INTRODUCING CHAPTERS EXPERIENCE HOLIDAYS: A BRAND NEW COLLECTION OF EXCITING EXPERIENTIAL HOLIDAYS

Launched today, Wednesday 12th October, Chapters Experience Holidays (01707 246 666, www.chaptersholidays.co.uk) is a brand new collection of exciting, small group, expertly led holidays around the world. Rich in activities ranging from walking, cycling and sailing to painting, photography and mindfulness, the holidays also include an element of adventure and discovery, so that clients get a real feel for whatever part of the world they are in.

Created by RWH Travel (formerly known as Ramblers Worldwide Holidays), to meet the growing demand for experience-led travels, the launch programme for 2017/18 features 80 holidays to over 50 countries around the world. There is a diverse choice of destinations, including English favourites such as the South Downs, Northumberland or Dart Valley as well as European gems such as the unspoilt Azores, Spain’s Alpujarras mountains, the rolling hills of Tuscany plus Georgia and Armenia. Further afield, holidays span Asia, New Zealand, the Americas and Africa with mountainous landscapes, tropical beaches and great lakes and waterfalls to explore. All holidays are led by trusted leaders, with the experience enhanced still further by being in the company of a group of convivial travelling companions.

Commenting on the brochure, Kathy Cook, Joint Managing Director, RWH Travel says “We are absolutely delighted to be launching this new programme of holidays. As a company, we have been creating memorable holidays for 70 years and have always prided ourselves on our ability to innovate and inspire, and this new collection really exemplifies this tradition. Chapters Experience Holidays offer the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy an experience-rich holiday, with some walking involved, but also the chance to really discover more about the culture, history or perhaps the food and wine of a specific region. All this can be enjoyed in the company of a friendly, like-minded group, led by a trusted, experienced leader. Such are the holidays that great stories are made of.”

The new portfolio is based on the premise that any holiday is made more memorable, and ultimately more fulfilling through shared experiences and adventures. The choice of holidays on offer provides rich pickings for those looking to expand their horizons, from crewing a rib boat in North Wales to cycling through Bilbao and from cooking in the Tuscan Hills to exploring the wildlife and mountains of South Africa. Holidays are categorized by activity level so that clients can choose the one which best suits them from‘Leisurely’, to ‘Energetic' to ‘Adventurous'. There is also a simple icon system which directs clients as to different types of holidays, from sightseeing, wildlife and bird watching to cooking, cycling or even Nordic Walking.

Highlights of the brochure include:

UK COLLECTION: From landscape painting to crewing a yacht , and from a relaxing spa break in Forest Mere to cross country Nordic walking in the Lune Valley and the Lake District, there is a choice of 15 holidays across the British Isles which all offer truly memorable experiences.

Landscape Photography: Walking with your camera in Northumberland ( Leisurely)

Under the expert tuition of professional photographer David Lewins, with some 25 years experience, this is the perfect holiday for those who want to hone their photographic skills. With days out amongst the great landscapes of Northumberland, group and one to one tuition on how to make the most of your camera and also an introduction to post-processing with Photoshop, this leisurely four night holiday will be both fun and informative. Prices from £619 per person for four nights half board, with departures on April 24 and September 4th 2017.

Nordic Walking in the Lake District (Energetic)

Learn Nordic Walking on this three or four night holiday based at Ramblers’ own Hassness Country House on the shore of Buttermere in the Lake District. After an introduction to the technique, which burns more calories than normal walking, there will be training walks in Whinlatter Forest and from Keswick to Castlerigg Stone Circle. Prices from £250 per person for three nights on a mixed board basis, including all accommodation, instruction, equipment and local transport. Departures on May 6th and October 11th. Can be combined with other holidays at Hassness such as the Navigation and Hill Skills course or the Watercolour Landscape Painting course.

Sailing and Rib Boat Experience(Adventurous)

A three night holiday based on the coast of North Wales, this exhilarating trip offers the chance to try your hand at two quite different boating experiences whilst enjoying fabulous scenery of Snowdonia and Anglesey, alongside wildlife such as puffins and seals. Accompanied by expert professional instructors, one day is spent on a Rib boat – a fast, open speed vessel – which you’ll be able to take the wheel of, conditions permitting. The other day is spent on a beautiful Sparkman and Stevens yacht, the Mehalah, again with the chance to either sit back and enjoy the ride, or take a more hands on approach and help crew. Prices from £549 per person for three nights full board, with departures on May 19th and July 14th 2017.

SHORT HAUL COLLECTION: With a combination of regional highlights, along with some little known discoveries, the European holidays all have a ‘once in a lifetime’ feel. From whale and dolphin watching in the Azores to cycling the scenic coastline of Mallorca or exploring the delicious food and wine of rural Andalucía, all offer experiences that enhance and complement the local culture and scenery.

Insight to the High Alpujarras( Leisurely)

This week long holiday gives you the chance to immerse yourself in this hidden region of rural Andalucía, sampling the food, learning how cook like a local and exploring nearby villages. With an optional yoga class and a couple of gentle walks through olive groves and vineyards there are plenty of opportunities to earn your tapas. Accommodation is at the delightful and quirky Las Chimineas, comprising a collection of rustic village houses with lovely views and even their own organic farm. Prices from £1285pp based on two sharing including flights, transfers, half board accommodation with picnic or tapas lunches and local transport costs.

Cycling in Majorca (Energetic)

Based in the attractive Puerto de Pollensa, this week long cycling holiday offers the chance to explore the less discovered side of Majorca in the company of a cycling guide as well as a tour leader. Highlights include rides through unspoilt rural villages, as well as along the coast and through the wetlands of S’Albufera Nature Park. There is also plenty of time for swimming, relaxing and exploring, as well as sampling some of the local restaurants. Prices from £1299 per person including flights and transfers, half board accommodation (breakfast at the hotel, dinners in local restaurants), bike hire, and local guides. Departures on April 22, September 9th and October 7th.

Georgia and Armenia (Energetic)

This 14 day journey gives incredible insight into this part of central Asia, with its magnificent mountains, fascinating cities and ancient culture. Starting in Georgia, at Tbilisi, we then travel through the Northern Caucasus – the dividing line between Europe and Asia, with views of Mount Kazbeg, standing at some 5,000 m. After visiting the Georgian wine region, it’s on to Armenia, the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion, with fascinating culture and architecture. Walks allow the opportunity to see prehistoric temples, ancient monasteries and an ancient caravanserai on the Silk Road from China to Europe. Prices from £2275pp for 14 days on a full board basis, including flights, all accommodation, a local guide and local transport costs.

LONG HAUL COLLECTION: Chapters Experience Holidays offers a tempting range of long haul adventures within its portfolio. Choose from chasing the US Great Solar Eclipse to tracking rhinos in safari, or perhaps a more leisurely Wildlife Holiday to Sri Lanka or an adventurous ‘Caribbean Explorer’ holiday.

Birds and Wildlife of Sri Lanka (Leisurely)

As well as beautiful beaches, Sri Lanka is rich in wildlife, with 430 species of outstanding birdlife, including 33 endemic species, as well as good chances of seeing leopard, sloth bear and Asian elephant. This 17 day holiday travels through the ‘Teardrop Island’ venturing off the beaten track in search of rarer species such as the purple-faced leaf monkey and giant squirrel. Two nights are also spent in Mirissa for whale watching opportunities to sight the blue whale, short finned pilot whale and large schools of acrobatic spinner dolphin. Prices from £2399 per person based on 17 days half board accommodation return flights and transfers and local transport costs.

The Great Lakes, Bays & Waterfalls of Ontario (Energetic)

This superb two week holiday takes a loop of the southern corner of Ontario, before heading inland to the well-known Algonquin Park. Highlights include hiking parts of Bruce Trail – the oldest and longest marked footpath on the Niagara Escarpment; a night on Manitoulin Island, for insight into the way of life and culture of the First Nations; canoeing the tranquil lakes of Ontario, and a visit to the magnificent Niagara Falls on board the Hornblower Cruise – an exhilarating end to the holiday. Prices from £3399 per person based on two sharing, including return flights, transfers, accommodation with 13 breakfasts and 6 dinners in hotels and local restaurants, all local transport costs and admission fees relating to the programme.

Caribe Francais (Adventurous)

This is a two week Caribbean holiday with a twist. Whilst there is plenty of time to enjoy the white sand beaches and azure seas, there is also the chance to get off the beaten track, discovering exotic flora and fauna, colourful birdlife and historic forts as well as exploring the Franco-Caribbean heritage of the region. Based on the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, there are island walks, boat trips, hikes up to waterfalls and a visit to the wild Guadeloupe National Park. Prices from £3799 per person, based on two sharing, including international flights, inter-island flights and transfers, half board accommodation, local guides and local transport and activities.

Chapters Experience Holidays: 01707 246 666,www.chaptersholidays.co.uk

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