Fuller detail
This weekend break with Sarah is based in the ancient village of Hartington in Derbyshire and will allow us to explore walks in the beautiful Upper Dove Valley. Our paths beside the river will take us into spectacular limestone scenery, perhaps climbing to the unspoilt village of Alstonfield on one day, or heading north to the quiet upper reaches of the Manifold River on the other. Our accommodation will be in ensuite singles, ensuite twins, and one triple bedroom with shared facilities at the exceptionally comfortable 4* Hartington Hall youth hostel. Hartington Hall is a magnificent 17th century manor house with log fires, oak paneling, excellent food (+ table licence), and a bedroom where Bonnie Prince Charlie once slept. Hartington village is easily reached by bus from both Buxton and Matlock stations. You can arrive at any time of day, and there can be an extra walk on Friday if you arrive by 1pm. Dinner is served from 6-10pm, but we will aim to eat together at 7pm. (Single supplement £5 a night).

See photos & feedback from last year's w/e?
Use your browser's Back button to return.

Travel - nearest train station: Buxton or Matlock; regular bus from each station to Hartington village stops near the hostel.

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals + guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
Bavaria is one of the most beautiful regions of Germany, especially around Berchtesgaden on the German-Austrian border not far from Salzburg (where the Sound of Music was filmed). Cow bells, alpenhorns, lederhosen, true Bavarian beer... and women having a fabulous introduction to walking in the Alps! You'll be surrounded by high mountain scenery, forests and gorges to walk through, and alpine pastures where farms sell milk and homemade bread and butter. There is also beautiful fiord-like Konigsee Lake, which we can cross by electric ferry to reach a lovely walk to Obersee and the 'ice chapel'. In addition, there are old baroque churches like the Maria Gern, or our path might return via an open-air swimming pool where we can stop for a dip. Since we're in Bavaria, we will of course never be far from a Gaststaette in the afternoon - for wonderful cake and coffee! There will be a choice of gentle and low intermediate walks each day, so this is an excellent opportunity to find out how much you can do if you're not sure. We will be climbing some hills, but at a slow and steady pace well within WalkingWomen grades. The paths are good, and since we're in the Alps, the air should be cooler for walking. On one day we will have a day off from walking to enjoy the local spa complex of swimming pools, steam rooms, and brine baths, or to visit Salzburg for a Mozart or Sound of Music tour (Salzburg is 40 minutes by bus). We'll be staying at the very comfortable and friendly Hotel Wittelsbach in the centre of Berchtesgaden where all the rooms have ensuite facilities, and women rave about the breakfasts! In the evening we will explore the good range of restaurants in town (not included - from £15). Single supplement: £10 a night. Guided by Yvonne & Heidi.

See photos from a previous Gentle & Low Int Bavaria?
Use your Browser back button to return.

Flight to Salzburg is not included. Transfer to Berchtesgaden IS included!
You can fly from Gatwick or Manchester to Salzburg with Thomsons. You can buy this flight through Charterflights.co.uk, or we are happy to book it for you (for a WW flight booking fee of £10).

The Gatwick & Manchester flights arrive at different times, and there will be 2 separate transfers to Berchtesgaden. These transfers are included in the cost of the holiday, and will take just under an hour.

Also includes: breakfast & packed lunches, transfer from Salzburg meeting BA flight, & all transport to walks - including ferry trip, + guided walks.

Not included: flight to Salzburg; evening meals out in local restaurants.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This fabulous South African holiday combines 6 days and nights in the Kruger National Park with 5 day walks in the scenically very beautiful and culturally interesting Panorama region of Mpumalanga. Here, to the east of Pretoria and Johannesburg, the Drakensburg escarpment continues northwards, paralleling the Kruger National Park, and during the Gold Rush years white settlers built small towns like Graskop, Pilgrim's Rest, and Sabie. Our walks will take us through beautiful indigenous forests or scented pinewoods to some of the striking waterfalls of the area, and across shining grasslands to the edge of the escarpment for breathtaking views over the Lowveld. On one day we will also drive north to see Bourkes Luck Potholes and walk the Leopard Trail for incredible views of the Blyde River Canyon (3rd largest canyon in the world). Our base at Graskop will be in twin and single rooms at Panorama View cabins right on the edge of the Escarpment, eating out in Graskop restaurants in the evenings. After 4 nights here we drive to Kruger National Park famous for the 'big 5' (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, & rhino), staying for our first 3 nights at Talamati Camp - a small luxurious private camp overlooking a lush valley frequented by many grazers - and their predators… In the morning and late afternoon we will take game viewing drives in our two vehicles - resting up in the middle of the day, enjoying the view from our verandahs overlooking the bush or from the camp hide overlooking a waterhole. You can also join a ranger led bush walk early one morning, or a ranger night drive one evening (costing approx £20 each). We then drive to Skukusa Camp for 3 nights where we all stay in ensuite single cabins, most of them overlooking the beautiful Sabie River - an area with elephants, cheetah, lions, hippos, buffalo and many exotic birds. After this rich experience we'll drive back towards Johannesburg, staying for the last 2 nights in ensuite twin and single rooms at comfortable Bergwaters Eco Lodge near Waterval Onder to allow a last walk in another striking region of the high veld before we travel home.

Flight to Johannesburg is not included. Transfer from Jo'burg IS included!
The direct SAA (South African Airways) flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg is currently cheaper than the lowest priced indirect flights to Johannesburg! Book early for the best price. (Diana is flying on this SAA flight - please ask us for the details & flight numbers).

You can book this flight yourself on the Internet (SAA website, Expedia et) or we are happy to book it for you on our agent's ATOL license (costing £10 WW flight booking fee). If you book a different flight from this one please make sure it arrives no later than 09.00 on 8th August.

• 4 nights: Panorama View Chalets, Graskop (Twins or singles - some ensuite, or sharing bathroom)
• 3 nights: Talamati Camp, Kruger (1 twin & 1 single per cabin sharing bathroom)
• 3 nights: Skukusa Camp, Kruger (Everyone has an ensuite single. Single suppl. only for riverview chalets)
• 2 nights: Bergwaters Eco Lodge (Ensuite twins or Ensuite singles)

Not included: drinks, 5 evening meals in Graskop or Kruger restaurants - from £12.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
Within easy reach of the South, the Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with sleepy villages built of mellow Cotswold stone, and rolling hills full of delightful low level walks. This weekend break with Caroline is based at the very comfortable and friendly Cleeve Hill Hotel which lies only 100 yards from the Cotswold Way at Cleeve Hill and shares the same superb vantage point. From here we can make a wide meandering circuit of Cleeve Hill with views in all directions, or there's a lovely walk from the un-spoilt village of Winchcoombe, stopping to see the wonderful gardens at Sudeley Castle. There can also be an extra walk on Friday afternoon if you can arrive by 1pm. Cleeve Hill Hotel is beautifully decorated with lovely ensuite rooms - mainly doubles that we can take as singles, and two attractive and spacious twin rooms with very good views. Delicious breakfasts are served in the light and airy conservatory, and in the evening we can eat at the hotel, or stroll out to sample good eating places in the village. Cleeve Hill is 15 minutes by taxi from Cheltenham station. (Evening meals not included - from £15). Guided by Diana.

See photos & feedback from a previous Cotswolds w/e?
Use your browser's Back button to return here.

Travel - nearest train station: Cheltenham, then taxi to Cleeve Hill.

Includes: breakfasts, packed lunches + guided walks. (Evening meals not included - from £15)

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This new photography holiday with Marian offers low intermediate walk from Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast, staying for 3 nights full board in ensuite twins or singles at Sneaton Castle Centre (Ens. single suppl. £10 a night). There'll be views from the cliffs, ruined Whitby Abbey, interesting shots to take in Whitby itself, and the Yorkshire moors will be purple with heather in bloom. You can't avoid steps in Whitby, so please note these walks are low intermediate in grade unlike our autumn photography holiday. If you're happy with your camera, there'll be space to learn more about photography techniques. Marian will have plenty of suggestions about how to get the most from your camera, the light and the landscape. If you haven't done much photography before or have a camera that you're still getting used to - whether it's an SLR, a digital camera, or an older 'point & shoot' - you'll love her encouraging style that inspires confidence and a willingness to experiment, always with great results. 'Landscape photography' covers the full range, from majestic views to focusing on just a beautiful rock or flower. Camera & film are not included; and if your camera is digital please bring your charger, spare memory cards, and you camera instructions. Marian will have her laptop available for looking at digital photos in the evening - more laptops are welcome!

Travel - nearest train station: Scarborough, then a bus to Whitby & taxi up the hill to Sneaton Castle Centre.

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, all transport to walks, + guided photography walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This 3 night break at our new venue, Earnley Concourse centre on the south coast near Chichester, offers you a choice of Gentle and Low Intermediate walks enjoying the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as fine views from the South Downs. For Gentle walks we can head across the fields to Pagham Harbour and 13th century St Wilfrid's Chapel on one day, and on another day we'll enjoy views of Chichester Harbour when we walk to the pretty villages of Itchenor and Bosham - taking a brief ferry ride across the channel. This Bosham walk can also be extended to make a Low Intermediate walk to the cathedral city of Chichester with its Roman walls and fine medieval Market Cross. Another Low Intermediate walk will head up onto the South Downs through the fantastic yew trees of Kingley Vale for superb views across Chichester harbour to the sea. On the last day both groups can enjoy walks of different lengths from East Lavant, taking a path which brings you gently up onto Downs overlooking Goodwood Racecourse, then finishes through fabulous bluebell woods. Earnley Concourse centre is a wonderful new 'find' for WW groups, with plenty of comfortable ensuite single rooms available, a large dining room and comfortable lounge, beautiful grounds, and even an indoor heated swimming pool for relaxing after walking!

See photos & feedback from a previous year's break at a nearby venue?
Use your browser's Back button to return.

Travel - nearest train station: Chichester station is 10-15 mins by taxi, or the center has plenty of parking.

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, all transport to walks; + a choice of guided walks each day.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
Built in AD 122 during the time of Emperor Hadrian to "separate the Romans from the barbarians", Hadrian's Wall is Europe's largest surviving Roman monument and a UNESCO world heritage site. This year's holiday is based at the Twice Brewed Inn which offers ensuite twin rooms and a good number of standard doubles and twins that we can take as singles (Single suppl. £10 a night). The food here is good, and the inn has a prime location for exploring some of the most spectacular sections of the Wall as well as the beautiful Northumbrian countryside beyond. There will be milecastles, turrets, Robin Hood's tree, fascinating Roman forts, and dramatic stretches of the Wall. On the last day we can walk from Vindolanda Fort up onto Barcombe Fell for a last view of the wall receeding into the west. In the evenings we will eat together at the inn (evening meals are not included - from £12.00). (Nearest train station is Bardon Mill 2.5 miles away by taxi).

See photos and feedback from a previous Hadrians Wall holiday? (which stayed at the YHA, not the inn)
Use your browser's Back button to return.

Travel - nearest train station: Bardon Mill station - 2.5 miles away by taxi.

Includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, transport by local bus along the wall if needed, + guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
The Dalmatian island of Brac lies off the coast from Split, threaded by lovely old mule tracks through olive groves and pinewoods. Ancient chapels and monasteries dot the island while along the rocky coast there are pebbly coves that invite a swim and small picturesque fishing resorts. Sutivan is one of these - built of famous Brac stone, and at night you can see the lights of Split across the water. Sutivan has no hotels so we do as Croatians do and stay in small apartments, all within walking distance of Pension Dora whose vine covered courtyard and restaurant/bar we will use as our focal point. Here we will share breakfasts, and meals on 4 evenings. On 3 evenings we'll eat out at seafront restaurants in smaller groups (not included - from £8). The apartments are simple and typically Croatian, some with ensuite rooms, others with 2 single rooms sharing a bathroom and small kitchen. Some have a terrace for relaxing after walking, others have sea views. At Pension Dora there are ensuite twins and singles. Besides a choice of Gentle & Low Intermediate walks, we will also take a day off to enjoy the sea, hire a bike or sea kayak, visit Diocletian's Palace, or simply relax with a book! Guided by Lorraine & Madeline.

See photos & feedback from a previous year's holiday?
Use your browser Back button to return.

Flight to Split is not included - travel beyond Split IS included!: You can fly to Split with Easyjet from Gatwick & Bristol, and with Thomas Cook from Manchester - all landing in the morning.

Depending on the 2010 schedule, you may also be able to fly from Birmingham & Southampton. Please check with us before you buy your flight - or we are happy to buy it for you if you prefer (WW flight booking fee £10). Book early for the best prices - Easyjet flights are available now!

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, 4 evening meals, airport transfers, ferry to Brac, transport to walks, + a choice of guided walks each day.

Not included: Flight to Split; 3 evening meals; & any activity you do on the day off.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
This Lulworth weekend is based at the Cromwell House Hotel in Lulworth Cove and are spaced throughout the year. It will allow us to sample the beautiful Dorset coast, taking the path from the village to Durdle Door and beyond on one day, and walking to stunning Mupes Bay on the other. If you can arrive by 1pm on Friday, there can be an extra walk inland from the Cove. (These coastal walks are all well within the Low Intermediate grade, but may involve more 'up' and 'down' than some other Low Intermediate destinations we offer). Cromwell House is a comfortable 2 star hotel 200m from the sea front with ensuite twin and single rooms available. The hotel also has a swimming pool which is heated from May to October, a bar and a separate comfortable lounge with a log fire for cooler months. The food here is excellent - all freshly prepared, and accompanied by an extensive wine list. Dorset cream tea with home-made scones and real clotted cream are a hotel speciality! The dining room has patio doors leading onto a south-facing terrace and garden. Lulworth Cove is easy to reach - a short taxi ride from Wool station on the Waterloo to Weymouth line.

See photos & feedback from a previous Lulworth Cove break?
Use your browser Back button to return.

Travel - nearest train station: Wool station is on the Waterloo to Weymouth line. Taxi to Lulworth Cove.

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals + guided walks.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
White dolomite mountains, crystal clear lakes, hayracks and traditional villages, river gorges and tumbling waterfalls… Slovenia is surely one of the most beautiful and friendly places to visit in Europe! For this holiday we will be based in Bled on the edges of the Julian Alps - a small resort town beside a jewel of a lake. Bled is surrounded by meadows and beech woods. We can walk on good paths around the lake and into the surrounding countryside - to pretty villages with their wooden barns and ornate church spires, and to dramatic Vintgar Gorge. This year there will be a choice of Gentle and Low Intermediate walks each day - and you can swap grades if need be to stretch or take it easy. After walking, we can sit in cafés by the lake, visit the castle, and row to the island (or get a boatman to take us there!) On one day we will visit lovely Lake Bohinj to walk along its shore. Here we can also take the Vogel cable car to reach views of the Julian Alps, then catch the ferry back along the lake (Cable car optional - £8). For this holiday we have reserved all the rooms at Penzion Vila Kolinska in a quiet residential part of Bled - ensuite twin rooms and a good number of ensuite singles (Single supplement £10 a night). In the evening we'll walk back into the centre to explore Bled's good places (evening meals not included - from £15). Guided by Madeline & Helen.

See photos from a previous Bled holiday?
Use your browser's Back button to return. (2008 photos coming soon!)

Flight to Ljubljana not included. Transfer to meeting Easyjet flight is included!:
For this holiday you can fly to Ljubljana with Easyjet from London Stansted. (No Adria flights from Manchester on these dates). Or you can take an indirect flight from Manchester with Air France.

You can book the Easyjet flight yourself - or we can book it for you (WW flight booking fee £10). The transfer meets the Easyjet flight and is included in the price.

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, airport transfer meeting Easyjet flight, all transport to walks, ferry on Lake Bohinj, gorge entrance fees + a choice of guided walks.

Not included: Flight to Ljubljana; evening meals - from £12; cable car (optional) - £8.

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335

Fuller detail
Over this Turkish holiday we will journey from Marmaris to Fethiye, sometimes cruising, but usually walking to the next rendezvous point along forested tracks and quiet lanes with views to the mountains, the woods, or out over the islands along this lovely coast. The walks vary to suit the terrain, averaging low intermediate in grade with one steeper ascent. Walking to Dalyan village we will catch a river boat to the mud baths and ruins at Caunos, while on other days there may be 2-3 shorter walks with sailing in between - to take in Cleopatra's Bath, other Roman ruins and tombs, or the sunset from Yassica Island. On the last day there will be an optional excursion to view the amazing Saklikent Gorge and the ruins of Tlos - or you might prefer a relaxing day on the boat, swimming from a nearby beach. The holiday is priced on a full board basis with delicious meals served on deck in the evening by our friendly crew.

See photos & feedback from a previous Turkish Coast holiday?
Use your browser Back button to return here.

Flight to Dalaman is not included. Transfer meeting IS included.
There are Easyjet flights from Gatwick & Manchester to Dalaman arriving at approximately the same time. The transfer will meet these flight and is included in the price.

You can book your flight online, or we can book it for you (WW flight booking fee £10). Please talk to us before you book any other flight. Currently on the outgoing flight is available (best to buy it now, then the return leg later).

Also includes: breakfasts, packed lunches, evening meals, all transport in Turkey, excursion to Caunos ruins & mud baths, + guided walks.

Not included: Drinks; optional excursion to Saklikent gorge & Tlos ruins (£40); tips (allow £15-£20).

You can book online - or phone us on: 08456 445335