Freedom Treks now offer over 200 cycle tours for 2013

As the New Year begins in earnest, Freedom Treks’ revamped website is waiting to tempt the growing leisure cycling market out in the fresh air and on to two wheels this summer. Following on from the November press release announcing the introduction of 18 new Cruise and Cycle tours, the programme now also features a total of 39 brand new Hotel and Cycle tours for 2013. This brings the total to over 200 cycling holidays across 24 European countries featured in the Freedom Treks portfolio.

As popularity for cycling shows no sign of abating, neither does the growing demand for inspirational holiday ideas. The type of cycling holidays, offered by Freedom Treks, hits the mark attracting widespread appeal regardless of age, ability or agility. With self-guided Hotel and Cycle tours you can set the pace, deciding when you want to take a break and admire the view. The flexibility of a cycling holiday means it can be anything you want it to be and you can start the day safe in the knowledge that your luggage will be transferred on to the next destination. Many tours are also available as guided tours where a knowledgeable, experienced cycle guide leads the way, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery as well as the company of fellow cyclists. It’s not easy to find a holiday that can surpass that sheer sense of exploration you can experience from a bicycle saddle. These holidays run from April through to October and are graded according to the level of ability required to enjoy them.

Andy Harmer, Manager of Freedom Treks, explains: “Following on from strong early bookings, the interest and demand for cycling tours in 2013 is continuing to increase, with the top three most popular country destinations being Germany, Italy and France. To date, the most popular destination for 2013 is Lake Constance. The Lake offers fantastic cycling, much of it on dedicated cycle paths and there are a range of tours for varying abilities to choose from. Tours start from £319 for 6 nights. In addition, the new Freedom Treks website makes it even easier to look and book online with useful options like ‘Choose Your Adventure’ to create a shortlist of suitable tours.”

NEW HOTEL AND CYCLE TOURS FOR 2013

France:   Burgundy - Leisurely Wine Trails - This self-guided, 6 night tour delivers ideal starter territory through this historic and highly respected wine-producing region. From Mâcon, join the dedicated cycle track ‘Voie Verte’ to Givry, before continuing along beautiful landscapes and vineyards to Beaune. Grade: Easy*. Starts from £549 per person, any day departure from May to September.

France:   Family Glamping in Burgundy - Going glamping with the family means you can strike a balance combining the fun of camping with little luxuries and added amenities. This family focused 4 night, self-guided tour brings together the best of the great outdoors, mixing gentle cycling amidst beautiful landscapes with visiting historic towns, castles and not forgetting the vineyards. Grade: Easy. Starts from £294 per person including bike hire, any day departure from May to September.

France/UK: Paris to London - Combining two of the world’s most famous cities, this tour can commence in either direction. The 7 night tour covers 192 miles and incorporates the new Avenue Verte (Greenway), a virtually traffic free and mainly signposted cycle route linking Paris to London via Dieppe and Newhaven. This tour is available as a guided as well as self-guided tour. Grade: Easy/Moderate. Starts from £595 per person on selected dates in July and August.

Germany:       Berlin - Absorb yourself in Berlin’s intriguing past during a 4 or 7 night, self-guided cycle tour and retrace Berlin’s colourful history. Start at the Brandenburg Gate, which stood for three decades in no-man’s land between a special double stretch of the Wall and became one of the lasting images of that November night in 1989. Cycle to Potsdamer Platz, once a strip of heavily patrolled unoccupied land, which has now evolved with ultra-modern glass buildings and landscaped streets, before moving on to the former border control Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery. The tour takes in the best of the surrounding areas of Potsdam, Wannsee and Spandau. Grade: Easy. Starts from £329 per person for 4 nights on any Sunday from May to September.

Germany:       Lake Constance - Leisurely - This gentle 6 night, self-guided tour explores a variety of attractions along the eastern shores of Lake Constance, including the historic town of Constance, the romantic Meersburg with its castle and vineyards, the quaint village of Lindau with its cobbled streets and harbour and the stunning Island of Flowers at Mainau with its extraordinary diversity of Mediterranen flowers, trees and shrubs. Grade: Easy Starts from £319 per person, any day departure from April to October.

Italy:        Piedmont - Explore the variety and beauty of Italy’s Piedmont region, whilst embracing culinary traditions using local produce, all perfectly complemented by wines from the region. This 7 night self-guided tour covers 175 miles and starts and finishes in Alessandria, with the loop taking you along ancient roads, across smooth hills and through small villages. Grade: Easy/Moderate. Starts from £581 per person on any Saturday from April to October.

Italy:        Sardinia - Leisurely - Set your sights on Sardinia for a truly leisurely cycling holiday and be at one with nature beneath the blue skies and beside the blue seas. The romantic beauty of south western Sardinia will capture your heart and this 10 night, self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Grade: Easy. Starts from £692 per person, any Saturday year round.

Portugal:        Algarve - This year-round 7 night, self-guided tour allows you to really immerse yourself in the destination, along the dedicated cycle route, ‘Ecovia do Litoral’ linking Cape St Vincent, Sagres, in the west to Vila Real de San António close to the Spanish border. The route combines exploring coastal countryside and old fishing villages with trails in nature protection areas and long traffic free stretches. Grade: Easy/Moderate. Starts from £724 per person including bike hire, daily departures, year round.

Spain:     Extremadura - Conquistadors and Paradors - This 6 night, self-guided tour is unique and gets to the heart of the real Spain, as you overnight in wonderful paradors, luxury hotels located in historic buildings such as restored palaces, monasteries or castles. This tour explores Extremadura, the land of the Spanish Conquistadors, in western Spain. Grade: Easy/Moderate. Starts from £786 per person, any day from March-June and from September-November.

Spain:     Majorca - Far removed from the conventional image of Majorca, this 7 night, self-guided tour covers the authentic and untouched side of the island. Over 175 miles discover quiet deserted bays, picturesque fishing villages and pristine beaches, ideal for post-ride swims. Grade: Moderate. Starts from £619 per person, any Friday from March-June and from September-October.

UK:          Shropshire - Shortbreak Introducing Freedom Treks’ first UK tour, this self-guided, short break in one of England’s most rural counties covers almost 40 miles over two days. The undemanding route starts in the medieval town of Ludlow taking you to the charming village of Clun. Along the unspoilt river valleys of the Teme, Clun and Redlake there are plenty of traditional tea houses, riverside inns and country pubs to take a break. Grade: Easy. Starts from £286 per person including bike hire, any departure day from May to October.

For more information call Freedom Treks on 01273 224066 or visit www.freedomtreks.co.uk

Annual Snow-Camp fundraising event the Alpine Challenge is heading to Morzine!

‘The Alpine Challenge has got everything a great fundraising event needs – how else can you combine snowsports, a genuine endurance challenge covering a distance of 150km in 2 days, loads of prizes and a huge party into one weekend?’ Chemmy Alcott, Team GB Olympic Skier

Snow-Camp, one of Britain’s most innovative youth charities, will be holding its fourth annual charity ski and board-a-thon next week in the French Alps.

 The Snow-Camp Alpine Challenge brings teams of snowsports enthusiasts together to compete for the title of Alpine Challenge Champions and to fundraise for charity by doing something they love to do: skiing or snowboarding, but like they have never done before!  The event challenges teams to ride over 150km of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area over 2 non stop days, taking in 15 checkpoints and completing a challenging night hike!

All funds raised will go toward Snow-Camp’s work supporting inner-city young people through skiing, snowboarding, life-skills development. (Please see www.snow-camp.org.uk for more details of the charities work.)

This year’s event is the biggest to date, with over 80 people participating in 18 separate teams representing companies such as RBS, Norton Rose, PWC, Barclays Wealth, The Welbeck Group and London Bridge Capital, as well as snowsport industry teams including SCUK and World Snowboard Guide.

Snow-Camp Director Dan Charlish said, ‘We are once again amazed at the enthusiasm for teams to sign up for the Challenge, especially in the current climate – and we are grateful for all the support shown to Snow-Camp’s work through this event. The funds raised make a massive difference to our ability to work with inner city young people, and the fact that teams seem to love the event as well makes for a fantastic few days for everyone out in Morzine!’

Now in its 4^th year (previously the Everest Challenge) the Alpine Challenge has grown year on year, and feedback from previous participants has ensured the constant improvement of the event and greater enjoyment for teams.

Charlish says, ‘We are confident teams are going to love some of the new additions to the Challenge this year.  We are using a new Trac Trac GPS device which enables live updates to be sent to all teams during the event giving each teams position on the leaderboard.  The system also allows supporters to watch each team’s progress live and online at home.  Participants also have to take more of the initiative this year as there are no guides involved, and the orienteering aspect adds a lot more strategy to the event. We have also added vin chaud and sledging at the end of the night hike as a bit of a reward!’

Sponsors Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports are proud to support the event once again and have been supporters of Snow-Camp for many years.  They are joined by Morzine Tourist Board, Basecamp and White Blancmange Luxury Travel as key event sponsors.

Please see www.snow-camp.org.uk/alpinechallenge to find out more. Follow @alpinechallenge for all live updates and ‘Like’ SnowCampCharity to keep in touch on Facebook.

The Alpine Challenge takes place 17 – 20  January 2013.  It costs only £250 to book the event (including flights, accommodation, transfers and ski passes).  All participants commit to raise a minimum of £1,250 for Snow-Camp’s work.  Call Dan Charlish on +44 (0)7930 695384 for more details.

And the winner is . . . Livigno! Italian resort leads the way at World Snow Awards

The recent World Snow Awards in London gave top honours to Livigno, when it won the prestigious title Best European Resort 2012. Now you too can discover the delights of this exciting Italian resort.

Located high in the beautiful Italian province of Lombardy, amid the splendour of the majestic Alps, Livigno is one of the most snowsure resorts in Europe. In fact, it is known by locals as Little Tibet because of its immense snow fall and perfect temperatures. Combined with first class resort services, this makes Livigno a mecca for skiers and boarders . . .  and was precisely why it was rated number one at the Snow Awards ceremony.

Launched by VOS Media, the company behind Ski and Snowboard magazine and the Ski and Snowboard Show, the Snow Awards were judged by a 22-strong panel of ski and snowboard experts, and by public vote.

Olympic stars Martin and Graham Bell, along with Graham's co-presenter on Ski Sunday
Ed Leigh, headed the panel that also included former president of the SIGB Damon Street, editor of Where to Ski & Snowboard Dave Watts, former chief executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain Caroline Stuart Taylor and editor of Ski and Snowboard Henry Druce.

The 2012 World Snow Awards recognise only the very best resorts and Livigno came top because of the impeccable quality and wide range of its services offered across the winter season, including world-beating hotel offers and the super efficiency of its ski lifts.

Special mention was also made of Livigno’s outstanding Freeride Experience, which allows visitors to enjoy exciting yet safe off-piste thrills – it’s the perfect place for a freestyler to combine riding the snowpark and shredding pristine powder.

Nick Miller, Chairman of VOS Media and publisher of Ski and Snowboard said: “The ski and snowboard world is one of the most vibrant and innovative sectors of the travel industry and the World Snow Awards has recognised those who go the extra mile and lead the way for the rest of the industry.”

With its industry peers recognising and rewarding the true quality of Livigno, here are five more things you need to know before sampling the best resort in Europe for yourself.

1.      Snow business: Set amidst pristine natural surroundings, crisp Alpine air and mountain sunshine, Livigno offers unrivalled ski and boarding opportunities from the end of November to the start of May. There are 115km of slopes of various levels, all served by state-of-the-art ski lifts. There are also 70 sq km of slopes catering especially for snowboarders of all levels and a snowpark with half-pipes, jumps and a boardercross piste.It’s not just about skis and boards however. There are countless other fun activities to enjoy, from racing cars on ice to riding horses in the mountains, snowmobiling to go-karting, ice skating to paragliding. Whatever your passion and desired adrenalin level, you’ll find it richly rewarded in Livigno.
2.      Sales and souvenirs: A refreshingly duty-free zone, an accreditation granted by Napoleon in 1805, Livigno is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of retail therapy. Its beautiful streets play host to a wide variety of shopping opportunities, from arts and crafts boutiques to snow sports stores where you can discover all of the top brands at great value prices. And don’t forget to sample and stock up on the array of fresh local delicacies.
3.      A Moooving Experience: The Latteria Di Livigno is a dairy with a difference. Located in via Pemont, close to Livigno´s beautiful lake, the bespoke facility welcomes flocks of new guests from Monday to Friday. Not only can you see the entire milk transformation process at work but you can enjoy tasting all of the delicious finished products. There is also an exhibition area, where visitors can learn about the fascinating history of local agriculture. It really is the perfect place to experience a true taste of Livigno.
4.      Enjoy the aqua vita: At the Aquagranda Livigno Wellness Park, the emphasis is on pure indulgence for body and soul. At the heart of this thoroughly modern sports club and spa, you can treat your senses and pamper yourself. Four words perfectly sum up the Aquagranda: water, fitness, wellness, and beauty. After a fun day on the slopes it’s the ideal oasis for relaxing and rejuvenating before enjoying Livigno’s famous après piste nightlife.
5.      Join the party! From the taste-bud tingling Christmas Markets to spectacular Winter Carnivals, breath-taking ice shows to the World Rookie Tour for the planet’s best boarders, there is always something going on in Livigno. Whether it’s dressing entirely in pink for the fun-filled Women’s Week festival or chilling out to the Concert Under The Tree with the Musica Group of Livigno, you can be sure of finding the perfect party for you.

Now you know a little more about Little Tibet, it’s the ideal time to enjoy first hand the first snow and first sunshine of spring – that’s because if you spend your holiday (at least 4 nights in hotel or 7 nights in apartment) here from April 13 to the 1 May 1, 2013, you will be entitled to a free Skipass!

For more information on Livigno, officially the Best European Resort 2012, visit www.livigno.eu/en

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: FIRST RESOLUTION FOR 2013... BECOME A VIP!

COME January the festive decorations will be back in the attic, time will be called on the very last of the parties, and the reality of entering a new year will hit home. So why not plan ahead for 2013 and make your New Year’s resolution to make January the month you become a bona fide VIP? 

As a guest of VIP SKI you will not only enjoy the finest skiing and snowboarding in Europe, but also be treated to the luxurious surroundings of a beautiful Alpine chalet – while enjoying a first-class service and renowned, world-class dining. Discover what being a VIP really means and make your January a month of joy!

Luxury living

VIP SKI chalets have been built with you in mind, fully bespoke to meet the desires of the most discerning guests. Smart and contemporary or of traditional mountain design, all are spacious, yet cosy, and filled with plump sofas and roaring log fires. Choose from an à La Carte menu of accommodation to suit your taste and budget and enjoy ski-in ski-out locations, home cinemas, spacious rooms and hot tubs with fabulous views.

A to Z of Resorts

Being a VIP means you get to choose from an A to Z of Europe’s top ski resorts, from Alpe d'Huez to Zermatt. Alpe d’Huez, known as The Island of Sunshine, is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and today its Quartier des Vieil Alpe has the character and charm of an old mountain village. Its beginners’ plateau, glaciers, varied terrain and state-of-the-art lift system make it a skiers’ delight. Zermatt, meanwhile, dominated by the Matterhorn, is a car-free town that blends rustic Alpine charm with discreet A-list appeal. The skiing is extensive and varied, with more than 300km of the highest north and west-facing slopes in Europe.

Fun for all the family

Families can rest assured VIP SKI ‘s priority is to create a dream holiday for the children, too, complete with sledging, husky dogs, ice caves and climbing walls, not to mention snowballs and hot chocolate trips! What’s more, several of VIP SKI’s chalets have family rooms with bunk beds, sofa beds, or child’s single beds – charged at half the adult price. It’s all about putting family value at the heart of luxury holidays.

Go Platinum

Upgrade to the VIP SKI Platinum Service and a private chef will prepare a menu of all your favourite foods, while a sommelier provides the very finest wines. With port, handmade chocolates and complimentary mini-bar filled with your favourite drinks and snacks, you’ll feel right at home. An upgrade also includes a chauffeur to whisk you from the airport to your luxury chalet. The Platinum Service is available in all of VIP SKI’s chalets this season.

Weekend wonders at Hotel Montjola

Guests wishing to stay in Hotel Montjola can now choose Saturday or Sunday arrivals. This is VIP SKI’s brand new property in St Anton, located just above the two main lifts and the centre of the charming Austrian town. All bedrooms have en suites, cable TV and WiFi, while many have a balcony or terrace with spectacular views. Choose from twin, double or Austrian twin rooms, plus family rooms with double sofa bed or child single beds, and suites.

Dependable travel

By chartering its own aircraft directly from Flybe and Aer Lingus, VIP SKI offers a reliable service from Gatwick and Manchester, and is determined to get you to your chalet with the minimum of fuss. Business Class flights and private transfers are available. VIP SKI prices for seven nights start from £779 per person based on 2 sharing at the CLUB Alaska in Morzine. Included are return flights from Gatwick, coach transfers, accommodation, catered chalet board of breakfast, afternoon tea, three course evening meal on six nights followed by cheese board and coffee and mints, wine, wake up drinks and canapés on the first and last evening. Complimentary ski and snowboard hosting service is available on three days plus daily newspapers.  For more information call VIP SKI now on 0844 557 3119 or simply visit the fully interactive website www.vip-chalets.com

Take the Olympic plunge and enjoy a fresh start in 2013!

If 2012 was all about Olympic aspirations and extraordinary achievements, 2013 is all about keeping that rich sporting legacy alive. And with a Pierre & Vacances summer holiday, you could turn a year of Olympian inspiration into a new year of aqua vitae!

That’s because water is at the very heart of Pierre & Vacances’ exciting new range of holiday ideas. Its varied portfolio of invigorating vacations includes everything from cultural sojourns near Paris to get-away-from-it-all spa breaks . . . but getting active is the fresh focus for 2013, with swimming and water sports the exhilarating main attraction in many of Pierre &Vacanes’ holiday villages. 

You can find Pierre & Vacances’ charming resorts in beautiful locations throughout France, Spain and the Caribbean. Here we count down just some of the very best ways to enjoy the water and keep active this summer at Pierre & Vacances villages by the rolling ocean, slow-winding rivers and calm lakes, and even by white water torrents high up in the majestic mountains.

Lake Activities

Lakes are the ideal place for all the family to take their first dip into the world of water sports. Whether it’s kayaking, traditional pedalos or small sailing boats, this is an environment that is both fun and safe to begin your adventure on the water. Cap Esterel is Pierre & Vacances’ flagship village on the Mediterranean, with a commanding position overlooking the beautiful Bay of Agay. Prices for seven nights here start at just £352, if booked early (£414 usual price), based on a studio for 2 to 4 guests. For families there is the great offer of £850 (usual price £1001) for a 1 bedroom apartment with an extra bunk room for the kids and sea view based on the June half term week.

www.pv-holidays.com/capesterel

Sailing

Olympic hero and four-time gold medallist Ben Ainslie has helped sailing grow in stature and his 2012 success widened its appeal. Now it’s your chance to put the wind in your sails. Small boats are ideal to start with and Pierre & Vacances has a fleet of catamarans at the Port du Crouesty that are perfect for launching your new life on the ocean waves. The village on the Brittany coast combines traditional Breton living with a marina atmosphere – the sailing club is located just 300m from the beaches. Prices for seven nights here start at £242, if booked before April (usual price £285), for a studio sleeping 2 to 4 guests.

www.pv-holidays.com/portducrouesty

White Water Rafting

This is a sport for the true thrill seekers and there are few places on the planet better suited to white water fun than the Ardeche Gorges. Not only is this nirvana for rafters, but there is a host of alternative extreme sports to try, such as climbing, canyoning and kayaking. Take on the challenge of the white water by rafting with friends and family . . . and afterwards, away from the thrills and spills, Le Rouret Holiday Village can be your oasis of tranquillity and traditional Southern French relaxation. Prices for seven nights here start at just £249, if booked early (usual price £293), for a two-person studio.

www.pvholidays.com/lerouret

Surfing

Hawaii and California may be the most famous surf spots in the world, but the breakers rolling in on the Atlantic coast of France make its endless beaches the sport’s best kept secret. With excellent waves and, best of all, swathes of soft sand, it is ideal for surfers of all ages to try the sport for the first time. Lacanau Holiday Village, on the pristine Médoc peninsula between the Atlantic coast and the shores of Lake Lacanau, is the perfect place to make your pipe dreams come true. Prices for seven nights here start at £387, if booked before April (usual price £455), for a studio that sleeps up to 2 to 4.

www.pv-holidays.com/lacanau

Swimming

From water babes splashing in the bath to Olympians such as Hannah Miley valiantly battling in the pool, swimming is the most fundamental and easily accessed enjoyment in the water. It’s certainly one of the most sociable and healthy summer pursuits and Pierre & Vacances has a range of water wonderlands within its villages. All of the resorts boast stunning pools and Pont Royal en Provence arguably has the very best with a massive wave pool and landscaped pool. With balmy sunshine almost guaranteed throughout the summer, the weather here is perfect for fun in the pools and relaxing on loungers. Prices for seven nights here start at £352 (usual price £414), based on an apartment studio that sleeps 2 to 4 guests. A 2 bedroom house in the village is perfect for a family break here and at just £605 using the early booking offer (was £740) based on 13^th April for 7 nights.

www.pv-holidays.com/pontroyal

The Top Five Countdown offers just a taste of the exciting water sports at the heart of Pierre & Vacances Village holiday activities.  But remember, too, you can balance fun in the water with enjoying a variety of restaurants, shops, kids’ clubs and indulgent spas. With each and every Pierre & Vacances village offering its own unique style and atmosphere, you can be sure every Pierre & Vacances holiday will be a truly memorable experience.

For those keen to book their active holiday now, or indeed any of Pierre & Vacances 7 or 14-night holidays, there are special offer rates of 15% off a week, 30% off a fortnight for bookings made before 31^st March, including school holiday dates but not including the 3^rd to the 16^th August not included.