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Dear Walkabout Walkers and Friends,
Time flies so fast that we hardly noticed the sudden change from summer to autumn. The weather has been stunning for many weeks and presented us with sunny warm days during the last walks of our European season whilst autumn set in with great galore and stunning colours! |
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Croatia & Slovenia with Francesco
Gabriela just returned from the Explore Croatia and Slovenia walk, which was once again a great success. This year she was accompanied and supported by Italian guide Francesco Capozucca who is very happy to join the Walkabout Team again in 2018 to guide some of the Italian walks. His safe driving, great sense of humour and patience made him very popular with all guests on tour.
 This was a great holiday. There was plenty of physical activity but availability to opt out. The food experience was a perfect mix of authentic local and fine dining. Linen tablecloths and seafood in Opatija to sauerkraut soup in Slovenia. A knowledgeable guide and generous extras provided. It was about having fun."
Kylie from Newcaslte, NSW, Australia [2017] |
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 Italian guide Francesco Capozucca
Mt Triglav, Julian Alps, Slovenia
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Next Gen getting involved
In recent years we have seen an increase in walking with the children of faithful guests on our tours. This interest has now also been shared by our own children.
Nastassja Clarke, who is a photographer/fashion stylist and yoga teacher, has started to work with Walkabout Gourmet Adventures in June this year. She looks after the apartment reservations and organization and also helps Graeme in the accounting department, as well as working with us on our social media.
In France, together with Gabriela, she is the guide and yoga teacher on the Relax and Unwind in Provence tour. During our week we discover a more spiritual Provence with activities relating to the senses, especially taste and smell. Early July is the best time to see the intensely glowing fields of lavender, which transform parts of our region into natural works of art. Lavender fields are an explosion of purple and when the breeze picks up, your senses will experience an amazing perfume. Amongst many other highlights, we stay in our own holiday apartments, which are in a charming, cobblestoned street in the old town of Forcalquier.
Nastassja, who lives in Rome is also working on an exciting tailor-made program in this magnificent city. During the 5 days she will show you some hidden streets of Rome, as well as markets, galleries, parks and villas. Previewed also is shopping and a cooking class. On a more spiritual side it is possible to organize yoga classes, an introduction to the Alexander Technique and a visit to a Spa. In the evenings it is time to discover the charming Roman bars and restaurant scenes. More news about the itinerary when in Rome... will be announced in our 2018 Brochure.
Serjosha Clarke, who is a filmmaker has also offered his help and will co-guide with Gabriela both Iceland Explorer walks in 2018. He has also displayed his intentions to help in the visual arts department in the near future. While all Iceland Explorer walks in 2018 are fully booked at this present time, it is always possible to be added to the waiting list or penciled in for the 2019 reservation list, which is, even so far ahead, starting to fill up.
Thank you for another amazing walkabout adventure in the land of fire and ice. Iceland has it all spectacular scenery, friendly locals, delicious food and the northern lights which we were so lucky to experience. As always our Walkabout guides Gabriela and Pascal worked tirelessly to accomadate everyone... Thank you"
Gary & Sandra from Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia [2017] |
The same dates will also apply in 2019.
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Lavender Fields, Aurel, Provence
Cooking Class with Virginie Volx
Lunch time, via Margutta, Rome
Pseudo Craters of Alftaver, Iceland |
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Italy: Little gem in the Langhe hills
On her way back from Venice, Gabriela stopped in the Piedmont in search for a new hotel for the Follow the Gourmet Trail walk because the Chateau in Novello sadly closed down.
She found some interesting new places but her favourite was the Réva Vino & Resort of San Sebastiano in Monforte d'Alba. Although not on top of the hill, the Réva Resort is nestled in vineyards and has stunning views across to Monviso. Located close to Barolo in the picturesque Langhe Region, the hotel is a perfectly renovated former country house with a modern and stylish approach. It is very comfortable, has a pampering spa and even a surprisingly good 9-hole golf course.
A special mention deserves the Resort's restaurant Fré for its delicious and imaginative cuisine. Of course we won't leave without a visit to the wine cellar and a wine tasting of Réva's Barbera d'Alba, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto d'Alba and Barolo Wines.
Taking the comments of our guests always very seriously, we have taken to heart that many would prefer to finish the Follow the Gourmet Trail walk in Florence rather than in Orvieto.
We are leaving now the choice to finish this tour after lunch in Orvieto approximately at 2.00 pm. or at the charming Pensione Bencista in the hills above Florence (just 20 minutes by bus or taxi from the centre of Florence) at approximately 5.00 pm.
Please book direct (and early!!! - mention Gabriela Clarke from Walkabout Gourmet Adventures).
Pensione Bencista
Via B. da Maiano, 4 50014 Fiesole (Firenze)
Tel/Fax 0011 390 55 59 163
Email: pensionebencista@iol.it
Our next Follow the Gourmet Trail walk will start from Torino in Italy on the 16th May and then again on the 12th September 2018.
Great holiday. Most locations chosen are off the main tourist areas and give a better idea of the countryside and the way of life. Hence the walks are mainly off the beaten track and much more enjoyable. The expertise of the guides is invaluable and you certainly get to enjoy the highlights of the areas in very safe hands. The time spent in each location is just right. Small group worked out well with walkers being of similar capabilities."
Pamela from Sydney, NSW, Australia [2017] |
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Réva Resort Hotel Monforte d'Alba
Réva Wine Cellar in Monforte d'Alba
The fruits of the land, Piedmont
Vineyards, Barolo Piedmont Italy
Winetasting, Barbaresco Piedmont
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While we are talking about new hotels, we are so excited to announce our return to the unbeatable Ca's Xorc near Sóller in Mallorca where we stay the first 7 nights on our new 14-day walk in Mallorca and Menorca.
This stunning boutique hotel has been converted from a historical Spanish finca and olive mill into a charming hideaway. It is set amidst lemon and olive groves with amazing views. Tucked away above the valley, yet only 15 minutes from Sóller it is the perfect base for our selected treks into this World Heritage country.
We are surrounded by a Mediterranean landscape with unspoiled nature. Oranges and lemons, olives, almonds, rosemary and thyme, tomatoes and other vegetables flourish here perfectly. 100 year-old olive trees are leading from the garden down to the swimming pool and it is not just any swimming pool, but an infinity pool that gives the illusion you're swimming off the cliff edge and into the valley.
In the evenings, depending on the weather, we eat either on the candlelit panorama terrace with a view of the sea and mountains or in the charming olive mill, Sa Tafona, which is more than 100 years old and still fully preserved. The gourmet restaurants have their own herb and vegetable gardens.
The Sóller Bay is known for its abundance of fish and red shrimp; lamb and pork from black pigs are further ingredients that have been incorporated into the culinary tradition of the island.
At the opening of Ca's Xorc and in the first years thereafter the legendary star chef, Eckart Witzigmann, acted as a culinary consultant. Over the years the kitchen team has independently developed his concept of a fine cuisine further based on high-quality local products.
The remaining 6 days we spend in Menorca, which is the most easterly and greenest of the Balearic Islands. Its rugged northern coast has a specialized flora and a splendid display of wild flowers in spring as well as several wetlands, which are important for birds. Although Menorca does not have the mountains like Mallorca, the scenery is spectacular and the rugged northern coastline is dotted with small inlets, coves and crystal clear bays.
Our beautiful gentle walks into the interior of the island take us through some quaint timeless villages where time seems to have stood still. Here we might find some lively morning markets selling fresh local produce for our picnics.
Menorca has a fascinating history and culture and was designated a UNESCO Biosphere as far back as 1993. It was once a British naval base, having captured the Island during the War of Spanish Succession in 1708.
Gabriela and Nastassja will finalize some details of the itinerary for Menorca in mid November and the complete itinerary will be available in late November.
Until then please ask for the Mallorca Section of this tour. If you have any specific questions, of course you can always write to us.
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North west of Mallorca
Crystal clear bays in Mallorca
Interior of our hotel in Sóller
Cozy corner at Ca's Xorc Mallorca
Deia, Mallorca, Spain
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Greece: A walk on the Wild Side
Due to more interest in our Walk on the Wild Side in Greece, and with continuing problems in Turkey, Gabriela and Pascal decided to postpone their exciting brainstorming idea of combining Greece and Turkey. Hopefully things will soon settle down as we miss Turkey in our program and certainly would love to return as soon as possible. Meanwhile our guide Fatih Koç is available to take private tours. For further information, please contact us.
An alternative 7-days walking and sailing tour including three islands is in the making. There will be more information about this very soon.
Our tour in Greece will take us into the cradle of European civilization and has an unrivalled history and culture. Our walking trails are often on old footpaths of shepherds, which take us through fertile valleys, isolated plains high in the mountains and close to the Libyan Sea.
Santorini must rate as one of the most beautiful places in Greece and during our walks we show you a more authentic face of the island.
Pascal is the guide on this tour; he speaks fluent Greek and was living in Crete for 10 years.
We had a fabulous time in Crete and Santorini. Pascal was a wonderful guide, very helpful and knowledgeable. The walks were stunning and the time of year, just before the summer rush of holiday makers, perfect for exploring these wonderful islands. Thank you for a memorable trip."
Denise & Rob, Wakehurst Parkway, NSW, Australia
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Loutro from Chora Skafion
Greek Salad!
Southern coast of Crete, Greece |
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Season ending: Africa & Australia
While our season in Europe has come to an end, Graeme and Serjosha are still working on our 21-day African Walkabout. They are enjoying Africa and this time tried some new hotels along the way, which seems to have been a great success.
There will be more information about their adventures and experiences in the next newsletter, as well as some changes.
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being in the wild with the most exotic animals in the world. We were not impressed by the township of Swakopmund and also the Himba Tribe. We felt a little intimidated. All other accommodations and national parks were magic. Seeing our first springbok and then giraffe and elephant, so exciting. Lots and lots of photos were taken. The Hippopotamus made an impression on us, watching them poke their ears and eyes out above the water as if to say, Hello! We loved the journey with Graeme and Pine our guide. The fabulous suggestion of Walkabout Gourmet taking on a project to ensure clean water to the school we visited while staying at the Kaisosi River Lodge, hopefully will be launched. Graeme and guests appeared very enthusiastic. Thank you and enjoy the journey"
Barb & Ian, Wurtulla, QLD Australia
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Australia
We still have a few vacancies for our Grampians & Great Ocean Road Walk and our Explore Wilson's Promontory Adventure mid and late November.
Thanks for a fabulous and well-managed tour of Wilson's Prom and surrounds, Graeme. Spectacular views, varied walks, refreshing swims on hot days, good company and plenty of laughter. The Nordic and Swiss tours look pretty special - definitely earmarked for future consideration!"
Ruth from Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia
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Dead Tree in the Namib Desert
Lion in Namibia
Hippo's near Chobe Lodge
Wilson's Promontory Victoria
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We'd love to hear your travel story
We are not big fans of formal surveys but we do want to know how you feel a few weeks after having experienced one of our tours. If you haven't had a chance to do it yet, good or bad, fast or slow, please tell us your thoughts, memories of little details that made your day and your personal highlights… so we can continually improve our services for you. If you had a specific problem that wasn't reported during the tour to us or our guides then we want to hear about it too. Thank you in advance!
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Sign our guestbook!
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Upcoming Festivals for Foodies
There are plenty of events in Australia from Food & Fine Wine Festivals to Gastronomy Expos throughout the year. These Events bring together Australian and world-renowned winemakers, chefs and industry insiders to entertain, educate and inspire, you may also visit farm gates and cellar doors, meet with local producers, attend degustation dinners, taste regional products or even attend cooking classes! We have put a list of local and overseas gourmet events together, here is what's coming near you:
Australian events
Overseas events
See all Gourmet events for 2018
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Taste of Melbourne
Ignite Chilli Festival
Margaret River Gourmet Escape
Taste of Auckland |
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Walkabout Brochure 2018
Gabriela had to interrupt her Gypsetter lifestyle for some weeks to catch up on urgent administration chores... above all the 2018 brochure.
At present we are in the process of updating our website, which has all the new dates and also most prices for next year. The few remaining will be updated as soon as we get the 2018 prices from the remaining hotels.
After a busy season, we will all take a well-earned rest over our winter and look forward to meeting and walking with you again somewhere else around the globe very soon.
Remember that you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Until our next newsletter or our next walk with you somewhere around the globe,
our very best wishes!
Gabriela, Graeme and the WGA team
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