable, but she took care of even the smallest details with pride, thoroughness, and professionalism that is rarely seen these days. Nicole and Epic even added some nice personal touches along the way that were very much appreciated. In my opinion, Epic Travel and Nicole made this trip easy and breezy and I would recommend them for any trip you might be planning that they cover. It will not only make your planning much easier and frankly better, it will make your trip a lot more hassle-free.

Date of experience : 23 July 2023

Dear Scott and Kerri, what a pleasure it was to help you through the whole process of your trip. The dreaming phase, the counting-down and finally, the realisation. I don't do anything alone, together with me there is an incredible team in the backstage that takes care of your trip as if it were theirs. It makes us very happy to realise that this is reflected in your experience. Thank you for always being so lovely and kind. We hope to see you again planning another trip with us - maybe with Chevy and Lola! Thank you, Nicole and the Epic Team

Bespoke Portugal trip 2019

We took our 13 year old daughter to Portugal last summer and used Epic and Rachel who delivered a fantastic holiday and great memories. The whole trip was set up by Rachel who couldn't do enough to suggest activities and choices of accommodation and locations for our 10 days there. On arrival the whole trip ran like clockwork from Scuba diving, quad trekking, tile painting, historic motorbike and sidecar tours round Lisbon ( inc awesome custard tarts!), food tours , cork forest trips, the douro valley the list was fantastic. we felt like royalty as we were picked up at easy to get to points from wherever we were staying. All was booked in advance inc car hire and came in under budget. Portugal is really good value and the people are lovely. We also stayed in Alentejo in a fantastically rural hotel, food was great, rooms were so comfortable , beautiful round swimming pool. A great region of Portugal who are rightfully keen to feed to you their lovely food, good people. Without a doubt if we return (and we will) I would be asking Epic to sort it out. Must try Morocco when we are back to normal from the current environment.

Date of experience : 22 June 2020

Thank you very much Richard, very pleased you enjoyed the trip and the custard tarts! Would love to welcome you and the family to Morocco some time in the future so we look forward to that. Best wishes, the Epic team.

Epic made our trip to the Azores the most incredible time!

We are mother and daughter, and used Epic for our journey to the Azores in June 2023. As experienced travellers, we are quite particular in the ways we like to organize our trips. Epic has done an incredible job in meeting and even going far beyond our expectations. Nicole has taken such careful consideration when planning our activities and stays, while paying close attention to each and every small detail. No matter the day or the hour, we could rely on a quick response from Nicole and for her team to handle any situation, no matter the unpredictability. Before arriving in the Azores, my baggage was lost by the airline; despite this stepback, Nicole came to our aid and is fighting with us to retrieve it. I truly appreciate all that Epic has done to make our trip so special and we are forever grateful for having chosen them to lead our adventure this summer. We cannot wait to bring back friends and family and to use their services again in the future.

Date of experience : 23 June 2023

Dear Jayhe and Hanna, Mother-daughter trips have always had a special place in my heart. I'm glad that even with the adversity of the luggage, you were still able to create beautiful memories together on this island that we love. Epic is made of people and the whole team is happy to see our efforts translated into an amazing trip, so thank you for your message! We wish that you continue travelling together and hopefully with us again. A big hug, Nicole and Epic Team

An Epic Trip!

Nicole at Epic Travel made our trip so memorable! My Wife and I had never used a trip planner before but going to Portugal for a month, we figured we should have some help. She set up everything and would check in often to remind us of our schedule and to see how we were doing. We even got to meet her when in Lisbon and Thank her for everything she did for us. We highly recommend her! K+J

Date of experience : 01 October 2022

Thank you both very much for taking the time to comment on your trip to Portugal. Nicole and all of the on-the- ground team enjoyed looking after you and we are delighted that the trip was such a success! We hope to see you again one day. Best wishes from the Epic team.

Nicole created a unique Portugal trip …

Nicole helped make our trip special because she created a unique experience based on our previously discussed interests. In addition, the guides that she paired us with were outstanding, as well as the accommodations.

Date of experience : 30 September 2023

Dear Bruce and Barbara, it was lovely to help you during the whole process and to know that you are help with your Portuguese Adventure! On our side it's always a team work and they will be very happy to read your review as well. We hope to see you again in one of our other destinations :) Nicole and Epic Team

For our first trip abroad in several years, I no longer trusted the websites I used to use for reviews of hotels and experiences. So, I decided to try an "in-country" travel planner to guide our itinerary planning. Thankfully, I came across a mention of Epic Travel in a travel blog I had come to enjoy. Nicole and the team backing her up made this one of the most memorable vacations my husband and I have enjoyed over the last 20 years! She asked many questions first to make sure she understood our likes and dislikes. After we had a general outline of the itinerary, she then gave us several options for accommodations, restaurants, and activities, all tailored to our personal tastes. There wasn't a single instance of disappointment or dissatisfaction. The planning was impeccable. Every guide we met was outstanding. The hotels were out of this world. And, the restaurant choices were ones that I am sure we would have not been able to find on our own. We were celebrating a big anniversary and Nicole added a few lovely and very personal touches to our experience that made the occasion all the more memorable. We hope to go back to Portugal again and will definitely ask Epic to plan our trip!

Date of experience : 09 May 2023

Dear Barbara and Jim, thank you for such beautiful words, it was a pleasure to help you. We are very happy to be able to share our love of Portugal with you. It really is a team effort and each one of us goes an extra mile to make sure your trip is memorable. We will share this lovely message with our partners as we know they will be delighted as well. We will be thrilled to see you again in Portugal, or perhaps in Morocco or the Azores, Nicole & the entire team at Epic!

5 stars for Epic travel

Happy to write a 5star review for Charlie and team at Epic Travel. We typically plan trips ourselves and now I see why people use a professional. They got the hang of what we were looking to do and planned a really stunning trip to Morocco for us in March 2020. Lo and behold, trip was cancelled due to a little viral pandemic. Just rebooted the trip and planning was perfect from start to finish. Drivers were on time with beautiful cars. Hotels were, for us, perfect blend of local, comfortable and beautiful. The guides were not just picked out of a hat, these were folks who were really interesting and wonderful people to meet and know. A few highlights - the balloon trip in Marrakech is one I would never have chosen on my own but was truly stunning. Hiking in the Atlas Mountains with wonderful guide, beautiful sights and local color aplenty. Desert camp fit for a prince in the Agafay desert. All in all, a trip we will long remember. We are already planning a trip to Portugal so we can stay in the epic travel family.

Date of experience : 01 January 2023

Dear Nicholas, thank you very much for writing a review of your Epic experience. We are delighted you had such a good time and can't wait to look after you in Portugal. All the best, the Epic team.

You will not be sorry...

Charlie and Epic arranged a Morroco trip for us in late-March, 2019. We'd wanted to go for several years, but, with school and work schedules always in the way, it never seemed the right time. Charlie's patience with me during our very lengthy back-and-forth was, no pun intended, "epic." This was just the start of how awesome both he and Epic Travel are. He arranged a 10-day trip to Marrakech, including nights in the Atlas Mountains and Scarabeo Camp in the desert. We stayed in two beautiful riads, and took motorcycle and walking tours, and a cooking class in Marrakech. We hiked through the mountains and sampled some of the best fruit I've ever tasted. We rode camels and drove buggies through the desert. It was one of our favorite vacations and we hope to return when our schedules allow. I fully recommend this company and, especially, Charlie. He is knowledgeable, patient and easy to work with. He put together a very special trip for us. My wife and girls (then 12, 14 and 18) consider it our best trip ever. He can do so for you as well.

Date of experience : 24 June 2020

Thank you very much for your review Michael and was great to be able to look after you and your family in Morocco. You'll have to come to Portugal next time! All the best to you all, Charlie and the Epic team.

We had the most amazing two weeks in…

We had the most amazing two weeks in Portugal thanks to the Epic team! Our first week was together with my sister's families and my mother so we had to cater for ages from 13-80, no mean feat, and the second week was just our family of 5 - so not a simple brief but I can say it was our best holiday ever. What made it special was the variety of locations and activities, Porto & Lisbon sightseeing, kayaking, mountain biking & wine tasting in the Duoro valley surfing and chilling by the pool in Alentejo - it all fitted together seamlessly and we returned sad to leave but energised by a perfect holiday. None of this happens by chance, Epic spent the time to understand what we liked and wanted from the holiday and with their first-hand experience of the activities and places matched us with the perfect itinerary. I can't wait to see what they can arrange next time!

Date of experience : 10 July 2022

Dear Will and family, thank you very much for taking the time to review your trip with Epic. We certainly had some fun looking after your great multi-generation group. It was quite an adventure and we are delighted that it was such a great success. Hope to see you again soon. The Epic Team.

Marrakech April 2022 amazing experience…

Charlie and his team were absolutely incredible we had a holiday of a lifetime building many wonderful memories through all the activities. We ballooned walked in the Atlas Mountains, dune buggies, guided shopping tour, attended a cooking class and made our own perfumes all organised brilliantly along with reservations to some wonderful restaurants. Thank you Charlie and team it was all amazing 🤩

Date of experience : 25 April 2022

Dear Helen and family, thank you very much for writing about your experiences with Epic. It was great to have the opportunity to look after you in Morocco and on behalf of all of the team, thank you for travelling with us and we hope to see you again soon in Morocco or Portugal! Best wishes, the Epic team.

Morocco: Trip of a lifetime!

We had such an amazing trip thanks to Epic! We totally fell in love with Morocco. All the accommodations we're top notch and beyond expectation. The Riad Fez was so beautiful it felt like we were staying in a jewel box and the food there was great. We had the same guide and driver for 5 out of the 10 day trip which was amazing. Nori our guide was like a professor, he knew the history of everything. We learned so much from him and it added so much to our experience. Our favorite part of was rural areas and the beautiful landscape. Skoura, the desert, all the mountains we're just beautiful. Our last stay in Marrakesh at Raid Due was wonderful, they really took care of us. Elena the Raid Manager was like a tour director and helped us make the most of our time their. She recommended a Hammam that's was a real treat for us. Everything was seamless. Epic's team was so attentive and coordinated everything for us. They only use vendors they have tested and meet or exceed their standards. We learned and experienced so much more than if we would have organized the trip ourselves. We hope Epic expands to other areas of Africa so we can continue to explore with them!

Date of experience : 19 September 2020

Hello Sara, it's lovely to hear from you and we hope that you are both keeping well. Thank you very much for your comments and we are very happy you had such a great time. Nori says hi and we hope to see you again in the future. Take care, Charlie and the team.

Epic trip to Morocco

We are a small group of friends, six of whom lived in Morocco as teenagers in the late 50s and early 60s. When we decided we really needed to go back to one of our favorite countries, we were fortunate to discover Charlie Shepherd’s bespoke tour company, Epic. Charlie worked with us to figure out how to revisit places we had loved--Casablanca, Fes, Meknes, Ifrane, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech--as well as visiting places we had not seen when we lived there--Volubilis and a desert camp where one of us got to sit in with the musicians. We stayed in gorgeous riads and dined like kings and queens. Our guide, Aziz, and driver, Hassan, were patient, informed, funny, kind, and flexible. So when things might have gone awry, road work or a power outage, they were quick to figure out a solution. And as agreed, they stuck with our directions until we actually found our old homes in the village that had been part of the air base where we had lived and where we were delighted to be invited in to tea by one of the residents. As you might imagine, we each had our own ideas of what this trip had to be and amazingly, Epic managed to keep each of us happy throughout our ten-day adventure. Nothing like this would have been possible if we’d used a larger, less personalized company. In all, we learned more than we ever could have imagined about this wonderful country that we once called home and that is thanks to the planning and execution of this very special group of people.

Thank you very much Karen for taking the time to write about your experiences. From the start we loved the story of you going back to where you spent time in your childhood, and it was a real pleasure to be able to assist with your return to Morocco. We are very pleased that it lived up to your expectations! Best wishes Charlie and the Epic team.

THANK YOU EPIC MOROCCO

My husband and I have just returned from a very magical 10 days in Morocco thanks totally to Carla and the Epic team! It was our first trip to the African continent and it has definitely whetted our appetite to return! From our first experience with a tour through the Medina in Marrakech, including the Palace Bahia with our wonderful tour guide "Pink Floyd" and a wonderful rooftop lunch of amazing food, to our ride to the Essaouira region to stay at a GORGEOUS Villa it was all perfection. We were also treated to an amazing motorbike with sidecar tour of Marrakech with our guide, Hussein who was so incredibly kind, friendly and knowledgeable about the entire City! We were especially impressed by Carla's planning abilities and attention to detail. Having now returned from this wonderful adventure, our very favorable experience with Epic will be relayed to friends and family.

Date of experience : 10 April 2023

Dear Robin, Thank you so very much for your blushing comments, we've made sure that the mentioned guides and the team at the villa have received your compliments. It was such a pleasure, after a few years of awaiting your arrival, to see you both embrace the magic of Morocco so fervently, and you've only seen the tip of the iceberg... there's lots more ! Thank you again, Carla & the entire Epic team

Portugal adventure

We enjoyed a fantastic week in Lisbon, the Douro valley and Porto in April 2019 organised by Rachel from Epic Travel.Here choice of hotels in each area were perfect for our party of 4 creating the relaxed but comfortable ambience we were looking for. Great food and drink were had in all our destinations but we particularly enjoyed the Torre De Palma Wine Hotel in Alentejo. Despite rain in the Douro, Epic were able to adapt our plans seamlessly to make the weather incidental and the wineries we were taken to were incredibly informative and interested in explaining their product. Back in Porto after a drive west through the Douro valley, we had great walking through this fantastic old city with ice cream stores to old port storage houses. All in all, Epic and Rachel in particular made our week to fit all the sights and activities we wanted and were extremely good at making suggestions of extra things we might like to do that otherwise we would have missed. I would highly recommend Epic if looking for a holiday without all the hassles of self planning and arranging at a very reasonable price.

Thank you very much for your comments Mark and we are pleased you enjoyed your stay. See you again soon we hope!

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Many travelers say that a stay at this hotel is indeed "epic," citing the property's modern furnishings, friendly staff members and overall relaxing ambiance. Accommodations at the EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel feature mostly white decor, with dark wooden and bright teal accents. In-room amenities visitors can expect include LCD TVs, minibars, Nespresso coffee makers, free Wi-Fi access, 24-hour room service and both pillow and bath menus. If it's a little rest and relaxation you seek, head straight for the spa for a massage or facial. Or, simply go for a dip in the indoor pool or outdoor rooftop pool (with fabulous city views, guests say). The hotel is also home to a fitness center for gym buffs and meeting facilities for business travelers. As far as drinks and dining go, EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel features a rooftop pool bar, a lobby bar and the Flor-de-Lis restaurant. The property is located just northwest of Lisbon, Portugal 's city center, where the majority of its top attractions reside.

• Hotel Class 5.0

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U.S. News analyzed more than 35,000 hotels to find the best in the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, based on reputation among travel experts, guest reviews and hotel class ratings.

• # 35 in Best Lisbon Hotels
• # 117 in Best Portugal Hotels
• # 1742 in Best Europe Hotels

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Guest Reviews

A hotel's guest rating is calculated using data provided under license by Tripadvisor. A total of 2885 have reviewed the EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel , giving it a rating of 4.5 , on a scale of 1-5.

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Very noisy wheels

I bought Epic Discovery Neo 55cm, with two wheels. On their web page Epic says "the wheels are super-silent". No, they are not. The wheels are even more noisy than one of our old bags. I got in contact with EPIC but they only get back and explain the "super-fantastic construction".

Date of experience : October 02, 2023

Unfortunately after only 2 times of…

Unfortunately after only 2 times of use, the zipper started running out of it’s track and slowly got more and more destroyed. As I don’t live anywhere near an Epic dealer I wrote to an email that I found among the suitcase labels (apparently the e-mail to contact regarding warranty issues if you don’t have an Epic dealer in your area). They are not helpful and won’t respond to my e-mails. For the same price I could have bought a good Samsonite or another quality suitcase. Not a recommended brand.

Date of experience : August 30, 2022

FAKE WARRANTY, RUDE EPIC LUGGAGE STAFF

Contacted Epic Support about defects on luggage. Without knowing the issue with the luggage, “Support” made an assumption and tried to end the warranty request. Then after I explained what the defects were, they just ignore what I had explained, and said “No sorry”. That only tells me that the warranty on all EPIC products is as good as trash.

Date of experience : September 22, 2021

Good and ambitious company

Bought an Epic phantom 67L summer 2016. Worked just fine and felt like some nice quality compared to the price. Got a nice "hull" warranty. After 1½ year the wheels started to get stuck and it became a real annoying to pull the bag around. Wrote to their support and they send four new (better quality) wheels. So formidable support and custom handling - only reason for only 4 stars is why they didn't but those HQ wheels on in the first place? Otherwise I am very satisified!

Date of experience : February 01, 2018

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Hiked the Camino? Here are 7 pilgrimages to consider for your next challenge

Aug 23, 2024 • 0 min read

Pilgrimage routes like the St Olav Waterway from Finland to Sweden let seekers give thanks, pray or find inner peace and purpose. Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A sacred path to spiritual renewal. A journey from head to heart. A test of endurance. A life-changing road to enlightenment.

Since time immemorial, people have gone on pilgrimages to seek forgiveness, give thanks, pray or find inner peace and purpose in times of change and crisis. St Augustine nailed it 1500 years ago when he said: “ solvitur ambulando ” (“it is solved by walking”). After all, what could be more intuitive than putting one foot in front of another, following a clear path to a goal? A pilgrimage is a metaphor for life.

And across the world, pilgrimages are booming.

In 2023, a record-breaking 446,073 pilgrims walked the Camino de Santiago to the shrine of the Apostle St James. But this well-trodden path is merely the first among equals among the world’s great pilgrimage routes.

Religious or not, you will be profoundly touched by the natural beauty, history and unique insights into culture and spirituality on these seven epic pilgrimages – slow-travel adventures taking you from the mist-draped mountains of Japan to the island-speckled south coast of Finland.

1. St Olav Waterway, Sweden and Finland

Best for island hopping and sea views

To slip away from civilization and back to nature, the island-hopping, coast-hugging St Olav Waterway that links Turku in Finland with Eckerö (Åland) in Sweden is the dream. A rousing 10-day romp of 215km (134 miles), this is a pilgrimage trail like few others. For starters, you don’t have to walk it – you can cycle or kayak if you prefer, with ferries joining the gaps. 

Whatever your mode of transport, look forward to stupendous views of sea and sky. The trail skips over many rocky isles and skerries as it crosses the Åland Islands , where you have the space to zone out for a spell and be at one with the blues of the Baltic and greens of the pine forest in a place silent enough to hear your own heartbeat. Bring binoculars and you might well spot migratory birds, hares, deer and the odd elk swimming from island to island. 

Following the route pilgrims hiked and sailed in the Middle Ages and honoring one of the most famous Scandi saints, this route is less about showstopping highlights and more about embracing every element and sense along the way. Admire the brilliant stars as you wild camp. Take bracingly cold post-sauna dips in the sea. Stop off in tiny, timber-built villages and savor local produce for picnics at wayside farm shops.

After a week or so, you’ll discover lost rhythms and find a deeper connection with the Nordics and their wondrous nature.

2. Kumano Kodō, Japan

Best for holy shrines and hot springs

Threading into densely wooded mountains on Japan ’s Kii Peninsula , the Kumano Kodō is a UNESCO-listed network of pilgrimage trails leading to the Kumano Sanzan, or Three Grand Shrines of Kumano. Once a sacred pilgrimage trail for enlightenment-seeking emperors and samurai, these paths have been trodden for more than a millennium.

Today, the landscape they cut through continues to pulse with a special energy. Walkers can expect ethereally lit bamboo groves, fern-flecked forests and terraced rice paddies, waterfalls plunging over cliff faces and holy mountains revered as kami (gods), Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines.

The main path to Kumano is the Nakahechi Route (Imperial Route) – a well-mapped, 68km (42-mile) journey on foot to unite mind, body and spirit through the challenge of the trail and the beauty of nature. It’s a solid four days of walking up into ragged mountains, through mist-veiled forests and along old stone paths polished smooth by pilgrims’ weary-yet-determined feet. Tea houses and simple inns provide rest and refreshment in isolated villages; you’ll want to follow centuries-old ablutions rituals by bathing in the World Heritage hot springs of Yunomine Onsen . At the end, you’ll descend to the ancient shrine of Hongu Taisha , which has the world’s biggest torii gate. 

Summers on the Kii can be hot and humid and winters cold, so come in the shoulder seasons for mild days and few crowds – plus spring cherry blossoms or glorious autumn foliage.

3. Via Francigena, Italy

Best for heights and hill towns

In the saintly hall of fame, few shine brighter than St Francis of Assisi, born in his namesake  town in Umbria in 1181. Founder of the Franciscan order, this most venerated of Italian saints lived a life of utmost poverty and penance – we’re talking rolling around in thorn bushes to resist temptation, wearing a ragged habit (he only owned one), eating barely nothing and sleeping on stone. St Francis loved nature, saved animals and worked many a medieval miracle, from walking on water to healing the sick and raising the dead. As saints go, few can touch him. 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, the Via Francigena follows in his devout footsteps. If you thought the Camino was challenging, try this 1200km (745-mile) pilgrimage from  Canterbury ’s Gothic, UNESCO-listed cathedral (where Thomas Becket was killed in 1170) to Santa Maria di Leuca in Puglia at Italy ’s sun-scorched heel. As you tramp from England to France , Switzerland and Italy, the weather gradually warms and skies get bluer. The landscapes that unfold are cinematically beautiful: vineyards, fast-flowing rivers and forests, olive-cloaked hills and snow-frosted Alps. In between, abbeys, castles, medieval towns and all the wonders of  Rome await. On the lonely stretches, a sense of spirituality endures.

4. The Portuguese Way, Portugal

Best for an alternative route to Santiago

If the idea of Santiago appeals – yet throngs of pilgrims on the busy Camino Francés (French Way) don’t, there are other ways you can set out and earn your official Compostela certificate. While 219,785 blister-footed pilgrims trekked across the Pyrenees through France and Northern Spain to Santiago’s resplendent medieval cathedral in 2023, just 88,717 came via Portugal . Cue the popular-but-still-less-crowded Caminho Português (Portuguese Way), a spiritually uplifting, month-long, 620km (385-mile) stomp from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela .

Wild Atlantic coastlines, forested hills and national parks stitch together time-lost villages and some of Portugal’s most outstanding cultural sites – from alley-packed, moodily atmospheric  Coimbra , medieval capital for more than a century and home to the UNESCO-listed university that’s the country’s oldest; to convent-topped Tomar , a Knights Templar stronghold; and Moorish Santarém. Stop at beaches for boat-fresh shellfish and vibrant sunsets.

The trail is well-signposted and moderately challenging (expect inclines but no real climbs); the weather tends to be agreeable, too, with spring and autumn the ideal times to walk. Tip: if you want to shave off a bit of time, just hike the 265km (165 miles) from Porto . From here, it takes “only” 10 to 12 days to reach Santiago.

5. St Paul Trail, Türkiye

Best for history and slow travel

The apostle St Paul hailed from Tarsus and spread the Christian faith in Asia Minor in the first century. Honoring this foundational early saint and tracing his footsteps as he embarked on his first missionary journey to Anatolia, the St Paul Trail presents a deep dive into a rural side of  Türkiye  that few visitors get to see. You’ll need to be fit for the 500km (310-mile), at-times-tough hike from the ancient city of Perge (just north of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast) to Yalvaç near Lake Eğirdir. The path is well marked, with handy white-and-red stripes on rocks and trees. 

History lovers will be in their element here, as the route picks its way along stone-paved Roman roads, medieval paths and old shepherd trails, taking in aqueducts and ancient theaters; Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman towns and cities; and ruined temples, castles, mosques and churches. But the wild beauty of the Taurus Mountains also touches deep: pine, beech and juniper forests, high pastures, canyons and valleys, glass-clear streams and turquoise falls. In between are hamlets where the pace of life is refreshingly slow, where cheese and yogurt are still made the traditional way, and in which you can momentarily forget which century we live in. 

Avoid the blistering heat of summer and opt instead for spring or autumn. April, May, September and October are fine times to hike this month-long trail, along which you’ll be staying in private homes, at simple B&Bs or under canvas.

6. Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka

Best sacred mountain sunrise

Soaring high above the lush green tea plantations and forests of Sri Lanka ’s cloud-wreathed Central Highlands, cone-shaped, 2243m(7360ft)-high Adam’s Peak (Śrī Pāda) is the country’s most sacred mountain. Scrambling up 5200 steps to the top is a rite of passage for pilgrims of different faiths, who flock here from the world over to pray and express gratitude.

The name refers to the giant footprint-shaped marking at the summit, which some say is where Adam first set foot on earth when he was cast out of the Garden of Eden. Buddhists believe it was left by Buddha en route to paradise, while Hindus insist it is Shiva’s doing. No matter the religion, this holiest of peaks is the end goal of a long, sweaty, back-breaking climb from the village of Dalhousie (allow around 8 hours for the up-and-back trek).

Religious or not, climbing Adam’s Peak is a spiritual experience – and proof that you don’t need to hike for days or weeks to experience the transformative power of pilgrimage. Begin at night as the stars twinkle, joining fellow pilgrims with head-torches flickering like fireflies to climb the steps. You’ll then arrive at the summit as day breaks and sunrise touches the island like a golden blessing. The pilgrimage season begins on poya (full moon) day in December and runs until the Vesak festival in May.

7. Wexford Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way, Ireland and Wales

Best for wild waves and Celtic spirit

Just imagine for a second how St Aidan must have felt back in the sixth century as he trod, staff in hand, along the wave-whipped shores of the Atlantic from Ferns in Ireland to St Davids in Wales to meet his mentor St David.

Now drop yourself right in the moment.

The recently launched Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way is a tale of two saints and two Celtic lands. Heading up and over gorse-clad cliff and along dune-flanked beach for 260km (162 miles) and crossing the Irish Sea by ferry, this pilgrimage trail enthralls with cultural heritage in the form of ruined abbeys, romantic castles, Celtic wells, Marian shrines and the clincher: magnificent St David’s Cathedral , which hosts the relics of Wales’ beloved patron saint. 

Believer or not, nature is sure to grab you. In what the Celts would have described as a “liminal space” – where the gap between heaven and earth is small – these coastal landscapes touch the soul. Feel the spiritual connection with the living world standing atop wild, storm-smashed, lighthouse-topped Strumble Head, where seabirds (fulmars, razorbills, guillemots, peregrines) dive and screech while dolphins and seals splash offshore.

Broken up into nine bite-sized day walks of roughly 14 miles (22km) apiece and digitally way-marked, the trail is easy enough to hike and navigate, with overnight accommodation offered at sanctuaries, farms and hostels.

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