7 Family-Friendly Rewilding Travel Experiences in Europe
Keen to take a trip where kids can track wildlife, get their hands dirty and actually help restore an ecosystem? Look no further than a rewilding experience.
Photo by Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe.
Have you heard of rewilding? The movement has grown across Europe and we’re thrilled to introduce a family-friendly capsule collection of tours from the leaders in the field at Rewilding Europe Travel.
For many of us living tethered to technology, travel remains one of the last outlets for us to experience the natural world. Leaving our urban and suburban bubbles opens our eyes to the ways humans are intrinsically linked to nature and its rhythms. And as we say often, reconnecting with nature while traveling is especially beneficial and formative for children. Nature, on the other hand, doesn’t always profit from the interaction.
The detrimental effects human activity has had on the environment and its ecosystems are no secret. The planet has reached a critical biodiversity crisis, having lost nearly 70% of our species in the last fifty years due to the rapid development and industrialization of our world.
As we wait for systemic change and the switch to renewable energy sources to transform the industry, we believe the benefits of traveling responsibly can still outweigh the impact. One of those ways families to get out into nature and use travel as a force for good: the rewilding travel experience.
Photo by Mael Balland.
What is rewilding?
At its simplest, rewilding is a type of ecological restoration that gives nature a jumpstart so that it can heal and rebuild itself.
Rewilding Europe came into existence in 2011 when they began reclaiming huge swaths of land across the continent in order to preserve and rebuild biodiversity. For more than a decade they have worked tirelessly to remove dams and other manmade restrictions, and replenish native species that have gone extinct in certain areas. Sometimes this means reintroducing a predator to balance out populations, but it also involves boosting wildlife at every level of the food chain.
Rewilding projects have sprung up around the world, from Belize down to Chilean Patagonia and Lebanon to Rwanda. Many of these projects have integrated travel into their operations so that curious visitors can get involved with while on vacation.
Rewilding Europe Travel, the nonprofit tourism arm of the flagship rewilding endeavor, has come up with an ever-growing list of simple yet powerful itineraries that enable everyday travelers to visit rewilding ecosystems, support the movement, and benefit from its alchemy. Local food and wine, direct support to rural communities, and – most importantly – the immersion in and education on nature, lie at the heart of these one-of-a-kind trips.
Below is a collection of ideal trips for families. Any of these itineraries would make an awesome addition to a longer visit to a country or a stop along a train journey or road trip through Europe. Thanks to the very nature of the tours, choosing a rewilding experience helps reduce overtourism and guarantees all the benefits nature has to offer to us and our little ones.
This in turn helps tip the scales back in the favor of biodiversity and sets our future generations on the same path.
Photo by Umberto Esposito / Rewilding Europe.
Italy
Italy's Big Five: This tour, while exploring a similar terrain as the one above, widens its focus to five species making an exciting comeback in the region: Marsican bears, deer, wild boars, wolves, and chamois, an adorably graceful mountain goat endemic to the area.
The Big Five tour also gives visitors insight into how to move through nature and how to track and approach wildlife. It includes rugged mountain, valley, and forest terrain, as well as visits to traditional villages in the area.
This 4-day itinerary is recommended for spring and fall – perfect weather for shoulder-season travel – and can also be booked privately during the summer. A favorite among families, it has a moderate difficulty level but is easy to adapt to individual needs.
Winter wolf tracking in Italy’s Apennines: The Apennine Mountains sit deep in the heart of Italy, or deep in the shin, depending on how you look at it.
By the end of the 1960s, the wolf population in this area had dropped below 100. Now, with the help of a member organization of the Rewilding Europe Network, seven or eight wolf packs roam the slopes.
Education – turning the public’s fear into awareness and protection – makes up a big part of the rewilding process for predators such as the Apennine wolves. The tour gives visitors an in-depth lesson into how these beautiful creatures live and how they help their ecosystem, all while walking the very terrain they inhabit.
This 4-day itinerary includes wolf-tracking excursions, evening hikes timed to the hear wolves howling, and possible sightings of other indigenous species such as chamois, Marsican brown bear, and golden eagles. Some down-time is also scheduled in. The hikes fall into the moderate and easy categories, making this a good trip for teens, tweens, and active under-tens.
Photo by Staffan Widstrand / Rewilding Europe.
Portugal
Coa Valley: For those looking for a healthy balance of exploration and relaxation, the Coa Valley tour fits the bill.
Easy hikes, picnic lunches surrounded by plentiful wildlife, and an evening or morning dip in the hotel pool; what more could you ask for?
The herd of semi-wild Sorraia horses that have been reintroduced to this rapidly regenerating landscape headline this itinerary. Other key species include birds of prey critical to the rewilding process such as vultures, golden eagles, and black storks.
Bookable all year round, this tour is best for smaller families of up to four. Accommodation options range from village villas to wine estates. Local guide Fernando Romão leads the excursions bringing all his expertise on natural history, photography, and birding
Photo by Wild Sweden / Rewilding Europe.
Swedish Lapland
Winter Aurora Borealis, Sámi Culture and Wildlife trip: Far from the ice hotels and Santa villages of modern civilization, this rewilding adventure opens visitors’ eyes to the true local magic of this winter wonderland.
The cultural and natural abundance of Swedish Lapland showcased here encompasses everything from northern lights viewings to husky sledding, with a special focus on the Sámi food and culture.
In addition to a visit to a traditional Sámi camp – think tents and cabins, snowshoeing expeditions and fireside meals – this tour includes ample opportunity for wildlife tracking and spotting. Rare species of birds and squirrels as well as moose, reindeer, and foxes make up just a fraction of the inhabitants of Lapland’s arctic ecosystem.
This 7-day itinerary offers a one-of-a-kind immersion in a culture that revolves around the preservation of the natural world. Husky sledding and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing treks are interspersed with simple luxuries such visits to a wood-fired sauna. Perfectly suitable for ages 8 and up.
Photo by Sue Carvell / Rewilding Europe.
Wildlife and Wolf Howling of Central Sweden: Taking place just a few hour hours away from Stockholm, this tour immerses its visitors fully in the countryside.
The combination of two nights in a beautifully restored and preserved manor house and one night at a rustic camp site make for a perfect taste of all that the area has to offer.
The rewilding projects taking place in this region include the moose populations along the Lankälven River. Visitors have the opportunity to track the moose, often coming up close to the majestic creatures, as well as taking part in the rewilding activities themselves. A beaver safari and a nighttime stakeout to hopefully tune into the soulful howl of the wolf are the other highlights of this fabulous trip.
With little strenuous activity and plenty of time for relaxed wandering, this itinerary lends itself to curious families of all ages and physical abilities. Meals include delicious spreads prepared using local produce, a tasty campfire meal, and picnics in the field. Ideal for summer months.
Photo by Daniel Mirlea / Rewilding Europe.
Romania
Bison and Wildlife Tracking in the Tarcu Mountains: Romania may not appear on many travel buckets lists, which makes it an awesome place to explore, especially in such a unique, nature-positive way.
This trip mixes in stays in a local guesthouse with nights spent camping for a lovely balance of nature and village life.
The people of the village in question, Armenis, play a key role in the rewilding of the bison herd taking place in this part of the Southern Carpathians. The rewilding project also brings a welcome injection of economic support, and locals are happy to share stories and experiences with visitors around the catered meals and other interactions built into the itinerary.
Tracking excursions to spot the bison themselves are supplemented with birdwatching, swims in the lake, getting to know the local crafts, and bonfires. This trip is a great gateway experience for the adventure-curious family ready to dip their toe into the camping scene. Hikes are moderate but adaptable to the individual needs for ages 8 and up.
Photo by We Wilder / Rewilding Europe.
Spain
Canyonlands and Wildlife of the Alto Tajo: Rewilding Europe’s newest trip is set in the highlands of Spain, just hours from Madrid.
This little-trod destination is rife with gorgeous panoramic views and newly swelling populations of semi-wild Serrano horses, Ibex, and deer.
Combining all the classic Rewilding activities, the Alto Tajo itinerary includes hikes through stunning landscapes, picnics, birdwatching, and cozy, homecooked meals. What sets this location apart, aside from an incredible variety of endemic trees, vultures, and dragonflies, respectively, are the Spanish Civil War trenches, ancient cave art, and impressive salt flats spotted along the way.
This 5-day itinerary features moderate to advanced hikes, but can be tailored to individual group needs, as well as friendly accommodation at a local family-run hotel. Horse lovers will fall for the both the Serrano and the soon-to-be-reintroduced Taurus herds.
Photo by David Davidov / Rewilding Europe.
This handful of tours represents some of the best family adventures offered by Rewilding Europe Travel. Check out their website for more options and details, and feel free to get in touch directly to book. Whether you have an aspiring photographer, animal lover, locavore foodie, or all of the above in the family, these trips offer the ultimate in disconnecting from technology while learning from and reconnecting with nature. And in turn, every rewilding tour supports local families and contributes to saving the biodiversity of our magnificent planet.
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