New for 2009

We have been particularly busy this year looking for new walks and have had the great good fortune to come up with a truly remarkable itinerary through the very heart of Italy. Abruzzo is a region that is sparsely populated and little known, yet it is a land of dramatic mountains, wonderful food and wine and some of the rarest fauna in Europe.

The remainder of our walks in 2009 are spread widely across the regions of western Europe that we know and love. We are delighted to be repeating one walk in the beautiful island of Sicily which shows off the extraordinary history of this enchanting place to its absolute best. In Spain we are especially pleased to be returning to our stunning home for 10 years, Grazalema and revisiting the breathtaking beauty of Somiedo.

Once again Ben Littlewood will be accompanying our Italian walks. Ben has spent a good deal of 2008 walking in Abruzzo and is enthused with all the region has to offer. He pioneered last year's walk in the Veneto region of Italy, and is equally at home in Sicily where he has been working with Duende Travel for many years.

The extraordinary breadth of the history of Sicily is well demonstrated in our walk which leads from the Greek foundations of the eastern side of the island to the Phoenician dominated areas of the west. We see remarkable ancient and medieval monuments as well as the stunning classical scenery of the largest island in the Mediterranean - a central stepping stone for every civilization in the western history.

The natural park of the Serranía de Ronda is an awe-inspiring area which encompasses the most beautiful and iconic region of Southern Spain. Our through route passes some of the finest scenery in Spain as well as visiting spiritual home of flamenco and los toros. The scent of orange blossom will be in the air and the warm breezes blowing.

Somiedo is quite simply the finest mountain walking in an unspoilt environment that we know in Western Europe. Once again it is our huge pleasure to contemplate a return to the places, and people, that we love. A rare treat for the spirit.

It is often with regret that we pass through wilderness areas without seeing wildlife but in the Abruzzo region of Italy there is a good chance of seeing chamois, deer and even the Marsican bear. A gloriously beautiful highland region full of delicious food and wine which will no doubt become a regular feature in our brochures to come.