VILLAGES UNTOUCHED BY TIME IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL

New York, NY (04/14) Go back in time with “Walking the wild hill country”. On Foot Holiday’s self-guided eight-day hike through the hills of Northern Portugal will take you to the most rural villages where you will experience Portugal’s traditional country life. Hike through the charming little hamlets of Soajo, Lindoso, Brufe, Camp Geres and the Roman Road to Emaus, until reaching Pousada Santa Maria do Bouro, a monastery that was converted into a top hotel.

On this tour you will visit Portugal’s national park, Peneda-Gerês, a splendid landscape characterized by lush green valleys and granite hills. Hidden in the park you will find delightful villages where rural communities continue a lifestyle that is centuries old. These small towns are the epitome of remoteness. See typical Portuguese granaries, espigueiros, where farmers keep their maize, to feed to their long-horned cattle; and walk on ancient paved footpaths and along the Via Romana high above the valley.

Every On Foot itinerary puts a strong emphasis on culture and local hospitality.  Throughout your journey, the choice of accommodation will vary, ranging from friendly pensions and traditional Portuguese houses to a luxurious hotel. You will also have the opportunity (for an extra charge) to taste typical dishes at Brufe’s remarkable restaurant, Restaurant Abocanhado, recognized worldwide for its delicious bacalhau, and can have a memorable evening at Emaus, tasting Paulo’s menu tradicional, accompanied by his excellent range of local wines.   

This tour is available from April to October. Rates for eight nights per person sharing are from $984 and include accommodation, breakfast daily, one evening meal, six picnics, detailed itinerary and supporting material, and luggage transfers between hotels.

For more information contact On Foot Holidays at (011)44 1722 322 652 or visit www.onfootholidays.co.uk

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Note to editors: On Foot Holidays features predominantly linear, self-guided walking holidays in France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Germany, Slovenia and the UK’s south-west. Each walk has been designed by a ‘Route Adviser’ – a person who lives locally and has painstakingly developed an itinerary through varied countryside, packing in as much culture as possible en route and seeking out the most welcoming small hotels, farmhouses and village rooms. The emphasis is very much on good food and wine after a day’s walking. On Foot Holidays is a member of AITO (the Association of Independent Tour Operators).

PRIORAT: PRESTIGIOUS WINES AND RICH HISTORY WITH ON FOOT HOLIDAYS

NEW YORK, NY (03/14) As Christianity spread across Europe, so did monasteries, and with them came vineyards. On Foot Holidays, specialist in self-guided walking and hiking tours in seldom seen areas of Europe, offers a tour through hills and XII century monasteries in the region that is home to Spain’s most elite wines.

Priorat, Spain (Along monastery trails to the holy mountain) – With four and a half to six hours of walking per day, this route is considered of medium-hard difficulty. Through mountains and valleys from the historic center of Montblanc to the heart of Priorat, you will visit two important, beautifully-sited monasteries:  Poblet (a Cistercian monastery founded in 1151) and Escaladei, a Carthusian monastery, where for seven centuries the monks cultivated vineyards. Nights will be spent in charming, sleepy towns and villages at typical inns and houses, where you will get closer to the Catalan culture.

You will arrive at Poblet via the medieval town of Prades, and later climb Monsant– the “Holy Mountain” – from which you will descend to Escaladei. With remote bathing pools and Neolithic rock art along the route, this tour is rich in natural water features and ancient symbols. Wine lovers will be delighted, when reaching the final destination, to stroll through the major vineyards of Priorat.  Recognized among sommeliers, this hidden wine gem is the land of a perfect 100 wine score as rated by Robert Parker, renowned American wine critic. Priorat is also one of the only two regions in Spain to qualify as DOCa, which is the highest qualification level for a wine region.

Rates for seven nights per person sharing are from $1,120 and include accommodation, breakfast daily, five evening meals, two lunches, detailed itinerary and supporting material, and luggage transfers between hotels.

For more information and questions on dates available contact On Foot Holidays at (011)44 1722 322 652 or visit www.onfootholidays.co.uk

WALK THROUGH THE REMOTE AND CULTURALLY RICH PATHS OF THE ITALIAN ALPS

NEW YORK, NY (01/2014) On Foot Holidays, a specialist in self-guided walking tours that stands out for its unique and carefully designed routes through remote areas of Europe, offers a seven-night journey to the Italian Alps’ dramatic rocky mountain chain, the Dolomites. You can take this tour anytime during July, August or September. Once you choose your set off date, On Foot will create a detailed itinerary and arrange your stay in typical inns and boutique hotels. While walking with your partner, friends or solo, On Foot’s staff will transfer your luggage from town to town so you can enjoy a hands-free excursion.

The Dolomites (from remote South Tyrol to sophisticated Cortina) is of medium- hard difficulty to walk with three to six hours of walking per day. Combining the most attractive areas of this World Natural Heritage site, the tour will take you not only to explore the highly distinctive mountain landscapes, but also to experience the rich Tyrolean culture.

The Dolomites, famous for their dramatic vertical and pale-colored peaks, are among the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world. Route designer and ten-year walking expert of the area, On Foot’s Isabelle Basso, ensures the journey is full of unforgettable landscapes and experiences.

Stroll through the dreaming meadows of the South Tyrol, spend a night in an isolated mountain refuge, tour the distinguished Tre Cime Circuit and enjoy the picturesque scenery the Lake at Misurina offers. The tour ends in worldwide known gourmet destination, Cortina, where you’ll be delighted by exceptional dining. Throughout the whole trip you will experience the gastronomic richness of this region; enjoy fresh milk from mountain herds and Italian wine from Veneto. From dumplings to pasta in a week, your palate will be exposed to both German-Alpine and Italian-Alpine cooking.

Rates for seven nights per person sharing are from $1,400 for the early July holidays and include accommodation, breakfast daily, six evening meals, detailed itinerary and supporting material and luggage transfers. 

For more information, and questions regarding customized variations of the trip and low/high season prices, contact On Foot Holidays at +44 1722 322 652 or visit www.onfootholidays.co.uk

STEENBERG HOTEL’S WORLD OF WINE & FOOD JUST GOT “FUNNER”

In keeping with culinary trends, Steenberg Hotel & Winery, one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa’s Western Cape and winner of numerous awards and accolades, is changing its food and wine direction from the formal to the fun.  Now, Steenberg offers so many options that guests can dine the whole day through.  And, with 80 staff and only 50 guests, the fun is sublimely served up.

Catharina’s Restaurant

“We believe people want a more casual ambiance and lighter fare,” says Gaby Gramm, General Manager of the hotel.  “Beginning now, we’re turning Catharina’s from a fine dining establishment to a more casual, light-hearted restaurant, with fresh summer feasts.” (Summer in South Africa is mid-October to mid-February.)

Catharina’s courses are pared down to two or three and matched with the winery’s award-winning wines such as Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and Steenberg Red Blend 2009. Local produce is brought from the farm to the table under the deft hand of “celebrity chef” Garth Almazan.  Sample menu:

Starter:  Pear and Courgette Soup

Main:  Snoek fishcakes with sweet pickles; Apricot relish; Salad of soft greens and snap peas

Dessert:  Steamed custard or Farm yogurt, roasted quince, star anise compote with toasted pistachios

Plus Steenberg wines to match.

Family platters will feature such items as free-range baby chicken stuffed with herbed sausage; sides of roast potatoes; farm green beans and baby carrots; salad of sliced tomato and onion with tarragon vinegar.

Gorgeous by Graham Beck

The first brand-exclusive bubbly bar in South Africa is contiguous with Catharina’s and is being integrated more closely with the restaurant.  Gorgeous offers a full selection of Graham Beck Wines’ award-winning bubbly (called Méthode Cap Classique) along with tasty canapés prepared exclusively for Gorgeous by Executive Chef Almazan. The canapés – one is a decadent dessert – have been created to complement the Graham Beck sparkling wines, available either by the bottle or the glass. Prices start at $4.50* per flute and $22.50* per bottle.

Bistro Sixteen82

Named after the year in which Steenberg was first established, the 70-seater cellar door eatery under the direction of Chef Brad Ball serves classic bistro fare, incorporating the rustic style of Provencal food, and Steenberg wines. Sumptuous breakfasts are available in the morning, snack platters from the Raw Food Bar throughout the day, and Tapas in the late-afternoon and at sunset.

Picnics

Picnics come in wine boxes, a small feast of charcuterie and other goodies plus the choice of a bottle of red or white Steenberg wine.  Picnickers can opt to take their repast on the Steenberg Estate or travel out to Cape Point and savor it there.

Interactive Dining

When his schedule permits, Chef Almazan will involve guests in cooking demonstrations and discussions of the why behind his famous dishes.

*Based on exchange rate 10/08/2012

For more information visit www.steenberghotel.com