Wren Elite Travel

On The Go Tours Migration of the Berbers trip in Wanderlust

Back in May this year, I went with On The Go Tours to participate in their 11-day Migration of the Berbers tour, an inaugural trip that was to be the experience of a lifetime for me, in more ways than one!

I was heading out there as a journalist to write about the trek for adventure travel magazine Wanderlust, and I felt it was very much a privilege to have such an opportunity, which you can now read all about in the November issue of Wanderlust.

Of course, being on this trip also gave me the chance to try it out from a customer-perspective. It was my first 'real' trek – and I found it tough as a 'newbie' to trekking, not helped by the fact that I got a dicky tummy and the facilities were truly back to basics, which means popping behind a rock when you needed to go!

However, wanting to be part of a very unique experience such as the Berber migration, where the nomadic Berbers leave the lower valleys and head into the mountains for the summer (and also do the trek in the opposite direction for the winter), there was no other way to do it than go 'back to nature'.

Camping surrounded by the sounds of the herds, spending evenings around the fire with the Berbers, and trekking through magnificent and totally off-the-beaten-track mountain trails following camels was all part of what this tour offered.

It was something that very few people on the planet ever get to be part of, and I came back feeling not only like I'd really achieved something, but also that I'd had my eyes open to a totally different way of life.

The next Migration of the Berbers tour will run in May 2010, and having first-hand experience of it, if you're interested to book, I'm very well-placed to advise.

As a special gift if you do book through Wren Elite Travel, I'll also throw in a Lonely Planet Encounter guide to Marrakesh for the time you spend in this vibrant city (you have 3 nights here!).

The tour is £599 per person not including flights and based on two-sharing, plus a local payment of EURO 300.

Contact Wren Elite Travel for more details.

Adventure Pioneers winner heading for Istanbul to Tehran on amazing holiday

Last year I wrote about a competition that Exodus had launched to find a new exciting tour itinerary, inviting entrants the chance to come up with an amazing holiday to be considered as new tour. If they were the chosen winner, along with FIVE friends, they would be the first to go on the new Exodus holiday!

Well, that winner has now been announced as Nicola Watson and the Adventure Pioneers tour, a fabulous journey through Istanbul to Tehran, taking in Lake Van, Shiraz, and Isfahan, as well as joining the Trans Asia Express, is to take place for the first time in September this year.

What a fabulous and exciting prize - Nicola must be thrilled to pieces, but if you fancy joining her and her friends, the trip departs on 22nd September and costs from £1649 including flights. Read the trip notes for Istanbul to Tehran with Exodus, or more details can also be found on Wren Elite Travel website.

Top tips for warmth if you're heading to the Arctic or Antarctica

Have you booked an Arctic cruise or Antarctic cruise? Here some tips from Kumuka (one of the adventure touring companies that Wren Elite Travel works with) on keeping warm for your trip:

1. Wicking thermals are the latest and most definitely greatest. They keep you toasty warm whilst 'wicking' away any unwanted sweat, they are comfortable, take up no room in your luggage and you can wash them anywhere.

2. Goretex lined shoes or boots make a huge difference when it comes to sub zero temperatures

3. If you really want to be decadent, take fleecy lined trousers, these days you can even buy jeans with such a lining!

I would also like to add a couple of extra tips:

4. Be sure to pack some emergency hand warmer gel packs - some can stay warm for hours and they are really handy to be kept stored in your jacket if your gloves should get wet / lost / left behind.

5. Think layers! Lots of layers such as a synthetic base layer vest, thin fleece long-sleeved tops, zip up fleece jackets and then an over-jacket.

Want a sunny or snowy adventure with no hidden holiday costs?

It can be a bit of pain when you book a tour and the costs add up in terms of local payments, admission fees and other 'extras' - so one of the reason I love Exodus holidays is that this adventure tour operator provides travellers with all the ingredients of the hassle-free, perfect break - offering flights, transfers, accommodation, all the scheduled activities and most of the meals, included in the holiday price.

From the word go, you can enjoy the stress-free, secure experience of a thrilling Exodus trip and know that the price you pay is the price you pay. So, if you're looking for an exciting last minute holiday, walking in either the snow or sun - I have two ideas with Exodus for you.

How about a winter snowshoe walk in the Pyrenees? Or would you prefer to soak up the sunshine while walking, and enjoy the culture in Cuba? Read on to find out more:

Pyrenees Snowshoe Expedition:

From £755 per person including flights for snowshoe walks in the Pyrenees.
Depart 22 February for this trip with Exodus and discover the beauty of winter landscapes on foot.

Holiday details:

A location that enjoys winter and summer visits from travellers, the stunning scenery of the Pyrenees in winter is a favourite trip for Exodus and where their snowshoeing programme was born twelve years ago.

The valleys and ridges around the French spa town of Luchon are perfect for winter exploration with a backdrop to treat any nature enthusiast. With or without the snow shoes, the scenery will take your breath away and thrill seekers can even indulge in paragliding on their free day for optional activities. With a series of day walks and snowshoeing to occupy and inspire the trekkers, this couldn’t be a better trip for the keen walker.

The group will be based at La Feniere, a cosy mountain lodge just ten minutes drive from the centre of town.

This eight day trip with Exodus departs on 22 February 2009 with prices from £755 per person including flights from London Gatwick, all scheduled activities and most meals.

To book or check availability, call on 0845 475 0342 or e-mail enquiries@wrenelitetravel.co.uk. Alternatively FILL IN OUR ON LINE ENQUIRY FORM BY CLICKING HERE!

 
Camino de Cuba

From £1,739 per person including flights.
Depart 15 February for this trip with Exodus for a walking holiday to remember.

Holiday details:

Tour the beautiful Caribbean Island of Cuba. Perfect for the active traveller and walking enthusiast, Exodus offers this 16 day trip to Cuba, taking you across a landscape saturated in history and full of rural charm. On foot, Exodus will take you to visit the heritage sites of Old Havana, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba where the first shots of the revolution were fired. Walk in Tope de Collantes N.P. and into three of the most mountainous areas of Cuba where you can spot some of the best birdlife in the country.  To add a spring to your step after a day of trekking, try salsa dancing on your free day.

Enjoy 16 days in Cuba with all breakfasts, nine lunches and ten dinners included in the cost.

This 16 Day trip with Exodus departs on 15 February 2009 with prices from £1,739 per person including flights, all scheduled activities and most meals.

To book or check availability, call on 0845 475 0342 or e-mail enquiries@wrenelitetravel.co.uk. Alternatively FILL IN OUR ON LINE ENQUIRY FORM BY CLICKING HERE!

Extreme adventures in Colorado (it's not just for skiing!)

I can't believe it has gotten to 2009 and I still haven't managed to jot down a note or two about my adventures in Colorado, USA, where I was late last September! I had been given a great opportunity to go on an adrenaline junkie trip to this amazing western state to write about it - and have to say, I would go back in the blink of an eye.

Not only was it just marvellous to witness the natural spectacle of the 'fire in the mountains' - where the Aspen leaves turns gold and red amongst the huge quantity of leafy green that has yet to turn colour - but it was also exciting to find out what Colorado offers the traveller seeking thrills, and try some new things out.

Trekking and Cycling - find the right trip for you!

Trekking and cycling tours are some of the best to be had for getting to explore the bits of a country that tour buses or trains just can’t take you, and we work with a number of wonder tour operators who offer this type of experience, such as Explore!, Exodus, and The Adventure Company.

Treks and cycling trips come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from leisurely and easy-going to downright tough. You need to think about which level of tour is best suited to you, and we have ten pointers here to help you decide:

Virgin Holidays Real World tours for the adventurer in you

It seems Virgin Holidays are getting in on the act of adventure travel with the launch of their small group adventure tours and Virgin Real World Adventures website and brochure.

They are joining forces with Intrepid Travel and offering similar ranges of holidays that existing operators have available, such as family departures, active tours, 'Basix' and overland trips, comfort tours (added luxuries!) and even cookery holidays.