Kids Back at School; Grown-Ups Going on Holiday!

    WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, September 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- September and October can often be more popular months to travel, especially if you're child-free: if you've not booked anything yet and need some inspiration, here are our top 10 late summer getaways.

For cyclists:

There's no doubt that visitors can sometimes appear to out-number locals in parts of Provence in high summer, but come out of season, and the feel is very different: it's much more about "real" people going about their "real" lives - buying bread, drinking coffee, playing boules in the village square. Our Secret Provence and Heart of Provence cycling holidays both run until mid October - you can add extra nights in Nice too if you fancy a bit of time by the sea.

If you love fine food and wine, then Gastronomic Barolo Cycling in Italy's Piedmont takes some beating! Luxury hotels, fabulous food, world-famous wines (at superb value-for-money prices) and superbly scenic cycling are just some of the reasons this holiday rates among our favourites. It really is sophisticated Italy at its finest!

Cycling in Catalunya is perfect for people who don't want anything too challenging - maybe older couples, or people who haven't been on a bike for years! The routes are mainly on specially designated, pancake-flat, farming tracks, which link the coast and the countryside, and take you through lots of interesting little villages en route. The places you stay are equally contrasting, and range from a beautifully converted C14 castle to a 4-star gastronomic hotel by the sea.

Portugal's western coast has hardly changed over the centuries and still boasts wild, deserted beaches, delightful fishing villages and a wealth of historic castles, monuments and monasteries. Our Atlantic Coastal Cycling holiday departs most Saturdays until mid Nov - extend your stay with nights in cosmopolitan Lisbon if you've got the time!

Lying just to the south of Malta, the tiny sun-kissed island of Gozo is the base for the easiest cycling in Headwater's portfolio - and it offers some of our finest hotels too! Although the island is tiny, and the cycling distances short, your routes are still crammed with interest and variety - Baroque churches, hidden hamlets, ancient archaeological ruins, colourful fishing villages - and the nice thing is you've got plenty of time to enjoy them! Added to that, the temperate climate means that we offer our Highlights of Gozo cycling holiday throughout the year.

For walkers:

If you're an independent, adventurous traveller, who enjoys mixing walking with sightseeing and general exploring, how about island-hopping between the beautiful, UNESCO-listed Aeolian Islands and Sicily? Our 9-day Islands of Sicily holiday takes in Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli - known as the "Lighthouse of the Med" for its constant volcanic eruptions - as well as Taormina, Catania and Mount Etna.

To experience the essence of "real" Spain, look no further than the Andalucian white village of Zuheros. On the edge of the Sierra Subbetica National Park, it's a superb walking base with spectacular gorges, craggy peaks, cascading waterfalls and boundless olive groves. And we've built in a free day too so you can explore the beautiful Moorish city of Cordoba. As this is a fully inclusive holiday - and with no single supplement on many dates - it also represents excellent value for money.

Our walking holiday in Crete explores the island's remote south-western corner - often there are no roads, and much of the local commuting is done by boat! During your stay, you'll hike the lush Samaria Gorge - the longest in Europe - and follow ancient shepherds' trails through the foothills of the spectacular White Mountains. Excellent flora, fauna and bird-spotting opportunities.

Turkey's stunning Turquoise Coast comprises one of the longest long-distance footpaths in the world and takes you through some of the country's finest coastal scenery: honey stone ruins, deserted ghost villages and stunning archaeological sites that tourists rarely see.

New for the coming winter season, we are really excited to be offering walking in Cuba for the very first time. Our 10-day trip gives a fascinating "behind the scenes" insight into Cuba's unique history, politics and culture, taking in fabulous palaces, atmospheric squares, ruined coffee plantations and colourful streets used by donkeys and Cadillacs! As this is a new holiday, places are limited, so early booking is advised.

Website: http://www.headwater.com

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