WALKING HOLIDAYS

Holidays in 

Europe by 

air from your 

local airport 

Walking Holidays 

Collection 2019 

to March 2020

Welcome to our latest collection of Walking Holidays! 

On a Preferred Travel Services Walking Holiday you 

get the best of all worlds – recharge the batteries on a 

holiday, discover so much about the local culture, flora 

and fauna with an expert guide, enjoy the scenery of 

Europe’s most picturesque countryside and beauty 

spots, and keep fit at the same time! All this in the 

company of like-minded travellers from all over the 

UK. 

But while the walking content of our holidays is very 

important of course, it is not the whole story. With 

three guided walks included in each holiday, there is 

ample opportunity for you to discover more about the 

area you are visiting at your own pace and in your own 

time. 

The majority of our holidays are half board in the 

hotels, and, with departures from local airports, you 

also avoid the cost and hassle of travelling to one of 

the major hubs. No wonder our unique style attracts 

such a high level of repeat bookings. Hundreds of our 

customers have travelled with us five or more times, 

many, more than ten, and a few, more than twenty 

times! 

We hope you will find at least one, if not several, holidays 

of appeal. If you do – give us a call on 0116 279 3929 – this 

will also be a different experience. No hanging around 

listening to a series of options, no ‘please wait for the 

next available operator’ – a real person will answer you 

straight away! And we guarantee that the price of your 

holiday will not change after we have confirmed your 

booking. Your money is safe with us as all our holidays 

are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. 

We also offer Escorted Holidays throughout Europe 

including some which operate alongside walking 

holidays in this brochure. If you would like details of 

these and other escorted holidays call us on 0116 279 

3929 or visit www.preferredts.com 

GROUP TRAVEL, WALKING CLUBS: Group discounts 

are available from as few as 10 paying passengers. 

Exclusive departures are also available. Please contact 

us on 0116 279 3929 or e-mail groups@preferredts.com 

for further details. 

We have negotiated no single supplements on selected dates in Catalonia, Cyprus, Portugal, Crete, and on the Costa Blanca. 

But make your booking quickly as availability is limited and spaces always sell out very fast. 

We believe our walking guides are among the best in the business – here are some recent comments about 

them below. 

The hotels were comfortable and clean. The courier Janika was 

excellent given the fact she had to divide her time between 

walkers and tourists. She managed this expertly and with a 

great deal of attention to both parties. The walking guides 

were very informative and interesting pointing out all points 

of interest……….As a final note - we feel that Preferred Travel's 

organisation of such a complicated trip was first class. 

Mr & Mrs T, Nuneaton (Julian Alps of Slovenia) 

We really enjoyed the holiday, it was well-run with one of the 

best representatives we’ve ever had; the walking exceeded our 

expectations; weather was mostly good……. We will certainly 

travel with you again and have already recommended you to 

some friends. 

Mrs O, Newcastle (Eastern Andalucia) 

Very pleased with holiday as a whole. Walks very good and 

interesting including taking in wonderful scenery. Guides 

knowledgable as to local ancient and modern history and 

eager to engage in conversation. 

Mr H, Edinburgh, (Crete – Coast & Mountains) 

Had wonderful time. Maria had beautiful voice - happy - 

mischievous - a knowledgeable, confident & competent guide. 

Driver excellent. Walks & guide - very professional. Hotels ok. 

Staff lovely especially in France. 

Mrs T, Orkney (Valleys of the Roussillon) 

Tour Director and local guide exceptionally knowledgeable 

and among the best we have experienced in 20+ years of 

travelling together. 

Mr & Mrs B, Kent (Eastern Andalucia) 

Fantastic holiday. Everyone was helpful and the walks were 

fantastic. Mr Y, Herts (Mallorca) 

My 4th holiday with PTS, 3rd walking and not disappointed. 

Will be looking at another(s). Well organised and easy to book. 

Lovely staff at your office. No single supplement an attraction. 

Many thanks for your hospitality. Mrs H, Ayrshire (Catalonia) 

Fantastic holiday, the walking was amazing and Javier 

was a splendid guide about the Flora, Fauna and general 

information….Thank you it was fabulous! 

Mrs G, Leicester (Menorca) 

First time with PTS would certainly recommend you and 

hope to travel with you again……..A lovely experience and 

introduction to Catalonia. Thank you. 

Mrs T, Shropshire (Catalonia – Trails & Rails) 

It was my first holiday with PTS and I've already booked my 

next trip for April next year. Thank you. 

Mrs M, West London (Costa Blanca Mountains) 

First class all the way - without a doubt, everything went 

according to plan as we have come to expect - top rate 

standards and value for money having had 4 walking holidays 

with PTS. The representatives on the Island and carefully 

selected Walking Guides complimented the holiday…..there 

was absolutely no doubt we were going to have a marvellous 

holiday.... and we did. 

Mrs L, Worcs (Cyprus) 

HOW TO BOOK MADE EASY 

RESERVATIONS HOTLINE: 0116 279 3929 

(Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri & 9am-1pm Sat) 

You can request a booking online at www.preferredts.com. Or make a provisional booking by calling our reservations hotline on 0116 279 3929 or e-mail sales@ 

preferredts.com and then complete a booking form and return it with the deposit payment of £125 per person (or full balance if applicable) to Preferred Travel 

Services, 41 High Street, Kibworth, Leicester, LE8 0HS. Please make cheques payable to Preferred Travel Services.

WALKING HOLIDAYS COLLECTION 

4 Andalucia's Eastern Coast 18 Monte Isola & the Camonica Valley 

5 The Sierras of the Orange Blossom Coast 19 The Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo 

6 The Costa Blanca Mountains 20 The Cinque Terre, Portofino & Lake Maggiore 

7 Mallorca 21 Elba & Tuscany 

8 Catalonia 22 Lake Maggiore 

9 Catalonia - Trails & Rails 23 Crete - Coast & Mountains 

10 The Valleys of Roussillon 24 Crete, Gouves - no single supplement 

11 Menorca 25 Poland - Krakow & the High Tatras 

11 Menorca - Walking & Birdwatching 26 The Julian Alps of Slovenia, Venice & Trieste 

12 Portugal - Walking & Birdwatching 27 Romania - Transylvanian Alps & Bucharest 

13 France - Camargue, Alpilles & Crau 28 Cyprus - Akamas PenInsula & the Troodos Mountains 

14 Portugal - the Algarve 29 Tenerife 

15 Portugal - Cascais & the Sintra Natural Park 30 General Information 

16 The Guadiana River & Western Andalucia 31 Booking form 

17 Tuscany & Liguria 32 About Us

Andalucia’s Eastern Coast 

8 days from £619 February to November 2019, February & March 2020 

of the Alhambra and the Generalife 

Gardens. (Please note that, due to 

restrictions on group visits, the Nasrid 

Palaces part of the complex may not be 

included in the visit.) As well as visiting 

the complex, you will also have plenty 

of time to see some of the city’s other 

attractions such as the cathedral and 

the old Moorish quarter of Albaicin, now 

a UNESCO World Heritage Site together 

with the Alhambra and the Generalife. 

Glorious hills and mountains, pretty beaches and coves, the azure waters 

of the southern Mediterranean and a wonderful sub-tropical climate – what 

else do you need for a walking holiday in the sunshine? Andalucia’s eastern 

coast (known as the Costa Tropical) is all this. Your base is the coastal city 

of Almunecar where the sierras plunge spectacularly into the sea and you 

will find no less than 25 beaches and coves within the boundary of the 

municipality. It is a city whose Phoenician, Roman and Moorish past is still 

much in evidence. Granada is only 45 miles away and you have an included 

visit to the last city to be surrendered by the Moors in 1492. 

• 7 nights hb in Almuñecar, on the Costa Tropical • 2 coastal walks 

• Mountain walk near white-painted Frigiliana 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Malaga and transfer 

to your hotel (55 miles) in Almunecar on 

the beach east of the city for seven nights 

half board accommodation. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: During your stay 

there are three included walks. 

Walk 1: Short 5-minute transfer to the 

start of your walk east along the coast. 

You walk via gorges, cliff and coastal 

paths along beaches and coves, passing 

ancient watch towers, and with excellent 

views as you go. Your destination is the 

old town of Salobrena, where there is an 

Arab Fortress and from where you catch 

the local bus back to the hotel. 6 miles, 

120m of ascent and descent. 

Walk 2: 10-mile coach trip west to your 

start point at Playa Canuelo, from where 

you walk along the old coastal route to La 

Herradura – 6 miles so far, 230m of ascent/ 

descent. After a stop for lunch at La 

Herradura, either catch the local bus back 

to Almunecar, or continue walking over 

the headland to Cotobro and Almunecar 

– a further 4 miles, 100m ascent/descent. 

From Almunecar centre, take the local 

bus or continue along the promenade to 

the hotel. 

Walk 3: Today you have a coach transfer 

to Frigiliana, 16 miles away, for your 

circular walk in the hills behind this pretty 

white-painted village. The undulating 

route takes you to the Cross on Captain 

Pinto’s Hill (the good captain built a cross 

to give thanks for surviving a horrendous 

storm at sea). You return via the little 

village of La Molineta, where we make 

a refreshment stop, and then return to 

Frigiliana. 6 miles, 400m of ascent and 

descent. There may be the opportunity 

to include a section of river walk, weather 

permitting. 

There are opportunities for selfguided 

walks from Almunecar – our 

representative will be pleased to 

advise. There is also an included fullday 

excursion to the wonderful city 

of Granada. There is surely no more 

spectacular setting than Granada whose 

extraordinary Alhambra complex is 

dominated by the snow-capped peaks 

of the Sierra Nevada. A local guide will 

ensure you make the most of your visit 

The rest of your time is free to enjoy 

Almunecar. You can visit the Arab fortress 

built on top of a Roman castle or stroll 

through the delightful botanical gardens 

of Majuelo Park where there is a huge 

collection of tropical and subtropical 

plants, bushes and trees as well as the 

remains of the Roman fish-salting pits. 

Other attractions include the exotic bird 

park and the network of defensive towers 

built by the Moors and later strengthened 

in the 18th century as defence against 

British raids. Or just stroll through the 

busy commercial district in the old 

centre where you can admire the city’s 

monuments – look out for the plaque 

dedicated to Laurie Lee who spent time 

here during and after the Civil War. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until your 

transfer to the airport and your 

return flight home. 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL BAHIA TROPICAL HHHH, 

Taramay, Almunecar (seven nights) 

The hotel is situated on the small 

Pozuelo beach in Taramay on the 

eastern edge of Almunecar, 3 km from 

the city centre. There is a frequent, 

cheap bus service to town if you 

do not want to take the extremely 

pleasant walk along the seafront. Its 

spacious rooms all have bath and wc, 

minibar, satellite tv, safe (chargeable) 

and hairdryer - most have balcony 

or terrace. The restaurant serves 

buffet style food and there is a bar 

with entertainment on most nights. 

The hotel has a large outdoor pool 

and a spa. One entrance to the spa 

is included during your stay (one 

hour use to include active pool with 

water massages, sauna, Turkish bath, 

pediluvium and sensation shower). 

Health and body treatments are 

also available at extra cost. 

(www.hotelbahiatropical.es) 

Extend your holiday – extra week 

available in Taramay. 

If you have friends who are not 

walkers interested in this itinerary, it 

is featured in our Escorted Holidays 

brochure with a touring programme. 

Tel: 0116 279 3929 www.preferredts.com 

Flight Details and Prices are on our website, or please enquire.

The Sierras of the Orange Blossom Coast 

8 days from £719 September & October 

water as a theme. You walk from the 

village up to the castle and then begin a 

circle on the side of the hill overlooking 

the village. Along the way, there are 

pines, cork oaks, and – of course - several 

springs, used for irrigation. 5 miles, 300m 

of ascent/descent. 

Spain is blessed with a rich variety of great walking country – from the 

mountains of Andalucia to the sand-dune cliffs of the Donana, from the 

rocky peaks of the Costa Blanca to hilly vineyards of Catalonia. Much less 

well-known, though of at least equal merit, are the Sierras of the Orange 

Blossom Coast just to the north of Valencia. The coastal area, known as ‘La 

Huerta’, the ‘orchard’, is ancient, irrigated farmland which has provided 

nearby cities with fruit, vegetables and rice for centuries. Not far inland are 

the dramatic landscapes of the Desert of the Palms, the Sierra de Espadan, 

and the Sierra de Irta. The resort of Benicassim is the ideal base from 

which to explore these lands of white villages, watchtowers and Carmelite 

monastic ruins. 

Walk 3: The Coastal Sierra de Irta. Coach 

transfer (45 minutes) to Santa Magdalena 

de Pulpis, from where you walk through 

the Sierra to the coast. Starting through a 

wooded area, you reach a Templar castle, 

which was built on an older Moorish 

fortification. Shortly afterwards you 

reach the high point of the walk; it’s all 

downhill to the coast from here! There 

are carob and ancient olive trees as you 

descend towards the medieval Badum 

watchtower on the coast, near the resort 

of Peniscola. 6 miles, 330m ascent, 450m 

descent. 

You have a little time to explore Peniscola. 

The town’s name is a corruption of 

‘Peninsula’ and the castle is, indeed, 

almost an island. It was built by the 

Knights Templar in the late 13th century, 

but in the 15th became the home of Papa 

Luna, Pope Benedict XIII, the last of the 

Avignon Popes of the Great Schism, who 

took refuge here after being deposed. 

DAY EIGHT: Depart to the airport for your 

flight home. 

• 7 nights hb in Benicassim • Walks in the Sierra de Irta, near Peniscola, 

in the ‘Desert of the Palms’, and in the mountainous Sierra de Espadan 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Valencia or Castellon. 

Transfer to your hotel in Benicassim (an 

hour from Valencia, 30 minutes from 

Castellon), for seven nights’ half-board 

accommodation. 

Benicassim has a pleasant town centre a 

mile inland from the beach, but its pride 

and joy are the splendid Modernista villas 

towards the northern end of the seaside 

avenue. It also has a 3 ½ -mile Via Verde 

Greenway linking the resort with Oropesa 

del Mar – this is a disused coastal railway 

line suitable for walking or cycling and 

featuring spectacular sea views. Take a 

torch for the tunnel! You will learn about 

the influence of the Carmelite order in the 

area during your walk in the Desert of the 

Palms. In town, you might fall under their 

influence yourself at the Carmelitano 

distillery where aromatic liqueurs and 

sweet Moscatel are produced from old 

recipes! There are train and bus services 

from Benicassim to surrounding areas, 

and neighbouring Castellon has both a 

main line station and frequent suburban 

services to Valencia. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: In resort with 

three included walking excursions. 

Walk 1: The Desert of the Palms and its 

Hermitages. You drive the short distance 

inland and up into the Palms Desert 

Natural Park, just behind Benicassim. 

Rising up to over 2000ft, the park 

begins just three miles from the coast 

as the crow flies – rather further by the 

rather twisty road! It is a land of rich 

Mediterranean vegetation and wildlife, 

scattered with castles and hermitages, 

and offering fantastic views both of the 

coast and the precipitous mountains 

inland. The circular walk starts at the 

monastery where there is a short visit 

with entrance fee included. 5 miles, 350m 

of ascent/descent. 

Walk 2: The Sierra de Espadan, Ain - the 

water route. Just under an hour’s drive 

inland is the impressive Sierra where you 

walk today, near the white-painted village 

of Ain, set scenically on its hillside. The 

village’s name means a spring in Arabic, 

so it is appropriate that your route has 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL INTUR BONAIRE HHHH, 

Benicassim (seven nights) 

The hotel is located just 200 yards from 

the beach and 1 ½ miles from the town 

centre of Benicassim. Set in pleasant 

gardens, the hotel has a large outdoor 

swimming pool and a small indoor 

one. There is a bar and restaurant 

serving buffet meals. The comfortable 

bedrooms have bath/shower, wc, tv, 

air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, and 

small fridge, as well as free wifi. Rooms 

with pool-view and terrace come 

at a supplement. Wellness facilities 

(charges apply) are available in a 

neighbouring sister hotel. 

(www.intur.com/hotel-bonaire-benicasim). 







The Costa Blanca Mountains 

8 days from £749 March to November 2019, March 2020 

NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

NOV ‘19 

Alicante up until the early 20th century. 

You then follow an easy footpath through 

pinewoods along the southern flanks 

with views of the valley below. In Jalon, 

you can visit one of the wine Bodegas. 6 

miles with ascents of 80m and descents 

of 525m. 

As well as the Rock of Ifach trail in Calpe, 

there is an eco-trail at the base of Ifach 

and two ‘Voramar’ paths in Calpe along 

the water’s edge to Arenal-Bol beach and 

the marina of Les Bassetes. There will also 

be an optional full day excursion to the 

city of Valencia. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until departure for 

the airport and your flight home. 

Inland from the resorts of the Costa Blanca lies some of the best walking 

country in Spain. The sparsely populated mountains rise up to 3000ft 

and are a haven for wildlife including wild cats and genets, badgers and 

weasels and even golden eagles. Well maintained tracks along the rocky 

peaks and through lush valleys link traditional villages where the old 

Valencian lifestyle still prevails. Your holiday base in Calpe has a bit of 

everything – beautiful beaches, a lively and picturesque old town, stunning 

scenery in the shape of the immense Rock of Ifach and varied wildlife, both 

on the Rock and on the saltpans. 

• 7 nights hb in Calpe • 3 walks amid the mountainous hinterland 

• Optional excursion to Valencia 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Alicante. Transfer to 

your hotel for seven nights half board 

accommodation. Transfer time one hour, 

depending on traffic. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: At leisure in Calpe 

with three included guided walks. 

Walk 1: You will have a short coach 

transfer for the first included walk on 

the unspoilt Serra d’Oltà hills. You follow 

a circular route around the peak, mainly 

along good forestry tracks, with moderate 

ascents of approx 220m and just one 

short section of stony footpath. The 

route affords good views of the coast 

and surrounding mountains as it passes 

through pinewoods and moorland. You 

will make a stop at St Francis’ hermitage. 

The walk is approx 5 miles. 

Walk 2: 30-mile coach transfer to 

Famorca. Following the old road downhill 

through Famorca and another small 

village, you have the chance to explore 

the caves at La Cova. These caves have 

been in continuous use since the 

Palaeolithic period, most recently as a 

refuge for the villagers’ sheep and goats. 

The route ascends along an ancient 

footpath until Castell de Castells comes 

into view. Passing two freshwater springs, 

and an ancient gypsum mill and kilns, 

there is the option of a short ascent to see 

some 1000 year old, but still productive, 

olive trees. Approaching Castell de 

Castells, you cross the medieval irrigation 

viaduct. Originally built by the Moors it is 

still in use today. 7 miles with ascents of 

350m and descents of 600m. 

Walk 3: 50-minute coach transfer to the 

start of the walk which will explore the 

Jalon Valley, famous for its vineyards, 

fine wines and the typical sweet white 

Mistela. The route starts from the summit 

of the Coll de Rates from where you have 

panoramic views of the surrounding 

mountains and the Tárbena Valley, the 

Sierra de Ferrer and the Jalon Valley with 

its whitewashed villages, vineyards and 

citrus groves set out in neat rows. The 

route descends from the Coll de Rates 

along the old Royal Road that takes you 

down into the Jalon Valley. This footpath 

was the principal connection between 

the provincial capitals of Valencia and 

YOUR HOTEL 

DIAMANTE BEACH HOTEL HHHH, 

Calpe (seven nights) 

The hotel is located just a few 

metres from the Levante Beach 

promenade. The hotel’s modern style 

is characterised by its spectacular 

glass façade. Rooms are equipped 

with a full bathroom with hairdryer, 

air-conditioning, safety deposit box, 

mini-bar, telephone, satellite tv, wifi 

and internet connection, and large 

balcony. There are three outdoor 

pools, cafeteria, piano bar, and 

the Mediterranean cuisine buffet 

restaurant with “Show Cooking”. The 

spa centre offers a large heated pool 

with a vast range of spa amenities. Our 

guests receive one free circuit of the 

spa consisting of 16 elements including 

hydromassage, turkish bath, ice 

fountain, thermal bath, jacuzzi, sauna 

and 5 different sorts of shower. (www. 

diamantebeach.com) 







Mallorca 

8 days from £679 March to October 2019, March 2020 

NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

IN MARCH 

were a place of refuge for 2,000 Arabs 

in 1229 when hiding from King Jaume 

I when the Christians conquered Mallorca. 


departure transfer to the airport for your 

flight home. 

Majorca is not all beaches and tacky tourist outlets. As you go to the north– 

eastern side of the island, Majorca undergoes a remarkable transformation; 

changing from high-rise apartment blocks and hotels to the calmer shores 

around Cala Ratjada, where your hotel is located. You are now firmly in 

Mallorca, with its Hispanic spelling and atmosphere, rather than in the 

land of its Anglo-Saxon translation! You have the chance to explore the real 

Mallorca from your base at the Hotel Bella Playa, just a few metres from 

the stunning beach of Cala Agulla. 

• 7 nights hb in Cala Ratjada, North-East Mallorca • 3 included walks 

• Walk directly from the hotel 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Palma. On arrival you 

will be met at the airport and transferred 

to your hotel, the Bella Playa, for seven 

nights half board accommodation. 

Transfer time 50 minutes. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: There are three 

walks arranged especially for Preferred 

Travel Services Customers (details 

below). In addition, the hotel has its own 

programme of outings (daily except 

Sunday), including our featured walks and 

other additional activities such as a bike 

ride to Arta (bike hire approx £9). 

Walk 1: Cala Ratjada introductory walk. 

You will head into the dunes of Cala 

Agulla, and then go around the peninsula 

of Cala Ratjada, via Cala Lliteras before 

arriving at the lighthouse, located at an 

altitude of 70m, and from where you can 

see the neighbouring island of Menorca. 

Then you follow the coast down to 

beautiful Cala Gat and on to Cala Ratjada 

port. The distance to here is 6 miles: 

the walk will finish at the port and our 

experience is that almost all customers 

will indeed be happy to finish there. 

However, your walking guides will assist 

anyone who wishes to extend the walk, by 

continuing in the direction of Font de Sa 

Cala, a further 2 miles each way. 

Walk 2: The mountains of S’heretat and 

Sa Cove Negre hill. You head first along 

the coast to Na Taconera, and then cross 

the hills and take a stony path up to 

230m in altitude, before descending to 

Capdepera, where there is the chance to 

visit the castle. 7 miles approx. 

Walk 3: You head through the pine forest 

and cross the Es Munt Gros dunes, before 

going along the coast to the Punta des 

Boc (80m high). You will return along a 

cobbled path passing through Cala Molto 

and Cala Agulla. This walk is 11 miles long. 

A shorter version may also be available. 

Nearby is the ascent to the Son Jaumell 

watchtower, 270m up – you may wish to 

return this way on a free day and do the 

climb. 

From Cala Ratjada there are bus services 

to Palma and other places on the island. 

Near Canyamel can be found the Arta 

Caves, full of amazing rock formations 

such as the ‘Queen of Pillars’. The caves 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL BELLA PLAYA HHHH, 

Cala Ratjada. (seven nights) 

The hotel, on the edge of the resort, 

adjoins the Levante Natural Park 

area. All walks, therefore, start directly 

from the hotel. The hotel offers 

plenty of sporting activities (tennis 

courts, swimming pool, gymnasium 

and discounts for the nearby golf 

course among others) as well as wellfurnished 

rooms (satellite tv, telephone 

and full bathroom). Prices are based 

on standard rooms. Superior rooms are 

available at a supplement. The hotel 

has an outdoor pool and a wellness 

centre with sauna, 2 Turkish baths and 

relaxation room – free of charge for 

hotel guests - and free wifi access on 

the Terrace Bar and in Reception. There 

is a buffet meal each night with a 

huge selection of food, including local 

specialities (www. bellaplaya.com). 


available in Cala Ratjada. 



Catalonia 

8 days from £659 March to October 2019, March 2020 

Mainly known in the UK for the beaches of the Costa Brava and Dorada, 

Catalonia is a region with an incredibly rich variety of landscapes. Close 

to the coast, the rolling highlands offer lovely views towards the sea and 

inland towards the heights of the Sierras, which are rich in wildlife and flora. 

Your walks feature both landscapes, as well as the character-filled villages 

of the interior. 

Your base is Coma-Ruga, a pleasantly unspoilt resort with an excellent 

beach in the quieter Penedes area of the ‘Golden Coast’, the Costa Dorada, 

between Barcelona and Tarragona. There is an excellent, reasonably priced 

rail service to both cities. Apart from the wine-producing counties of the 

Penedes, you also walk in the adjacent Alt Camp, the ‘High Country’. 

PROGRAMME 

NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

IN MARCH 

& OCT 

• 7 nights hb close to the beach • 3 included walking excursions: coast, 

hills & wine area • No single supplement on certain dates 

Giralda Tower – a copy of the one in 

Seville. 6.9 miles, 100m ascent/descent. 

Walk 3: Villages of the Alt Camp & the 

Cistercian Route. After a 40-minute 

coach transfer to the start of the walk 

in the village of Cabra del Camp, 

you follow the long-distance GR7 

path for 2.3 miles, gradually gaining 

175m in altitude. You then join the 

‘Cistercian Route’, the long distance 

GR175 path linking the three great 

Catalan Monasteries. There are great 

views as you descend gently towards 

Pont d’Armentera (300m over approx. 

4 miles), where you have a break for 

lunch. The last section of the walk to 

the Santes Creus Monastery follows 

a broad track overlooking the Gaia 

valley – 4 miles, 70m climb. (The total 

distance is just over 10 miles, but there 

is a possible break point after 7 miles 

at Pont d’Armentera from where you 

can take a bus or taxi to Santes Creus). 

Time permitting, you will be able to 

visit the monastery (entrance fee 

approx. 3.50 euros). From Santes Creus 

you transfer back to your hotel, with 

an en-route photo stop at the unusual 

modernist Sanctuary at Montferri. 


departure to the airport for your flight 

home. 

YOUR HOTEL 

NUBAHOTEL HHHH, 

Coma-Ruga (seven nights) 

DAY ONE: Flight to Reus or Barcelona. 

Transfer to your hotel, just under an 

hour away. Seven nights half board 

accommodation is reserved for you. 


three included walking excursions: 

Walk 1: Coastal Walk from La Mora to 

Torredembarra. After a short coach 

transfer you start your walk near the 

medieval Mora watchtower. You cross 

the beach and the headland before 

reaching Tamarit and its castle. You 

head along the beach and then a short 

way inland, up the river, to explore the 

‘witches’ village’ of Altafulla. The coastal 

area, the story goes, was plagued by 

pirates and smugglers: the word was 

put out that the upper part of the 

village was populated by witches, so 

as to discourage attack! You return 

to the wide beach and climb onto 

the headland to reach ‘Els Munts’, an 

impressive Roman villa (the word 

means a farmstead). Nearby there are 

other, rather less impressive, holiday 

‘villas’. You descend into Torredembarra 

– the town has a pleasant old quarter 

and beach. Total so far 6 miles, 80m of 

climb/descent. Nearby is a dune area, 

a haven for birds and of ecological 

importance: you will have time to 

explore it if you wish. You return to the 

hotel by train. 

Walk 2: The Foix Natural Park and 

Modernist l’Arboç. Short coach transfer 

(20 minutes) to the entry to the Foix 

Natural Park Area. You start this 

country walk near Penyafort Castle. 

Your route takes you along lanes and 

paths close to vineyards, with views 

of the Sierra del Montmell. The route 

undulates gently amid rich vegetation, 

approaching Castellet, with its 

impressive lakeside castle – now home 

to a UNESCO International Biosphere 

Research Centre. There are fine views 

over the reservoir – watch out for 

cormorants and other birdlife. After a 

stop, you then follow lanes to l’Arboç 

village, home to a lacemaking tradition, 

and with impressive modernist 

buildings, its ‘Indian Houses’ and 

The hotel stands close to the broad 

sandy beach. This unspoilt resort is 

quiet out of season, rather busier at 

weekends. A reasonable selection of 

shops, bars and restaurants is about 

10 minutes’ walk (700m) away, and 

the railway station with half-hourly 

departures to Barcelona is about 15 

minutes’ walk away. In Coma-Ruga 

itself is Pablo Casals’ villa, now an 

interesting museum. The hotel has a 

spa centre (a reasonable extra charge 

applies), restaurant, bar, lounge, and 

outdoor pool. Rooms, which all have 

balcony, also have 2 queen size beds, 

bathroom with hairdryer, phone, airconditioning/heating, 

satellite LCD tv, 

and safety deposit box (charge applies). 

Free wifi in public areas. 

(www. nubahotelcomarruga.com) 

Extend your holiday - extra week 

available in Catalonia. 







Catalonia - Trails & Rails 

8 days from £699 March, May & October 2019, March 2020 

Our hotel in Coma-Ruga on the Catalan coast is situated just 15 minutes’ walk 

from the local railway station which is on the coastal line between Barcelona and 

Tarragona. The area also has three different lines that run inland into countryside 

where pretty villages huddle around their church and co-operative wine cellar. 

Between them roll hills of olives and vines, interrupted by rocky crags and 

seemingly randomly-positioned railway halts. You will travel on two of these 

lines – westwards towards the Montsant and Priorat wine areas, and northwards 

through Valls to the medieval walled town of Montblanc, at the foot of the Prades 

Mountains. On your free days, you have good access by train to the wine and cava 

town of Vilafranca del Penedes, to Vilanova I la Geltru (good Railway Museum), to 

the modernist resort of Sitges, and of course to Barcelona and Tarragona as well. 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Barcelona or Reus. 

Transfer to your hotel just under an hour 

away for seven nights’ half-board hotel 



three included Trails & Rails walks. 

Distances shown do not include the walk 

(about a mile) from the hotel to the train 

station. 

Walk 1: The Montsant Wine Area. You 

catch the 0948 train to the little village 

station of Marça-Falset (journey just over 

an hour). The line is spectacular, especially 

after it emerges from the Argentera 

tunnel. You walk through Marça village, 

where the International Brigades massed 

in preparation for the disastrous Battle of 

Ebro in 1938, and head into a landscape 

of vineyards and olive groves, with a 

spectacular craggy backdrop. After a 

break in the wine village of Capçanes, you 

enter a very different landscape, going 

through a wood and climbing a rocky 

gully part of the way before descending 

back to Marça village. 8 miles,160m of 

ascent/ descent. You return to the coast by 

coach (one hour). 

Walk 2: Medieval Montblanc and the 

NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

IN MARCH & 

OCTOBER 

• 7 nights hb in Catalonia • 3 included walking excursions: coast, hills, 

countryside • Travel to and from walks mainly by train 

Hermitages. Coach transfer to the walled 

town of Montblanc (45 minutes), where 

you will have time to explore after the 

walk. The walk is circular, heading up 

into the forested foothills of the Prades 

Mountains. You start with an uphill 

section, on a narrow path, before reaching 

St John’s Hermitage. You then continue 

over the hill and drop gently down a 

broad forest path to the Trinity Hermitage, 

completing the circular walk along a 

broad, gently undulating path back to 

Montblanc. 5 miles, 440m of ascent/ 

descent. 

Montblanc is a little jewel: a completely 

unspoilt medieval town with fine 

ramparts, shady streets and impressive 

churches and squares. This is the town 

where St George supposedly fought 

against the dragon, to save the princess! 

From Montblanc you catch the train back 

to the coast, changing trains en route at 

the unusual triangular platform of the halt 

at La Plana-Picamoixons, set high above 

the River Francoli. 

Walk 3: The Mediterranean Coastal Path 

from Altafulla to Roman Tarragona. 

12-minute train journey to Altafulla- 

Tamarit. From the pretty seaside cottages 

of ‘Las Botigas del Mar’, there is a short 

beach walk to the mouth of the Gaia 

River (once the Moorish frontier) and 

an impressive castle on the headland, 

followed by another stretch of beach. 

The walk then continues through the 

shady Marquess’ wood, and along the 

‘Long Beach’ towards Tarragona, arriving 

into the centre of the Roman capital of 

Northern Spain along the Imperial ‘Via 

Augusta’. You have time to see something 

of the monuments of this attractive city 

before taking the train (25 minutes) back 

to the hotel. The walk is 9 miles, with 

ascent/descent of 170m. 

DAY EIGHT: Departure to the airport for 

your flight back home. 

The departure in March 2019 features 

slightly different walks. Details on request or 

at www.preferredts.com/pdfs/7wtrm19.pdf 

Walk the Catalan Coast in October! 

In October, you can choose to do 

three walks which combine to take 

in the relatively easy 27 coastal miles 

from the mouth of the Foix River at 

Cubelles, right into the heart of Roman 

Tarragona, using the convenient train 

service to reach the walks. The three 

stages are: 1) River Foix (Cubelles) to the 

Hotel (9 miles, promenade, flat); 2) Hotel 

to Altafulla village (9 miles, 140m ascent/ 

descent); 3) Altafulla to Tarragona (9 

miles, 170m ascent/descent – see Walk 

3 above. Full holiday description on 

request or at www.preferredts.com/ 

holidays/walk-the-catalan-coast 

YOUR HOTEL 


Coma-Ruga (seven nights) 

The hotel stands close to the broad 

sandy beach. This unspoilt resort is 

quiet out of season, rather busier at 

weekends. A reasonable selection of 

shops, bars and restaurants is about 

10 minutes’ walk (700m) away, and 

the railway station with half-hourly 

departures to Barcelona is about 15 

minutes’ walk away. In Coma-Ruga 

itself is Pablo Casals’ villa, now an 

interesting museum. The hotel has a 

spa centre (a reasonable extra charge 

applies), restaurant, bar, lounge, and 

outdoor pool. Rooms, which all have 

balcony, also have 2 queen size beds, 

bathroom with hairdryer, phone, airconditioning/heating, 

satellite LCD tv, 

and safety deposit box (charge applies). 

Free wifi in public areas. 



available in Catalonia. 



The Valleys of Roussillon 

8 days from £719 April, June, September & October 

This holiday offers excellent walking in the hills of the Roussillon area of 

southwest France, sometimes called French Catalonia – it only became 

French in the 17th century. There is a great affinity between the ‘French’ 

and ‘Spanish’ Catalans, and your holiday includes a stay in both French and 

Spanish Catalonia. Also included in the holiday is a visit to Dali’s eccentric 

theatre-museum in Figueras - a mind-expanding sort of place! – and 

some time in the wonderful city of Barcelona. In short, this is a unique 

opportunity to walk in, and discover, one of the most fascinating parts of 

Europe and to enjoy the sunshine of the Mediterranean at the same time! 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Reus or Barcelona. 

On arrival transfer to your coastal hotel for 

two nights half board accommodation. 

Transfer time 50 minutes. 

DAY TWO: Optional half-day excursion 

to the Roman city of Tarragona where 

you can see the amphitheatre, port and 

beach and stroll through the medieval 

centre. Under the Romans, Tarragona was 

the capital of the Province of Northern 

Spain and home to the Emperor 

Augustus – a Temple in his honour stood 

on the site of the current Cathedral. 

DAY THREE: Today you depart for France. 

En route you make a stop in Dali’s home 

town of Figueras, close to the French 

border, and home to his surreal (in the 

truest sense!) theatre-museum (entrance 

included). The Dali Museum is one of 

the most-visited museums in Spain… 

and with its luminous-egg façade, it is 

not just the interior that seems to want 

to stretch your mind! From there it is 

just an hour to your hotel in Amélie-les- 

Bains, in the spectacular Vallespir valley, 

where you have four nights half board 


NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

IN APRIL & 

OCTOBER 

• 3 nights hb on the Catalan Coast, 4 hb in the French hills • Entrances to Dali Theatre-Museum, 

Figueres, and to the fort in Prats de Mollo • 3 guided walks: coast, mountain, valley • Visit to Barcelona 

DAYS FOUR TO SIX: In Amélie with three 

included walks. 

Walk 1: From your hotel you walk along 

the right bank of the river Tech before 

turning uphill taking an old footpath 

towards the old Vauban-style fort 

overlooking the town. You’ll pass one of 

the thermal springs for which Amelie is 

famous – it has been a spa resort since 

Roman times. After a coffee break you 

continue towards the medieval village 

of Palalda before returning to the hotel 

along the left bank of the river. 5 miles 

with ascent/descent of 200m. 

Walk 2: The High Vallespir. You travel 40 

minutes further up the Vallespir Valley 

to the fortified village of Prats de Mollo. 

A little further on lies the Spanish border 

at Col d’Ares, where you start your 3-hour 

walk on the ‘Cami de la Retirada’ – the 

Refugees’ Way that many followed out 

of Spain during the Civil War. You will 

also walk up to Vauban’s impressive 

Fort Lagarde, and take in the village 

church with its impressive altarpiece. 

Prats de Mollo stands on the side of the 

impressive Mount Canigou, snow-capped 

for much of the year, and with forests 

and mountain meadows abounding. 4.5 

miles, 800m descent with 100m ascent/ 

descent to the fort. 

Walk 3: The Vermilion Coast. You travel 

45 minutes to the coast at Banyuls 

sur Mer, for a four - hour coastal walk 

following the ‘Customs Agent’s Path’. 

You make a stop in Port Vendres - home 

to Rennie Mackintosh for many years, 

before continuing to the artists’ resort 

of Collioure, a port since Roman times. 

The spectacular Chateau-Royal is worth 

a visit, and reproductions of works by 

artists who painted in Collioure (Matisse 

and Derain in particular) will be found on 

the quaysides. 6 miles, 300m of ascent/ 

descent. 

DAY SEVEN: Today you journey back 

south to the Costa Dorada for the last 

night of your holiday, which is again on 

a half board basis. En route a stop will be 

made in the exciting city of Barcelona, 

capital of Catalonia. Ramble(!) down 

the Rambla and you will find pavement 

artists and buskers, stalls selling all kinds 

of bric-a-brac - an avenue bursting with 

life and colour. Or you can visit the weird 

and wonderful cathedral of the Sagrada 

Familia - Gaudi’s masterpiece. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until your transfer 

to the airport for your return flight. 

YOUR HOTELS 


Coma-Ruga. (first two and last 

nights) 

The hotel stands close to the broad sandy 

beach. This unspoilt resort is quiet out 

of season, rather busier at weekends. A 

reasonable selection of shops, bars and 

restaurants is about 10 minutes’ walk 

(700m) away, and the railway station with 

half-hourly departures to Barcelona is 

about 15 minutes’ walk away. In Coma- 

Ruga itself is Pablo Casals’ villa, now an 

interesting museum. The hotel has a spa 

centre (a reasonable extra charge applies), 

restaurant, bar, lounge, and outdoor pool. 

Rooms, which all have balcony, also have 2 

queen size beds, bathroom with hairdryer, 

phone, air-conditioning/heating, satellite 

LCD tv, and safety deposit box (charge 

applies). Free wifi in public areas. 


HOTEL DE LA REINE AMELIE HHH, 

Amélie-les-Bains (four nights) 

In the rugged Vallespir Valley, alongside 

the River Tech, Amelie is a spa town 20 

miles from the coast and surrounded by 

pleasant mountain scenery. The hotel 

has a bar, lounge area, restaurant and 

comfortable bedrooms with private bath/ 

shower, wc, tv, free wifi, and phone. Some 

have a balcony too. 

(www.reineamelie.com) 







Menorca 

8 days from £769 October 

WALKING & 

BIRDWATCHING 

8 days from £769 May 

The island of Menorca may be just 30 miles long and 10 miles across, but it hosts a world 

of contrasts. The north is comparatively lush and green, with extensive bays and long 

headlands. The south is much rockier and riddled with caves. At the eastern end lies the 

island’s capital Mahon, a historic city well worth exploring, whose fine deep-water harbour 

led to British and French occupation in the 18th century (in 1756 the British Admiral Byng 

was court-martialled and shot for losing it to the French ‘pour encourager les autres’!). 

To the west lies Ciutadella, a former island capital, again with impressive city walls and 

harbour, but much quieter than the capital. But it is the island’s unspoilt beaches and 

coves that may impress you most of all: our resort area of Son Bou is home to one of the 

best of them. Menorca was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in October 1993. 

• 7 nights hb in Son Bou • 3 included fully-guided walks with an expert 

guide 

We know that our walking holiday 

customers not only enjoy the scenery, 

culture and history of the places we 

visit, but also have more than a passing 

interest in the fauna of the area. This 

holiday to Menorca and the holidays 

to Portugal and to the Camargue 

on the following two pages include 

three excellent walks with first-rate 

birdwatching opportunities. This is not 

high end, specialist twitching and there 

is no need to buy expensive equipment; 

your regular binoculars will be ok. But 

that doesn’t mean you’ll be shortchanged 

in terms of avine content! 

Our walking guides are also expert 

birders who are able at once to cater 

to all levels of experience – from the 

complete beginner to the accomplished 

ornithologist. 

PROGRAMME 

Walk 1: This walk leaves from the hotel, 

visiting the marshy area near Son Bou 

and the Son Boter Ravine. Expected 

sightings include the distinctively 

crowned Hoopoe, the Purple Heron, 

Purple Swamphen, the Booted Eagle 

and the endangered Egyptian Vulture, 

also known as the ‘Pharaoh’s Chicken’. 5.1 

miles, ascent/descent 85m. 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Menorca, transfer 

to your hotel, half an hour away. Seven 

nights half board accommodation is 

reserved for you. 


three included walking excursions: 

Walk 1: The South. This is a circular walk 

from the hotel, passing through Son Bute 

Valley. You then go through the Ravine of 

Binigaus, passing the Coloms Cave, and 

walking along the coast back to Son Bou. 

Total 10.7 miles, ascent/descents 200m. 

WALK 2: The North. After a 30-minute 

coach transfer to the Cape of Cavalleria, 

the island’s most northerly point, you 

walk along the coast in the direction of 

Cala Pregonda, famed for its red and 

yellow rocks. After your walk, you return 

by coach, visiting ‘El Toro’, Menorca’s 

358m-high ‘mountain’ to take in the view. 

5 miles, 100m of ascent/descent. 

WALK 3: The East. You transfer to the 

Cape of Favaritx, with its black rocks, and 

follow a path by the s’Albufera lagoon to 

the fishing village of Es Garau. 8 miles, 

100m of ascent/descent. 



flight home. 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL VALENTIN HHHH, 

Son Bou (seven nights) 

This large hotel (214 rooms, plus 98 

apartments) enjoys a quiet location 

on the crest of a hill, a mile from 

the beach (daytime shuttle service 

available). It has outdoor and indoor 

pools, two bars (one restricted to 

adults only), and a shop. Bedrooms 

have bathroom, air-conditioning, tv 

with satellite, telephone, hairdryer 

and balcony. There are 2 tennis courts, 

gym, and daytime and evening 

entertainment programme. Meals are 

buffet-style. (www.valentinhotels.com) 


available in the Hotel Valentin. 

Walk 2: Transfer to Son Parc beach, on 

the north of the island, crossing through 

wetlands of Son Saura, heading towards 

the salt marshes/mines of Fornells, where 

you will stop at a farm for a short while to 

observe the birdlife. You then continue 

to the Concepción Salines to meet your 

transport. Expected sightings today 

include the fastest member of the animal 

kingdom, the Peregrine Falcon, the 

Osprey, the Black-winged Stilt and the 

Kentish Plover. 4.2 miles, ascent/descent 

50m. On the return journey we make 

short stops at the Bee-eater colony near 

Lluriac, and take in the fabulous views 

from ‘El Toro’, Menorca’s highest point 

(over 1100ft above sea level). 

Walk 3: Transfer to Algaraiens, in the west 

of the island, from where you walk via Pla 

de Mar to Cala del Pilar, to see the wide 

variety of birds found in the agricultural 

interior of Menorca – though our varied 

route also includes a forest of holm oaks 

as well as a coastal section. On this walk 

expected sightings include the Tawny 

Pipit, the elegant Woodchat Shrike, 

the solitary Blue Rock Thrush and the 

disputed ‘King of the Birds’ from a legend 

told by Pliny and Aristotle, the Firecrest. 6 




Portugal – Walking and Birdwatching 

8 days from £879 April & October 

in Europe. The Special Protection Area of 

Castro Verde is full of birdlife and in the 

spring the fields are carpeted with wild 

flowers. You pass the grassland and oak 

woods in search of the iconic Great and 

Little Bustards, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, 

Bee-eaters, the first Rollers of the year, 

Black-eared Wheatear, Iberian Grey 

Shrike and raptors such as the Blackwinged 

Kite, Booted and Short-toed 

Eagle, Red and Black Kite, Griffon and 

Black Vulture and sometimes even young 

Golden, Bonelli´s and Spanish Imperial 

Eagles. 6.8 miles, ascent/descent 200m. 

Depending on the day of operation, lunch 

is included in the Castro Verde LPN visitor 

centre. Time permitting, a stop will be 

made on the return journey in the old 

walled town of Mertola on the Guadiana 

river. Return to the hotel late afternoon. 

Sunshine and fantastic beaches – the Algarve is a great place for a holiday. But the eastern Algarve, with its vast 

wetlands which stretch from Faro to close to the border with Spain, is a nature lover’s wonderland. The system 

of barrier islands and peninsulas creates a variety of habitats in which wildlife, especially birds, can thrive in the 

spring we visit the Alentejo. Inland from the coast, the Alentejo is an entirely different landscape to the Algarve, 

but just as enchanting. Great plains dotted with cork oaks stretch to the horizon. Protected areas, where hunting 

is banned and only traditional methods of agriculture are practised, have become one of the most important bird 

watching centres in Portugal and a perfect environment for the Great Bustard, the heaviest of flying birds. In the 

autumn, the Alentejo is replaced by a walk in Portugal’s wild west at Cape St Vincent. Your holiday hotel is on the 

outskirts of the historic town of Tavira. The busy market town has no less than thirty-seven churches and a lovely 

arched Roman bridge spanning the River Gilau. The pleasant old centre has arcades, shops and cafes. 

• 7 nights hb near Tavira • 3 included walking excursions • Walks 

accompanied by an expert birdwatcher 

Walk 3 (Autumn departures): An early 

start for the 82-mile transfer to the start 

of today’s walk from Vila do Bispo to 

the lighthouse at Cabo São Vincente. 

It is the most south-westerly point in 

mainland Europe and was considered by 

the Romans to be the end of the known 

world. Our walk affords stunning views 

of the ocean and takes us across the 

Vale Santo where, in October, migrating 

raptors may often be seen including 

Booted, Short-toed and Bonelli’s Eagles, 

Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Honeybuzzards 

and Black Kites, various falcons 

plus Black Storks. The walk is a little under 

8 miles and has a few gentle inclines. 

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Faro, transfer to your 

hotel, forty minutes away, for seven nights 

half board accommodation. 



Walk 1: The Ria Formosa Natural Park. 

In the morning, transfer to the start of 

your walk near Faro (27 miles). The Ria 

Formosa nature area is one of the most 

important protected areas in the south of 

the Iberian Peninsula. You walk towards 

Quinta do Lago, passing salt marshes 

carved into a labyrinth of tidal flats, salt 

ponds, warm water lagoons and channels 

which provide shelter to many bird 

species, including Flamingos, Spoonbills, 

Storks and Hoopoes. The walk takes you 

through the area of Ludo, located in the 

middle of a complex of salt pans at the 

edge of the São Lorenço River, passing 

along salt mountains, eucalyptus and 

pine tree forests. The walk is level and 

about 4 miles. You return to the hotel in 

the late afternoon. 

Walk 2: 15-mile transfer east to the 

wetlands of the Castro Marim Nature 

Reserve, on the mouth of the river 

Guadiana, the natural border between 

this side of Portugal and Spain. From 

the main road near the old town of 

Castro Marim you do the first part of the 

walk next to salt marshes, saltpans and 

cultivated fields towards the Visitor´s 

Centre – a good area for waders, warblers 

and even the Little Bustard in the dry flats 

of the marsh. 2.2 miles, ascent/descent 

30m. Short transfer to the next walk 

through the more industrial saltpans of 

Cerro do Bufo. Along this dirt road you 

can see waders, gulls, terns and herons 

on one side and ground birds in the fields 

on the other side. Expected birds to be 

seen on the day are Crested Lark, Blackwinged 

Stilt, Flamingo, Spoonbill, Avocet, 

Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Kentish Plover, 

Dartford Warbler, Stone Curlew. 3.75 


Walk 3 (Spring departures): An early 

start for the journey to Castro Verde in 

the inland province of Alentejo (83 miles). 

Alentejo is one of the most beautiful and 

sparsely populated areas of Portugal and 

holds one of the best-preserved steppes 



flight home. 

YOUR HOTEL 

VILA GALE ALBACORA HHHH, 

Tavira (seven nights) 

The hotel is situated in a protected area 

at the mouth of the River Gilau on the 

outskirts of Tavira. It is a 40-minute 

walk to the town centre. The hotel 

operates a courtesy bus during the 

day Wednesday to Sunday (schedule 

subject to change) and taxis are 

cheap. The hotel is built on an old 

tuna fishing settlement and has a 

tuna fishing museum. There is plenty 

of nearby birdlife at the saltpans and 

low-tide mudflats of Forte do Rato, a 10 

minute walk away. The hotel has a bar, 

restaurant, outdoor pool, and spa area 

(charges apply). Wifi is free throughout 

the hotel. Bedrooms (converted from 

the old fishermen’s houses) have bath/ 

shower and wc, hairdryer, cable TV and 

minibar. Prices are based on standard 

rooms. Rooms with river view are 

available on request at a supplement. 

(www.vilagale.com) 



France – Camargue, Alpilles & Crau 

8 days from £909 May & October 

La Camargue, les Alpilles and la Crau – the French ‘golden triangle’ of 

biodiversity. The Camargue, with its white horses, black bulls and pink 

flamingos, needs little introduction. Just to the north, the jagged, limestone 

peaks of the Alpilles mountains are a striking contrast to the vast wetlands 

of the Camargue. Sandwiched between the two is la Crau, a unique, ancient 

steppe landscape where shepherds have tended their flocks for 6,000 years. 

You’ll discover the amazing flora and fauna of all three environments on guided 

walks with an expert naturalist. You’ll also enjoy the manmade wonders of the 

city of Arles, your holiday base, renowned for its Roman monuments, Van Gogh 

scenes, and, of course, Provençal cafés and restaurants!! 

• 7 nights bb in Van Gogh’s Arles • 3 included excursions • Services of 

an expert guide 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Marseille or Nîmes, 

transfer to your hotel in Arles (one hour 

from Marseille, 40 minutes from Nîmes) 

for seven nights hotel accommodation. 

Two dinners in the hotel are included 

during your stay, leaving five nights 

to sample the delights of the local 

restaurants. Your Tour Director will be 

on hand to assist. A walking tour of 

the city will show you the major sights 

and attractions of this splendid city - 

the remarkably intact 1st century AD 

amphitheatre could entertain 30,000 

spectators and is still used today; the 

Musée Réattu, a 15th century priory of 

the Knights of Malta on the bank of the 

river Rhône; the Place de la République 

with its obelisk and impressive town hall. 

Devotees of Van Gogh will recognize 

many parts of the city from his paintings, 

including the courtyard of the old hospital 

where he was treated after cutting off his 

ear, the amphitheatre, his café terrace, 

and the Rhône - especially on a starry 

night! 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: There are three 

included walks during your stay in Arles. 

Walk 1: La digue à la mer. Transfer to 

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (23 miles). On 

the way you’ll hear the story of the Three 

Marys (Jacob, Salome and Magdalene) 

and their servant Sarah, patron saint 

of Gypsies, thousands of whom have 

been making the annual pilgrimage to 

Stes-Maries for centuries. ‘La digue’ is 

the dyke built in 1859 to keep the sea at 

bay. This is a long but easy walk which 

takes you into the heart of the Camargue 

National Nature Reserve. Landmarks 

along the route include the Rousty sluice 

gate, the old customs house and the 

working Gacholle lighthouse whose 60ft 

tower can be seen from miles around. 

Common bird sightings will include 

warblers, gulls, terns, waders and avocets 

but the emblematic Pink Flamingos are 

especially visible at the end of the walk in 

the Fangassier lagoon where between 15 

and 20 thousand breeding pairs of them 

should be waiting for you. 11 miles – flat 

(Spring only). 

Walk 2: Travel by coach to the Domaine 

de La Palissade at the mouth of the 

Rhone (28 miles). On the way there you 

should see numerous species of heron, 

Glossy Ibis and many migrants: Marsh 

Terns, Caspian Tern, Bee-eaters and 

Rollers. On a 1 mile flat walk you can 

see a breeding colony of Slender-billed 

Gulls, Gull-billed Terns and Little Terns. 

Sometimes, the world’s largest Tern 

species, Caspian, can be seen with the 

smallest: Little!” Leaving the Domaine, 

you take the short ferry crossing from 

Salin de Giraud to Port Saint Louis and 

travel 17 miles to la Crau Nature Reserve. 

Legend has it that the countless polished 

stones covering the terrain were rained 

down by Jupiter and used as missiles by 

Hercules in battle after he had used all his 

arrows. On a 2 ½ mile flat walk you would 

hope to see Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Lesser 

Kestrel, Larks and Tawny Pipit. 

Walk 3: Les Alpilles – Saint Paul-de- 

Mausole, Glanum and the Vallon de St 

Clerg. Coach transfer to Saint Rémy (19 

miles) where you meet your guide. Your 

walk to Les Baux de Provence (6½ miles, 

250m ascent/ descent) passes Saint Paulde-Mausole 

(where van Gogh painted 

over one hundred works of genius while 

a voluntary patient in the rest home for 

just under a year) and continues past the 

archaeological site of Glanum. Walking 

through the valley of St Clerg, you have 

some time at the foot of the two-holed 

rock looking out for the Bonelli’s Eagle 

and also the Short toed Eagle, Sub Alpine 

and Sardinian Warblers. Your walk ends in 

Les Baux where you take a short walk on 

a path overlooking a wonderful landscape 

in search of Blue Rock Thrush at the foot 

of the imposing ruined citadel. Transfer 

back to your hotel in the late afternoon. 



Bird sightings above are based on departures in 

the Spring. Autumn sightings are as follows: 

Walk 1: La digue a la mer. Common bird 

sightings will include gulls, waders and avocets 

and, of course, the emblematic Pink Flamingos 

will be present all along the walk. 

Walk 2: Domaine de la Palissade & la Crau. 

You would hope to see Flamingos, Herons, 

waders and ducks, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Little 

Bustards and Calandra Larks. 

Walk 3: Les Alpilles. Sightings include 

Wallcreeper and Blue Rock Thrush, Bonelli’s 

Eagle and Sardinian Warblers. 

YOUR HOTEL 

BEST WESTERN ATRIUM HHH, 

Arles (seven nights) 

This is a modern hotel built around an 

old town house. The hotel is centrally 

located opposite the Tourist Office. 

Its 90 rooms are on 4 floors and have 

air-conditioning, bath or shower 

and wc, satellite tv, hairdryer. Rooms 

have internal atrium view or a view 

of the town. Wifi is complimentary 

throughout the hotel. There is an airy 

restaurant with a glass roof and a bar. 

(www.hotelatrium.com) 







Portugal - the Algarve 

8 days from £779 February to November 2019, February & March 2020 

NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

FEB & NOV 

time to explore Lagos before returning to 

the hotel. 5 miles, ascent of 80m. 



To discover the real beauty of the Algarve our escorted walks, through 

glorious countryside decked with flowers, may be the answer. In recent 

years the Algarve has become increasingly popular with walkers who realise 

that much of the countryside and coastline remain unspoilt. Your walking 

guide will show you the very best of the region while allowing you time to 

appreciate all that you see. Your resort, Armação de Pêra, boasts one of the 

most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, pretty coves, a panorama of brightly 

coloured fishing boats and a range of high-quality fish restaurants. So why 

not pack your walking boots and enjoy the best that the Algarve has to offer? 

• 7 nights hb in Armaçao de Pera • 3 included walking excursions • See 

the Algarve’s coastline and lovely hinterland 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Faro and transfer to 

your hotel in Armação de Pêra, just 45 

minutes away from the airport. Seven 

nights half board accommodation is 

reserved for you. 


three included walking excursions 

Walk 1: Chapel of Our Lady of the Rock to 

the Alfanzina lighthouse. You start with 

a short transfer by coach to the Chapel 

of Our Lady of the Rock. From there you 

cross the bays of Praia de Benagil and 

Praia de Marinha. To reach the lighthouse 

you follow narrow paths in an area where 

the cliffs are made up of different colours 

of rock - excellent photo opportunities, 

and there are impressive blowholes, too. 

You will return to the hotel by coach. The 

walk is 5.5 miles, with climbs totalling 

150m approx. 

Walk 2: Estombar to Silves. Your 

walk starts near the natural springs of 

Estombar (15 minutes away by coach), 

which also provides the water for the 

nearby rice fields. You will follow the 

Arade River - the Moors had their regional 

capital here. The area is rich in birdlife, 

and you will pass plantations of orange 

and lemon trees, as well as lavender. You 

complete your walk in the centre of the 

pleasant village of Silves, where there is 

time to explore before you return to the 

hotel. 5 miles, climbs of 50m. 

Walk 3: Luz to Ponta da Piedade. The 

starting point of this walk is the fishing 

village of Luz (45 minutes away by coach). 

You walk uphill on narrow paths and then 

continue along the picturesque coastline. 

In the springtime especially, wild orchids 

accompany you on your way, together 

with Affodile and Mastric bushes. There 

is also a marvellous view across to the 

Ponta da Piedade, an impressive rock 

formation in the sea, where you will meet 

your coach for the short transfer to Lagos. 

The town is closely associated with Henry 

the Navigator, and was the starting port 

of many Portuguese voyages of discovery 

in the 15th and 16th century. You will have 

YOUR HOTEL 

THE HOLIDAY INN ALGARVE 

(formerly the Hotel Garbe) HHHH, 

Armação de Pêra (seven nights) 

This well-appointed 4-star hotel 

commands a prime position with a 

stunning panoramic view of the bay 

of Armação de Pêra, within strolling 

distance of shops, restaurants and 

entertainment. Its facilities include a 

restaurant serving buffet-style meals, 

lounge, bar, free wifi in reception and 

swimming pool. Rooms are equipped 

with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer, direct 

dial telephone, individually controlled 

air-conditioning, safe, minibar, tea and 

coffee making facilities and satellite 

television. Sea view rooms are available 

at a supplement. Entertainment is 

provided on certain evenings. 

(www.hialgarve.com) 


available in the Algarve. 







Portugal - Cascais & the Sintra Natural Park 

8 days from £979 May & September 

as one of the most beautiful beaches 

in the world. You approach the Fojo, a 

natural well that connects to the sea and 

where the Romans believed that deep 

down there was a Triton playing music in 

a conch. This walk ends at the beautiful 

Adraga beach. 5.5 miles with 450m 

ascents and 600m descents. 

Just a few miles west from the hustle and bustle of the city of Lisbon is 

a hilly, forested area stretching down to the coast which was a popular 

summer retreat for the rich and Royal families from the capital. As well as 

palaces, gardens and hermitages, there are traditional villages and towns 

making this a ‘cultural landscape’ worthy of a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

listing. From your base on the coast in Monte Estoril you have three guided 

walks in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. In your free time, you can relax 

in the seaside resorts of Estoril and Cascais or take the short train ride to 

enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of Lisbon. 

Walk 3: Hermitage and Gardens. The 

starting point is the same as Walk 1 but 

takes you on a different path and includes 

visits to a couple of the highlights of 

the Park. The Convento dos Capuchos 

was carved into the granite in the 

16th century and the monks’ austere 

existence in the minute cells is referred 

to in a poem by Byron. From here it is 

a 4.5 mile walk through a pine forest to 

the Monserrate Gardens and Palace, a 

unique, exotic landscape again featuring 

in Byron’s poetry. The massively rich exile, 

William Beckford, landscaped the site 

in the 1790’s. Sir Francis Cook continued 

the work in the gardens and restored 

the Palace which is a delightful mix of 

Moorish, Romantic, Gothic and even 

Indian styles. You return to the start point 

via the Musketeers Lake. An easy 63/4-mile 

walk full of interest with ascents/descents 

of 350m. 

DAY EIGHT: Departure for the airport and 

your flight home. 

• 7 nights hb Monte Estoril, with good access to Lisbon • 3 guided walks in the Sintra- 

Cascais Natural Park • Visit to Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe’s most westerly point 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Lisbon. Thirty-minute 

transfer to your hotel in Monte Estoril for 

seven nights half board accommodation. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: Your hotel is in 

Monte Estoril between Estoril and Cascais, 

the two main resorts on the Lisbon Coast. 

Estoril, with its plush villas and Belle 

Époque casino is the more traditional of 

the two, while lively Cascais still retains 

some of its character as a traditional 

fishing town. They are connected by a 

seafront promenade and your hotel is a 

20-minute walk from the centre of either 

resort or you can take the frequent local 

bus. There are plenty of shops and cafés 

close by as is Monte Estoril train station 

from where there is a regular service to 

Lisbon. Everywhere you go in Lisbon you 

will find evidence of the city’s historic 

links with the Age of Discovery from 

where intrepid explorers opened up the 

sea-trading routes to India, Brazil, China 

and Japan in the 15th century. Today, 

the city is a mix of old quarters such as 

the Alfama, a maze of steep cobbled 

streets, the wide avenues leading to the 

18th century Rossio square and modern 

developments with fine shops. 

During your stay you have three guided 

walks in the Natural Park, all different 

in content and character showing you 

varied aspects of the countryside, scenery 

and way of life here. There is a short coach 

transfer to the start of each walk of about 

10 miles. 

Walk 1: Sintra Sierra – the Mystic 

Mountain. On this walk you go to some 

of the Park’s highest points with glorious 

views to the sea. You’ll also discover how 

the Sintra Sierra has enchanted its visitors 

over the centuries. The walk takes you to 

the ‘Holy Spirit’ village of Penedo known 

for its countless springs and streams. 

Lunch is included in a local tavern. After 

lunch you complete the walk passing 

small stud farms. 9.75 miles with ascents/ 

descents of 600m. 

Walk 2: Land’s End. The walk starts at 

Cabo da Roca, Europe’s most westerly 

point. You walk along impressive cliffs 

hugged by the Atlantic and with a view 

of the untouched beauty of wild Ursa 

beach, considered by the Michelin Guide 

YOUR HOTEL 

ESTORIL EDEN HOTEL HHHH, 

Monte Estoril (seven nights) 

The resorts of Cascais and Estoril are 

now one municipality and Monte 

Estoril stands between the two old 

centres. The hotel has an indoor and 

outdoor pool, fitness room, sauna, 

bar and restaurant. The spacious 

bedrooms are aparthotel style with 

balcony, equipped kitchenette/dining 

area, tv, air-conditioning, minibar, and 

bathroom with hairdryer. 

(www.estoriledenhotel.com) 







The Guadiana River & Western Andalucia 

8 days from £779 April, May & September 

Your holiday base is the 4* Playamarina Hotel on Punta del Moral on Isla 

Canela in Spain, just over the Portuguese border. There are guided walks 

in the Natural Park area of the Donana, the Flecha del Rompido Nature 

Reserve and a walk and boat trip along the banks of the Rio Guadiana. In 

your free time you can relax and enjoy the surroundings of your hotel or 

take an optional excursion to the Rio Tinto mines. 

• 7 nights hb in Isla Canela • 3 varied walking excursions • Guadiana 

River boat trip 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Faro in Portugal and transfer to 

your hotel on Isla Canela in Spain for seven nights half 

board accommodation. The transfer takes around an 

hour, but you have to put your watches on an hour 

when you cross the Guadiana which is the border. 

Coastal Western Andalucia is defined by its 

magnificent wetlands of marshes, shallow rivers and 

sand dunes. The largest is the Donana Natural Park 

formed in the delta of the Guadalquivir. Between here 

and the Portuguese border, smaller nature reserves 

surround the mouths of the Odiel and Piedras rivers 

near Huelva. On the border itself where your hotel 

is, the Rio Guadiana is the major influence on the 

ecosystem and feeds the marshes in both countries. 

Local flora and fauna is always a major attraction of 

any walk, and, given the abundance of birdlife in the 

area, one of the walks majors on the birdlife of the Rio 

Piedras. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: In resort with three included 

guided walks. There is plenty to do in your free time. 

The front of the hotel looks across to the thriving 

fishing village and marina of Punta del Moral. You 

can have a pleasant stroll around the harbour or take 

a little ferry ride across to Isla Cristina. There is also a 

short signed-posted walk near the hotel into the Isla 

Canela ‘Marismas’ (marshes). The rear of the hotel 

backs on to the promenade from where there are 

wooden boardwalks across the dunes to the beach 

and the sea which provide a heavenly environment for 

your morning constitutional. Walking past the inviting 

chiringuito (beach bar) might be difficult! There is a 

frequent bus service which makes the 5-mile journey 

to Ayamonte on the Guadiana river. Ayamonte is a 

bustling ‘frontier’ town with a compact old centre, 

marina and port. The ‘frontier’ is the river and for under 

3 euros you can get a return ferry across to the pretty 

town of Vila Real de San Antonio in Portugal. If you can 

find the time, a complimentary 1 ½ hour circuit of the 

hotel’s extensive spa facilities is included for you! 

Walk 1: Alcoutim & the Guadiana River. We head across 

the river by coach to Portugal and north to Alcoutim 

(33 miles).The picturesque river town of Alcoutim has 

a Spanish twin right on the other side, Sanlucar de 

Guadiana. The circular walk goes along the river´s 

edge using the “Via Algarviana”, a trail that crosses 

the whole Algarve and then through reforested pine 

wood and Mediterranean oaks. 5.3 miles and ascent/ 

descent about 150m. You have time to visit the castle 

in Alcoutim and lunch before taking a lazy 3-hour boat 

cruise down the beautiful Guadiana river to Ayamonte. 

Walk 2: The Rio Piedras and Flecha del Rompido 

Nature Reserve. 30-mile transfer to the beginning of 

your walk. You will need your binoculars today. You visit 

the marshes of El Rompido doing a level walk through 

the pinewood, the salt marsh and a fish farm. The 

area is full of birds and wildflowers and the headland 

where the lighthouse is located offers one of the most 

beautiful views of the estuary. This 5-mile walk ends 

in the attractive fishing village of El Rompido where 

there is plenty of free time for lunch. Or, bring a 

packed lunch and take a ferry trip on your own across 

to the 10-mile long sandspit and swim in the open 

sea. Several protected species live in the dunes of the 

singular sandspit in a special ecosystem: among others 

the Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Dartford Warbler and 

the European Chameleon. You return to the hotel by 

coach, arriving back at approx. 1630. 

Walk 3: Donana & El Rocio. Travel east by coach past 

Huelva to the start of your walk in the Natural Park 

area of the Donana (67 miles). This walk is through 

pinewoods across the dunes to the sea – but dunes 

here aren’t quite what you think! They are ancient sand 

deposits rising to 100m offering great views of the sea 

and the pine forests behind. Just over 4 miles with 

ascent/descent of 75m. You then travel to the strange 

town of El Rocio (15 miles away), which seems like 

something out of the Tex-Mex West, with clapboard 

houses, sand covered squares and avenues and rails 

to tie your horse to! But this is no tourist movie set - in 

fact it is a major pilgrimage site. Your walking guide 

will take you on a short walk featuring the major sites 

of this fascinating town and there is free time for lunch 

here before returning to your hotel. 

During your stay in Isla Canela there is also an optional 

excursion to the Rio Tinto Mines. There has been 

mining in the hills 80 miles north-east of Isla Canela 

for over 5000 years. In the museum in the town of Rio 

Tinto there is an excellent re-creation of the Roman 

mine. There is British influence in many parts of Spain 

but nowhere as pronounced than in this remote corner 

of Andalucia. The pinnacle of mining in the area began 

in 1873 with the arrival of the British Rio Tinto Mining 

Company Ltd who paid £3.68 million for the rights 

to exploit the disused copper mines. The company 

employed up to 20,000 men, laid 300km of rail track, 

built houses for employees and management, a 

Protestant church and a Social Club which had a 

cricket team and introduced football to Spain. The 

museum is housed in the company’s hospital and its 

offices are now the town hall. Highlight of the tour is 

the rail journey through the open cast mines where 

you’ll see an amazing ‘Martian’ landscape with the red 

(bright red!) Rio Tinto river running through it. 

DAY EIGHT: Transfer back to Faro Airport for your flight 

home. You can put your watch back an hour after 

crossing the river. 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL PLAYAMARINA SPA HHHH, 

Punta del Moral, Isla Canela (seven nights) 

An excellent hotel in a quiet position 

located between the beach and 

the marina on Punta del Moral. The 

hotel has a buffet restaurant with 

show cooking, indoor and outdoor 

pool. There is also a spa (a free 1 ½ 

circuit is included for you), bar and 

entertainment on most evenings. 

Rooms have bath with shower over 

and separate shower and wc, hairdryer, 

LCD tv, air-conditioning, ceiling fan and 

safe (chargeable), terrace or balcony. 

Free Wi-Fi in reception (30 mins) – 

chargeable in room. 

(www.playasenator.com/en/hoteles/ 

playamarina/) 


available in Isla Canela 







Tuscany & Liguria 


Your base in Marina di Pietrasanta, on the Tuscan coast, is quieter than 

some of its neighbours but just as attractive. Your holiday includes three 

contrasting walking excursions: to the stunningly beautiful ‘Gulf of Poets’, 

just across the border in Liguria, haunt of, among others, Byron and 

Shelley; along the river to Lucca; and in the Serchio valley in the Apuan 

Alps – the ‘Marble Mountains’, whose stone is so prevalent in the cathedrals 

and baptisteries of the major Tuscan cities. 

• 7 nights hb on the Tuscan Coast • 3 included walks • Train ride 

through the Apuan Alps 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Pisa and a short 

transfer to your hotel for seven nights 

half board accommodation in Marina di 

Pietrasanta. 

Marina di Pietrasanta: the modern 

beach resort is 3km from the old town 

of Pietrasanta, and has shops, bars, 

restaurants and pier. The resort centre 

is 700m from your hotel, and there is 

a regular bus service to Viareggio and 

beyond which stops near the hotel. 



Walk 1: Along the river to Lucca. Coach 

transfer via Puccini’s Torre del Lago (he 

called it Paradise) to Nozzano Castello, 

from where you walk along the river to 

historic Lucca. On your route you will 

see villages with impressive towers, and 

woods. In Lucca you walk along the 

ramparts and have a little free time to 

explore. You return to your hotel by train 

(25 minutes) and coach (15 minutes). 7 

miles, almost level. 

Walk 2: Rail & Trail, the Serchio valley. 

You begin with a coach transfer direct 

to the station at Aulla, in the Apuan Alps 

(32 miles, mainly motorway). From there 

you take the 40-minute train journey 

through the mountains to Piazza al 

Serchio. Your walk is approx. 7.5 miles to 

the station at Poggio along the side of 

the valley (ascent 200m/descent 250m), 

through pastureland and chestnuts, with 

views towards old villages and the Apuan 

Alps beyond. You return to your hotel by 

coach – time permitting, there will be a 

stop in Lucca en route. Please note that, if 

the train is not operating for any reason, 

a different walking excursion will be 

arranged. 

Walk 3: The Gulf of Poets. You have a 

30-minute transfer north to the village of 

Ameglia, at the mouth of the River Magra. 

From the old hilltop village the walk takes 

you through the Montemarcello-Magra 

Natural Park towards the maritime village 

of Tellaro, on the Gulf of Poets. Tellaro is 

on the list of the ‘Most beautiful villages 

of Italy’: the colourful fishermen’s houses 

cluster close to St George’s church. You 

continue on to Lerici, with its 12th-century 

castle (worth the climb to get the view 

towards Portovenere and the offshore 

islands). You will have time to explore 

Lerici before the return to your hotel. The 

walk is 6 miles, with 300m of ascent and 

descent. 

An optional excursion to Florence by 

coach and rail will be available. 


to Pisa airport and your flight home. 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL JOSEPH HHH, 

Marina di Pietrasanta. (seven nights) 

The Hotel Joseph, recently-refurbished, 

offers spacious lounge areas, lift, bar, 

restaurant, terraces, and outdoor pool 

area with terrace and fine views of 

the Versilia Coast. There is a wellness 

centre, with treatments available 

(charges apply). Bedrooms are in two 

adjacent buildings, and have shower, 

wc, safety deposit box and wifi. Twin 

rooms also have balcony. 

(www.hoteljoseph.net) 







Monte Isola & the Camonica Valley 

8 days from £919 June & September 

Lovere and take the local bus up to the 

village of Bossico. From the village square 

in Bossico you walk down to St John’s 

Sanctuary (2 miles and 275m of descent). 

You then follow the path back to Lovere 

(2.5 miles and 397m of descent). There are 

great views of the lake throughout the 

walk. 


departure to the airport. Depending on 

flight times, there may be time for a spot 

of last-minute shopping en route. 

Italy’s other beautiful lake is Lake Iseo: smaller than its more famous 

neighbours (15 miles long), but just as perfectly-formed! Nestling amid the 

scenic mountains, in a bay at the gorgeous Northern end of the lake is the 

resort of Lovere. You will walk in the hills close to Lovere, and travel by boat 

and scenic railway to walk in the UNESCO-listed Valcamonica area, and on 

Italy’s largest lake island, the appropriately named Monte Isola, ‘Mountain 

Island’ – it rises a full 420m above Iseo’s shimmering waters. 

• 7 nights hb on Lake Iseo • 3 included guided walks • Boat trip to 

Monte Isola 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Bergamo or Malpensa 

Airports. Transfer to your resort of Lovere 

(40 minutes from Bergamo, 90 minutes 

from Malpensa) for seven nights half 

board accommodation. 

Lovere: Set on a bay of Lake Iseo, with 

a semi-circle of mountains behind, 

the setting is wonderful. A member of 

‘I Borghi Piu Belli d’Italia’, ‘Italy’s Most 

Beautiful Villages’, this pretty little town 

of 5000 people has Italian-style arcaded 

streets, but with Swiss-style wooden 

overhanging roofs. Along the lakeside are 

grand old palaces, a modern yachting 

marina and a good selection of shops, 

bars and restaurants. Climbing up into 

the old town, you are soon in an oldfashioned 

Italy of shady squares and 

ancient church towers. There is good 

public transport for getting around on 

local buses and a boat service which links 

Lovere with Pisogne (15-minute trip), 

which has a railway station on the line 

between Brescia and Edolo. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: At leisure in resort 

with three included walking excursions. 

Optional excursions, including historic 

Bergamo, and a scenic trip to St Moritz 

aboard the Bernina Express Train, will also 

be available. 

Walk 1: You travel slowly down the lake 

by boat, calling in at five lakeside villages, 

en route to Monte Isola – journey time 75 

minutes. You walk 7 miles on Monte Isola, 

circling the island and climbing 420m to 

the summit at Madonna della Ceriola. The 

island has 2000 inhabitants and is also in 

the list of ‘Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages’. 

At around 1600 you return to Lovere by 

boat. 

Walk 2: Depart by coach to the Naquane 

Archaeological Park (20 miles). First you 

visit the Naquane Archaeological Park 

(entrance fee included) – there are 2 miles 

of paths here, amid stone carvings of 

animals and people dating from 3000 

BC. There are good views over the valley. 

You then walk down to Capo di Ponte 

where you have free time to explore and 

lunch. After lunch you walk from Capo di 

Ponte (or Co de Put in the local dialect!) 

to the medieval villages of Cemmo and 

Pescarzo and back down – 5 miles, 300m 

of ascent/descent. You return to Lovere 

firstly by train to Pisogne and then by 

ferry arriving back in Lovere at 1730 

approx. 

Walk 3: Walk to the main square in 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL LOVERE HHHH, 

Lovere, Lake Iseo (seven nights) 

This hotel has 55 rooms. Standard 

rooms have private bath or shower, no 

view or balcony, wc, tea/coffee making 

facilities, telephone, satellite tv and 

minibar. Classic rooms with balcony 

overlooking the hotel forecourt, 

and Superior rooms with balcony 

and partial lake-view are available 

at supplements. The hotel has a 

restaurant, gym, and the restaurant 

terrace has a view of the lake. There 

is also a spa area (charges apply) with 

a small, relaxing pool, Sauna, Turkish 

Bath, Hydrojet, etc. There is a bar 

adjacent to the hotel which offers 

a discount to hotel guests. (www. 

hotellovere.it) 







The Italian Riviera & Monte Carlo 

8 days from £869 April, May, June & September 

Argentina – the colourful flower-filled 

promenade along the beach and the 

longest pedestrian promenade on the 

Riviera. It was inaugurated by Eva Perón 

whose husband had visited Bordighera 

in 1947. On Thursday there is a market on 

the seafront near the hotel. Your hotel 

is handily situated for the station, with 

services to Ventimiglia, and to San Remo 

and beyond. There are also local bus 

services. 

There will also be an optional excursion 

to the Nervia Valley. You drive through 

Camporosso, a pretty village, and stop in 

medieval Dolceaqua, dominated by the 

Dorias’ Castle. The bridge, over the Nervia 

river, was painted by Monet in 1884. You 

will visit the ‘Visionarium’ – it will surprise 

you, we promise! You continue up the 

valley to Pigna, a pretty mountain village. 

The holiday base is Bordighera, on the coast 18 miles to the east of Monte 

Carlo. The British have enjoyed strolling in and around Bordighera since 

the 19th century – so much so it was an enclave where the local Italians 

were a minority. Today, Bordighera is an extremely pleasant resort whose 

climate and scenery can be enjoyed in much the same as visitors of 

yesteryear. It was also a favourite resort of Claude Monet who stayed 

ten weeks here and painted thirty-five landscapes in Bordighera and 

the neighbouring hills. There are three guided walks including one from 

Menton to Monte Carlo. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until you depart 

for the airport. Dependent on traffic 

conditions and flight timings, there may 

be time for some last-minute shopping in 

Nice en route. 

• 7 nights hb on the Italian Riviera • 3 included walking excursions • 

Visits to Monte Carlo and to the Princedom of Seborga 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Nice and transfer 

to your hotel (45-minutes) hotel in 

Bordighera for seven nights half board 


DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: In Bordighera 

with three included walks. On Day 2 there 

is a late morning walking tour pointing 

out the highlights of the town. 

Walk 1: Bordighera to Sasso & the 

Princedom of Seborga. For this walk 

you start at the hotel on the seafront 

in Bordighera, passing through the old 

town, before following an old watercourse 

through a valley of palm trees to the 

pretty hamlet of Sasso. You then take 

the old road to the village of Seborga, 

a historical curiosity: it is claimed that 

following its omission from a series of 

treaties, it is not officially part of Italy! 9 

miles there and back, with ascent/descent 

of 500m. If you wish to walk a shorter 

distance, you can catch the local bus back 

from Sasso or Seborga to Bordighera. 

Walk 2: Taggia to the artists’ village 

of Bussana Vecchia. Coach transfer to 

Taggia, which claims to be home to 

Italy’s longest medieval bridge. You walk 

through the old town, and then climb 

through smart villas, olive trees and 

greenhouses, following the old road and 

country paths as far as Old Bussana - one 

of those ‘must-see’ places. What was a 

completely empty village following the 

1887 earthquake has become home to 

a Bohemian artist community which 

took root in the 1960’s - not without 

controversy. 5 miles, 250m ascent. 

Walk 3: Monte Carlo or Bust! You travel by 

coach to Menton, where you walk up to 

Roquebrune village, before descending 

towards Monte Carlo. Roquebrune, on 

Mont Gros, is a favourite place for hanggliders, 

and has fine views of Monte 

Carlo. Time permitting, you will have 

time to explore a little of the Principality 

before you re-join the coach to return to 

Bordighera, just 18 miles away. 7 miles, 


In your free time there are several 

walking opportunities in the town 

itself. One takes you to the scenes of 

several of Monet’s paintings. Another is 

a one-mile walk along the Lungomare 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL PARIGI HHHH, 

Bordighera (seven nights) 

This comfortable hotel is family-run 

and stands right on the seafront 

promenade, just a short stroll from the 

town centre. Rooms have flatscreen 

tv with satellite channels, airconditioning, 

private bath or shower, 

wc and hairdryer. Although the railway 

line passes 20 metres behind the hotel, 

there are very few trains overnight and 

in any case rooms are double-glazed. 

The holiday price is based on hill view 

rooms. Side and full sea view rooms are 

available at a supplement. 

(www.hotelparigi.com) Free one-hour 

session in the hotel wellness centre. 







The Cinque Terre, Portofino & Lake Maggiore 

8 days from £969 April, May & September 

This Italian holiday takes you to the millionaires’ haunts of Portofino and 

Santa Margherita Ligure (where you spend four nights), and takes in the 

spectacular landscapes of the Cinque Terre and Lake Maggiore. Along the 

way you will travel on the picturesque ‘Three Valleys Railway’ into the heart 

of Columbus’ maritime city of Genoa. 

• 3 nights hb Lago Maggiore, 4 nights hb Santa Margherita Ligure 

• Walk in Italian Lakeland • Walks in Cinque Terre and to Portofino 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Milan, transfer to your 

hotel on Lake Maggiore for two nights 

half board accommodation. Transfer 

times from Malpensa and Bergamo are 

30 minutes and 1 ½ hours respectively. 

DAY TWO: Half-day walking excursion. 

You walk to catch the train up the lake. 

From the station at Fondotoce, you 

ascend 150m to the little hamlet of 

Montorfano, which has stunning views 

over Lake Maggiore. You continue down a 

gently sloping path to Mergozzo, a small 

village on the shores of its own little lake. 

There is time to explore this typical village 

and have lunch. You catch the train back 

from here. A gentle walk, approx 2 hours, 

150m climb and descent. 

DAY THREE: Today you travel south by 

private coach to the Riviera di Levante. 

Your first stop is Vercelli, a historic town 

surrounded by paddy-fields (rice is 

exported worldwide from here). You 

continue south, stopping for lunch en 

route, before you arrive at Casella, north of 

Genoa, to board the ‘Three Valleys Train’. 

In Genoa you will see something of the 

restored port and old city centre before 

you complete your journey by coach to 

the chic resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, 

where you spend four nights on a half 

board basis. 

Santa Margherita lies in a sheltered bay, 

close to Portofino. Its harbour is home to 

many gin-palace luxury yachts. All of this 

is close to your hotel. Total today 160 miles, 

mainly motorway. 

DAYS FOUR TO SIX: In Santa Margherita 

with included walking excursions to the 

Cinque Terre and Portofino, and a free 

day. 

Cinque Terre: The spectacular coastline, 

hills and villages landscapes of the 

Cinque Terre are UNESCO-listed and 

within the National Park, where the 

mountains drop almost vertically into 

the sea. Road access is very limited. You 

walk to the station in Santa Margherita 

(600m) and take the train to Monterosso 

(one hour), in the Cinque Terre. After a 

tour of the old medieval town, you walk 

to the next village, Vernazza. The trail is 

narrow; there are many steps built by the 

local farmers to get to their vineyards and 

lemon groves. The walk takes about 2 ½ 

hours with an ascent/descent of 300m. 

Once you reach Vernazza, you have time 

for lunch and to enjoy the best-known 

town of the National Park. You then 

continue by train to Manarola (7 minutes) 

to visit the village and walk a short 

but spectacular loop (ascent/descent 

100m) called “The Vineyards Trail” with 

breathtaking views of the town and coast. 

After some free time, you travel back to 

Santa Margherita by train. 

The destination for your third walk is 

Portofino. You start your day with a 

walk through Santa Margherita Ligure, 

admiring its beautiful baroque church 

and the garden of Villa Durazzo. At 

the end of the sea promenade you 

take an old mule path up through the 

woods for excellent views of the bay. 

You continue through the woods to 

the most spectacular section of the 

walk, overlooking all the Tigullio Gulf 

from Sestri Levante (12 miles distant) to 

Portofino. The trail goes through a valley 

of the ancient olive mills to finally reach 

Portofino. Actual walking time is about 

3 hours, 4 miles, with 200m of ascent/ 

descent, but you take all morning, with 

a lunch break in the valley of mills and 

arrive in Portofino in the early afternoon. 

Portofino’s colourful hotchpotch of 

fisherman’s houses embraces its harbour 

and the luxury craft of the nearby villaowners. 

Above the harbour is Brown’s 

Castle, and there are good views from the 

church. Weather permitting, you return to 

Santa Margherita by boat (15-minute trip). 

If the seas are too choppy, you return by 

public bus service. 

DAY SEVEN: You leave Santa Margherita 

and travel north, following a slightly 

different route to take in the cathedral 

city of Pavia. You arrive at Lake Maggiore 

in the afternoon, for one night, again on 

a half board basis. Total today 152 miles, 

mainly motorway. 



YOUR HOTELS 

HOTEL MILAN SPERANZA AU LAC 

HHHH, 

Stresa (first two and last nights) 

This four-star hotel is in two adjacent 

buildings in the centre of Stresa, 

overlooking the lake and opposite 

the boat station. The Speranza has a 

pleasant street-front café while the 

Milan houses the hotel restaurant. 

All rooms have bath or shower, wc, 

hairdryer and satellite tv. Lake view 

rooms are available at a supplement. 

Milan Speranza guests have use of the 

swimming pool at the nearby Hotel 

Regina Palace. (www.milansperanza.it) 

HOTEL JOLANDA HHH, 

Santa Margherita Ligure (four nights) 

The Hotel Jolanda is ideally located 

in a quiet street in the heart of Santa 

Margherita, just 200 yards from the 

pedestrianised town centre. The 

boat stop and railway station are 

8-10 minutes walk away. Rooms are 

comfortably furnished with bath/ 

shower, wc, hairdryer, minibar, safety 

box, and satellite tv. There is a garden 

area, fitness room, safe, spa area and 

wifi (charges apply to the last two). 

(www.hoteljolanda.it) 







Elba & Tuscany 


Napoleon was famously banished to Elba, before he returned to…meet 

his Waterloo. An extremely nice place to be exiled to! Like him, you will 

travel across to one of Europe’s most enchanting islands where, on two 

guided walks, you will wonder why he ever wanted to leave! But leave you 

must, too - to enjoy some of the scenic landscapes and beautiful cities in 

Tuscany. Visits to ‘spooky’ Volterra and magnificent Siena are included. 

From your base in the old city of Prato there is a third guided walk and 

mighty Florence is also easily accessible. 

• 4 nights bb Tuscan mainland, 3 nights hb on Elba • 2 guided walks on 

Elba and 1 in Tuscany • Walking tour of Prato • Ferry trip to Elba 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Pisa. There is a short 

transfer to Livorno, Tuscany’s second city, 

which has a Medici Fortress and mercantile 

‘Little Venice’ area, for one nights bed and 

breakfast accommodation. 

DAY TWO: After breakfast, depart Livorno 

and head inland to Volterra, 45 miles away, an 

ancient walled town on a hilltop dominating 

the rolling Tuscan countryside, with medieval 

and Renaissance buildings, Roman theatre, 

forum and baths. D.H. Lawrence called 

Volterra ‘an inland island’, and the popular 

vampire novel ‘New Moon’ (part of the Twilight 

Saga) was set there – you can see why! 

In the afternoon, you leave Volterra and drive 

to Piombino, 55 miles away, to board the 

roll-on, roll-off ferry to Elba, less than 10 miles 

offshore – the crossing takes just under an 

hour. 

You continue the short distance to your 

hotel in Procchio for three nights half board 

accommodation. Your hotel is in a quiet 

location on the beautiful bay of Procchio on 

the north coast of the island, seven miles west 

of Portoferraio. 

DAYS THREE AND FOUR: From Procchio you 

have two included walking excursions: 

Walk 1: Elba’s West: Short coach transfer to 

Zanca, at a height of 300m onthe west coast 

of Elba, from where you walk down to Sant 

Andrea beach (about 40 minutes). After a 

break, you walk down to the resort of Marciana 

Marina with superb sea views as you go (about 

4 hours, 6 miles, 290m ascent, 400m descent). 

After free time in Marciana Marina, you return 

to your hotel. 

Walk 2: Elba’s South: Short coach transfer 

to the narrow Stella peninsula, on the south 

coast. Your first path starts from the village 

of Lacona and winds up 100m through 

wonderful Mediterranean vegetation (40 

minutes), with umbrella pines and eucalyptus 

prominent. After taking in the stunning views, 

you retrace your steps and follow a different 

path around the peninsula – a further 3 hours 

walk. There is free time in the village of Lacona 

for lunch, after which there is a coach transfer 

to the island’s harbour town of Portoferraio 

(time to climb to the fortress if you wish) and 

thence to Procchio. Distance walked approx. 6 


DAY FIVE: Today you leave Elba and return to 

mainland Tuscany. You stop in Siena before 

continuing to the walled city of Prato (total 

today 150 miles). Siena is best known as the 

city of the spectacular bareback Palio Horse 

race. The race takes place on the spectacular, 

shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. St Catherine 

of Siena is, with St Francis, one of Italy’s two 

patron saints – her head was supposedly 

smuggled out of Rome and is stored in the 

church of St Dominic: and don’t miss the 

cathedral, one of Italy’s most stunning Gothic 

churches. 

You continue to Prato, just 10 miles from 

Florence (frequent train services take 25 

minutes), historic in its own right, and well 

worth taking time to visit, but fortunately 

without the great Florentine tourist flows! 

Although Prato is an important modern 

centre for textiles, the old town within the 

walls is a world apart – a lovely place to stroll 

and enjoy the real Italy. Your hotel is just a 

few steps from the town walls, so it’s easy to 

explore. Three nights in Prato on a bed and 

breakfast basis. 

DAYS SIX AND SEVEN: Free in Prato, with an 

included half-day walking tour of the old city 

and an included walking excursion. Otherwise 

you are free in Prato – why not catch the 

local train to Florence, or to Pistoia, another 

attractive nearby town. Both are just 20 

minutes train ride, or 5 euros away! 

Walk 3: You meet your guide at the hotel and 

catch the local bus just out of town, to S.Lucia 

di Prato and walk through a rocky landscape 

with springs and caves. There are views of the 

river valley, old villages and woodlands. After 

your walk, you catch the bus back to town, for 

lunch and a free afternoon. The walk is about 5 

miles with ascents/descents of 350m. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until your transfer to 

airport and your flight home. Depending on 

flight times, there may be time for some last 

minute shopping/sightseeing en route. 

YOUR HOTELS 

HOTEL GRAN DUCA HHHH, 

Livorno (one night) 

The first night is spent at the Gran Duca 

in the centre of Livorno, overlooking the 

harbour. As well as a piano bar it has a first 

class restaurant (there are plenty of less 

expensive bars and restaurants nearby). 

Rooms are air-conditioned with bath/ 

shower, wc, tv and fridge. (www.granduca.it) 

HOTEL BRIGANTINO HHH, 

Procchio, Elba (three nights) 

A pleasant, family-run hotel 250m from 

the beautiful Procchio beach and a 15 

minute walk to the small town centre. 

The hotel is set in attractive grounds 

and has a bar, lounge, reading room, 

restaurant and outdoor pool. Bedrooms 

have balcony, tv, shower and wc. The hotel 

has an agreement with a private area 

on the beach where sun loungers and 

parasols are free to hotel guests (May to 

September). (www.hotelbrigantino.com) 

ART HOTEL MILANO HHHH, 

Prato (three nights) 

The hotel is very handily situated close to 

the medieval centre (the magnificent 13thcentury 

Palazzo Pretorio re-opened in late 

2013 after a 20-year restoration) the other 

side of the river to the train station. The 

hotel has a lobby bar and breakfast room. 

Bedrooms have air conditioning, direct 

dial phone, hairdryer, free wi-fi connection, 

safe, digital tv. (www.arthotel-milano.it) 







Lake Maggiore 

8 days from £969 May, July, September & October 

houses where you’ll to see rural life today. 

The villagers still have sheep and goats, 

grazing them on the upper pastures 

of Capraga. 4.5 miles, 330m ascent to 

the village of Colloro, though there is 

the possibility to lengthen the walk, 

adding an extra 250m ascent to reach 

Capraga. This will be a full day excursion, 

although the actual walking time will be 

approximately three hours. 

There will also be a fourth, optional walk. 

On your free days, there is lots to see. 

Don’t miss the magnificent Borromean 

Palace on Isola Bella, and the Villa Taranto, 

with its wonderful garden, created by 

the Scottish captain Neil MacEacharn. 

Optional coach excursions are also 

available. 

This holiday includes a week on Lago Maggiore, Italy’s second largest lake, 

which stretches north from Lombardy and up into Switzerland. It lies, 

sheltered, on the south side of the Alps, making for a mild climate and 

consequent lush vegetation, with Mediterranean and exotic flora, including 

azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Maggiore is, in our view, much 

more scenic than, for example, the much larger Lake Garda to the East. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until you depart for 

the airport for your flight home. 

• 7 nights hb in Stresa • 3 guided walks in the wonderful lakeland 

scenery • Train and boat trips to access walks 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Milan, transfer to 

your hotel on Lake Maggiore for seven 

nights half board accommodation. 

Transfer times from Malpensa, Linate and 

Bergamo are 30 minutes, 1 hour and 1 

hour 30 minutes respectively. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: On Lago 

Maggiore with 3 included walking 

excursions. Your base is Stresa, half way 

up the lake, which was put on the 19thcentury 

‘Grand Tour’ map by Napoleon’s 

widening of the access road to the 

Simplon Pass – illustrious visitors came 

to enjoy the lakeside villas and healthgiving 

waters. The lakeside promenade 

near the hotel allows for a pleasant stroll 

to the pretty town centre - around the 

main Piazza there is a good range of 

shops, bars, and restaurants, and from 

the art nouveau ‘imbarcadero’ boats and 

steamers traverse the lake on a regular 

basis (various types of tourist ticket are 

available). 

Walk 1: Suna, the ‘Portofino of the Lake’, 

and Cavandone. Across the bay lies Suna, 

the most evocative part of Verbania. You 

travel there by local bus and begin your 

walk through the clustered medieval 

village houses, linked by seemingly 

random arched passageways. You then 

follow a mule track past orchards, fine old 

villas, a 14th-century tower and a chapel, 

from where there are lovely views out 

over the lake towards the Borromean 

islands and the Alps beyond. Passing 

through a chestnut grove, you reach 

the hamlet of Cavandone, the ‘Village of 

Stone Carvings’, returning to Suna by a 

different route. 5 miles, 265m of ascent/ 

descent. 

Walk 2: The Western Lake/Monte alle 

Croci. You take the train to Lesa (a 

12-minute journey), and climb gradually 

towards Comnago – there are views to 

Angera castle, over on the other side 

of the lake. Passing the Maria Assunta 

Chapel you climb through the wood to 

reach the summit of Monte alle Croci, 

with a wonderful panorama of the lake. 

Return is by a different route, partly on a 

road and partly on a mule track. 6 miles, 


Walk 3: Colloro. You take the train to the 

village of Premosello Chiovenda where 

an old mule-track leads to the Alpine 

village of Colloro. Set half-way up the 

hill like a balcony over the Ossola Valley, 

Colloro is situated in the National Park of 

Val Grande, Italy’s largest wilderness. It 

is a pretty village with the typical stone 

YOUR HOTEL 

HOTEL MILAN SPERANZA AU LAC 

HHHH, 

Stresa (seven nights) 

This four-star hotel is in two adjacent 

buildings in the centre of Stresa, 

overlooking the lake and opposite 

the boat station. The Speranza has a 

pleasant street-front café while the 

Milan houses the hotel restaurant. 

All rooms have bath or shower, wc, 

hairdryer and satellite tv. Lake view 

rooms are available at a supplement. 

Milan Speranza guests have use of the 

swimming pool at the nearby Hotel 

Regina Palace. (www.milansperanza.it) 



Crete - Coast & Mountains 

8 days from £919 May, September & October 

Crete, the largest Greek island, offers a wide range of attractions: from 

sandy beaches to spectacular walks through gorges and ravines - there 

is something here for everyone! The island’s history – from the Minoan 

civilisation of 2000BC onwards - is remarkable. Crete has amazing 

landscapes, with opportunities for walks taking in some of the main 

historical and natural sights, such as the Saint George Ravine and 

Spinalonga. This two-centre walking holiday will get you close to the real 

heart of this wonderful island from the Gulf of Mirabello in the east, to the 

Botanical Park in the west. 

• 3 nights hb Eastern Crete, 4 nights hb Western Crete • 3 varied guided 

walks • Visit to Elounda & Spinalonga Island • Walking tour of Rethymnon 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Heraklion. 20-minute transfer 

to your hotel in Gouves for three nights half 


DAY TWO: At leisure in Gouves, or you can take 

an optional excursion in the afternoon to see the 

ancient ruins of the Minoan Palace of Malia. 

DAY THREE: Walk 1. Kroustas and the Gulf of 

Mirabello. This is a full day with a guided walk 

in the morning and guided tour of Spinalonga 

Island in the afternoon. After a scenic drive 

through the spectacular ravine of Saint George, 

the walk starts in the narrow streets of the 

mountain village of Kroustas. Leaving the village, 

you enter a cultivated area of almond and olive 

trees. The route, which crosses the Kroustas valley 

and has amazing views over the Mirabello Gulf, 

ends near Pirgos. This is a downhill 4 ½ mile walk 

with 500m of descent and 50m ascent. At the 

end of the walk, you transfer to the coastal village 

of Elounda, from where you take a 20-minute 

boat trip across to the Venetian fortress island of 

Spinalonga - a leper colony for the first half of the 

20th century. After a guided tour of the island 

you return to your hotel. 72 miles of coach travel 

today. 

DAY FOUR: Today you leave for Rethymnon 

in the west, for four nights half-board 

accommodation, with an included walk en-route. 

Walk 2: Ancient Eleftherna. The walk starts near 

Eleftherna and ends in the village of Margarites. 

Using dirt roads and paths in lush, green scenery, 

you can see the ruins of Ancient Eleftherna and 

an amazing stone bridge well over 2000 years 

old and still in use. After some free time for lunch 

and to explore Margarites with its small ceramic 

workshops, you continue to Rethymnon. The 

walk is 4 ½ miles with 180m ascent and 270m 

descent. 82 miles by coach today. 

Rethymnon has a pleasant beach and resort 

area, but by contrast with your first centre, is 

quite a large town, with 40000 inhabitants, 

including a sizeable student population. It has an 

impressive Venetian fortress and harbour, and 

some interesting museums. 

DAY FIVE: Included morning walking tour of 

Rethymnon. Walk into town with your guide 

via the promenade through the charming 

old quarter to the Venetian harbour, and then 

through narrow streets and squares with Turkish 

and Venetian architecture. During this pleasant 

walk you’ll see in a local workshop how the 

Cretan musical instrument, the ‘lyra’, is made 

and, at a pastry shop, how to make the wafer-thin 

phyllo dough for traditional pastries. 

DAYS SIX AND SEVEN: In Rethymnon with an 

included walking excursion. 

Walk 3: Therisso and the Botanical Park and 

Gardens of Crete. You travel towards Chania in 

the west and then inland via the magnificent 

green Therisso Gorge to the village itself and 

the starting point of the walk. With the famous 

White Mountains as a backdrop, the walk takes 

you through olive groves near the village of 

Meskla. 5 ½ miles with 100m ascent and 300m 

descent. From here you have a short coach 

transfer to the Botanical Park and Gardens of 

Crete. Here you can walk the peaceful trails 

along the hill slope with herbs, shrubs and trees 

from all over the world. But don’t be late for your 

included lunch in the beautiful restaurant with 

magnificent views across to the mountains! 106 

miles coach travel today. 

There is also the chance to take an optional 

excursion to Southern Crete. You visit Phaestos, 

the second largest Minoan Palace in Crete, 

on a hill and overlooking the olive trees and 

greenhouses of the Messara Plain. Your lunchtime 

break is at the seaside village of Matala. It 

still retains the charm and character of a quiet 

fishing village, and the laid-back, hippy lifestyle 

of the 60’s and 70’s lives on. Here, you can have 

a dip in the Libyan Sea and still have time for a 

leisurely Cretan lunch at a beach tavern. On the 

way back to your hotel you stop in the mountain 

village of Spili to see the Kefalovrisi, a series of 25 

Venetian lions heads spraying water from their 

mouths. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until your departure for 

the airport, just over an hour away. Depending on 

flight timings, there may be time for some lastminute 

sightseeing en-route. 

YOUR HOTELS 

ASTIR BEACH HHHH, 

Kato Gouves (three nights) 

The hotel is situated on the beach in Kato 

Gouves on the north coast, 10 miles from 

Heraklion airport. Major refurbishment of the 

public areas including the restaurant, lobby 

bar and terrace took place in 2018 along 

with the addition of two more swimming 

pools. The hotel is modern in style and has 

a reception area, lounge with satellite tv, 

bar, spacious restaurant/dining room, two 

elevators, a pool bar, a snack bar, and a mini 

market. All of the 179 rooms are equipped 

with bath or shower/wc, hairdryer, direct dial 

telephone, safe box (weekly charge), radio, 

satellite tv, mini-fridge and balcony or terrace. 

Sea view rooms are available at a supplement. 

In the hotel grounds you will find a large 

sun terrace and two adult and one children’s 

freshwater swimming pools. Sporting facilities 

include table tennis, and minigolf. There is 

also a gym and spa centre with steam bath, 

sauna and whirlpool. Free wifi in the public 

areas and rooms, chargeable LAN access in 

the bedrooms. (www.astirbeach.gr) 

HOTEL THEARTEMIS PALACE 

HHHH, 

Rethymnon (four nights) 

The hotel is close to the town’s long sandy 

beach and boulevard, and 20 minutes on foot 

from the old town of Rethymnon. It consists 

of 245 well-appointed and recently renovated 

rooms. All the rooms are equipped with 

satellite tv, direct dial telephone, refrigerator, 

safety deposit box, bath/shower, wc and 

hairdryer. The restaurant offers a variety of 

Greek and international specialities. 

(www.theartemis.gr) 







Crete, Gouves - no single supplement 


Archanes where you have free time for 

lunch. The guided walk through the 

Kounavi Gorge is approximately 5 miles 

with ascents/descents of 120m/340m. The 

day’s tour includes a total of 46 miles by 

coach. 

From your holiday base in Gouves you have three included full day tours 

with guided walks allowing you to really discover the beauty and variety 

of Northern Crete. The scenic Kounavi Gorge, the open-air museum at 

Lychnostatis, wine tasting, the amazing views on Mount Ida – these are just 

a few of the highlights for you to enjoy. And when you’re not appreciating 

the magnificent Cretan countryside on a guided walk there is plenty of 

time to relax and enjoy the facilities of your four star hotel in Gouves. 

• 7 nights hb in Crete • 3 varied guided walks • No single room 

supplement 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Heraklion, short 

transfer to your hotel for seven nights half 

board accommodation in the resort of 

Gouves. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: Free in Gouves 

with three tours with guided walks. 

Walk 1: Traditional Crete. After breakfast 

you visit the open-air museum at 

Lychnostatis which offers an insight 

into authentic Cretan life. In a guided 

tour through the compound you can 

marvel at Cretan architecture and the 

old traditional life style. You then travel 

into the Mount Dicti area where your 

guided walk starts near the village of 

Kera. The walk covers fertile ground 

between thousands of olive trees, with 

splendid views on the mountain peaks, 

and passes a monastery before reaching 

the Aposelemis dam. You then have 

lunch in a Cretan mountain tavern with 

produce from its own garden. The walk 

is approximately 5.5 miles with ascents/ 

descents of 140m/140m. The day’s tour 

includes a total of 32 miles by coach. 

Walk 2: Mount Ida – the East slope. 

A scenic drive along olive groves and 

vineyards brings you to the east slope 

of Mount Ida, Crete’s highest mountain. 

The walk starts near the village of Assites, 

set in an agriculture region. During the 

walk you visit a ceramic workshop and 

the Antonios church from where there is 

a spectacular view of the narrow gorge. 

The walk is mostly downhill over dirt 

roads and paths between olive trees and 

vineyards. The walk ends in the village of 

Dafnes where you have a wine tasting. 

The walk is approximately 6 miles with 

ascents/descents of 150m/390m. The day’s 

tour includes a total of 44 miles by coach. 

Walk 3: The Northern Crete Countryside. 

After breakfast meet your local walking 

guide and depart for an introductory tour 

of Northern Crete and its countryside. 

When you get to the vineyards around 

the villages of Skalani and Mirtia your 

walk starts through the Kounavi Gorge. A 

scenic path goes along and over a stream 

through lush vegetation and abundant 

wild flowers and then continues through 

olive groves and vineyards. Short coach 

transfer to the traditional village of 

As well as the included tours there will be 

a full-day optional tour showcasing the 

history, culture and way of life, both in the 

mountains and along the coast. You drive 

west to the village of Tylissos where a 

short walk leads to the excavations of the 

Minoan settlement with beautiful views 

over the vineyards to the mountains. 

After a guided tour here, you continue 

by coach 2500ft up the slope of Mt. 

Psiloritis to the market town of Anogia 

for a short visit. Next stop is the Sfedoni 

Cave. A guided walking tour (270m) in 

this impressive cave reveals countless 

stalagmites and stalactites with a variety 

of shapes and colours in the labyrinthine 

chambers of the cave. 



YOUR HOTEL 

ASTIR BEACH HHHH, 

Kato Gouves (seven nights) 

The hotel is situated on the beach in 

Kato Gouves on the north coast, 10 

miles from Heraklion airport. Major 

refurbishment of the public areas 

including the restaurant, lobby bar and 

terrace took place in 2018 along with 

the addition of two more swimming 

pools. The hotel is modern in style 

and has a reception area, lounge with 

satellite tv, bar, spacious restaurant/ 

dining room, two elevators, a pool bar, 

a snack bar, and a mini market. All of 

the 179 rooms are equipped with bath 

or shower/wc, hairdryer, direct dial 

telephone, safe box (weekly charge), 

radio, satellite tv, mini-fridge and 

balcony or terrace. Sea view rooms 

are available at a supplement. In the 

hotel grounds you will find a large 

sun terrace and two adult and one 

children’s freshwater swimming pools. 

Sporting facilities include table tennis, 

and minigolf. There is also a gym and 

spa centre with steam bath, sauna and 

whirlpool. Free wifi in the public areas 

and rooms, chargeable LAN access in 

the bedrooms. (www.astirbeach.gr) 


available at Astir Beach. 







Poland - Krakow & the High Tatras 


walk is about 8 miles and with 550m of 

ascent and 600m of descent. 

While staying in Zakopane you also have 

the opportunity to cross the border into 

Slovakia, Poland’s southern neighbour, 

on an optional excursion. The High Tatra 

Mountains straddle the Polish-Slovakian 

border, and you will be able to experience 

the fantastic scenery from a different 

perspective – the cable car from Stary 

Smokovec to the mountain town of 

Hrebienok, at an altitude of 1200m. There 

is the chance to take a walk along marked 

paths to the scenic waterfalls of the area. 


departure transfer to the airport and your 

return flight home. Depending on flight 

times, there may be some time in Krakow 

en route to the airport. 

Two of Poland’s most spectacular sites, Krakow and Zakopane, are 

brought together in this holiday of contrasts. Firstly, the medieval 

UNESCO-listed university city of Krakow, for centuries Poland’s capital, 

and hometown of Pope John Paul II. Your second base is Zakopane, 

Poland’s highest city, amidst the spectacular Tatra Mountains and 

situated 800m above sea level. Zakopane is famous for its unique wooden 

architecture, featuring pretty, wood-fronted, 19th-century villas with high, 

sloped roofs! Your journey between Krakow and Zakopane will take a little 

longer than you might have expected – you will spend 2-3 hours gently 

meandering through the Dunajec River Gorge on rafts! This will allow you 

to fully appreciate the rocky landscapes of the Pieniny Mountains. (Note: 

the coach continues with your luggage – if weather conditions dictate, or 

if anyone prefers, the land route by coach may be used). 

• 3 nights bb Krakow, 4 nights bb Zakopane • Raft trip through the Dunajec Gorge • 

Walking tour of Krakow • 3 varied guided walks, 1 near Krakow and 2 near Zakopane 

YOUR HOTELS 

HOTEL WYSPIANSKI HHH, 

Krakow (three nights) 

PROGRAMME 

Throughout the holiday you are on a bed 

and breakfast basis. There is a wide variety 

of lunch and dinner options available 

in all price ranges in both Krakow and 

Zakopane. 

DAY ONE: Flight to Krakow. On arrival you 

meet our representative and transfer to 

your hotel in Krakow for three nights bed 

and breakfast accommodation. 

DAYS TWO AND THREE: Included half 

day walking tour of Old Krakow, also 

known as Stare Miasto. There is also 

an optional afternoon excursion to the 

stunning Wieliczka Salt Mine. 

Walk 1: From Krakow there is also an 

included walking excursion. You travel by 

local bus for a 5-mile walk in the forested 

Ojcowski National Park, Poland’s smallest 

National Park, located 8 miles north of 

Krakow. Ascent and descent of 100m. 

DAY FOUR: Today you travel to Zakopane, 

but instead of doing all the journey by 

road, you take 2-3 hours rafting gently 

through the stunning scenery of the 

Dunajec River Gorge, before arriving 

at Zakopane, in the heart of the Tatra 

Mountains. Four nights are spent here on 

a bed & breakfast basis. 

DAYS FIVE TO SEVEN: In Zakopane, with 

two included guided walks. 

Walk 2: You take the local bus to walk 

through the Koscieliska Valley, Przyslop 

Mietusi Pass and Malej Laki Valley to the 

Grzybowiec Pass at a height of 1330m. You 

then walk down the Strazyska Valley to 

Zakopane. The walk is about 8 miles with 

ascent of 500m and descent of 400m. 

Walk 3: You travel out of Zakopane by bus 

to start your walk near to the Slovakian 

border. The walk follows a trail through 

Hala Gasienicowa alpine meadow 

(1500m) and then back to Zakopane. The 

The hotel is named after the famous 

Polish artist, poet and playwright, 

Stanislaw Wyspianski, who once lived 

in a house at the site of the hotel. It is 

located right in the centre of Krakow, 

the proverbial stone’s throw from the 

main square. Rooms are fully equipped 

with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer, 

satellite tv, telephone and radio. There 

is also a restaurant and a bar. 

(www.hotel-wyspianski.pl) 

HOTEL WERSAL HHH, 

Zakopane (four nights) 

This hotel is located in a quiet, yet 

central, area of Zakopane. It has 42 

rooms with bath/shower, wc, hairdryer, 

satellite tv, radio and telephone. There 

is a restaurant offering both traditional 

Polish and international cuisine and a 

bar serving hot and cold drinks. 

(www.hotelwersal.pl) 







The Julian Alps of Slovenia, Venice & Trieste 


Walk 3: Coach transfer to Lake Bled for 

two walks. Firstly, you walk from Bled, 

passing through unspoilt villages to reach 

the Vintgar Gorge, with a boardwalk 

above the river in its narrow gorge. On 

returning to Bled (6 miles so far, fairly 

level) you have some free time before 

the second part of your Bled walking 

day, undertaking the best-known walk in 

Slovenia. This walk (a further 4 miles) has 

superb views over Lake Bled, its Castle 

and to the surrounding mountains. It 

is level apart from the climb up to the 

viewpoint on the hill of Osojnica. 

The Italian cities of Venice and Trieste, the coastline of the Venice Gulf 

and the Julian Alps of Slovenia are the ingredients for this varied and 

interesting walking holiday. The ‘Serenissima’ – the ‘most serene’ Venetian 

republic, governed much of the Adriatic. The Winged Lion of St Mark, the 

city’s emblem, can be seen everywhere in the region - look out for it in 

Trieste when you travel between Italy and Slovenia. As well as a visit to 

Venice, there is a guided walk down into James Joyce’s Trieste, another 

in the mountain resort of Kranjska Gora and a third around beautiful Lake 

Bled high in the Alps. 

DAY SEVEN: Today you leave Slovenia 

for Italy. You cross the border and head 

to Udine, an interesting city with a long 

history. A Roman city in origin, it stands at 

a crossroads of languages and cultures: a 

mix of Italian, Slav and German elements, 

with a castle and stunning, marble, 

Romanesque Duomo. From there you 

continue back to Lido di Jesolo for one 

nights half board accommodation. 153 

miles today. 

DAY EIGHT: Transfer to the airport for 

your return flight. 

• 3 nights hb Lido di Jesolo, 4 nights hb in the Slovenian Mountains • Excursion to 

Venice by boat • Visits to Trieste and Udine • 3 varied guided walks in Italy and Slovenia 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Venice or Treviso 

airports. Transfer to your hotel (40 

minutes from Venice airport, one hour 

from Treviso) for two nights half board 

accommodation in Lido di Jesolo, a resort 

town with 10 miles of beach. 

DAY TWO: After breakfast, you set off for a 

full day excursion to nearby Venice. There 

is a 40-minute coach transfer to Punta 

Sabbioni for the scenic boat trip across 

the lagoon – you arrive close to Piazza 

San Marco. After a walking tour with 

local guide, you will have time to explore 

the world’s most romantic city, the city 

of canals and islands. You return to your 

hotel, again by boat and coach, in time for 

dinner. 

DAY THREE: Today you drive east towards 

the border with the former Yugoslavia. 

Your main stop today is Trieste, once 

the major port of the Habsburg Austro- 

Hungarian Empire. 

Walk 1: This walk starts on a marvellous 

path from the little town of Prosecco 

(famous for its namesake wine) which 

leads through the karstic plateau and 

the cliffs overhanging the Adriatic Sea, 

with a detour en-route to Monte Grisa 

and Vedetta, before arriving at Villa 

Opicina passing close to the Emperor 

Franz I. Obelisk. From there, you take 

the local bus to Trieste, where you have 

some free time to explore the city where 

James Joyce lived and wrote many of his 

masterpieces. The walk is a little over 3 

miles with ascent/descent of 200m/80m. 

After the walk you cross into Slovenia and 

head for the mountain resort of Kranjska 

Gora in the Upper Sava Valley, for four 

nights half board accommodation. 218 

miles today. 

DAYS FOUR TO SIX: In Kranjska Gora with 

two included walking excursions and a 

free day, when an optional excursion into 

the Austrian province of Carinthia, with its 

sparkling blue lakes, will be offered. 

Walk 2: Kranjska Gora. Your circular walk 

climbs to the village of Srednji Vrh, with 

great views of the mountains, before 

descending to the riverside and returning 

to Kranjska Gora. 7 miles, 200m of ascent/ 

descent. 

YOUR HOTELS 

HOTEL SALUS HHHH, 

Lido di Jesolo (first two and last 

nights) 

The hotel is a two-minute walk from 

the beach and has a bar, restaurant 

and lounge and an outdoor pool. 

Bedrooms have air-conditioning, 

satellite tv, minibar, and a bathroom 

with shower and hairdryer. 

(www.hotelsalus.com) 

HOTEL KOMPAS HHHH, 

Kranjska Gora (four nights) 

The hotel lies 200 yards from the 

village centre. It has a restaurant, 

lounge, bar, garden, indoor pool, and 

comfortable modern bedrooms with 

cable tv, phone, safety deposit box, 

hairdryer, and bath/shower and wc. 

There is also a spa (charges apply). The 

hotel is part of the HIT hotel group and 

guests are welcome to avail themselves 

of the facilities of nearby sister hotels 

including the wellness centre (charges 

apply). 

(www.hit-alpinea.si/en/kompas-hotel) 







Romania – Transylvanian Alps & Bucharest 


Transylvania is a land of dramatic mountain scenery, idyllic rural 

countryside, Saxon medieval towns and villages and, of course, vampires! 

From your main base in the medieval merchant town of Brasov, there are 

two walks in the magnificent alpine landscapes of the Fagaras and Bucegi 

ranges, and a third walk in Viscri - a preserved pastoral setting unique to 

Romania. You also stay in Bucharest where you have a tour of Ceausescu’s 

colossal House of the Republic, while Bran Castle, on the way to Brasov, 

lives up to the eerie, ghoulish image that Bram Stoker’s Dracula evokes. 

• 3 nights bb in Bucharest • 4 nights bb in Brasov, and one dinner, in the Transylvanian Alps • Tour of 

Bucharest with entrance to the Palace of Parliament • 3 contrasting guided walks • Visit to Bran Castle 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Bucharest, transfer to your hotel in 

the centre of the city for two nights bed and breakfast 

hotel accommodation. There are plenty of restaurants in 

downtown Bucharest to suit all tastes and budgets. Your 

Tour Director will be on hand to assist. 

DAY TWO: Mid-morning walking tour of Bucharest. 

Romania’s cosmopolitan capital is well known for its wide 

boulevards and fine pre-World War I buildings that gave 

it the name of Little Paris. The tour will concentrate on 

the Old Town and the Calea Victoriei - Bucharest’s most 

famous avenue which leads to the beautiful Romanian 

Athenaeum, the Royal Palace and Revolution Square. 

Bucharest is also known for its stark Communist-era 

architecture, exemplified in Ceausescu’s monster House 

of the Republic, now known as the Palace of Parliament. 

A guided tour will show you some of 1,100 rooms of the 

world’s largest civilian administrative building. 

DAY THREE: Travel north through the Southern 

Carpathians to Brasov, stopping en route at Bran Castle. 

On a rocky outcrop guarding the entrance to a mountain 

pass, the castle was built by the Saxons in the late 14th 

century to defend Brasov from invasion by the Turks. 

Inside you’ll find displays of rich Western European 

furniture, which Queen Marie, granddaughter of Queen 

Victoria, purchased in the 1920s when the castle was 

used as a royal residence. Continue to Brasov for four 

nights bed and breakfast with dinner in a local restaurant 

this evening. (126 miles today). Arrival in Brasov will be 

late afternoon. Your Tour Director will conduct a short 

orientation walk of Brasov before dinner. 

DAYS FOUR TO SIX: In Brasov with two included walks. 

Brasov is a medieval town with ornate Saxon churches 

and townhouses. Local legend has it that when the 

Pied Piper lured away the children from Hamelin they 

re-emerged near Brasov’s main square, Pia'a Sfatului, in 

the heart of the medieval quarter. It is one of the finest 

Baroque squares in Romania. Here you can visit the 15th 

century Town Hall, with its quaint Trumpeter’s Tower on 

top, and the Lutheran Black Church - the largest Gothic 

church between Vienna and Istanbul with a 6 tonne 

bell and a huge organ with 4000 pipes. A great view of 

the old town is afforded from Mt Tampa which can be 

reached by cable car or by a couple of marked trails. 

Walk 1: Viscri. Coach transfer to Mesendorf (57 miles) 

for the start of the walk. This 8-mile walk (270m ascent/ 

descent) takes you over the hills and through the 

meadows to Viscri. A combination of bulldozing by 

the Ceausescu regime and the exodus of the Germanspeaking 

population after the fall of Communism 

threatened to wipe out the centuries-old Saxon rural 

heritage in Transylvania. With the help of benefactors, 

including Prince Charles, restoration and preservation 

schemes have helped save many villages and Viscri is the 

most famous example. Barns, cottages, cattle troughs 

etc. have been repaired and rustic skills re-introduced. 

After the walk you have an included lunch in a local 

house, time to explore the village and have a tour of 

Viscri’s UNESCO-listed fortified church. Under continuous 

threat of marauding Mongols and Turks, the Saxons not 

only fortified their towns, but the villages as well with 

defensive works centred around the church. 

Walk 2: Transfer by coach to the Balea waterfall. The 

transfer takes 2 ¼ hours which is much longer than we 

would normally undertake. But not only is the drive worth 

it, it’s part of the day’s experience as it takes you on the 

northern part of the Transfagarasan - voted Top Gear’s 

‘best road in the world’. The really serious bends are after 

the waterfall, but you see them in all their glory from the 

cable car which takes you to Lake Balea at 6,780ft and 

the start of the walk to climb up to the main ridge of the 

Fagaras Mountain. The narrow path is mostly uneven, 

on rocky terrain, with steep sides. On the ridge, there 

are panoramic views over the glacial valleys and lakes 

wherever you look. You continue along the ridge and 

then descend back to the Lake from the opposite side on 

similar terrain. (2 ½ miles with ascent/descent of 480m). 

During your stay in Brasov there will also be an optional 

half day excursion to the nearby fortified churches of 

Harman and Prejmer. 

DAY SEVEN: Return to Bucharest. Twenty four miles 

south of Brasov is the small mountain resort of Busteni 

where you start your third walk. 

Walk 3: The Bucegi Mountains (5 miles with ascent of 

150m and descent of 300m). This part of the Prahova 

Valley gained popularity as a tourist destination at the 

end of the 19th century when King Carol I established 

royal residences in the area. You take the cable car from 

Busteni to the Babele station (7,350ft) passing the giant 

WWI memorial cross on Mt Caraiman. Babele is famous 

for its curiously shaped rock formations. With spectacular 

views across the valley, your walk takes you south to the 

Cota 2000 station where you take the cable car down 

to Sinaia and re-join your coach for the onward journey 

to Bucharest (90 miles) for your last night on a bed and 

breakfast basis. 

DAY EIGHT: Free time until your departure for the airport 

and your flight home. 

YOUR HOTELS 

Bucharest. Depending on dates, we use the following 

centrally located hotels in Bucharest (see the Dates, Prices 

and Flight Information booklet). Rooms in all hotels have 

free wireless Internet, air-conditioning, and bathroom 

equipped with bath/shower, and hairdryer. 

HOTEL CAPITOL HHHH, 

(www.hotelcapitol.ro/en) 

The hotel has a bar and restaurant which is 

popular with the locals and hotel guests. 

HOTEL BERTHELOT HHHH, 

(hotelberthelot.ro/en) 

The hotel has a bar and the hotel’s Bel Canto 

restaurant occasionally has live music in the 

evenings. 

HOTEL GOLDEN TULIP HHHH, 

(www.goldentulipbucharest.com) 

The hotel has a bar on the Calea Victoriei, 

restaurant and fitness room. 

Brasov. In Brasov we use the following hotels, both 

situated a 15-minute walk from the Council Square. 

HOTEL BELFORT HHH, 

(www.belfort.ro) 

Completely renovated in 2017, this modern hotel 

is at the foot of the Tampa forest park yet only a 

5-minute walk to the main pedestrian shopping 

street. The hotel has a bar and lounge Rooms 

have a balcony, tv, wifi, direct dial telephone, 

bath or shower, and hairdryer. 

HOTEL COROANA BRASOVULUI HHH, 

(www.coroana-brasovului.ro) 

This small, friendly and modern hotel is in a quiet 

position on a pretty square near the Schei Gate. 

The hotel has a pleasant breakfast room and 

cosy English bar. Rooms have tv, wifi, direct dial 

telephone, shower and hairdryer. 

Dinner at a local restaurant is included on the 

first night in Brasov. 







Cyprus - Akamas Peninsula & the Troodos Mountains 

8 days from £809 February & November 2019, February & March 2020 

NO SINGLE 

SUPPLEMENT 

NOV ’19, 

FEB ‘20 

Cyprus is an ancient land of mystery, legend, beauty and love. Aphrodite 

rose from the sea foam near your resort of Paphos, and took pity on 

Pygmalion by bringing to life his statue of the beautiful Galatea - their son 

was Paphos. At the crossroads of three continents, the area has a long 

history of invasions, and but for its mountain ranges, whose winter snows 

irrigate the island, Cyprus would be desert instead of the lush, green 

landscapes you now find. Paphos was the capital for 600 years and its 

visible archaeological legacy has led to the whole town being placed on 

UNESCO’s World Heritage List. 

• 7 nights hb in an excellent hotel in Paphos • Three included walking 

excursions • No single supplement on some dates 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Fly direct to Paphos. Transfer to 

your hotel in Kato Paphos (20 minutes) for 

seven nights half board accommodation. 

DAYS TWO TO SEVEN: Paphos 

orientation walk and three included 

walking excursions, private transportation 

included. Two of the walks highlight the 

Akamas peninsula – an area of rocky 

coves, sandy bays on the coast and 

picturesque villages inland. 

Walk 1: the Akamas Peninsula. After a 

45-minute northwards coach transfer into 

the nature reserve area of the Akamas 

peninsula, you follow the trail that Adonis 

used on his way to meet Aphrodite (or 

so the locals say!). The area is rich in 

flora, including species found only here. 

The walk takes 3.5 hours (5 miles), with 

ascents/descents of 250m. 

Walk 2: Panayia and the Vouni Trail. 

Today’s walk starts at the village of 

Panayia, one hour’s drive from Paphos. 

The path goes through vineyards and 

amid unusual limestone rock formations. 

Your walk takes about 3 hours (4.5 

miles), with ascents/descents of 300m. 

Before returning to Paphos, you will visit 

Chrysorogiatissa monastery, 3000ft up 

(the trail’s name, ‘Vouni’ means a ‘peak’), 

and founded in 1152. 

Walk 3: the Troodos Mountains, 1 ½ 

hours drive away. These impressive, 

often snow-capped, mountains are the 

backbone of Cyprus - the highest peak, 

Mount Olympus, rises to 6000ft. This is a 

5-mile trail around the mountain starting 

and finishing on the road to Chionistra, 

crossing ski runs and with stunning views 

on all sides. There are signs indicating 

particular flora species on the slopes and 

you will see black pines and junipers of 

the region growing out of the barren 

rocks. 3 hours, with little ascent or 

descent. Apart from your three included 

walking excursions, there is an optional 

excursion to the capital and Green Line in 

Nicosia. 



YOUR HOTEL 

PIONEER BEACH HOTEL HHHH, 

Paphos (seven nights) 

The Pioneer Beach is an impressive 

4-star hotel with beautifully appointed 

bedrooms, public areas, international 

buffet style restaurant and colourful 

gardens. It is a pleasant 20-minute 

walk along the seafront to the 

shopping area and a further 10 minutes 

to Paphos harbour, or a short ride 

on the local bus. The hotel boasts 

a freshwater swimming pool with 

Jacuzzi, an indoor heated pool with 

Jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor short mat 

bowling facilities and outdoor Green 

Bowls facilities, and a floodlit tennis 

court. In the hotel’s Elixir Spa there is 

a heated pool, sauna, steam bath, a 

fully equipped gym and a hairdressing 

salon. Bedrooms have balcony, satellite 

tv, fridge, minibar, hairdryer, scales, 

make-up/shaving mirror, bathrobes 

and slippers, safety deposit box, ironing 

facilities, espresso machine as well as 

tea and coffee making facilities. (www. 

pioneer-cbh.com) 

Please note that the hotel 

management reserves the right to 

change the hotel to the 4-star Athena 

Beach, a sister hotel of the Pioneer 

Beach located along the seafront half a 

mile closer to the port area of Paphos. 

(www.athena-cbh.com) 


available in Paphos. 







Tenerife 

8 days from £769 February, March & November 2019, February & March 2020 

There are a host of reasons for visiting Tenerife - the largest of the Canaries, 

which the classicists rightly called ‘the Fortunate Isles’. Fortunate, too, in 

having such a wonderful winter and spring climate for visitors from the 

freezing north! An island of contrasts - miles of sun-drenched coastline 

surround Spain’s highest mountain, Mount Teide. Often snow-capped, the 

desolate volcanic slopes of Teide are a world away from the tropical vegetation 

of the banana plantations and the botanic gardens below. You stay in the north 

part of the island where the traditional villages, the UNESCO-listed university 

town of La Laguna and historic Puerto de la Cruz are totally different in feel to 

the commercialised resorts of the south. 

• 7 nights hb on Tenerife • 3 walking excursions in very different areas 

of the island 

PROGRAMME 

DAY ONE: Flight to Tenerife Sur Reina 

Sofia Airport. Transfer to your hotel (about 

one hour away) for seven nights half 



three included walking excursions in 

different parts of the island. Transfer times 

to the start of each walk is about one 

hour. On Walk 1 there is normally a stop 

at the Teide National Park Visitor's Centre 

before the walk. 

Walk 1: Mount Teide. A full day excursion 

onto Mount Teide, with 3-4 hours walking 

on the mountain slopes (breathtaking 

views), and time to sightsee as well. A 

reasonably level route will be chosen by 

your walking guides, according to the 

weather on the day. Total distance 5-6 

miles, reasonably level but at an altitude 

of around 8000ft. 

Walk 2: Anaga. Your second excursion is 

to the north-east of the island, for a walk 

in the Rural Park of Anaga, an area of 

volcanic cliffs and Laurisilva forests rich 

in wildlife. Total distance 4.4 miles with 

climbs of approx 300m. 

Walk 3: Teno. The final included excursion 

is a full day trip to the extreme north west 

of the island, where the Teno area lies, 

by-passed by the traffic and seemingly 

by time itself. You walk in the hills above 

Garachico, whose harbour was filled in 

by a lava flow in the 18th century. This is a 

full day excursion, with 3-4 hours walking 

and time for other exploring, too. Total 

distance 5 miles with climbs of approx 

350m. 

Apart from your three included 

excursions, you are free to relax and enjoy 

the extensive facilities of your hotel, or to 

explore Tenerife, either independently or 

on an optional excursion, as you prefer. 



YOUR HOTEL 

BLUE SEA COSTA JARDIN & SPA 

HHHH, 

Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (seven 

nights) 

The hotel stands on the edge of Puerto 

de la Cruz, a 25 minute walk to the 

seaside promenade (free courtesy bus 

6 days a week during the day). There 

are views to Mount Teide, the sea, and 

the Orotava valley from the hotel’s 

extensive tropical gardens (1500sqm). 

Rooms have bath/shower, wc, 

hairdryer, satellite tv, safety deposit box 

(charge applies), minibar, and balcony 

or terrace. There is an outdoor pool, spa 

(charges apply), lounge area, poolside 

bar, entertainment programme, buffet 

restaurant, and lounge area (limited 

free wifi). Prices are based on standard 

rooms. Rooms with a view of Mount 

Teide are available at a supplement. 

(www.blueseahotels.com/en) 


available in Tenerife. 







GENERAL INFORMATION 

HOTELS: Accommodation has been reserved in the hotels mentioned, but we do reserve the right to 

substitute similar hotels should circumstances dictate. Please note that at the discretion of the hotels 

(and their view of the local climate), lido and pool areas, as well as air-conditioning, may not be operational, 

and hotels’ charging policies for access to spas, safety deposits, wifi, etc are always subject 

to change. Half-board normally includes evening dinner and breakfast. We make group bookings in 

hotels. Unless a hotel insists on it, we do not reserve tables for Preferred Travel groups at dinner. On 

the coast in Spain and Portugal, dinner is normally buffet-style with flexible seating and timing. In some 

hotels there will be a set menu at a fixed time for the group at dinner with no or limited choice. Where 

there is a limited choice, you may be asked to pre-order courses at breakfast time for that evening. This 

format is quite common in Italy and in city hotels in Spain, so please make sure we are aware of any 

special dietary requirements. Where house wine is included with dinner, this will be limited in colour, 

type and quantity by the hotel! Hotel check-in times are usually between 2pm and 3pm, check-out times 

between 10am and 12 noon on the day of departure. However, times do vary. Therefore, if you check-in 

immediately after a night flight this would normally count as one night’s accommodation. Similarly if your 

return flight is at night you will normally be required to vacate your room in the morning prior to leaving 

for the airport later on. Day rooms are subject to availability/cost and should be arranged locally with 

the hotel. Please refer to Clause 19 of our Booking Conditions for further information regarding hotels. 

ITINERARIES: The order of visits described may be subject to change. Where a train or boat journey 

features in a programme the journey will be made by road if, for any reason, the train or boat is not 

operating. Optional excursions operate at extra cost and are subject to minimum numbers. Changes 

may be made to the particulars in this brochure at any time. 

WALKS:WALKING GROUPS AND INSURANCE: The walks are designed for regular walkers of average 

fitness. If you wish to walk further, our guides will assist you with information on other walking 

possibilities in the area. If you wish to stick to shorter distances, some of our walks can be abridged to 

suit – though in some instances you may have to pay for a taxi back to the hotel from a convenient point! 

For your comfort and security, and in recognition of the fact that paths in places may be stony or wet, 

it is essential that you should have appropriate footwear: either strong walking shoes or boots (new 

boots should be broken in) which give ankle support and have soles with a good grip – walking poles 

(collapsible to fit inside hold luggage), if you have them, take the strain off the joints, and are handy if not 

essential. A light waterproof coat is advisable, as is sun cream and a hat; binoculars and camera are an 

extremely good idea, and drinking water is essential. 

The details of the walks are believed correct at the time of printing. However, they may be amended 

due to local conditions or substituted with walks of similar content and quality. Similarly the order of 

operation of the walks is subject to confirmation. Distances and elevations should be taken as indicative 

only and may not agree with local signage nor with GPS systems’ readings, which, as we have found 

out, do not always agree with each other! Please bear in mind that while walks are on marked paths, 

farm tracks and tarmac roads, the different nature of terrain, vegetation and local standards in the resort 

areas means that these are often very different to those you would find in the UK. Vive la difference! 

We normally provide a walking guide/assistant guide for every 15-20 walkers. This ratio can change 

slightly for operational reasons (e.g. terrain, local regulations, guide availability). When required, transport 

to the start point is included. If we use a larger coach to get more than one walking group to a start 

point, you may be asked to delay starting out so as to keep walking groups separate. All holidays need 

minimum numbers to operate – see Clause 6 (a) of our Booking Conditions. 

Please check with your insurer if in doubt. Travel insurance arranged with Travel & General (see the 

Travel Insurance section of the Dates, Prices and Flight Information booklet) covers you for group walks 

up to an altitude of 3000m (approx 9850ft). The highest altitude reached on any of our group walks is 

2550m (8415ft). If you decide to walk separately from our group, or if you have not taken out Travel & 

General insurance please ensure your cover is valid, particularly if you are going above 2000m/6560ft. 

EXTENDED STAYS: Where it is possible to extend your holiday and have an extra week, all excursions 

are planned to take place during the first week. Please note that in some cases during the second week 

an emergency contact number will be given in lieu of the services of a local representative. Naturally, 

your return airport transfer will be arranged for you. 

PRICES: These are subject to change - please see Clause 3 of our Booking Conditions. However, 

once we have confirmed your booking, your holiday price is guaranteed. Please note that optional 

excursions, porterage, drinks with main meals and travel insurance are not normally included in 

the holiday price. In some places tourist taxes are being introduced, which are paid in resort by hotel 

guests. These are not included in the holiday price and will have to be paid by you directly to the hotel. 

We shall let you know if such taxes apply when you book or as soon as we become aware if they are 

introduced after you booked. 

PAYMENTS BY COMMERCIAL CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD: Please note that all payments by commercial 

credit or debit card are subject to a charge of 2% of the payment being made. 

CUSTOMER CARE: Our customers can have complete confidence when booking an ATOL protected 

holiday with a tour operator which cares about its customers. Our customers were full of praise for the 

way our staff looked after them during the ash cloud crisis in 2010 and during various Air Traffic Control 

strikes since. More recently, when Monarch Airlines collapsed, none of our customers lost their holiday, 

and, those already abroad flew home without any delay. If your homeward flight is disrupted, we will get 

you home as soon as possible. If the airline has not made arrangements for accommodation and meals 

we shall do so. Please note that in order to offer this service we rely on your cooperation in dealing with 

claims for reimbursement from the airline concerned. Please see clause 18 for our general policy on 

flight cancellations and delays. 

FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENTS: Obviously the departure dates of our holidays are set and as advertised. 

Occasionally extra dates will be added due to demand – please look at our website www.preferredts.com 

or call us. If you wish to combine two holidays into a longer break, or e.g. stay behind in 

your destination country to visit friends, we will try to assist and arrange special flight arrangements. 

Please note that for bookings including special flight arrangements there will be an administration fee of 

£15 per person, and the deposit payment (non-refundable) will be £250 per person. 

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND TRAVEL ADVICE: There are no compulsory health requirements for 

the countries we visit. For up to date UK government health and travel advice please visit www.dh.gov. 

uk/ travellers (020 7210 4850) or check with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic for advice. The 

Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up-to-date travel advice at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo 

EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD (EHIC):The EHIC replaced the old E111 in 2006. Your EHIC 

lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It will cover you for treatment that 

is needed to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return. The card is not an alternative to 

travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs such as mountain rescue in 

ski resorts, being flown back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. Therefore, it is important to have both 

an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Most insurers now insist you hold an EHIC. The 

EHIC is valid in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The EEA is a free trade zone between 

countries of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The regulations on access to 

healthcare in the EEA also apply in Switzerland. Applying for an EHIC is free of charge. You can apply 

online at www.ehic.org.uk or by phoning the automated service on 0300 3301350. This is information is 

subject to change after Brexit. 

PASSPORTS/VISAS: You must have a Full British passport for travel to/from the UK. Currently, for visits 

to countries in the EU, passports must be valid on the day of return, but you should give yourself some 

leeway. Furthermore, requirements for countries outside the EU vary so we strongly suggest you have 6 

months validity from the date of your return to cover all eventualities – including any changes in passport 

validity requirements for travel in the EU following a no-deal Brexit. There are no visa requirements 

for UK citizens. Nationals of other countries should consult the appropriate authorities. In case your 

passport is lost or stolen overseas, a photocopy of the photograph page will be of help in obtaining an 

emergency passport from the Consulate for return travel. Make sure you are insured for the costs of obtaining 

an emergency passport. These will be the application fees but may also include very expensive 

transport costs getting to/from the Consulate. 

YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION: All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially 

protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. 

Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is 

listed on it. Please see Clause 14 of our booking conditions for further information or for more information 

about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate. 

PRIVACY POLICY SUMMARY: Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect the 

Personal Information we collect from you. Personal Information includes your name, address, email 

address, telephone number, date of birth, passport details, and any other information you provide, for 

example, a medical condition or dietary requirement. We collect this information in order to provide 

the travel arrangements you have booked. Where necessary, this information will be passed on to the 

relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements including, but not limited to, airlines, hotels, land and 

sea transport companies, our Tour Directors and Resort Representatives. If you have taken out travel 

insurance, we shall pass on your Personal Information to the relevant insurance company to assist with 

any claim. We shall only transfer the data we collect from you outside the European Economic Area if 

your travel arrangements include such a destination. Your Personal Information will also be provided 

to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. We 

shall retain your Personal Information in order to deal with post-travel queries for the minimum periods 

required by law. We may also send you from time to time details of our products and services. If you do 

not want to receive such details in future, tick the box on the booking form, or just let us know. We shall 

not share your Personal Information with our newspaper partners and carefully selected third parties 

unless you consent by opting in on the booking form. Our full Privacy Policy can found on our website 

www.preferredts.com. You have certain rights under data protection law, for example, to access, correct, 

or erase the data we hold about you, or to make a complaint. Details can be found on the Information 

Commissioners’ website (www.ico.org.uk), or contact us. 

By phone: 0116 279 3929. By email: mail@preferredts.com 

By post: Preferred Travel Services, 41 High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester, LE8 0HS. 

Online: https://www.preferredts.com/contacts/ 

Preferred Travel Services is a trading name of High Concepts Ltd. 

ISSUED DECEMBER 2018 

Reservations hotline: 0116 279 3929 

30 | www.preferredts.com 

Please refer to the enclosed ‘Dates and Flight Information’ for details of departure dates, prices and flights.

Preferred Travel Services Booking Form 

PASSENGER DETAILS 

Exactly as written on the Passport. 

Please use BLOCK CAPITALS 

Lead Passenger (who must sign this form 

in the PAYMENTS section): 

Title................................................................................ 

Forenames.................................................................. 

Surname...................................................................... 

Address........................................................................ 

........................................................................................ 

........................................................................................ 

..........................................Postcode........................... 

Tel. day......................................................................... 

Tel. mobile................................................................... 

Tel. emergency..................................................... 

Email............................................................................. 

............................................................................. 

Date of birth ...... dd / mm / yy .............................. 

Nationality................................................................... 

Passport No................................................................ 

Issue Date dd / mm / yy Expiry date dd / mm / yy 

Issuing Country......................................................... 

Passenger 2: 

Title................................................................................ 

Forenames.................................................................. 

Surname...................................................................... 


Nationality................................................................... 

Passport No................................................................ 



Passenger 3: 

Title................................................................................ 

Forenames.................................................................. 

Surname...................................................................... 

Date of birth ...... dd / mm / yy .......................... 

Nationality................................................................... 

Passport No................................................................ 



Passenger 4: 

Title................................................................................ 

Forenames.................................................................. 

Surname...................................................................... 


Nationality................................................................... 

Passport No................................................................ 



£ 

BN 

ASB 

Office use only 

Please refer to the enclosed ‘Dates and Flight Information’ for details of departure dates, prices and flights. 

W3692 

To make a provisional booking please refer to the How to Book section enclosed 

with the brochure. Then COMPLETE THIS BOOKING FORM IN BLOCK 

CAPITALS and return it with deposit payment or full payment to Preferred Travel 

Services, 41 High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester, LE8 0HS. Cheques 

should be made payable to Preferred Travel Services. 

HOLIDAY TITLE......................................................................................................................................... 

....................................................................................................HOLIDAY CODE.................................... 

PROVISIONAL BOOKING No......................................................................................................... 

DEPARTURE AIRPORT........................................................................................................................ 

DEPARTURE DATE ............................................... 

dd / mm / yy DURATION.................................................. 

NUMBER OF ROOMS 

Twin/doubles...................Triples/Family..........................Singles.............................. 

Room type (if not standard)................................................................................... 

please refer to Dates, Prices & Flight Information 

TOTAL HOLIDAY COST £..................... 

SPECIAL REQUESTS (not guaranteed). You may also wish to advise us here 

of any special needs so that we can inform the hotel and/or transport company. 

............................................................................................................................................ 

............................................................................................................................................ 

INSURANCE 

Your Insurer....................................................................................................................... 

Policy No....................................................24 hr emergency No........................................................ 

PAYMENT ENCLOSED WITH THIS BOOKING (please refer to How to Book) 

Deposit £................................... 

Full Payment (including supplements and extras if applicable) £.................................. 

TOTAL £................................... 

Please make your cheque/postal order payable to Preferred Travel Services. 

In signing I have read and accept all details in the booking conditions and do 

so on behalf of all those named under Passenger Details 

Signed............................................................................................................ Date....dd / mm / yy .... 

We’ll automatically send you our brochures and holiday updates when they appear. If you prefer not to 

receive them, tick this box [ ], or just let us know at any time. 

If you want to receive information from our newspaper partners or selected third parties,tick this box [ ] 

IN WHICH NEWSPAPER DID YOU SEE THIS HOLIDAY ADVERTISED? 

............................................................................................................................................................................... 

THANK YOU FOR BOOKING 

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS FOR CREDIT/DEBIT 

CARD PAYMENTS – we accept Maestro, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Visa 

Card Type................................................... Valid from.............................Expires.................................. 

Please enter the last 3 digits of your security code 

(shown on the signature strip on the reverse side of your card)...................................... 

Card No. 

Please charge my account the sum of £................................... 

Card holder’s name if different from the Lead Passenger’s name 

................................................................................................................................................................................ 

Card holder’s signature............................................................................................................................ 

www.preferredts.com 31 

Issue No.

Walking Holidays Collection 

2019 to March 2020 

ABOUT US: 

Preferred Travel Services is an award winning, 

independently owned, friendly company whose 

two directors share more than 70 years of travel 

industry experience and all this is put to use in 

designing holidays which have just the right 

balance of included visits and free time to 

explore on your own. In 2019 we celebrate our 

19th birthday. Whichever holiday you choose, 

you’ll still have time to visit cities and places of 

interest in some of Europe’s most picturesque 

countryside and beauty spots in the company 

of like-minded travellers from all over the UK. 

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY: Holidays are of 7 nights duration, 

but if you would like to spend longer in warmer climes there 

is the option of an extra week’s relaxation in Menorca and 

Mallorca, Crete, Cyprus, Andalucia, Catalonia, the Algarve 

and Tenerife. 

FLY DIRECT FROM LOCAL AIRPORTS: We offer holidays 

flying from over 20 airports across the UK – the vast majority 

are direct flights. More and more of our customers are using 

our range of regional flights to meet up with friends and 

relatives from other parts of the UK on our holidays – if you 

would like us to send a brochure to a friend, just ask... or 

they can download one at www.preferredts.com. 

GROUPS: Group discounts are available from as few as 

10 paying passengers. Larger groups can have exclusive 

departures with bespoke programmes to any destination 

in this Collection or elsewhere. Please contact us on 

0116 279 3929 or e-mail groups@preferredts.com for 

further details. 

SIGN UP online for our occasional e-mailshots – just 

select e-mail sign up at www.preferredts.com and add 

your e-mail address! 

READING LIST: Our website www.preferredts.com has a 

reading list, mostly light reading, suggested by previous 

travellers and related to the destinations we offer. Please 

e-mail tony@preferredts.com if there is something you 

think we should add to it. 

PTS PHOTO COMPETITION: Our photo competition 

introduced in 2017 continues to be a great success with 

hundreds of high-quality entries, many of which have been 

posted on our website. Our third winner of the competition 

in June 2018 was Alan Keith for his spectacular shot of Lake 

Balea in Romania shown on the front cover. Special thanks to 

those entrants with other images in this brochure: page 6 – 

Philip Moseley, looking towards Tarbena; page 11 – Bill Stokes, 

Cala Pregonda; page 17 – Vera Bowen, Ligurian hill-top village; 

page 29 – Bill Stokes, Mount Teide rock formation. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Images in our brochures and 

website appear courtesy of Turespana; Fototeca ENIT; 

Distretto Turistico dei Laghi-Stresa (VB); Foto Archivo Agencia 

in Liguria; Foto Archivo Provincia di Imperia – Riviera dei Fiori; 

Tourism Department of Lassithi; MDLF/R – CAST; Turismo 

de Portugal; Turismo y Deporte de Andalucia; Visit Poland; 

VisitCyprus; Rafael Lopez-Monne; www.slovenia.info; Miquel 

Angel Torro/Turismo Costa del Sol/www.visitacostadelsol. 

com; l’Office de Tourisme d’Arles; Visit Estonia; Greek National 

Tourist Office/C_Moustafellou; Bergamo & Lovere Tourist 

Office/D. Salvi; Almunecar Tourist Board; Top Tours Romania; 

Atout France/Paul Palau; Greek National Tourist Office/Y_ 

Skoulas; Patronat Municipal de Turisme de Tarragona/ 

Alberich Fotografs; www.slovenia.info/B.Cvetkovic; Turismo 

de Canarias/Alex Martin Ros; Walk Hike Portugal; Turismo 

de Canarias/Alex Bramwell; Associata del Turismo dell’Isola 

d’Elba/VistElba.info; visitcascais.com/cascaislive; Turismo de 

Canarias/Julio Gonzalez; algarvepromtion.pt/Luis da Cruz; DIP 

Huelva; Ayuntamiento de Pamplona-Pamplona City Council 

www.turismodepamplona.es; June Taylor; © www.vilniustourism.lt; 

www.slovenia.info/Alan Kosmac; www.slovenia.info 

/Tomo Jesenicnik; www.slovenia.info /Janez Tolar; visit.tallin; 

Patronato de Turismo de Cadiz; Incrediblecrete.gr 

HOW TO BOOK MADE EASY 

RESERVATIONS HOTLINE: 

0116 279 3929 

(Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri & 9am-1pm Sat) 

We suggest you check availability and make a provisional 

booking before sending your booking form. 

You can request a booking online at www. 

preferredts.com. Or make a provisional booking by 

calling our reservations hotline on 0116 279 3929 or 

e-mail sales@preferredts.com and then complete 

a booking form and return it with the deposit 

payment of £125 per person (or full balance if 

applicable) to Preferred Travel Services, 41 High 

Street, Kibworth, Leicester, LE8 0HS. Please make 

cheques payable to Preferred Travel Services.

WALKING HOLIDAYS

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