Active holidays for active people in EUROPE CLICK-HERE: WHAT'S NEW FOR 2008 DATES, PRICES, TRIP DOSSIERS FOR ALL OUR EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS

Click here to order your copy of our latest brochures now CASTELLARE di TONDA, ITALY - Fully self-contained Tuscan Farmhouse Estate Apartments now available - easy access to Pisa, Florence or Siena - with pools, a restaurant & room to move..... great value too!       ... more   SHERPA EXPEDITIONS  NEW 2008 brochure now available - our most popular holiday program, Sherpa's 'Expeditions' offers mountain holidays for walkers first and foremost, so the integrity of the trails is of prime importance. These holidays range from gentle inn-to-inn 'Vineyard Trails' in the most popular winegrowing regions of France or Italy to challenging treks staying in a refuge or camping on a circuit of Mont Blanc, the Bernese Oberland and the Wildstrubel Circuit in the Swiss Alps.  Also in Europe we offer active holidays in Ireland, Norway, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus & Greece. Ask about Sherpa's 'Walkers Britain' program which includes the popular 'Wainwright's Coast to Coast', the 'West Highland Way' in Scotland, the Dorset Coast and many more dsetinations across Britain and Ireland. Sherpa's 'Expeditions' also offer escorted walks and guided mountain expeditions to the world's great mountain ranges - including the Himalayas of India or Nepal; the Andes of Peru, Chile, Bolivia & Argentina in South America; the wild mountains of Morocco, Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro in Africa and the Taurus Mountains or Lycian coast of Turkey. For the cyclists, we offer self-guided  Sherpa 'Cycling in Europe' routes from inn-to-inn in France, Italy, Ireland, England and across Europe.  Why not call us for a brochure today on 1800 331 582 or click here to request a copy HF HOLIDAYS UK & EUROPE ONE-HOTEL WALKS For many years one walking holiday operator – providing one-hotel or centre-based walks - has maintained a very high standard of accommodation & walking & a huge number of repeat customers. Outdoor Travel are their recommended booking agent for all Australian reservations. Our 8-day Classic Walking holidays are all about choice. Country walking is a great way to meet new friends on your holiday and the chance to walk at a pace to suit you when you choose from up to three daily guided walks makes it all the more enjoyable. The easier guided walk on our Classic Walking holidays offers around three hours walking, typically finishing just after lunch, which means you can return to your Country House hotel and just relax, stroll on the beach or make time to visit local sights during the afternoon. Having the capacity to offer different levels of walking each day is ideal for couples or friends of differing abilities and interests. There is also the option for anyone who wants to enjoy a walk on some days of their holiday or isn't sure if they want to walk all day. Singles enjoy the opportunity to meet other walkers without being penalised with high supplements on many walks. Prices start from just AU$1490 for seven nights, including all meals, en suite Country House hotel accommodation and guided walks. Destinations in the UK include the Lake District, Glen Coe in the Western Highlands, Snowdonia or Beacon Beacons in Wales, the Cotswolds of William Shakespeare, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Cornish Coast & Channel Islands. A popular walk is the one or 2-week Coast to Coast walk in Northern England. Destinations in Europe include Spain & Portugal, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre , Tuscany & Umbria in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, the Austrian Alps, Switzerland, Bavaria in Germany plus a host of centres in France such as Provence, Loire Valley, Dordogne, the Alps or Pyrenees Other international destinations include USA, Canadian Rockies, Kenya, Turkey. Morocco, South America or India Ask for a more details today – call 1800 331 582 FOOTLOOSE & FREEWHEELING IN EUROPE Hotel based self-guided walking or cycling or small group walking tours along continuous routes through the most beautiful and interesting parts of Europe. Journeys offer small group walking tours with comfortable accommodation - full of character, good food and local wine (including celebrated picnic lunches), experienced tour managers, Mercedes support vehicle and daily luggage transfers.  Destinationms include Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece & Austria. Popular Journeys routes include 'Path to Rome' in Italy, 'Camino de Santiago' in Spain, 'Paths of the Pindos' in Greece or the 'Lycian Way' in Turkey.  Discovery tours this year include cooking in Tuscany, Garden retreats in Rome, the Lakes & gorges of the Jura in France and Landscapes of Provence. Many Discovery tours have a particular focus or theme, such as cooking, flowers, gardens or music yet these are still walking holidays and the style remains informal and relaxed.  A high standard of accommodation, fexibility and support is an important feature of these tours.  Destinations include Bhutan, Jordan, Zambia and India as well as the more popular locations in Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Turkey. Footloose & Freewheeling offers hotel-to-hotel itineraries on a daily departure basis.  They are for independent travellers on foot or by bicycle through the most beautiful and interesting parts of Italy such as Tuscany, Umbria, Amalfi or the Cinque Terre; in Provence, Cevennes or Dordogne in France and in the Pyrenean foothills of Norther Spain.  Regional route managers offer full briefings, suggestions as to restaurants and cultural activities and arrange daily baggage transfers. Click here to request full itinerary details as these tours are not in a brochure.

LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY.......   We can offer you something in Europe - all year round - we keep regular status reports for all our tours and pride ourselves on being able to find something to suit everyone's plans - both group guided and independent walking or cycling holidays.   Call Outdoor Travel to check avalability on 1800 331 582 - Winter Spring Summer Autumn...... CAMINO De SANTIAGO - THE WAY OF ST JAMES 2008 Walking or Cycling the Pilgrim's Way in France And Spain The Camino de Santiago or Way Of Saint James - the pilgrimage route to the shrine of the disciple James at Santiago de Compostela on the northwest tip of Spain - has attracted pilgrims from across Europe on foot, by bike or on horseback since the 12th century. Outdoor Travel are delighted to release our new walking or cycling holiday brochure on the Camino De Santiago designed to encourage independent walkers or small groups of walkers or cyclists to experience the same route as the medieval travellers on the most unspoilt sections of the route. Costs start from just $855 per person for 6 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast and most dinners plus daily baggage transfers. Small Group walks depart on set dates travelling through the best sections of the route in Spain with the best of accommodation and meals.  Groups are escorted with a support vehicle and English speaking guides. Our small group cycle tours depart on set dates travelling through the best sections of the route in Spain with a selection of accommodation and meals, a support vehicle and English speaking guides.  7-day easy to moderate grade tours depart every Sunday from Madrid from just $2645 per person. Departing daily on demand - with no minimum numbers - our self-guided inn to inn walking tours are arranged staying in 1 or 2-star hotels (with your baggage transferred ahead each day).  Walkers can take one, two or more week sections (up to a total of 11-weeks) of mostly easy to moderate walking with full route descriptions, maps and emergency support.  Itineraries begin from Le Puy in central France, travel south to the Pyrenees and along the northern plains of Spain to Santiago de Compostela on the road to Compostela.  The self-guided journey follows an infinitely varied succession of paths and trails that link cities and villages, great cathedrals, fine churches and ancient monuments.  Walkers travel through wooded valleys of oak and beech in central France, cross the Pyrenees and the great Navarre plains, see the Montes de Leon, the vineyards of Rioja and the Bierzo, before reaching the fertile valleys of Galicia. FRANCE - Our self-guided Inn-to-Inn walks available daily on demand from:      LE PUY to NASBINALS - 7 days / 6 nights (5 days walking in France)     NASBINALS to CONQUES - 7 days / 6 nights (5 days walking in France)     CONQUES to CAHORS - 8 days / 7 nights (6 days of walking in France)     CAHORS to LECTOURE - 7 days / 6 nights (5 days of walking in France)     LECTOURE to AIRE-SUR-ADOUR - 8 days / 7 nights (6 days of walking in France)     AIRE-SUR-ADOUR to ST JEAN PIED DE PORT - 8 days / 7 nights (6 days walking in France) SPAIN - Our self-guided Inn-to-Inn walks are available daily on demand from:     ST JEAN PIED DE PORT to LOGRONO - 8 days / 7 nights (6 days of walking from France into Spain)     LOGRONO to BURGOS - 7 days / 6 nights (5 days of walking in Spain)     BURGOS to LEON - 8 days / 7 nights (7 days of walking in Spain)     SARRIA to SANTIAGO - 7 days / 6 nights (Last 100km walking into Santiago De Compostela) in Spain     LEON to SANTIAGO - 14 days / 13 nights (12 days of walking in Spain) Self-guided departures are DAILY from 1st May to 30th October 2008 Costs:  From $855 per person (twin share) for 7-days / 6-nights half-board with luggage transfers & maps Walking grades on self-guided walks:    Varies according to sector from easy to challenging Contact us today for more detailed itineraries, brochures and reservations on 1800 331 582 or see 'What's New' for the latest dates and prices. Click here to order a copy of this brochure FRANCE - CENTRE BASED SMALL GROUP WALKING HOLIDAYS Our centre-based La Decouverte guided walking program in France offers a unique concept that is ideal for singles, couples or a group of friends looking to explore on foot the magnificent countryside of the Auvergne and Massif Central just an hour or so from Lyon. The hotels we use are maintained for the exclusive use of their walking guests, who want to spend a walking holiday in a relaxed small village country hotel environment. At each hotel, two grades of walk are offered each day; 'Tranquille' (Grade 1) and 'Sportif' (Grade 2). Led by knowledgeable and enthusiastic members of the English-speaking La Decouverte team.  Both groups meet for a picnic lunch. Each centre has its own minibus which provides all the transport required. There are guided walks each day and a rest day where you can explore on your own, visit the local markets & villages or just relax by the hotel's heated pool. Our most popular hotel at Saint Bonnet is a restored former nunnery now a comfortable 2-star hotel - all rooms have ensuites -situated in a very quiet corner in the foothills of the French Massif Central, 60km south of Lyon via Le Puy en Velay. It has a shady garden, a swimming pool, walkers lounge and glorious views over the Doux Valley.  Departs every Sunday from May to October great value from just AU$1090 per person per week including all meals (full board). Click here to for more information CYCLING HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE Small group Inn-to-Inn cycling holidays Join a like-minded group of cyclists on these hotel based easy to moderate grade cycling holidays in the most popular regions of France - see Provence, the Dordogne, the wine regions of Bordeaux, the Loire Valley and Burgundy.  8 days, fully inclusive of meals, hotel accommodation, guides and bike hire.  Why France?  Well its a great place to cycle, the countryside and hospitality is extraordinary, the French love cycling and they show so much respect on the road for cyclists!  Regular departures from May to October - Click here to ask for a brochure today. THE WALKING SAFARI COMPANY..... Small groups travelling with a Donkey These holidays provide an informal and relaxed look at some of the most beautiful and remote corners of Portugal and Spain. They have been created and are run by three husband-and-wife teams, Hugh and Jane Arbuthnott in Andalucia & Adam Hopkins and Gaby Macphedran in Extremadura. All have their homes in situ and with the help of locals they have unearthed places to visit, which would otherwise be impossible to find. They take great care to present food typical of the best of what is eaten locally and the same attention is given to the quality and variety of wine, mostly local when available but also selected from regions throughout Portugal and Spain. Whether in the hubbub of a market square in France or the solitude of a mountainous Spanish sierra, comfort is a high priority, but not in soulless hotels. Places to stay have been found which have charm and character and are often totally private. THESE WALKING HOLIDAYS are journeys of discovery through valleys and villages, stopping for a night or two before moving on towards your eventual goal. They are for groups of no more than 15 people, who need not be energetic walkers but who like the idea of taking exercise in some of the most beautiful country imaginable. What makes the walks unique is the participation of locals, such as the muleteer, whose noble and sturdy beasts carry your daytime belongings and essential refreshments, such as ice-chilled Fino. Delicious homemade picnics are a great feature of these walks and always include local delicacies and wine. Themed Walking holidays: THE BATTLEFIELD TOURS are historical excursions in Spain and Portugal, which include some optional walking. The tour leaders will guide you through the battles and manoeuvres of the Peninsular War (1808-1813). PAINTING IN SPAIN takes place at Almuna in Andalucia (home of Hugh and Jane Arbuthnott), where both the beginner and the more experienced painter can practice and learn with expert tuition, enjoying all the pleasures and comforts of this glorious setting. Non-painters are equally welcome to take an alternative programme of walking and riding, golf and tennis, or visits to historical citie and sherry bodegas. HOUSE PARTIES AT ALMUNA Bring your own party to this spectacularly situated home in the hills of Andalucia to be looked after exclusively by Hugh and Jane. Spend time walking, riding, sightseeing, playing golf, or just relaxing. Click here to request a brochure SMALL GROUP WALKING HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE This is the best you could possibly want from a walking holiday.  Not too much effort, gently ambling with pack animals in an undiscovered part of France just south of the famous Dordogne valley.   The area is called the Quercy and is an ancient region of France given to Henri d’Anjou by Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, two years before he became Henry II, King of England.  It is an area that has little changed since and hence is of outstanding beauty, historical interest and full of delicious cheeses and wonderful wines. Jamie and Diana Tamlyn are English and have an affinity with the history and gastronomy of the area.  They are the perfect hosts mixing humour with fact, food and wine.  They genuinely love the romance of France and have lived in the Quercy for fifteen years. These are gentle walks through beautiful landscape and not rigorous in the slightest.  The paths have been very carefully chosen to give you the best of the countryside with just enough physical stress and much enjoyment along the way.  Picnics take place in verdant pastures with safari chairs and rugs and cushions for those wishing to take an al fresco siesta. And there is always time for a siesta.  The food has been carefully cooked by Diana the very morning of the picnics and so is wonderfully fresh.  The wines are carefully chosen from Jamie’s cellar.   You could walk between 15 to 18 kilometres a day but at lunch you would have the option to take the afternoon off in the beautiful setting of your auberge/hotel.  These small charming hotels are all chosen with care.  All have swimming pools and facilities en suite and just enough bedrooms for our groups of twelve or fourteen people. The south west of France is where it is all happening in the wine world..  The big screen documentary ‘Mondovino’ took much of its argument from this area and Andrew Jefford and Paul Strang have written books revealing the outstanding diversity and quality of the winemaking in this part of France.  Treading the Grape therefore explores five different appellations, tasting and talking to wine makers at their domaines and it includes a wine tasting and discussion lunch with Master of Wine, Minette Constant MW. An alternative theme week is on the gastronomy of the area and includes days with chefs and hands-on cooking in an eighteenth century chateau.  This is a hugely enjoyable week getting to know the secrets of French cuisine in what is regarded as being the gastronomic heart of France. Click here to request a brochure   IRELAND - WALKING OR CYCLING HOLIDAYS Ireland's naturally beautiful scenery, uncrowded lush green hills, its rugged coastline, ancient culture and fascinating history PLUS the local people's genuine hospitality, the traditional pubs and the relaxed pace of life make Ireland the perfect place for an walking or cycling holiday. We offer both guided and self-guided walking or cycling in Ireland.  Explore the Kerry or Dingle Peninsulas, majestic Country Wicklow (as seen on 'Great Outdoors') or perhaps our new destinations around Donegal, Beara or the spectacular Giant's causeway in the North of Ireland.  Also new is our CELTIC KERRY tour, a combination or leisurely walking plus sightseeing and an insight into traditional culture and crafts based on the Ring of Kerry on Ireland's rugged but spectacular West Coast. We offer hotel or traditional B&B accommodation - all with private bathrooms, with traditional Irish breakfasts and a range of easy to moderate routes.  Centre-based, multi-centre of inn-to-inn tours are available along the West Coast including the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry.  Departures are from April to October each year.   Click here to request more information >> Back to Top  >> MICHELIN GUIDES:   One of the most respected information sources available. Log onto their site and check out their comprehensive city-to-city and within-a-city travel planner: ITINERARY PLANNER OUR EUROPEAN TRAVEL LINKS:   Currency Conversion: XE.com - get up to date exchange rates before you leave for the country you are visiting. Rates are updated once every minute. Discount Airlines - click-on these links to connect with a range of popular UK to Europe  discount airlines There are a plethora of new discount airlines operating intercity routes across Europe  – here are just a few low-cost airlines for you to consider (direct bookings only) courtesy of Wikipedia. Outdoor Travel has no relationship with any of these airlines & we take no responsibility for their services, accuracy or the airlines fitness to operate. We recommend you read clearly any conditions they impose & advise that you carefully watch for schedule changes: Aegean Airlines Flights within Greece and Greece to Western Europe Aer Arann Flights within Ireland and from Ireland to England, Scotland  Air 2000 Flights between England (Manchester) and Portugal, Spain  Air Baltic Flights between Riga (Latvia), Vilnius (Lithuania) and Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine Air Berlin Flights within Germany and from Germany (Berlin) to Austria, Cyprus, Egypt, England, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey Air Finland Flights within Finland (Helsinki) and from Finland to France, Italy, Spain Aer Lingus: operate to and from the Republic of Ireland. 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Jet2 Flights between England (Leeds-Bradford) and France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain  Lauda Air: out of Austria to many European destinations. LTU Flights from Germany to most European countries Meridiana Flights within Italy (Florence) and from Italy to England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain Monarch Airlines Flights between England (London-Luton) and Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain My Travel Lite Flights between England and France, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland MyAir - My Way Airlines Flights within Italy and between Italy and France, Romania and Spain Niki: operates out of Austria to many European destinations. Nordic Airlink Flights between Sweden (Stockholm) and Norway Norwegian Air Shuttle Flights within Norway and from Norway to England, Portugal, Spain Onur Air: operates a Turkish domestic network. Pegasus Airlines Flights within Turkey and Turkey to Germany and v.v. Ryanair Flights between England (London-Stansted) and Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden S7 Russia – Flights within Russia & connecting to Europe Scandjet Flights between Sweden and Bosnia, Croatia SkyEurope Flights between Slovakia (Bratislava) and Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland  Smart Wings Flights between Czech Republic (Prague) and Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland Snalskjutsen Flights within Sweden and from Sweden to France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland SnowFlake Airlines Flights from Denmark (Copenhagen) and Sweden (home base Stockholm) to Czech Rep., France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Turkey  Sterling Flights between Denmark (Copenhagen) and France, Greece, Italy, Madeira, Norway, Spain, Sweden Sun Express Flights between Turkey (Antalya) and Austria, Germany, Switzerland  ThomsonFly Flights between England (Coventry) and France, Italy, Jersey, Spain Transavia Flights between Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden Virgin Express Flights between Belgium (Brussels) and Denmark, England, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland VLM Airlines Flights between Belgium and England, Germany, Guernsey, Italy, Jersey, Luxembourg and Netherlands Vueling Airlines Flights within Spain and from Spain to Brussels, Paris Windjet Vola Flights within Italy (Sicily) Wizz Air Flights from Hungary (Budapest) and Poland (Katowice) to Czech Rep., England, France, Greece, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden   UK & European Railway & Bus Information: Qjump: - timetable & price information for UK travel British Railway Timetables - just key in the train times you need. Swiss Railway Timetables  - schedules available for all of Europe Eurostar Train times & Fares - via the Channel Tunnel. UK Bus Information:  - coach services throughout the UK. Other Travel Services - see also Links Travel Books : Amazon Books - first for travel books. Travel insurance:  Book your SURESAVE travel insurance CLICK-ON: WHAT'S NEW FOR THE LATEST ACTIVE HOLIDAY IDEAS IN EUROPE

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