Experience Mont Blanc and the southern French Alps on this walk that incorporates the best of the GR5 or GTA (Grande Traversée des Alpes). To the iconic Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest massif, from Briancon, the capital of the southern French Alps, this challenging alpine walk takes in the highlights of the famous GTA or GR5 long-distance hiking trail. On this exclusive trek, you will experience some amazing and undiscovered parts of the French Alps, like Beaufortain, Vanoise, Thabor and a memorable side excursion to the "Vallée Étroite" (narrow valley) on the border of France and Italy. A mix of quality hotels sleeping a maximum of 2 to 3 people per room, and dorm-style accommodation in traditional mountain huts will offer you a comfortable experience and allow you to fully immerse yourself in mountain culture. During the trip, your main luggage will be transferred every day (except on day 4). Carrying only your day pack, you will be better able to appreciate the spectacular vistas unfolding around you.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Les Contamines-Montjoie, Les Con
Les Contamines-Montjoie, Les Contamines, Briançon, Col De La Vallée Étroite, Savoie, Vanoise National Park, Tignes, Peisey-Nancroix, Cormet De Roselend
A rewarding walk from the mountains of inland Corsica to the rose coloured Calanques of Piana high above the sea. A veritable mountain in the sea, Corsica is the most geographically diverse of the Mediterranean Islands. It offers such a variety of landscapes from snow topped mountain peaks to fine sandy beaches. Age old paths link the high mountain plains with their shepherd huts through to the picturesque Mediterranean Coast. This itinerary starts in the central valley and crosses the Grand Randonnee 20 (GR20), the challenging long-distance route running most of the length of Corsica. On foot you'll discover scented pine forests and the pretty mountain village of Evisa, known for its chestnuts, and explore the deep Spelunca Gorge. From Porto you can explore the unique jumble of rose granite pinnacles including the famous Calanques of Piana before visiting Corsica's capital Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon.
This tour was a welcome change from the fast paced touring of the big cities. We became familiar with the topography and vegetation as we hiked daily, also visiting towns known for wines and cheeses. The town of Chianciano provided a magnificent backdrop to our accomodation of Agriturismo La Pietriccia. We were awakened every morning to the rooster crowing. Stefano was an attentive and knowledgeable host. Plenty of food was served at the 4 course suppers. I feel this tour was necessary to complete my knowledge of the culture of Italy!
The trip was fabulous -beautiful places , lovely hotel and friendly warm staff , excellent food wine and our leader Veriano was so kind engaging fun and made the trip even more enjoyable and our group was fabulous. Would go back tomorrow! Highly recommend it!
In the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the Alta Badia region boasts some of the most spectacular alpine scenery as well as a reputation for excellent cuisine. The village of San Cassiano is no stranger to either and sits just 15km, as the crow flies, due West of Cortina d'Ampezzo (or 30km by road and the Falzarego Pass). Around 500m in altitude above the village lies a large area of beautiful alpine meadow, dotted with traditional wooden mountain huts and the most amazing panoramic views. At some points you have a 360-degree vista that spans from the Austrian Alps to the North to the Marmolada range to the South (the highest peaks in the Dolomites), with the Fanes Natural Park to the East and the Sella mountain range and Gardena Pass to the West - all stunning views in their own rights but when combined it's almost mind-blowing!
Follow old trails through ancient hamlets and past impressive castles on the Francigena Way, the Italian Camino, between Ivrea and Pavia. From Canterbury in England to Rome in Italy, the 1900km "Francigena Way" dates back to the 11th century when pilgrims travelled across Europe on foot to visit the site of Martyrdom of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. With the modernisation of Europe and the shifting of borders the route became obsolete, until a recent revival of the pilgrimage making it one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe today. This section travels through the plains of Piedmont. From March to May the rice fields are flooded and treat you to a wonderful view of the "chequered sea". At other times of the year you will spot herons and egrets. The trail continues into the Lombardy region before ending in Pavia. Here you can enjoy the artistic wealth of Pavia's old town, while reveling in the vivacity of the student quarters.
The vast expansion of its humble Roman roads connecting France and Spain has, over time, fanned out across Iberia and western Europe, making it one of the most unmissable long distance trails in the world.
On this seven-night walk, you'll start in Sarria, a large town famed for Galicia's antique fairs. From here you'll walk along farm tracks, paths and country lanes, and through vineyards, stopping off at churches to admire the frescoes and tavernas for lunch en route. Be sure to have your Pilgrim Passport stamped in bars, hotels and churches along the way to qualify for a certificate from the official Pilgrim Office in Santiago.
This walking holiday is based in the wonderfully unspoilt Euganean Hills, tucked in a quiet corner below the beautiful medieval city of Padua, west across the plain from Venice. Once volcanic islands, these hills have a striking conical appearance; they are cloaked in an astonishing variety of plant life including holm oak, maple, orchids, heather and poppies and have been recognised as a National Park. The lower slopes give way to colourful meadows and immaculately groomed vineyards so it's little wonder the region produces such a fine variety of wines!
Starting in the tiny hamlet of Cortela, nestled amongst vines, you head across poppy fields and through forests to Valnogaredo. You discover the jumbled cobbled streets of medieval Arqua Petrarca, where the famous 14th century Italian poet, Petrarch, made his home, before continuing through fertile fruit orchards to Galzignano. A convenient stone's throw from the Italian Baroque gardens of Valsanzibio, there's time to explore its magnificent maze before a series of outstanding views leads you to panoramically perched Teolo.
Journey by foot through the little-known region of Tuscany between Pontremoli and the walled town of Lucca along the Via Francigena, the Italian Camino. The Via Francigena has experienced a recent revival and is now one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe. This section of the trail takes you through a little-known region of Tuscany. Starting in Pontremoli, in the heart of the Lunigiana region where the green hills are dotted with fine castles, you will descend to the sea in Versilia. Enjoy the coastal scenery as you walk along the sandy beaches and during the warmer months you can happily stop for a swim en route. Leaving the coast behind, you will head back toward the Tuscan hills. You can visit the fascinating artists' workshops in Pietrasanta, known as the Italian Athens, which rests at the foot of the Apuan Alps. The highlights continue as you reach the walled town of Lucca, one of the most captivating old town centres of Tuscany.
A stunning coastline of isolated beaches, unspoilt islands, tourist-free villages and historic sites is perfect for exploring on foot whilst island-hopping between the islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet. You'll also enjoy plenty of swimming opportunities throughout the week.
You start in Trogir, where the first Greek settlers landed, listed by UNESCO for its wealth of classical buildings such as St Lovro's church and the Venetian loggia. You then island hop along the Dalmatian Coast. First stop is Brac where you can enjoy views from the highest point in the Adriatic islands; next stop Hvar, the sunniest place in the country and where you will discover abandoned ancient hamlets, vineyards and lavender fields. On Korcula you'll discover the agricultural side of the island, along with the historic old town and a Nature Park. The National Park (entrance included) on Mljet is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean. And finally there's the UNESCO-listed old town of Dubrovnik, where well-preserved ramparts surround a honeycomb of Renaissance churches, secret courtyards and sumptuous merchants' palaces.
We're extremely pleased with our choice of hotels too. Our 4 star hotel in Trogir looks over onto the old town, our 3 star hotel in Hvar is situated in a secluded pine grove and in Dubrovnik, we stay in a 3 star hotel on the Lapad peninsula.
Less than 100 miles off the north west coast of Africa, in the centre of the Canary Islands archipelago, sits the volcanic island of Gran Canaria - often referred to as 'a miniature continent' with its extraordinarily varied landscapes ranging from the north's lush green forests and valleys, to the towering mountainous interior, to the desert-like dunes and beautiful white beaches of its southern shores. For millennia, the elements have sculpted the most outstanding natural beauty: steep volcanic mountains punctuated by deep palm ravines; imposing rocks towering above high plateaux; vast fertile valleys of prickly pear, aloes, almonds and figs - it's little wonder that nearly half of the island is protected by UNESCO Nature Reserves and offers some of the finest hiking in Europe.
This twin-centre holiday offers varied and interest packed walking routes, with easier and more difficult choices of walk daily. We take you from the cauldron of Bandama whose eruption, over 2,000 years ago, influenced the entire geography of the island, to the emblematic Roque Nublo, an imposing natural crag made of volcanic rock from which there are 360 degree views of the whole island. Then there is Gran Canaria's vibrant and colourful capital, Las Palmas, where you can step back in time in the city's charming historic old quarter.
You spend your first three nights at the La Hacienda del Buen Suceso, located in a quiet and tranquil setting above the village of Arucas, the Hacienda was once a country estate and has perfectly retained all its colonial charm. Nestled in the surrounding banana plantations, the Hacienda is just 15 minutes from Las Palmas and makes a perfect base for the first half of your trip. For your next four nights, you'll head to the very heart of the island and the Hotel Fonda De La Tea . There is the option to upgrade in Tejeda to the Parador de Tejeda, subject to availability and at a supplement.
