Skiing -
Chalet Nicole, La Tania, French Alps
Ski-in/ski-out position -
Sauna - Ensuite rooms - Baths - Open fire & balcony!
Two WW groups were so happy with Chalet
Nicole last year that we're returning there this year. Chalet Nicole is owned
and run by Family Friendly Skiing (a small UK company who are very pleased to
have no children for our 2 weeks!) The chalet has a virtually ski-in/ski-out
position at the bottom of the red run into La Tania just above the main La
Tania telecabine. The chalet is only 6 minutes on foot from the centre of the
village and the bottom of the blue run.
The chalet has 7 comfortable
twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms, and one smaller single room with an ensuite
shower (£10 a night single supplement). Downstairs there is a sauna for
relaxing tired muscles after skiing - what a luxury - a good sized ski boot
room with a heated boot rack.
The lounge/dining room is on
the 2nd floor with a central fireplace (in this photo the fireplace blocks the
view of the sofa which extends behind it). From the lounge there are doors out
onto the balcony which runs right around the building. The kitchen is on the
same floor as the lounge - and here the chalet staff will prepare our
breakfasts and evening meals - with free local wine! Then on one night -
probably Wednesday - they take a night off, and we'll go out to sample the fare
at one of La Tania's little restaurants (not included - from £10).
The chalet staff run minibus
lift to ski school in the morning, with a pick-up at a time to suit you in the
afternoon. If the snow is too soft for beginners in the resort, they will drive
you to the ski school in Courchevel 1850 a little higher up the valley. So you
have the best skiing conditions without having to make an effort! Furthermore,
you won't have to walk into the village to hire boots & skis on the first
day as FFS hire out their own boots & skis. They will also arrange our lift
passes when we arrive - so bring a passport sized photo with you to save time.
www.familyfriendlyskiing.com
Single Supplement for
small ensuite single room: £10 a night Currency:
Euro Mobile reception: Dual band, good Back to the location
menu?
The Alpujarras, Spain
Nights 1-7: Hotel Los Berchules, Los
Berchules village
This is a lovely small hotel
set on the edge of Los Berchules village with a back drop of the snow-capped
Cerro Gordo. Outside is the long terrace with its beautiful view, where meals
and drinks can be served. The hotel gardens are well stocked with many
interesting flowers and shrubs and a small almond grove which produces enough
for the hotel's needs. Guests who come in October, when the almonds are ready
to harvest, are welcome to pick their own!
The reception area of the
hotel and café-bar is open plan and spacious, pinewood panelled and with
large windows overlooking the valley and the mountain beyond. There are tables
and chairs for light snacks and refreshments, and comfortable sofas round the
large wood-burning fireplace. In the dining room delicious meals are served all
made with fresh local ingredients - goats milk cheese, barbecue grilled lamb,
chicken in almond sauce, and the soups of the day every day
a different local soup or stew. Salads and gazpacho are very popular, and
vegetarians are also catered for. To accompany this is a good selection of wine
from the region as well as Rioja and others, mineral water and Bérchules
water which is of an equivalent quality.
There are ensuite twin and
single bedrooms are of a good size, and some have balconies with tables and
chairs overlooking the beautiful view of valley, mountains and, on clear days,
to the sea. The en-suite bathrooms are modern and efficient with plenty of hot
water and guaranteed plugs for bath and basin!
http://www.hotelberchules.com/hotel/index.html
Single supplement:
£10 a night
Currency:
Euro Mobile reception: can be iffy in places in the mountains.
Fine in Los Berchules. Back to the location menu?
Canary
Islands
La Gomera
For this trek we will be staying in a variety of places
- small hotels, appartments, or rooms - whatever is available around the
island! The style of breakfasts & packed lunches will also vary, and
sometimes it will be easiest for Marian to buy packed lunch materials that
everyone then helps make up.
1st night: San
Sebastian - the capital of the island. Here we will be staying in Hotel Torre
del Conde where we have twin rooms with ensuite facilities, TV, phone, a small
fridge and a safe. The hotel is in the middle of this busy little town, 7
minutes walk from the beach and ferry port where we arrive on the island. In
the evening we'll go out to explore San Sebastian's small restaurants (evening
meals are not included - from £8).
2nd & 3rd nights:
Vallehermoso. Having walked from Agulo north of San Sebastian, we arrive in
Vallehermoso, a small town on the north of the island. Here we stay at Hotel
Tamahuche - a lovely small hotel with comfortable ensuite rooms, attractive
outlook and communal rooms. http://www.ecoturismocanarias.com/hoteltamahuche/eng/bienvenidos.htm
4th night: Chipude is a little
village high up in the mountains on the south face of the island, and has only
one place to stay - namely Pension Sonia. Here again we have reserved twin
rooms, and the evening meal is taken at the pension (and is included in the
price of the holiday).

5th & 6th nights:
Playa Santiago is on the sunniest south coast of the island, and here you will
be staying in 6 appartments at Apartamentos Tapahuga next to the sea. These
appartments have a swimming pool and terrace - the most appropriate place to
plan a day off from walking! It is also possible to catch a boat around the
island from here - unless the sea is rough.
7th night: San
Sebastian. Our Last night will be at Hotel Torre del Conde in San Sebastian
again - to be near the ferry for an early return to Tenerife the next
morning.
No single supplement
possible. Currency: Euro - you will need cash for drinks and evening
meals on the trek. ATM machines in Tenerife airport & San Sebastian. Banks
and bureau to change in San Sebastian & Playa Santiago. Back to the location
menu?
Italy
Gran Paradiso, Italian Western
Alps
1st & 7th nights -
Albergo Gran Paradiso
The first and last night of this holiday will be at
Albergo Gran Paradiso in the pretty little village of Noasca. The Albergo Gran
Paradiso is an old hotel in the village centre next to the river Orca, and is
owned by Josepe. Unfortunately it is also near the church, so some rooms have
chimes through the night, and some have the river noise! Here we will take all
the rooms available - standard twins, and two 3-bedded rooms. In Noasca there
is also a tabacci (sells stamps) and post office, a souvenir shop, a grocer
(for buying last minute dried fruit, nuts and biscuits for extra supplies!), as
well as the Gran Paradiso National Park information centre - well worth a
visit, and they have stunning postcards too! We will eat at the albergo on the
last night, and on the first night also if the flights schedule allows. Easyjet
does not offer inflight meals, so please bring sufficient food with you for the
journey - especially if the flight time has moved to early evening.
2nd & 6th nights -
Rifugio Le Fonti
Higher up the Valle del Orca we will stop for the night (going and
returning) at the village of Ceresole Reale near to the lake of the same name.
Here we will stay in lively Rifugio Le Fonti which is a GTA refuge (Grande
Traversati degli Alpi - long distance footpath), again next to the rushing Orca
River. The lower part of the building is partly a pizzeria, and partly a
mineral spa - surely healthy, but tasting strongly of iron! Daniella runs the
refuge, and will cook us a good evening meal (trout, sometimes pizzas...). The
accommodation is bunk beds in dormitories of different sizes - and those who
have the larger dormitory on the way up, can have the smaller rooms on the way
back!
3rd, 4th, & 5th nights
- Rif. Citta di Chivasso
Reaching the Col del Nivolet we will stay at Rifugi Citta di
Chivasso with the extraordinary panoramic position mentioned in the holiday
description. Rif. Citta di Chivasso is an atmospheric traditional refuge
reserved for walkers and climbers. The refuge sleeps 30 in total, and we shall
have bunks in 2 dormitories - most likely the large downstairs dormitory with
its own washroom/loo where the beds are on 2 traditional-style platforms, and
then one other dormitory upstairs.
The water for the refuge is pumped from a
small lake nearby, and has to be conserved to last the season: there is one hot
shower - on a token system, but sometimes there is not enough water for
showers, and it's generally appreciated if you mainly wash using the hand
basins (or swim in the nearby lake). The refuge has solar power with a back-up
generator, so lights have to be turned off at 10pm (bring a torch if you
want to read longer and to save putting the
light on at night). The food at the refuge is good and plentiful, and will be
cooked for us by friendly Alessandro the custodian and his team of 'raggazzi'
(young men).
Despite these simpler
conditions at Citta di Chivasso, women loved staying there best of all last
year!
No single supplement
possible. Currency: Euro - bring Euro in cash. There is an ATM
machine at Turin airport, but no ATM, bank or bureau de change after this
point. The places we stay are too small to take credit cards. Back to the location
menu?
Tuscany - Casine
di Bracciacorti, Garfagnana valley
The Garfagnana valley is a
wooded, quiet corner of Tuscany off the beaten track of tour coaches and wine
tours. It is best suited to walkers and cyclists with beautiful woods and
trails, and awe insipiring views. The Casine di Bracciacorti (and neighbouring
Bracciacorti Centre) run by the Giovannetti family were Garfagnana's first
venture into Agriturismo.
The Casine - or small houses
/ chalets - have been converted from old outhouses of the original farm -
chestnut drying barns (metati), small barns and farm machinery outhouses. These
buildings have been rebuilt using local traditional techniques and materials to
create simple but welcoming buildings with 1 or 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a
small kitchen. The chalets are located near a larger central villa called
Capanna Battista. Here there is also an outdoor swimming pool with a great view
over the valley and the Alpi Apuane Mountains. 
Food is prepared by members
of the Giovannetti family who own the lodges, and will be tasty traditional and
local cuisine.
Single supplement: Small
standard single £5 a night; Standard single £10 a night; Ensuite
single £15 a night. Currency: Euro - bring Euro in cash.
There is an ATM machine at Pisa airport.
http://www.braccicorti.it/en/lodges.php Back to the location
menu?
Switzerland
Jungfrau Tour, Swiss Alps
Wide ranging accommodation in
stunning locations. Bed linen is usually provided but a sheet sleeping bag is
needed in a couple of places. All breakfasts are included, and all bu 2 evening
meals. However for lunches it is easiest to stop for a bowl of soup and other
snacks at huts we pass along our way (not included - from £6-8 depending
on what you choose).
 Night 1:
Interlaken Hotel Post Hardermannli - A friendly 2 star hotel run by Kim
and Andreas (Kim is from NZ). Evening meal is included. Sleeping in ensuite
twin rooms (twins are like Austrian twins - 2 mattresses with separate bedding,
but on one bed base). The Hotel Post Hardermannli is located in the historic
centre of the oldest area in the town of Interlaken. The Hotel is a 5 minute
walk from the Interlaken West train station and the centre of town. The Ost or
East station is a 5 minute journey by bus/taxi or a twenty minute walk.
(Directly across the road from the Hotel is a bank, pharmacy, post office and a
supermarket. The main shopping and commercial area is a 5 minute walk
away. http://www.post-hardermannli.ch/english.htm
 Night 2:
Lobhornhutte Beautiful chalet hut in the mountains with lots of wood
everywhere, bunk beds, and an amazing panorama out front!
Night 3: Spielbodenalp - Murren Another
beautiful chalet hut in the mountains, again lots of wood everywhere, sleeping
on platform with mattresses in true alpine style. Fabulous location at the foot
of the Schilthorn, candles or oil lamps at night as there is no electricity.
Evening meal is included.
 Night 4: Stechelberg - Lauterbrunnen
valley Alpenhof (was called Naturefreudenhaus). A homely and comfortable
guesthouse offering budget accomodation in 2, 4 or 6 bed-rooms with
breathtaking views of the valley and surrounding waterfalls. Bed linen is
provided. Shower and toilet facilities are provided on each floor. Sleeping in
standard twin bedrooms. Eat out in the evening at nearby hotel, hearty Alpine
breakfast at the guest house in the morning.
http://www.alpenhof-stechelberg.ch/pages/en/accomodation.html
Night 5:
Eigergletscher Guest house close to mountain railway - at the foot of
the Eiger - 'in an awe-inspiring world of ice and rock'. Sleeping in 2-3 bed
standard rooms (with communal showers on each floor). Beds have duvets.
Comfortable lounge downstairs.
http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-131/207_read-592/
 Night 6:
Grindelwald Hotel Wetterhorn - 5 minutes walk from the centre of
Grindelwald. Here we stay in dormitory accommodation (bunk beds) with showers
on the same floor. Evening meal in the hotel dining room is included. Linen and
bedding provided.http://www.hotel-wetterhorn.ch/
Night 7: Faulhorn Hotel Faulhorn
- ancient hotel literally on top of the Faulhorn, at a height of 2681 meters.
This is not only the highest alpine hotel, but also the oldest. From the top of
the Faulhorn just behind the hotel there is an incredible 360 degree panorama
of the Eiger, Moench, Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Brienzer, Rothorn...
and 7 Swiss lakes are visible. It was built in 1830 and the first tourists were
taken there by horses, or alpine chairs carried by locals! The rooms have
hardly changed since the time it opened (we are staying in twin rooms). The
hotel has much character and charm even if now a
little delapidated due to the prohibitive cost of
modern repairs. Our evening meal is included (no longer a la carte like in the
old days, but just a cosy place with hearty food.
http://www.berghotel-faulhorn.ch/
Night 8: Interlaken
Hotel Post Hardermannli - same as night 1, see above. This meal is not
included - from £15.
Currency: Swiss
Francs. (There are ATM machines in Interlaken if needed and Grindelwald, but
probably no where else that we stay). Back to the location menu?
Bavaria, Germany
Hotel Wittelsbach, Berchtesgaden,
Bavaria, Germany
The Hotel Wittelsbach is a
traditionally built hotel centrally located in the small but busy town of
Berchtesgaden. From here we will have easy access to shops, transport for
walks, and a wide choice of restaurants in the evening. Johann, the friendly
owner of the hotel , also speaks English. The service at the hotel is very good
- nothing seems too much trouble! The atmophere is relaxed and friendly, with
large, airy, ensuite bedrooms (singles, twins & doubles), a good sized
lounge and breakfast room, and a quiet, sunny, garden at the back of the hotel.
For breakfast there will be a large buffet to choose from served in the
breakfast room, and in the evening we'll go out to explore the many restaurants
in town - where the food ranges from typically German to Italian, Croatian and
even Chinese (evening meals not included - from £12).
Single supplement:
£10 a night. Currency: Euro. There are ATM machines, banks,
& bureau de change in Berchtesgaden, and restaurants take credit
cards.
http://www.hotel-wittelsbach.com/ Back to the location
menu?
Crete
Intermediate Crete - Oasis Rooms,
Rothakino
Maria and Christina's Oasis
Rooms in Polyrisos near Rothakino consist of ensuite twins or singles, all with
sea views (see the white building furthest to the right in this
photo).
The rooms are up a short
slope from the beach with olive trees behind and flowering trees in front. Each
has a balcony overlooking the sea, and a simple kitchen area with stove and
fridge for fixing breakfast. We can ask Maria to order us fresh bread daily
from the bread van, and we can buy butter, honey, yogurt, cheese, tomatoes and
anything else needed for breakfast and the next day's packed lunch from the
shop on our way home each day. There are several small tavernas in the village
for evening meals from £9 - or for lunch on the day we take off from
walking to enjoy the sea.
Single supplement:
£10 a night. Currency: Euro - bring Euro in cash for
evening meals, and buying food for breakfasts & packed lunches (approx
£170). ATM machine at the Airport, bureau de change at Loutro and
Hora Sfakion where we go on 3rd day, ATM machine in Hania before the Samarian
Gorge walk. Back to the location menu?
Turkey
'East Meets West'
- a traditional sailing gulet, Turkish Coast
Definitely a holiday with a difference, this is the only holiday we
offer on a sailing boat - even if we will be walking as usual on most of the
days! What better way to explore the stunning Turkish Coast with its forested
hillsides, quiet inlets, coves and islands.

'East Meets West' is a
wooden sailing gulet. Gulets were traditionally used by Turkish fisherman and
sponge divers to transport their catch.
Nowadays their roomy hulls
make them perfect for chartering, with space for 11 cabins and a saloon below
deck. Upstairs on the forward deck there will be space for sun loungers when
the boat is not sailing. The gulet also carries a canoe on board, as well as
snorkels, mask & fins (or bring your own. One woman in April 2009 brought
her wet suit for prolonged snorkling!). 
If the evenings are warm, we
can eat out on the aft deck under the stars, listening to the water lapping
against the hull. If the evenings are cool, we can eat in the saloon below
decks. Here there is also a hifi, so please bring any music you would like to
share.
The gulet has 9 passenger
cabins - each with a fully appointed en-suite bathroom with flush toilet,
shower and handbasin with hot and cold water. The cabins also have a bedside
reading light, window, wardrobe and under bed storage. The 220v inverter means
that you can use your hairdryer or charge your mobile phone while on board.
Just remember to bring your adaptor!
East Meets West is run by
Anne Edelston and her captain husband. In addition there will be two other crew
members - one of them the cook. Anne will accompany us on our walks as our
local guide - we really enjoyed her company in 2009. While we are walking, the
captain and crew will sail or motor to the next rendevous point. There is
always an option to stay with the boat if you feel like a day off from walking,
motoring or sailing for 2-4 hours down the coast, then nosing into the small
cove or fishing harbour that the group is walking to.
On board, the day starts with
a traditional Turkish breakfast enjoyed by families in homes across the
country. This delicious breakfast consists of local white cheese, similar to
Greek feta, eggs, salami, olives, slices of cucumber, tomatoes, local honey,
butter and jam, fresh bread and of course hot Turkish tea or çay. Packed
lunches will be prepared for us to take walking, then later in the day we'll be
picked up in time for afternoon tea and biscuits on deck (the cook may even
have baked a cake).
Dinner is often fish, meat or
chicken. Maybe a meat or vegetable casserole or kebab enhanced by herbs and
spices which are used liberally to delicately flavour Turkish cuisine. Served
with rice, pasta or Bulgar wheat, bread and fabulous salads. There are also
plenty of delicious vegetable dishes in Turkish cuisine for vegetarians. Drinks
are available on board at the bar or from the crew at any time - paid for on an
honesty system.
For more information &
photos, see the East Meets West website: http://meridiantravels.com/
Ensuite single supplement:
£10 a night No extra nights possible Currency: New Turkish Lira
(YTL) Back
to the location menu?
Slovenia
Penzion Vila Kolinska, Bled,
Slovenia
Vila Kolinska is a newly
refurbished small hotel in a quiet residential corner of Bled, 10 minutes walk
from the lake and Bled centre.
All the rooms here are
attractively decorated and have ensuite facilities. We have reserved enough
rooms for everyone to have an ensuite single! Some of the bedrooms have
balconies and the first women to book will be put into these rooms.

Downstairs, there is a
comfortable foyer with leather seats, and a dining room where our buffet
breakfast will be served. The hotel will arrange for extra rolls, cheese,
tomato, fruit etc at breakfast so that you can make up the packed lunch of your
choice from the buffet. 
Vila Kolinska also has an
outside terrace with chairs and tables for putting on boots before we set off
walking, and for relaxing once we come back! There is no lounge space apart
from the foyer so we will mainly socialise where we eat out in the evening. You
may also want to bring a kettle for making tea or coffee in your room - invite
friends round for a cup!
Single supplement:
£10 a night. Mobile Phone - Single band, good coverage in
and around Bled. Currency - Euros and most shops also accept credit
cards. ATM machine in Bled. Back to the location menu?
Penzion Bohinj, Slovenia
For the June Slovenia holiday we will be
staying at Penzion Bohinj, located on the outskirts of quiet Stara Fuzina
village next to the rushing Mosnitca River. Nearby is beauiful Bohinj lake, and
from the bedrooms there are views over the trees to the peaks bordering the
Bohinj valley. 10 minutes walk down the road is Ribcev Laz - a busier and more
touristy settlement on the main road.

Penzion Bohinj is
particularly suited to groups, offering very good value accommodation that
meets all essential needs without being smart or formal. It has 24 ensuite
bedrooms that we have reserved for this holiday so that everyone can have a
single room. The rooms are not large, but are very clean and furnished in a
simple modern style, each with a small ensuite shower room. Some have small
balconies looking out over the garden or neighbouring houses, others are
attractive mansard rooms tucked under the eves without a
balcony.
Downstairs is the restaurant
which leads onto the garden. You can sit outside for a drink after walking - on
the terrace, or at garden tables under the trees. (There is also a tennis court
in the grounds!) The meals we take here will be home cooked, and will include
some traditional receipes. Extra food will be made available at breakfast so
that you can make up your own packed lunches to take walking.
We found Mirica, the manager,
and her all female team incredibly friendly and helpful. Their brochure says:
"You will be our dear guest. We shall try to make your stay here pleasant and
unforgettable".
No single
supplement. Balcony supplement: £10.00 a night Mobile Phone
- Single band, good coverage except in mountains. Currency -
Euros and most shops also accept credit cards. ATM machine in
Bled. Back to
the location menu?
Sutivan, Island of
Brac, Croatia
Pension Dora or Apartments to choose
from...
Since Sutivan has no hotels or large pensions, here you
choose between Pension Dora and apartments within walking
distance of Pension Dora.
The apartments
These apartments are usually in traditional Sutivan houses that have been
converted to contain 3 to 8 apartments in total. In each case we will have
taken all the apartments in the building so that there will be other
WalkingWomen near, perhaps sharing a terrace or a shady courtyard. All are
within easy walking distance of Pension Dora which we will use as our focal
point and share breakfast each day. 
The apartments are simply
furnished, typically Croatian, and homely rather than smart and modern.
Each has a small
kitchen/lounge, and a bath or shower room. Nearby there is a small supermarket
where you can get tea and milk etc for a morning drink, or a snack after
walking.
You can share an apartment
with a friend of another woman on the holiday, or you can have an apartment to
yourself. See below for more details. Ensuite single £10 a night;
Standard single £5 a night.
1) The Tower Apartment - 3 standard
singles
This building is
actually a 17th Century protected monument - one of the oldest buildings on the
edge of Sutivan Harbour. As such it has sea and harbour views, but no terrace
or courtyard. Beside the Tower there is a bench under some palm trees for
sitting with a book - but this isn't a private space. (The owners live on the
ground floor).
- 1 bedroom on the
1st floor with a tiny balcony. Lovely light room with 2 windows and harbour
view. Shower room with toilet is on this floor.
 2 bedrooms on the 2nd
floor which share the 1st floor bathroom. These again have harbour views. The
small kitchen is on this floor.
Standard single suppl.
£5 a night
2) Jelka Apartments - 4 ensuite
apartments:
Jelka's house is a short walk
from Pension Dora. Here there are 4 apartments, each with 1 bedroom, a shower
room, kitchen, & living room. The furniture is fairly modern in style. The
2 upper rooms also have a balcony with sea view out over an orchard. The 2
lower rooms have views out onto a lemon & orange orchard (but no balcony or
sea views). There is also a shady terrace looking onto another orchard which is
shared between the apartments and the owner's family (who live on the ground
floor - the owner, Jelka, and her adult Downs Syndrome daughter. Jelka doesn't
speak no English but she is very friendly. Sorry no photos).
Ensuite single supplement
in apartments: £10 a night
3) Dinka Apartments - 8 ensuite
apartments:
Dinka's house has 2 floors with 4 apartments on each
floor. The upper floor apartments share a small terrace, while the lower floor
apartments open onto a shady courtyard.

 
Each apartment has a bedroom,
a small kitchen/lounge and shower room. This means that each apartment can be
used as an ensuite single - with other women staying near.
Ensuite single supplement
in apartments: £10 a night
Pension Dora
Pension Dora will
be our focal point. We will meet up for breakfast here each morning, make our
packed lunches from a buffet table, then eat together here on 4 evenings. The
Pension has an attractive vine-covered courtyard with tables where excellent
meals are served, and you can always order a drink here.

On the other 3 evenings we'll
go out to eat together in smaller groups so that we don't overwhelm the small
restaurants on the sea front.
Some women can also stay at
Pension Dora. The Pension offers conventional ensuite twin rooms and ensuite
single rooms. In some cases the ensuite facilities include a bath rather than a
shower. The pension rooms do not have kitchens and lounges like the apartments,
nor do they have sea views. They overlook the restaurant, and there may be some
noise from the restaurant in the evening. Staying at Pension Dora does not suit
women who like early nights.
Pension Dora: Ensuite
single supplement: £10 a night
Currency: Croatian
Kuna Mobile reception: generally very good Back to the location
menu?
Bulgaria
Intermediate Rhodopi
Moutains
Night 1: Hotel Bulgaria,
Plovdiv
Our first night will be at Hotel Bulgaria in Plovdiv,
Bulgaria's lovely 2nd city. Hotel Bulgaria is totally modern from the outside,
but is surprisingly luxurious in an elegant style on the inside, with pillars
and ornate staircase in the lobby.


The bedrooms will all be
ensuite twins or singles rooms (with a supplement of £10). The hotel
offers free wireless internet connection & safety deposit box
facility. http://www.hotelbulgaria.net/Index.html
Night 2-6: Hotel Yagodina, Yagodina
village
Hotel Yagodina is a small village hotel run by two
sisters, located in the remote village of Yagodina in the Rhodopi Mountains.
Women really loved staying here in 2009. The loved the hotel, the staff, the
village, and the setting! The hotel has a new wing which will give us plenty of
ensuite singles as well as ensuite twin rooms (Ensuite single supplement
£10 a night). The rooms are all furnished with pine furniture in a clean
modern style.
Downstairs there is the
restaurant where tasty dishes will be served - including Rhodope specialties,
jams prepared at home, sheep and cow milk, home-cultured yogurt, juice of
blueberry. As the sisters say on their website: "home made jams are one of the
things we will offer you prepared by ourselves with lot of efforts and love".

The hotel also has a nice
summer garden with seats and a lot of flowers, and a barbecue "for the
connoisseur of Rondope lamb". http://www.yagodina-bg.com/indexen.html
Night 7: Hotel Lozenetz, Sofia (or
similar)
For our last night we drive
back to Sofia where we will stay at either Hotel Lozenetz or the Hill Hotel -
both modern hotels conveniently located near the city centre. As soon as we
know which hotel has been chosen, the details will be added here.
Ensuite single supplement:
£10 a night Currency: Bulgarian Lev Mobile reception: may be poor
in some mountains areas Back to the location menu?
XC skiing & snowshoeing, Sumava
& Prague, Czech Republic
Nights 1-7: Pension Pohoda, Kvilda,
Sumava
The first 7 nights of this
new Cross country skiing holiday are spent in the village of Kvilda, the
highest village in the Czech Republic at 1065m.

Here we have reserved most of
the rooms at Pension Pohoda so that there are plenty of single rooms available.
The twin room have ensuite facilities while the single rooms share a bathroom
with 1 other woman in the group. All the pension rooms have a TV and a small
refrigerator.
Our meals will be served in
the dining room downstairs, and we will make our own packed lunches from the
buffet spread at breakfast. Often we will be able to stop at a small cafe along
our trails or in villages we reach, giving the opportunity to buy a hot drink
or a bowl of soup (however, please bring a thermos flask as well).

In addition we will have the
use of the facilities at the Pension's sister hotel across the road - the
Sumava Inn. Here there is a cosy bar and lounge, a pool room, and even a sauna
we can book. http://www.penzion-kvilda.cz/
Standard Single
supplement: £10 a night
Night 8: Hotel Atos,
Prague
Hotel Atos is situated in attractive part
of Prague-Mala strana - within walking distance of Charles Bridge and Prague
Castle. Across the bridge lies Prague Old Town Square with the Astronomical
clock and most of the other famous sights of Prague are within walking
distance.
Hotel Atos has been recently
refurbished. was opened only recently, It has 35 ensuite bedrooms with
telephone, min-bar, satelite TV and hairdryer. The hotel has a lift (always
welcome!), and other facilities include a 24 hour reception, buffet style
breakfast, and a hotel restaurant serving Italian and Greek cuisine. The hotel
is conveniently near to a bus and tram stop if needed.
Ensuite single supplement:
£15.00 a night
Currency: Czech
Koruna Mobile phone coverage: good Back to the location
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Egypt
The Sinai is an incredibly beautiful,
rocky, mountainous desert. The terrain will be rocky underfoot with some
scrambling at High Level, and steep rocky ground to cross even at High
Intermediate level. For this reason we have graded the 'easier' route High
Intermediate rather than Intermediate. The High Level route covers 94 km
and 4921m of ascent/descent. The High Intermediate route covers 73km and
3818m of ascent/descent.
On the main nights of the
trek, you will be sleeping out under the stars in Bedouin gardens along our
route. You will need a 4 season sleeping bag, and you may take a small tent if
you wish which you can either bring from home, or request Anita to hire for
you. However the desert night sky is also amazing and with a good sleeping bag
you will be warm enough if you sleep out under the stars.
Day 1 After the 4 and
a half hour flight to Sharm El Sheikh the taxi will pick you up and take you 3
hours deep into the Sinai Desert. Here you will sleep in a small Bedouin camp
in the middle of St Katherine's Village. Only with rising sun the next morning
will you get your first sights of the towering peaks that surround you.
Day 2 No early start
after your very late arrival. Time to aclimatise to being in the Sinai, to
visit St Katherine's monastery, and to visit a local Bedouin women's craft
fair, absorb the Bedouin culture, get ready for the trek, get an early night!
However, there is also a lovely short walk near St Katherines which you might
feel like doing in the afternoon. This 2nd night is at St Katherine's village
again.
Day 3 When ready to set off, we'll
head off down a wadi for 10km past small settlements, monastery gardens,
springs, palm trees and Bedouin gardens. As you head north the main bulk of the
mountains you will be climbing later on the trek will loom above you. As the
wadi twists and turns you will find welcome patches of shade to rest in and
brew up tea to incredible strengths which seems to hold amounts of sugar then
can defy laws of physics. Eventually the wadi spits you out onto the flat sandy
plains in the north which takes you round to the Eco Lodge. Everyone meets up
at the Eco Lodge, which will be home for the night. The lodge is beautifully
built and placed near bronze aged settlements, at the "back door to the high
mountains" The lodge is almost deafened by the desert silence and with no light
pollution it makes a perfect spot to study the stars above. A retired British
teacher in the village has a powerful telescope and the knowledge to unveil
some of the mysteries of the stars above (which we have asked him to do).
High level: 15km 128m ascent. High Intermediate (shorter
route): 11.5km 320m ascent
Day 4 Both groups: Walking out of
the lodge and up into the winding wadi behind leads back into the mountains
till the wadi itself is at the foot of the 400m sheer face of the legendary
Jebel Banat. (The legend has it that two sisters that were both forced into a
proposed marriage climbed to the summit braided their hair together and jumped
falling down the 500m high north west face to their deaths. Their suicides
shocked the local community and opened up better rights and more choice for
today's Bedouin girls). A 45m high dry waterfall at the base of the face will
be a great place to stop for tea before climbing round its side. You will then
wander through a labyrinth of boulders and gardens as you climb up higher. Here
the group will divide into those wanting to climb to the summit and those
wanting an easier day. The view from the summit looks back down to the Eco
Lodge and the distant flat deserts in the north. Wandering on over easy flat
ground the group will eventually look down onto the village of Abu Silla that
is close to the end of the day's walk. A narrow canyon, which cuts a ridge,
will lead the us to our new home for the night in the form of a Bedouin
doctor's medicinal garden. It will be here that we will start to meet some of
the camels that will be carrying our bags and food further into the mountains.
High level: 18.5km 1000m High Intermediate: 14km
650m
Day 5 The high level walk will head up small valleys at times
leaving the footpath completely to the summit of Jebel Abbas Pasha (2344m).
Jebel Tiinya is the peak's original name, but its alternative name is what it
is most commonly called. The viceroy of Egypt Abbas Himli I - Pasha started to
build his palace to recuperate from TB. Construction began in 1853, but in 1854
he died and work stopped. It now stands in a ruin of 45m square that was said
to be two stories high. It is uncertain whether he was murdered or he died of a
stroke. The High Intermediate walk will follow the valley past a large 2m deep
pool and up higher to the summit of Jebel Naja. Although the climb is not as
steep, the view is as impressive as you would expect from a higher peak. If the
highlands are a ship then this peak must surely be its prow. A 500m sheer cliff
drops away by your toes with a view sweeping away to distant sand dunes. A
narrow canyon with a natural spring will be your path towards camp for the
night. Both groups will meet up in the Bedouin garden of Abu Tweita. Bedouin
gardens show the true art of growing flowers and fruit in a land starved of
water. While you explore the gardens, food will be cooked over fires and
sometimes in the fire. There is a Bedouin bread called Leba this is cooked
within the hot ash and sand beneath the fire. High level: 14km
1000m High Intermediate: 11.5km 752m
Day 6
After a short climb both walks will descend to one of the biggest
pools of water in the Sinai. Galt El Azraq, which means the 'black pool'. This
is a perfect place for a swim and a rest in the shade of trees, whilst no doubt
more tea is brewed. The wadi from here is full of trees, reeds, herbs and
boulders. As the wadi twists and turns you will climb steadily higher. The high
walks will climb up to the large plateau of Bab El Dunya, door to the universe;
here the brave can climb peaks to views over looking 2,000m down to the Gulf of
Suez and mainland Egypt. The high intermediate walk will continue up the wadi
past more gardens till we reach the one we'll call home for the night.
High level: 17.75km 1027m High Intermediate: 12km
630m
Day 7
This will be the toughest day
for both groups. From the garden you will wind your way up over the first hill,
which will reveal the objective of the day and the massive mount that is Jebel
Katherine. At 2642m high it can be seen over the majority of the southern Sinai
Desert. The chapel on top can be seen shining in the sun high above the dunes
and wadis below. The ascending path follows a narrow wadi that may have small
pools of water to navigate round. Those not wanting to go all the way to the
top can rest on the ridge for a relaxing snooze and a cup of tea. The descent
down the other side will show views of the next day's objective and one of the
most famous mountains of the world, Mt Sinai. This night's home will be in a
tiny Bedouin settlement, with a nearby monastery garden full of ancient Cypress
trees and olive groves. High level: 18.76km 1116m High
Intermediate: 15km 816m
Day 8 The last day on
the trek will be one of the easiest and at the same time probably the most
rewarding. You will be climbing up the path that will take you to the summit
that allegedly was the peak were God revealed the 10 commandments to Moses. The
small chapel on top will be the stage as you watch the sun set on the
surrounding land. The colours will change from orange to red and finally finish
on pink. Walk down ancient steps past biblical sights and through gorges hiding
ancient tales and legends. The last view will be of St Katherine's Monastery
floodlit far below. You will meet your taxi when you arrive by the castle like
walls of the monastery. The drive to Dahab is only a 2-hour drive. After the
drive and you have checked into your rooms and had a well needed shower you
only need to walk 100m to get to the chilled palm tree lined beaches of the Red
Sea. Eat at fish restaurants, drink chilled beer and cool cocktails whilst your
toes dangle into the lapping waves. What a way to celebrate an incredible
desert trek! High level: 9km 650m High Intermediate: 9km
650m
Day 9
Today you have the choice to stay around the bay and
snorkel on nearby reefs and shop for souvenirs. (Snorkling gear is available
for hire from the hotel). Or if you want a little bit more you can take the
30min jeep ride north to the famous Blue Hole reef. Here you will snorkel out
over the 110m deep hole and drift along with the current viewing the marine
life that hugs these deep steep reefs. Then catch some sunrays over lunch
before going back to Dahab. On this last evening we will have a delicious feast
provided for us!
Day 10 For those who
cannot get enough of the giant tropical fish tank that is the Red Sea, and
depending on the time of the flight you will be able to do more snorkeling. The
transfer to the airport will take a little over an hour. There are some
ensuite singles available for these last 2 nights in Dahab:
£10-£15 a night depending on whether they have a balcony or not,
and whether they have a fan or airconditioning.
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South
Africa
Low Intermediate Kruger Trip,
Mpumalanga
For this trip which includes
6 nights in the famous Kruger National park we will stay in 4 different places.
The holiday is 14 days long in total, and 12 of the nights are spent in South
Africa (with the other 2 nights being spent flying overnight to and from
Johannesburg).
Nights 1-4: Panorama View Cabins,
Graskop
These chalets are located
just outside the historic mining town of Graskop right on the Escarpment and
enjoy wonderful views over the Low Veld. We have booked the chalets which have
the best views! Most of them contain a twin and a single room sharing the
bathroom, a small kitchen, and a lounge. We will use one of the chalet for
preparing a communal breakfast and our packed lunches before walking. In the
evening we'll drive the short distance into Graskop to eat out at one of
several small restaurants there. There will also be oportunities after walking
to explore Graskops many small curio shops. All linen, bath towels, and hand
towels are supplied and the chalets are fully serviced daily.
http://panoramaviewchalets.co.za/
The walks we will do during
our stay in Graskop will include forest and waterfall walks near Graskop, Jock
of the Bushveld walk, and the fabulous Leopard trail with views over the Blyde
river Canyon
Then after our 4th night in Graskop we will drive into the
Kruger National part, headed for Talamati bushveld camp. Even on our drive
there through the national park we will start seeing plenty of animals
Single supplement at Panorama View: £12 a night
Nights 5-7: Talamati private bush
camp - Kruger
Talamati Bushveld Camp is a
small 'private' camp situated in a large open valley, affording superb game
viewing opportunities. The luxuriant grassveld in the area attracts large herds
of grazers, and the predators never lurk too far behind. Here we have reserved
4 comfortable guest cottages looking out towards the perimeter fence - each
with 2 bedrooms with ceiling fans which we will use as a single and a twin. The
twin bedroom has an ensuite shower room, and there is another bathroom for the
use of the single bedroom with both a bath and a shower. The chalets are fully
self-contained and we will use a central chalet
for preparing 'help yourself'
breakfasts. Usually we will drive out early to view game, sometimes taking a
packed breakfast with us to eat at a picnic area or game hide. Generally, dawn
and dusk are the best game viewing times. In the middle of the day we will most
likely return to the camp to relax, read, snooze, or watch game from camp's own
viewing hide. In the evenings while we are at Talamati, Ros and Diana will cook
barbeques ('braai') and other meals. The dining room is a fabulous open veranda
looking out onto the bush, and usually while we're eating we'll be aware of
animals beyond the fence.
There will also be an
opportunity while we're here to join a ranger led walk early one morning, often
starting at dawn (the rangers carry a gun for your safety). The camp also
offers morning and evening game viewing drives at times when private cars
cannot go out on Krugers roads - it's the time when you're most likely to see
leopard, lion, cheetah
http://www.krugerpark.org/Kruger_Park_Camps-travel/talamati-restcamp-kruger-park_gallery.html
Single supplement: £12 a night
Nights 8-10: Skukusa Camp -
Kruger
For the 2nd half of our time in the Kruger National
Park we drive south to Skukusa Camp on the Sabie River, where we will stay
luxury single bungalows next to each other, most of them looking out over the
water where game comes down to drink. Everyone has a single room here, and only
the river view bungalows pay a supplement. Each luxury bungalow has one double
bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and most have their own kitchen. At night you
will hear the hippos grunting, and maybe baboons barking if a predator comes
near. Large numbers of game are attracted to the abundance of water, sweet
grass and foliage in the vicinity of Restcamp, giving rise to a diversity of
game. In the camp itself
we might see Warthogs, Vervet
monkeys, wonderful birds, and bushbabies in the trees. Driving out from here
each day we hope to see Lion, Elephant, Hippos, Rhino, Buffalo, Buck, Baboons -
and again we'll sometimes take our breakfast with us to eat out with the bush
around us. (Ranger led bush walks and night drives are also available here). In
the evenings Diana & Ros will cook, or else we can go out to eat since
Skukusa is a large camp with 2 restaurants, a post office, bank, shop, an
internet café and even a swimming pool for an afternoon swim - so don't
forget your swimming costume!
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/skukuza/tourism/accommodation.php
On our last Kruger day we
will leave early and drive slowly down through the park to exit by another gate
and start our journey back towards Johannesburg. On the way back we will break
our trip with 2 nights at Bergwaters Eco Lodge. River view supplement:
£12 a night
Nights 11 & 12: Bergwaters Eco
Lodge, Waterval Onder
- Bergwaters is a beautiful
peaceful retreat situated in a secluded valley flanked by sheer cliff-faces,
where eagles nest and crystal clear streams trickle through natural forests and
nurtured gardens. Family owned and managed, Bergwaters offers very comfortable
accommodation and delicious meals, and is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere.
Here we will stay in chalets with ensuite twin and ensuite single rooms. The
chalets all have air conditioning and TV.
http://www.bergwaters.co.za/
We can enjoy an evening
meal at the Lodge's "Five Owls" restaurant, and on our two mornings here we can
have our breakfast on the veranda overlooking the pool. From here there is a
beautiful walk up the valley past the rapids, pools, and small waterfalls of
the Joubert stream, and a longer walk up onto the escarpment with fine views.
Alternatively you might want to spend the last morning relaxing before we
complete our drive to Johannesburg airport, with time for a relaxing stroll in
the gardens. Some members of the 2009 WW group arranged a massage here for
their final morning! (There is also a tennis court, squash court, gym with
sauna, pool table and a dartboard). Before leaving we have an early lunch at
the lodge. By 5pm we will be checking in for our flight home.
Single supplement:
£12 a night Back to the location menu?
Intermediate South Africa - Whale
Trail
Nights 1-4 & 12-13: Cape Town -
Brenwin Guest House
After a day flight to Cape Town (via
Amsterdam) we stay for the first 4 nights of the holiday at comfortable Brenwin
Guest House, situated in cosmopolitan Green Point on the slopes of Signal Hill.
The bustling V&A Waterfront with its many shops, bars and restaurants will
be only 8 minute walk away.
Brenwin was once the Port
Captain's residence. Recently, the guest house has just been completely
renovated, but it has kept its charm. It has a wonderful tropical garden with a
small swimming pool, banana and palm trees and we have added a thatch gazebo to
relax in, have tea, read a book or have an afternoon nap. A wooden deck now
adjoins the breakfast room, so you can enjoy your breakfast al fresco
surrounded by trees and singing birds.
The bedrooms are all
comfortable and individually styled with en suite bath or shower rooms,
television, direct line telephone, bar fridge and tea/coffee hospitality tray
& private wallsafe.
There will be a generous
buffet breakfast - as is usual in South Africa - with extra food and rolls
available for making up our packed lunches to take walking. In the evenings,
we'll go out to explore some of Cape Town's many good eating places (not
included, from £10).
http://www.brenwin.co.za/
Nights 5-9: De Hoope Whale
Trail
For 2 days of the trek
we walk through the De Hoope Reserve down to the coast - a stunning walk even
before you reach the sea with many flowers and birds, and wonderful views. For
the next 3 days of the trek, we walk along the coast past bays where the
Southern Wright whales come close to give birth at this time of
year.
Each night on the trail we
stay in cottages owned and equiped by the De Hoope Reserve for use on the
trail. There are two cottages at each stopping point - each sleeping 6 people.
Once we reach the coast, the cottages are often spectacularly situated with
views of the sea.
The cottages have bunk beds
with matresses (bring a sleeping bag), solar heated water, a small kitchen, and
a braai area outside where we will have our barbeques in the evening -
definitely part of the South African experience! All luggage and food is
transported for us to the next cottage - you carry a day pack only! All the
food on the trek is included in the price of the holiday.
http://www.capenature.org.za/index.php?fArticleId=433
Nights 10 & 11: Hermanus - Windsor Hotel
At the end of the trek we will stop in
Hermanus for 2 nights before returning to Cape Town. Here we will stay in the
comfortable Windsor Hotel on the cliffs, with sea view rooms from which you
might see more whales in the distance! In the evening we'll go out to explore
some of the good eating places in Hermanus (not included).
Single Supplement for the
7 B&B/hotel nights: £15 a night (Total: £105 for those 7
nights). Currency: South African Rand Mobile Reception: pretty good in
most places except some sections of the coast
http://www.windsorhotel.co.za/ Back to the location
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Nepal
Intermediate Nepal
Hotel Norbu Linka -
Kathmandu
Hotel Nurbu linka is a
comfortable and very friendly two star hotel in the bustling Thamel district of
Kathmandu - where all the restaurants and small shops are to be found. It
offers ensuite twin bedrooms - clean and comfortable, with air conditioning,
bathrooms with hot and cold shower, satellite TV, and telephone. From the roof
'garden' you can gain a panoramic view of the Himalaya. You may also see the
mountains of Ganesh Himal (7130 m), Langtang (7246 m), and Sisapangma (8013 m).
Downstairs is the dining room, bar, and there's even a 24 hour coffee shop for
snacks. There are small lock up boxes safely near reception should you want to
leave any valuables here while away on trek (eg. passport & flight ticket);
you can also change money at the hotel, and for after the trek there is a
laundry service! http://www.hotelnorbulinka.com/
Base Camp Resort,
Pokhara
Nestled in the lap of mighty
Fishtail and Annapurna mountain range, Pokhara is probably one of the 'most
beautiful valleys on earth. The diverse natural beauty, snow topped mountains,
live culture and lush green forest, gushing rivers, pristine lakes, gorges and
of course the tantalizing mountains have knitted the city as an enchanting
paradise'.
Base Camp Resort is a
tranquil and friendly small hotel surrounded by gardens next to beautiful
Fish-Tail lake. The twin bedrooms all have ensuite bathrooms, a minibar and TV,
and most have mountain views. From the rooftop of the hotel we should have
breathtaking views of Fishtail mountain, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,172m), the Annapurna
range, Manslu and other mountains. Base Camp Resort is within walking distance
of the centre of Pokhara. Its other facilities include safe deposit lockers,
sports facilities, and Internet access for the use of guests. http://www.basecampresort.com/
Tea Houses on the
trek
The tea houses we will stay
in Nargakot and on our 7 day trek in the Annapurna region will be simple but
clean, and of a relatively good standard compared to those in the higher
mountains.
This means that they will
have filtered water available, and proper toilets in most cases (though there
may be a few squat toilets the higher we go). Usually there will be electricity
- including hopefully at Tadapani where we contributed towards their
electricity project last year! The bedrooms are simple, with beds rather than
bunks, usually twin or 3-bedded rooms shared only with members of the group.
The food is varied and tasty, and mainly vegetarian: Dhal Bat (lentils &
rice), dishes with potato and vegetables, egg, noodles, cheese. And the tea is
plentiful (black tea, peppermint, ginger - and we'll stop for tea at other tea
houses along the way....!)
Singles? There will be one
single that we rotate through the group from day to day. Currency:
Nepali Rupee, but you can also change US Dollars in Kathmandu or
Sterling. Mobile reception: often iffy except in Kathmandu. Check
with your network if you will have reception even there - and the price of
calls and texts! Back to the location menu?
High Alpine
Langtang, Nepal
Nights 0: Overnight flight to
Kathmandu
Nights 1 & 2: Kathmandu - Hotel
Norbu Linka
Hotel Nurbu linka is a
comfortable and very friendly two star hotel in the bustling Thamel district of
Kathmandu - where all the restaurants and small shops are to be found. It
offers ensuite twin bedrooms - clean and comfortable, with air conditioning,
bathrooms with hot and cold shower, satellite TV, and telephone. From the roof
'garden' you can gain a panoramic view of the Himalaya. You may also see the
mountains of Ganesh Himal (7130 m), Langtang (7246 m), and Sisapangma (8013 m).
Downstairs is the dining room, bar, and there's even a 24 hour coffee shop for
snacks. There are small lock up boxes safely near reception should you want to
leave any valuables here while away on trek (eg. passport & flight ticket);
you can also change money at the hotel, and for after the trek there is a
laundry service! http://www.hotelnorbulinka.com/
Nights 3-16: Langtang Trek - Tea
Houses
Tea Houses are small hotels
or guest houses in the mountains which supply the basic requirements for
trekkers. They vary enormously in the facilities they offer, becoming
increasingly simple the higher into the mountains you go. However in that
simplicity you are both experiencing the real life of these communities and
able to meet the local people.
Tea house accommodation is
mainly in dormitory bedrooms shared with other members of the group. The
bathrooms will also be shared, with mainly cold water washing and only a few
showers. The quality of food offered may vary from tea house to tea house, but
most serve simple and hygienic meals, consisting mainly rice, dhal (lentils),
potatoes and vegetables.
Nights 17 & 18: Kathmandu -
Hotel Norbu Linka
Next day - day flight back to
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