With 4 July, American Independence Day, celebrating the pioneering spirit of the people who made this vast country their own, why not take the spirit of adventure a step further on a Ramblers Walking holidayon an enlightening city walk exploring New York, one of the world's most vibrant and exciting capitals, or on an adventurous iconic trail through the heart of America's Canyonlands.

Both equally recognisable by great American blockbusters and westerns, get your own sense of independence wandering through Manhattan as showcased in Woody Allan's classic, meandering through Brooklyn in the footsteps of Saoirse Ronan envisaging scenes from the namesake film, or  heading into the vastly impressive 'canyonlands' which were brought to the screens in the John Wayne classic 'Stagecoach', Ridley Scott's 'Thelma and Louise', Sean Penn's 'Into the Wild' as well as numerous other movies.

New York (Leisurely, Grade 2) 

Arguably the most energy charged city in the world, New York is ideal for exploring on foot in the autumn with many must see attractions, such as Times Square, the Rockefeller Centre, Fifth Avenue, Central Park and Downtown Manhattan, all within walking distance of each other.  Ramblers Walking Holiday's New York offers a fascinating trail through the city's five Boroughs, dropping into an array of museums, galleries and colourful neighbourhoods along the way.  Highlights include walking across iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the view from the top of the Empire Building and joining the locals to catch the Staten Island Ferry. The itinerary also includes a train ride up the Hudson Valley to some typical colonial villages and the opportunity to see a Broadway show. 

Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331 133; www.ramblersholidays.co.uk) 8 night  New Yorkholiday starts from £2185/person including flights, transfers, en suite accommodation, breakfasts, dinners on five evenings, rail trip up the Hudson, guided tour of Harlem and local transport costs. Departs 20 September and 17 November 2018; 6 April, 11 May, 21 September and 5 October 2019.  

America's Canyonlands  (moderate, grade 6)

Enjoying one of the top ten hikes in the world – the spectacular rim-to-rim walk of the Grand Canyon  - with the opportunity to stay at Phantom Ranch, a much sought after lodge with a unique location at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, spend 5 days exploring its South and North Rims before taking in the other great canyons of Utah and Colorado.  With walks through the alpine valleys of Zion and the sci-fi rock pillars of Bryce, Devil's Garden with its bizarre buttresses and balanced rocks in the Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Monument Valley - a familiar setting for just about every Western film, days spent hiking through spectacular vistas of vast natural scenery culminate with a night in Las Vegas, an artificial wonderland with a nature all of its own. 

Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331 133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk).  America's Canyonlands 17 night tour starts from £4,695/person including flights and airport transfers, all travel for walking and sightseeing excursions, B&B en-suite accommodation, seven dinners plus meal at Phantom Ranch, services of a dedicated leader and National Park entrance fees.  Departures: 9 September and 1 October 2018; 1, 8 & 15 September 2019.

For further information or bookings, visit Ramblers Walking Holidays, 01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

Ends

To download images, click here.

For further media information and images contact:  Anthea Yabsley or Judith Watson on pr@rwhtravel.com or Salvatore (Tony) Maniscalco on salvatore.maniscalco@rwhtravel.com    

Or call: 

Anthea Yabsley: 020 8578 6777 

Judith Watson: 020 7372 7732 

Tony Maniscalco: 01707 386755 

Notes to Editors: 

* For more information on Britain's Favourite Walks: Top 100 click here.

Company Background

Ramblers Walking Holidays is the core brand for RWH Travel, the experts in guided walking adventures. Having celebrated its 70th Anniversary of holiday operating in 2017, other brands within the group include Adagio  – leisurely walking and cultural holidays at a gentle pace and Ramblers Cruise & Walk Holidays, small ship cruises with a dedicated shore walking excursion programme - in association with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.  In total, the company operates over 200 holidays across over 60 countries.

Walking Grades

Each of the Ramblers Walking Holidays has been graded to help clients choose their preferred pace, with categories ranging from Grade 1-3/Leisurely (usually two hours walking); to Grade 4-6/Moderate (a combination of full and half day walks); and Grade 7-9/Challenging (full day walks where stamina is key).

On some holidays, there is the chance to experience more than one walking grade with two leaders. Perfect for couples and friends who prefer to walk at a different pace or have different walking abilities.

Holidays for Adagio are largely ungraded.

Special Interest

To help clients choose the type of walking holiday that will appeal to their interest, Ramblers Walking Holidays also uses symbols that depict the main interest, style or theme of the walks. Categories include: Pioneer; Continuous Walks; Flora & Walking Holidays; Bird Watching & Walking; Lifestyle, Culture & Natural History; Hutting; Rail & Walk; Sightseeing.

Company Mission

The company's mission is to generate funds for walking charities by the provision of outstanding outdoor activity holidays worldwide.

With its not-for-profit and social enterprise philosophy, the company contributes monies to the Ramblers Walking Holidays Charitable Trust which supports walking related and environmental projects in the UK. The company also funds Heart & Sole - an initiative managed by company staff, with the aim of reaching into the heart of the communities visited both in the UK and overseas.

RWH Travel also runs The Walking Partnership - an initiative which champions walking at the 'grass roots' level by providing funding and support to walking groups and clubs throughout the UK.

Ramblers Walking Holidays is the Walking Holiday Partner of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity which has been pioneering and championing walking and 'rights of way' for over 70 years across England, Scotland and Wales.

Customers travelling on all holidays operated by RWH Travel are fully protected via the company's membership o