Breakaway Adventures Announces New Walking Tours in Sicily, Croatia, Switzerland and Italy in 2008 Brochure

52-page color brochure available by visiting www.breakaway-adventures.com

Breakaway Adventures has announced nine new walking tours in its newly published 52-page 2008 color brochure, available free by visiting the tour company’s website at www.breakaway-adventures.com.

The U.S.-based tour company, which specializes in cycling and walking tours throughout the globe, expanded its walking tours in Europe this year due to customer demand. It also has added a new independent cycling tour in Sicily.

“We find our walking tours are becoming more popular, so we did additional research and decided to add tours in Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia and Portugal,“ said Carol Keskitalo, co-owner of the firm. “By walking – and staying in charming inns, ranging from 2- to 5-star, that we have carefully selected – you get to truly see and experience up close all the beauty and the culture around you.�
Known in the travel industry as one of the leaders in off-the-beaten-track walking and cycling tours, Breakaway Adventures offers more than 200 cycling and walking tours each year in 30 countries. The tour company keeps groups small and personal – rarely more than eight people – so space is limited and early bookings are strongly recommended. On independent tours, departures are frequent (every other day) and tours are guaranteed so participants can make plans and travel at their own pace.

Also new this year are video clips of the walking tours, cycling tours and accommodations at www.headwater.com/videos/experience.htm. For more detailed itineraries, routes and information, call (800) 567-6286 or visit www.breakaway-adventures.com.

All independent and guided tours include pick up and drop off at airport/train station (outlined in the tour descriptions on the website), breakfast each day, most dinners (see tour details) and fully researched route notes and maps. Also included are the services of the on-site representative who moves luggage from inn to inn and is available on call for special assistance, including pick up of wine purchases.

Here is a sampling of the new walking tours featured in the company’s 2008 brochure:
Vineyards of Barolo Walk: This independent hotel-to-hotel walking holiday explores the tranquil Langhe region of Piedmont – a gastronomic gem in northwestern Italy. Undiscovered by most tourists, the countryside is a mix of hills cloaked by layers of vines, sunflowers and oak forests, crowned with Savoy castles. The tour starts and ends in Benevello and follows the Tanaro River before climbing through a string of hamlets to Diano d’Alba, an atmospheric village with balcony views. Then it’s on to Castiglione Falletto, dominated by its distinctive 11C castle and Monforte d’Alba and Barolo, home of the revered eponymous wine. Distances are reasonably short, leaving plenty of time to explore. Dates and prices are: every two days from May 5 – Oct 14, starting at $2,355 per person.
Delights of the Dalmatian Coast: This walking and sightseeing holiday explores the beautiful, unspoiled Dalmatian Coast. The tour includes travel between destinations by minibus, and walking along coastal and forest paths to rocky coves, forest and waterfalls. Highlights include a stop in Trogir, where the first Greek settlers landed, and Dubrovnik, Croatia's most wealthy independent Maritime. Dates and prices: May 11, Oct. 5 $3,160; May 25, June 8 $3,199; Sep. 21 $3,372; Aug. 24, Sep. 7 $3,398 per person.
Islands of Sicily Walk: This triple-centre independent walking holiday starts in the Moorish village of Scopello on Sicily’s north coastline, adjacent to one of Italy’s most pristine coastal nature reserves, the Riserva dello Zingaro. The tour then goes by ferry to Marettimo, the most mountainous of the three so-called Egadi Islands just off the western coast, featuring cliff paths that wind through Spanish broom and purple cistus to Saracen fortresses, Roman villas and coral- lined sea grottoes. The tour then returns to the mainland at San Vito Lo Capo. Highlights here include exploring the medieval hilltop town of Erice and hiking on Monte Cofano, with stunning coastal vistas as far as Palermo. Dates and prices: Apr. 26 $2,171; May 3, 10, 17, 24, Sep. 6, 13 $2,234; May 31, June 7, 14, Oct 11 $2,297; Sep. 20, 27, Oct. 4 $2,344 per person.

Other new walking tours outlined in the brochure are: Valleys & Volcanoes Guided Walk in France; Southern Corsica independent walk in Corsica, France; Secrets of Andalucia Guided Walk in Spain; Marvels of Madeira independent walk in Madeira, Portugal; Highlights of the Lycian Coast independent walk in Turkey; and the Gourmet Goms Valley independent walk in Switzerland.
In addition to the new walking tours, Breakaway Adventures has added a new independent cycling tour called Secrets of Sicily Cycling. The eight-night tour explores Sicily’s unspoiled western coast, a quintessential Mediterranean landscape complete with citrus-scented trails, swaying vines, secluded coves and tranquil hamlets. Distances are fairly long, but mainly flat with a few short climbs. Dates and prices: beginning Saturdays from April 5 to Oct. 18, $2,374 per person.

All hotels are researched and inspected on-site by Breakaway Adventures and are mostly three- and four-star, many featuring swimming pools and fine food made with fresh, local produce.

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