walking & adventure holidays

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Activities

Summer Activity     back to..Activity Holidays

Claire Fellows - Aug 08
Thank you for a lovely holiday, making it all so easy for us. I asked the boys what they felt about the holiday and they all said they had a great time...they enjoyed the extremes of intensive exercise and complete inactivity!!!! We will keep in touch especially as our thoughts contemplate the music ideas. Thanks again for a wonderful holiday.

Hester Wilcox - Cross Border Horseback Trekking - Aug 08
I have finally managed to haul myself back to Paris...can't tell you how hard it has been to leave, not only the mountains which have bewitched me entirely, but the sunshine, the horses, and all you lovely people. I have had such a wonderful time. Your welcome was so warm and friendly that i think we all felt instantly at home. Thank you both so much. I can't wait to come back, and have provisionaly booked myself in for the transhumance! A huge thank you, and really look forward to seeing you both again very soon.

Tom Nicholson-Layley - Aug 08
Thank you for arranging a fabulous holiday for us. It was great to meet with you both on arrival, and Mel's suggested itineraries suited us perfectly. Our 4 days hiking with Mel were particularly special, and we also really appreciated Joel's company and interpretations of the rochers des merveilles. Staying with Luc and Christine, and with Benoit and Corinne was brilliant - superb food and a great welcome and atmosphere in both places. Thank you again for all the thought and work you put into our superb holiday.
Love and best wishes from us all.

Helen Ashpole - Sept 07
To a couple who have made a holiday extremely enjoyable. Thank you for letting us join in at the very last minute and to take part in an expericence of a lifetime. Your vitality for life really shines thorugh and cascades on to all you meet. Keep looking for that wolf poo!

Harley Ashpole - Sept 07
Thank you for everything you have done- I can't wait to get home and tell everyone what I have experienced. I wouldn't of been able to do it without your encouragement.

Andrew Parker - Sept 07
Thanks for a great trip and organising everything really well, your local knowledge and contacts made a real difference and your personal touch was really appreciated. All in all it was a fantastic experience in a wonderful place.

Jenny & Ian - Sept 07
Thank you for making our honeymoon a fantastic experience. We have both really enjoyed everything and would like to visit again at a different time of year. Keep in touch with ideas, once again thanks.

Sue & Bob - Sept 07
We could never have done this without you! What a great experience, a wonderful holiday for so many reasons. Accommodation, food, views/scenery, even the snoring in the refuges - not mine of course!

Winter Activity     back to..Snow Action

Anne-Marie Thompson - Feb 07
The first day back at work wasn't too bad as I managed to spend most of the day telling everyone how brilliant my holiday was - tomorrow won't be as much fun though as they'll expect me to do some work! I wanted to thank-you both again for a great holiday - everything was fantastic. Looking forward to getting the photos!!!

Paul Bibby - Feb 07
Thanks very much for a great holiday - the organisation was faultless, your and Liz's hospitality was exceptional, the Mercantour area is outstanding and on top of that we all had a thouroughly great time. Your enthusiasm seemed endless and we all felt that you could not have done more to make our holiday as good as it was. My daughter was very jealous about the ice climbing (but not my wife) so we may be back for more!!!

Family Activity     back to..Activity Holidays

The Whattons - Aug 06
A really great holiday. The kids had an adventure and we loved the scenery and the fantastic hospitality! Thank you for making us so welcome, for the lovely picnics, and for teaching us so much about the area. Thanks for a great week - loads of good memories. Loved via ferrata and canyoning - thanks I loved all the activities and the beds were really comfy.

Short Breaks     back to..Short Breaks

Babette Kundrat - Sept 07
The perfect hosts.

Toy Wongcheen - Sept 07
Merci beaucoup, merci pour tout. C'etait un tres agreable sejour et un grand merci une fois pour vos agreable sourirs.

Debbie - Sept 07
You were the most amazing hosts. I've had such a brilliant time and want to come back for more challenges and enjoy your company again. Millions of thanks.

Dominique - Sept 07
Nous n'oublions pas la superbe semaine que nous avons passee avec vous. Merci encore pour les excellents conseils de balades, pour votre accueil, votre gentilesse et votre joie de vivre.

Walking Holidays     back to..Walking & Trekking

Camilla Ravenshear - Sep 08
Dear Mel, in many ways we are all still wandering the Mercantour with you! The kids say they feel really heavy since their return and you have definitely provoked in Sam, who had never been to the mountains before, what will probably be a lifetime love affair with the Alps. We all had an awe-inspiring time and we are all aware that without you it wouldn't have been such a trip. Your knowledge patience kindness sensitivity and humanity brought so much and we all thank you Mel. Dahlia & Sam are writing to you independently - no doubt with you tube links and photos! Merci and lots of love from us all, Camilla.

Neil Cook - Sep 08
Hi guys, sorry it's taken so long to email. We had such a brilliant time. I felt quite sad when we left off on the coach. You guys are such great company and watching Mel dance is a siight for anyone's sore eyes! Thank you for showing us such a fantatsic few days. The walk was just great and as I said at the time, the horse riding was one of the best days I have ever speant in the mountains!! Just brilliant. I know for sure that we will be back......

Noel & Sue Kidd - May 08
Just a short note to thank you for the part you played in our successful trip in Provence. Sue and I thoroughly enjoyed the walking, scenery and the company of our fellow trekkers. Also the final meal at your home will be well remembered. Please pass on our thanks to Liz.

Jak Radice - Dec 07 - on booking!
Thanks for being so thoughtful and accommodating. I've never experienced such a personal touch before and it's very nice! I really appreciate your consideration in all this. On the Trail of the Wolf

Jak Radice - April 08 - on returning home!
I keep meaning to write as wasn't sure I had properly thanked you for such a brilliant time chez vous. Thought I might have scared you off with all my photos! Which I fired off having forgotten to zip them, sorry about that. If you want any written recommendations to be put up anywhere am more than happy to oblige. I'm just passing on the web address to a pal at work who was very interested.

Whatever happens, I’m on for Mont Blanc, have been maintaining my fitness regime and am going to review it with a trainer on Weds!

Lindsey Shaw - Jul 07
Fantastic hospitality and an excellent base for a wide variety of hig adrenalin activities! Mercantour Reflections

Catherine Farrell - Jun 07
An oasis of calm, great welcome, magnificent walking and great wildlife. Plus Liz is an excellent cook! Mercantour Reflections

Paul, Sam and Ben Hitchins - Jun 07
Wonderful week in beautiful surroundings. Thanks Liz & Mel for everything, including walk and art day.

Ludo & Ingrid - Jun 07
Thanks a lot for the hospitality and showing us the wonderful valleys during fantastic walks. It was a fantastic week. On the Trail of the Wolf

Winter Walking & Snow Shoeing     back to..Walking & Trekking

Paul Smyth & Carmel Bruton (Siúl Walking Club)- Mar 08
Every day was exciting and memorable because each day we had a different activity and went to a different place. Our guides tailor made and adapted the holiday to suit us. We spent two days snowshoeing, two days skiing, a day hillwalking and a day sightseeing. Brilliant!
Just a little note to thank you again for a fab week.   When I get my act together, I will email you on the pics.   Will you also say a big hello and thanks  to Gorgeous Christine and Luc.

Dorothy Scapens - Feb 08
What we really wanted to do without delay was to say a big "thank you" to you both for all you did to ensure we had a lovely holiday. Being such a slow coach I very much appeciated the deviation from the planned routes and Alan appeciated being able to do something more challenging.As for the Chalet with Christine and Luc just what is there to say! Wonderful -super-great!

Accommodation

Gîte - la Zourciere     back to..Gîte     top

Adrian, Niamh & Peter - May 08
A Lovely warm welcome. Thanks for sharing your home (and wine)xxx

Rebecca, Richard, Kezia & Sascha - Feb 08
We loved our holiday so much we would like to come back next year. Can we provisionally book for Saturday 14th - saturday 24th February 2009 if the gîte is available?

Dirk Muller & Gaby Kutz - Jan 08
We love this place and like to see you again at September

Denis Loy - Nov 07
Accueil chaleureux et sejour tres agreable. Gite confortable - temps magnifique

Fi and Paul Marshall - Oct 07
Thanks Liz & Mel for helping us with our last minute holiday. We had a great week in a fantastic location, better weather than forecast, good walks, plenty of relaxation wish we didn't have to go home - hopefully we will be back. PS La bobine (flambe apple tart with icecream) at the Old Abbattoir was even better than expected!

Peter and Judi - Oct 07
Fantastic location, restful and energising at the same time. Perfect for a huge range of walks. Thanks to Mel and Liz for a great week.

Eve - Aug 07
Thank you for inviting me to join my friends for such a wonderful family celebration. I shall always remember that special evening.

Grazie Bruno & Marla Armando - Aug 07
Once you arrive the sourcerer casts his spell and you can't help avoid falling in love with the place and the people. Thanks so much.

Pascale et JY Durousset - Aug 07
Accueil tres agreable. De tres belles ballades aux alentours. Un gite accueillant.

Famille Randoux-Pochet - Jul 07
Accueil extremement sympathique. Excellent conseils de balades (bien suivis!) Superbe region . Merci pour tout.

Beatrice, Celine, et Julien - May 07
Un bien bel endroit qui permet d'oublier ses petits soucis quatidiens voire parfois de se perdre en foret.

Jean-Yves, Monique, Arthur Marine & Yann - Apr 07
Un court sejour mais o combien agreable. Merci Lise & Mel pour votre super accueil - so British!

Maria, Jonathan, Catherine and Victoria - Mar 07
Thanks you so much for your help and hospitality - we really enjoyoed the walks and hope to return.

Isabelle, John and Vanessa - Feb 07
Thank you for your many kindnesses. We had a lovely time here.

Press    top    home

In 2008 we have featured in both a winter walking and via ferrata article for the Riviera Times as well as a short piece in the Times Travel section - "Our Woman in Berthemont".

The National Geographic - Kids magazine has just run a feature page (December 08) including a competition to win a week in the Mercantour including a visit to Alpha wolf centre.

We are regular contributors to Mountain Passions , AMB Côte d'Azur and World Photographic Adventure.

Fingers crossed that we'll get a mention in the Independent on Sunday travel section in January with the redoubtable Alex of Diamond Diving.