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This is the first of two opportunities this year to spend a relaxed week in Crete, exploring some of the gorges and coast paths in the south and southwest of this magical island. May is a lovely month to walk in Crete - when the sun is not too hot and the island is still green with many wild flowers and aromatic herbs. We'll be staying in lovely ensuite rooms at Polirizos beach near Rothakino on the south coast - a tiny un-spoilt hamlet beside a cove with a few tavernas, a tiny hotel, and Oasis Rooms run by Maria and Christina. From here we can visit the amazing gorges of Imbros and famous Samaria, and walk beautiful coastal paths above the emerald sea - stopping for a dip when we please! For the Samarian Gorge we'll take a bus and taxis via Hania, starting our descent later than most, so that we have its amazing scenery virtually to ourselves. We'll stop for the night at the bottom of the gorge - at Agia Roumeli's Hotel Calypso, and walk back along the coast via Loutro the next day. On other days we'll walk from our door, or take a minibus to walks. There will also be one day off from walking to enjoy the beautiful beach around the headland - where you can swim as topless or bottomless as you wish!

Maria and Christina's Oasis Rooms are comfortable and ensuite, with a balcony overlooking the sea, and a kitchen area for breakfast. It is much simpler here to each buy our own food for breakfast & packed lunches - much of which we can do at a good supermarket on our way from the airport. We can then ask Maria to order us fresh bread daily for breakfast, and we can buy butter, honey, yoghurt, cheese, tomatoes and anything else we need at the little shop in Rothakino. In the evenings we'll eat out at the tavernas by the sea (from £8).

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Holiday price - 7 nights at Oasis Rooms, Rothakino: £635
Sea view ensuite twin rooms, or ensuite singles. Single suppl: £10 a night.
Includes: flight from Gatwick or Manchester (Manchester (Manchester flight supplement £20), all transport on Crete including to Samaria, Samaria fee, Imbros fee, 1 extra night at Agia Roumeli in Hotel Calypso + guided walks (i.e. everything except evening meals & food for breakfast & packed lunches - bring approx £170 in Euros). Atol No. 6497

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

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The West Highland Way is one of the most breathtaking long distance paths, following ancient trails steeped in history through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain, from the Scottish lowlands near Glasgow to Fort William near the foot of Ben Nevis in the Highlands. There'll be bluebells on the shores of Loch Lomond, dramatic waterfalls in Glen Falloch, the bleak expanses of Rannoch Moor, and the dramatic Highland scenery of Glencoe and Lairigmor. We start from Drymen, missing out the first road walking section from Glasgow. From Drymen it is 83 glorious miles to Fort William, averaging 12 miles and 340m of ascent a day over 7 walking days. On the way we stay mostly in B&Bs, old coaching inns, and small hotels, with one night exclusive use of a beautifully converted and catered railway station bunkhouse at Bridge of Orchy. Guided by Sue M. (Evening meals are not included - from £15). (NB. Dates in Spring Brochure are incorrect).

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Not included: evening meals (from approx £15)

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

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This second Crete week is with Marian - another opportunity to explore some of the gorges and coast paths in the south and southwest of this magical island. May is a lovely month to walk in Crete - when the sun is not too hot and the island is still green with many wild flowers and aromatic herbs. We'll be staying in lovely ensuite rooms at Polirizos beach near Rothakino on the south coast - a tiny un-spoilt hamlet beside a cove with a few tavernas, a tiny hotel, and Oasis Rooms run by Maria and Christina. From here we can visit the amazing gorges of Imbros and famous Samaria, and walk beautiful coastal paths above the emerald sea - stopping for a dip when we please! For the Samarian Gorge we'll take a bus and taxis via Hania, starting our descent later than most, so that we have its amazing scenery virtually to ourselves. We'll stop for the night at the bottom of the gorge - at Agia Roumeli's Hotel Calypso, and walk back along the coast via Loutro the next day. On other days we'll walk from our door, or take a minibus to walks. There will also be one day off from walking to enjoy the beautiful beach around the headland - where you can swim as topless or bottomless as you wish!

Maria and Christina's Oasis Rooms are comfortable and ensuite, with a balcony overlooking the sea, and a kitchen area for breakfast. It is much simpler here to each buy our own food for breakfast & packed lunches - much of which we can do at a good supermarket on our way from the airport. We can then ask Maria to order us fresh bread daily for breakfast, and we can buy butter, honey, yoghurt, cheese, tomatoes and anything else we need at the little shop in Rothakino. In the evenings we'll eat out at the tavernas by the sea (from £8).

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Use your browser Back button to return.

Holiday price - 7 nights at Oasis Rooms, Rothakino: £635
Sea view ensuite twin rooms, or ensuite singles. (Single suppl: £10 a night).
Includes: flight from Gatwick or Manchester (Manchester (Manchester flight supplement £20), all transport on Crete including to Samaria, Samaria fee, Imbros fee, 1 extra night at Agia Roumeli in Hotel Calypso + guided walks (i.e. everything except evening meals & food for breakfast & packed lunches - bring approx £170 in Euros). Atol No. 6497

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

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Rum is a diamond shaped jewel of a place - an island of the Inner Hebrides of spectacular wildness and beauty. Its glaciated 'cullins' (high rocks), Askival, Hellival, Trollaval, and Orval, started life near the equator, and are the shattered remnants of a once huge volcano. Apart from its incredible scenery, the other attraction of Rum is that it has been a nature reserve for over 40 years. We may be lucky enough to see otters fishing along the shores of Loch Scresort, or red deer and wild goats in the heather as we walk. Golden eagles often soar above the Cullins, while Shearwaters nest on their slopes and skim the sea in significant numbers. Guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and other species of sea birds breed on Rum's sea cliffs. And we may even spy the white-tailed sea eagle - Britain's largest bird of prey - which was once hunted almost to extinction. There are many fabulous walks to choose from here, often off-path through the heather - along high cliffs overlooking the sea, onto peaks with stunning views to the glens below, or looking north to the Skye Cullin ridge from beautiful Kilmory Sands. To access the best parts of this island, we will stay for 2 nights in a bothy, walking there low level with 3 days' food and gear, living in very simple bothy conditions with water from a nearby stream and sleeping mats on the floor - a real Scottish walking experience! For the rest of the time our base will be the hostel in extraordinary Kinloch Castle near Loch Scresort. Trains run to Malaig on the mainland from Glasgow, and from Malaig you catch the regular Rum ferry which runs twice a day and is a magical journey in itself.

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Not included: Ferry to Rum (£8 approx each way)

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

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This new Scottish holiday with Jo Cound, Sue M, and Fran offers a choice of Gentle Photography, Intermediate, or Slow High walks each day, set in the heart of scenic Perthshire on the edge of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Here we will be staying at Comrie Croft - a hostel with a difference, located 2 miles from the picturesque village of Comrie with opportunities to walk into stunning landscapes at all levels of difficulty. Wildlife abounds here - osprey and kites nest locally, deer and mountain hare are found on the hills, and at all times of the year there is a rich diversity of flora and fauna thanks to ancient woodlands. There are many gentle walks with wonderful photo opportunities in the nearby glens, beside rivers, to waterfalls, and up onto gentle viewpoints. For Intermediate walkers there are the many exciting Corbetts of the area - the mid range hills and mountains over 2500ft (760m), and for Slow High we will have a choice of more challenging Monroes - mountains over 3000ft (914m). You can choose the walks that suit you best, and swap to a different grade if need be to take it easy or stretch yourself as you warm up. At Comrie Croft we have taken the whole Lodge so that we have room to spread out, sharing with 1-2 other women in comfortable bunk rooms which can usually sleep a greater number. What's more, half of the rooms have ensuite facilities! Comrie Croft has good facilities including a cosy lounge and a dining room with mountain views.

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