Walking Holiday in the Verdon Gorge, Provence, France. Provence Hits the Alps and the land of sun and olive trees meets the land of snow and melted cheese. The area is also known for lavender production. The harvest is in august; you will smell the little flower everywhere.

Famous for its local cuisine, this serene region of southern France is a food lover’s paradise. With it’s strong emphasis on fresh ingredients from the countryside such as olives, tomatoes, zucchini eggplant, and lemons, Provencal cuisine has earned the nickname “la cuisine du soleil” (cuisine of the sun). One bite and you’ll understand why.

We have selected these three walking days so you can see the very best, walking through the heart of the Gorges du Verdon. It is also possible to walk optional days, from Saint-Andre-les Alpes to walk along Lac de Verdignan and from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Riez where there are more bus to return to Marseilles.

At Night you will relax in lovely and traditional hotels, all rooms en-suite. These have been selected for their : comfort, locations, character, and the quality of the restaurant! As we manage your luggage, just take your day pack with you, we do the rest!

DAY 1 – Coming to Castellane.
Castellane is the gateway to the Verdon gorge and its surrounding nature will surely charm you.

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms. Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 – Castellane to Point Sublime (5h, 18km, +476m -413m).

From Castellane we take the GR4 that follows the old route used by the Roman to reach to Lyon. Our trail follows the Verdon valley with unspoiled sleepy village and their typical house, with their red tile and with washed walls. Don’t hesitate to stop en-route in one of them! Mid-afternoon we arrive in the “chalet du Point sublime” our hotel for the night. Not to miss the belvedere points sublime a great views point on the “Couloirs Samson”, narrow gorge and the Verdon River.

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms . Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 3 - Point Sublime to La Palud (6h, 20km, +250m -187m).
The day so expected has come. We are now in the French Grand canyon. From our hotel, we ascent follow the “couloir Samson”, to the towering heights of the cliffs above the Verdon River [300m below]. Here the trail start to be challenging and should be taken seriously as we descent toward the river along the steep walls of the gorge. This is an unique experience and should be tackled one in your life!  Down we are welcome in luxuriant vegetation, to The perfect spot for a lunch and even a good “Sieste”! Tonight we stay in La Palud, for a well deserved beer!

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms. Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Note that these hotels and guest-houses have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, friendliness and character, and are subject of availabilities. If the hotel described is not available we provide you with the same standard of comfort & Price.

3 courses meals included in the price. These are usually from a set menu but feel free to ask for soemthing a la carte if you fancy it and pay whatever the difference is.

Enjoy a Walking Holiday on the Amalfi Coast, Italy. Sometimes called the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi coast is one of the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe. The Peninsula is a mountainous land of limestone cliffs and majestic scenery. These world-famous landscapes, home to many celebrities with sumptuous villas and private beaches, can be explored though a network of historical paths and ancient mule tracks, taking the walker from the fabulous sea shore to lesser-known areas where one gets a feel for authentic Italy. We cross citrus and olive groves and stop in picturesque villages and towns such as Ravello, up the hills in Lattari, or Positano by the sea.

Our team has specifically designed this itinerary in order to explore the truly amazing jewels of Amalfi, Ravello, Atrani and Positano. The walk, though steep at times, does not present any major technical difficulty and walking days are kept relatively short so you can enjoy the village at your own pace, stopping for a swim or a picnic as you wish. You can extend your stay at the end of the walk by spending additional days in Positano or Sorrento, perhaps stopping to explore the Punta Campanella or the romantic Ischia and Capri islands. In addition, you could visit the bustling city of Naples and historical Pompeii.

Day 1 – Amalfi
Once you have made your way to Amalfi by bus, you already have a good feel of what this coastline has to offer! And you won’t be disappointed. When you arrive, check into our cosy hotel in the historical centre and take a stroll through the picturesque web of backstreets and steps. You are greeted by whitewashed alleys, arches and a welcoming piazza…. This is the start of your holiday!

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or the central piazza

Day 2 – Circular Walk Amalfi (3h45, 11km)
Today, we walk up through the Valle Dei Mulini (where paper mills date from the 13th Century) and reach a refreshingly shady forest with pretty waterfalls. The climb takes us to a small, “off-the-beaten-track” village, called Pontone where the views of Amalfi and Atrani are just spectacular. From Pontone, it is a short walk to historic and world-renowned Ravello (370m), once home to great artists like Wagner, Greta Garbo and DH Lawrence. We then descend to secret Atrani and back to Amalfi.

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or the central piazza.

DAY 3 – To Praiano (5h00, 15km)
From Amalfi to Praiano, we walk on a historical mule track dating from the 9th Century. The path takes us along the coast, traversing villages and charming squares with their quiet, shaded churches. Then, it’s time for the spectacular fjord of Furore and the remote valley of Praia, which gives its name to the picturesque town of Praiano.

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or central piazza.

DAY 4 – Circular Walk Praiano (3h15, 11km)
A short but moderately steep ascent takes us to the Grotto of Santa Barbara, carved into a cliff overlooking the sea a few hundred metres below. The small town of Bomerano is a good spot to rest, before walking along the famous “Sentiero Degli Dei” (Path of Gods), from which we can admire the island of Capri. The descent to Praiano is made using an impressive flight of stairs that offer unrivalled views of the entire Amalfi coast.

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or the central piazza.

DAY 5 – To Positano (3h35, 9km)
From the narrow paved streets of Praiano, we ascend to the Sentiero Degli Dei (Path of Gods) via the Convent of Saint Dominico. Here, the famous path affords us some of the best views of the coast and nearby islands on one side, and looming peaks and cliffs on the other side. The extremely well preserved village of Nocelle (440m) will welcome you into its sinuous streets. From here, it’s only a short stroll to Montepurso, from which we descend into Positano itself, giving us the opportunity to travel through one of the most beautiful villages of the coast from the top of the hill to its heart by the sea.

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or the central piazza.

DAY 6 – Circular Walk Positano (3h45, 11km)
The Circular walk will take us to a higher altitude, giving you the chance to breathe some fresh sea air. You can take a bus to Montepertuso (350m) to shorten the ascent, or you can start straight away from your hotel in Positano. There is an impressive natural arch supporting a rock wall on the way. We reach the top of the hill at Santa Maria (680m) where the walk continues though a forest of Cypress trees on the high path of the Lattrani mountains (805m). Then, it’s a zig zag descent to Positano where you can rest and enjoy a good meal and some well-deserved refreshments.

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or central piazza.

DAY 7 – Positano
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. However, you can choose to extend your trip in incredible Amalfi – see our Options below for details.

Town: Shops, Bus, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Pubs, Restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel centrally located. Rooms en-suite with views of the sea or the central piazza.

Think about France. Villages nestled in pretty valleys, steeples of medieval churches pointing out to the blue sky, traditional food fairs, green hilly vineyards, rich food and of course, its prestigious wines. Burgundy has it all, as you are about to discover! Ideally located at the crossroad of Western Europe, Burgundy has played a huge part in the history of France since Gallic times. Add to this all of the best French “cliches” and “raisons d’tre”, and you’ll see there is no wonder that it is called the cradle of France.

For several centuries, the fame and power of the Duchy of Burgundy brought wealth to the region. Nowadays, its amazing architectural heritage can still be seen everywhere as the typical Burgundy tiled roofs testify. Burgundy’s regional gastronomy has spread past its borders to the rest of the country, with well-appreciated dishes such as beef bourguignon, coq au vin, and much more. Burgundy is also renowned for breeding the weirdest food one can think of: snails! The region also owes its fame to its world-class wines, usually produced in small quantities such as Nuits Saint-Georges, Pommard, Mercurey and Meursault, to name but a few.

The walking holidays we have designed for you aim to bring you through the heart of this incredible area and to help you enjoy the wide variety of landscapes, architecture, food and of course, wines, that Burgundy has to offer. The city of Beaune is home to France’s finest medieval hospital (Les Hospices de Beaune) but the surrounding villages have beautiful features of which to boast. Indeed, villages like Pommard, Meursault, Saint-Romain or Rully will seduce you not only with their tortuous streets bordered by stone built houses, food markets, and cafes but they will also ravish your palate with their tannic Pinots Noirs, refreshing Chardonnay, or even the local “Kir” aperitif, a regional blackcurrant cream mixed with local white “aligot” wine. Over the days, the charm of the varying landscapes will bewitch you and visitors often feel their heart sinking when it is time to depart. But don’t worry, we are sure the memories of walking through this life-size postcard added to some wine shopping will comfort you in many ways!

Day 1 – To Beaune (pronounced bone).

You will be pre-booked into an old renovated family house, in the heart of the Vieille Ville (old town).
Beaune is best known for: Red wines made with the Pinot Noir grape, although plantings of Chardonnay have increased recently. There is more sand in the soil here than in most Cote d’Or villages; the red wines tend to be medium bodied, and best drunk between 5 and 10 years old.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 3* hotel in the old town centre. En-suite.

DAY 2 – Beaune – Pommard – Meursault (3h,10km,+29m-5m).

The morning is free in order to visit the medieval city of Beaune. Don’t miss the Hotel Dieu (France’s most beautiful medieval charity hospital), the Basilique Notre-Dame dating from 11th-15th century and the “Musee du Vin de Bourgogne”. Then after an early lunch, it’s an easy 10km to Meusault, on mostly flat ground. On the way we will stop in Pommard, for our first tasting opportunity. Later we reach the town of Meursault for a relaxing evening in the vineyards.

Pommard is best known for: Cote de Beaune’s most powerful Pinot Noir reds.

Meursault is best known for: mainly white wines from the Chardonnay grape. Although it contains no Grand Cru vineyards, the wines of the best Premier Crus are rarely surpassed.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 3 – Meursault to Nolay (5h,16km,+359m -360m).

We leave the vineyards today and climb the hill above, meeting the GR76 (a variant of the GR7; a long distance trail that crosses France, east to west). We will walk under the shade of an oak forest, typical of Burgundy. Coming out of the wood, the views of Chateau “La Rochepot” are stunning! The restaurant in the middle of the village serves local specialities and is the best place to stop for lunch. We recommend a visit to the Chateau after lunch. Finally, we follow the GR7 to the small medieval market town of Nolay. Nolay is worth exploring, with his 14th-century market and wooden framed houses.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 4 – Nolay to Rully (5h,18km,+470m-472m).

Gentle ascent for the first few kilometers through green pastures, shared with the beautiful Charolais cows. At the top, we are rewarded with wide views of the Saone plain with the Alps in the background. Next, we reach the village of Santenay, for a well-deserved rest (and a wine tasting!). We follow the GR7 across the Canal du Centre, then up Hermitage Mountain, and down through the vineyards to Rully. Please note that if you start the trip on a Friday or Saturday, we will stop in Chassey le Camp, a small hamlet 1km before Rully.

Santenay is best known for: red wines from Pinot Noir grapes and, occasionally, whites. The soils in Santenay tend to be richer than in the rest of the Cote de Beaune and, as a result, wines are more rustic than elegant.

Rully is best known for: its dry whites, made from the Chardonnay grape. These are straightforward and easy to drink.

Town: Shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 5 – Rully-Mercurey-Rully (5h,18km,+/-481m)

A pleasant walk winding through the vineyards and the “Cote Chalonnaise”, to the village of Mercurey with its robust vintages. On the way we will pass the ancient “Chateau de Montaigu”. A visit here simply necessitates a tasting! Back to Rully via the GR7 and through the sleepy villages of Aluze and Nantoux.
Mercurey is best known for: producing more wine than any other village in the Cote Chalonnaise, 90% of which is red. Pinot Noir is the principal grape variety which is firm, if a little rough when young, but ages well.

Town: Shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 6 – Rully to Beaune. (5h, 15km, or 24km for the full trip,+401m-422m).

Finally, we head back to Beaune across an undulating landscape, and among some of the best vineyards in the area. We cross the “Canal du Centre” again at the village of Remigny and soon cross the famous vineyards of Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet. Soon after Blagny, we ascend to Mont Melian, to cross the villages of Auxey-Duresses, Volnay and Pommard. From here, you can either retrace the route from Day 2 for 4km to Beaune, or alternatively, call a taxi (not included).
Chassagne Montrachet is best known for: its white wines, made from the Chardonnay grape. The village produces wine at Grand Cru and Premier Cru level, as well as some ‘village’ appellations.
Puligny Montrachet is best known for: Its fine white wines. The village has a number of Grand Cru vineyards in addition to its Premier Cru and ‘village’ wines.
Blagny is best known for: its Appellation status red wines.
Auxey-Duresses is best known for: its medium-priced red and white wines – not dissimilar to those of Volnay and Meursault.
Volnay is best known for: producing elegant red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. More than half of Volnay’s vineyards have Premier Cru status and stretch from Pommard to Meursault. As Meursault is really known for its white wines, the single red wine vineyard of Les Santenots is sold as Volnay Santenots.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 7 – Beaune: end of the trip

After breakfast, we bid you farewell.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 3* hotel in the old town centre. En-suite. Meals: breakfast

Please note that all of our hotels and guest houses have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, food, friendliness and character, and are subject to availability. If the hotel described is not available, we will provide you with one of the same standard of comfort & price.

Your luggage is transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walks, you only carry your day pack!

Day 1 – To Capiliera**
After flying to Malaga or Granada, you will have a chance to discover the magic of the Sierra Nevada from the typical village of Capiliera. Here, the white washed, flat-roofed houses are reminiscent of Morocco’s Berber architecture. You will be pre-booked in a spacious en-suite room. Tonight’s menu will include traditional Andalusian cuisine as well as other European dishes. Welcome to the valley of the Alpujarras!

Town: (659m, pop 440) Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 3* hotel with spacious rooms, fantastic views and a swimming pool, situated in the heart of the town. En-suite. Meal: Dinner

Day 2 – Villages of Poqueira valley circular walk/Summit of the Mulhacen [5h,9km,+-762m], [3h45,9km,+-528m]
Today, as we are staying a 2nd night in Capileira, you have 2 options:
1-Villages of Poqueira valley circular
walk Travel along an old mule trail into the dramatic Barranco
de Poqueira (ravine). Here, the villages appear to cling to the sides of the deep valley. On the way you will find Puente Molino, the perfect spot for a picnic or a swim!
2-Summit of the Mulhacen Scale the Mulhacen (3450m),the highest peak in Spain. It starts with a short bus transfer (€8)to the base camp, then it’s a 4h30/5h return hike. The ascent is easy but should be attempted with care. On clear days you can even spot the Moroccan Atlas!

Town: (659m, pop 440) Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 3* hotel with spacious rooms, fantastic views and a swimming pool, situated in the heart of the town. En-suite. Meal: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 – To Busquistar [3h, 9km, +188m, -524m]
The trail starts with a pleasant introduction to the contrasting landscapes of the Alpujarras; from agricultural pastures
to barren lands and wild valleys. Then we will follow an easy track down to the quiet and pretty village of Pitres (1243m). Just below is the famous “Taha”; five lovely hamlets named after the old Arabic administrative units into which Las Alpujarras were divided. We take the old Moorish trail down to the Taha. Here, evidence of a medieval silk trade can still be seen in the abundance of mulberry trees – the leaves of which provided food for the silk worms. Taha is famous for idyllic paths and exceptionally pretty villages, climaxing with the finest vantage point (mirador) in the valley – the Mezquita(1194m).

Town: Food shop. Hotel: beautiful, family-run hotel situated at the edge of the valley in a renovated Berber-style house. Includes a shaded balcony with views over Picon (1275m) and the valley. Meal: Breakfast and dinner

Las Alpujarras has its own unique weather system. Whereas on the coast the temperatures are fairly constant all year round, the combination of mountain air and valleys in Las Alpujarras make the weather more changeable. Summers are often hot and dry, with temperatures in excess of 30 degrees celsius. Rain and cloud is rare, but can occur at higher altitudes, however it never lasts long. Winters are still quite warm and relatively sunny during the day, but can be a lot colder at night after the sun has gone down. If visiting during this time, it is recommended you bring plenty of warm clothing. Both seasons have their advantages – a BBQ in the summer and an evening in-front of a roaring fire in the winter. The best time for walking in Las Alpujarras is from April to mid-June, and from mid-September to
mid-November.

A Walking Holiday in Mallorca, Spain. Forget any preconceived notions about tacky tourist resorts and apartment blocks! We take you to the serene and unspoiled northern reaches of the island of Mallorca.

The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) are situated in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. Visitors to these islands enjoy an excellent climate, pristine beaches, razor sharp mountains and an abundance of natural beauty. Mallorca, the largest island, is THE perfect hiking destination. Discover Mallorca’s Sierra Tramuntana with One Foot Abroad.

This trip will bring you to the top of the highest accessible summit in Mallorca. Traverse olive groves and almond orchards, walk through fields and admire picturesque fishing villages.

Leave us to look after your accommodation, meals and luggage transportation. Discover the real Mallorca – a world apart from the tourist resorts.

DAY 1 – Coming to Mallorca.
After your flight to Palma, you will be pre-booked in a refuge in the picturesque village of Pollenca. This refuge was completed in November 2007, and offers modern facilities, comfortable shared rooms and good food.

Town: Food shop, ATM, Internet Refuge: Very spacious & comfortable shared rooms with hot water, as well as a peaceful garden with views of the river. Meal: Dinner.

DAY 2 - From Pollenca to Lluc (4h30, 13km, +500m, -100m)
From orchards to mountains. From the refuge, we take a path along the “Routa de Pedras”, an old stone road. During the first 2 hours we traverse groves – the trees dripping with oranges, olives and figs. Then, entering the woods, the trail climbs up to a pass with an unique view of the Pollenca peninsulas. Finally, sloping down gently through some meadows, we come to the Plateau of Saint Lluc.

Town, Lluc: Shop open every day except Mondays Accommodation: Shared rooms in a brand new refuge. Great views of Mt Tomir, Mt Massanella and the Pollenca valley. Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner

DAY 3 – Lluc to Tossal Verde (5h, 14km, +740m, -672m)
Today, below looming Mt Massanella, we start a descent through the woods where you will see the ruins of an old village, complete with bread ovens and many sitjas (pits to burn charcoal). After climbing constantly for 2 hours into the woods, we arrive at a small platform with fantastic views over the southern coast of the island. Coming down into a forest of conifers and pasture in narrow valleys, we reach our refuge for tonight. Note: At the refuge, the keeper grows vegetables and has a couple of donkeys.

Town: No village tonight, just a remote mountain refuge. Enjoy the solitude! Accommodation: Shared rooms. Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner

DAY 4 – Tossal Verde to Port Soller (6h, 20km, +532m, -1100m)
Cuber, heart of the Tramuntana. From the Cuber lake we make our way through the mountains, going down through a narrow gorge on a cobbled path. The gorge is covered with terraced fields, similar to those in Nepal. Then, from Soller we take the wooden train (3, not included) to the cove of the sea port village of “Puerto Soller”. Options: Puig Ofre [1098m] +1h00 & +/-550m, Mirador +1h30 +/- 500m

Town: Beaches, ATM, food shop, Internet, all facilities. Accommodation: Shared rooms in a refuge, 100m from the light house. Great views of the coast and the Tramuntana range behind. Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner

Walking Holiday in La Gomera, Canaries, Spain. La Gomera, or “The Round island”, is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all island; easy-going, unspoiled, friendly and isolated from the hustle and bustle of modern living. This place is so laid back it’s virtually supine – even the internet seems to operate on a similar time-scale!

The walks, however, are a bit more energetic. Like a meringue topped with green icing; it’s a nightmare for road builder but a paradise for hikers!

DAY 1 – Coming to La Gomera.
After your flight to Tenerife and a short ferry ride to San Sebastian, you will arrive in La Gomera.

Town: Biggest town on the island, ATM, food shops. Accommodation: 2* hotel in the heart of town, 5min from the beach. Rooms en-suite.

DAY 2 – vallehermoso “the Beautiful valley” (5h50, 17km, +580m, -570m).
After a short transfer to Agulo, you take a superb footpath zigzagging up the cliff. As you are going up you can see “Teide” (3700m) Tenerife’s (and Spain’s) highest peak. Coming to the plateau, you follow a remote dirt track and a small country road to the Garajonay Visitor Center. Here, you’ll have the chance to learn about the island’s unique eco-system, listed in the UNESCO catalogue! After the village of Las Rosas, we follow a ridge to the dramatic Roque Cano (Protean Rock) that dominates the entire valley. The flora today consists of different kinds of bushes, pine trees, Cactus plants and their tasty fruits!Be sure to sample the superb local sea-food. Try the Chocos; squid, potatoes and a spicy sauce made of garlic, chilli-peppers and parsley or coriander!

Town: 2nd Largest town in the islands, Internet, ATM, several lively bars. Accommodation: Popular 2* apart-hotel, features large courtyard with plants. Rooms en-suite. Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 3 – The Cloud Forest (5h45, 16km, +881m, -61m)
We start hiking up along a ridge, with views behind of the fabulous vallehermosso (beautiful valley) and the whole of Tenerife. Coming to Mt Arana (1111m) you can enjoy the fantastic vista of the all north and west of the island. Next you will pass enter the heart of Garajonay, a centuries-old and pleasantly shady Laurel-Silva forest. The rest of the day is quite flat and, staying around 1000m, you will pass the “Barranco del Rey”, above steep ravines. Vegetation today is dominated by the unique Laurel-Silva.

Town: ATM, bars, restaurant, Shops. Accommodation: Very friendly hotel, owned by a local family, features superb views. Rooms en suite. Meal: Breakfast

DAY 4 – To the beach (3h55, 12km, -1090m)
Today is optional, but we strongly recommend that you go to see valle Gran Rey – the most beautiful place in the Canaries.
We start by walking through a remote valley, inhabited only by goats and geckos. After passing a tiny church, we go down the ravine following the GR 132 path, and up towards the Tequergenche cliffs, where the views are astonishing. Here you will have the option to walk to “Las Pilas”, a popular view point, then on to “El Hiero” and “La Palmas” (1hr30 return). For those who want to swim, you can take a zigzagging footpath straight down the cliffs with superb views of the valley on the way. Although the sand is black, the beach is a real jewel.
Then you can come back by bus or taxi to the hotel!

Town: Same as yesterday. Accommodation: Same as yesterday Meal: Breakfast.

All hotels have been selected for their comfort, friendliness & character, as much as for the quality of their cuisine. They are subject to availabilities. If the hotel described is not available, we provide you with the same standard of comfort & price.

The starters: Consist of soups or salads. Olives are everywhere!
Main courses: Mostly sea-food, but you can find chicken, pork, and goat too! They are always served with salad and Mojos. (Mojos are just delicious! They arespicy sauces made of garlic, chilli-peppers and parsley or coriander!Probably the most memorable food experience!)
Deserts: Ice-creams, cakes, flans.
Wines: The island grows very good table wine… white is more abundant than red. However most of the restaurants and bar will serve you imported Tenerife wine. So if you want to try local, ask them!

Luggage transported by us from hotel to hotel. During The Day you only carry your day pack!

• Price Year Round €690
• Single room supplement €150
• Solo departure fee €190
• Extra night in San Sebastian 3*
  -Double/Twin: +€50pps
  -Single: +€70pps

A Walking Holiday in Corsica, France. Though Corsica has been governed by France for over 200 years, the island maintains a distinctly ‘Corsican’ identity. Corscians take pride in their native customs, language (Corsu) and traditions, not to mention their entirely unique landscape.

In many ways, Corsica resembles a miniature continent; with 1000km of sea-swept coast line, mountain ranges that stay snow-capped until July, a world-renowned marine reservation, an inhabited desert (Agriates) and a continental divide running down the centre of the island!

Much of the island is covered by maquis, a typical Corsican shrub-like vegetation used for fragrances and cooking. Just a single day’s walk can carry you through a kaleidoscopic landscape of secret coves, booming waterfalls, plunging canyons, sweeping bays, megalithic menhirs and dense chestnut and pine forests. Away from the holiday resorts you will discover quiet fishing villages, remote mountain towns and deserted beaches.

This walking holiday is inspired by one of the great classics of Corsica, the Mare e Monti. We have selected on this walking holiday the most beautiful maritme stages ranging from Calvi to Porto. With forests and Corsican maquis, opportunities for swimming in the crystal clear natural river pools, unspoilt cricks, everything is combined here to make this holiday an unforgettable memory!

On a Self-Guided tour, we provide you with focused maps and very detailed walking notes describing the route step-by-step. Navigation is made easy. The walking notes also enclose information about the culture, the flora & fauna, places of interest along the way and good restaurants for lunch!

Luggage is transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walk, you only carry your day pack!

DAY 1 – Calvi to Bonifatu (4h45, +590m -287m).

Transfer from Calvi to Calenzana, the land of olive trees, where we start the hike. Today’s landmarks are the numerous rivers we will cross over as well as the stunning scenic views over typical Corsican villages.

Town: all facilities.
Accomodation: Private room.
Meal: Dinner.

DAY 2 – Bonifatu a Tuarelli (6h, +664m -1100m).

Leaving Bonifatu, we enter the beautiful oak and pine forests and we then climb up to a pass at 1200m above see level. Shortly after we get to Bocca di Bonassa with a natural spring close by. The trail then heads down through more woodlands, crossing over a few streams, and heading towards Tuarelli. After this walking day, Tuarelli is the ideal spot to chill out and relax in its natural fresh water springs.

Town: all facilities
Accomodation: Refuge.
Meal: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 3 – Tuarelli to Galeria (4h45, +220m -271m).

This beautiful walking day brings us closer to the see and the Gulf of Galeria. We will walk through low wall lined crop fields and we then enter the famous Corsican maquis. Surrounded by juniper and arbutus, we then walk along the river before reaching old sheepfolds and Galeria. Galeria is on the mediteranean seaside so you could go for a swim to relax after your walking day!

Town: all facilities.
Accomodation: Private rooms.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

When a private room is not available, bedrooms comprise of 4 or 6 beds (unless stated othwerwise). Bed linen and towels may not be provided at each accommodation so it is better to take them with you in case. Also, a sleeping bag can be useful and save you taking bed linen.

• To Corsica: Air France fly from Paris to Calvi. Air France, BA, Easyjet fly to Ajaccio from Ireland & UK, Easyjet fly from London, Manchester, Bristol to Bastia. Ryanair fly to Figari.

BRAND NEW CHARTER FLIGHT TO CORSICA FOR 2011

SIMPSON TRAVEL IN CONJUNCTION WITH BRITISH MIDLAND AIRWAYS HAVE LAUNCHED A NEW SERVICE FOR SUMMER 2011 FROM LONDON HEATHROW TO FIGARI. FULL FLIGHT DETAILS AS FOLLOWS :

SUNDAYS 29 MAY – 25 SEPTEMBER 2011

FLIGHT DEPARTS LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 1 : 0940

ARRIVES FIGARI : 1250

DEPARTS FIGARI : 1335

FLIGHT ARRIVES LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 1 : 1445

FLIGHT PRICES FROM £209 PER PERSON AND INCLUDES :

ALL PAX TAXES BOTH IN THE UK AND OVERSEAS

AN INCREASED BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE OF 23KGS PP

IN-FLIGHT MEALS

PRE-SEATING TOGETHER ON THE AIRCRAFT

call Corsica department on 0208 392 5858 or email corsicaflights@simpsontravel.com

• To the Beginning of the Adventure: Calvi

Option 1: From Calvi

Taxi from airport to city centre

Option 2: From Ajaccio

By bus: Ajaccio to Calvi with connection in Porto.Departure at 7.30am. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/Bus_services.html

By train: Ajaccio to Calvi with connection in Corte or Ponte-Leccia. 2 departures/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/Train_services/Train5AjaCly.html

By car: it is possible to rent a car from Ajaccio airport for a day and drop it in Calvi. Car hire providers can be easily found on the internet.

Option 3: From Bastia

By bus: Bastia to Calvi. 1 departure/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busCalvi/CLY_Bastia.html

By train: Bastia to Calvi with connection in Ponte-Leccia. 3 departures/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/Train_services/Train3BiaCly.html

By car: it is possible to rent a car from Bastia airport for a day and drop it in Calvi. Car hire providers can be easily found on the internet.

• Back home from Porto

Option 1: To Calvi

By bus: Departure at 10.00am. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busCalvi/CLY_Porto.html

Option 2: To Ajaccio

By bus: 2 departures/day. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busAjaccio/AJA_Cargese_Po.html

Option 3: To Bastia

By bus: Porto to Bastia with connection in Ajaccio or Calvi. For more information, see http://www.corsicabus.org/busBastia/index.html

Trying Luberon means adopting one of the highest quality lifestyle and calming atmosphere!

DAY 1 – Coming to Merindol
Upon arrival in Merindol, you will have the choice to relax in the garden of the Guest house, or to visit the charming little village. Merindol was distroyed in 1547 during the repressions against the reformed church, and then reconstructed 100 years later and turned into a very attractive place.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 2* family run hotel. En-suite rooms. Meals: dinner

Option: Additional night in Avignon, 50 kms away from Merindol. We offer you the opportunity to stay in this historical city and to visit its residence of the popes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 2* hotel, in the middle of the fortified city. En-suite room. See below our “Options” section for further information.

DAY 2 – Merindol, Circular walk around Le Petit Luberon (6h, 20km, +/-430m)
A circular walk to admire Merindol’s area, a perfect introduction to feel the character of this beautiful massif. The stroll passes close to the famous Gorges du Regalon, a 6 million years old canyon and it continues through charming Luberon landscapes before getting back to Merindol.

Town: ATM, Foodshop, Internet. Hotel: Friendly family-run, in the hearth of village. Rooms en suite. Garden for guests perfect for reading and relaxing. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 3 – Merindol to Lauris (6h, 18km, +521m -445m)
Across magnificents cedar trees, we follow the ridge at the top of the hills, into ” le Petit Luberon”. Arriving in the village of Lauris, we can admire the Durance river winding away, the beautifull alpilles hills to the west, and the Luberon.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 4 – Lauris to Buoux (6h30, 18km, +680m -545m)
Walk from Lauris to Lourmarin. Lourmarin is listed amongst the most beautiful villages of France. The village is mediteranen styled with his narrow coble streets and ochre houses. Albert Camus, the famous writer, lived, wrote, and have been buried here. The atmosphere is very provencal, with plenty of cafe-terrasses, very relaxing indeed. From there we will head towards Buoux in the middle of vineyards, olive groves and almond trees. The village is dominated by a spur where a fort was protecting the area. The village has an unique style and character, and most of the houses date from the end of the 17th century.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* family run hotel. En-suite rooms. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 5 – Buoux to Saignon (2h30, 10 km, +315m -260m)
An easy day, perfect for enjoying the “Grand Luberon”. We follow the Aiguebrun river and its gorge to the hamlet of Sivergues. Only 8 families live here, and they are mostly working the lavender and goat breeding! If you stroll in the village, don’t miss the Fort de l’Archidiacre (13th century). It overlooks the whole Aiguebrun valley! Then still following the river we arrive at Saignon listed as “village de caract¨re du Vaucluse”. It’s a fanstastic natural fortress carved into the rock by the wind and water where numerous caves and stairs have also been drilled into.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities . Accomodation: 2* family run hotel. En-suite rooms. Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 6 – Saignon – Apt via Circular walk through Colorado Provencal (7h30, 26km, +845m -595m or 3h30, 14 km, +445m -345m)
Walk from Saignon to Rustrel, the gate to “Colorado Provencal”. Rustrel is a tiny village nestled at the foot of the Plateau d’Albion, and dominated by a magnificent 17th century castle. Rustrel is also famous for his wine “Cotes du Ventoux”. Along the way we pass an ancient Ochre Quary open more than 100 years ago, and now called the Colorado Provencal. It’s an incredible succession of rusty”coloured rocks, golden cliffs and red earthen chimneys which rise majestically out of the vegetation. We then offer the option to walk 12 more kilometres to Apt in the Heart of the regional Natural Park of Luberon, following the GR 97 & GR 9. Otherwise, possibility to get a taxi from Rustrel to Apt (Approx. €20).

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* Hotel in the heart of Apt. En-suite rooms. Meal: Breakfast

DAY 7 – Apt. End of the adventureAfter breakfast, we bid you farewell.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Breakfast

Option: Additional night in Apt, located in the heart of the regional Natural Park of Luberon, between the mounts of Vaucluse and the Luberon mountains. This pleasant city, typical of Provence, is renowned for the quality of the products of its “terroir”. Apt will also seduce you by the charm that emanates from the small streets of the old city: ancient fountains, mansions and small shaded plots are part of the decor… No doubt you are in the heart of La Belle Provence! See below our “Options” section for further information.

A Walking Holiday in the Cevennes, France. On the 22nd of September 1878, the young Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson left Le Monastier sur Gazeille (Haute Loire) on foot with his donkey Modestine. 12 days, 220 km and many adventures later, he arrived at St Jean du Gard (Gard). Albeit less famous than “Treasure Island” and “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, his travel diary, published in 1879, entitled “Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes”,has been read and loved by generations of readers.

Today, you can experience a similar adventure by trekking on the same track as Stevenson. You can even take a mule too. The path goes through the heart of the Cevennes National Park – one of the most stunning areas of natural beauty in France. The Cevennes National Park is a protected balcony above the Mediterranean sea on an average elevation of over 1,000m. The path traverses 3 regions (Auvergne, Rh´ne-Alpes, Languedoc-Roussillon) and 4 departments (Haute Loire, Ard¨che, Lozre, Gard), but most importantly, it trails through different country sides, charged with culture, history and gastronomy. Bonne route!

Day 1 – Flight and transfer to Le Puy en Velay.
We recommend you fly to Lyon, then transfer to Le Puy en Velay (625m). Details on how to commute from Lyon airport to Le Puy en Velay can be found in “Additional Information”, together with an option to be transferred directly by One Foot Abroad. Le Puy is a pleasant town with about 20,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the Velay area, which we’ll traverse during our walk.
Although the walk starts tomorrow from Le Monastier sur Gazeille (930m), One Foot Abroad still caters for you from Le Puy. This way, you can buy your last minute items, enjoy this welcoming town and rest after a long day travelling.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Our hotel is a modern 2* hotel, 5 minutes walk from the train station. It is a member of the famous quality label “Logis de France”. Dinner is a culinary delight; expect a menu inspired by the traditions of the region. Spacious room, en-suite.
Meal: 3 course dinner

Day 2 – Transfer to le Monastier sur Gazeille and walk to Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas [5h15, 21.5km, +370m -275m]. In the morning, we transfer you from Le Puy en Velay (625m) to Le Monastier sur Gazeille (930m) (included). In 1878 some village folk waved goodbye to Stevenson from this very spot. Although he was warned about “wolves, cold, thieves and death”, we assue you that nowadays, a walk in the Cevennes is rather more tame! In Goudet (785m), we cross a small river that has its source in near-by Mont Gerbier des Joncs. At this stage, it’s hard to believe that this small river is, in fact, the Loire – the longest river in France (1012km).

Town, Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Lovely 2* hotel by the shore of the lake, en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner

DAY 3 – From Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas to Langogne [6h00, 25km, +218m -328m]. Today is our last day in the Velay area. After crossing the Allier river we reach Langogne (915m, pop 3000). Here, the memory of the “ferocious beast”, a wolf that allegedly terrorised the inhabitants, lives on in the stories of the locals. Stevenson’s descriptions describe the area in wonderful detail. Indeed, Langogne remains a beautiful town with its 11th-century Romanesque church. Nowadays, Langogne is one of the main gateways to the Cevennes, with all amenities for visitors.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: family-run Gite, all facilities.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner

DAY 4 – From Langogne to Cheylard l’Evque [4h15, 16km, +210m -0m] . Today we enter a new administrative department; from Haute Loire to Loz¨re, and a new administrative region; from Auvergne to Languedoc-Roussillon. Christian will welcome you to Cheylard l’Evªque (1125m). Quite the intrepid traveller himself, Christian will certainly make you feel welcome at his home. Ask him about the Arctic, Alaska and the Himalayas, not to mention Paris, New York and Tijuana!

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner

Our hotels have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, friendliness and character, and are subject to availability. If the hotel described is not available, we will provide you with alternative lodgings of the same standard and price.

Picnic lunches are provided every day. Your meal will be tasty and filling. They usually contain a ham or chicken sandwich (veggie options available), a salad, some fruit and a drink.

Your luggage will be transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walk, you only carry your day pack!