Headwater is expanding its self-guided walking and cycling portfolio for 2023 with more than 30 new trips across Canada, the USA and Europe. New destinations include Canada's remote Sunshine Coast, seaside Maine in the USA and the Pyrenees. Guests will also be able to explore new areas of classic favourites, including parts of the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, as well as new tours in Greek Kythnos, the Azores, Malta and Gozo. There will be additional pilgrimage routes along the famous Camino de Santiago and the lesser-known Camino Portugues will also be introduced.

Italy has continued to grow in popularity with Headwater's customers with numbers for 2022 almost back to the same numbers as 2019, which was the operator's bestselling year to date. Of the operator's top five tours booked for 2023, two tours are to Sicily. As a result of this demand, Headwater is adding six new trips across the country. Almost 40% of Headwater travellers are repeat bookers, testament to the quality of Headwater holidays.

Michelle Ventre, General Manager of Headwater: “I am delighted to see a continued growth in demand for self-guided holidays and am confident that our expanded portfolio will appeal to both loyal, repeat customers and those travelling with us for the first time. Having listened to customers feedback, we're excited to increase our single-centre self-guided activity holidays in addition to expanding our ever-popular hotel to hotel collection. From cycling in Maine, to trekking in Tyrol, there's something for everyone. We are sure this expanded collection of itineraries will continue to highlight our award-winning expertise in self-guided holidays.”

Headwater trips are perfect for those seeking active experiences, but at a slower tempo. All holidays are self-guided and most have no fixed departure dates. The expert team at Headwater carefully selects the accommodation options to include independently run B&Bs, guesthouses, cosy pubs with rooms and small hotels. Almost 40% of Headwater travellers are repeat bookers, testament to the quality of Headwater holidays.

Here are five of Headwater's new holidays for 2023:

CANADA: Walking Canada's Sunshine Coast – eight nights from £3,199pp

Canada's Sunshine Coast is a 180-kilometre shoreline stretching from Howe Sound to the dramatic-sounding Desolation Sound in British Colombia. Accessible only by plane or boat, the remote location allows the chance to connect with nature, become immersed in local communities and soak up the contrasting scenery of forests, mountains, and oceans. Experiencing this landscape by foot is arguably the best way to do so – the walking trails run between the hotels meaning new routes are encountered every day. Accommodation is based in serene waterfront locations.

Headwater's eight night self-guided Walking Canada's Sunshine Coast is priced from £3,199 per person including accommodation with breakfast daily, international flights, transfers, GPS route directions and maps, luggage transfers and services of a local representative.

USA: Cycling Maine's Coast & National Park – seven nights from £3,439pp

Maine is the place for those seeking a simpler way of life. Its seaside location and famed New England hospitality transports visitors back to a more tranquil time. Local produce is high on the agenda here with specialities such as lobster, smoked salmon, ripe blueberries, and favourite 'whoopee pie' to try after a day on the cycling trails of Acadia National Park and the Schoodic Peninsula. The first night of this trip is in Portland while the remaining days are spent between high quality New England inns, known for their charming service, scattered along Maine coastline.

Headwater's seven night self-guided Cycling Maine's Coast & National Park is priced from £3,439 per person including accommodation with breakfast daily, international flights, high quality bike hire, GPS route directions and maps, luggage transfers and services of a local representative. (Headwater.com, 01606 369121)

AUSTRIA: Walking the Tyrolean Mountains – six nights from £1,519pp

This single centre self-guided walking holiday is based in Kitzbuhel in the dramatic Austrian Alps and is the gateway for those looking to explore the unique routes of the Tyrolean Alps. A mecca for hikers, the panoramic scenery here is punctuated by imposing mountain ranges, lush green meadows, roaring waterfalls and sparkling lakes. Guests will stay in a characterful four-star hotel in the centre of Kitzbuhel allowing convenient access to transport links and restaurants.

Headwater's six night self-guided Walking the Tyrolean Mountains is priced from £1,519 per person including accommodation with breakfast daily, international flights, GPS route directions and maps, luggage transfers and services of a local representative.

GREECE: Walking on Kythnos Island – six nights from £1,009pp

Offering all the beauty and charm linked to the Cyclades without the crowds, the inlet of Kythnos has ancient archaeological sites, traditional tavernas, welcoming locals and clear blue waters. The walking trails are many and varied – traipse along sandy stretches, through wild countryside and visit a Byzantine castle atop a rugged headland. Accommodation on Kythnos for this self-guided walking holiday is typically Greek with stone walls and a sunlit courtyard.

Headwater's six night self-guided Walking on Kythnos Island is priced from £1,009 per person including accommodation with breakfast daily, international flights, GPS route directions and maps, luggage transfers and services of a local representative.

SWITZERLAND: Cycling the Valais Matterhorn – seven nights from £2,579pp

Mountain peaks tower 4,000 metres overhead in Matterhorn where the cycling trails sweep past formidable glaciers, into unspoilt valleys and through sprawling vineyards. The Valais Matterhorn bathes in 300 days of sunshine a year, kissing the mountains and meadows with golden light. 40% of Switzerland's wine is produced in this region meaning quality tipples accompany regional specialities after an exciting day on the tracks. This multi-centre self-guided cycling holiday allows guests to experience alpine hospitality at its finest in a combination of three and four-star hotels.

Headwater's seven night self-guided Cycling the Valais Matterhorn Region is priced from £2,579 per person including accommodation with breakfast daily, international flights, high quality bike hire ,GPS route directions and maps, luggage transfers and services of a local representative.

All bookings are backed by the Book with Confidence* guarantee, which gives customers both flexibility and financial security, should plans have to change.

For further information and to book, visit www.headwater.com or call on 01606 369121.

ENDS

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

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headwater@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470

About Headwater

Headwater offers journeys on foot or by bike throughout 21 countries worldwide. Whilst embracing modern technology and changing times since 1985, the company's ethos remains key – family-run, friendly hotels, an authentic experience of a region, including culture, cuisine and fine wines, and above all a fantastic level of personal service, with staff on hand in resort to help as required. The 2022/2023 collection includes 114 self-guided and 7 guided walking holidays and 94 self-guided cycling holidays, as well as a choice of canoeing, multi-activity, and winter snow holidays (cross-country skiing and winter activities that run between December and April in Finland, Austria, Norway, Switzerland and Italy). The newest additions to the Headwater portfolio are self-guided walking holidays in France (the Alsace and Corsica), Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy (Lake Como, Sicily and Sardinia), and twin centre walking in the Canary Islands.

There are new electric bike cycling trips in Provence and Sardinia as well as new cycling trips in Slovenia, Portugal (the Algarve and the Azores), Valencia and the Costa Blanca in Spain and France (the Alsace, Bordeaux and Champagne). In addition, there is a new multi-activity holiday in the Swiss Alps.

In 2020, Headwater Holidays was voted Best Small Holiday Company for Western Europe and Ireland, Best Small Holiday Company for Central and Northern Europe, and Best Small Holiday Company for the Italian Peninsula at the British Travel Awards.  Headwater Holidays is a sister company of Exodus Travels Ltd, ABTA number YO751, a fully licensed and bonded tour operator holding Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) no. 2582 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and bonded with the CAA. Exodus (Registered in England No. 1150160) is a member of the Travelopia Group of companies. Registered Office: Origin One, 108 High Street, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1BD. www.travelopia.com. Travelopia is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of their business. This commitment is an integral part of the way Travelopia do business.

*BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

All bookings made with Headwater are backed by its Book with Confidence guarantee, which gives customers both flexibility and financial security, should plans have to change. Customers will receive a full refund if Headwater has to cancel the trip and should anyone booked on a trip be diagnosed with COVID-19 or been requested to self-isolate, a full refund will be given to the whole party. All Headwater travel insurance policies now include COVID cover as standard with no additional premiums. To read more about the Book with Confidence guarantee, please visit here.