Ramblers Worldwide Holidays - the experts in guided walking adventures across the globe - have just introduced a superb new collection of tours for 2014. Each is graded to appeal to the leisurely or most demanding walker and include the services of a dedicated walking tour leader.  There are many activities like, birdwatching, cooking, cycling, Nordic walking, crusing, rail journeys, culture, history and architecture en route.

 

Here are some examples featured in RWH's new short haul and long haul portfolio:-

 

Bohemian Rhapsody - a two week holiday in the beautiful Elbe Valley walking from Prague to Dresden.  Highlights include, the cultural heritage of Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland which inspired great painters and musicians like Caspar David Friedrich, Weber and Wagner; the fascinating cities of Prague and Dresden; the old spa town of Bad Schandau; the romantic Malerweg Trail; stunning gorges, forests and majestic mesas (eroded sandstone mountains) and some of the most breathtaking panoramas in Europe.

Price from £1,390 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation. Departures from 30 May 2014.

 

The Ypres Salient - a one week holiday exploring Belgium's historic landscape and the battlefields of Flanders Fields.  Highlights include, Ypres (the site of some of the most fierce and senseless fighting of the First World War); the countryside and villages of Belgium's Westhoek; moving memorials to the fallen; Kemmelberg and Rodeberg; Kemel and Wijtschate; the Passchendale Ridge, Tyne Cot - the largest British war cemetery on the continent and the Menin Gate Memorial.

Price from £999 per person includes return rail travel to Ypres, local transport costs and half board accommodation.  Departures from 24 April 2014.

 

The Alpe Adria Trek - a two week holiday following the stunningly beautiful alpine trail from Grossglockner (Austria's highest mountain) to Lake Millstatt in the heart of Austria's Lake District. Highlights include, 130 miles of glorious scenery in the Austrian Province of Carinthia renowned for its high meadows, villages with flower-filled window boxes, ancient churches, alpine huts and riverside walks.

Price from £1,565 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation (with one night spent in a mountain hut).  Departures from 5 July 2014.

 

Murcia's Costa Calida - a two week holiday exploring the wild and protected natural, spaces of Murcia in Spain which has come to be known as La Huerta de Europe - "the orchard of Europe". Highlights include, the Sierra Espuña Natural Park; the spectacular ridges of the Valle de Ricotte; La Manga Strip - separating the Mar Menor Lagoon and the Calblanque Regional Park; the city of Murcia with many opportunities to sightsee along with the famous La Manga Club.

Price from £1,289 per person includes return flights, transfers and 4 star, half board accommodation (Hotel Monasterio de Santa Eulalia, Sierrra Espuña (5); Arco de San Juan, Murcia (4) and Las Lomas Village at La Manga Club (5).  Departures from 7 April 2014.

 

Las Islas Pitiusas, Balearics - a one week holiday exploring the many delights of Ibiza and Formentera. Highlights include the relatively undiscovered side of Ibiza designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site; glorious scenery featuring tranquil countryside, almond orchards, olive groves and vineyards, ancient farmhouses, rocky coves and wonderful beaches; the old fisherman's quarter of Eivissa; the picturesque resort of Portinatx; the salt pans (a thriving bird reserve) and perhaps a wine tasting session to round off the perfect holiday !

Price from £999 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation. Departures from 3 May 2014.

 

The Wilderness Parks of Northern Portugal -  a one week, two centre holiday centered on the Sierra da Peneda - a relatively undiscovered and spectacular region in the north west of the famed Peneda Gerês National Park. The first centre is the beautiful mountain village of Castro Laboreiro - overlooking an ancient castle, isolated traditional villages and high meadows. The second centre is a walk across the mountains to the remote and spiritual sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda.  Once bunkered into the hotel which used to be a pilgrim's hostel one can explore the dramatic crags and rugged landscape of Meadinha and follow the ancient trails down the lush valley of the River Peneda.

Price from £815 per person includes return flights, transfers and half-board accommodation.  Departures from 24 May 2014.

 

Siena and Florence - an 11 day holiday savouring the art, culture and countryside in two of Tuscany's most beautiful Renaissance cities.  Highlights include, walking in the footsteps of Dante, Piero della Francesca and the Medicis; exploring great architecture like the famous striped Duomo in Siena and the Campo (home to the Palio horse race); stepping right into the heart of the Renaissance in Florence with an aesthetic feast including, Brunelleschi's dome; Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Birth of Venus.

Prices start from £ 1,029 per person and include return flights, transfers and half-board accommodation. Departures from 23 December 2013.

 

Venice - La Serenissima - a one week guided walking tour of this most unique and spectacular city. Highlights include, visits to the Doge's Palace, Saint Mark's Basilica and other treasures created over 1000 years of the Venetian Republic; exploring the hidden nooks and crannies of the famous canals; a trip by boat to enjoy islands in the lagoon; the famous Rialto Bridge and some of the world's most iconic painters like Titian and Tintoretto whose masterpieces can be found in galleries and palaces; and the opportunity to travel to the Veneto, Padua and Euganean Hills, Verona and Vicenza.

Prices start from £1,015 per person and include return flights, transfers and half-board accommodation. Departures from 20 December 2013.

 

The Magnificent Dolomites - a one or two week guided walking holiday - with a touch of luxury - exploring the Val di Tires in the stunning Catinaccio - Sciliar Natural Park.  Highlights include, first rate walking away from the better known tourist spots; the Catinaccio; the Rosengarten; Sciliar; Teufelsschlucht (Devil's Canyon); the Baerenfalle (Bear Trap); and after all that a chance to luxuriate at the four star Hotel Dosses - one of the finest properties featured in the new RWH brochure.

Price from £1,090 per person includes return flights, transfers and half-board accommodation. Departures from 29 June 2014.

 

The Garfagnana Valley - a two week, two centre holiday exploring the Apuan and Apennine mountains  in north west Tuscany. Highlights include the beautiful Garfagnana Valley - with its medieval hamlets, hermitages and castles; Michelangelo's marble quarries; spectacular views and walks in Monte Sumbra, Pania di Corfino and Pania Della Croce; the curiously named 'OO' footpath along the watershed between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna; gorge walks through Orrido di Botri and a visit to Lucca - imbued with the spirit of the great composer Puccini.

Price from £1,130 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation. Departures from 29 June 2014.

 

A Knight's Island - a one week leisurely guided walking holiday on the Greek island of Rhodes. Highlights include a fascinating 'mix' of architecture style influenced by the Ottomans, Italians, Knights of St John and the Persians; sandy beaches; traditional cuisine; the UNESCO World Heritage medieval city of Rhodes; Historic Lindos with its imposing acropolis and St Paul's harbour; ancient villages; peaceful valleys and pinewoods.

Price from £825 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation. Departures from 12 April 2014.

 

Tinos and Andros - a two week holiday in a walkers' paradise in the Northern Cyclades.  This is a new tour in addition to RWH's popular Santorini and Naxos holiday.  Highlights include, the harbour town of Rafina on the Greek mainland; a ferry to Tinos with its famous pilgrim church of Panagia Evangelistria and over 1000 artistic Venetian dovecotes; an island hop to Andros (the most northern of the Archipelago) with a verdant landscape dotted with watermills, springs, streams, quiet villages and beaches. Both islands are a delight for nature lovers who will enjoy the many species of birds, springtime flowers and a truly authentic Greek experience.

Price from £1,059 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation.  Departures from 23 April 2014.

 

Hidden Halkidiki - a one week holiday exploring the picturesque Greek peninsular of Sithonia.  An absolute delight for nature lovers who want to get away from it all and luxuriate in the beauty of pine and oak forest, olive groves, vineyards, great beaches, old harbours, fishing hamlets, traditional cottages and tranquil churches.  From one's base in the lovely Athena Pallas Village are walks which follow ancient tracks and coastal paths around the peninsular to the Mount Holomontas range rich in flora and fauna and with panoramic views including that of Mount Athos..  All this complemented by fine food and wine in local tavernas !

Price from £690 per person includes return flights, transfers and half board accommodation.

Estonian Bird Watching Adventure - a one week, three centre holiday combining walking and exploring the spectacular avian life along the Baltic coast in Spring and Autumn.  Highlights include, fabulous national parks and nature reserves like, Matsalu and Haapalu; medieval centres like Tallinn; the classic seaside resort of Parna; and inland Tartu.

 

Bird lovers will revel in a chance to view long skeins of migrating geese, Black Grouse, Great Snipe, Black Woodpecker, White Tailed and Lesser-Spotted Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Broad Billed Sandpiper, Citrine Wagtail, Black Tern and White Winged Tern - among 164 other species !  All complemented with a visit to a local distillery and brewery.

Price from £1,499 per person includes return flights and half-board accommodation. Departures from 26 April 2014.

 

Burmese Explorer - a 16 day guided walking holiday discovering the many delights of this enchanting country which has only recently been opened up to tourists.  Highlights include, Bagan (the original capital of Burma) and one of the most important temple and pagoda sites in Asia - rivalling Angkor Wat in Cambodia; the Nyaung Oo Market; Mount Popa (mountain of deities); the famous Road to Mandalay; the ancient city of Amarapura; a boat trip on the Elephant River to see the Arakan Buddha; the Shwe Nandaw Monastery; Mandalay Hill; meeting monks at the Tawya Monastery; a boat tour to Inn Dein to see local farmers at work; the giant Pagoda of Shwemawdaw; Golden Rock Mountain; Karen State and the hot springs of Baying Nyi Naung Ku.

Price from £3,450 per person includes return flights, transfers, full board accommodation and entrance fees.  Departs 8 March 2014.

 

Capetown at Christmas - a 12 day holiday in South Africa's oldest city renowned for its spectacular geographical location, diversity of cultures and glorious scenery  The hotel for this 'Christmas Feast' is right in the heart of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - the perfect base to explore this great city.  Highlights include, walking in the Cape of Good Hope and the Silvermine Nature Reserves; Table mountain; Lion's Head; Signal Hill; Camp's Bay; a day trip to Stellenbosch with its renowned vineyards; a gourmet picnic by a stream; Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and Hermanus with its breathtaking scenery.

Price from £2,825 per person includes return flights, transfers, half board accommodation and all entrance fees.  Departs 22 December 2014.

 

Namibia - a 20 day holiday embracing three distinctive regions in this spectacular country - the narrow coastal Namib Desert, the Central plateau and the Kalahari Desert.  Highlights include, Windhoek; a breathtaking drive through the Kalahari Desert; the Fish River Canyon where one will camp for a night under the stars; the Karoo and Namib Deserts; the coastal town of Swakopmund; Twyfelfontein renowned for its stone age rock art sites and game drives in the Etosha National Park - one of Africa's largest game reserves.

Price from £3,380 per person includes return flights, transfers, half board accommodation and all entrance fees.  Departures from 7 June 2014.

 

Malawi - a 14 day holiday in this 'land of the lake'.  Highlights include; Lake Malawi; the verdant beauty of the Zomba Plateau; tea estates overlooked by majestic Mount Mulanje; the Liwonde National Park; Lilongwe (the capital); Mount Mulanje (the tallest mountain in south central Africa); the Thyolo Highlands and a magical sunset boat trip on Lake Malawi with sundowners to round off the perfect holiday !

Price from £3,175 per person includes return flights, transfers, six nights half board and five nights full board accommodation and all entrance fees.  Departures from 5 May 2014.

 

All of the above holidays include the services of a dedicated walking tour leader.

 

www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

01707 33 11 33

• Award-winning Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have been established since 1946 and are the experts in guided walking adventures.
• The company now operates to over 140 destinations in 60 countries. Now view the new  Online Brochure here http://view.intellimag.com/go/ramblersworldwidewidesummer14/
• Ramblers Worldwide Holidays offer a range of graded walks from leisurely to challenging.
• Alongside its traditional guided walking proposition, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays provide independent UK walking adventures via its Load Off Your Back programme www.loadoffyourback.co.uk
• The operator contributes monies to the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust which supports environmental projects both here and abroad
• Their portfolio also includes specialist holidays linked to walking such as, cooking, cruising, birdwatching, rail journeys, photography, singing and flora.
• Ramblers Worldwide Holidays provide a fully protected service as members of ABTA, AITO & ATOL.
• Ramblers Worldwide Holidays has launched 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  http://www.thewalkingpartnership.org.uk

For further information please contact grahamross1@btconnect.com 01255 670661