Walking & Wildlife Holidays

We have some really exciting wildlife and walking holidays coming up for the year ahead.
Our last trip of 2011 was to Albania where we saw wonderful autumn bulbs, beautiful scenery and some fascinating archaeological sites. The people were extremely welcoming and the food was very good so we have plans to revisit in spring within the next couple of years.

Before our first trip of the year – to Madeira in February with a group – we are going to Morocco to do a recce. It sounds rather exciting, as we will be staying in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to sort out some good walks for you. Last summer, Sally spent a few days in the remarkable Faroe Islands – half way between Scotland and Iceland but ‘belonging’ to Denmark. The cliffs here are some of the highest in the world and home to many breeding sea birds including our favourite puffins. Details will be available soon.

We have had to postpone our planned trip to Corsica but this gives us a chance to go to Co. Antrim and explore the glens, mountains, loughs and the fabulous coastline around the Giant’s Causeway – somewhere we have wanted to visit for a long while. We will be running a trip to Corsica next year all being well but meanwhile why not join us in Ireland?

Interestingly, we understand that cruising is far more damaging to the environment than flying and some of the huge cruise ships in the ports these days are certainly quite monstrous. If you prefer to travel by train or ferry to a destination please let us know. We do our best to search for hotels with a conscience and like to use local transport and family run hotels and restaurants wherever possible.

REUNION – Our annual get together will take place in the fascinating coastal village of Overstrand in Norfolk with its interesting buildings and back lanes. Many well-known architects, including Lutyens, have left their stamp on the village and it was a favourite with Winston Churchill who stayed here regularly. There is plenty of good accommodation for those who are travelling some distance. As usual we enjoy a good lunch and feature details of recent and forthcoming trips. If you haven’t travelled with us before then it is a good chance to meet us and find out about our holidays. This year it is a bit later as it takes place on 3rd/4th November.

Generally, our holidays are for a week only but this year we have two special 10-day trips – to Armenia in June and The Azores in November. Although very different both are stunning and unusual locations with spectacular scenery and many interesting plants and birds.

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Richard Hobbs & Sally Ward

Rural Madeira & Porto Santo. 20th – 27th February 2012

Although we have visited much of Macronesia i.e. The Azores and Cape Verde Islands as well as some of the Canary Islands we had never visited Madeira – until now. We had kept away before because of fears of over-commercialism and those levada walks frankly, sounded terrifying. However, having just returned we can say that we very much enjoyed our time over there. We have sorted out some lovely rural walks and perhaps, more excitingly, we visited Porto Santo, the delightful and unspoilt little island just north of Madeira with wonderful sandy beaches as well as interesting geological formations. The climate on both islands is good all year and makes a perfect destination for an early spring visit. Our hotel in Madeira is an old Quinta (farmhouse) set high above Funchal and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has fabulous views down to the sea below. Our hotel on Porto Santo has a quiet beachside location perfect for some lovely (and level) walks. Warmth and colour in February!

£1,199 based on sharing twin room

Please email us for further details on this holiday

Northern Tunisia. 18th – 25th March 2012

Towards the end of last year we visited the small North African country of Tunisia. This was before the sudden and rather dramatic change of government. Things have calmed down now and this rather poor country is very pleased to welcome tourists. We stay in the northern part of the country and explore Cap Bon (also known as the ‘Garden Peninsula) with its little fishing villages and peaceful interior of olive groves and spectacular archaeological sites. There is a strong Mediterranean influence with an exotic twist. It is a fairly flat landscape with a central dorsal range of hills running through the middle. We will fly from Norwich (or other regional airports) to the new airport at Enfidha. The colourful plants and birds are a fascinating mix of European and African species such as bulbuls, hoopoes and turtle doves as well as flamingos on the coastal lagoons.

£1,199

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The Island of Gozo. 10th – 17th April 2012

As is often the case we have some beautiful islands for you to explore. Apart from Madeira & Porto Santo mentioned above, we shall also be visiting Gozo – a great favourite of ours. Flying from Norwich (or other regional airports) we spend our first night in Malta, which gives us a chance to explore the historical town of Valetta and then catch the ferry to the rather exotic little island of Gozo. We visit little known archaeological sites, fishing villages, spectacular geological features and walk through colourful countryside.

£1,155 half board

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Wildflowers & Walking in County Antrim, Northern Ireland – 13th-19th May 2012

A new destination for us. Based in Ballymena we explore this fascinating area with its gentle hills and deep wooded glens leading down to the sea. We come across loughs, waterfalls and blanket bog and visit beautiful Rathlin Island with its sea birds, seals and pretty coastal flowers as well as famous Giants Causeway. As well as exploring the spectacular coastline we also visit The Sperrins Mountains in the west with their ‘pointed hills full of gold’.

£770 half board, single supplement £100. Flight or ferry to Ireland not included in the price.

Please email us for further details on this holiday

Armenia. 8th – 18th June 2012

Another exciting place lined up for 2012 is Armenia. In June, we fly to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, which is one of the world’s most ancient cities. This small country (not much bigger than Wales) nestles in the snow-capped Caucasian Mountains and is overlooked by Mount Ararat. There are several stunning natural parks that are home to a huge range of birds and a wonderfully diverse flora including some unusual fritillaries and orchids. This Christian country is little explored but makes for a fascinating holiday. There are still well preserved ‘caravanserais’, picturesque bridges, ancient churches and monasteries, some dating back to the C9th. We visit spectacular Lake Sevan – one of the world’s highest lakes – and enjoy some lovely walks.

£2,299

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The Romney Marshes. 9th – 15th July 2012

Closer to home, we plan to visit Kent to explore the unique Romney Marshes with sweeping skies, a sense of solitude and quiet flat lanes perfect for walking. We explore the South Downs and the ancient Weald and visit Rye with its old cobbled streets.

£799

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The Island of Andros. 13th – 20th September 2012

Another special place for us to explore is Andros – northernmost of the Cyclades Islands. Following the success of our recent trip to Hydra, next September we travel once again to Athens and then take the ferry. Andros is a wonderful island but remains little explored. It is full of archaeological and architectural interest. There are many natural springs and so remains fresh and green and at this time of year the sea will still be warm enough for swimming. It has a handsome rugged landscape with beautiful mountains, deep valleys, sandy beaches with small harbours, olive groves and vineyards as well as monasteries and little villages to explore.

£1,248

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The Isle of Man. 10th – 16th October 2012

Yet another island on offer and closer to home is the Isle of Man. Early October is a great time for walking and there will be a hint of autumn colour in the wooded glens. This island has a beautiful coastline, ancient monuments and an interesting landscape.

£900

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The Azores. 8th – 18th November 2012 (approx)

At the end of next year we shall be returning to a great favourite of ours – The Azores. This lush green archipelago set in the middle of the Atlantic and lying between Lisbon and the United States has some of the youngest land in the world. There are volcanoes and hot springs next to verdant pastures, abundant exotic plants, extinct craters and magnificent coasts. There are awe-inspiring mountains and peaceful valleys. We visit three of the islands – Faial, Pico and, new to us, Terceira.

£1,750 based on sharing twin room

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N & S WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS has supported the Wildlife Trusts for many years.
We have recently made a donation to Norfolk to help secure an area of land that will provide a wide corridor linking the nature reserve at Upton with Ranworth Marshes. Money donated to Suffolk Wildlife Trust will go towards buying the last block of land at Bradfield Woods – a wonderful area of ancient woodland.