Godalming & Haslemere Ramblers
recent abroad holidays
Godalming and Haslemere Ramblers have traditionally, for many years, organised a week’s holiday abroad for members, and on many occasions have chosen breaks provided by HF Holidays.
I took up the reins of Group Holiday Organiser in 2016, booking an HF holiday to Mallorca. Prior to this I had had personal experience of HF holidays to Vietnam, Turkey and the Canary Islands. The Majorcan holiday was based on Puerto Soller on the North West coast. There then followed a week in Spanish Catalonia, at the beautiful location of Roses, and this year the wonderful coastline of Croatia was enjoyed, based in Baska Voda, near Split.
The diversity of the activities which HF provide during the week is always appreciated. Walking into interesting towns and villages, amongst ruins, visiting monasteries and churches and museums en route, adds to the enjoyment. Boat trips, and other ideas for the weekly day off, make for a well rounded break. HF’s volunteer leaders have been first class. They are invariably well read about the area and can impart interesting facts. Always ready to be flexible, they give good pre walk briefings, find that bar in an otherwise barren landscape, when everyone is hot and tired, and most of all are professional and good fun!
We have already booked our 2020 holiday in Evia in Greece in the knowledge that our previous HF experiences will be repeated. Keep up the good work! And give us some new destinations please!
Naturally the thing most members like best about the holiday, apart from the social aspect, is the walking! That HF Holidays are able to offer us exclusivity for our group, normally around 30 of us, and can offer walks of two grades, thus meeting the differing needs of guests is a huge bonus, and one which our group would always require. Challenging walks, or a more relaxed walking pace gives everyone choice. Next to the walking – the raison d’etre for the holiday - is the need for a comfortable well run hotel, in a good location, with a good reputation for food. So far each of the holidays I’ve been involved with have had superior hotels, with excellent accommodation, often with swimming pools and with good food, Roses being the exception where the food was not just good, but truly memorable. Really important when ramblers come back from walks ravenous!