Escape the Christmas routine this year with Ramblers Walking Holidays, who have a range of departures over the festive season for those looking for time away from the turkey and tinsel. With departures programmed so you can make the most of your annual leave as well as kick starting your new year fitness programme.

Destinations range from the mountainous Canary island of La Palma to the fabulous Moorish Trail in Morocco and Spain, or the tropical beauty of Costa Rica.  Rewarding and memorable with hikes in pristine wilderness, discovering hidden away places and immersed in a different culture, they include plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Ideal for couples, friends and solo travellers alike, choose from one of the following, or from the selection of Christmas departures, on the website, and take Christmas completely in your own stride. Holidays are graded so clients can easily choose the level that suits their walking ability.

La Palma (Moderate, Grades 5 & 6):  TAKE THREE DAYS OFF FOR A SEVEN DAY HOLIDAY: Enjoy a winter sun week of walking in the Canaries, with two walks leaders and the choice of two different grade walks each day, exploring ancient green laurel forests, fragrant pine woods and dramatic volcanic landscapes on the mountainous island of La Palma. A green and beautiful island with a temperate climate, fabulous scenery and an impressive volcanic past, enjoy hikes along the dramatic Ruta de Los Volcanes and ascend to over 1800m to the Pico Bejenado rim for a bird's eye view down into the vast caldera; through National Park of Caldera de Taburiente; parts of the long-distance Gran Recorrido footpath to the southern tip of the island with its lighthouse and salt-pans nature reserve; take time to enjoy an amble around 15th century capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma rich in picturesque streets, colourful architecture and waterfront cafés for soaking up the sun. 

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (01707 331 113, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk) seven night La Palma holiday starts from  £925/person including return flights and airport transfers, half board en suite accommodation, two walks, two leaders, two grades and all local transport costs. Departs 20 December 2018.

The Moorish Trail (grade 2, leisurely): TAKE FIVE DAYS OFF FOR 12 DAYS HOLIDAY

The Moorish Trail combines spectacular train journeys and walking in Morocco and Spain with two nights in Ronda exploring the sights and surrounding countryside on foot.  Travelling by train from Marrakech to Madrid, it includes the scenic train journey known as 'Mr Henderson's Railway' from Algeciras to Ronda. Built by the British from 1890-1892 to enable their officers, as well as passengers on cruise ships bound for the East, to get away from Gibraltar's heat, it climbs through the Andalucia's hills and mountains to Ronda passing fields of wheat and sugar cane, forests of dwarf oak and cork, and numerous pretty white-washed Pueblos Blancos (villages) along the way.  Following two nights in Ronda exploring the town and surrounding countryside, before boarding the train to Granada taking in lovely views of the mountains and further Pueblos Blancos along the way. 

Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk) The Moorish Trail starts from £2055/person, including flights from Gatwick to Marrakechand returning from Madrid, airport transfers, en suite accommodation, breakfast, dinners at hotels and local restaurants, knowledgeable local guides, Alhambra Palace entrance ticket and all local travel and transfers including train and ferry.  Departs 22 December 2018.

Natural Costa Rica (moderate, Grade 4): TAKE EIGHT DAYS OFF FOR 15 DAYS HOLIDAY

With more than a quarter of the country's landscape protected and a variety of distinct climatic zones caused by high mountains separating its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Costa Rica's forests are alive with a multitude of brilliantly coloured creatures. Combining walks, wildlife watching and travelling with a stay in the capital city San Jose, this 15-night holiday ventures down the Caribbean Coast though fragrant coffee and pineapple plantations to the tropical paradise of Rio Celeste, into the volcanic Rincon de la Vieja region, and beyond.  Contrasting walks in tropical dry forest, past mud pools and sulphur springs, with densely vegetated trails through Monteverde Cloud Forest atop the Tileran Mountains, wildlife rich Manuel Antonio National Park and tropical trails on the Pacific, its diversity and abundance is nothing but amazing. Accompanied by a highly trained and knowledgeable local guide throughout, a sure highlight of this trip is learning about about the flora, fauna and country whilst discovering it on foot. 

Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk)  Natural Costa Rica 15 night holiday starts from £2995/person including return flights and transfers, half board ensuite accommodation, all transport costs, services of a local naturalist guide and service of a leader.   Departs 20 December 2018.

For further information, contact Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk)

or view the brochure here. 

Ends

For images please follow this link.

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

Or call: Sarah Bolam: 07714 337756

Anthea Yabsley: 020 8578 6777

Judith Watson: 020 7372 7732

Tony Maniscalco: 01707 386755

Notes to Editors:  

Company Background: 

Ramblers Walking Holidays was established in 1946 and is the core brand for RWH Travel, the experts in guided walking adventures. Other brands within the group include Adagio holidays – leisurely walking and cultural holidays at a gentle pace and Ramblers Cruise & Walk Holidays – small group guided walking in association with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.  In total, the company operates over 250 holidays across over 60 countries worldwide. 

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.  Adagio holidays, due to their leisurely nature, are generally not allocated a walking grade.

Special Interest 

To help clients choose the type of walking holiday that will appeal to their interest, holidays are identified by a simple icon system which includes the following categories: Iconic Paths; Continuous Walks; Pioneer; Sightseeing; Hutting & High Level; Multi Centre; Skills & Navigation; Culture & Natural History; Flora & Fauna; Bird Watching; Wildlife; and Experiential.

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 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 of ABTA (No V5094) and as holders of an ATOL licence (No 990).  RWH Travel is also a member of IATA, AITO and ETOA.