An international royal

Although he spent only 18 months on Corfu before being smuggled away in an orange cart following a military uprising against his family, Prince Philip remains a part of the island’s history. He was born close to Corfu Town, at the Mon Repos villa, where plans are afoot to create a permanent exhibition to his life. Our walking holiday on Corfu explores the unspoiled western side of the island – its ancient footpaths, olive groves and thick, wooded slopes – but it’s an easy day trip from here to the capital, or you could add a city break in Corfu Town at the end of your walking holiday.

A great grandson of Christian IX, Philip also had strong ties to the Danish royal family. The Danes have many magnificent royal palaces at their disposal – two of which you can visit on our short cycling break in Denmark. The first day’s ride takes you through forest and villages of thatched cottages to the edge of the Royal North Sealand National Park, where you will find the Royal Palace of Fredensborg, known as the ‘Danish Versailles’ for its elaborate façade. Later in the holiday, you can visit impressive Frederiksborg Castle, the largest Renaissance castle in Scandinavia.

Just before he married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947, Prince Philip was created Duke of Edinburgh by her father, George VI. He enjoyed a strong association with the city, spending over 50 years as Chancellor of Edinburgh University, and using the Palace of Holyroodhouse – the Queen’s official residence in Scotland – as the backdrop for his annual Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award presentations to Scottish youngsters. We offer an Edinburgh city break, which makes a highly enjoyable add-on to our walking holiday in the Scottish Borders.

The two years Prince Philip spent on Malta are widely believed to be among the most joyful in his life. A rewarding naval career and the chance to step away from the spotlight no doubt contributed significantly to his happiness, but Malta and its neighbouring islands are themselves very special places. We offer a centre-based walking holiday on Gozo – as unhurried an island as you can imagine, where fertile farmland tumbles towards dramatic cliffs and idyllic bays, and old traditions are cherished. Gozo is but a short ferry ride from Malta, and we recommend adding a Malta city break to experience its rich history and culture.

As the Queen’s much-loved Christmas retreat, Sandringham naturally played a large part in the life of her husband, too. Prince Philip spent much of his retirement at Wood Farm – a modest farmhouse set in a secluded corner of the estate, and was said to have taken a keen interest in local issues. Our hotel-to-hotel walking holiday in North Norfolk, begins close to Sandringham, in the pretty village of Snettisham, and it also includes a stay at The Victoria Inn in Holkham – where Philip himself stayed as a boy when his family visited the Earl of Leicester at his adjoining country seat, Holkham Hall.