Discover Europe's 'paths less travelled'
UTracks has launched its 2010 range of self-guided and small group holidays - with 28 exciting new choices for travellers who want to discover Europe the active way.
UTracks specialises in insightful, active trips allowing travellers to get off the traditional tourist trails and into areas specially chosen for their walking or cycling appeal. More than a quarter of the expanded programme is new for 2010, with UTracks’ first dedicated winter itineraries and a number of newly-introduced regions among the highlights.
Winter wonders
UTracks is offering specially-created, expert guided winter trips for the first time in 2010, with four different adventures on offer. Highlights include a 7-day ‘Mont Blanc Snowshoeing Adventure’ (from £470 per person) with comfortable gîte accommodation, and an exhilarating 8-day ‘Haute Route Ski Tour’ from Chamonix to Zermatt (from £1,520) boasting extraordinary close-up views of the Matterhorm.
Auvergne added to France options
UTracks’ extensive range of French holidays has grown with the addition of the Auvergne. From May to October 2010, travellers can explore this impressive region’s rugged mountains and quiet hamlets on an 8-day ‘Walking in the Auvergne’ guided walk (from £490); while an 8-day ‘Auvergne Winter Week’ (from £530) provides a daily choice of walking, snowshoeing or ski touring, with departures in late December 2009, February and March 2010.
Into the Dolomites…
Long-known as a paradise for rock climbers, Italy’s Dolomites are a great destination for fit hikers too, and UTracks has introduced three new trips in this region of jagged mountains and seemingly endless trails. An 8-day self-guided ‘Dolomites Walk’ is priced from £790, while a 6-day ‘Dolomites Family Adventure’ (£1,090 per adult, £890 per child) is designed to appeal to adults and kids alike. A week-long itinerary ski-touring the Dolomites backcountry is also available from January to March 2010.
Pedal power
Eight new cycling trips include a 10-day self-guided tours of the highlights of Switzerland (£990) and Slovenia (£1,190), while choices in Italy are expanded with an 8-day self-guided itinerary exploring Venice and the Veneto region (£690) and a ‘Cycle Lake Garda to Milan’ journey through Lombardy (£890). Cycle and sail holidays are also offered, during which travellers sail by night to different locations, then explore by bike during the day: Croatia’s Kvarner Bay and Turkey’s historic Lycian Coast are new possibilities.
Other new choices for 2010 include:
- ‘Gran Paradiso Adventure’ - an expert-guided walk through the rugged Alpine beauty of Italy’s first National Park (£650)
- ‘Canal du Midi Cycle’ - cycle quiet canal paths past historic towns from Toulouse to the Mediterranean (£950)
- ‘Gorges du Verdon’ - 7-day self-guided walk exploring Europe’s largest canyon (£690)
- ‘Southern Italy Volcano Trail’ - 11-day guided walk taking in Mt Vesuvius, Mt Etna and the active crater of Stromboli (£1,590)
- ‘Walking in the Picos de Europa’ - discover the hidden valleys and soaring peaks of Spain’s spectacular range (£490)
- ‘Caliphs & Knights’ - relive the Middle Ages on an 8-day guided walk among the castles and mountains of Andalucia (£850)
- ‘Crossing Madeira’ - an 11-day self-guided walk among the majestic mountains and striking coastlines of Madeira (£730)
- ‘Transylvania Castles & Mountains’ - discover the atmospheric landscapes that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula on this 6-day self-guided Romanian walk (£420)
For more information and bookings visit utracks.com. Bookings made before 31 December 2009 will qualify for a 5 per cent discount. Quoted prices are inclusive of accommodation, most meals, equipment, baggage transfers, and clear maps with images. High season supplements may apply. Flights are not included but can be arranged on request.
