London Travel, Events, Experiences, Talks & Social Meetup

THE GOWER PENINSULA: WALES COASTAL HIKING WEEK-END

A week-end hiking and sightseeing around arguably the most scenic coast line in Wales encompassing a wide variety of scenery and amazing sights.

FRIDAY MAY 17th

Drive to the Gower and near our accommodation in Rhossili beach

SATURDAY MAY 18th

Exploring the Coastal Paths of Rhossili

Length – 17 km (11 miles)
Ascent – 452 m (1,500 ft)
Approx Time – 7 hours

We'll will head up onto the Beacon which will give us the best view of the surrounding coastline before we explore it up close and personal. We'll then follow the coastal path on the most dramatic and beautiful coastline in Wales. We will stop and take in the breathless vistas as we journey along the coastal path towards Port Eynon. This will be an epic hike with a number of ascents and descents.

SUNDAY MAY 19th

Oxwich to Three Cliffs Bay and Pennard Castle

Length – 13km (8 miles)
Ascent – 262m (860ft)
Approx Time – 4 hours 30 mins

We'll follow the Wales Coastal Path through the Oxwich Nature Reserve, a bewitching mix of beach, sand dunes, lakes, woodlands, cliffs and salt and freshwater marshes. In fact, it’s rare to have so many different habitats in such a relatively small area in the UK. The path will then take us into the Three Cliffs Bay and onward to the 12th century Pennard Castle. We will lunch at the castle before returning to the cars via the sandy beaches, tide depending.

Over the weekend we will talk about human life in these parts which covers over 20,000 years of archaeological remains (late stone age onwards), how the land was formed over 300,000 years ago and how it has been shaped ever since and about the flora and fauna that has made this place their home.

COASTAL PATH

The coastal path is no different from typical UK footpaths which can be muddy / slippery after rain therefore good footwear (hiking boots) is essential for the weekend.

Walking poles can be useful as there are some steep sections up and down.

BEACH

Please bring a change of shoes for the car journeys. On the second day if you want to walk along the beach barefoot bring a towel etc.

WILDLIFE

There is wildlife in the area including seals and seabirds so bring along your binoculars if you have a set.

COST

TWIN ROOM in Bunk house £195 (4 /5 Twin rooms available)

A few TRIPLE room occupancy as well

Includes

2 nights accommodation in bunk house very near the coast

2 guided hikes lead by a Wales based Mountain leader

The accommodation will provide duvets and pillows (but please provide your own single size bed linen / pillow cover / duvet cover and towel)

Not include

Food & drink

Transport to Gower. Car share recommended

To confirm your place make payment to

Kats Adventures Limited
40 09 25
41764527

ref: Name / Gower

The trip is being promoted through different channels and will get full quickly. If interested in attending do sign up soon

THE CHARMING CHILTERNS

Join us for this spectacular hike that's a fusion of heritage and striking Chiltern scenery

Route: Saunderton station (Start) - High Wycombe Station (Finish)

PART 1: Saunderton to West Wycombe (approx 1 - 1 1/2 hour)

Our hike will pass through some of Buckinghamshire’s finest countryside. About an hour into the hike, we'll approach the historic West Wycombe where we'll explore either the National Trust preserved village or West Wycombe Hill, home of Dashwood Mauseoleum and capped by St Lawrence’s Church, noted for its ‘golden ball’ dome. The hill also offers a panorama which includes Dashwood House, High Wycombe skyline and the town’s surrounding hills and countryside.

Part 2: West Wycombe to Downley Common lunch stop (approx 1 - 1 1/2 hour)

We traverse idyllic English countryside, a mixture of fields, farmland and forests to the charming vicinity of Downley. If you wish to finish the hike here, Bus 30 can be caught from Memorial Hall, Downley Village to High Wycombe Town Centre.

Part 3: Downley to High Wycombe via Hughenden Manor (approx 2 hours)

A delightful woodlands walk to Hughenden Manor, home of Benjamin Disraeli, the UK’s only Jewish Prime Minister and then to the 62 acre Hughenden Park, home to a vast array of parkland trees and a quaint stream, from there through a series of paths to High Wycombe Station.

POST HIKE REFRESHMENT

The hike ends with refreshments at Flint Cottage known for its craft beers and conveniently opposite High Wycombe Station.

TERRAIN

Undulating with several steep inclines throughout the hike

Bring a packed lunch and at least 1 litre of water

Hike begins at: Saunderton Station

Hike ends at: High Wycombe station

STATS

Walk length: 11 miles / 17 km approx

Allow up to 6 hours of hiking time

This is a linear hike

Difficulty Rating: Intermediate – Challenging

Meet at: Saunderton Station

TRAINS

Trains from Marylebone Station www.trainline.com

DRIVERS

Driving: Park in High Wycombe and get the train, 1 stop to Saunderton (single ticket) or do this at the end of the hike if you would rather drive directly to the starting point in Saunderton.

Hike begins at 11.10 am

Hike leader Dan 07742 640 677

Hike fee: £8

Payment to:
Kats Adventures Ltd
40 09 25
41764527

ref: Name / Saunderton

RideLondon is the perfect event for those seeking a tough but achievable challenge. Join us for riding together or meetup for Lunch after.

Distance: 100 miles/ 164 km

There is option to join for 60 mile ride, if you are not up for a 100.

https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/

Important:

• Like all outdoor activity, road cycling has its risks and you are responsible for your own safety while riding.
• The event organiser provide bike repair and medical support during the event, but you should consider getting bike insurance to cover for any unfortunate event.

THIS WILL BE OUR 4th TRIP TO GEORGIA. IF INTERESTED IN JOINING RSVP AND WE'LL SEND YOU THE FULL BROCHURE

Join us for an amazing journey that will take you to a fascinating country. A land of wine and gold, delightful monasteries, castles and cathedrals and spectacular mountain scenery. From the Gardens of the Romanovs to Stalin’s birth place; from the magical Saro Fortress to the statue of Medea and the Golden fleece in the land of Kolkhis; this will be an epic adventure.

This rich itinerary will introduce you to the vast diversity of this country: from the warm Black Sea, to perpetually snow-covered peaks of the Greater Caucasus; from fertile valleys full of vineyards, to rocky canyons and the vibrant city of Tbilisi, barren plateaus to futuristic skyscrapers and primeval rock-hewn towns and picturesque monasteries.

Georgia, however, does not consist only of marvellous nature and historical treasures – it is the motherland of wine and delicious cuisine. Georgian feasts, enriched with poetic toasts, are legendary, the itinerary includes copious dinners, which will allow you to experience the flavours of Caucasian feasts and hospitality.

Day 1, Saturday JUNE 8th Depart London
AIR FRANCE / LOT / TURKISH AIRLINES / LUFTHANSA

Arrival in Tbilisi evening (AIR FRANCE). Transfer to hotel and evening dinner in TBILISI

Day 2, Sunday JUNE 9th : TBILISI CITY TOUR
Arrival in Tbilisi early morning for all other airlines. Transfer to hotel

Day 3 Monday JUNE 10th : RABAT CASTLE VARDZIA CAVE CITY SARO FORTRESS

We drive to the rocky canyon of the Kura river and visit Georgian-Turkish castle of Rabat with recently renovated gardens, walls, and golden-domed mosque. Then a visit to the prehistoric fortress of Saro

Day 4 Tuesday JUNE 11th BORJOMI PROMETHEUS CAVE

We visit the amazing resort of Borjomi famous for its sulphur springs. It developed during the 19th century as a residence of the House of the Romanovs, the ruling dynasty of the Russian Empire. A short walk in the spa park followed by a chance to try the healing waters from its springs.
A quick visit to the statue of Medea holding the Golden Fleece. This part of Georgia in ancient time was called Kolkhis – The Land of the Golden Fleece.

Day 5 Wednesday June 12th ROMAN FORTRESS APSAROS AJARIAN WINERY ETHNO EVENING

Overnight in the city of Zugdidi & dinner.

DAY 6 THURSDAY JUNE 13th MARTVILI CANYON TEA FACTORY VISIT WINERY & WINE TASTING BOAT TRIP

Excursion to a tea plantation and factory, introduction to the tea production process. Visit the huge Prometheus karst cave a 1.4-kilometre-long walk inside the cave through impressive chambers, one of each exceeds 20 meters in height.

Day 7 Friday JUNE 14th GORI STALIN’S HOUSE UPLISTSKHE
After breakfast we travel to central Georgia. Visit the city of Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and the museum dedicated to his life.

DAY 8 SATURDAY JUNE 15th TSMINDA SAMEBA CHURCH - MOUNT KAZBEK CAUCASUS PANORAMA - ANANURI CASTLE - OLD CAPITAL MTSKHETA

We reach the town of Stepantsminda, lying at the foot of the glacial mount Kazbek. Then to Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) monastery. The spectacular view from the monastery is one the most renowned in the whole of Georgia.

Day 9, Sunday JUNE 16th UDABNO DESERT WINE TASTING GEORGIAN FEAST

We head to a deserted plateau called Udabno. In the middle of this fascinating arid landscape we’ll see the rock-carved David Gareja monastery (5th century AD).

Next we’ll visit the quaint “Oasis Club” restaurant in the middle of steppes serving mouth-watering dishes of Georgian and European cuisines after which we go to the valley of Kakheti – the world’s cradle of wine.

It’s here where the oldest finds of viniculture were found dating back 8000 years! The region produces the majority of Georgian wine and is a home to more than 300 endemic species of vine. Wine producers still follow an ancient technology of aging wine by keeping it in large clay pots dug into the ground called Kveri. This way of winemaking is listed as an intangible world heritage by UNESCO.

Travel to Kvareli to visit one of the oldest wine producers in the region - Kindzmarauli Marani, and we’ll also visit the Khareba winery.

DAY 10 MONDAY JUNE 17th

Leave in the morning to the airport for flights home

COST:

£1195 For payment upto Jan 31st 2023 (Special early bird rate)
£1295 For payment after Jan 31st 2024 and before Feb 28th
£1395 For payment after Feb 28th

INCLUDES :
• Expert English-speaking guide throughout the trip
• 7 Breakfasts and 8 Dinners with Table Wine and drinks
• Entry fees to ALL museums and other places
• Transport across Georgia by minibus
• All hotel accommodation (Twin share) throughout
• Airport transfers for designated flights

NOT INCLUDE :
• Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches and any other items not mentioned in the INCLUDE List