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."


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