Fantasy Castles of King Ludwigs Way 2010

Germany Bavaria Fantasy Castles of King Ludwigs Way •

Outlandish Schloss Neuschwanstein • Follow the trails of King Ludwig • Amazing Bavarian Alpine Scenery

SELF-GUIDED Departures for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together Tour Grade – B/C (dependent upon walks chosen) Tour Code - TKLW For dates and prices visit: www.walksworldwide.com

Introduction It is entirely controversial that King Ludwig II, the ‘Swan King’, was mad, but one thing is for sure, this somewhat eccentric King of Bavaria left behind a legacy intertwined with the history of art and extravagant architecture. The Swan King is probably best known for creating the fantasy castle of Schloss Neuschwanstein, which is without doubt the most famous and iconic landmark in Bavaria. During the course of this amazing walking holiday through the stunning scenery of Bavaria you will see and discover more about the fascinating Swan King. From the outset, a short stroll on the ‘Panoramaweg’ sets the tone with delightful distant views of Neuschwanstein, as well as the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps. Walking through delightful Bavarian villages, there are more fantasy castles to enjoy, including Falkenstein, the highest castle in Germany. Reaching Füssen, it’s time to pay a visit to iconic Neuschwanstein and if you have the energy a stiff hike to the top of Tegelberg (1730 metres) for fine Alpine views. Moving on, the trail of the Swan King continues upwards to King Ludwig’s old, historic hunting cabin at Bleckenau (1167 metres) and beyond to the Alpe Jägerhütte (1435 metres). Descending to another fairytale castle of the Swan King, Schloss Linderhof you spend the night in a true Schloss Hotel, very close to the castle itself. As hard as it may be to leave here, there is more to look forward to as you then walk along the scenic ‘Via Alpina’, through delightful Bavarian Alpine forests, where eagles dare to reach the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Here alpine charm meets modern comfort, in the old part of Garmisch. From Garmisch you can take a ride up to Zugspitze (2964 metres), the highest mountain in Germany for utterly sublime views over the Bavarian Alps, take a swim in the crystal clear Eibsee and appreciate the beautifully painted, colourful Bavarian homes. Your final day of hiking is a choice between a challenging walk up, up and up to Schachen Schloss, King Ludwig’s high Alpine castle, or to Mittenwald. This easier walk is one of the most scenic in Bavaria passing Schloss Elmau and glittering lakes along the way to reach the exceptionally attractive, traditional village of Mittenwald, famous as the home to violin craftsmen in a picture postcard setting surrounded by high mountains. Whichever you choose, both are a wonderful way to end an even more wonderful week on our Bavarian walking discovery. You may also be interested in our “Bavaria In Style- In Search of the Swan King” walking holiday that follows an identical route whilst staying in upgraded accommodation along the way.

__________________________________________________________________________ The Holiday Routine As this is a self-guided holiday you can of course dictate your own schedule. As a general rule, usually you will walk for 2-4 hours in the morning, and then halt for a leisurely lunch (either at a café/restaurant en route, or a picnic lunch in a scenic place). After lunch you’ll walk for 3-4 hours to your next overnight accommodation. Your main baggage is transferred to your overnight accommodation, so during the day you will only need to carry your usual daypack. Walking conditions From lower level valley walks to higher walks in the mountains you’ll be following waymarked trails, primarily with good conditions underfoot. These can vary from rocky trails to forest trails. There will also be sections of both ascent and descent, which may be steep at times, but rarely sustained. The walk to the summit of Tegelberg involves 950m of ascent and descent on a steep, winding trail. There is the option to take the Gondola up and/or down. Average daily walking distance is approx.

15km, with an average daily walking time of around 5-8 hours. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our brochure or online at www.walksworldwide.com. You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. Self-Guided Our self-guided holidays are operated by our local agents. You will be provided with detailed route notes and maps, which will have been prepared by our local agent upon arrival. Please note is not possible to send route notes and maps in advance. Route notes will naturally vary from country to country. Maps provided are usually not as detailed as Ordnance Survey maps in the United Kingdom, but will be the best available for that particular country. Your route notes will also explain the arrangements for baggage transfers etc along your route. On the majority of self-guided walking holidays you will often be following way-marked trails (either signed or with frequent symbols). However you should

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be confident in your navigational and mapreading skills and knowledge and experience of using a compass (and taking one with you) can be helpful. In your final joining instructions we will send you contact details of our local agent (day time and emergency), as well as your first night’s accommodation. Details of your onward accommodation arrangements will be contained within your route notes. Our local agent should be able to provide local advice and assistance if required. You should always carry your mobile/cell phone with you at all times. In the unfortunate event of inclement weather we would advise you contact our local agent to check whether that days particular walk presents any increased difficulty before deciding whether to proceed. What you need to provide Your personal equipment as detailed in the clothing and equipment list later in this trip dossier.

Itinerary IMPORTANT-Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your “Final Joining Instructions” approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. We also recommend you read the “Useful Information” section on our website and in our current brochure.

Outline Itinerary Day Your 'at-a-glance' Itinerary 1 Arrive Munich and take train to Oy-Mittelberg 2 Walk through Bavarian villages to Lake Grunten 3 Hike to the Falkenstein to Lake Forggen 4 Visit Schloss Neuschwanstein and climb Tegelberg (or take the Gondola) 5 Walk up to the Alpe Jagerhutte and descend to Schloss Linderhof 6 Follow the "Via Alpina" to Garmisch-Partenkirchen 7 Walk to Schachen Schloss, or visit the scenic village of Mittenwald 8 Take train back to Munich

Overnight Accn. Meal plan Oy-Mittelberg Gasthof B Eisenberg-Zell Burg Hotel Baeren B Fussen Gasthof B Fussen Gasthof B Schloss Linderhof** Hotel Linderhof B Garmisch Hotel B Garmisch Hotel B B

B – breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner. ** Please note that the Oberammagau Passion Play takes place during 2010, the next Passion Play not being until 2020! This incredibly popular event means that it may not always be possible to secure accommodation at the Hotel Linderhof on Day 5 for your preferred dates. If this is the case you would walk to Linderhof on Day 5 and then transfer to Garmisch, subsequently omitting the Via Alpina on Day 6. However, this extra day in Garmisch does mean you can have the option now to take the train and cable car to the top of Zugspitze (2964m), Germany’s highest mountain for an incredible Alpine panoramic view!

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Day 1 Arrive at Munich (or Memmngen) and travel to the Bavarian village of Oy-Mittelberg by train or bus (see joining arrangements and transfers section). Upon arrival at Oy-Mittelberg you’ll be met and then visit the offices of our local agent’s where you will be given route notes and maps, as well as advice as to some of the options available. Depending upon your arrival time, a great short afternoon walk would be to take a stroll along the ‘Panoramaweg’ (2-3 hours) beneath the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps. 3* Gasthof, Oy-Mittelberg

Day 2 A fairly easy day to get things started with some low level walking to pass through several delightful Bavarian villages. Along the way you’ll come to the lovely Lake Grunten where a dip in the lake will cool you down on warmer days. One option is to pay a visit to the Klettergarten by another small lake where you can have a go on an aerial walkway high in the tree canopy, or simply relax and take a light snack etc at the café. You then head towards the tiny villages of Eisenberg and Zell, where tonight’s hotel is located beneath the ruins of Freyburg and Eisenstein. From the sauna of your hotel you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps. Walking distance approx. 15km, walking time approx 4-5 hours, approx 300m ascent. Burg Hotel Baeren, Eisenberg-Zell

Day 3 You now head across countryside of the Allgäu towards the mountains across the valley floor and to the small town of Pfronten. Here you ascend 400m up to the ruined castle of Falkenstein (1203m) where you can look forward to wonderful panoramic views. The Falkenstein was intended to surpass Neuschwanstein in splendour, however a “credit crunch” halted this! There’s also a great restaurant at the top too. Skirting the border with Austria the route descends to the beautiful alpine pasture area known as Salober Alm, where a mountain café does great coffee and cake. Following the ridgeline of this small mountain you continue to descend to the medieval town of Füssen, home to two castles of King Ludwig. Walking distance approx. 16km, walking time approx. 5-6 hours, approx. 450m ascent. Pension, Füssen

Day 4 The number one and ‘must see’ attraction here is the most famous landmark in the whole of Bavaria (and probably Germany too), the truly magnificent fairytale style Schloss Neuschwanstein. Here you can take a guided tour (in English) of this truly amazing castle, a mere 45 minute walk up from Füssen, as well as take a visit to Hohenscwangau where King Ludwig spent much of his childhood. In the

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afternoon it’s time to ascend to the 1730m summit of Tegelberg. The hike is around 6km and a steep up, up, up, with 950m of ascent and will take you between 3-4 hours to climb to the top. There’s always the option of taking the cable car up and hiking down, or taking the cable car both ways. The views from the summit are genuinely breathtaking as you look over the Alps of both Bavaria and Tyrol and down to the forests, valleys and lakes below. Walking distance 16km, walking time approx. 7 hours, ascent 1150m (Neuschwanstein and walking ascent of Tegel, cable car descent). Pension, Füssen

Day 5 It’s now time to head into the Bavarian Alps proper. Leaving the lake behind you head into a valley surrounded on both sides by the steep mountain slopes of Tegel and Säuling. The trail rises steadily to reach the old, historic hunting hut of the last Bavarian King at Bleckenau (1167m). Close by is the Berg Gasthaus where you can get a delicious meal and refreshments. The route continues upwards to reach a pass and the Alpe Jägerhütte (1435m) before beginning to descend quickly down into the Ammerwald valley and onto the Hotel Ammerwald. From a here a short public bus ride brings you to yet another fairytale castle, Schloss Linderhof. Tonight you will stay ‘next door’ to the castle in a true Schloss Hotel (980m). Walking distance

19km, walking time approx. 6-7 hours, 600m ascent. Schloss Linderhof Hotel, Linderhof *please note that should the Hotel be fully booked for your preferred dates (due to the 2010 Passion Play at Oberammagau) you will need to transfer to Garmisch after today’s walk)

Day 6 Before leaving Linderhof, highly recommended is a visit to Schloss Linderhof itself. You can always visit it the previous day too and enjoy a stroll around the landscaped parkland surrounding the Schloss. You’ll then hike to Garmisch through the mountain valleys and forests following the “Via Alpina”, that runs all the way from Trieste to Monaco along old forest tracks. Walking distance approx. 14km, walking time approx. 5 hours, 500m of ascent. * If you transferred from Linderhof to Garmisch the previous evening then the delightful market town of Garmisch (birthplace of composer Richard Strauss) presents several great options for hiking and other activities. Certainly if the weather is clear a trip to the summit of the highest mountain in Germany is highly recommended. Zugspitze summit (2964m) is reachable by either Gondola cable car all the way to the summit, or by taking the cog mountain railway (Zugspitzbahn) up to the Zugspitze Glacier and then up to the summit by Gondola. Needless to say, the 360º summit panorama is “Alpine Splendour” with views extending across both the Alps of Bavaria and Austria. Alternatively you could hike to the

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crystal clear waters of the Eibsee (1000m), which lies beneath Zugspitze, and take a swim. From Garmisch itself this round trip walk is around 12km with approx 300m of ascent to the mountain lake. Hotel, Garmisch

Lying at an altitude of 1866m in the shadow of Dreitorspitze peak (2633m), the strategically located Schloss commands magnificent views of the valleys below. This challenging hike of some 20km involves around 1200m of ascent and descent and takes approx. 7 hours. The more moderate option is arguably one of the most scenic walks in Bavaria to the utterly charming village of Mittenwald. Along the way as you walk along the valley floor to Mittenwald you pass Schloss Emau and a couple of delightful alpine lakes.Reaching Mittenwald you can discover at the museum here why Mittenwald is world renowned for Violin makers. Exploring this colourful Bavarian mountain village with its bright fresco painted homes, elegant shops and cafes is a delight.

Day 7 Today you have more choices from Garmisch, one moderate and one more challenging. The challenging hike (and remaining true to the theme of “In Search of the Swan King”) is to walk to King Ludwig’s High Alpine Castle, Schachen Schloss.

Another option would be to take the Karwendel Cable car from Mittenwald to quickly whisk you straight up to 2244m for stunning alpine views. The walk to Mittenwald is 18km and should take around 5-6 hours with approx. 400m of ascent. To return to Garmisch simply take the train (cost approx.€6) Hotel, Garmisch Day 8 Depart Garmisch by train/bus back to Munich or Memmingen See www.deutschebahn.de for train and bus times from Garmisch to Munich/Memmingen

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Practical Information Passports and Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders) do not require a visa for stays up to three months for visit to Germany (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis unless you have already requested a single room. The accommodation you will stay in during the course of this trip is of a good standard staying in Hotels, Pensions and Gasthofs. Most places are independent family owned and operated and provide a warm Bavarian welcome and hospitality, as well as great traditional regional gastronomy. Food All breakfasts are included in the Land Only price of this holiday. Lunches and dinners are intentionally not included to afford the opportunity to enjoy the wide variety of wonderful Bavarian cuisine to suit your own particular tastes and budget. During the course of the walking you will pass by villages and towns, mountain restaurants, cable car stations etc where you can take lunch, or simply carry a picnic with you to enjoy in a scenic place, which you can obtain from your overnight accommodation or village shop. Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather periods for walking. Summer in the Alps is usually quite warm, with frequent dry periods, although rain and thunderstorms can occur at anytime. Mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised weather conditions, so you should always be prepared for inclement weather conditions. For climate statistics visit www.worldweather.org Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude. Altitude The altitudes on this trip are modest and you should not anticipate any problems. Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached.

Please note that as from July 1st 2009 we are no longer providing complimentary Walks Worldwide kitbags. Your main baggage will be transferred by vehicle between accommodations. Please restrict your main baggage to one piece per person. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a normal suitcase can be used for your main baggage. During the walking day you will simply carry your usual walking daypack. Responsible Tourism Acting responsibly in the way that we operate our holidays is very important to us at Walks Worldwide. In recognition of our Responsible Tourism values and practices, we have been awarded 3-star status in AITO’s Responsible Tourism scheme. We would also request that as a client you endeavour to take part in any of our holidays with a positive attitude to Responsible Tourism and travel in a socially responsible manner. Many of our holidays travel to ecologically and culturally sensitive areas, where it is important to minimise any negative impact. We would especially recommend that before you start your chosen holiday you take the time to learn more about the country you are visiting, especially with regard to local culture, religion, customs, taboo’s, acceptable modes of dress etc. Bradt, Lonely Planet and Rough Guide publications are an excellent resource for this and much more too. We are of course always happy to help and advise with regard to the country you are visiting. Vaccinations and medical precautions We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are necessary for Germany and health problems here are quite rare. A useful travel health online resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office – you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor. First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET),

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rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Currency The currency used in Germany is the Euro (€) Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates. ATM machines are common in the main towns visited during the course of this holiday. Language The language spoken in Germany is German. In many of the places you visit English may be understood, but this may not be the case everywhere. It is always a good idea to learn a few simple phrases, common greetings and courtesies in both German and taking along a phrasebook can be very useful in this respect. Know before you go Walks Worldwide are fully committed to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s “Know before you go” campaign. We thoroughly recommend that all Walks Worldwide clients visit the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk If you have any questions or concerns about government travel advice to your chosen country please contact the Walks Worldwide office. Contact details It is not our policy to provide addresses and telephone numbers of every location that you will be staying at on this tour, as, due to frequent changes in contact details, it is very difficult to provide an accurate list for all our tours. Your Final Joining Instructions, which you will receive 2 weeks prior to departure, will show any local contact details that are required for your tour. However we will endeavour to provide you with further details if you have a specific reason. Mobile phones do work in some of the areas you are trekking in, however at some stages there maybe no signal. If you have not used your mobile outside the UK before you will have to contact your operator to enable international calls. Please ensure your phone is set for roaming if you are taking a mobile. Please note that it is expensive to phone both to and out of a mobile when abroad. We do not however encourage mobile phone use whilst walking on any of our trips – out of courtesy to other clients please use you mobile phone discretely. If you do need to get in touch, or if anyone needs to get in touch with you, please contact the Walks Worldwide office (0845 301 4737) during office hours.

Tipping Tipping is at your discretion. However, if you have received good service a tip is the normal way of saying ‘thank you’. Maps We recommend either: The Map Shop, 15 High Street, Upton-on-Severn, Worcs WR8 0HJ (Tel: 01684 593146) www.themapshop.co.uk or Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk Joining Arrangements and Transfers You will be met on arrival at the train/bus station in Oy-Mittelberg on day 1 of the trip itinerary. The nearest Airports to Oy-Mittelberg are Munich and Memmingen. It is very easy and straightforward to travel from Munich and Memmingen to OyMittleberg. From Munich there is a regular train service to Oy-Mittelberg (journey time approx. 2hrs 30mins, cost approx. €15). From Memmingen there is a regular bus service to Oy-Mittelberg (journey time approx. 1 hour) To arrange your pick-up at Oy-Mittelberg, you would simply telephone our agents office (number supplied in your Final Joining Instructions) just prior to boarding whichever train or bus you subsequently take to OyMittelberg to advise our agents (who are based in Oy-Mittelberg) with your scheduled arrival time. Train times and bus times for Munich and Memmingen to Oy-Mittelberg can be found at: www.deutschebahn.de Land Only You will need to book flights that enable you to arrive in Munich or Memmingen, no later than mid-afternoon on Day 1 of the trip itinerary in order to subsequently arrive in Oy-Mittelberg no later than early evening by train or bus on the same day. Return flights should be booked to depart from Munich or Memmingen Airport no sooner than the afternoon of Day 8 of the trip itinerary.

In 2010 Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) are introducing flights from London Stansted to Memmingen Airport, which is considerably closer to Oy-Mittelberg than Munich. You may require extra nights both at the start and end of

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the trip if you choose Ryanair dependent upon their flight schedules.

flights,

Useful online search engines for International air travel to Munich are: www.kayak.co.uk airlines

-

searches

scheduled

www.whichbudget.com - provides information on low cost airlines flights.

useful

IMPORTANT- MAKE SURE YOUR CHOSEN HOLIDAY IS GUARANTEED TO RUN BEFORE YOU PURCHASE AIR TICKETS AND MAKING ANY OTHER TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. Please contact the Walks Worldwide office to check the status of your chosen holiday BEFORE purchasing your International Air ticket. You should not book your International flight tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. If you are purchasing your own air ticket, you should be aware that most of the cheaper airline tickets available for sale on the Internet or from low cost carriers are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket when you make a flight booking, and check the limitations of any cancellation insurance policy you have. We cannot be held liable, for losses incurred relating to any flight bookings or subsequent travel arrangements you have made yourself.

You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through our preferred specialist insurance brokers Campbell Irvine, for example, underwritten by AXA Insurance (UK) plc. This cover has been specifically designed to cover our type of travel and we strongly recommend that you use it. ·Apply online at www.campbellirvine.com Inclusions and exclusions Inclusions
All breakfasts
All accommodation
All baggage transfers in the itinerary
Route Notes and Maps
Local advice on arrival in Oy-Mittelberg Exclusions  Drinks
Gondola/Cable Car Fee’s, public transport used in the itinerary.
Entry Fee’s  Lunches and Dinners  Souvenirs and personal items  Insurance  International Travel

Travel by Train If you would prefer to travel to/from Munich by train www.raileurope.co.uk provides an online booking service for European rail services, including Eurostar. You should not book your International rail tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run.

Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are non-refundable.

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Clothing and Equipment Lists At least one set of casual / non-walking clothes will be useful for wearing in hotels on this holiday. Whilst walking you must not worry about how you look: comfort and protection against bad weather are of prime importance. Because mountain weather is so very variable, we recommend a number of thin layers rather than a few thick ones. The following list is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling/walking. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your holiday, or are uncertain as to the suitability of your clothing and equipment. CLOTHING                 

Walking boots and spare laces Lightweight Trainers/approach shoes Socks – 3+ pairs (Walking and Casual) Underwear 3+ T-shirts 3+ Trekking Pants Short trousers 1+ Light fleece 1-2 Thick fleece 1 Thermal Baselayer shirt 1-2 Waterproof jacket with hood Waterproof trousers Warm Gloves Sun Hat Warm Hat Gaiters (optional) Swimwear (for saunas and the lakes)

EQUIPMENT                   

Daypack/rucksack (25litre-35litre capacity) 2 Large water bottles ( 1 litre each) Torch (and spare bulb and batteries) Camera & accessories Binoculars (optional) A variety of dry bag/plastic bags (kitbags are not waterproof) Sunglasses Trekking poles (highly recommended) Reading material (optional) Washing/Shaving kit Insect Repellent Small personal First Aid kit (see section above) Anti-Bacterial Handwash Water purifying tablets (iodine based are best) Sun Cream & lip salve Blister plasters – i.e. Compeed Tickets/E tickets Passport Money

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The following items should also considered as being useful on a walking holiday             

Penknife/small scissors (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Moisturising cream Baby wipes Snacks/Energy bars Safety pins (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Padlock for your kitbag Small sewing/repair kit (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Small mirror Nail clippers (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Spare glasses/contact lenses Earplugs (against snorers) Cold water Travel Wash (preferably biodegradable) Travel adaptor

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What to do next We hope that you found this trip dossier helpful and informative. If you would like further information, our friendly team would be delighted to help and advise with any questions you may have. As an independent walking specialist company staffed by widely-travelled walking enthusiasts, we pride ourselves on being able to provide an informal personal service to our clients, many of whom travel with us on a regular basis. How to book this trip To check availability for specific dates and to receive a flight quote please contact us, also if you are looking at a group trip please check the trip status with us before you book. The easiest way to book your holiday is via our website: www.walksworldwide.com or to go directly to the online booking form please CLICK HERE. There is also a booking form on the website and in the brochure which you can complete and post to us. Alternatively you can telephone (0845 301 4737) us and we can accept your booking over the telephone. Deposit We require a deposit of either £100 per person or 10% of the total cost of the holiday (whichever is greater), including extensions, single supplement and flights if we have quoted these separately to you. Certain non-refundable, instant purchase flights will require full payment – we will advise you this at time of enquiry. Your deposit can be paid by cheque, debit or credit card. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION We are an ATOL bonded tour operator authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Every holiday we sell that includes a flight element is protected under our ATOL licence number 10186. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advanced booking. We protect all UK customers who purchase tours that do not include flights from the UK through the AITO-arranged AITO Trust Ltd (AITOT). AITOT work closely with the CAA - they share much of their information. Their financial requirements are as rigorous as those of the CAA IATA is the Trade Association of the world’s international airline industry. To become an Accredited IATA Agent we have to demonstrate financial soundness, and proficiency of staff

We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. AITO represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. We abide by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adhere to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed at www.aito.co.uk RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Climate Care is the organisation through whom we offer people the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions. We were one of the first travel companies in the UK to provide this facility.

In recognition of our Responsible Tourism values, we have been awarded 4-star status in AITO’S Responsible Tourism Scheme

LOYALTY SCHEME Up to £100 off If you’ve already experienced the magic of one of our holidays, you automatically qualify for a discount on holidays offered by the other specialist travel brands in our group. See our website or brochure for details.

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