HEADWATER'S "TASTER" HOLIDAYS

Headwater’s specially adapted 4-night "taster" holidays have been created for people either looking for an active weekend break, or simply wanting to see if they like this sort of trip before committing to a main holiday.

Our traditional holidays are typically structured so that you cycle (or walk) one day, stay put the next, etc. for the duration of your trip. With our 4-night breaks, the formula has been changed so that you move on every day. In this way, you’ll see the maximum the region has to offer within the shortest space of time. To make sure you still have time to visit places of interest, go wine tasting, laze by the pool and so on, we’ve kept the walking/cycling distances short and, generally, on the flat. As with all our longer length holidays, we provide detailed maps and route notes, and our staff move your bags from hotel to hotel for you. We offer total flexibility over travel too: self-drive, rail or flights from your local airport. Just call us for a tailormade quote.

For further details on any of our new "taster" holidays simply click on the appropriate holiday title below.

  Walking holiday , Spain
 La Rioja :  Vineyards and Villages Walk

The “real” undiscovered Spain: sleepy hamlets, mediaeval villages, age-old wine bodegas Untouched walking country; stunning mountain views; dozens of castles, churches and chapels steeped in history Superbly varied hotels: a restored **** monastery, a luxury country home, an aristocratic riverside hotel Griffon vultures, golden eagles, storks, wild flowers, butterflies

  Walking holiday , France
 The Jura :  Jura Vineyards Walk

Waymarked GR walking trails through vineyards, valleys, apple and cherry orchards Beautiful unspoilt scenery: limestone caves, thundering waterfalls, dramatic gorges, panoramic picnic spots Great bird-spotting: kestrels, hawks, falcons and buzzards Charming family-run hotels, all with pools: mouthwatering cuisine - wine tasting galore!

  Walking holiday , France
 The Loire :  Amboise to Chenonceau Walk

Superb value, easy walking holiday – excellent choice for first-timers Great royal châteaux: Chenonceau and Amboise Spend two nights in a luxurious château; swimming pools 4 out of 6 nights; fantastic regional cuisine; outstanding local wines Out-of-the-way discoveries: flat river valleys, shaded forests, hamlets and watermills

  Walking holiday , Spain
 Catalunya :  Catalan Classic Walk

Pretty coastal paths, lush green valleys, ancient cork and pine forest; beautiful sandy beaches, traditional fishing ports, sun-drenched villages Fabulous hotels – swimming possibilities every day - exceptional cuisine Exotic Mediterranean flora: oranges, peaches, lemons; wonderfully colourful flowers Excellent bird-spotting: hoopoes, buzzards, cormorants, white egrets

  Walking holiday , France
 Brittany :  Heart of Brittany Walk

Lovely flat, gentle walking; excellent, easy-to-follow, varied quiet routes Coastal trails, riverside paths, winding country lanes, secluded bays, picturesque artists’ towns, traditional fishing ports High quality hotels: 4 nights overlooking the Ocean; superb seafood Excellent bird spotting: reed buzzards, lapwing, tufted duck

  Cycling holiday , France
 Provence :  Heart of Provence Cycling

Explore timeless Provence, unchanged for centuries Characterful hotels – all with swimming pools – great food Full of historic, cultural and romantic interest Poppy fields, vineyards, lavender, parasol pines, and more than 300 days of sunshine a year Wonderful views as far as the Med to Mont Ventoux

  Cycling holiday , France
 The Lot & Aveyron :  Hidden Valleys Cycling

Dramatic unspoiled scenery: imposing riverside cliffs, forgotten valleys, beautiful pink/ gold hill villages, very few tourists Riverside, country and plateau landscapes: perfect for unhurried cycling - great views everywhere! Friendly hotels – pools at 2 out of 3 - delicious cuisine World-famous prehistoric caves at Pech’Merle; mediaeval Figeac, cliffhanging Rocamadour

  Cycling holiday , France
 The Loire :  Loire Gastronomic Cycling

Gourmet food, wonderful wines, 2 nights in a luxurious ssss château with pool set in 25 hectares of parkland overlooking the Loire Easy flat cycling: majestic rivers, royal forests, world-famous vineyards, quiet rural roads France’s greatest châteaux: Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau Wine tasting opportunities galore; swimming in most places

  Cycling holiday , France
 The Jura :  Cycling the Jura Wine Route

Extraordinary beautiful and diverse landscapes: shady forests, boundless vines, fertile valleys, traffic-free lanes Excellent hotels, all with pools; superb local cuisine Flower-decked wooden villages, bustling mediaeval towns, ancient abbeys and Renaissance châteaux Limestone caves, cascading waterfalls, lazy rivers, stunning views everywhere!

  Cycling holiday , France
 Burgundy :  Abbeys and Vineyards Cycling

Gentle, undemanding cycling: options for more challenging routes too World-famous vineyards, superb local cuisine; excellent value for money Great abbeys, elegant châteaux, flower bedecked villages, hidden meadows Roman and Romanesque; Gothic and Renaissance; Historic Auxerre, one of the finest mediaeval towns in France

  Cycling holiday , France
 Brittany :  Bays of Brittany Cycling

Gentle, mainly flat pedalling; quiet coastal and country lanes; short distances Magnificent sandy beaches; superb picnic spots Exceptionally friendly hotels: full of character and contrasts, great food Renaissance village of Locronon, setting for Polanski’s “Tess” Ancient Breton capital, Quimper Masses of choice for families with children

  Cycling holiday , Spain
 Mallorca :  Heart of Mallorca Cycling

Easy cycling through olive groves, almond orchards, cornfields and verdant vineyards Crystal clear bays, gorgeous beaches, stunning views of the Tramuntana Mountains Gorgeous luxury and boutique hotels - all with pools Ancient bodegas, historic monasteries, honey-coloured hilltop villages

  Cycling holiday , Gozo
 Gozo :  Highlights of Gozo Cycling

Wonderful gentle cycling: scenic coastal tracks, sleepy hamlets, lush valleys, breathtaking views Fabulously varied **** and ***** hotels, all with pools Baroque churches, honey-hued hilltop hamlets, archaeological treasures, colourful fishing villages Beautiful secluded bays; stunning turquoise seas