Escape the Christmas routine this year with Ramblers Walking Holidays, who have a range of departures over the festive season for those looking for time away from the turkey and tinsel. With departures programmed so you can make the most of your annual leave as well as kick starting your new year fitness programme.
Destinations range from the mountainous Canary island of La Palma to the fabulous Moorish Trail in Morocco and Spain, or the tropical beauty of Costa Rica. Rewarding and memorable with hikes in pristine wilderness, discovering hidden away places and immersed in a different culture, they include plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Ideal for couples, friends and solo travellers alike, choose from one of the following, or from the selection of Christmas departures, on the website, and take Christmas completely in your own stride. Holidays are graded so clients can easily choose the level that suits their walking ability.
La Palma (Moderate, Grades 5 & 6)
Enjoy a winter sun week of walking in the Canaries, with two walks leaders and the choice of two different grade walks each day, exploring ancient green laurel forests, fragrant pine woods and dramatic volcanic landscapes on the mountainous island of La Palma. A green and beautiful island with a temperate climate, fabulous scenery and an impressive volcanic past, enjoy hikes along the dramatic Ruta de Los Volcanes and ascend to over 1800m to the Pico Bejenado rim for a bird’s eye view down into the vast caldera; through National Park of Caldera de Taburiente; parts of the long-distance Gran Recorrido footpath to the southern tip of the island with its lighthouse and salt-pans nature reserve; take time to enjoy an amble around 15th century capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma rich in picturesque streets, colourful architecture and waterfront cafés for soaking up the sun.
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays seven-night La Palma holiday starts from £925/person including return flights and airport transfers, half board en suite accommodation, two walks, two leaders, two grades and all local transport costs. Departs 20 December.
The Moorish Trail (grade 2, leisurely)
The Moorish Trail combines spectacular train journeys and walking in Morocco and Spain with two nights in Ronda exploring the sights and surrounding countryside on foot. Travelling by train from Marrakech to Madrid, it includes the scenic train journey known as Mr Henderson’s Railway from Algeciras to Ronda. Built by the British from 1890-1892 to enable their officers, as well as passengers on cruise ships bound for the East, to get away from Gibraltar’s heat, it climbs through the Andalucia’s hills and mountains to Ronda passing fields of wheat and sugar cane, forests of dwarf oak and cork, and numerous pretty white-washed Pueblos Blancos (villages) along the way. Following two nights in Ronda exploring the town and surrounding countryside, before boarding the train to Granada taking in lovely views of the mountains and further Pueblos Blancos along the way.
Ramblers Walking Holidays The Moorish Trail starts from £2055/person, including flights from Gatwick to Marrakechand returning from Madrid, airport transfers, en suite accommodation, breakfast, dinners at hotels and local restaurants, knowledgeable local guides, Alhambra Palace entrance ticket and all local travel and transfers including train and ferry. Departs 22 December.
Natural Costa Rica (moderate, Grade 4)
With more than a quarter of the country’s landscape protected and a variety of distinct climatic zones caused by high mountains separating its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Costa Rica’s forests are alive with a multitude of brilliantly coloured creatures. Combining walks, wildlife watching and travelling with a stay in the capital city San Jose, this 15-night holiday ventures down the Caribbean Coast though fragrant coffee and pineapple plantations to the tropical paradise of Rio Celeste, into the volcanic Rincon de la Vieja region, and beyond. Contrasting walks in tropical dry forest, past mud pools and sulphur springs, with densely vegetated trails through Monteverde Cloud Forest, wildlife rich Manuel Antonio National Park and tropical trails on the Pacific, its diversity and abundance is nothing but amazing. Accompanied by a highly trained and knowledgeable local guide throughout, a sure highlight of this trip is learning about about the flora, fauna and country whilst discovering it on foot.
Ramblers Walking Holidays Natural Costa Rica 15-night holiday starts from £2995/person including return flights and transfers, half board en-suite accommodation, all transport costs, services of a local naturalist guide and service of a leader. Departs 20 December.
For further information, contact Ramblers Walking Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk) or view the brochure here.
