Greece Crossing Mount Olympus Climb the highest mountain in Greece Wild flower meadows Views of the Aegean Guided Group Departures Tour Grade B/C Tour Code - TCME For dates and prices visit: www.walksworldwide.com Group Size:- Min 6 Max 10 Seasonal Daily departures also available for private parties of 2 or more persons travelling together
Introduction Mount Olympus high peaks are the legendary home of the ancient Greek gods. Today its natural treasures are protected by the Mount Olympus National Park and biosphere reserve. Trekking in these mountains, experiencing the spectacular peaks and ancient civilisations on the high mountain plateaux is an unforgettable journey through time and nature. Crystal clear natural pools, dramatic gorges and ancient pine forests combine with breathtaking views of the distant Aegean Sea and picturesque valleys. You will stay in traditional guesthouses and basic, remote mountain refuges, finishing at the beautiful Platamonas beach. The trip will appeal to walkers with a sense of adventure and have a desire to experience the wilder side of Greece. The Holiday Routine As a general rule you will walk for around 2-4 hours in the morning and then halt at a scenic location for a picnic lunch, or a local taverna. In the afternoon you ll then continue walking for around 3-5 hours to your next night s accommodation. Walking conditions Whilst baggage transfers are provided for part of this holiday, during the course of 2 days trekking in the high in the mountains (days 3 and 4) you will need to carry your own personal gear, as the mountain refuges are not reachable by road. Your main baggage will have been transferred on the morning of day 3 to your overnight accommodation that you will reach on the evening of day 5. A larger daypack of around 40-50 litres should suffice. However, as you do not need to carry either a sleeping bag or camping mat you should be able to keep the overall weight of your daypack to around 8-9kgs. We ll be walking in mountainous terrain, with sustained and sometimes steep ascents of between 500m to 1200m and descents to a maximum of 1700m on mountain trails. The duration of the walking day varies between 5-8 hours. Conditions underfoot are generally good throughout on rocky footpaths, although there are very short sections where easy scrambling will be involved. This trek will is best suited to regular hill walkers with some previous mountain walking experience and a good level of fitness. The trip is not suitable for walking beginners. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our brochure or online at www.walksworldwide.com. You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. What you need to provide Your personal equipment as detailed in the clothing and equipment list later in this trip dossier. Sleeping bags will not be required for the 2 nights spent in Mountain Refuges as bedding is provided, however we recommend you bring along a lightweight cotton or silk sleeping bag liner. Itinerary IMPORTANT-Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your Final Joining Instructions approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. We also recommend you read the Useful Information section on our website and in our current brochure. Walk staff You will be accompanied by an English-speaking Mountain guide throughout. Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 2 www.walksworldwide.com
Outline Itinerary Day Your 'at-a-glance' Itinerary Overnight Accn. Meal plan 1 Arrive Thessaloniki and travel to Litochoro Litochoro Pension 2 Circuit walk to Mount Golna Litochoro Pension B 3 Transfer to Agios Dionysios, walk to Mountain Refuge Mountains Mountain Refuge "A" B 4 Hiking to Olympus summits Mountains Mountain Refuge "A" B 5 Descend to Karia Karia Pension B 6 Walk to Kallipefki Kallipefki Pension B 7 Hike to Rapsani and transfer to the beach at Platamonas Platamonas Pension B 8 Depart Platamonas B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner. Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 3 www.walksworldwide.com
Day 1 Group Departures Rendezvous at the group accommodation in Litochoro, a picturesque village at the foot of Olympus. A single timed group airport transfer will be provided from Thessaloniki Airport for the 75 min journey to the group accommodation in Litochoro. See Joining Arrangements and transfers further on in this trip dossier. Private Departures Rendezvous at your accommodation in Litochoro. Most clients will fly to Thessaloniki Airport. From Thessaloniki you should then make your own way by public transport to Litochoro. Private Airport transfers are available at extra cost. See Joining Instructions and transfers further on in this trip dossier. Pension, Litochoro Day 2 To stretch the legs in advance of our trek into the heart of Olympus Mountain range we ll make an ascent of Golna Peak and return to Litochoro. Leaving the main square of Litochoro we follow a trail that initially leads through quaint, traditional Greek mountain villages. The trail then continues to rise to reach the summit of Golna (1032m). Here you can look forward to impressive views of both the jagged summits of Olympos, down into the sheer cliffs of the Vithos Gorge and across to the sparkling turquoise waters of the Aegean. The route descends back to Litochoro through a section of welcome, shaded forest. Walking time approx. 5-6 hours, approx. 750m of ascent and descent. Pension, Litochoro Day 3 We now head into the wilderness of the Olympus Mountains. For the next two nights we will remain high in the mountains at a remote mountain refuge. Our main baggage will be transferred by vehicle to Karia, where will be reunited with it on the evening of day 5. We ll firstly have a short vehicle transfer to the ancient mountain monastery of Agios Dionysios (900m) from where today s trek begins. Heading high into the mountains the trail rises steadily passing waterfalls and tiny bridges along the way. We ll halt around the 1100m mark for a picnic lunch. After lunch we have around 1000m of ascent as we climb ever upwards through forests of pine and beech. Reaching a natural balcony our accommodation in a mountain refuge (2100m) for the next two nights is situated here. Walking time approx. 5-6 hours, approx. 1200m of ascent. Olympus Mountains, Mountain Hut Day 4 If the gods are looking down favourably upon us from Olympus higher above we may be treated to a stunning sunrise across the Aegean. We ll spend the rest of today high up and explore some of the summits of Olympus. First we ll make an ascent to the top of Skala (2866m). With a wonderful panoramic view this is certainly a great place to enjoy a picnic and contemplate the other rocky summits of Olympus. If the weather is in our favour we ll continue to climb further and attain the highest summit of all in the Olympus Mountains, Mytikas (2919m), or Skolio (2912m), the second highest summit. We ll then descend back to our mountain refuge. Walking time approx. 6-7 hours, approx. 850m of ascent and descent. Olympus Mountains, Mountain Hut Day 5 As we can t really go any higher than the summits we ve already achieved, today is primarily descent. However, firstly we must make a 700m ascent to climb out. Walking in the shadow of Olympus we reach the tiny mountain hut of Agios Antonios where we ll take a rest. We then head out of the alpine zone and downwards to follow a very scenic trail along the barren flanks of Kakavrakos and over to the forested slopes of Kato Olympus. Heading ever down through the pine forest we emerge at the small mountain village of Karia (1100m), where we will spend the night and be reunited with our main baggage. Walking time approx. 7-8 hours, approx. 700m ascent and 1700m of descent. Pension, Karia Day 6 In comparison to the past few days, our walk today is certainly easier but no less interesting. Leaving Karia we walk across the valley floor to the foot of Mount Analipsi and the cool, spring waters of Agia Paraskevi. We then begin to ascend to cross a mountain ridge that leads to the scenic and fertile Kallipefki plateau. We then walk across the plateau to reach a metalled road, from where it is a short stroll to tonight s overnight accommodation. We should reach today s overnight halt around lunchtime with the rest of the afternoon free to relax. Walking time approx 3 hours, approx 150m of ascent and descent. Pension, Kallipefki Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 4 www.walksworldwide.com
Day 7 We have very pleasant hiking to look forward to as we continue to cross this high mountain plateau of Kallipefki. As well as expansive views we ll pass traditional farms, meadows and pastures along the way. We then enter a picturesque valley and begin to ascend steadily to reach the ruins of an old wayside village known as Voskotopoi. Following a footpath known since ancient times, south you will have breathtaking views of the Ossa Mountains and east to the Aegean. Traversing the flanks of Mount Ionas Spermoti and Profitis Ilias we now begin to descend and enter the mountain village of Rapsani through it s narrow cobbled streets to end our trek in the charming village square. Relaxing here beneath the shade of the plane trees you can sample the wine grown locally before transferring for time on the beach at the Olympic Riviera fishing village of Platamonas. No doubt this evening we ll have a drink or two to celebrate our crossing of Mount Olympos and a fantastic trek in Greece. Walking time approx. 5 hours, approx. 150m ascent and 800m of descent. Pension, Platamonas Day 8 Group Departures A single timed group transfer will be provided from the group accommodation in Platamonas to Thessaloniki International Airport. See Joining Arrangements and transfers section later in this trip dossier. Private Departures Depart Platamonas returning to Thessaloniki Airport by public transport. Private Airport transfers are available at extra cost. See Joining Arrangements and transfers further on in this trip dossier. Practical Information Passports and Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders) do not require a visa for stays up to three months for visits to Greece (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis unless you have already requested a single room for the majority of nights we spend in Pensions. Please note there is no option of a single room for the two nights spent in the Mountain Refuge, or the Pension in Karia. During the course of this trip we use a variety of friendly pensions, all of a good standard and with en suite facilities. We also spend two nights in a high Mountain Hut that provides simple, yet comfortable and acceptable standards of accommodation considering it s extremely isolated location in dormitories with bunk beds Food All breakfasts are included in the Land Only trip price, which will usually be continental buffet style. Lunches will be mostly picnic style, which you will carry with you in your daypack, purchased either from a local village shop or your overnight accommodation. Dinners will be taken either at your overnight accommodation or at a local taverna. In the Mountain Huts and Pensions in the smaller villages, dinners will be simpler yet hearty and tasty Greek Mountain food. Vegetarian choices for dinners will be very limited. Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather periods for walking. Mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised weather conditions, so you should always be prepared for inclement weather conditions. For climate statistics visit www.worldweather.org Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude. Altitude This trip involves going to only moderate altitudes and is not something you should be concerned about. Local transport You will use mini buses for trail transfers within the trip itinerary. The single timed group airport transfers will also be by mini bus. Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. Please note that as from July 1st 2009 we are no longer providing complimentary Walks Worldwide Kitbags. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a normal suitcase or hold-all type kitbag can be used for your main baggage. We recommend you to pack your clothes in plastic bags to ensure they remain dry. During the course of the two days trekking in the mountains you will need to carry your Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 5 www.walksworldwide.com
own personal gear and you will have no access to your main baggage from the morning of day 3 until the evening of day 5. A larger daypack of around 40-50 litres should suffice. However, as you do not need to carry either a sleeping bag or camping mat you should be able to keep the overall weight of your daypack to around 8-9kgs. Your main baggage will be transferred from Litochoro to Karia, Karia to Kallipefki and Kallipefki to Platamonas. Responsible Tourism Acting responsibly in the way that we operate our holidays is very important to us at Walks Worldwide. In recognition of our Responsible Tourism values and practices, we have been awarded 4-star status in AITO s Responsible Tourism scheme. We would also request that as a client you endeavour to take part in any of our holidays with a positive attitude to Responsible Tourism and travel in a socially responsible manner. Many of our holidays travel to ecologically and culturally sensitive areas, where it is important to minimise any negative impact. We would especially recommend that before you start your chosen holiday you take the time to learn more about the country you are visiting, especially with regard to local culture, religion, customs, taboo s, acceptable modes of dress etc. Bradt, Lonely Planet and Rough Guide publications are an excellent resource for this and much more too. We are of course always happy to help and advise with regard to the country you are visiting. Vaccinations and medical precautions We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are necessary for Greece and health problems here are quite rare. Water on the walk is generally safe to drink, but you may like to take iodine tablets to purify your drinking water. Iodine is preferable to chlorine as a water steriliser, and a supply of powdered fruit juice would be a useful luxury to take away the taste of the sterilising medium. A useful travel health online resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor. First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Currency The currency used in Greece is the Euro ( ) Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates. ATM machines are available at Thessaloniki Airport and Platamonas. You will not have any access to any banks whilst in the mountains. Language During the course of this holiday you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide and in some of the places we visit, English will be understood. However, it is always a good idea to learn a few simple phrases, common greetings and courtesy s in Greek, and taking along a phrasebook can be very useful in this respect. Know before you go Walks Worldwide are fully committed to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office s Know before you go campaign. We thoroughly recommend that all Walks Worldwide clients visit the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk If you have any questions or concerns about government travel advice to your chosen country please contact the Walks Worldwide office. Contact details It is not our policy to provide addresses and telephone numbers of every location that you will be staying at on this tour, as, due to frequent changes in contact details, it is very difficult to provide an accurate list for all our tours. Your Final Joining Instructions, which you will receive 2 weeks prior to departure, will show any local contact details that are required for your tour. However we will endeavour to provide you with further details if you have a specific reason. Mobile phones do work in some of the areas you are trekking in, however at some stages there maybe no signal. If you have not used your mobile outside the UK before you will have to contact your operator to enable international calls. Please ensure your phone is set for roaming if you are taking a mobile. Please note that it is expensive to phone both to and out of a mobile when abroad. We do not however encourage mobile phone use whilst Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 6 www.walksworldwide.com
walking on any of our trips out of courtesy to other clients please use you mobile phone discretely. If you do need to get in touch, or if anyone needs to get in touch with you, please contact the Walks Worldwide office (0845 301 4737) during office hours. Tipping Tipping is at your discretion. However, if you have received good service a tip is the normal way of saying thank you and as guideline only we recommend a tip of 25 per person if you feel you have received good service from your guide. Maps We recommend either: The Map Shop, 15 High Street, Upton-on-Severn, Worcs WR8 0HJ (Tel: 01684 593146) www.themapshop.co.uk or Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk Joining Arrangements and Transfers Group departures: On day 1 of the trip itinerary a single timed group airport transfer will be provided from Thessaloniki Airport to the group accommodation in Litochoro. On day 8 of the trip itinerary a single timed group airport transfer will be provided from the group accommodation in Platamonas to Thessaloniki Airport. Both of these transfers will be timed to coincide with the arrival time and subsequent check in time for departure of the designated group flight only. Please note that as all International flight times are subject to change, the timings of the single timed group airport transfers will be changed to suit any changes to the flight schedule of the designated group flight accordingly. The designated group flight for this trip is the British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. This flight usually departs Gatwick at 0835hrs arriving at Thessaloniki at 1355hrs. For the return British Airways flight usually departs Thessaloniki at 1440hrs, arriving London Gatwick at 1605 If you are arriving and departing on different flights to the designated group flight (whether you have booked flights with Walks Worldwide or otherwise) you may take advantage of these transfers only if your flight times coincide with these timed transfers. If you are not arriving and departing on the designated group flight, please let us know in advance if you intend to take advantage of these group airport transfers. If not you will need to make your own transfer arrangements. Private airport transfers can be booked in advance at extra cost. Contact us for prices of private transfers. Private departures: Airport transfers are not included in the Land Only price and you should rendezvous at the accommodation in Litochoro on day 1 of the trip itinerary. The nearest Airport is at Thessaloniki. From Thessaloniki Airport you can travel onwards to Litochoro by train. Arriving at Thessaloniki Airport, either take a taxi (cost approx. 15) or bus line number 78 (cost approx. 1) to the main train station at Thessaloniki. A regular train service runs to Litochoro (cost approx. 8, journey time approx. one hour). Arriving at Litochoro take a taxi to the group Pension (cost approx. 6). Trains depart from Thessaloniki almost every hour from 0500hrs to 2300hrs. A useful website for further details of train times for the Hellenic Sate Railway with English translations is: www.ose.gr To return from Platamonas to Thessaloniki you will need to take a taxi to Neoi Poroi train station (cost approx. 7) and then train to Thessaloniki (cost approx. 7). Private airport transfers can be booked in advance at extra cost. Contact us for prices of private transfers. Flight Inclusive Package Options Walks Worldwide will be delighted to make your International Flight arrangements for this holiday. We have full ATOL bonding and can book flights with most Airlines. Most International flight prices are variable and usually can only be guaranteed at the time of booking. If you would like to upgrade to business or first class, we can also arrange this for you The designated group flight for this trip is the British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki. This flight usually departs Gatwick at 0835hrs arriving at Thessaloniki at 1355hrs. For the return British Airways flight usually departs Thessaloniki at 1440hrs, arriving London Gatwick at 1605. We can also arrange flights with other airlines if preferred. Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 7 www.walksworldwide.com
Please contact the Walks Worldwide office for an up to date Flight Inclusive Package quote plus flight advice and options for your chosen holiday. Please note all airline schedules are subject to change. Land Only With the increasing choice of both scheduled and low cost airlines offering regional departure flights to Thessaloniki Airport and with simple to use online booking services, our Land Only price does not include International travel. Making your own International travel arrangements online may often be the easiest and most cost effective way to join this trip. You will need to book flights that enable you to arrive in Thessaloniki, no later than midafternoon on Day 1 of the trip itinerary in order to subsequently arrive in Litochoro no later than early evening by train on the same day. Return flights should be booked to depart from Thessaloniki Airport no sooner than the afternoon of Day 8 of the trip itinerary. See Joining Arrangements and Transfers section. Useful online search engines for International air travel are: www.kayak.co.uk - searches scheduled airlines www.whichbudget.com - provides useful information on low cost airlines flights. IMPORTANT- MAKE SURE YOUR CHOSEN HOLIDAY IS GUARANTEED TO RUN BEFORE YOU PURCHASE AIR TICKETS AND MAKING ANY OTHER TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. Please contact the Walks Worldwide office to check the status of your chosen holiday BEFORE purchasing your International Air ticket. You should not book your International flight tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. If you are purchasing your own air ticket, you should be aware that most of the cheaper airline tickets available for sale on the Internet or from low cost carriers are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket when you make a flight booking, and check the limitations of any cancellation insurance policy you have. We cannot be held liable, for losses incurred relating to any flight bookings or subsequent travel arrangements you have made yourself. guaranteed status we will contact you. Please note all airline schedules are subject to change. Travel by Train If you would prefer to travel to/from Greece by train www.raileurope.co.uk provides an online booking service for European rail services, including Eurostar. You should not book your International rail tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are non-refundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through our preferred specialist insurance brokers Campbell Irvine, for example, underwritten by AXA Insurance (UK) plc. This cover has been specifically designed to cover our type of travel and we strongly recommend that you use it. To arrange cover or to obtain a quotation please contact Campbell Irvine directly. Apply online at www.campbellirvine.com Tel: 020 7937 6981 Inclusions and exclusions Inclusions All breakfasts All accommodation Guide whilst on trek All trail transfers in the itinerary Baggage transfers as stated in the itinerary Airport transfers on day 1 and day 8 (group departures only) as detailed in the Joining Arrangements and transfers section Exclusions Drinks Lunches and Dinners Souvenirs and personal items Insurance Airport transfers on open-dated departures International Travel (unless booking a flight inclusive package) Once your chosen holiday has reached Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 8 www.walksworldwide.com
Clothing and Equipment Lists At least one set of casual / non-walking clothes will be useful for wearing in hotels on this holiday. Whilst walking you must not worry about how you look: comfort and protection against bad weather are of prime importance. Because mountain weather is so very variable, we recommend a number of thin layers rather than a few thick ones. The following list is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling/walking. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your holiday, or are uncertain as to the suitability of your clothing and equipment. CLOTHING Walking boots and spare laces Lightweight Trainers/approach shoes Socks 3+ pairs (Walking and Casual) Underwear 3+ T-shirts 3+ Trekking Pants Short trousers 1+ Light fleece 1-2 Thick fleece 1-2 Warm/thermal pants and shirt for Mountain refuge Thermal Baselayer shirt 1-2 Waterproof jacket with hood Waterproof trousers Warm Gloves Sun Hat Warm Hat Gaiters (optional) Swimwear (for sauna and beach) Beach towel EQUIPMENT Daypack/rucksack (minimum size 40-50 litres) Sheet sleeping bag 2 Large water bottles ( 1 litre each) Towel quick drying pack towel is recommended Torch (and spare bulb and batteries) Camera & accessories Binoculars (optional) A variety of dry bag/plastic bags (kitbags are not waterproof) Sunglasses Trekking poles (highly recommended) Reading material (optional) Washing/Shaving kit Insect Repellent Small personal First Aid kit (see section above) Anti-Bacterial Handwash Water purifying tablets (iodine based are best) Sun Cream & lip salve Blister plasters i.e. Compeed Tickets/E tickets Passport Money Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 9 www.walksworldwide.com
The following items should also considered as being useful on a walking holiday Penknife/small scissors (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Moisturising cream Baby wipes Snacks/Energy bars Safety pins (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Padlock for your kitbag Small sewing/repair kit (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Small mirror Nail clippers (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Spare glasses/contact lenses Earplugs (against snorers) Cold water Travel Wash (preferably biodegradable) Travel adaptor Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 10 www.walksworldwide.com
What to do next We hope that you found this trip dossier helpful and informative. If you would like further information, our friendly team would be delighted to help and advise with any questions you may have. As an independent walking specialist company staffed by widely-travelled walking enthusiasts, we pride ourselves on being able to provide an informal personal service to our clients, many of whom travel with us on a regular basis. How to book this trip To check availability for specific dates and to receive a flight quote please contact us, also if you are looking at a group trip please check the trip status with us before you book. The easiest way to book your holiday is via our website: www.walksworldwide.com or to go directly to the online booking form please CLICK HERE. There is also a booking form on the website and in the brochure which you can complete and post to us. Alternatively you can telephone (0845 301 4737) us and we can accept your booking over the telephone. Deposit We require a deposit of either 100 per person or 10% of the total cost of the holiday (whichever is greater), including extensions, single supplement and flights if we have quoted these separately to you. Certain non-refundable, instant purchase flights will require full payment we will advise you this at time of enquiry. Your deposit can be paid by cheque, debit or credit card. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION We are an ATOL bonded tour operator authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Every holiday we sell that includes a flight element is protected under our ATOL licence number 10186. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advanced booking. We protect all UK customers who purchase tours that do not include flights from the UK through the AITO-arranged AITO Trust Ltd (AITOT). AITOT work closely with the CAA - they share much of their information. Their financial requirements are as rigorous as those of the CAA IATA is the Trade Association of the world s international airline industry. To become an Accredited IATA Agent we have to demonstrate financial soundness, and proficiency of staff We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. AITO represents Britain s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. We abide by the Association s Code of Conduct and adhere to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed at www.aito.co.uk RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Climate Care is the organisation through whom we offer people the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions. We were one of the first travel companies in the UK to provide this facility. In recognition of our Responsible Tourism values, we have been awarded 4-star status in AITO S Responsible Tourism Scheme LOYALTY SCHEME Up to 100 off If you ve already experienced the magic of one of our holidays, you automatically qualify for a discount on holidays offered by the other specialist travel brands in our group. See our website or brochure for details. Greece- Crossing Mount Olympus 11 www.walksworldwide.com