Our email newsletters are a great way to keep abreast of the latest news and offers at Inntravel, and to learn more about the regions to which we offer holidays, be it gastronomic traditions or the most colourful and unusual festivals.
To get a feel for our email newsletters before subscribing, or to catch up on ones you have missed, click on the links below to read some of the most recent ones. Please note that, on the older ones, some of the offers and prices (where indicated) may now be out of date.
Not only here for the beer (May 2013)
For a country that is synonymous with beer, the wines on offer during my recent trip to the Czech region of South Moravia were something of a revelation! But while the accent here is certainly on grapes, there’s lots more besides: the scenery is terrific, especially on our memorable day’s circuit around the Pálava Hills from the beautiful old town of Mikulov; and the sense of history is palpable.
Porto – a city with everything? (May 2013)
Porto is a place where even the airport is a cut above the rest: passing through the terminals of Francisco de Sa Carneiro with gleaming efficiency, you can’t help but hop onto the new Metro system with a distinct spring in your step. And then there is São Bento railway station, exuding quality in an entirely different manner – its stunning entrance hall, adorned with the finest of trademark Portuguese azulejo tiles, offers the promise of memorable journeys to come.
The magic of South Tyrol (April 2013)
With 300 days of sunshine each year, there’s never a bad time to discover Italy’s South Tyrol. But to enjoy great walking amid arguably Europe’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery, late spring to early autumn is ideal. The jagged peaks of the Dolomites, rising above deep valleys and forested foothills, are truly breathtaking – burning with the golden light of early morning and tinged with luminescent pinks each evening, as the sun dips over the horizon.
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Closer than you think (April 2013)
Where can you go whale-watching, walk over lunar landscapes, swim with dolphins, watch cliff-diving, dine on dishes cooked in volcanoes and drink the only tea grown in Europe – all within reach of a surprisingly short flight from London? The answer is the Azores – a remarkable archipelago of spectacularly beautiful, emerald-like islands, set amid the deep blue waters of the Atlantic.
In search of Jemima (April 2013)
The search for the ‘new’ Jemima Morrell, Yorkshire diarist and adventurer, begins here… When tourism pioneer, Mr Thomas Cook, organised his first conducted tour of Switzerland in 1863 (150 years ago), 31-year old Jemima Morrell from Yorkshire was one of several Victorian ladies who leapt at the chance of exploring the Alps, describing her experiences in a fascinating diary. Now, as well as launching our own very special journey through the Swiss Alps to commemorate the event, we are helping Switzerland Tourism in their search for the modern-day Jemima.
Vote with your stomach (March 2013)
Why is it that a delicious and memorable meal enjoyed on holiday is never quite the same when we try to recreate it back home? And how come that bottle of local wine we bring back doesn’t taste nearly as good as it did on the hotel terrace in the sunshine? The mouthwatering Food and Travel magazine is canvassing for votes in order to decide the winners of its second annual awards, which celebrate the best of the best in the worlds of food, wine and travel, so why not cast your own vote?
A taste of west Sweden (March 2013)
Summer in Scandinavia is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets: we love the serene grandeur of Norway, and have recently extolled the virtues of cycling in Denmark, but now it’s time to turn the spotlight on another of our new destinations for 2013 – West Sweden. The beautiful Bohuslän coastline, stretching all the way to the Norwegian border, is an eye-pleasing confection of bright-blue sea and red-and-white fishing villages. Behind it, cocoa-coloured cliffs shelter mysterious Bronze Age rock carvings, while over 8,000 craggy islands crowd the coast.
Deliciously Danish (March 2013)
The Danes seem to have got it just right. Old-fashioned charm blends with forward-looking design in a country regularly topping the charts for quality of life. ‘Hygge’ might be untranslatable, but that could be because it’s so hard to emulate – that typically Danish sense of cosiness, camaraderie and contentment. Of course, if you’re into Scandinavian crime drama, then those dark depictions of Copenhagen will also stick in the mind, but whatever your mental image of the land that brought us Lego and Sarah Lund, Denmark is most definitely going places.
Carla’s Apennines (March 2013)
Carla Lenzi, Inntravel’s Italian ‘fixer’, gives us a taste of her home region, the Apennine Mountains of northern Italy. “My day begins at 7.30am, when Jack – my personal trainer – takes me for a walk. What do I love most about the area? Well, to start with, it offers some of the country’s best walking: our customers follow trails on the lower slopes of peaks rising to almost 2,000 metres, and I never get tired of the views!”
Ringing in spring (February 2013)
Have you heard of A Bell for Ursli, the delightfully illustrated children’s storybook with which every Swiss child is familiar? A little boy named Ursli must find a big cowbell so that he can lead the spring procession through his village. After spending a scary and lonely night at his family's chalet high in the mountains… well, we don’t want to tell you the rest, but we suspect that everything turns out OK in the end! The story is based around the charming tradition of Chandalamarz which takes place in the villages of the Engadine Valley on 1 March each year.
When is a cow not a cow? (February 2013)
You may have noticed that there’s been a bit of a furore in the news lately about certain foods not actually being all they appear to be. It just goes to show that if we want to be sure about the quality of our food, whether we’re cooking ourselves or eating out, we need to know where it’s produced. Now, this is nothing new – the Slow Food Movement has been promoting locally sourced food for years, mainly as a counter to fast food and all it entails.
Family fun in Catalonia (January 2013)
“The lower plain is a rural still life of ancient, ginger-coloured stone farmhouses and fertile, lime-green fields irrigated by a web of streams.” This is the Costa Brava, but perhaps not as you know it! And it is this beguiling corner of north-east Spain – the gently rolling landscape of the Empordà plain, and a delightfully unspoiled stretch of coastline – that we have chosen as the location for our new family cycling adventure, Bikes, Back-Roads & Beaches.
Tour de France (January 2013)
There’s been great excitement here in Yorkshire following the announcement of the UK stages which are set to begin the Tour de France in 2014. The world’s greatest cycling race will get rolling in Leeds, taking a glorious route through the Yorkshire Dales on its way to Harrogate. The riders then set off from York the next day to head through the brooding hills of Brontë country. Tour director Christian Prudhomme enthuses: “Yorkshire is a region of outstanding beauty, whose terrain offer both sprinters and attackers the opportunity to express themselves.”
Join the freedom trail – try cross-country skiing! (January 2013)
There’s certainly plenty of this white stuff around at the moment, with the Howardian Hills of North Yorkshire blanketed with snow outside our office window and more snowfall across the Alps making for some very enjoyable skiing conditions. One of our staff members – Tess Roebuck, from our IT department – is making the most of it. She explains: “I love days out in the hills, so this year I’ve decided to head to Fefor in Norway with a group of friends. It sounds like a paradise for cross-country skiers and a great place to learn.”
Simple things (January 2013)
A Slow holiday is all about doing things at the right pace – your pace. It’s spontaneous, exciting and all about discovery. Find delight in the smallest details – a view, a moment – and feel energised, revitalised and refreshed as you take to the local paths and trails, enjoying one-of-a-kind encounters you will never forget. With no groups to hold you up, or luggage to weigh you down, our carefully crafted holidays allow you to go just as you please.
New for 2013 (December 2012)
We always try to bring you some wonderful new destinations each year, and 2013 is no exception. You could be exploring the Palaces & Pathways of Sintra, west of Lisbon; walking between the two Italian Renaissance gems of Florence and Siena; or enjoying the serene and sublime scenery of Sweden’s West Coast. If you’re thinking of a cycling holiday, there are new routes to consider along the Wine Trails of South Moravia in the Czech Republic, and a meander along the delightful Danish Riviera north of Copenhagen.
Solar max (December 2012)
It’s great to see so many of our customers taking advantage of this year’s heightened solar activity to go in search of the Northern Lights. Lindsey Henderson from Aberdeen got in touch with us only last week following her trip to Tromsø, and said simply: “Great short break… guide Gunnar found the Northern Lights for us. Amazing!” Besides Tromsø, we offer Northern Lights breaks to Sollia, close to Norway’s border with Russia, and to Reykjavík, the Icelandic capital.
Escape to a rural hideaway (November 2012)
We’ve just put the finishing touches to our collection of self-catering properties for 2013, and you can now find all the details of our newly renamed ‘Rural Hideaways’ on our website. We’re pleased to add several new properties to our collection. These include the Atlantic Coast Apartments on Portugal’s Alentejo coast; Castle View Cottage in the dramatic Corbières in south-west France; Enchantment Cottage on Italy’s scintillating Amalfi Coast; and the charming Wise Owl Apartments in northern Tuscany. The choice is yours…
The quiet side of the mountain (November 2012)
A winter holiday doesn’t have to mean busy bars and packed slopes. There are two sides to every mountain – and while you could just follow the crowds, why not explore Europe’s snow-covered scenery in your own way? If it’s skiing you’re after, then we offer the best of both varieties: fabulous cross-country trails through pristine snow-covered scenery, and downhill skiing as it is meant to be – relaxed and carefree. But there’s more to snow than skis, of course. Follow snowshoe trails, ‘mush’ with huskies, or go in search of the Northern Lights...
Cake anyone? (October 2012)
What could be better, after an exhilarating day in the snow, than emerging, rosy-cheeked, into a warm and cosy lounge, the scent of freshly baked cakes in the air, and aromatic teas, cinnamon-tinged Glühwein or hot chocolate – served with Schlagobers (whipped cream) – on the side?
Choose from one of our hand-picked hotels in Austria – the elegant, familiy-run Hotel Wiesenhof in Pertisau; the highly praised Hotel Inntaler Hof in Mösern; or the well-appointed, chalet-style Hotel Matschner in Ramsau.
New Year Revelry (October 2012)
So many ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve, yet only one night to do it! Do you go for revelry in a vibrant city, the sophistication of a highly gastronomic experience, or low-key village celebrations with tasty regional cuisine? For big-city style, you can take your pick from Seville, Florence, Bologna and more. If you prefer the idea of leisurely walking from a traditional rural village, head for southern Spain, Tenerife or the verdant island of Madeira.
Glögg & Glühwein (September 2012)
The excitement and sense of anticipation is palpable as you walk along the fabulous Lane of Light, a dazzling three-kilometre thread of brightly coloured Christmas Lights that lead you from the port of Gothenburg to the city’s magical Christmas market, the biggest in Sweden. Throughout November and December, the entire city is in Christmas mood, its decorated streets brimming with traditional stalls laden with festive goods and tempting gift ideas.
The incredible beauty of the aurora borealis (September 2012)
The fleeting, shimmering appearance of the elusive Northern Lights is a cyclical scientific phenomenon – and this winter NASA is confidently predicting a 'Solar Max', when the lights will be at their most dramatic for many years. For the best chance to witness what is a magical natural display of heavenly pyrotechnics, you need to travel north and take a trip out into the inky black night sky – and wait... and wait... until your patience is hopefully rewarded with one of the most remarkable sights you will ever see.
Savour the Indian south (September 2012)
The intoxicating aroma of exotic spices, mingled with the more subtle fragrance of colourful flowers wafting on the warm breeze; ostentatiously plumed birds flitting amongst the impossibly green riverside foliage; brightly dressed villagers smiling and chattering as they go about their daily lives beneath an ever-present clear blue sky. This is southern India. Be prepared for sensory overload.
Cyprus’ mythical beauty (August 2012)
Explore Cyprus and you will discover a captivating island, its inland scenery every bit as alluring as its renowned coastal beauty. That the gods Aphrodite and Apollo made their home here will come as little surprise – this is a bounteous land whose people enjoy an enviable lifestyle. Walk into the Troodos Mountains, whose rugged valleys’ only sounds are tinkling goat bells and the occasional rushing waterfall, wander through terraced foothills of olive groves and fruit orchards, or follow well-marked footpaths along the herb-scented Akamas Peninsula.
Unsung food heroes (August 2012)
Behind every great meal, and the stove on which it was created, stands a passionate cook. Perhaps not a decorated or renowned chef, but ordinary people who express their extraordinary talents and creativity in the kitchen. So, in the spirit of Rick Stein’s well-known Food Heroes series, on which he set out to acknowledge – and fully appreciate – those little-known producers who were, in his opinion, behind some of the tastiest recipes, we’ve pulled together a small selection of our own Inntravel food heroes.
Shush...sh...sh... (August 2012)
…the sound of snow on the ‘quiet side of the mountain’. Granted, it’s an odd time to think about snow, but with attention on a certain sporting event in London Town, we thought you might benefit from a sneaky peek at our snow holidays for this coming winter, before brochures arrive at the beginning of September. This is your chance to get in first: take a look at the wide range of activities and experiences that you can enjoy, and make sure you secure your dates and destination of choice…
Tour de force (July 2012)
Britain’s contribution to France’s greatest annual sporting event was something of a tour de force this time around. With three stage wins for Mark Cavendish, two for Bradley Wiggins and one apiece for Chris Froome and Scotland’s David Millar – plus the overall winner’s yellow jersey for Wiggins – this truly was a year for us Brits to savour. With the Olympics now underway and yet more British success on the horizon, why not let us help you create your own two-wheeled adventure across the Channel – albeit at a much gentler pace?
Don’t miss the boat! (July 2012)
Norway has long been one of our favourite destinations and on our 14-night Norwegian Highlights you embark upon a thrilling journey by boat and train which takes in the incredible landscapes of the dramatic Lofoten Islands; swathes of fjord-indented coastline; the mountains, rivers and waterfalls of the central highlands; and Oslo, the country’s fascinating capital. However, with a journey on board the famous Hurtigruten coastal steamer included, you need to book well in advance; for next year, that means very soon!
Welcome to Suffolk (July 2012)
It’s one of the most rural counties in England (more pigs than people, so they say), and boasts the driest climate, too (yes, even this year!), making it a great destination for a leisurely long weekend walk. And one packed with interest, too. Following the gently meandering River Waveney on our Secret Suffolk walking break, you can explore pretty villages of thatched cottages, visit ancient castles, and, with luck, spot wildlife such as water voles, kingfishers and coots.
Follow sunny trails (July 2012)
Yannick and Jacqueline run Kasbah Tamdif, a delightful ‘eco-lodge’ in the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Their ideals mirror perfectly our own philosophy of Slow Holidays, which is why we’re thrilled to welcome them into the Inntravel fold as our newest Moroccan walking holiday. Much more than just a hotel, this romantic rural idyll provides a stylish-yet-informal atmosphere in which to relax beneath a magnificent backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Top holidays by rail (June 2012)
Given the choice, we prefer taking the train to our holiday destinations. Yes, we like to think we might lessen our impact on the environment but, frankly, we find it is so much more relaxing to travel by rail and to arrive at our journey’s end in the right frame of mind. Even from the north of England, it is worth contemplating. On a number of occasions we have returned from southern France, having left at reasonable o’clock in the morning from a conveniently located TGV station, enjoyed a good lunch at Lille, and arrived in York in time for an evening meal.
Festival season is here (May 2012)
If you are travelling in Europe throughout the summer or into autumn, you may be fortunate enough to come across a lively, colourful festival taking place near you. You may even have planned your trip to coincide with a particular local celebration, whether it's the return of the cows to the high pasture in the Bernese Oberland, a veritable feast of artistic talent on display in Spoleto, Umbria – or the Ryedale Festival here in Yorkshire, on the fringes of the glorious North York Moors.
A refreshing change (May 2012)
The famous Jungfrau railway celebrates 100 years in 2012 and is still one of the greatest railway engineering feats in the world. It's one of those journeys that most people add to their lifetime 'must-do' list and, if you embark upon our thrilling Grand Tour of Switzerland, you'll get the chance to do just that. Climbing through the very heart of the Eiger, you reach an incredible viewpoint with panoramas over the Alpine peaks and glaciers. Breath-taking, in every sense of the word!
A Cotswolds Treat (May 2012)
If you love a good pudding, then there is only one place to be: the Three Ways House Hotel in the pretty village of Mickleton, home to the original Pudding Club, established in 1985 as a way of celebrating (and preventing the demise of) the traditional British Pud. You have two nights here on our new walking break, A Cotswolds Treat, and, if your stay includes a Friday night, you can choose to participate in a highly entertaining Pudding Club dinner, when seven traditional puddings are ceremoniously paraded into the dining room.
Intoxicating India (May 2012)
When it comes to our holidays to India, we’re hopelessly biased. We think they’re amazing, unique and utterly unforgettable. So, rather than try to influence you with our partisan views, why don’t you hear what our customers have to say?