MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THE MERCANTOUR

FROM THE TO THE MED

MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THE MERCANTOUR - SELF GUIDED SUMMARY WALKING HOLIDAY Starting high in the mountain villages of the in this walking adventure heads south through the Valley towards the azure waters of the Med. The walk follows a trail very close to the Italian border and many influences can be seen through the architecture and traditional style of the local perched villages. They form natural balconies overlooking the Med to the south and provide wonderful views all around. Lush forest paths, spectacular views, rugged quiet trails and traditional cuisine combined with local wine make this area of South East France a walkers delight.

Your journey begins in St Dalmas de , high in the mountains of the Mercantour National Park. You then follow the trail south passing many traditional mountain villages, rich in history to the turquoise waters of the Med. Your journey ends in which has a wonderful port and old town where you can explore after your walking adventure. It is also renowned for its orange and lemon groves due to the warm . Tour: Mountain Villages of the Mercantour Code: WSFMVM Fabulous walking combined with traditional, local simple Hotels. Breakfast is provided every morning and Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday an evening meal is also included on 6 nights. Baggage transfer and great backup are of course included to Price: See Website ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in South East France. Single Supplement: See Website Dates: April - October Days: 8 Days (6 Walking Days) HIGHLIGHTS Nights: 7 Nights Start/Finish: St-Dalmas-de-Tende/Menton Grade: Moderate  The rugged and quiet mountain paths of the Mercantour National Park Is It For Me?  Wild colourful flowers and lush forest walking If you are looking to escape the daily grind  Magnificent 360 degree views from the perched mountain villages and shake off the cobwebs then why not  Traditional, local French/Italiian cuisine at your overnight accommodation head to the Mountains of South East France. Wonderful and relaxed walking through The village of Menton on the - nicknamed ‘The Pearl of France’  secluded villages, high on the slopes of the Roya valley. WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers we know what makes for an unforgettable walking holiday and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding What’s Included? walking holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, Accommodation: 7 Nights in traditional small local hotels. welcoming accommodation are all guaranteed. Meals: Breakfast included every morning From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows the area intimately. and 6 evening meals included. They help you plan every aspect of your holiday and to make the most of your time with their in-depth Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage knowledge of the route, accommodation and must-see attractions. transfer included. Info Pack: Detailed route notes and maps Self guided walking holidays are the very best way to explore a new destination. Pre booked on arrival and emergency support from our accommodation, detailed route notes and maps, daily baggage transfer and local backup support mean you local French partner. can relax and enjoy your time walking. MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THE MERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED

DAY 2 DAY 4 DETAILED ITINERARY Circular walk around St-Dalmas-de- Walk to Breil-sur-Roya Our Itinerary includes 6 Days walking and 7 Tende You follow the old salt road to Breil-sur-Roya Nights accommodation in traditional family run Todays walk passes through two superb today passing through the impressive village of hotels (4 nights) and in 2 star hotels (3 nights). medieval villages packed with history. perched high on the hillside. It overlooks Breakfast is included every morning and 6 is the first village you come to after walking the Roya Valley and its full of picturesque evening meals are included. through lush forests and through a couple of streets, ancient churches and chapels and sundials. The village is stretched out in an arc Code: WFSMVD ravines. Take time to explore the village with its Days: 8 (6 Walking Days) pretty church and winding cobbled streets. with views across to the North as well as the Nights: 7 Heading onwards you follow the path uphill South. The trail from Saorge passes some Grade: Moderate slightly to get some fabulous views below to beautiful water filled pot-holes which are very Tende which is the next village you come across. tempting to bathe in! From here to Breil-sur- You pass Eagles Monument which is a wonderful Roya you follow river crossings and head Day Route Km place to stop for a picnic lunch. The museum in downhill on curved paths passing many dry- Tende is worth a visit aswell as all the shops and stoned walls and footpaths. As you approach the 1 Arrive St Dalmas-de- cobbled streets. You have the option from here village you follow the route parallel to the river Tende to take the train back to St Dalmas de Tende or until you reach the main square of Breil-sur- 2 Circular walk around 9-16 Roya. St-Dalmas-de-Tende walk back through woodland paths. 3 Walk to Fontan 15.5 Walk: 9.2-15.7km, 3.30-5.30 hrs, 600m ascent / - Walk: 12.5 km, 5.30 hrs, 700m ascent / - 800m 4 Walk to Breil-sur-Roya 12.5 descent 5 Walk to 15 500m descent 6 Walk to Sainte-Agnes 18 Overnight: St Dalmas de Tende - Hotel Le Overnight: Breil-sur-Roya - Hotel La Bonne 7 Walk to Menton 13 Auberge - DB&B 8 Onward Travel Prieure - DB&B DAY 3 DAY 5 Walk to Fontan Walk to Sospel DETAILED DESCRIPTION Today’s walk passes through a series of isolated The walking today starts off heading uphill along villages which are built of dry stone walls and the GR510 (one of Frances National Network of roofed with the local slate from the area. Some long distance footpaths). You soon leave the DAY 1 woodland walking today and as you head to main path to follow the valley route passing pine Arrive St-Dalmas-de-Tende Granile you have superb views down to the trees and gently flowing streams. You end up in turquoise waters of the Med. From here you Piene Haute another perched village with St-Dalmas-de-Tende is located in the hills of the follow a zigzagging track alongside some cliffs outstanding views to the surrounding mountains Mercantour National Park very close to the Italian until you cross the vallon de Burghe by a and also the sea. Explore the village by heading border. The best way to reach the village is to fly remarkable bridge which then heads into Fontan to the church and the ruined chateau which is into and take the morning train via Briel (1hr for your overnight stay. closeby. The next section to Sospel passes an 40mins). old lime kiln and magnificent footpath renowned Walk: 15 km, 5.30 hrs, 900m ascent / - 1000m Your information pack including route notes and for its wild flowers. You are very close to the descent maps will be waiting for you at your Hotel in St Italian border on todays walk and you can see a Dalmas de Tende, please arrive before 19:00 Overnight: Fontan - Hotel Le Terminus - chapel in the midst of olive groves which is hrs, in time for your evening meal. DB&B between France and .

Overnight: St Dalmas de Tende - Hotel Le Walk: 15km, 5.30hrs, 600m ascent/ -700m Prieure - DB&B descent MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THE MERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED

Overnight: Sospel Hotel - Auberge du Pont better standard as those described and details Vieux - DB&B HOLIDAY INFORMATION will all be sent to you. DAY 6 Additional Nights and Extensions Single Rooms If you require single rooms within your party we Walk to Sainte-Agnes We would recommend an extra night in Menton would be happy to accommodate you although Before leaving Sospel visit the remains of the at the end of your walk but you can add there is a single room supplement payable. fortified castle and the cathedral of this ancient additional nights at any point along the walk. village. A steep start to todays walk for the first Please contact us for more details. Solo Walkers hour but you are rewarded with wonderful views over Sospel village. The walking levels out after Tailor Made Holidays This holiday is not available for solo walkers due to safety issues. the initial climb and heads through farmland until We are always more than happy to tailor our you reach the foot of the cliffs of Barme Routa. standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what Meals From here the path undulates again until you you would like and we will be happy to arrange a reach Col de Castillon. The next section follows tailor made walking holiday. A delicious breakfast is included each morning a good path until you reach a tiny chapel where and dinner is included on six of your nights. (the the path climbs up a stony track into the village of Grade & Fitness last night is not included giving you the option to chose from one of the many options in Menton). Sainte-Agnes which is the highest coastal village This walking holiday is graded Moderate. Daily Most accommodations are happy to provide a of Europe. walks are a mixture of forest paths some with a packed lunch - this should be requested on few sections of steep terrain. A couple of days Walk: 18 km, 3-5hrs, 580m - 1040m ascent/ -240 arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or are long and some of the trails are on narrow -700 descent stop along the trail. Your route notes have paths so make sure you have a head for heights. details for each day including rest stops and Overnight: Sainte Agnes - Hotel Le Saint- You should be a regular walker and have a good places of interest. Yves - DB&B level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday. DAY 7 Baggage Transfer Walk to Menton Navigation Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask The routes on this walk are not waymarked but Your final days walking follows a route down you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to we provide you with detailed route notes and through the village of Castellar which overlooks 20kg per person. the sea, it is built on a hill and the views across maps to follow so you should have no problem. to Menton and the Med are spectacular. There Accommodation Equipment are many interesting features of the village Your information pack has a detailed equipment including the ancient church and chapel. The We specifically select your accommodation in list which includes standard walking gear such as track then heads downhill into Menton via the local, family run hotels to ensure that you enjoy good walking boots or shoes, warm and cathedral. Menton is renowned for its beauty, every minute of your stay in France. They all waterproof clothes and a day pack. exceptional climate and its flaura and fauna. It offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional has charm and its old quarter overlooks harbours hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to and beaches. give you an authentic experience and use TRAVEL INFORMATION traditional small hotels. Walk: 13km, 5.30hrs, 150m ascent / -700m descent Alternate accommodation Getting to St-Dalmas-de-Tende Overnight: Menton - Hotel Moderne - B&B During high season, you might be booked into a By Air - The closest airport to fly into is Nice. different accommodation which is not listed in the Many low cost and charter airlines fly from both DAY 8 description, and the start or end of some of your the UK and Europe. walking routes may be slightly altered. Any Onward Travel From Nice Airport - You can take a shuttle into alternative accommodation will be of the same or the centre of Nice (20mins) and then a train to St MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF THE MERCANTOUR

FROM THE ALPS TO THE MED

Dalmas de Tende (1hr 40 mins). You need to  Sensitive & Sustainable initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all arrive in your hotel in St Dalmas de Tende in monies paid to us, including repatriation if Included time for your evening meal (before 7pm) required (this insurance will not cover repatriation  Accommodation for 7 nights in comfortable, to the country of origin for the passengers Getting from Menton traditional Hotels outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to Travelling onward from Menton couldn't be  7 breakfasts easier, you can take the train to Nice (35mins) the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd  6 Dinners and then the shuttle to the airport and onward There is no requirement for Financial Protection travel from here. Alternatively you can take the  Luggage transport as per itinerary of day trips, and none is provided. This train from Nice to any other destination in  Detailed route notes and maps on arrival insurance is only valid for packages booked that France. DO NOT include flights.  A pre-departure information pack Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP PRICE AND AVAILABILITY 24-hour assistance by phone from our local  Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance is contact. only valid for passengers who book and pay Price Excluded directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk Please refer to our website for up to date prices  Flights and transfers to first / from last and availability. accommodation This Insurance has been arranged by Availability  Travel to and from France International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the This walking holiday is available from April to  Travel Insurance Association of British Insurers & Lloyds October. It is available daily between these  Personal expenses such as drinks, phone Syndicates. dates. calls, extra transfers, tips, etc. AITO Quality Statement Travel Insurance  Any items not specifically mentioned in the program Macs Adventure is a member of It is a condition of booking with us that you have the Association of Independent Optional Extras suitable travel insurance that covers you for Tour Operators. The Association represents cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury. It is  Single room supplement(s) if applicable Britain’s leading independent tour operators and always advisable to book insurance as soon as encourages high standards of quality and you confirm your holiday.  Airport transfers service.  Additional nights during the holiday. Macs Adventure abides by the Association’s RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO HOW TO BOOK Quality Charter which can be viewed on We operate holidays in some of the most www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more beautiful areas of the world and try to operate in Once you have read all the information in this about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. an environmentally aware and sustainable factsheet or our website and would like to go manner. We do this by following our M.A.C.S. ahead with your booking you can book securely ABTA Member Responsible travel policy. The full policy is online at www.macsadventure.com or by Statement telephone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886 available online and the cornerstones of this Macs Adventure Holidays policy are: Financial Security is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA.  Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit Members help holidaymakers to get the most In accordance with "The Package Travel, from their travel and assist when things don’t go  Action & Advocacy Package Holidays and Package Tours according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a  Carbon & Communities Regulations1992" all passengers booking with high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the of Conduct. www.abta.com