The Best of Mont Blanc Walking Holiday in France with The Adventure Company.
Reaching the summit of Mont Blanc in the French Alps is an ambition for many climbers, but you can enjoy the natural splendour of this region without actually climbing the mountain.
Following trails through woodlands and pastures, past glaciers and lakes, you will experience the full scale of the mountains without any need for technical skills or a head for heights. Some of the ascents use fixed cables or rails.
The Mont Blanc massif straddles the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland, and includes western Europe’s highest mountain – Mont Blanc (4810m). Throughout the itinerary there are opportunities for great views of the mountain, but there are also plenty of other attractions, including walks to Col de La Fenêtre, Lac de Pormenaz and the Tour Glacier.
The Alpine flowers add a splash of colour, and if you keep your eyes open you should spot marmots and maybe something bigger.
• Mountain walking
• Breathtaking views
• Lakes & glaciers
8 days from £899
Plus get an extra £50 off 17 Jul departure
Visit the Adventure Company Website or Tel 0845 609 0837
Special Offer on All-Inclusive Chamonix Mont-Blanc Ski Holiday with Club Med.
7 nights departing 21st February from GBP1,049pp including transport. Save up to GBP432pp.
7 nights departing 28th February from GBP1,030pp including transport. Save up to GBP345pp.
Ever since two mountaineers first conquered the Giant of the Alps over two centuries ago, this Haute-Savoie resort, a pioneer in the sport of skiing, has preserved its unique atmosphere.
At an altitude of 1,035 metres (nearly 3,400 ft), this Club Med Resort is set in the cosy, welcoming decor of the former Savoy Hotel, renovated by the architect Jacques Garcia.
Babies can be entrusted to the brand-new Baby Club Med, a charming "cocoon" in pastel shades with snowflake murals, while Mums enjoy a well-deserved moment of luminous serenity at the Cinq Mondes at Club Med Spa.
From the terrace or the outdoor heated swimming pool, the view of Mont Blanc is all yours.
Resort Highlights
● The famous Haute-Savoie resort was a pioneer in developing skiing as a sport
● A renowned former luxury hotel and the legendary Chamonix ski domain
● CINQ MONDES Spa at Club Med, sauna, Turkish bath
● NEW Baby Club Med for babies from 4 months
● In the outdoor heated pool or on the terrace, relax and enjoy the view of Mont Blanc
Access conditions: Resort welcoming children of all ages, with children's club facilities from 4 to 23 months.
Chamski ski domain
- Lognan, Les Grands Montets, Le Tour, Vallorcine, Brévent, Flégère, Planards and Savoy)
- Altitude between 3,295 m and 1,050 m
- 46 ski-lifts ; 67 snow cannons ; Snowpark. (Grands Montets)
- 182 km of ski runs: 12 black; 21 red; 31 blue; 16 green.
The resort has a "hands free" ski pass system ensuring greater fluidity for skiers (you may be required to pay a deposit at the Resort in order to ensure that skiers return their pass at the end of their stay).
Alpine skiing - Included in your package
Professional ski instructors who know the ski domain by heart will guide you down the slopes best suited to your skills, to ensure you progress safely and surely in the best possible conditions.Access by bus to the mountain ranges of Chamonix Valley
Ski lift pass included up to 24 April
NB: if you wish to ski on your day of arrival, you can purchase a one-day pass, on site.
Equipment
Top quality equipment* and the Ski Service to ensure your satisfaction
Tuition
- From age 12, our group lessons last the whole day, for a period of 5 days
- Small groups of around 12 people
- To guarantee beginners' progress, they are expected to start lessons the day after arrival at the Resort.
- If you book a weekend stay (Friday evening to Sunday) or a long weekend (Thursday evening to Sunday), you can ski at your own pace, there are no skiing lessons scheduled.
A test on the first morning's skiing will establish each skier's level and ensure he or she is put in the right class:
- Beginners: this is your first experience of Alpine skiing
- Class 1: you can control your speed and movements on the blue slopes
- Class 2: you can negotiate the red slopes at average speed
- Class 3: you can negotiate all slopes with ease
- Expert: you are at ease on all types of terrain and snow
For one-week stays, lessons begin the day after main arrival day.
The peace of mind of all-inclusive holidays by Club Med:
- Return flights with a choice of airlines, cabin classes and flight schedules
- Meet & Greet, transfers, taxes & tips
- Choice of room comfort : Club
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, snacks and dinner
- Choice of restaurants offering refined and generous buffets
- Open Bar drinks & snacks served throughout the day and evening with a large choice of premium brands
- A wide range of après-ski activities
- Ski pass and group lessons in partnership with ESF in France
- A choice of relaxed and festive atmospheres with concerts and shows
Visit the Club Med Website for more information
Special Offer on Val Thorens Ski Holiday with Club Med. 7 nights departing 27th February from GBP999pp including transport. Save up to GBP212pp.
Val Thorens is situated at the top of a rocky cirque among snow-capped peaks. The resort offers its guests the most majestic panoramic views of the Alps.
At the foot of the slopes, the Resort is the perfect base for enjoying some leisurely snow sports and exploring the Trois Vallées. This adults-only Resort has a lively atmosphere and provides an original combination of sport-filled days and fun-packed evenings.
Between fitness facilities and crêperies, pleasure seekers can gear up to party the night away.
Resort Highlights
● A unique panorama over the Alps, the ski resort and the valley
● Ski from the door over 600 kms (372 miles) of ski slopes in the Trois Vallées domain
● Adults-only Resort with a warm, party atmosphere
● Relax on the terrace, enjoy fitness sessions and the nightclub
Altitude: 2300 metres (7,545 ft).
Access conditions: Resort for adults from age 18.
Trois Vallées ski domain
Bride-les-Bains, Courchevel, La Tania, Les Menuires, Méribel, Orel, Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens.
- Altitude between 3,200 m and 1,300 m.
- 180 ski lifts; 2,000 snow cannons; snowpark
- 600 km of ski runs: 35 black; 110 red; 104 blue; 68 green
- 120 km of cross-country ski trails
Alpine skiing - Included in your package
At the foot of the slopes, ski from the door. Professional ski instructors who know the ski domain by heart will guide you down the slopes best suited to your skills, to ensure you progress safely and surely in the best possible conditions.
• Tuition
- From age 18, our group lessons last the whole day, for a period of 5 days
- Small groups of around 12 people
- To guarantee beginners' progress, they are expected to start lessons the day after arrival at the Resort.
- If you book a weekend stay (Friday evening to Sunday) or a long weekend (Thursday evening to Sunday), you can ski at your own pace, there are no skiing lessons scheduled.
A test on the first morning's skiing will establish each skier's level and ensure he or she is put in the right class:
- Beginners: this is your first experience of Alpine skiing
- Class 1: you can control your speed and movements on the blue slopes
- Class 2: you can negotiate the red slopes at average speed
- Class 3: you can negotiate all slopes with ease
- Expert: you are at ease on all types of terrain and snow
For one-week stays, lessons begin the day after main arrival day.
• Ski lift pass included
NB: if you wish to ski on your day of arrival, you can purchase a one-day pass, on site.
• Equipment
Top quality equipment and the Ski Service to ensure your satisfaction
The peace of mind of all-inclusive holidays by Club Med:
- Return flights with a choice of airlines, cabin classes and flight schedules
- Meet & Greet, transfers, taxes & tips
- Choice of room comfort : Club
- Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, snacks and dinner
- Choice of restaurants offering refined and generous buffets
- Open Bar drinks & snacks served throughout the day and evening with a large choice of premium brands
- A wide range of après-ski activities
- Ski pass and group lessons in partnership with ESF in France
- A choice of relaxed and festive atmospheres with concerts and shows
Visit the Club Med Website for more information
Apuane Alps - Mountain Walking In Tuscany with Sherpa Expeditions.
This remote area of northern Tuscany has an old world charm of its own. It is a world away from the towns and rolling hills of the south. The Apuane Alps are covered by a web of trails providing routes from hamlet to hilltop and beyond. You will experience superb scenery, mountain wilderness and tranquillity.
This trek has many attractive ingredients, from wide mountain vistas, to remote hamlets surrounded by forest and mountain scenery. There are few other walkers and the villagers make you feel truly welcome. From the small unassuming town of Fornaci di Barga we enter the Apuane forests, climbing up through chestnut woods and dropping down through vineyards to the ancient village of Verni. Here we enter an impressive series of limestone massifs that rise up to 2000m within a few kms of the sea, the Apuanes are famous for their scenery of white marble towers, abysses and the largest cave system in Italy.
En route to Trassilico (732m) we stumble across remote chapels, and abandoned farms. We climb Monte Forato (1223m) visit the ‘Grotta del Vento’ with its subterranean lakes and ‘living’ stalagmites and stalactites. From Fornovolasco there is a long day to make the optional ascent of Pania della Croce (1860m), the view from the summit is quite magnificent. Before dropping down to the old hermitage at Calomini and back to Fornaci.
Visit the Sherpa Expeditions Website for more details
Inn to Inn 8 days
Duration: 8 days
Tour Code: JAA
Grade: Moderate - Challenging
Day Stages: Minimum 10km, max 27km.
Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices
Start any day April to October
Your Accommodation
Accommodation in the Apuane Alps is generally of a more simple standard than one might expect in the more popular parts of Tuscany. It is however clean and comfortable. We spend our first and last night in Fornaci di Barga at a centrally located modern 3* hotel. Then a small, pension in the village of Verni which was once a Roman colony. The pension has a terrace with a wonderful view of Trassilico.Our next three nights are spent in Fornovolasco at a typical small unclassified hotel, the rooms are simply furnished and share a bathroom. The penultimate night is spent in a small apartment with its own private bathroom just 100m from the Monastery at the Eremo di Calomini, an ancient hermitage site carved into rock walls, and a superb restaurant.
Sherpa Notes
Accommodation & Meals
Good small hotels (ensuite rooms are not always available) and pensions with dinner, bed and breakfast throughout.
Way Marks
The route is well-waymarked by the Club Alpin Italiane with red signs. The trail is very remote, so map reading skills are recommended.
Travel via Air: British Airways (BA) services Gatwick to Pisa. Train, Pisa to Fornaci di Barga with one change in Lucca. Journey time 2hrs. (Not included). After breakfast on the final day, train from Fornaci to Pisa. Journey time 2hrs. (Not included)
For those who wish to spend more time in Tuscan cities, we recommend spending an extra day in the medieval city of Lucca at the end of the tour.
£10,000 holiday giveaway
Book any Travelsphere Holiday before 16th February 2009 and you could be one of five lucky winners of a £2,000 Travelsphere holiday voucher! Terms & conditions apply.
Visit the Sherpa Expeditions Website for more details
Walking Holiday in the Sorrento Hills, Italy with Travelsphere - 8 days from GBP699. Explore the glorious Sorrento Peninsula with its winding roads and dramatic cliffs. Discover the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, venture up majestic Mount Vesuvius, and join fabulous optional excursions to Pompeii and the island of Capri. Take time to wander through the cobbled streets of this historic area or stroll down to the picturesque harbours.
Telephone Travelsphere on 0845 358 2368 now to reserve your space
What's Included
* Return scheduled flights to Naples
* Transfers between airport and hotel
* Services of an air-conditioned executive coach
* Seven nights’ half board accommodation
* Services of a Get Up & Go Tour Manager
* Welcome drink * Three walks with a local guide as detailed
* Excursion to Naples
* All UK and overseas airport taxes and security charges
* Insurance and cancellation cover
Walking Information
Our walks require a reasonable level of fitness and ideally some previous walking experience. You will need comfortable walking boots, a small rucksack, waterproofs, a hat and sunglasses. A local guide will also accompany you on your walks.
Grade 1 Walks
These are for anyone of any age. Plenty of rest stops and time to enjoy the local scenery with up to 4 hours walking a day, mostly on good paths but occasionally rough underfoot. Ascent less than 300m per day.
Grade 2 Walks
These are moderate, for anyone who is comfortable walking hills. Still plenty of time to rest and enjoy the scenery, however up to 5 hours walking a day on slightly more rugged terrain. Ascent less than 500m per day.
Accommodation
You will stay in the comfortable medium grade Hotel Delle Palme in the village of Sant’ Agata 2½ miles from Sorrento. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and garden, bar, restaurant, terrace and lift. All bedrooms feature private facilities, TV, telephone and air-conditioning.Telephone Travelsphere on 0845 358 2368 now to reserve your spaceItinerary
DAY 1 - UK/ITALY
Depart on your scheduled flight to Naples. On arrival transfer to your hotel in the Sorrento area for a seven night stay.
DAYS 2 TO 7
Free to relax and enjoy our excursion programme. The following walks and activities are included:
Sorrento Hills
Offering wonderful panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples, your walk starts from Sant’ Agata village and finishes down in Sorrento town where you will have free time for shopping and sightseeing (approx. 1½ hours’ walk).
Mount Vesuvius
An exciting three-quarter day tour to this famous volcano, including a local volcanologist guide. Enjoy a walk up the mountain path overlooking the lava fields before continuing to the crater itself for a walk around the rim (approx. 2 hours’ walk).
Amalfi Coast
This coastline is simply stunning. We start above the fashionable resort of Positano, which clings precariously to the cliffside and walk up through olive groves and vineyards to the village of Montepertuso. Continue to Nocelle and take the ‘Footpath of the Gods’ with its many steps, back down to Praiano and our waiting coach (approx. 3 hours’ walk).
Naples
A superb full day excursion visiting firstly the National Archaeological Museum, housing the finest artefacts from Campania’s ancient sites, followed by a walking tour of this vibrant and chaotic city, birthplace of the pizza and Sophia Loren.
The following excursions are optional:
Pompeii
A three-quarter day trip including a guided walking tour of this ancient ruined city of the roman Empire, frozen in time when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD and buried the entire area under a layer of hot ash.
Capri
A full day excursion visiting the villages of Capri and Ana Capri, the Gardens of Caesar Augustus and see the Faraglioni Rocks.
DAY 8 - UK/ITALY
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Dates, Prices & Departure
holiday ref: GEISF
28/04/2009 - £714
11/05/2009 - £749
21/09/2009 - £759
05/10/2009 - £699
Deposit £100 per person
All prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double-bedded room with private facilities
Surcharges
The Pound has recently fallen significantly in value against other European currencies and, in common with many other businesses, our prices now include an additional charge for all new bookings which has been introduced to cover these additional costs.
Supplements
* Single room £105
* Insurance
Travel Information
Flights are by scheduled services of British Airways Deaprting London Gatwick 1055 hrs Return arr. 1410 hrs All timings are approximate and may be subject to variation.
Fly From Your Local Airport
You can fly to your destination from the following airports at the supplement shown below (per person).
Heathrow £NIL
Manchester £NIL
Stansted £NIL
Regional Connecting Flights
If you can’t fly direct to your destination from your local airport we offer the choice to take a regional connecting flight to Heathrow or Gatwick from as little as £29 per person return. Fly from Aberdeen, Belfast, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle or Newquay. (From £29 for Worldwide holidays and from £69 for European holidays.)
Transfers
Transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approx. 1 hour 15 mins
Telephone Travelsphere on 0845 358 2368 now to reserve your space
STOP PRESS
Book any Travelsphere Holiday before 16th February 2009 and you could be one of five lucky winners of a GBP2,000 Travelsphere holiday voucher! Terms & Conditions apply
