My Favorite Walking and Running Spots During Travel

I've traveled a lot in my lifetime, so I have some favorite travel walking and running spots to share with you. These running and walking experiences during travel are quite memorable. I will share eight of my favorite travel walking and running venues on the globe:

Most Energizing Walk: Manhattan Borough of New York City

Manhattan has an electricity that runs through the soles of people's walking or running shoes when they set foot on this legendary island for travel or other purposes. Even as the sidewalks are quite crowded with people, I felt as if I were being steadily and quickly moved along by some higher Gotham power, covering some 80 bustling and snow-covered city blocks in under an hour one December evening!

Favorite Mall Walk: Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota

On mornings before opening up, this shopping mall (that's full of walking and running shoes to buy) emanates a peaceful, uninhabited ambience that can't be beat for an indoor venue. Each perimeter of the mall is designed differently, so it appears that one is in a different place with every turn around the corner. But when this mall is crowded, I must admit it's one of the worst places to move steadily around in.

Most Difficult But Rewarding Walk: The Great Wall of China

I walked a 90 minute roundtrip stretch on top of this legendary wall once in my lifetime, navigating many of its rough and uneven steps. Consequently, I could not establish a steady gait, causing my leg muscles to be sore for days afterward. It made the rest of my travel in China more painful. Elderly Chinese men and women put me to shame by effortlessly blitzing past me on this uneven travel hotspot!

Most Difficult City for a Fast Walker: Madrid, Spain

The Spanish people are ever so down to earth and friendly, but there are two things that they take their very sweet time in accomplishing: dining and walking around town as if they are mired in quicksand. Two or more people will hoard the sidewalk and rarely take the hint that someone is trying to pass them quickly via walking or running.

Favorite Below Ground Walking: London, England Underground (Subway System)