Authentic Adventures – Walking Holidays

Whether you are an experienced hiker or someone who likes to amble rather than ramble, there is an Authentic Adventure for you.

‘Walking over lemons’ in Andalucia is where it all started for them and they are pleased to be returning to the Subbetica natural park again this year. The region is famous for its neolithic caves. Their walkers walk through steep olive groves, past vultures circling the cliffs, taking in the views of little whitewashed villages clinging to the craggy outcrops of the mountains.

Gozo, the little island off Malta with its citadel of the Knights of Malta, is a new walking destination for them, and provides a chance to spot dozens of species of migrating birds stopping off on their route. Also new for them is the picturesque Greek island of Santorini, with its myth of Atlantis. The views of whitewashed churches and sparkling blue sea will refresh the senses.

Walking in Lanzarote has been one of their surprises, the tapestry of salt pans and volcanic lava fields creating a unique landscape that is unlike anywhere else.

Italy remains one of their best loved destinations for walking in beautiful scenery with Stefano and his team of fascinating guides to explain all about the wildlife and history of his country. You will be led through the vineyards and farmsteads around the Val d’Orcia – Tuscany’s classic wine producing landscape.

For those who prefer demanding walks they have a new walking holiday in the Italian Alps at Gran Paradiso with its amazing backdrop of lakes and mountains.

The languid pace of life in Kerala in India is a delight for meandering along the canal paths and steeping through the lightly scented tea gardens is one of their more exotic adventures. A true delight, the spices and colours of Kerala will linger in the memory.

Surrounded by the undeniable rhythms of Hispanic music, cobbled streets that wind amongst the colonial buildings, palm fringed sandy beaches and lush sugar cane producing valleys, Cuba never fails to impress and amaze. On foot you can meet the real people of this outstanding island, of the tourist route and experience the real authentic Cuba.

Group size
Their groups are typically between eight and 14 and therefore have little impact on the locals and their environment.

Single travellers
Their groups are renowned for their friendliness and as a result most weeks have several single walkers. They try to keep the single supplement to a minimum.

Wendy Wu – Late Deals

Visit China this year from just £90 per day, fully inclusive!

Great value just got better – Save up to £500 per couple*

Their fantastic value, fully inclusive tours have just become even better value! For a limited time only, they are offering unbeatable savings on their best-selling group tours to China and Indochina.

Choose from a wide selection of departure dates this year. Make 2012 a year to remember with Wendy Wu Tours

Call a Personal Travel Consultant today to avoid disappointment.

*£500 Saving valid on selected China Tours departing in Jun 2012. All other savings valid for selected China and Indochina tours departing Jun – Dec 2012. All featured offers subject to tour and flight availability. New bookings only. Book by 30 Jun 2012.

CLICK HERE for Great Last Minute Deals

Authentic Adventures – Painting Holidays

People come on Authentic Adventures painting holidays for a relaxed and enjoyable artistic adventure, and many return year after year to seek out new subjects and new locations. Last year they painted in two new settings: Idyllic Santorini and the beautiful island of Gozo, in addition to returning to their roots in Subbetica, Spain.

For 2012 they have selected two new destinations including the Caribbean Island of Cuba, and Aracena, Spain.

Their tutors
All their tutors are professional painters, working in a range of media. More importantly they are friendly, patient and encouraging in helping you develop your techniques, whatever your level of experience. They are totally committed, teaching for 6-8 hours per day with free time in the afternoons, although you may take as many breaks as you wish.

With a range of locations available in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, you’re bound to find inspiration on one of their trips.

BAOBAB TRAVEL – ECO-TOURISM

Their Philosophy:
BAOBAB Travel is a fully ATOL bonded, independent travel company founded to promote responsible tourism and alternative forms of travel in Africa that benefit local communities economically and is sensitive to local cultures and the natural environment. The company is owner managed with both directors still very much involved in the day-to-day operation of the business. With their combined knowledge of the African tourism industry, and a passion for responsible travel and sustainable tourism, they have established and built partnerships with local tour operators and establishments, who share their sustainable tourism philosophy and passion.

BAOBAB holidays are designed to show you the real places, nature and culture in Africa avoiding resorts that have been ‘manufactured’ for tourists. They introduce you to local people, their cultures and traditions, and combine places that are off the beaten track with more iconic destinations. The result is a travel experience that is unique, varied, exhilarating, relaxing and fulfilling and which leaves you with a completely clear conscience.

Tailor-made Travel Service:
BAOBAB Travel is a specialist Africa tour operator, providing a flexible, tailor-made travel service. Every itinerary is developed specifically for the individual client, to suit your specific needs in terms of the duration of your trip, the dates, accommodation, activities and destinations, and budget (as far as possible). This requires some careful communication between you and one of their travel consultants, but they like to get your holiday itinerary spot on.

Their travel consultants are all well travelled and can provide you with expert travel advice and tips. They endeavour to visit all the destinations and lodges in their portfolio, so they can talk from personal experience and give you their view on the suitability of a place for either e.g. a honeymoon or a family holiday.

Fair Trade Tourism:
Baobab Travel recently had four South Africa travel packages Fair Trade Tourism certified and we are immensely proud of this achievement, as they are the first tour operator in the UK to provide a portfolio of trips that have been given the stamp of approval by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA). They now proudly display the official Fair Trade Tourism mark, which is endorsed by Fairtrade International (FLO), Transfair Germany, and South African Tourism.

Mercury Direct Winter Sun

Mercury Direct is the best place to find great value holidays to a range of destinations worldwide. Whichever holiday destination you’re thinking of going to for some Winter Sun, Mercury Direct offers great deals on winter holidays, with a wide range of options at some of the world’s finest holiday resorts in over 10 countries.

When you’re looking for a supremely relaxing break, an all inclusive holiday could be just what you need. Take the stress out of planning your holiday by choosing an all inclusive holiday that will ensure that all of your needs are taken care of.

If you’re travelling alone or with a friend, and would like the privacy of your own room, you don’t want to find yourself paying extra charges. That’s why they look out for their single travellers – and why their solo holidays offer a range of hotel stays and excellent value package deals that offer no single supplements for single traveller holidays.

In the Winter Sun brochure you will find great value holiday deals in Malta, Cyprus, Kerala, Mauritius and many other exotic destinations, or you can visit their website to find out more about great deals on holidays from Mercury Direct.

Mercury Direct offer a huge range of all inclusive holidays in resorts around the world, so you’re sure to find a relaxing winter break with them!

Mercury Direct Summer

Mercury Direct is the best place to find great value holidays to a range of destinations worldwide. Whichever holiday destination you’re thinking of going on your next vacation, Mercury Direct offers great deals on holidays all year round, with a wide range of options at some of the world’s finest holiday resorts in over 10 countries.

When you’re looking for a supremely relaxing break, an all inclusive holiday could be just what you need. Take the stress out of planning your holiday by choosing an all inclusive holiday that will ensure that all of your needs are taken care of.

If you’re travelling alone or with a friend, and would like the privacy of your own room, you won’t want to find yourself paying extra charges. That’s why they look out for their single travellers – and why their solo holidays offer a range of hotel stays and excellent value package deals that offer no single supplements for single traveller holidays.

In their brochure you will find great value holiday deals in Malta, Cyprus, Bali, Sri Lanka and many other exotic destinations, or you can visit their website to find out more about great deals on holidays from Mercury Direct.

At Mercury Direct, they offer a huge range of all inclusive holidays in resorts around the world, so you’re sure to find a relaxing break with them!

Balkan Holidays Summer 2013

Get the NEW Balkan Holidays Summer 2013 brochure

For fantastic non Euro holidays to Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Romania, trust the UK’s leading specialists, Balkan Holidays. They offer the widest choice to Bulgaria with flights from many UK airports plus these incredible discounts and savings:

  • Package prices from £229pp
  • Free child places, child prices from £99 and free children’s insurance
  • Early Bookings Discounts – up to £402 per couple
  • Special Offers – save up to £286 per couple
  • 2 weeks for the price of 1 on selected properties in Bulgaria
  • 5% Loyalty Discount
  • Low Deposit £70pp (50% less than full deposit)
  • 20kg free luggage allowance on charter flights for Premier hotels 30kg
  • No Single supplements & Group Discounts
  • Over 70 All Inclusive Hotels

Parkdean – Scotland

Parkdean have saved you the perfect spot in Scotland!
In fact they’ve chosen only the very best spots for each of their six award winning holiday parks in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, Perthshire, glorious Dumfries and Galloway, and along the stunning Clyde and Ayrshire coastlines.

So every morning you can wake up to magnificent mountains with woodland trails, golden beaches and quaint seaside resorts or rolling countryside peppered with ancient castles. In short, everything you need to enjoy your perfect holiday.

Golfing… cycling… sandcastles… real castles… what will you do?
The answer is ‘anything you choose’! Whichever one of their parks you visit you’ll always find plenty to keep you entertained – whether you’re sliding down the flume at the 25 metre pool in Southerness, or jumping over the waves on beautiful Embo beach at Grannies’ Heilan’ Hame. Choose a leafy park like Tummel Valley or Wemyss Bay and lose yourself in nature trails, a round of golf, and adventure play. Or how about dolphin spotting at pretty Nairn Lochloy or shooting some basketball hoops at Sundrum Castle? With kids’ clubs, sporting fun and fabulous evening entertainment, you can join in as much or as little as you like. But having a brilliant time is compulsory!

ParkDean – Touring And Camping

Come and stay… Parkdean have saved you the perfect pitch!
In fact they’ve chosen only the very best spots for each of their six award winning touring and camping holiday parks across stunning South West England. Bring your tent, tourer or motorhome and explore them all at your leisure, waking up every morning to beautiful beaches with rolling surf or glorious open countryside. And with fantastic facilities on park – from swimming pools, playgrounds and restaurants to fun family entertainment venues – there’s everything you need to enjoy your perfect family holiday.

Touring and camping made easy!
At Parkdean the grass is always greener for holidaymakers who love the great outdoors. Visit any one of their touring and camping friendly holiday parks and you’ll find an excellent choice of pitches starting from just £7 a night. Set in their own peaceful area of the park… they’re never more than a stroll away from the main holiday complex.

Visit Scotland

We are currently being sponsored by Visit Scotland

They offer amazing holidays to the following destinations:

The Highlands
The Highlands are the perfect place to explore dramatic mountains and beautiful glens, romantic islands and stunning stretches of coastline or to follow the Malt Whisky Trail. Spot rare wildlife in the Cairngorms National Park, be awed at the breathtaking Glen Coe, romanced by the Isle of Skye, and entranced by the exciting capital of the north, Inverness.
The Outer Hebrides
From Lewis to Barra and beyond, the Outer Hebrides is full of beauty and brimming with possibilities to capture the imagination and discover ancient history. Witness the incredible wildlife of the islands and seek out amazing archaeological treasures such as the Calanais Standing Stones.
Dumfries & Galloway
Savour the tranquillity and feel the exhilaration of Dumfries & Galloway, where the hills, forest parks and quiet country roads provide the ideal setting for exploring by foot, bike or car. Delve into its rich history and visit the plentiful museums and visitor centres which detail the varied inventors, poets, pioneers and artists inspired by the landscape.
Perthshire
Big Tree Country – home to the world’s highest hedge, Europe’s oldest tree, the widest conifer in Britain, the sole survivor from Shakespeare’s Birnam Wood and many more fascinating champion trees. Perthshire is one of Europe’s finest Adventure playgrounds boasting traditional activities such as walking, cycling and angling to sphereing down a hillside.
Aberdeen City
Absorb the buzz and nightlife of the city of Aberdeen. Within the sparkling Granite City, be mesmerised by Aberdeen’s grand granite architecture in the form of St Machar’s Cathedral and enjoy award-winning parks and gardens, such as Duthie Park, Union Terrace Gardens and the wonderful Winter Gardens.
Orkney Islands
Though just a short ferry ride from the northern tip of Scotland, once you reach Orkney you descend into an entirely different world of unspoilt, sparkling white beaches, fascinating archaeological sights and inspiring modern art galleries. With the sea never far away, experience a wealth of water and beach activities.
The Scottish Borders
Steeped in history and romance, the unspoilt beauty of the Scottish Borders takes your breath away. A wealth of historical attractions, museums and exhibitions bring the colourful past of the Borders to life. With an abundant natural larder, countless outdoor pursuits to enjoy and a thriving local culture, the Scottish Borders will captivate you immediately.
Ayrshire & Arran
Ayrshire & Arran is immersed in over 3,000 years of history from the standing stones of the Bronze Age to medieval Viking battles, the majestic splendour of some of the UK’s best-preserved castles and, of course, the birthplace of Robert Burns and The Open Championship.
Kingdom of Fife
Glorious, sandy, award winning beaches, exciting events and a rich royal heritage await in the Kingdom of Fife, where you can explore an ancient capital of Scotland, magnificent castles and gardens, spend hours enjoying fine local food and drink, and play one of the area’s many golf courses in the region known as the Home of Golf.
Angus
Embrace the beauty of the countryside of Angus and explore the stunning Angus Glens. Enjoy the tranquility of the Glens and discover the coastal jewels of Arbroath and the Royal Burgh of Montrose along the way. Discover the history and heritage of Angus from the ancient Picts to the stunningly beautiful Arbroath Abbey.
Moray
From Tomintoul and the spectacular Cairngorms in the south, to the beautiful beaches and sparkling waters of the Moray Firth in the north, with two of Scotland’s’ greatest salmon rivers, the Spey and the Findhorn, flowing from mountain to sea, Moray is able to boast some of the loveliest scenery in Scotland.
Aberdeenshire
Welcome to ‘Castle Country’ where you will be spoiled for choice with more castles per acre than anywhere else in the UK. Take in the epic north east coastline and dramatic scenery of Aberdeenshire as you experience 17 of the best sites along Scotland’s only Castle Trail. And keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphin along Scotland’s Dolphin Coast in Banffshire.