ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS IN WESTERN & SOUTHERN EUROPE

FRANCE

Alsace

		One of France's best kept secrets Wonderful gastronomy and world famous wines Lazy rivers, ancient oak forests, cherry orchards Gingerbread houses, cosy winstubs, mediaeval castles Gothic splendours of Strasbourg and Colmar - 'Little Venice' of France

Brittany

		Beautiful white sandy beaches, hardly touched by tourism Traditional little fishing ports, unchanged for years Ancient Celtic traditions: local festivals, seafarer's tales, age-old myths and legends Excellent bird spotting opportunities

Burgundy

		Wonderful regional cuisine; world-famous wines Roman & Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance Pretty half-timbered villages, fortified towns full of interest Great abbeys, elegant chateaux and manoirs

Corsica

		Known in ancient times as 'Kaliste' meaning 'the most beautiful' Spectacularly rugged valleys, twisted granite cliffs, snow-capped peaks Exceptionally green island; unspoilt natural forests Olive groves, Laricio pines, lemon trees, fragrant maquis

French city choices

		Personally researched hotels in the very best locations 'Must see' sights and off-beat experiences Tailor-made travel with regional departures Any day, any date, any duration

Provence

		Dramatic landscapes bathed in luminous light Full of historic, cultural and romantic interest More than 300 days of sunshine a year Superb regional cuisine and an exciting range of wines Olive groves, vineyards, lavender, wild herbs

The Dordogne

		Dramatic river valleys, mediaeval towns, fairytale chateaux, unrivalled prehistoric treasures Wonderfully rich cuisine: fois gras, truffles, walnuts, confit de canard; World-famous wines Great family appeal: grottoes, museums, watersports, galleries, animal parks

The French Alps

		The little-known Chablis, the hugely popular Haute Savoie and the Queyras National Park Views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Swiss Alps Attractive mountain towns and villages Fresh mountain air, open spaces and peaceful silence

The Jura

		Dramatic scenery: towering limestone cliffs, spectacular gorges, stunning waterfalls Land of gentle mountains, close to the Swiss border Wonderful wines, tasty mountain hams and cheeses Flower-decked meadows, birds, butterflies, tinkling cow bells and postcard pretty wine villages

The Jura

		One of France's largest ski areas - 220kms of trails Frozen lakes, deer & chamonis, spruce forests Free ski bus for independent skiing and exploring Stunning Alpine views over to Switzerland

The Loire

		France's greatest chateaux Equable warm climate, the 'Garden of France' Majestic rivers, royal forests, rolling vineyards Out-of-the-way corners, watermills and little ch Deliciously light cuisine; great wine discoveries

The Lot & Aveyron

		Mediterranean climate, pinky-gold cliffs, wooded valleys Contrasting rivers: the majestic Lot, the gurgly little Cele, the stunningly beautiful Aveyron gorge Pretty little villages, great bastide towns, sleepy farming hamlets unchanged for centuries World-famous prehistoric caves at Pech'Merle

The Massif Central

		Traditional mountain village off the tourist trail Breathtaking views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, Mont Ventoux Fully accompanied skiing programme - snowshoeing too

The Massif Central

		Dramatic landscapes: deep gorges, sweeping vistas, ancient volcanoes Unique mountain wilflife: kites, eagles, buzzards, deer, marmots Source of France's greatest rivers An amazing variety of butterflies and wild flowers 'Roof of the world' feeling

The Poitou Charentes

		A deeply rural part of France where time has stood still Pretty villages, historic towns, imposing ruins Rivers meandering through rolling countryside Ancient abbeys, fascinating priories, historic churches, imposing chateaux

The Pyrenees

		Dramatic gorges, beautiful lakes, lush meadows, fertile valleys Eye-catching peaks, rugged spurs, rocky pinnacles Unique flora and fauna: Pyrenean lillies, blue gentian, columbine flowers Fortified villages and Roman spas An ornithologist's dream: eagles, vultures, tetras

The Tarn & Cevennes

		Truly spectacular scenerey in the Tarn & Jonte Gorges; best of the Cevennes National Park too A labyrinthe of prehistoriuc cave dwellings and abandoned troglodyte villages build into the cliffs Sweeping plateaux, mountain streams, vast plunging gorges, botanical rock gardens

The Western Auvergne

		Traditional family hotel in wonderful 'get away from it all' location Informal and intimate atmosphere - perfect for couples Ski through the 'Parc Regional des Volcans' Truly outstanding cuisine; great for vegetarians too

ITALY

Basilicata

		Italy's 'Best kept Secret' Pollino National Park - home of the rare Loricate pine Unspoilt Maratea costline - rocky corniches, sandy beaches Delicious Southern Italian cuisine, traditional mountain villages

Chianti

		Quintessential Italian landscape Mediaeval hilltop hamlets, San Gimignano's soaring towers and Volterra's Etruscan treasures Sunflowers and cypress, olives and vines World famous local wines

Dobbiaco

		Snow-sure Tyrolean village; perfect for beginners and intermediates 3000m Alpine peaks, panoramic terraces, frozen lakes 120km trail network, great for individuals

Italian city choices

		Personally researched hotels in the very best locations 'Must see' sights and off-beat experiences Tailor-made travel with regional departures Any day, any date, any duration

Piedmont

		Undiscovered Italy: vineyards, sun-dapled hamlets, hazelnut groves, Savoy castles Historic castles, frescoed chapels, homey-coloured asmospheric squares Mouth-watering local cuisine World-famous wines:Barolo, Barbaresco, Moscato and Dolcetto

Sardinia

		Deserted white beaches, stunning turquoise seas Rocky inlets, jagged cliffs, spectacular coastal views Dazzling ochre cliffs and traditional white villages Amazing mediterranean flora: twisted corks, sea lavender, poppies and wild iris

Sicily

		Crucible of European, Eastern and African cultures Europes' sunniest island; unspoilt sandy beaches Greek temples, Roman odeons, Norman Abbeys Mighty Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano Exuberant, friendly people; eclectic local cuisine

The Bay of Naples

		The rich flavours of the Italian South: warm hospitality, vibrant colour, vitality and history Beautiful scenery: emerald seas, plunging gorges, lush vegetation, pastel-coloured villages Incomparable archeological sites: Pompeii and Herculaneum Guided and independent walking choices

The Dolomites

		Outstanding walking country: jagged limestone spires, hanging glaciers, tortured columns Spectacular views: Lake Garda, the awe inspiring Brenta Dolomites, the Alps Fantastic wildlife: wood grouse, chamois, red deer, golden eagles The breathtaking pinks of the mountains at sunset

The Dolomites

		Snow capped fir trees, frozen waterfalls, towering Dolomites Masses of choice: guided winter walks, snowshoeing and cross country skiing Gothic fairytale castles, Tyrolean hamlets

Tuscany

		The essence of Italy: classic landscapes, mediaeval towns, olives, sunflowers, vineyards Mouthwatering Tuscan cuisine, world-famous wines Wonderful art cities: Florence, Pisa, Siena & Lucca. Renaissance, Etruscan and Roman treasuers

Umbria

		Italy's Green Heart, hardly touched by tourism Med Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance architecture Italy's best 'home cooking', great local wines

Venetia

		Home of Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Untouched rolling hills, hidden vineyards and colourful meadows Italy's finest wines including Vapolicella and Bardolino Land of Poets and Playwrights

PORTUGAL

Beira & Alentejo

		Lovely warm climate: around 300 days of sunshine a year Stunningly natural diversity: deserted white beaches, lush river valleys, dramatic mountain ranges Great bird spotting: eagles, goshawks, cormerants, aquatic flamingos

Madeira

		Dramatic coastline, emerald green terraces, volcanic peaks Subtropical climate, exotic orchids, rare birds of prey Forgotten hill villages, colourful fishing communities, historic Funchal Hospitable and generous people

Portuguese city choices

		Personally researched hotels in the very best locations 'Must see' sights and off-beat experiences Tailor-made travel with regional departures Any day, any date, any duration

The Azores

		One of the world's most beautiful and diverse archipelagos Masses of sub tropical flora - over 900 species Mt Pico - Portugal's highest mountain Verdant gorges, sparkling waterfalls, primaeval forests All year round mild climate - perfect for walkers

SPAIN

Andalucia

		Andalucia - Jewel in the Spanish Crown - and the most romantic region in Spain Pinky-gold cliffs, white villages, orange blossom Gothic cathedrals, Moorish castles, stunning Alhambra Palace in Granada Olive groves, cork trees and vineyards; Mediaeval fortresses, Berber dwellings, abandoned cortijos

Catalunya

		Sun-coloured mediaeval villages untouched by tourism Lush green valleys, turquoise seas, hidden pine-clad coves Full of historic, cultural and natural interest Olive groves, vineyards, poppy fields, wild herbs Mouth-watering regional cuisine, excellent local wines

La Rioja

		A region of Spain few tourists ever see Mediaeval towns, sandstone villages, farming hamlets unchanged over the centuries Flamboyant Gothic churches, ancient monasteries, elegant neo-classical houses World-famous wines stored in age-old bodegas Stunningly beautiful backdrop of the Sierra de Cantabria

Mallorca

		Discover a side of Mallorca few tourists ever see Dramatic coast, scenic valleys, beautiful mountain villages Orange blossom, olive groves, almond trees, wild herbs Full of historic interest and natural beauty Wonderful mediterranean cuisine, seafood specialities

Menorca

		Timeless and unspoilt Golden sand beaches, sparkling azure bays and turquoise seas Rich cultural history: prehistoric settlements, fortresses, castles Fabulous flora: sea lavender, golden asphodels, serapia orchids

Spanish city choices

		Personally researched hotels in the very best locations 'Must see' sights and off-beat experiences Tailor-made travel with regional departures Any day, any date, any duration

The Canary Isles

		Volcanic beaches, turquoise seas, rugged gorges Misty peaks, vine terraces, palm groves Mild sunny climate perfect for winter walking Beautifully preserved 15C buildings and towns Mount Teide - Spain's highest mountain - and Garajonay National Park

The Sierra de Gredos

		Fabulous walking in undiscovered Central Spain Mountain vistas, ancient Roman roads, riverside tracks, authentic villages Paradise for bird lovers: woodpeckers, red kites, bluethr oats, buzzards

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