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

accommodation.


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

NUBAHOTEL HHHH,

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

accommodation.

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

NUBAHOTEL HHHH,

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

accommodation.

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


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

Passenger 3:

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Passenger 4:

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

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

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


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

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


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

£

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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