THE WONDERS OF MERCANTOUR

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1 TOURCODE: GRADE: D+ OCTOBER Oct - 13 Oct 8 days duration THE WONDERS OF MERCANTOUR Discover the Vallée des Merveilles

2 HOLIDAY INFORMATION TOUR DESCRIPTION This information is additional to our General Information Booklet, which is enclosed. The Parc National du Mercantour is one of only ten French national parks. It is set in the high mountains and contains seven summits which are over 3000 metres high. It is also the national park which is richest in wild flowers, containing over 2000 species, and furthermore is home to wild animals which include ibex, chamois, moufflon (a kind of wild sheep) together with the odd wolf and bearded vulture. The great variety of rock formations together with more than 100 high level lakes combine to form a dramatic landscape. Finally the climate, which combines both Alpine and Mediterranean influences, plays its part in making this section of the Alps a truly splendid group of mountains. Most importantly the National Park is home to the Vallée des Merveilles: The site des Merveilles is in effect an outdoor museum. It is best explored at a gentle pace: the rock-engravings, their explanations and the legends associated with them need time to assimilate We will stay in two contrasting centres, our first 5 nights will be spent in Casterino, a small hamlet nestled in the mountains at 1600m, and the road ends here! It is located at the entrance of the Mercantour National Park. It is the ideal location to explore this stunningly beautiful undiscovered area of the south of France. On two days we will be accompanied by a local guide during our walks. Our final 2 nights will be spent in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, an idyllic seaside town on the French Riviera; it would be criminal not to spend some time here when we are so close by. There will be time to relax or enjoy a visit to Nice or Monaco, both only a vey short journey away by train. An extraordinary setting with a great variety of scenery, lakes and wild animals. The prehistoric rockengravings are a special highlight.

3 ITINERARY: Day Daily Itinerary Meals 1 Fly to Nice and transfer by road (approx 2hrs) to our hotel in Casterino for 4 nights. Depending on arrival time, we will have an orientation walk before dinner at the hotel. D 2 Today we will walk the circuit of Fontanalbe. Around 5000 years ago, the pastoral inhabitants of the district left behind an unforgettable record of their existence. This magnificent area, adorned with many lakes, is overlooked by a famous mountain, Mont Bégo. Ascent / descent 670m; approximately 13km (8miles); 5 hrs 3 Casterino Today s walk keeps one foot in France and the other in Italy. Setting out on an old military road which boasts a string of old forts covered with edelweiss, you will come across a number of lakes and enjoy breathtaking views over the Parc du Mercantour and its Italian counterpart, the Alpi Marittime National Park. Ascent 550m / descent 600m; approximately 13km (8miles); 5 hrs 4 After breakfast a short transfer journey of five minutes is our prelude to a highly unusual day s walking in which you will encounter the god Taurus and a number of goddesses. You will explore the renowned prehistoric site of La Vallée des Merveilles, a listed historical monument, where there are thousands of engraved rocks framed in an astonishing landscape. Ascent 1000m / descent 1000m; approximately 18km (11miles); 7 hrs Beaulieu sur Mer Torrents, cascades and lakes feature prominently in this last day which is spent in the heart of the national park, La Vallée de la Valmasque. We will keep coming across ancient legends and fairy tales as we walk along our route. Ascent / descent 600m, approximately 13km (8miles); 5 hrs Today we will be driven down into the valley, La vallée de la Roya. During the course of our walk we will see two magnificent old medieval villages packed with history, which will fascinate you every bit as much as the walk itself. Ascent / descent 850m, approximately 14.5km (9 miles); 5hrs30mins After we finish our walk we will be transferred directly to our second centre of Beaulieu sur Mer for 2 nights. Free day in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. You may like to visit Nice, an easy bus or train ride away with its old town, the flower market and the Promenade des Anglais. Or you may prefer to visit the beautiful Rothschild Villa or Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu and enjoy a relaxing day on the French Riviera. B/D 8 Free time before the transfer back to the airport for the return flight to the UK. B B (Breakfast) L (Lunch) D (Dinner)

4 All local transport costs and transfers in conjunction with the programme of walks on this holiday are included. HOLIDAY GRADE AND WALKING POGRAMME This holiday is graded D+. Each evening, the leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join in the planned activities, please let the leader know. Daily walking will be about 5-7 hours. Our walks will be mainly on stony paths or tracks. TRAVEL INFORMATION We fly from London Heathrow to Nice and return with British Airways. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately ten days before departure. Transfers between Nice Airport and the centres are by road. If you are joining in France, it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet the party at the Hotel in Casterino and leave the party at the Hotel in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. If this is not your plan please let us know, in writing, at least 5 weeks prior to departure. PASSPORTS & VISAS Please refer to Section 2 of the enclosed General Information Booklet. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to the UK. Please also take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you - it will help in the event of an emergency. Please note that the EHIC has an expiry date and check that your card is still valid for the duration of your holiday Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at LOCAL CURRENCY Please refer to Section 2 of our General Information Booklet for details. The currency in France is the euro. There is not an ATM in Casterino but there is an ATM in Beaulieu sur Mer. Both hotels accept credit card payments.

5 PERSONAL EXPENDITURE All organised excursions mentioned in the itinerary are included in the holiday cost. There is very little additional cost to be paid locally in regards to the noted itinerary, however if you wish to take any optional excursions, or visit sites not mentioned, these will be at your own expense. It is difficult to estimate an allowance for spending money, however about per person for the trip should be sufficient for lunches which are not already included, drinks, any optional visits, and personal tips. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by Ramblers Worldwide Holidays plus, if you wish, a contribution from you, which the leader will collect during the holiday. We suggest an amount of 35 per person for this, although this is a discretionary amount. You may want to allow for more spending money if you are planning to visit Nice or any other area on your free day. Please note that the estimation of local costs relating to this holiday is based on currency exchange rates valid at the time of the publication of our 2014/15 brochure and this Holiday Information sheet. Any fluctuations in exchange rates may impact on this estimation of local costs. Please check with your bank or foreign currency provider prior to your holiday to enable you to plan your spending. ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS Accommodation in both centres is in twin bedded and single rooms with shower and wc in comfortable and well situated three-star hotels. The electricity supply is 220V AC. Located at the entrance to la Vallée des Merveilles (the Valley of Marvels) and the Mercantour National Park, the Hotel Chamois d Or is perfectly situated to allow us to explore this lesser known part of France. Surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes the hotel offers a warm and elegant mountain retreat. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, lounge, café and spa. Bedroom facilities include TV, mini bar and telephone. Hotel Chamois d Or*** Tel: Casterino Fax: Tende Web: Vallée des Merveilles Located in the heart of Beaulieu sur Mer the hotel is walking distance to many of the main attractions of the area and a short walk to the beach. Hotel facilities include bar/lounge, terrace and free WiFi. Bedroom facilities include TV, hairdryer, air conditioning and WiFi. Hotel Ibis Styles*** (or similar) Tel: Boulevard du Maréchal Joffre Fax: Beaulieu-sur-Mer Web: Breakfasts, five lunches and all dinners are included in the holiday price. Breakfasts will be taken at the hotels, lunches will be picnic/packed lunches and dinners will be taken in the hotel in Casterino and local

6 restaurants in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. On days that lunches are not included they can be purchased in local supermarkets and bakeries, or cafes and restaurants. HEALTH AND FITNESS You should be in a reasonably fit state of health for this holiday. The itinerary involves some travelling, some early mornings and the walking will be of Grade D+. CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT We should enjoy warm weather; however there is always the possibility of rain and cold days particularly on higher ground, so you should always be prepared. Layers are best and we recommend you take a lightweight jacket and waterproofs, fleece, jumper and shady hat (with sufficient protection for your neck), as well as lighter summer clothes. We also recommend taking swimwear and a towel as you may wish to visit the beach in Beaulieu. We also suggest you take a small rucksack, lightweight bottle for drinking water, picnic knife, some polythene bags, insect repellent, sun protection and small first aid kit and a lunchbox. Lightweight walking boots with a moulded rubber sole with a good tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended for this holiday and may be essential on some walks. TRAVELLING LIGHT As we travel between two hotels, and you will have to handle your own baggage, please try to travel reasonably light. You should be able to lift and carry your own luggage. At some hotels, the coach may have to stop some distance short of the hotel entrance due to narrow access roads. Also, within some of the hotels themselves, there may be some long walks between the rooms and entrance area, which may include steps. INSURANCE On this holiday some of the walking will be above 2000m. Please make sure that your holiday insurance covers you for guided walking at this height.

7 MAPS & SUGGESTED READING Maps and books of the region may be obtained before departure from specialist map sellers such as: The Map Shop 15 High Street Upton upon Severn, Worcs WR8 0HJ England Tel: Fax: Website: Further information can be found on the last page of our General Information Booklet. Maps of both centres are available locally in France. Most local libraries now stock a selection of travel guides/books that may offer you more information regarding this region of France. You may find a visit to the French Tourism website useful. French National Tourist Website: Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases any revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will be unchanged. Should we need to make a major change to the holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of the Holiday Information sheet online prior to travel. PLEASE QUOTE YOUR HOLIDAY CODE & BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. WE WISH YOU AN INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS UPON YOUR RETURN!