New guided walking holiday: Jalon Valley - Untamed Costa Blanca, Spain

The Jalon Valley is a haven for walkers looking to get away from the crowds and experience some of Spain’s finest countryside. In a timeless scene that has little changed for generations, orange groves shelter beneath dramatic rocky mountains offering breath taking views across to the sea. There are trails to suit everyone with gentle inland strolls, coastal trails, and rugged mountain ridges all on the week’s menu.

This holiday offers maximum flexibility - the favourable climate makes it an ideal all year round location. Guided holidays available all year for a minimum of 2.

You’ll stay in a beautifully restored 17th century hotel full of charm and character. Set in the heart of the unspoilt village of Parcent, “Casa Carrascal” is run by your welcoming hosts Sue and David. Their highly acclaimed restaurant provides scrumptious 4 course meals made from the finest fresh produce, washed down with award-winning local wines. Find out more

WALK ON THE WILDER SIDE WITH HIGH POINT HOLIDAYS
And support cancer charity, Myeloma UK
Tired of big tour groups, 'one size fits all' operators and impersonal package holidays? Bespoke walking and cycling holiday company, High Point Holidays ( http://www.highpointholidays.co.uk ), offers customers made-to-measure tours off the beaten track in Europe and Africa, including two mountain treks in unspoilt areas of Spain and Bulgaria - new for 2009.
And, for those seeking an active trip with a 'feel good factor', the company will donate £5 from every holiday sold to Myeloma UK, the bone marrow cancer charity. The aim is to raise thousands of pounds over the coming years as part of a long term partnership.

The founder of High Point Holidays, Tony Armstrong, has recently been diagnosed for the second time with myeloma, an incurable blood cell cancer that affects the bone marrow. A keen hill walker, Tony credits his quick recovery, after he was first diagnosed in 1996 and treated with a stem cell transplant, to regular exercise - he scaled the 15 peaks in Wales in a single weekend. Now, he wants to help improve treatment and fund research into a cure for the 4,000 people diagnosed annually with the disease in the UK.

Tony's philosophy is to offer unusual holidays at affordable prices. As an antidote to the well-worn routes on offer through other operators, High Point Holidays specialises in finding forgotten trails and tracks rather than following the crowds. Customers can choose between guided tours and independent treks everywhere from the unspoilt wilderness of the Vanoise National Park in the French Alps to the majestic Picos de Europa mountains in the north of Spain.

And, after a long day in the saddle or on their feet, customers can look forward to staying in an independent guest house full of character - rather than an identikit hotel. Whether in an old farm, a former mill, a quaint cottage or a chateau, accommodation has been carefully chosen to guarantee an authentic local experience, home-cooked meals and a warm welcome.

Tony Armstrong says: "Before setting up the company, my experience of guided walking holidays was passing hordes of other hikers - all ending up in the same boring accommodation. We want our customers to feel like they've not only visited a place but been part of it as well."

For 2009, High Point Holidays is offering walks in France and the French Alps, Spain and Bulgaria as well as some classic treks in the High Atlas in Morocco and Kilimanjaro in Africa.
Its cycling holidays are based in the Beaujolais and Burgundy regions of France. Groups for the guided tours never exceed ten people, and itineraries are flexible to adapt to interests and abilities.

For those who prefer to go it alone, High Point Holidays can recommend tried and tested routes off the main tourist trails, complete with detailed maps and comprehensive notes about the walk and the region. Whatever option customers choose, their bags are always transported between guest houses, so they need only carry essentials for the day. And, to help cash-strapped customers, the 2009 holidays are available at 2008 prices.

Tony adds: "People may be wary of visiting the Euro zone because of the weak pound but we've frozen last year's prices, making our tours great value for money. As people's holiday time becomes increasingly precious, why not ditch the South Downs for the South of France or substitute the misty Malvern Hills for the majestic mountains of the Alps."


Feed Shark

New holidays in Spain and Bulgaria

High Point Holidays is delighted to announce the addition of two exciting new holidays to its 2009 calendar. We have been out and about in search of the best in guided walking holidays and have teamed up with like-minded local specialists who are passionate and knowledgeable about their area. In September we visit Spain’s greener side—the Picos de Europa, and in July, the largely undiscovered and beautiful mountains of Bulgaria. Read more below or visit our web site. E-mail for an updated brochure.

Picos de Europa - Spain's greener side
Why not discover this dramatic range of limestone mountains in the north of Spain which rise majestically from the Atlantic. Characterised by steep-sided valleys, isolated pretty villages and rugged limestone peaks, your weeks walking will explore the numerous facets of these fascinating and spectacular mountains. Your guest house is a magnificent 500 year old farmhouse run by your welcoming hosts Lisa and Mike Stuart . Find out more

Rila and Pirin - Bulgaria at its beautiful best

The Rila & Pirin ranges in SW Bulgaria offer beautiful alpine style mountains with hundreds of shimmering lakes. Our diverse walks explore a largely undiscovered region, protected by two national parks where paths follow intimate valleys, rugged ridges and bulky peaks nearly 3000m high. Its rich fauna and flora and important architectural heritage, such as the famous Rila Monestary, makes this walking break a great all-round holiday experience. Find out more

New brochure and walks for 2009

With winter fast approaching, there’s nothing better for the spirits than planning for next year’s holidays. 2009 sees High Point Holidays offer a range of exciting new walks in rural France and the French Alps. We have been busy seeking out some stunning undiscovered regions where great walks and a warm and generous welcome go hand-in-hand.

Hidden France
Why not discover the Queyras in the Southern Alps, with its diverse landscapes of alpine meadows, rocky deserts and rugged peaks. Accessible high mountain cols and summits make this sunny region a paradise for mountain walkers. Or, if you’re looking for something more gentle, why not try the Tarn and Aveyron in south west France, where hundreds of historic hilltop towns overlook dramatic gorges.

African heights
In addition, we have teamed up with like minded local guiding companies in Morocco and Tanzania to bring you two classic treks: Toubkal High Atlas Adventure in Morocco and Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa by the quieter and very scenic Machame route.

We are unwavering in our commitment to bring you holidays that offer a genuine local experience. Small, intimate guest houses, local delicacies and above all, a warm and generous welcome will underpin your stay. In addition, our guided walks will involve only small groups, creating a friendly and informal atmosphere, where you’ll feel right at home.

We’ll only be too happy to discuss any aspect of our holidays with you. Just phone us on 01747858229 or e-mail us at contact@highpointholidays.co.uk. More information about us and our holidays can be found on our website: http://www.highpointholidays.co.uk/

We hope you find a holiday that interests you and look forward to hearing from you soon.

SPECIAL OFFER: GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY IN AUVERGNE

We are pleased to be able to offer a special offer on our guided walking holiday in Auvergne for September 2008 £435 (a saving of £140) - Please follow the link to find out more



Great walking that lets you experience more of this fascinating and beautiful region

6 – 13 September
7 nights accommodation Full Board, 6 days multi-centre-based, guided walking. Altitude maximum 1886m.

Highlights:
Three extraordinary volcanic regions within the same upland area including perfectly preserved volcanic domes
The largest volcano in western Europe (now extinct)
Dramatic waterfalls, rock formations, glaciated valleys, great views and abundant wildlife
Small groups of upto 8 people with informative and relaxed guiding by our own knowledgeable and experienced leader
Time to relax, take photos and soak up the atmosphere
welcoming home-from-home accommodation
Tried and tested trails off the main tourist tracks, flexible itineraries to adapt to local conditions as well as the groups abilities and interests

Introducing High Point Holidays, the highlight of your year

High Point Holidays is an exciting new Anglo/French collaboration which brings together the experience and knowledge of its two partners, father and son, Tony and William Armstrong. Both Tony and William are experienced walkers, cyclists and golfers. Tony is based at our registered office in Shaftesbury among the rolling hills of Dorset, whilst William, our principal walking leader and local representative, is based in the Beaujolais region of France.

http://www.highpointholidays.co.uk/