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We'll be staying in La Plagne 1800 in the French Alps, choosing this resort for its good snow record and because it has plenty of runs for all abilities - including good off-piste. We will be staying in Silver Ski chalet Jasmine, which is very close to both the main chair lift and the 1800 ski school (with English speaking instructors). We can also ski to the door at the end of the day - before or after sampling the après ski! With 24 of us there'll be plenty of good company to attend ski school with if this is your first skiing holiday, or to ski with in smaller groups on whichever runs you prefer. For lunch, we can meet at one of the sunny piste-side restaurants before heading off for more skiing in the afternoon. Diana & Rachel will be on this holiday too, and as usual, all women are welcome! Silver Ski is a small friendly chalet company, with a reputation for the quality of its staff. The bedrooms are all ensuite, and vary in size to sleep either 2 or 3 women (with a price reduction if 3-bedded). No single supplements possible as the price would be prohibitive! Free basic insurance is included - see below for details.

Booking conditions
Contrary to all other WW holidays, there is an initial deposit of £100. Balance to be paid by 8 weeks before departure as usual.

Holiday price
Click on the buttons below for more details of the resort, accommodation, and free insurance.

• either in shared ensuite twins: £559
• or in 3-bedded ensuite room: 519
  (larger room with 2 singles & 1 bunk per room - one half of the bunk will not be in use)

Extras not included: paid for in Euro or by credit card during transfer to resort, or at the resort.
La Plagne lift pass for whole valley (& 1 day if desired in Val D'Isere or Les Arcs) £105
Ski school lessons - 6 full days: £91
Or, combined Ski school/lift pass package (if available again this year when resort opens): £160
Ski/ski boot hire: £45 & £25 respectively

You can book online - or phone us on: 01926 313321

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This Easter holiday is based in Bergolo, a small hill top village in the beautiful, friendly, Alte Lange region of Piedmont in Northern Italy. Spring here is warm without being hot, with clear views, a profusion of wild flowers on the hillsides, and nightingales in the trees. There are lots of wonderful walks we can do from our base at Bergolo's charming youth hostel (which we'll have to ourselves, and it sleeps 30 in 2 or 3 bedded rooms): low or high intermediate walks with Sue and Diana, gentle photography walks with Emma for all levels of experience, or fascinating natural history walks with Madeline (also gentle). There are ridge walks with stunning views to each side, perhaps stopping to visit a frescoed church, or to buy sheep's cheese from a local farm. Or there are valley walks through vineyards and dappled hazel nut groves, stopping for lunch by the river and maybe even a swim. Towards the end of the week, there can be an extra trip to the Monte Beigua National Park where we'll walk looking down on the Mediterranean Sea (cost of Monte Beigua trip: £8). We'll eat at the hostel, except for 3 evenings when we'll go out to sample what else the village has to offer - the best speciality restaurant in the area, or great pizzas & lovely salads (from £6, not included). Some singles available, suppl: £7 a night.

See Piedmont holiday at the end of May 2001?
Or again in September 2001?

Holiday price
Click on the buttons below for more details of the grade, accommodation, and your guide.

You can book online - or phone us on: 01926 313321

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The walking in Madeira is hugely varied. There are stunning sub-tropical wooded valleys where water channels or levadas contour the valley sides and we can walk beside them as far as we wish. Higher up are old volcanic mountains usually in the sun above the clouds: stark peaks where yellow gorse and purple orchids grow, dramatic views, and hardly any one walking there! Then there's the coastline: rock pools rather than beaches, or huge cliffs and a dramatic indented coastline. The climate is warm and temperate - perfect for walking, and April is the best time for flowers! We will sample the best of these different walks, which will average out as intermediate in height or length (6-8 miles). Many of these walks require a head for heights as there are drops off to the side of the path. Have a look at the 2001 Madeira holiday to gain an idea of the paths and scenery (see below).

For the first 2 nights, we'll stay in comfortable family-run Hotel La Barca in Machico for easy access to walks in the east of the island. Then we move to some amazing round 'cabanas' overlooking the north coast near Santana. On the 5th day we'll walk along the stunning Pico Ruivo ridge path to Encumeada, and stay for our last 2 nights on the south coast at Hotel Sao Bento in Ribera Brava (which has a swimming pool!). The accommodation is comfortable, ensuite, with a single supplement of £10 a night.

See Madeira holiday in 2001?

Holiday price
Click on the buttons below for more details of the grade, accommodation, and your guide.

You can book online - or phone us on: 01926 313321

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This is the first of 2 opportunities to spend a relaxed week in Crete, exploring some of the gorges and coast paths in the south and southwest of this stunning island. May is the best month to walk near the coast - when the sun is not too hot and the island is still green with many beautiful flowers and aromatic herbs. We'll be staying in simple ensuite rooms at Polirizos beach near Rothakino on the south coast - a tiny un-spoilt hamlet beside a cove with a few tavernas, a tiny hotel, and Oasis Rooms run by Maria and Christina. From here we can visit the stunning gorges of Imbros and famous Samaria, and walk beautiful coastal paths above the emerald sea - stopping for a dip when we please! For the Samarian Gorge we'll take a bus and taxis via Hania, starting our descent later than most so that we have its amazing scenery almost completely to ourselves. And we'll be in no hurry since we'll stop for the night at the bottom of the gorge - at Agia Roumeli's Hotel Tara - and walk back along the coast via Loutro the next day. On other days we'll walk from our door, or take taxis to Imbros or Preveli's 'palm beach'. There'll also be a day off from walking to enjoy the beautiful beach around the headland - where you can swim as topless or bottomless as you wish!

Maria and Christina's Oasis Rooms are simple, clean, ensuite, with a balcony overlooking the sea, and a kitchen area for breakfast. We can ask Maria to order us fresh bread from the daily bread van, and we can buy butter, honey, yoghurt, cheese, tomatoes and anything else needed for breakfasts & packed lunches at the little shop in Rothakino. In the evening we'll eat out at one of the tavernas by the sea (from £7). Meals are not included. There will be a limited number of singles for a supplement of £10 a night.

See 2001 Intermediate Crete? Use the Back button on your browser to return?

Holiday price
Click on the buttons below for more details of the grade, accommodation, and your guide.

You can book online - or phone us on: 01926 313321

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This is a repeat of the first Intermediate Crete week - spending a relaxed week in Crete, exploring some of the gorges and coast paths in the south and southwest of this stunning island. May is the best month to walk near the coast - when the sun is not too hot and the island is still green with many beautiful flowers and aromatic herbs. We'll be staying in simple ensuite rooms at Polirizos beach near Rothakino on the south coast - a tiny un-spoilt hamlet beside a cove with a few tavernas, a tiny hotel, and Oasis Rooms run by Maria and Christina. From here we can visit the stunning gorges of Imbros and famous Samaria, and walk beautiful coastal paths above the emerald sea - stopping for a dip when we please! For the Samarian Gorge we'll take a bus and taxis via Hania, starting our descent later than most so that we have its amazing scenery almost completely to ourselves. And we'll be in no hurry since we'll stop for the night at the bottom of the gorge - at Agia Roumeli's Hotel Tara - and walk back along the coast via Loutro the next day. On other days we'll walk from our door, or take taxis to Imbros or Preveli's 'palm beach'. There'll also be a day off from walking to enjoy the beautiful beach around the headland - where you can swim as topless or bottomless as you wish!

Maria and Christina's Oasis Rooms are simple, clean, ensuite, with a balcony overlooking the sea, and a kitchen area for breakfast. We can ask Maria to order us fresh bread from the daily bread van, and we can buy butter, honey, yoghurt, cheese, tomatoes and anything else needed for breakfasts & packed lunches at the little shop in Rothakino. In the evening we'll eat out at one of the tavernas by the sea (from £7). Meals are not included. There will be a limited number of singles for a supplement of £10 a night.

See 2001 Intermediate Crete? Use the Back button on your browser to return?

Holiday price
Click on the buttons below for more details of the grade, accommodation, and your guide.

You can book online - or phone us on: 01926 313321

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This is a stunning high level trek through the magnificent scenery of the White Mountains and the Samarian gorge to the south coast of Crete, and then along striking coast paths to Hora Sfakion. Of necessity it's a trek where we carry what we need - keeping it to a minimum and drying clothes in the sun! The first night is spent in Hania, and there'll be time for breakfast in Hania's old port before we take taxis to Theriso in the hills. From here we climb to Lakki - a lovely walk to a stunningly situated village. The next morning we'll take the early bus to the top of the Samarian Gorge, and walk up Gingilos - the magnificent mountain that towers above it. The next 2 nights are spent at Kallergi refuge from where we'll walk the Melindaou circuit - a breathtaking high level walk into the White Mountains. On day 4, we'll finally set off down the Samarian Gorge - leaving Kallergi late to avoid the crowds and having this unforgettable journey virtually to ourselves. A night in Agia Roumeli is then followed by a beautiful coast path walk above the emerald sea to Loutro. On day 6 we can detour up the Aredhena gorge before walking or taking the boat to Hora Sfakion for our last night. The next morning we'll journey to Hania Airport by taxi for our journey home.

See 2001 Intermediate Crete holiday for Samarian Gorge?Use your the Back button on your browser to return.

Flight to Hania (not included) To enable a Sat to Sat half-term holiday we have to fly Easy Jet or Olympic via Athens. They differ in price and convenience - and we don't want to choose for you (but we will book it for you!) Heathrow via Athens to Hania with Olympic £287. Luton to Athens with EasyJet, Athens to Hania with Olympic starting at £160 total. We send you full details when you book - or ask us before you book!

Holiday price
Click on the buttons below for more details of the grade, accommodation, and your guide.

You can book online - or phone us on: 01926 313321