The world at your feet
With over 200 destinations in 70 countries Ramblers Worldwide Holidays literally offers ‘The World at Your Feet’. Britain’s longest established walking holidays specialist operator has added many new destinations to its extensive and exciting new programme for 2008.New destinations include:
ELBA – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF NAPOLEON
A one-week, easy paced tour of this beautiful Italian island whose history is so inextricably linked to the Emperor Napoleon who was exiled there when he abdicated for the first time.
The third largest of Italy’s islands Elba offers superb beaches, walking, history and culture.
The base for this holiday is on the edge of Portoferraio, the capital, with a short walk to the town centre. Included in the leisurely itinerary is a climb up Monte Capanne at 1100m, the highest point on the island.
Lead in price £596, includes flights, transfers, half board accommodation at 3* hotel Villa Padulella in Portoferraio and the services of a tour leader.
THE WINE VILLAGES OF THE ALSACE
A one week, walking holiday – savouring the finest wines en route –in the magnificent Alsatian countryside on the border between France and Germany.
Travel is by Eurostar and TGV from London, St Pancras to Colmar via Lille and Strasbourg.
We stay in Kayserberg on the lower slopes of the Vosges Mountains and explore the famous wine villages of Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Colmar.
The superb wines of the region perfectly complement the cuisine, which is a subtle fusion of French and German food.
Lead in price - £591 includes rail travel by Eurostar and TGV from London, St Pancras, transfers, 8 days (7 nights), staying at 3* Hotel Les Remparts with breakfasts taken in the hotel and 5 dinners included and taken in local restaurants and the services of a tour leader.
A JOURNEY ACROSS THE ROOF OF THE WORLD
This fantastic 14 day journey across the Himalayas from India and Nepal to Tibet and China – incorporating one of the most spectacular train rides in the world – must rank amongst Ramblers Worldwide Holidays most exciting adventures.
It is a holiday that spans hugely diverse cultures and landscapes and incorporates one of the world’s most isolated countries and one of its most populous.
The journey begins in the beautiful city of Delhi followed by some amazing flights and sights embracing Nargarkot, Kathmandu (capital of Nepal) and Lhasa (capital of Tibet).
From Tibet, it is a train ride on the newly built railway that crosses the vast plateau to China. This 24 hour journey finishes in the fascinating city of Xining. Thence it’s a flight to Beijing where one walks The Great Wall (partially) and visits the famous Ming Tombs.
Price £2044 includes flights, transfers and travel by road, rail and air, hotel accommodation and one night onboard train (4-berth cabins only), and the services of a tour leader. (Meals – breakfasts in hotels, dinners in hotels and local restaurants and lunches either in restaurants or picnics)
FOLLOWING IN THE TRACKS OF THE ORIENT EXPRESS
With just a hint of Hercule Poirot, this fascinating journey follows the route of the iconic Orient Express from St Pancras, London to Istanbul, Turkey.
The first ‘leg of the journey’ includes, the “fin de siècle” architecture of Nice, the domes of Sofia, the minarets of Istanbul and the canals of Venice.
From Venice, we meanders through the Julian Alps, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia (and its dramatic capital Belgrade) to Bulgaria and the golden spires of Sofia and Plovdiv, (Bulgaria’s second city).
Finally, it is an overnight sleeper train to Istanbul, the Golden Horn and the shores of Asia.
Price £1237 includes Eurostar (first class) from London St Pancras, 3 and 4 star accommodation in all cities, one night onboard train and BA flights Istanbul – Heathrow. Meals – half board and the services of a tour leader.
THE GREAT CANADIAN RAIL JOURNEY
This 12-day tour includes an epic train journey from Toronto to Vancouver, resonating with the memories of the famous Canadian Pacific Railway and the opening up of the Great Plains.
The 2,700 mile journey includes the lakelands of Ontario, the plains of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Rockies and finally the Pacific.
It begins at Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario and ends at Vancouver on the Pacific Ocean with fabulous walks at the town of Jasper en route.
Lead in price £2156 includes flights, transfers, full-board accommodation on train (3 nights), half board accommodation in hotels and the services of a tour leader.
CHILE – THE NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS
A diverse 16-day journey in Northern Chile which includes a beautiful coastline, alpine valleys and Atacama – the World’s driest desert.
This holiday begins in the exciting capital of Santiago and thence to the coast at Valparaiso (a natural amphitheatre overlooking the Pacific Ocean); the La Campana National Park (with views over the Andes and Ocean); and El Cajon del Maipo (a beautiful river valley south east of Santiago).
Next, it’s a complete change of scenery with a flight to Calama and onto San Pedro de Atacama in the heart of the desert to see highlights like, the Atacama Salt Lake and El Tatio geysers.
After the desert what better way to slake one’s thirst than a flight to La Serena and Vicuña in the Elqui valley – centre of the Chilean Pisco brandy industry. Highlights – apart from the brandy – include, the Mamalluca Observatory and the stunning night sky.
Price £2599 includes flights, transfers and travel within Chile by air and road, half board accommodation and the services of a tour leader.
SOUTH KOREAN ODYSSEY
A fascinating 18-day undiscovered Asia. A relatively unexplored ‘Eastern Gem’, South Korea provides the adventurous walker with magnificent countryside and national parks – despite its booming economy and the impact of industrialisation.
The journey begins in Seoul and spans many diverse landscapes including, Seoraksan and Deogyosan (two of the finest national parks in Asia); the throbbing fish markets of Busan; the coastal sights of Mokpo; the Gongju national museum and a chance to swim in tea at Yuseo.
Lead in price £2498 includes flights, transfers, half-board accommodation, travel by road, rail and air and the services of a tour leader.
CRUISING AROUND THE DALMATIAN ISLANDS
A one week leisurely cruise aboard a private motor yacht amongst the many beautiful islands between Dubrovnik and Split
The cruise begins at Dubrovnik – one of the most picturesque ports in the Mediterranean and thence down the coast to Split, home of Diocletian.
Other highlights of the tour include, Elaphiti Island and Mljet Island (one time home of Odysseus), Hvar (one of the Adriatic’s best preserved medieval towns) and the stunning Kor?ula islands.
Lead in price £1038 includes flights, transfers, full board accommodation on board the MB Nikola, a 27m motor yacht recently refurbished to a high standard offering 17 en suite cabins exclusive to Ramblers Worldwide Holidays clients and the services of a tour leader.
CRETEAN COAST
A one-week holiday based at Kastelli, the western most town of the north Cretean coast. A discrete destination off the ‘beaten track’ where holidaymakers can explore gentle olive groves, dramatic hills and coastal paths. Highlights include, the gorge of Sirikari, walks to various archaeological sites, Kastelli’s new museum, the wild island of Gramvousa (once a hideaway for pirates) and its Venetian fortress.
Lead in price £610 includes flights, transfers, half board accommodation with dinners taken at local tavernas and the services of a tour leader.
WALKING THE WILD COAST OF CATALONIA
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays is offering two very different holidays to the fascinating region of Catalonia, Northern Spain.
The first, is an 11-day tour embracing the Costa Brava (The Wild Coast), which begins at Alt Empordà with its dramatic rugged scenery. This two centre holiday begins in El Port de la Selva, a sheltered harbour with access to two of Spain’s long distance paths. These include the picturesque tour of Cadaques (where Dali lived and worked) the Cap de Creus National Park, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, south to Baix Empordà, and the second centre, the bustling port of Palamos, the medieval villages and cork woods of Les Gavarres and many old smugglers’ paths.
Lead in price £699 11 days in two centres, flights, half board accommodation at 3* Hotel Porto Cristo - El Port de la Selva (breakfasts and dinners taken in the hotel) and 3* family run Hostal Catalina – Palamós (breakfasts will be taken at the hotel and dinners in local restaurants) and the services of a tour leader.
SAVOUR CATALONIA’S RUSTIC CHARM
The second is a short break, with a gastronomic treat.
This 5-day, short holiday is only two hours from Barcelona and close to the borders with Andorra and France. It begins in the remote village of Estamariu on the southern edge of the Pyrenees with walks that meander through local hamlets, the Cadi-Moixeró National Park (home to golden eagles, vultures, lammergeiers and red deer) and Romanesque Seu de Urgel – one of the most important towns in the Catalan Pyrenees with its wonderful open-air market.
Lead in price £547 includes flights, transfers, 5 days half-board accommodation at the charming and rustic 3* Cal Teixidó in Estamariu, (breakfast and 3 evening meals), and the services of a tour leader.
In addition an evening meal will be taken at the 4* El Castell de Ciutat Hotel (part of the prestigious Relais and Châteaux), owned by the Tápies family since 1970. The food in the “Tápies”, Michelin star restaurant is of the highest quality, sourced locally from the hotel’s kitchen gardens, the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean. Use of El Castell’s extensive ‘Wellness’ spa facility (treatments at extra cost) is also included.
A TRUE TASTE OF PORTUGAL
A one week holiday based at Vila Real deep in the heart of Portugal’s famous wine growing region of Oporto.
Known as ‘The Royal Town’, many of Portugal’s nobility have lived here, enjoying the town’s magnificent position at the feet of the twin mountain ranges of Marao and Alvao.
Famed for its port wine, the region also has high meadows, spectacular rock formations, gorges and waterfalls like the one at Fisgas de Ermelo, which is 350m deep and over a mile wide.
This walking holiday also provides the opportunity for guests to learn the art of Portuguese cooking at first hand in the kitchens of the host Hotel Miraneve.
Lead in price £761 includes flights, transfers, half-board accommodation and the services of a tour leader.
A TASTE OF NORMANDY
A one-week tour of Normandy – based at Rouen on the banks of the Seine, one of France’s most ancient and historic cities.
Highlights include, the enormous early medieval Cathedral (where Richard the Lionheart is buried) and the impressive Place du Vieux Marché (where Joan of Arc was martyred in 1431).
Rouen – with its half-timbered buildings, cafes, bars, brasseries, patisseries and open air markets, is an ideal ‘jumping off point’ for tours to Monet’s wondrous gardens at Giverny and the coastal villages so beloved by the impressionist painters.
Lead in price £539 includes rail travel by Eurostar and SNCF from London St Pancras to Paris and Rouen, accommodation at 3* Hotel Notre Dame, Rouen, breakfasts taken in the hotel and dinners taken in a local restaurant and the services of a tour leader
THE COAST AND CREEKS OF BRITTANY
An eleven-day tour walking on Brittany’s spectacular coastline based in St Malo and Ploumanac’h
From St Malo one explores the coastal path to Cancale (famous for oysters) and the island of Mont-St-Michel and its impressive Abbey. Then it is on to Ploumanac’h – a small village on the Pink Granite Coast (Côte du Granit Rose)
Lead in Price £630 includes half-board accommodation at the 2* Hotel Escale Oceania, St Malo located on the beach 10 minutes’ walk from the Old Town (5 nights) and the two star Hotel du Phare in Ploumanac’h (5 nights), breakfasts taken in the hotel and dinners taken in a local restaurant in St Malo and in the hotel in Ploumanac’h and the services of a tour leader.
Travel to and from Brittany not included.
SARAJEVO
A one week holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina – a beautiful country still recovering from the aftermath of a brutal 4-year war.
Sarajevo – a city, which was virtually destroyed by the conflict – is now rising like a ‘Pheonix from the Ashes’.
The holiday provides an opportunity to visit the ancient city centre, with its mosques, cathedrals and bustling markets and the site where Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated – an event, which triggered off the First World War.
The tour also includes four days walking in the surrounding Dinaric Alps, (home of the 1984 Winter Olympics), the Sarajevo War Tunnel and the famous bridge at Mostar.
Lead in price £713 includes flights, transfers by road and rail, 3* Hotel Saraj, breakfasts in hotel and dinners taken in local restaurants and the services of a tour leader.
A TOUR OF MONTE ROSA
A two-week, high level holiday in the heart of the European Alps embracing the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, crossing between Italy and Switzerland.
This journey begins at St Niklaus, north of Zermatt, following a clockwise route around Monte Rosa. It includes, walks over the Monte Moro Pass with its golden Madonna, and the beautiful Alpine villages of Gressoney and Saas Fee.
Other highlights of the tour include, crossing the Theodule Glacier, and visits to spectacular, Höhenweg Grachen, and Europaweg – offering the most breathtaking sights the Alps have to offer.
Price £939 includes flights, transfers, full board accommodation in mountain huts and simple alpine village hotels and the services of a tour leader.
CAMINHA ON THE RIO MINHO, PORTUGAL
A one-week holiday in the relatively undiscovered north-west corner of Portugal. This holiday is centred in Caminha on the sparkling waters of the Rio Minho.
It is a diverse region of sea, river, mountain and coast with a history and culture that goes back to Celtic times.
Caminha, (apparently so named by Christ when he and St Peter walked these lands), has everything to offer the discerning traveller. Wonderful walks along vine covered lanes, the fragrant woods of the Serra d’Agra, ancient villages, fishermens’ cottages, the Mountain of Santa Tecla, and the Celtic settlements at nearby Valença, Tuy and Viana do Castelo. All rounded off with an excellent local Vinho Verde.
Lead in price £583 includes, flights, transfers, 7 nights at 4* Hotel Porta do Sol in Caminha, half board with most meals taken at the hotel and some in local restaurants and the services of a tour leader.
NORWEGIAN MOUNTAIN WONDERLAND
A 12 day holiday in the ‘Home of the Giants’ – Norway’s spectacular Jotunheimen National Park.
Awe-inspiring walks including, Norway’s highest peak, Galdhopiggen (weather permitting); glacial lakes, waterfalls, lakes, snow fields, many a jagged peak and between Memurubu and Gjendensheim the fantastic Besseggen Ridge. On one side ‘hangs’ Lake Gjende whilst on the other, 400m below, is Lake Bessvatnet. Truly a sight to behold.
Lead in price £1169 includes flights, transfers, first and last night in hotels the remainder of accommodation is in ‘touristhytten’, warm comfortable mountain lodges, sharing 4-6 in a room, all meals and the services of a tour leader.
SWEDISH BALTIC SUMMER
A one-week holiday in Sörmland, southern Sweden with pine forests, blueberry bushes, sandy beaches and red painted summer cottages.
From a base in Nyköping, holidaymakers will enjoy a wide range of walking and sightseeing including the 1000km Sörmlandsleden trail; the Stendörren Nature Reserve (with its amazing network of footbridges); Gripsholm Castle, the waterside towns of Strängnäs and Trosa; and to cap it all historic Stockholm – the country’s capital.
Lead in price 628 includes flights, transfers, half board accommodation and the services of a tour leader.
CARINTHIA, AUSTRIA
A 9-day holiday on the shores of Lake Millstatt in the southern province of Carinthia, Austria.
Influenced by a warm Mediterranean climate, the 14km long lake is renowned for swimming and walking.
Several routes lead to nearby Alps and peaks and meander through meadows, woods and mountain streams. One of the walks follows an ancient pilgrim’s way using a lake steamer to return from the hike to an old fortress, Burg Sommeregg.
Lead in Price £599 includes flights, transfers, half board accommodation and the services of a tour leader.
For more information, visit ramblersholidays.co.uk.