On this magnificent cultural hiking adventure on the largest island in the Mediterranean we’ll start with a visit to Segesta Archaeological Park en route to the enchanting, mountaintop medieval city of Erice, our first base.  From Erice we’ll set out by van to hike in a lovely coastal nature preserve. We’ll then transfer to the quaint Madonie Mountains, where our base will be a luxury hotel in a former abbey surrounded by olive groves and a vineyard. Here we’ll hike among giant holly trees up to dramatic vistas, and will also visit the port city of Cefalù with its ancient alleyways and dramatic Rocca towering over the town, which we’ll ascend.  We’ll wind up this amazing adventure with a stay in Taormina, the cliff top mediaeval city with views of Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe.  We’ll visit the Greek theater and Taormina’s many piazzas and palazzos, and hike to the hilltop village of Castemola.  On the last day we’ll hike on Mount Etna, Sicily’s greatest natural attraction. We hope you will join us on this travel event in Sicily, a world apart! We are offering this guided tour April 22 - 28, 2013 or by special arrangement for your gorup.  Please visit http://www.bredeson.com/sicily for further details.

Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures (www.bredeson.com) for a four day, three night guided hut to hut snowshoeing tour in the wilderness region of Western Maine. By day we’ll snowshoe from one hut to the next through a lovely and varied countryside. Our adventure takes place in a region where a system of people-powered trails connects backcountry eco-lodges. When the network is complete, it will stretch nearly 200 miles from near the New Hampshire border to the Moosehead Lake region. At night we’ll stay in three different cozy and beautiful huts, enjoying delicious home-cooked meals prepared with local organic ingredients, warm comfortable beds and showers. Our bags will be shuttled and will be waiting for us when we arrive at the next night’s hut.  Full details are posted at http://www.bredeson.com/maine-snowshoeing.

This self-guided hiking trip crosses three linguistic and cultural borders and allows you to explore two of the most beautiful areas of Switzerland:  Wengen in the Bernese Oberland, and Pontresina in Grissons.  Those who have vacationed in the Wengen area describe the addictive quality of hikes based in and near this car-free village high on a hillside beneath the imposing trio of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch mountains. In recognition of this incredible beauty, the area, including Switzerland’s Aletsch Glacier, has been designated a World Heritage Site.  Midway through the trip you’ll ride the justly famous Glacier Express across the Swiss Alps to Pontresina and the Engadine Valley in the canton of Grissons near the Lake District of Italy to the south, and Tirol in Austria.  Four major passes lead up to this high alpine valley, which runs for 60 miles along a southern terrace of the Alps and has blue skies for over 300 days a year.  The Engadine combines crisp, dry air, forests, lakes and glaciated peaks. This high-alpine area is famous for its flora and fauna, and superb views.  This adventure is a big hit with all ages, including kids and adults.  Also available on a guided basis.  Full details are posted at http://www.bredeson.com/switzerland.

 

This guided September 15 - 22, 2013 hiking trip crosses three linguistic and cultural borders and allows you to explore two of the most beautiful areas of Switzerland:  Wengen in the Bernese Oberland, and Pontresina in Grissons. (This tour is also offered at other times by special arrangement for your group.) Those who have vacationed in the Wengen area describe the addictive quality of hikes based in and near this car-free village high on a hillside beneath the imposing trio of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch mountains. In recognition of this incredible beauty, the area, including Switzerland’s Aletsch Glacier, has been designated a World Heritage Site.  Midway through the trip you’ll ride the justly famous Glacier Express across the Swiss Alps to Pontresina and the Engadine Valley in the canton of Grissons near the Lake District of Italy to the south, and Tirol in Austria.  Four major passes lead up to this high alpine valley, which runs for 60 miles along a southern terrace of the Alps and has blue skies for over 300 days a year.  The Engadine combines crisp, dry air, forests, lakes and glaciated peaks. This high-alpine area is famous for its flora and fauna, and superb views.  This adventure is a big hit with all ages, including kids and adults.  While the September 15 - 22, 2013 departure posted here is adults only, custom family tours can be scheduled throughout the summer.  It is also available on a self-guided or private guided basis.  Full details are posted at http://www.bredeson.com/switzerland.