I’ve had a realisation. Before moving back to London from Athens last year, I used to walk for two hours a day before work as the bare minimum. Now? I barely walk at all.
In Athens (or when visiting the Greek islands), I’d set my alarm early and stroll along long stretches of coastline. I’d walk from my house to the city centre to meet friends. I’d wander from one side of the city to the other just to visit my favourite coffee spot (Philos in Kolonaki, if you’re wondering).
Back in London? The story’s a little different. London is a convenient city. The tube takes you everywhere you need to be. And if there isn’t a tube, the bus will get you there. In theory, it’s easy to walk in and around London – we have the most public parks of any city in Europe, and many of them are beautiful. Yet, I’ve been living back in London for almost a year now and have only visited them a handful of times. When I did, it was usually for a picnic on a long summer evening or to take my nephew to a playpark – not to spend time walking around them, just because.
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After spending last weekend in Madrid, where I walked everywhere – to lunch, to the museums, to see all the sights – I began to wonder why I don’t walk more back at home. Parks aside, we have some incredible buildings across London that we forgo admiring when we choose to travel deep in the underground, standing arm-to-arm with strangers inside what is essentially a small metal can.
Inspired by the way we explore other destinations, I’ve signed up to walk through Liverpool for Pink October as part of MGallery’s Move & Care campaign. It takes place on 14 October and, as well as supporting a brilliant cause, I’m using it as a reason to move more in my own city too. I’ve set myself a mini resolution – over the next few weeks (and beyond the event, I hope), I’ll be exploring more of London’s parks on foot, taking morning strolls along its canal network, and forgoing the tube in favour of walking to work. What a wonderful way to explore and appreciate our beautiful city, while moving more at the same time.
Many tourists are latching onto a similar idea in the form of running tourism. According to the 2026 Tripadvisor Trendcast report, travelling for a fitness-focused holiday has seen an “11% increase year-over-year,” resulting in a “faster growth than any other trip type.” Running tourism (also known as a sweat-cation, move-cation, race-cation, sweat-jetting and marathon tourism) has become an increasingly popular way for people to see new-to-them parts of the world. CF’s wellness director is a big fan: she recently took part in the Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll Ultra in Iceland, and she’ll be sharing her guide to running tourism later this month, as well as a detailed guide to wellness in Iceland. Perhaps one day I’ll run a marathon (or a half) in an overseas city too, but, for now, I’m excited to use daily movement as a way to see more of London and Liverpool – the latter a city I haven’t visited in years. And yes, I’ll be staying overnight at MGallery the night before to make the most of it. Follow along on CF’s Instagram stories, and my own.
The Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool – MGallery Collection
Running and walking are great ways to see a city, but as we move towards 2027, there are countless new ways that people are exploring destinations – and this is something we’re seeing a lot more interest in from Citizen Femme readers, too. Gone are the days when a nice hotel could entice you to book – now you’re interested in what the hotel or location can offer in terms of activities and experiences. How it can help you grow. This might mean taking part in an organised walk like the one I’m doing later in the month, or it might mean taking an immersive trip where you study a new language, attend a life-coaching retreat, or take part in what we like to call ‘Grandma hobbies’ – foraging, knitting, bread making or birdwatching.
But my ‘I-should-walk-more’ epiphany wasn’t the only way I felt like I grew on my recent trip to Spain. I stayed at Nobu Madrid and made the most of their offer to arrange a private tour of the city’s Thyssen Museum, which showcases a private collection of art from the 13th century through to the present day. I was entranced. Without the usual crowds of people in a gallery – and with no one peering over my shoulder at a painting, or blocking my view entirely – I felt like I was actually inside some of the painted landscapes, like Canaletto’s La Plaza de San Marcos en Venecia (1723-1724), and I felt my brain’s dopamine soar when I looked at the brightly coloured dots of André Derain’s Waterloo Bridge (1906). I loved the experience so much that I’m researching art history classes to take in London – a true example of how travel experiences can and do seep into our everyday lives, perhaps even setting us on a path of lifelong learning.
André Derain’s Waterloo Bridge (1906) at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid
Art is a big theme for Citizen Femme throughout October too. Frieze takes place in London this month, and on 6 October we’re hosting a panel talk – The Art of Travel – with speakers including Dina Andrzheychik (Membership Lead EMEA & APAC, Frieze and Frieze Masters), Natasha Shafi (CEO, Mr & Mrs Smith) and Melissa Digby-Bell (art consultant and curator, founder of Offshoot Arts). We’re looking forward to seeing you there. We’ll also be sharing information about the art to see this October. We’ve got Dina’s guide to Frieze 2026; we’re attending exhibition previews to bring you a first look at the hottest tickets in town; and we’re revealing which restaurants to book in London if you want to dine next to pieces by Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.
It’s often the beginning of January when people decide to make resolutions, but it seems I’ve accidentally decided to make October the month to do so – and I invite you to join me. I’ll be walking more and visiting more galleries and exhibitions. What do you want to do this month to improve, change, or recalibrate the way you operate on a day-to-day basis?
Whatever it is, I’m right there with you.
Any Questions or Tips to add?