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Portugal & its Islands

Algarve, Douro, Azores, Madeira

Algarve's quiet coastlineSecret Algarve

Grade 2 • 7 nights • discover secret corners of Algarve • contrast of hills & coast

Walking in the unspoiled regions of Algarve is to discover another, more beautiful face of this popular region, away from the crowds. Warmed by the southern sunshine, you follow trails in the panoramic, wooded hills of the Monchique Sierra, and then descend to some of the finest coastal paths of the Iberian Peninsula, passing sandy bays as you head to Cape São Vicente, the very edge of Europe. A strong sense of history pervades the region, with crumbling forts and tales of famous wayfarers.
For autumn, late winter & spring. Available 9 February-14 June & 13 September-31 October 2008


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Algarve's Coast & Hills

Walking discovery • 7 nights at a highly praised hotel • walk & explore with a hire car • special flower weeks

This wild and beautiful side of Algarve reveals itself to be a land of orange tree groves, of February almond blossom that carpets the hillsides like snow, and a pervading sense of history with ancient forts and tales of famous wayfarers. The highly praised Quinta das Achadas sits in the heart of Algarve, well positioned for exploring both westwards along the unspoiled coastline nearby and into the hills of the little-known interior using our suggested walking routes. Special flower weeks are available in March and April – we provide detailed notes, a flower guide and a specially compiled CD.
For autumn, winter & spring. Available 29 September-15 December 2007 & 12 January-30 April 2008


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Valley of Gold

Grade 2 • 7 nights • rugged walking in richly coloured landscape • stay in Porto

It comes as a real delight to discover what great walking and a wonderful insight into rural Portugal the Douro Valley offers. Paths wind across a colourful, undulating patchwork of olive groves, immaculate vineyards, cork-oak woods, seemingly forgotten villages and rugged hill-tops. To set the scene, you begin with a night in Porto, friendly capital of the port-wine trade, before exploring the timeless landscapes where the wine originates, thus also showing the great contrast between the bustle of the historic sea port and the slow, traditional ways of life upriver.
For spring, summer & autumn. Available 5 April-5 July & 6 September-31 October 2008.
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The Azores

Grade 2 discovery • 7 or 14 nights • walking & discovery on one or more islands • whale-watching excursion included

The Azores are a revelation, a quite extraordinary archipelago set in the mid-Atlantic and untouched by mass tourism. The fusion of volcanic mountain scenery and vivid green landscapes makes the islands quite unique in feel, and culturally, too, the mix is fascinating – striking Baroque churches built by the pioneers, bustling ports, great religious festivals… Walking is the best way to truly discover these lush, volcanic landscapes, and we have discovered splendid routes and paths on several islands.
For summer. Available 3 May-20 September 2008.
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Madeira's colourful flowersWaterways & Flowers of Madeira

Grade 2 • 7 nights • high-quality accommodation • thrilling walks alongside the levadas • colourful plantlife

Carved into the steep slopes, Madeira's miles of levadas (water channels) invite you on a discovery of lush green – and very dramatic – landscapes. With these as your guide, you can put your map away and appreciate the views and the flowers bordering the paths to the full. No two days (or two levadas) are the same, and, as you walk westwards from the rolling green hills in the east, you explore scented forests, vineyards and terraced slopes, staying in high-quality accommodation.
For autumn, winter, spring & summer. Available 9 February-31 October 2008.
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> Travel diary
> Photo diary
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Porto da Cruz, MadeiraMadeira's Wild North

Grade 2-3 • 7 nights • dramatic scenery, breathtaking views • see rare laurisilva forests

On an island that is famed for its rich plant life and striking landscapes, Madeira’s north-east corner is particularly luxuriant and dramatic. Here, swathes of laurisilva forest, a relict of the Tertiary period, shelter many endemic species of flowers, and deep ravines plunge down towards the coast, where tall cliffs tower above the Atlantic. With such impressive and varied scenery, the views as you walk are astonishing at every turn.
For autumn, spring & summer. Available 1 March-31 October 2008.
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