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Western Europe |
SportActive.
A Licensed Tour Operator business that specialises in Walking and
cycling holidays, their prices are already very competitive, but
small group discounts are possible for UFRC members.
Visit their website for details of their latest trips and prices.
www.sportsactive.net .You can view
promotional video on site.
A number of our members and members clubs have been very complimentary
about trips in the past.
In 2008 this local firm offer trips to Austria, France, Poland and
Majorca. Each trip is a full package and fully guided. Prices range
from £500-650,which are keen . For an
independent view have a look at World Ireland Magazine which features
an article by Michael Fewer on walking in Majorca Majorca last
year with Sportsactive. They can be
contacted at
info@sportsactive.net .You
can download a pdf file giving full details of their walking holidays
by clicking below .
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Andalusia
Spain. "The Queen of the Mountain" Axarquia,
Anthony & Andrea Neal, Dama De La Sierra, El Fogarate, Canillas De
Albaida
1 weeks walking holiday in Spain during November (including
flights and transfers) - costs from £57* Per Person Per Day + 3 days
guided walking at any level (1 easy to 5 extreme) included.
See web site for more details:
http://www.villadama.com/index.php?article=walking
Flights from
Belfast Int. to Malaga
Example:Outbound Monday 8th Sept @ 08:35; Return Saturday 22:55 (Land back
Sunday AM) = £124 PP 20 kilo luggage, no insurance (flights booked by
group members as passport details are required by the carrier).
Including
flights in September or October costings follow:-
Self Catering:08 Sept (7 nights) 5 persons £480PP; 6 Persons £421PP; 7 Persons
£379PP 8 Persons £347PP
October (7 nights) 5 persons £415PP; 6 Persons £367PP; 7 Persons
£332PP 8 Persons £306PP
Full
Board:October (7 nights) 5 persons £590PP; 6 Persons £542PP; 7 Persons
£507PP 8 Persons £481PP
Quotations subject to change without notice due to air fare and
currency fluctuations, correct at 10:12AM ECT on 23rd July, 2008
7 Nights self catering accommodation (full board option is available),
Transportation to and from Malaga Airport
Transportation to and from walking or alternative itinerary
as required (limited to 100km total each day)
3 Full days walking with English speaking guide, at any level
selected.
Your party of 5 or more, will be our only guests for duration of
your walking break
Use of Internet, information packs, guide books, GPS devices
and local maps within Villa
All the information needed is on web site
http://www.villadama.com/index.php?article=home
e-mail or call on 07809899679. All walking packages created to get the most from this beautiful area and to
provide a hassle free walking holiday. Over 70 itineraries to
choose from. |
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Sheila Gard has recently started organising
walking holidays in
Southern Spain.
Small group guided walking holidays are based in the
Mountains of Axarquia, Southern Spain.
http://www.sheilaspanishwalk.com
This looks interesting and seems reasonably priced .The
website is certainly worth visiting and gives an excellent impression of
the area
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Topwalks - Mountain routes in Spain.
Well worth a visit
Anyone thinking of a walking holiday in Spain should visit this excellent
site . It includes 150 routes in Aragon, Andalucia and Valencia with driving
instructions, a full account of the route, a slide show, photos, GPS
waypoints, a map of the route and a roadmap. You can also find photo sets on
more than 1,200 plants by colour
Top
walks -Mountain Routes in Spain
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 Dan
& Amy Shaffrey own a small walking company called
Ibex Trex in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains ,Southern Spain specialising in small
groups. They provide a personal holiday experience with a real taste of
Spain.
Superb
traditional-style accommodation in village of Narila ,catering for 6 people.
Groups of 6 + use excellent local hotel .
Breakfasts, guided trekking with lunches + all
transport(including to and from Granada or Almeria airport) . Cost
€595 euros/person/week.
Quote
ref. no.(Ibex08) for 5%
discount on bookings
and
10% discount group booking of 6
or more. Full week of prof. guided walks to your requirements.
Leisurely Week
Sat 4th Oct-Sat 11th Oct.Walks under
13 km and under 2000 meters in height.
4 walks, no steep ascents .
Medium Week
Sat 13th
Sept -Sat 20th Sept.Walks under 21km and some over 2000 meters in height. 4 walks, one a
full trek to the Sierra Nevada ridge.
Strenuous Week
Sat 8th Nov
-Sat 15th Nov.Walks
under 26km and most over 2000 meters in height.5 walks, one to the Sierra
Nevada ridge, +
Granada & The Alhambra on each week
Sat 16 May-Sat 23 May 2009/Sat
7 June-Sat 14 June 2009
Two wild flower
weeks in Spring, led by local expert.
Walks under 10km, leisurely pace, with one high level walk + trip to Granada
and the Alhambra.
Weeks throughout the year
for individuals and groups wishing to make own itinerary.
Stay in the heart of Las Alpujarras,
taste local tapas
and wines, shop in local markets.
Further information-contact Dan & Amy via website http://www.ibextrex.com/
or email at info@ibextrex.com
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Casa
La Morera
Further info:
http://www.poppiesandbutterflies.co.uk
A cottage in Spain in the
Seguara Mountains,
in a village called Fuente Higuera which is just 20km from Elche De La
Sierra on the CM-412 road.
This is a national park with some of the most spectacular scenery in the
region. View the lakes, reservoirs and waterfalls where the River
Mundo originates and see the abundant wildlife around every corner,
including colourful butterflies and birds such as golden eagle and green
woodpecker. Wild animals include boar, deer, grey foxes, and various fish in
the rivers. See rural Spain at best in the springtime with the wild flowers
that grace this area. Herbs grow wild in the hedgerows giving off a
wonderful fragrance .
.Eating out boasts a variety of restaurants suitably priced for all
occasions. The cottage includes TV/DVD, Radio/CD, Washing machine,
Dishwasher, Micro-wave, Fridge-Freezer, cooker, radiators for winter use and
gas fire. Log fire available if needed. It can sleep up to six people
comfortably.
People in this region are exceptionally friendly and welcome you openly.
Visit the small markets in the local villages and see donkeys carrying
produce, firewood for the fire or dried grasses for weaving baskets.
Activities include walking the mountains using the guided maps
available. Try horse riding from several riding stables nearby, rock
climbing and visit local villages and enjoy the
regions rich culture including Bull Running and the Saw-dust
Fiesta. |
Villa in Sardinia (Freda
Ross)
A British couple have completed construction of a large,
brand new villa in the North West of Sardinia. They wish to let out a
totally self-contained half of this but only want to groups such as
walkers, cyclists, divers etc., who would treat the property with care.
The villa is situated close to Lago Baratz, a ten minute
drive from Alghero airport. The coast in that area is known as the Coral
Riviera. The villa is in a tranquil, rural setting with eleven acres of
farmland and panoramic views and only a ten minute drive from a large,
sandy beach. It is fully furnished and equipped, providing all linens,
towels etc.
ryanair fly to Alghero from East
Midlands & Liverpool (Spring/Summer only for now) and Stansted & Dublin
(all year).
Olbia Airport is another
possibility, giving about a 2 hour drive to savour the scenery across
the North of Sardinia.
ryanair fly to Olbia from
Birmingham (Summer) and
easyJet fly to Olbia from
Bristol & Gatwick (Spring/Summer).
Members considering holidaying in Sardinia and looking
for high quality accommodation can view the website giving full contact
details.
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Martin Riley
(International Mountain Leader and member of the Spanish Mountain Guided
Association) runs
an independent walking company in Andalucia covering the
Sierra Nevada,
Sierra Almijarra, Sierra de Huetor and Alpujarra regions of Southern
Spain . The area has a range of walking, trekking and
scrambling possibilities from low level to peaks over 3,000m.
In 2008 he offers walking and mountaineering organisations a 10%
discount on normal activity prices and offers a weeks
walking from 650€. This includes :-
Five days guided walking.
Six nights bed and breakfast accomodation (based on two sharing).
Free airport transfers to and from Granada airport. (other airports by
arrangement).
If you would like information about the potential for walking or
mountaineering holidays for your club contact Martin or look at
website
www.thelifeofriley.eu.com. |
Walking
holidays in Brittany
10% discount for UFRC
members on mid or low season bookings
 in 2,4,8 person gites.
Please request discount when booking.
Southern Brittany is a fantastic walking area with literally hundreds of
paths to explore varying from specially laid out and signposted tracks
to "go it alone" options .
www.frenchgites.fr is
their website , have a look .
If interested contact Nicola Harrington
nicola@frenchgites.fr
Tel. 00 33 297 93 26 49 |
The Roussillon
An area in the South of France offering excellent walking opportunities,
breathtaking scenery , great wine , dry sunny weather and the intriguing
history of the Cathars. Richard Whibley has lived in the Agly valley
since 1994 and has created Agly walking Tours to share the region with other
walkers . He leads the walks and explains details of the area, once
you arrive everything is organized for you .
To book a holiday or for further information contact :
Agly Walking Tours, Association Agly Rando,8bis, rue Gabriel
PERI,66720,Latour de France, France
Tel:0033 468 294 157
e-mail alglyrando@gmail.com
or look at web site : www.aglyrando.com |
Thinking of walking in Austria?
5%
discount on summer activities holidays for UFRC members.
Haus Luxus is an English run chalet, situated in Mayrhofen, in the heart of
the Austrian Alpsand and holds a maximum of 10 guests, . Rob Blackwell &
Mandii Weaver run the chalet on Bed & Breakfast or Half Board basis. The
Ziller Valley has much to offer the rambler, hiker and walker.
See website for full details at:
www.mayrhofen-experience.com
Mayrhofen Experience
Haus Luxus
822 Stillupklamm
MayrhofenA-6290
Austria
Telephone : 0043 (0) 5285 78465
Mobile Rob: 0043 (0) 664 2162732
Mobile Mandii: 0043 (0) 664 2162733
Fax : 0043 (0) 5285 78465 |
Haute Languedoc
 Ros
French offers Farmhouse accommodation with an organic vegetable garden in
stunning countryside in the National Park of the
Haute Languedoc just 48 kms from Carcassonne Airport which
is served by regular Ryan Air flights. The tracks that wind through
the hills, forests and pasturelands are very well marked . The
astonishing variety of countryside has to be walked to be appreciated.
There is forest, garrigue, mountains ( altitude 420 metres,but walks rise to
around 650), pastureland, babbling brooks. .. Wild life in abundance.
Self catering accomodation by the week but
available for 3 or 4 days stay -B&B or full meals
Collection from Carcassonne airport ,assistance with itineries and
collection at the end of a hike.
Although the web site quotes weekly prices ,shorter periods are possible at
£65 per night with breakfast. UFRC members reduction possible
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Austria
John Gowers and his family have taken over
a small hotel
in the village
of Malta,
southern Austria. There is
walking for all levels of experience
(gentle
strolls to 11,000ft. peaks).
They offer
special
autumn
rates for walking groups.
September and
October are the best times for walking in Austria.
They also
serve Guinness!
www.hochalmspitze.com |
Walking in Tuscany
Ken Dodds and his wife
own a stone house-Fontana Vecchia- in a small village in beautiful
northern Tuscany between the Mediterranean coast and the mountains As keen
walkers they have selected a region which offered stunning walks and trails
for all standards. They are keen to offer their accommodation to like
minded people and share this unique area which is situated beside two
National Parks and two neighbouring districts of Lunigiana and the
Garfagnana. They are offering group members a 5%
discount on 2007 bookings and can supply additional information
needed. Most however can be found on their website www.underthetuscansun.co.uk |
A new venue for walking
holidays in the
French Alps.
Andy Turner
has a ski chalet opening this summer as a dedicated walkers chalet,
offering flexible board basis (catered, self-catered or B&B) . A fully
catered holiday costs from just £250 including airport transfers from
Geneva and unlimited wine with dinner.
Morzine is a beautiful old market town at the heart of the Portes du
Soleil region that spans the Franco-Swiss border, and the walking is
endless with breathtaking views everywhere you look. Chalet L'Etoile des
Vents sleeps 11 in 4 bedrooms and is in an elevated position above the
town with stunning views from its balconies. The interior is perfectly
decorated to combine tradition with creature comforts... an ideal alpine
home from home!
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Michelle & Adrian Barry, a young Irish couple have recently purchased a
guesthouse with self-catering apartments in
Filzmoos, Austria.
Haus Obermoos offer a 5% discount on summer activities holidays to all
UFRC members.
.jpg) Their
guesthouse is located in the picturesque mountain village of Filzmoos at
an altitude of 3461 ft and set within the
Bischofsmütze mountain
and the Dachstein Glacier.
allowing a wide variety of
activities to be undertaken by outdoor enthusiasts both in winter and
summer.There are many beautiful biking & hiking trails - the 200km of
footpaths have been classified, guests can choose walks according to their
physical condition & requirements.
Filzmoos is a beautiful village in Austria only 45 minutes from
Salzburg airport ,a short transfer in comparision to some of the other
resorts. Accommodation consists of 5 large double rooms with ensuite
facilities, 3 large apartments (2 apartments sleep 2-4 persons, 1
apartment sleeps 4-6 persons), a large breakfast room, a haus bar where
guests can relax and enjoy the magnificent surroundings.The house is newly
renovated and rooms have been decorated to the highest standard
Website is
www.hausobermoos.com . Opening this winter for business and taking
bookings now for the winter 2007/8 season.
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Walking in France-The Auvergne.
An ideal venue for a walking club trip . Beautiful
unspoiled countryside in an interesting volcanic area -semi alpine meadows
clothed with fabulous wildflowers, many of them rare. a range of beautiful
butterflies and unusual birds . The weather is usually excellent with
temperatures just right for walking . You can choose a range of walks
both vigorous and easy within your group. The walks are led by two
very knowledgeable guides. Flights to Lyon available from Dublin. A
family run hotel at
Les Estables cannot be
recommended highly enough . Excellent food and fair prices.
Run by Bernard Aubry and his family.
Have a look at some photographs.(click for
larger view)
Visit their website designed by his son
Alexandre, a keen photographer ,knowledgeable about the geology and natural
history of the area and one of the walk guides.
http://www.decouverte-estables.com/
If you need ideas on organising, contact our
Secretary,
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Wilderness Journeys - Inspiring adventure holidays in the world’s wild
places.
www.wildernessjourneys.com
If you want something really different have a look at this
website.
Wilderness Journeys is a
specialist travel company offering a range of inspirational holidays and
wilderness experiences in the World’s remote and beautiful places.
They recently won the Highly Commended award in the Best Tour Operator
category of the global Responsible Tourism Awards. |
Walking Holidays South West France
Come and discover the
beautiful quiet and tranquillity of, 'LA FRANCE PROFONDE', superb rural
France with its ever changing colours and spectacular views.Guided
walks meander through farms, woods, rolling hillsides, pretty villages,
and gently flowing rivers in this beautiful and largely undiscovered
region of France. With scenery that changes with the seasons and an
abundance of nature and plant life, as well as buildings, farms and
churches, some dating back 300 years or
more.
You might
see a family of
wild boar,
the
blue headed lizard,
the
giant moth
and of course the plentiful bird life that surrounds this beautiful area.
The owners have lived and
walked in this area of France for many years we are able to offer a
service of guided walks, to proudly reveal destinations that are off the
beaten track.
Guided walks can be
tailored to suit all levels of fitness.
The holiday includes all meals
and beverages,
transfers to and
from the airports (Rodez, Toulouse)
PRICE £350 pp pw Sat-Sat
For more information -visit website
http://www.adventurefrance.co.uk/ |
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David and Siân Thomas
run walking holidays in
South West France
from their farmhouse
in the Tarn region of France.
Jet2 will be flying directly from Belfast to Toulouse during this Summer and
if you opt for the full catered package they will collect you at the airport
For more information contact by email at
david.thomas2@tiscali.fr
or: call them on 0033 563
36 54 68 for a general chat about their holidays and how they might
suit you.
For
general information about the gîte and accommodation visit their web site at
www.gitegetaways.com |
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Walking In Portugal
Catherine Hogan and Chris Jones moved from Ireland just over 18 months ago
and have opened a self catering property in the
Sao Mamede region of Portugal
near the Spanish border . They offer self guided /guided walking or simple
relaxation. The house is located in a beautiful valley within the
Parque Natural da Serra de Sao Mamede ,
protected for its valuable flora and fauna. The house and two
acres of grounds are peaceful and private and ideal for anyone wishing to
de-stress and get away from it all.
The
walking in the area is easy to moderate, ideal for people who walk but
are not into ‘heavy duty’ hill walking or for people wanting a holiday which
combines walking, seeing unspoilt countryside, and some days visiting
medieval towns and hill top villages.
The
area is unspoilt and relatively undiscovered . The countryside is a mixture
of wooded hills, medieval laneways, rocky ridges and fertile valleys.
If you wish
you can go off track
and
walk along some of the bigger hills and ridges. There are many good
restaurants in the area
, and
Lisbon airport is a
two and one half hour drive away on good quiet
roads.
Visit web-site
Walking in Portugal A straightforward and interesting site
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Walking in Switzerland
Chalet Eira (Morzine), 1 hour transfer
from Geneva . Perfect area for hikes and rambles along mountain
paths . Bed & breakfast from €30 per night, excellent restaurant
.
Have a look at their website :
www.chaleteira.com
or e-mail for information:
info@chaleteira.com
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27/06/2008