Chemin_planetes_St-LucBrand new from Macs Adventure: the Tour of the Val d’Anniviers is a Swiss alpine valley tour offering beautiful vantage points on a lesser known route through French-speaking Switzerland.

This walking tour offers the rather unique chance of visiting the astronomical observatory L’Observatoire François-Xavier Bagnoud, which is open to the public allowing the amateur astronomer to test out professional equipment to view the wonders of the cosmos. The alpine conditions here offer optimum observatory potential.

The itinerary takes you to St Luc, when you simply must take the opportunity to walk the 6km “Chemin des planètes” or “planetary way”. Travel light years of time and space, all in a day’s relaxed alpine walking! The path begins at the “Sun”, and as you to walk past scale artworks of all of the solar system’s planets placed at their relative distances from the Sun, each metre you stride represents one billion metres of space. Don’t miss Pluto; sadly now downgraded from planet status, but still the shining star at the end of the path!

Moulins_St-LucThe Val d’Anniviers is a 7 night & 8 day self guided walking tour. It is graded moderate which means it is has some longer & steeper walking days but is suitable for anyone with an active lifestyle, and the tour includes baggage transfer and accommodation in hand-picked 3 and 4 star hotels.

This walking paradise allows you to visit the best of the Swiss Alps, from the picture postcard snow-capped peaks and meadows you may anticipate, to slightly more unexpected vineyards and planetariums!

Our highlights of the Val d’Anniviers tour include:

  • The other worldly landscape of the Illgraben rock cirque
  • Walking from cellar to cellar in Sierre, the capital of Swiss viticulture
  • Relaxing in the Hotel Bella Tola Spa overlooking the Val d’Anniviers
  • Following the planetary way past the iconic Hotel Weisshorn
  • Wandering the picture postcard streets of Grimentz
  • Views of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Besso and Dent-Blanche

…and of course, truly glorious walking. View the full details of the Val d’Anniviers tour on our website.

The big questions about cycling holidays

21 May 2013
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Many people ask similar questions about a cycling holiday. They might doubt their fitness or ability or wonder about what to wear. Here we bring you a few of these questions and add the answers. I presume cycle touring is for young, fit people? Not at all. Cycle touring isn’t all about Lycra and long [...]

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Feedback Favourites: Pampered Pilgrims, Sunshine, and Snow in Spain

20 May 2013
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Weekly Feedback Favourites Want to get the walking boots on but in need of a bit of travel inspiration? Perhaps these recent reviews from Macs Adventure’s travellers will help. From sun and snow in Spain, to pampered pilgrims on the Camino, here are some extracts from our favourite Macs Adventure reviews of the last seven [...]

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Great ideas for outdoors things to do with kids

17 May 2013
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Getting kids away from their computers and games consoles and enjoying the great outdoors isn’t always that easy. And surveys reveal just how few spend quality time being active in fresh air. Other research reveals that both parents and children would like to be outdoors more, if only they could find the time, energy and [...]

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The Lakes & Hadrian’s Wall Cycle Tour (Part 2)

16 May 2013
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Cycle Day 4 – Keswick to Alston: Waking up to torrential rain and it forecast for the whole day I decided to throw in the towel. I am not normally a defeatist but the thought of several hours exposed to the elements didn’t appeal. We got the bus to Carlisle, picked up the car and [...]

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Join Britain on Foot to live longer and healthier

14 May 2013
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Most people would be happy to add four years to their lives. And, according to research, for many it’s as simple as walking. This month, a new Britain on Foot (BoF) campaign has been launched with the aim of encouraging more UK people to lead happier, healthier and longer lives. Benefits of walking Walking is a [...]

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Rachael: The Youngest Triple Coast to Coast Walker!

13 May 2013
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When we heard this story from our accommodation provider Ian at the Old Water View in Patterdale, The Lake District, we just had to share it! Congratulations to Rachael, Ian’s daughter, and the youngest person ever to complete the English Coast to Coast walk three times! Ian’s story…. “Rachael asked me when she was just [...]

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The Lakes & Hadrian’s Wall Cycle Tour (Part 1)

12 May 2013
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Cycle Day 1 – Carlisle to Cockermouth: We left the bustle of Carlisle and headed West then South West from the castle, soon familiarising ourselves with the white on blue National Cycle Network signs. Following the River Caldew along quiet cycle paths we saw the first swifts and swallows of the year also many spring [...]

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Review | National Parks & Islands on the Edge

10 May 2013

Two TV seasons focusing on Britain’s wild places began broadcasting in the UK this week; the BBC’s Hebrides – Islands on the Edge, and Caroline Quentin’s National Parks beginning in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. As a big fan of BBC Nature documentaries as a whole, and having spent many holidays in the Hebrides and [...]

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A Walk Through Time – The West Highland Way

10 May 2013
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Paraffin Pathfinder, 26th April 2013 So you have prepared for the miles, but are you ready for the eons? (click on the blue bordered images for the full picture) Navigating the path is straight forward yet the route isn’t littered with directional graffiti. Whenever you need a clue at a junction or a turning, there [...]

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How to keep phones and stuff dry in the outdoors

9 May 2013
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In an ideal world, no-one would be rained on while walking, cycling or enjoying the outdoors. In reality, rain falls and this means walkers and cyclists need to find a way to keep their kit dry. With an increasing number of precious mobile phones, iPads and other gadgets being stuffed into rucksacks and pockets, keeping [...]

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