Before I begin, there’s something that I need to get off my chest: I’m a serial foot neglecter.
Although, I take comfort in knowing that I’m not the only one. Regularly punished by squeezing into shoes that are too high, too tight or by walking kilometres without appropriate footwear, our feet are mistreated way too often.
Whether on the beach, in a barrel of grapes, or in a foot spa, there are plenty of ways to show your feet the attention they are so regularly denied while at home (your feet need holidays too you know!).
Read on for my list of top 10 tootsy-focussed tourist activities.
1. Doctor fish
Not for the squeamish, this experience attracts many curious travellers tripping around Asia. Succumbing to well-versed salespeople, tourists are invited to place their feet into a tank full of small toothless fish called Garra Rufa fish, or ‘Doctor Fish’ who suck away the dead skin on their heels. I know; it sounds gross, but the reward of silky smooth feet when you finish far outweighs the initial repulsion.
Fly to Thailand for the Doctor Fish treatment.
Warning: it tickles!
2. Grape stomping
Before bob cats and wine vats, the grapes of your favourite Chardy were crushed by the hardworking feet of the labourers at the vineyard.
So why not be a part of history and try your hand – or your foot – at the ancient craft? And you don’t have to fly to Italy; you can feel the grapes between your toes at the annual Stomping of the Grapes Festival in Gerringong in February 2014 – hurrah!
3. Trekking in the Himalayas
Holding an unwavering spot on my bucket list, trekking in the Himalayas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Located in Asia, the Himalayas pass through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar, and are home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
Not up for climbing Mount Everest? No worries – you can stop and admire the view from many smaller vantage points.
Fly to Nepal and pull on your hiking boots!
This view is worth the blisters…
4. Pedicure
After hiking the Himalayas, or walking around barefoot in summer for that matter, your toes will need some serious lovin’ that only a pedicure can provide.
Kick back and have your feet soaked, massaged and moisturised by expert hands at a beauty salon almost anywhere in the world. Why not book a pedicure in France and get some French tips while you’re at it – oui oui!
Or, just pamper your tired tootsies locally.
5. Ice skating at the Rockefeller Centre, NYC
When the temperature begins to rise in Australia, it drops in New York; snow begins to fall and festive cheer fills the air. It’s around this time of year that you can go ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
From November – January, you can pull on your ice skates and experience the frosty festivities. Stretching 37 metres long and 18 metres wide, the rink can only fit 150 spectators at a time, making it a refreshingly uncrowded experience.
6. Tango dancing in Argentina
A rhythmic style of dancing that originated at the end of the 19th century in Buenos Aires, the tango has many different variations that have spread internationally.
Whether you’re a pro or have two left feet like me, you’ll be able to learn the tango and find your dancing feet in Argentina – olé!
7. Bata Shoe Museum
Stuck in Toronto with a love of shoes and an empty itinerary? Problem solved: head to the Bata Shoe Museum for a healthy dose of foot-related history.
From essays about influential shoes and a collection of footwear through the ages, to the rise of the sneaker culture, there is something at the Bata Shoe Museum for everyone. So put on your walking shoes and open your mind.
8. Custom-made sandals
Ever wondered why Europeans have such great shoes? It’s thanks to leather merchants like the Pagonis family who have been hand-making beautiful leather sandals in the Greek Islands since 1940.
If you’re heading to the Greek Island of Naxos anytime soon, make sure you factor in a stop here; after all, these sandals are the perfect accessory to that golden European tan 😉
9. Barefoot bowls
An Aussie tradition, barefoot bowls involves heading to the local bowling club (‘the bowlo’) with a group of friends, throwing shoes to the side and playing lawn bowls.
The game is best enjoyed on a sunny day, with a couple of glasses of wine to really assist with the hand-eye coordination that is required to get the big ball to the other end of the court where the little ball is waiting (I’m better at the wine-drinking part).
Rest your feet in an Aussie hotel post-game.
10. Foot reflexology
Also known as ‘zone therapy’, reflexology is a natural healing practice based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears that correspond to every ‘zone’ or part of the body.
While medical professionals believe there is no proof in the effectiveness of reflexology, many people stand by the natural therapy, so why not treat your feet and see what all the fuss is about?
Reflexology is said to have originated from Egypt, India and China – jump on a flight and experience the real deal.
Foot reflexology