Adagio (01707 386700, www.adagio.co.uk), the experts in “gentle walking” small group, expertly led holidays on foot, has launched its new 2018 brochure.  Offering a mix of 30 different city and countryside combinations, with fascinating journeys and excursions in between, the brochure features an assortment of tempting itineraries around Europe – including to some of its most enviable high spots.

Created for clients who are active, but want to explore at a more leisurely pace, Adagio's travel rich holidays allow plenty of time to explore, immerse yourself in regional history and culture, as well as enjoy the delicious local cuisine.  New additions for 2018 include 'Magnificent Mont Blanc', exploring France's Chamonix Valley; 'Mediterranean Switzerland', with its palm fringed lakes; and 'The Romantic Heart of Spain' featuring the ancient cities of Segovia and Toledo.  These new tours sit alongside other leisurely-paced Adagio favourites such as Flavours of Hidden Spain, Montalbano's Sicily and Stylish Umbria.

The brochure also includes a specialist selection of six 'Adagio Plus' itineraries that have a slightly more active countryside element with longer walks than on the standard Adagio holiday. Popular choices for these include Zermatt & the Mighty Matterhorn staying in Hotel Butterfly, a charming alpine style hotel in a car-free village surrounded by magnificent views of the 'mighty' mountain, and The Aragon Pyrenees which offers a good balance of mountain walking and sightseeing to medieval villages, megalithic monuments and Romanesque churches.

Kathy Cook, Joint Managing Director, commented: “Our 2018 programme features an exciting range of holidays, with some very tempting new tours to France, Switzerland and Spain. Exploring by foot really gives you the time to appreciate a destination, and on an Adagio holiday, this is at a particularly relaxed pace. Our holidays are all led by experienced leaders who are adept at going off the beaten track to offer a real taste of authentic local life.  The holidays have all been created with great attention to detail and we carefully handpick our hotels, and choose restaurants and even modes of transport with a view to enhancing the holiday still further. This means waking up to the sounds of waves gently lapping on the Aegean shore, savouring delicious Sicilian 'A stemperata' with a glass of red in a local osteria, or taking the spellbinding Aiguille du Midi cable car with its magnificent views of the French Alps.'

New tours featured in the Adagio 2018 brochure include:

Magnificent Mont Blanc  (Adagio Plus) – New for 2018

Walking with a glacial backdrop of legendary peaks - Aiguilles du Midi, the Grandes Jorasses and Mont Blanc - through flower adorned meadows, Magnificent Mont Blanc takes walkers to extraordinary heights yet with considerably more ease than on many walking holidays.  Combining mountain trails with Chamonix Valley's extensive network of cable cars, tramways and trains, peak viewing is ensured with 360°panoramas from the Prarion (1986m), sweeping scenes down the Contamines Valley from Nid d'Aigie (2400m) and glacial mountain vistas from Grand Montets (3295m).  Culminating in a breathtaking cable car ride to the top of world famous Aiguille du Midi (4000m) for magnificent views of Mont Blanc, the holiday includes a flexible lift pass making it easy to opt in or out of walks or parts of the days. Other leisurely pursuits include the classic Montevers train to Mer de Glace and a visit to the weekly farmers market where mountain producers sell their delicious cheeses, meats and fresh goodies.

Adagio (01707 386700, www.adagio.co.uk) Magnificent Mont Blanc 8 day holiday starts from £1499/person including return flights to Geneva, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, entrance fees as per itinerary, local transport and the services of an Adagio leader. Departures 25 June; 2, 9, 16 & 23 July; 10 September 2018

Romantic Heart of Spain – New for 2018

Walking in the footsteps of Spanish kings, explorers, authors and artists, this 8 day tour into the heart of Spain explores the rich cultural heritage of two of the country's most interesting UNESCO World Heritage listed medieval walled cities, Segovia and Toledo.  Equally impressive, with magnificent gothic cathedrals, Moorish castles (alcázares), baroque style palaces and beautiful gardens, their grandeur spans the centuries with Segovia's soaring Roman Aqueduct giving rise to a melting pot of Christian, Jewish and Muslim influences which are still very much evident in the architecture, cuisine and culture today. Adding to the numerous city highlights, the trip also includes a visit to La Granja's Palacio Real with its extensive gardens and sculptural fountains, walking in the Duraton National Park, wine tasting in the Ribero Del Duero wine region and a guided tour of the Museo del Greco learning about the artist and his work.  Culminating in a final night dinner at the Parador de Toledo with unparalleled views over the city, it's not difficult to see why this region continues to be so attractive to visitors.

Adagio (01707 386700, www.adagio.co.uk) Romantic Heart of Spain starts from £1665/person including return flights to Madrid, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, guides and entrance fees as per itinerary, local transport and the services of an Adagio leader. Departures 6 May, 23 September & 14 October 2018

Mediterranean Switzerland - New for 2018

Ticino is Switzerland's Italian speaking and southernmost region where the majestic Alps rise behind surprisingly palm-fringed lakes.  With the piazzas and cobbled streets of the lakeside towns owing much of their heritage to Italy, the climate is Mediterranean with summer arriving early and leaving late.  From Bellizona, explore the valleys that radiate into Alpine foothills, taking in waterside walks along Lake Maggiore and the Dam of Verzasca, before climbing into the mountains from Madonna del Sasso to Cardada for an unparalleled view of Lake Maggiore, the Centovalli and Maggia Valley. In addition, boat trips to the island of Brissago to visit the subtropical botanical park and cruising Lake Lugano are perfectly punctuated with gentle strolls through olive plantations and gastronomic tours tasting local specialty cheeses, famously delicious Swiss Chocolates and Italian style gelato.

Adagio (01707 386700, www.adagio.co.uk) Mediterranean Switzerland 8 day holiday starts from £1650/person including return flights to Milan, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, guides and entrance fees as per itinerary, local transport and the services of an Adagio leader. Departures 23 May, 13 June, 5 September & 3 October 2018

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For further media information please contact:  Sarah Bolam, Anthea Yabsley or Judith Watson on pr@rwhtravel.com or Salvatore (Tony) Maniscalco on salvatore.maniscalco@rwhtravel.com

Or call:  Sarah Bolam: 07714 337756

Anthea Yabsley: 020 8578 6777

Judith Watson: 020 7372 7732

Tony Maniscalco: 01707 386755

Notes to Editors:

Company Background:

Adagio is a collection of small group, guided holidays on foot, offering gentle walking for those who want to enjoy the world at a more leisurely pace and is part of RWH Travel (formerly known as Ramblers Worldwide Holidays).

Alongside Adagio, the company has  Ramblers Walking Holidays and Chapters Experience Holidays. Ramblers Walking Holidays encapsulate the essence of a Ramblers holiday: small group holidays, great destinations, brilliant walks and trusted Leaders, whilst Chapters Experience Holidays are experience-rich adventures from walking and cycling to mindfulness.  

Other brands within the RWH Travel group include Load off Your Back (LOYB), a self-guided walking holiday programme -  and Cruise and Walk – Walking Holidays in association with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

For its walking holidays the company is the proud holder of Which? Recommended Provider status – i.e. companies which are highly rated by Which? Members and reach the exacting standards of Which? Researchers.

Company Mission

The company's mission is to generate funds for walking charities by the provision of outstanding outdoor activity holidays worldwide.

With its not-for-profit philosophy, the company contributes monies to the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust which supports walking related and environmental projects in the UK. The company also funds Heart & Sole - an initiative managed by company staff, with the aim of reaching into the heart of the communities visited both in the UK and overseas.

RWH Travel also runs The Walking Partnership - an initiative which champions walking at the 'grass roots' level by providing funding and support to walking groups and clubs throughout the UK.

Ramblers Walking Holidays is the Walking Holiday Partner of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity which has been pioneering and championing walking and 'rights of way' for over 70 years across England, Scotland and Wales.

Customers travelling on all holidays operated by RWH Travel Limited are fully protected via the company's membership of ABTA and ATOL.  RWH Travel Limited is also a member of AITO.