Itinerary is good except that it would be good to have one more day at Istanbul.
Tour guide and the driver are helpful , knowledgeable and the tour guide Suat is delightful to deal with.
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.
The trip had a varied itinerary. Gennaro the guide was excellent. He had a wealth of knowledge, took great care to include everyone in the group. This meant that everyone enjoyed their trip. Throughly enjoyed myself .
Good organisation. The guide, Elie, translated everything in English for me as I was the only non-French in the group. He also prepared delicious meals everyday. Walking pace was good for all the group. Night stays had everything essential and the dinner and breakfasts were also good. Overall, a truly "rustique" adventure in the Swiss Alps, in contact with nature and the mountain.
Walking Granada and in Las Alpujarras was an amazing walk, in beautiful autumn weather. The region and its villages was fascinating, the accommodation and food commendable. We had a glitch with bus travel to the first village, but on the whole, everything went very well. I would recommend this walk.
Highlights of Costa Rica was an excellent trip, it packed in many sites and activities. I was a little apprehensive about the float trip but it was slow and gentle and allowed us to get a unique view from the river. The guide was excellent and pointed out lots of aniand birds. The rain and cloud forests didn't disappoint and I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced trip.
This was a fairly tough walking trip, with three challenging days (long days, lots of uphill) and two easier days. Certainly not one for the casual, uncommitted weekend walker! The two-night stay in the basic Curmatura hut was not made easier by the very very limited water supply (it was a trickle). There were 15 of us in the group and I thought that was too many for a hard walking trip of this type; 8-10 would have been ideal. The visits to the two castles (Peles and Bran) do not belong on this trip, in my opinion, as they resulted in unnecessarily late finishes to the walking on those days. The final day (Friday) in Bucharest could have been arranged much better, I thought, to avoid us sitting on a bus in traffic for ages. Why not take people straight to the hotel and then explore the city on foot from there?
I greatly enjoyed walking the Camino between Logroño and León (continuing from where I stopped last year). People had told me this central stretch is boring, but I didn't find it so. They did a great job of arranging hotel bookings and luggage transport. I can't wait to go back and complete the final section.
Santiago De Compostela, Leon, Villadangos Del Paramo, Astorga, Rabanal Del Camino, Molinaseca, Villafranca Del Bierzo, O Cebreiro, Samos, Sarria, Portomarín, Palas De Rei, Arzúa, Rua
The awe inspiring architecture is clearly evident, especially in the UNESCO world heritage site of Valletta, Malta's capital city. With so many rich and colourful traditions and excellent gastronomy, there is plenty on these islands to tantalise your tastebuds.
This holiday gives the perspective on two different Maltese islands, Malta being the largest of the two, only 27km long and 14.5km wide so you'll see plenty of breath taking sea views with dramatic sandstone cliffs, time worn salt pans and perfect fishing villages where the traditional and colourful Luzzo boats can be seen bobbing around in the bays. In Malta you are based just outside Valletta in St Julian's, your 7 day bus pass allows you to make the most of your time on the islands enabling you to access the start of the walks and return at the end. Walk around Malta's 'fish tail' where the watch towers along the coast are evident of its history and where there are stunning views across to Gozo and Comino. Enjoy the sites of the capital Valletta, the smallest capital in Europe and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's full of narrow streets, impressive architecture, fountains and ancient city walls, however if you need a rest, there are plenty of cafes, restaurant and bars in which to stop and watch the world go by.
Your hotel in Malta is based in the quieter side of St Julian's just 350m away from the front at Balluta Bay and is tucked away in a quiet, narrow alley. A modern and contemporary hotel with striking decor, it's rooftop infinity pool is a perfect place to relax after a days walking. Your stay here is on a B&B basis as there are so many excellent restaurants nearby for you to find the best spot for dinner. Valletta is also just a short taxi ride away should you wish to spend an evening in the capital.
On day 5 of your holiday you are transferred to Gozo to discover your second island and the second largest of the three Maltese islands. At only 14km by 7km at its widest point, nowhere in Gozo is too far away, making it the ideal choice for a walking holiday. The slow pace of life along with the air of tranquillity also makes Gozo the perfect place to relax. Rich in history and culture you there is plenty to see on your walks around the island taking in exceptional coastal views as you go. The walks guide you around the island's impressive coastline and through the cobbled streets of the traditional towns and villages.
Its rugged landscape ensures spectacular views including Fungus Rock, a natural stone outcrop in the centre of Dwejra Bay, and the Inland Sea. Between autumn and late spring, the countryside bursts into life, revealing an incredible wealth of flora and fauna, with colourful wildflowers and scented herbs.
Your hotel in Gozo is based in the capital Victoria. An elegant hotel in which you can relax, however being in the heart of Victoria there are a plethora of bars and restaurants to entertain you. Explore the medieval citadel with impressive walls and be enchanted by the far reaching views from the top across the entire island.
Base Camp. Two little syllables that conjure up dreams as immense and powerful as the Himalayas themselves. This 15-day trekking trip is your chance to take on the challenge of reaching the mountaineer's base camp and gain an insight into the world-renowned Sherpa culture. You’ll cross glaciers and broad plains, traverse valleys and climb high passes – discovering both the majesty of the mountains and your own potential. Embrace the sense of freedom that comes with leaving cell service behind for card games in basic (but cosy) teahouses. Plus, Intrepid partners with local mountaineering and porter welfare programs, so you can trek easier knowing that while our porters are taking care of you, there’s someone looking out for them. This is a challenging trip and involves difficult trekking at high altitudes, but the whole experience can summed up in two syllables – worth it.
ALTERNATE ITINERARY:
In case of weather conditions leading to cancellations or delays in included flights, this trip will operate on an alternate itinerary. Please see day 1 of the itinerary for more details.
Route was beautiful, stunning scenery and interesting stops along the way. Hotels were all very good and the app worked brilliantly so we never get lost. Already planning next year's trip!
