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Dear Walkabout Walkers and Friends,
We hope you enjoyed reading our new 2017 brochure and we look forward to meeting up with you on tour again soon or during the Information Nights tomorrow night (Brisbane) and in February. (Just a few seats left! Please register below). For those who like to plan ahead we already have the dates for our 2018 program on our website. We have been busy researching some exciting new walking holidays and hope that we can share them with you. |
Full screen version (PDF)
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Back from the Holy Land
We ended 2016 with “A Journey through the Holy Land” - a fabulous tour through Jordan and Israel. The wonders of Ancient Petra never stop to surprise and this magic site takes us back to the capital of the Nabataen Empire, which was their thriving trading centre between 400 BC and 108 AD.
Our four days in the Wadi Rum Desert were overwhelming, learning so much about the desert and the life of the Bedouins. Our reunion with Sabbah and his family was, once again, a very enriching experience and so special to be treated as a friend.
After a quick dip in the Red Sea at Aqaba we crossed the border into Israel in Eilat. Here the border procedures were very fast and then we travelled along the Jordan Valley into Jerusalem, the cradle of the Holy Land, where we spent three nights.
With its treasures from the times of King David to the Prophet Mohammed, this epicentre of the Western world never ceases to amaze. We visited the Wailing Wall where you can write your own personal prayer note to tuck into the wall, saw the golden dome of the mosque on Temple Mount and followed the path called the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried his cross past the Stations of the Cross.
Our walk through the Old City of Jerusalem was just magical and the towering stone walls and ancient buildings are a reminder of a glorious past. Walking through the Jewish, Christian and Moslem quarters had an almost sacred atmosphere. We will be back again in Jordan and Israel later this year.
The Kempinski Ishtar is a truly luxurious and exclusive hotel, overlooking the Dead Sea and has the perfect setting for our final stop in Jordan. The Dead Sea is famous for its ozone-rich air, mineral loaded seawater and ultra-violet filtered sunshine. The amazing spa complex is set amidst glorious gardens dotted with lagoons, waterfalls and private pools, with indoor Jacuzzi, ice cave, steam room, Ayurveda, Asian therapies and local salt and mud treatments.
 Loved the way we went down back streets getting to places. Saw things we would not get to see..."
Haydn and Pamela, Portsea, VIC, Australia |
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 Al-Deir Monastery, Petra Jordan
Fig Canyon Jordan
Camels in Wadi rum Desert
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A Fresh Start in Byron Bay
Our New Year started under the stars at Tallow Beach near Byron Bay in Australia, making the most of our new house “A Place in Byron Bay” - Serendipity. At the moment we are busy with redecorating and gardening, setting the house up for rental - available from the 1st March 2017.
It is a spacious 3-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and it accommodates three couples comfortably. There are three outdoor areas to choose from plus a spacious indoor lounge (complete with a 70” wall TV with free Netflix) and 6 seater dining area.
The large kitchen is ideal for cooking up all those yummy things you can buy at the local markets and has direct access to one of the best covered outdoor entertaining areas. It has a gorgeous 10-m saltwater pool as well as a hot spa to sooth your body, mind and soul. The breezy “Zen” hut fits perfectly into the manicured gardens and is the ideal spot for relaxation, yoga and meditation.
A Place in Byron Bay - “Serendipity” - is in a lovely quiet part of Suffolk Park - only a 12- minute walk to Tallow Beach. We think it’s the nicest beach at Byron with sweeping views to the Lighthouse and Broken Head.
Located at the most easterly point of Australia’s mainland, Byron Bay is a combination of outstanding beaches, wonderful scenic outlooks and lush greenery. It has an alternative vibe and a relaxed atmosphere.
Prices and availability here.
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Main bedroom
Pool, spa and Balinese Hut
Lounge room with view to kitchen
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We are coming to you !
and 2017 Video Evenings filling up quickly!
Starting tomorrow night through to February we begin our annual Information Evenings in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart.
They will give you an opportunity to meet Graeme, Gabriela and Trish. After a short video presentation we shall introduce our range of new tours for our 2017 season and then guests will have time to ask questions. Afterwards we shall offer drinks and aperitifs - this is an opportunity for guests who haven’t travelled with us before to talk privately or more importantly chat with other guests who have previously travelled with us.
It is also always a great occasion to catch up with some familiar faces and dwell on times we have spent together somewhere in a far away country.
As nibbles and refreshments will be served and seats are limited, please REGISTER your attendance and feel free to bring along any friends who you think may be interested in our walking holidays.
We look forward to welcoming you! Our calendar for this year’s meetings is as follows.
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Tue. 31 January 2017 at 6.30 pm
Customs House
399 Queen Street,
BRISBANE
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Thu. 2 February 2017 at 6.30 pm
Royal Automobile Club of Australia
89 Macquarie Street,
SYDNEY
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Mon. 6 February 2017 at 6.30 pm
Hotel Realm
18 National Circuit,
BARTON |
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Tue. 7 February 2017 at 6.30 pm
Life Saving Victoria HQ,
200 The Boulevard,
PORT MELBOURNE
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Mon. 13 February 2017 at 6.30 pm
Mayfair Hotel
45 King William Street,
ADELAIDE
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Tue. 14 February 2017 at 6.30 pm
Salamanca Inn
10 Gladstone Street, HOBART |
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ENDED |
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Brisbane Venue
Sydney Venue
Canberra Venue
Melbourne Venue
Adelaide Venue
Hobart Venue
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Flavours of South India
Not long to go before we start our 2017 season with our Flavours of South India tour on the 21st of February in Cochin in the Kerala region. We return to the lovely grand Vivanta by Taj hotel in Malabar, which has great surroundings and is the perfect place to start the day with a yoga and meditation class.
We discover the incredible cultural heritage of Cochin and one of the highlights is certainly the Kathakali, starting with the makeup session of the artists. Kathakali is one of the major forms of classical Indian dance. In Cochin, with its stunning location along the Arabian Sea, our walks reveal the legacies of its European past, from British mansions and Dutch cottages to a 16th century synagogue.
A special addition in our itinerary this year is the cooking session with Nazeema for whom my colleague, Christiane Philips, has written “The NAZEEMA KERALA KITCHEN” cookbook. It has already been nominated for 2 National awards from the - World Gourmand Awards - one for best (Cooking School Cookbook) and one for best (Indian Cuisine Cookbook). Together with Nazeema we will prepare and cook several dishes from the book and then have a pre-dinner drink and nibbles before dinner. The cooking class includes all food and a signed copy of the cookbook.
In the cool mountain region of Munnar our walks are amongst the cool tea, coffee and lush spice plantations and our afternoon cooking session with Nimi is another highlight of our time here.
Thekkady has unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. Together with our native guide we walk in the Periyar forest, one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. In the evening we have the rare chance to watch the locals perform some of their traditional dances, which are just mesmerising… so is the amazing performance of the Martial Arts.
As we glide for two days on our deluxe private houseboat, Kerala’s picturesque rural scenes are all around us. Our journey on waterways through this quiet region reveals the life of people working their fields with water buffaloes and fishing with nets from traditional longboat.
For latecomers there is a chance to join us with a few spaces still available - please give us a call if you are interested for further details.
The area we visited was very different than I had imagined, the water ways were captivating and the tea country was spectacular. While there were many great experiences and places that we visited, I will always remember our shared lunches. Always a wonderful array of curries, rices and freshly baked breads. Very memorable experience and one I will never forget."
Duncan, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Flowers at Munnar Market, Kerala
Tea plantations Munnar, Kerala
Sunset at Vivanta Hotel, Cochin
Monkey business Thekkady Kerala
Houseboat Kerala Backwaters
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Following the Moorish Trail
After a quick turn around for Gabriela, it will be time to leave for Valencia where she and Gilles will once again take guests on the Moorish Trail. From Valencia they will travel to San José at the Almerian coast and into the Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve with a combination of dry, desert climate with cliffs plunging toward the azure and turquoise Mediterranean waters.
Our walks in the Sierra Nevada and Ronda Ranges take us through typical whitewashed ancient villages with their characteristic flat rooftops.
The legendary and incomparable Alhambra Palace in Granada and magical Seville are certainly still in the program for Andalucía.
Morocco’s sensuous beauty is legendary, from imperial cities with labyrinthine souks to the awesome grandeur of the Sahara. Our journey begins in Fez, continues in to the Dades Valley and High Atlas Mountains and a special highlight is Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert.
Here Morocco’s tallest sand dunes stretch the horizon and it is the perfect spot to admire the magnificent sunset. The oasis of Adgz in the Dra Valley and Ouirgane surrounded by the High Atlas Mountains, into the heart of the Berber country are another highlight on our way to Marrakech where this fabulous tour ends.
We still have a few spaces available.
Brilliant guides, fabulous accommodation, exotic luscious food. Thank you Gabriela and Gilles for leading this "mature" trecker on the walk of her life. How I wish I had started 30 years ago. I am almost prepared now for more mountaineering rather than the envisaged walk in the plains of Spain. Truly a great and very happy experience with so many shared exciting memories"
Llynne from Valla, NSW Australia
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Tuareg guide in Sahara, Morocco
Alhambra Gardens, Andalusia
In the Draa Valley, Morocco
Sahara Desert walk, Merzouga |
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La Dolce Vita
We discover Sicily on walks through the splendid Riserva dello Zingaro and Monte Cofano at the most northerly tip of Sicily.
In the Madonie Mountains we experience the deeply rustic culture of the mountain village Petralia Sottana and climb Monte Carbonara - Sicily’s highest mountain.
After a short stop in Cefalu along the coast we cross over to the Aeolian Islands. These astonishingly beautiful and extremely varied islands offer excellent walking with some splendid vantage points.
A true highlight of this tour is also our stay in the 2,6000 year-old city of Ortygia, in the heart of Siracusa and the majestic volcano Mount Etna, which dominates a large part of eastern Sicily and is the highest active volcano in Europe.
On our way back to Palermo we visit the Villa Casale in Piazza Armerina, dating back to 286 and 305 A.D. The mosaics are virtually intact and the most breathtaking ones are those of the Roman-African period.
The many walks we did where we experienced breathtaking scenery including mountainous terrain, forests, coastal walks and Mount Etna which was fantastic. The hotels we stayed at were well chosen as they were all different and very comfortable and ideally located. The food we enjoyed at various restaurants was excellent. A feature of your tours that we find to our liking is that you spend three or four nights in each town and you are not packing and unpacking all the time. Our guide Gilles was fantastic, nothing was too much trouble he went out of his way at all times to ensure we were comfortable safe and enjoying ourselves and his personality and humour was enjoyed by all. The combination of all the above and the wonderful couple from interstate that joined us made for a truly unforgettable holiday. This was our second walkabout tour and definitely not our last. Many thanks"
Ian and Jenny, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Top of Mount Etna Sicily, Italy
Hotel Carasco Lipari
Monte Cofano Sicily Italy
Norman Cathedral of Cefalu Sicily
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Epicurean walk in Italy 
We are excited about our Epicurean Walk, which will take us to some of the best sights Italy has to offer. We start with colourful Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast! It is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and was formed by the jagged fringe of the Lattari Mountains, a deeply eroded limestone range.
A narrow asphalt ribbon bends and winds along cliffs that drop into crystal-clear blue waters, connecting the beautiful towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. A top walk is certainly “The Path of the Gods", which lives up to its name with dramatic views of a rugged coastline, and distant sightings as far as the island of Capri, which we will visit the next day.
We are travelling east to the Gargano Peninsular, which is made up of limestone mountains, ancient forest and beautiful beaches. For centuries it has been an important destination for religious pilgrims. Right above our hotel, as in a fairytale, Peschici overlooks the clear bay from the top of a cliff, which drops down to the sea.
Located in the very heart of the central Apennine chain is the vast Abruzzo National Park. It has a rich landscape of high peaks, rivers, lakes and forests and is one of Europe’s most important nature reserves. Until 1877 it formed part of a royal hunting reserve. Today it provides refuge for over 40 species of mammal, 30 types of reptiles and 300 species of birds - royal eagle, the Apennine wolf, the brown bear, the Abruzzo chamois, the wild cat, roe deer and red deer to name just a few.
Umbria, “the green belt of Italy” is in the middle of the Italian peninsula and without any coastal areas. It is crossed by the Apennines, sloping into gentle hills, which vary and soften the countryside. Its towns, artistic gems, which have maintained their original aspect, are at a short distance from each other.
Together with many other historical centres they make a “town-region” of Umbria, which is perhaps unique in the world. They are all of medieval origin, set in dominating positions and preserve the antique network of streets, offering endless panoramas.
Although our Palazzo Seneca has been spared during the recent earthquake, which destroyed large parts of the historic city of Norcia, restoration works are ongoing and we hope we will be able to return to this magical town later this year and don’t have to re-locate.
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Positano Amalfi Coast Italy
Walk to the Gods Amalfi Coast
Fruit stall, Amalfi Coast Italy
Trabucco San Nicola Peschici, Italy
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Looking ahead
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All our tours in Iceland in July and August 2017 and 2018 are fully booked but it is possible to put your name on our waiting list.
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Both walks the Sea to the Summits in June and the Romantic Path in September are also fully booked.
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Due to a cancellation, two places have just become available on the Timeless Valleys walk at the end of August.
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Exploring Iceland
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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 2017
We look forward to walking with you soon somewhere around the globe.
Our very best wishes,
Gabriela, Graeme and the WGA team
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Bright n Sandy Festival
Download 2017 Wall Calendar
Print version (PDF)
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