The Camino Frances, starting from St Jean Pied de Port in France and ending in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, has featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1993, a total distance of 790km / 490 miles. Known as one of the most challenging sections of the pilgrimage, many see this section as also the most rewarding, with pilgrims traversing the Pyrenees from France into Spain, a dramatic and incomparable landscape.
During this stage of the Camino Frances, you will visit the ancient medieval towns of St Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles and Puente la Reina, experience the challenging, scenically stunning walk across the Pyrenees and wander through the beautiful countryside, passing through towns and villages, each with a long history intertwined with this most famous pilgrimage. The cities of Pamplona and Logrono are filled with places of interest to visit, examples of Gothic and medieval architecture, cathedrals and palaces. Logrono is the capital of the Rioja wine region, so be sure to take in some wine tasting here, but don't forget to collect your stamp for your Pilgrim Passport!
I really enjoyed this trip. It provided the right blend of organisation and flexibility to suit my preferences. All of the hotels were excellent and everyone was friendly and helpful. When I needed support, the response was swift. The walking instructions were usually clear and the downloaded GPX files allowed me to double-check when I was unsure. For me the estimated times were more than enough for breaks and photos. I would happily use them for any other walking holidays. Thanks!
This tour was a great hybrid between going it completely on our own and a completely regimented tour group experience. Alessandra and the team made all of the hotel, transportation, and tour reservations and we just had to be at the right place at the right time. The events they suggested were great and hit all of the highlights we were interested in and more. There was plenty to do, but also some free time to explore on our own and relax.
Enjoy the best of Cyprus' stunning Akamas Peninsula during the winter months. Winter in Cyprus is generally mild, especially the western part where the walks on this hiking holiday are concentrated. The walks are mostly in the Akamas Peninsula National Park and in the adjacent “Laona” plateau area, at around 600m, with its small traditional villages. some of the walks end at the coast. In late winter and early spring, from February onwards, peaking in March, the Akamas blooms with a profusion of wildflowers. You can find many types of orchids and there are indigenous species of tulip that you may discover near the coast. Bird life can also be interesting as migrants start to return to mainland Europe.
Cyprus is an island of natural beauty in a region with an abundance of ancient and modern civilisations and cultures. Its mineral wealth was well known in ancient times: the island gave its name to the element copper (Cu). Away from the cosmopolitan towns and beach resorts you will walk through large areas of natural, unspoilt countryside. Woodland, orange orchards and vineyards are interspersed with tranquil, timeless villages on this hiking holiday. The Cypriot people extend a warm and friendly welcome and their hospitality will add greatly to the enjoyment of this winter walking tour.
The walking route was nicely maintained, with the mix of hikes across the island. I literally have seen all the gems of La Gomera! The extra days on the beach after almost a week of hikes was amazing as well. It was my first self-guided walking tour, I was a bit concerned if I’ll be able to complete (not being really super fit), but it went so good - instructions are well written, it was easy to follow and on the route my hiking shoes and walking sticks helps a million. I was able to both work out and to unwind. Thank you for all organizational support, good choice of hotels and walking guidance.
Walking the Magna Via Francigena was challenging - many steep hills, mud and rain. They organised everything else so that all we had to do was walk, making the walk much easier. The scenery was stunning.
A hike filled with stunning scenery, challenging climbs, and accommodation in interesting locations. Need to be well prepared both in fitness and for extreme weather conditions. It was a challenging hike that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Having used the company before I knew what to expect in regard to the efficiency of the organisation, and I was not disappointed. Everything from the pre-holiday information, the transfers and the standard of the accommodation was perfect.
This trip was very well organized. I was very satisfied well planned and communication great through out. Thanks to Andy was on hand to sort a problem. I recommend them and will be using them again soon.
A truly memorable holiday which enabled us not only to see parts of the wonderful Lazio countryside that we wouldn’t normally see by car, but also to soak up the atmosphere of the various villages and towns where we stayed.
