Spain — Europe — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

AVILA Gu S Madrid & Segovia Madrid has a vitality and charm all of its own take in the atmosphere of the huge Plaza Mayor, while away the afternoon in the Prado Museum or take a day trip to the medieval spectacle of Toledo. We travel by local bus to the monastery-palace of El Escorial, and by train to Segovia with its Roman Aqueduct. Avila & the Gredos Mountains Rising out of the high plains, the mile-long 10century-old city walls with its 88 towers encircle the town a walk along the ramparts will be rewarded with a panorama of the Gredos mountains. Leaving the city behind us, we spend the day exploring the villages and trails on the way to Salamanca. Salamanca & Extremadura Arguably the most attractive city in Spain, with a university dating from 1220, Salamancas ancient sandstone walls glow at dusk. We spend a day exploring the plazas and back streets, and another with the option of venturing out for a walk in the beautiful Sierra de Francia nearby, before moving south to atmospheric Caceres. We travel via the dramatic Monfrague Natural Park, famous for its vultures here we enter Extremadura, the homeland of the Conquistadors. The citys Gredos Mountains/Spanish NTO E X T R E M A D U R A CACERES Home of the Conquistadores 0 S PA I N km 100 centuries-old walls were built with the fortunes brought back from the New World. From Caceres, Pizarros home town of Trujillo and the Roman remains at M�rida are close at hand. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Madrid. 2 In Madrid, orientation tour; Prado museum (optional). 3 Bus to El Escorial. 4 Visit monastery (optional); train to Segovia. 5 In Segovia; visit La Granja (optional). 6 Drive to Avila. 7 Drive to Salamanca via Gredos Mountains. 8 In Salamanca; orientation tour. 9 Drive to Caceres via Monfrague NP; orientation tour. 10 In Caceres; optional visit to Trujillo or Merida. 11 Train to Madrid. 12 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel/hostal; 2 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Public bus/Train/On foot. Comment: A mainly cultural tour which covers the classic cities along with easy walks in lesser known areas. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Ancient forests & Medieval villages Visitors to the region of Pallars Sobir� benefit from its previous isolation, subsequently it has seen little development and retained much of its charm. Home to the dramatic scenery of the Vall dAneu, Vall dCardos and Vall dFerrera and also to the Mata de Valencia, one of the largest fir forests in Europe, this area also offers the best conditions for white water sports in Europe (for beginner and the more experienced alike). We first base ourselves in Esterri dAneu, the main point of access into nearby valleys, following pathways leading to 12th century Romanesque churches during the day, and trying out the local cuisine in the evening. Aigues Tortes NP Jewel of the Pyrenees Despite being the oldest of all National Parks in Spain its still surprisingly little known to foreign visitors. The mountains of the park are comprised of dozens of peaks reaching up to 3000m, formed during glacial activities over 20,000 years ago. Today, as a result of these activities, we can see what it is that makes the whole area so unique more than one Traditional villages/John Biscomb ue r eg EUROPE SPAIN SPAIN Medieval walls of Avila Amongst the Pyrenees/John Biscomb On foot in the Pyrenees TREKKING GRADE B/C Ref PY Conquistadores & Old Castile 12 DAYS HOTELS/HOSTALS THE HEART OF SPAIN Ref SC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTELS/PENSIONS MOUNTAINS AND LAKES Dotted with a wealth of famous towns with stunning architecture, the plains of central Spain are crossed by the mighty Sierra de Gredos. This tour offers a fascinating blend of the best of Spanish history with some walking in beautiful countryside. The scenic landscapes and the little visited town of Caceres will remain in your memory long after your stay immerse yourself in the winding backstreets whilst sampling tapas and the local wine. Conquistadores & Old Castile Ref SC To r m e SALAMANCA s Orientation tour Roman aqueduct SEGOVIA CASTILE de a rra am ie darr a Almanzor Walk to 2592m Navasequilla Monfrague National Tajo Park Si de erra s do G r eEL ESCORIAL Optional walks MADRID Plazas & Picasso This week long trip is an excellent opportunity to get to know some of the most stunning parts of the Catalan Pyrenees on foot. The trip focuses on the eastern half of the National Park of Aigues Tortes along with walks through little visited forests and medieval mountain villages. Using hotel accommodation in two villages throughout the week allows us to combine comfort with excellent hiking during the day, with a minimum of time spent travelling. On Foot in the Pyrenees Ref PY Va ll NP Prote cted Area ey d e An u ESTERRI Son del Pei AIGUES TORTES & LAKE SAN MAURICI NP Escalarre Jou Guingueta Lake San Maurici Portarro Pass Pic de Subenuix 2949m Pic de Mainera 2906m Nogue Esc rita ESPOT res alla ra P Lake Negre P a Whitewater rafting a From/To Barcelona S PA I N km 0 Picardes 2781m P y r e n e eF R A N C E s AIGUES TORTES NP S PA I N 6 Barcelona hundred lakes, numerous rivers and creeks wind their way through Aigues Tortes NP giving it its name winding waters. Hikes in the National Park We move our base up to Espot from where we can explore the park. Our first hike is to the San Maurici Lake with the unmistakable silhouette of the two Encantats peaks. Later we ascend to the pass beneath the peak of Portarro (2728m), this magnificent viewpoint is the only one in the centre of the Park and offers superb vistas across the whole cirque of mountains. Another trail leads directly from Espot, the gateway to Aigues Tortes, up to the Black Lake, stunningly located at 2000m. This walk is the most challenging but is well worth the effort. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Barcelona; drive to Esterri dAneu. 2 Walk into the Vall dAneu via medieval mountain villages (5hrs). 3 Walk to Son del Pi and on to Planes de Son. 4 Drive to Espot; walk in Aigues Tortes NP; hike to San Maurici Lake and Portarro Pass (5hrs). 5 Free day for optionals; rafting, walks in park. 6 Hike to Estany Negre (Black Lake) via Refuge J.M Blanc (6.5hrs). 7 Free day or hike through the Monestero Valley. 8 Drive to Barcelona; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 4nts hotel, 3nts pension; 7 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot/Jeep. Comment: A two centre trip offering the very best of the Catalan Pyrenees. The grading is moderate to slightly strenuous with average walking time between 5-6 hours a day. Two days are left free to relax or take further walks. We avoid the hottest and most crowded periods of the year. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Trek length and gradients 2800m 2400m 2000m 1600m 1200m 800m 400m Day 2 13km Esterri Esterri Espot Espot Espot Rest Day optional walks Rest Day optional walks Day 3 9km Day 4 10km Day 5 Day 6 11km Day 7 34 For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk

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