Wanderlust - Follow in the footsteps of Julia Bradbury on a walking tour of Germany

Press release: 01 February 2011

'Julia Bradbury's German Wanderlust', the BBC 2 series in which the intrepid presenter dons her walking boots and explores the landscape of Germany on a series of walks has proved very popular, with travel specialist Dertour reporting many enquiries on the back of it.  In the series, Julia treks areas including the Upper Middle Rhine, Saxony and Bavaria regions and discovers why the Germans enjoy a relationship with walking that has lasted over 200 years.

Tim Locke, head of marketing at Dertour, comments, "We have seen a real boost in interest for Germany since the BBC has been running its Germany season on BBC FOUR and its recent repeats on BBC 2.  Visually, the country offers some of the most stunning scenery which really comes across very well on TV, as does the presenters behind the programmes - Julia Bradbury and comedian Al Murray - both of whom have really understood the richness and variety of Germany's culture, history and landscape.  We hope that anyone wishing to experience similar walking tours to Julia will enjoy those that we have on offer."

If you'd like to follow in the footsteps of Julia, Dertour has the following walking holidays which is inspired by her trip along the Rhine and also through Bavaria.

RHEINSTEIG - The 320km long Rheinsteig trail is a real nature experience beginning  at Wiesbaden  and ending in Bonn, and meandering through villages along the Rhine such as Linz and Leutesdorf along the way. Many of the stages can be shortened by taking a riverboat. The trail is exceptionally well signposted and allows either ambitious long-distance walking or a variety of more leisurely short tours.   Between Rüdesheim and Koblenz, you walk through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape boasting a variety of romantic castles. Worth seeing among other castles is the Pfalzgrafenstein Castle in Kaub, which stands on an island in the river North of Koblenz, and also the Marksburg Castle in Braubach. Next are the Taunus hills and the lofty peaks of the Westerwald forests, followed by the outstanding conservation area for the Siebengebirge hills with the famous Mount Drachenfels that towers over the Rhine.

Dertour offers the tour in three sections (each taking a week).  The middle section (St Goarshausen - Leutesdorf) which takes you via Braubach, Koblenz and Rengsdorf is priced from £699 per person to include flights from Heathrow to Frankfurt and rail transfer, seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation, luggage transfers between hotels, and a walking map.  Based on two sharing a twin room.  Based on departures between 1 April and 31 October 2011.

BAVARIAN ALPINE LAKES - The Chiemgau Alps are nestled on the border between Salzburg, Tyrol and Bavaria.  These gentle mountains and their large alpine pastures hide some of Germany's most idyllic holiday resorts.  Scenic views of rugged, snow-capped summits are a vivid contrast to the lush green meadows in the foothills.  This eight day walking tour includes walking between four and six hours a day.  Highlights of the itinerary includes Berchtesgaden National Park; Amprechteshole, Europe's longest water-course cave and on to the Vorderkaserklamm, a natural swimming pool; the Steinplate Mountain; day of leisure in the resort of Reit im Winkl; Lake Taubensee 'The Eye of Chiemgau' and a hike through the mountain forests to the alpine pastures of Hochplatte and Kampenwand in the Chiemgau Alps.

This walking tour is priced from £889 per person for a self guided tour (£1,079 per person for a guided tour), to include 77km of walking, seven nights three star country hotel accommodation on half board basis, return flights from London to Munich and rail transfer onto Berchtesgaden, plus rail transfers from Lake Chiemsee to Munich; welcome tour and information, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, cable car in Lofer and Kampenwand and route book and walking rucksack per room.  Based on two people sharing.  Based on departures each Saturday from 28th May  to 17 September 2011.


For bookings call Dertour on 0207 290 1111 or visit www.dertour.co.uk <http://www.dertour.co.uk/> for further information