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Eastfield Lodge in the SnowEastfield Lodge New Year Walking Break

January 13th, 2012 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

Eastfield Lodge guests enjoyed 3 excellent days of walking in The Yorkshire Dales over New Year and what great company they were! It was great to see some old friends again who celebrated the New Year with us on our Walking Break in 2010/2011 and even better when we made more friends who we hope to see again here at Eastfield Lodge Bed & Breakfast in the years to come!

New Year in the Dales is a great time to get out walking after the indulgence of Christmas and we shared our walks only with each other and the Shetland Ponies on Penn Hill. There was even enough snow to have a snowball fight on the top!

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales

We were however also treated to a little mud on our fantastic walk at Semerwater, Yorkshire’s largest lake and there was a lot of fun and banter on return as our walking boots were cleaned of mud and returned to their former glory!

Winter Walking Breaks in the Yorkshire Dales

Winter Walking Breaks in the Yorkshire Dales

Informal celebrations, a toast and a few rogue and badly aimed party poppers helped us see in the New Year together and a later start on New Year’s Day set us up for our walk straight from the door of Eastfield Lodge along the infamous Leyburn Shawl. The weather got the better of a few who returned to enjoy the comfort of our cosy roaring fire, cake and tea (Kanga, our dog, I think, was the first one to turn back to Leyburn!).

Winter Waterfall

Winter Waterfall

Well it was 4 days filled with merriment, chatter, fun and friendship with superb scenery, hearty home cooked meals and tempting cake and tea. Thank you for making our New Year such a great one, the pleasure was all ours!

Pol, Dave, Kanga!

To join our next walking break – click here

Posted in Collett's Mountain Holidays, Eastfield Lodge, Walking Holidays in Yorkshire, Yorkshire Dales having no comments »

Christmas-Skiing--thuA Very Merry Christmas indeed!
(and a Happy New Year!)

January 1st, 2012 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

Christmas Carols, lovely food and great winter days out made for a very festive Christmas

Christmas Skiing Holidays

Christmas Skiing Holidays

The chalets celebrated Christmas in style with special renditions of classic Christmas carols accompanied by Dani on the trumpet. Classics including Jingle Bells and Away in a Manger topped the bill at Haus Valentin, before Dani headed over to Chalet Verena for another hearty performance.

Alan got fully into the swing of Christmas dressed as Santa whilst he snow boarded down the ski slopes in between preparing dinner courses with Rhi on Christmas day. Over in Arabba, everyone enjoyed a full Christmas dinner at a local restaurant after a long and fantastic day’s skiing.

Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

Superb food and 6-course Christmas dinners followed some awesome out days; Santa went on a Collett’s snowshoeing day at Cinque Torri and guests flew around the Sella Ronda on their skis. The sky was clear, the air crisp and the atmosphere perfect for a Christmas day spent in the Italian Alps. It couldn’t have been more idyllic, that was until… Dan Dan the fire man gave a spectacular fire-breathing show outside Haus Valentin with his fire staff – Much to the terror of Rainer and rapturous appreciation from the staff and guests alike!

Christmas Rifugio lunch in the Dolomites

Christmas Rifugio lunch in the Dolomites

Later on, some guests made their way over to midnight mass in Pedraces Badia, whilst others headed to bed with stomachs full of food and heads full of merriment.

Fantastic ski tours were had at Kronplatz and on the James Bond run at Ortsei later in the week. Cross country skiing proved popular once again, as guests and staff got into the Norwegian spirit on the ski tracks at Armentarola.

Christmas Snow in the Dolomites

Christmas Snow in the Dolomites

With snow now falling in the Italian Dolomites and more forecast for the next week, New Year promises to be a special welcome to 2012 at all the chalets in Arabba, Corvara and Pedraces Badia.

All of us at Collett’s Mountain Holidays would love to wish our guests a Happy New Year!

Posted in Alta Badia, Collett's Mountain Holidays, Skiing Holidays in Italy, Skiing in the Dolomites, Snowshoeing, Walking Holidays in the Dolomites having no comments »

Skiing, Snowshoeing & Winter Walking Holidays with Collett'sPowder Snow and Blue Skies
Skiing & Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

December 24th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

Wonderful snow fall creates an exciting first week of Collett’s winter season in the Dolomites, Italy

The Italian Dolomites did not disappoint at the start of another winter season. We had a large helping of snow two days before we opened our chalet doors to welcome our pre-Christmas guests. So everything was more or less perfect.

Snowshoeing in Italy

Snowshoeing with Collett's

This great start to the Winter Holidays continued throughout the week as guests signed up to many of the 15 snowshoeing, skiing and winter walking holiday activities on offer. Our snowshoers had a great treat as they hiked over Cinque Torri and the Pralongia Plateau (above Corvara). Whilst the skiers took in the best of the local delights in Corvara and Colfosco, some ventured further afield to Kronplatz. A surprise favourite for the week turned out to be the cross-country skiing day at Armentarola! This gave novices a chance to improve their gliding as well as pop back to the centre’s Rifugio for a Glühwein or two.

Skiing Holidays in Italy

Skiing in the Dolomites

Skiing with Collett's Mountain Holidays

Returning to Haus Valentin after a full day's skiing

Glitz and glamour in the shape of the Italian ski team came to town when the FIS Skiing World Cup started. Several of our winter guests headed down to watch the professional skiers on the Super G and Slalom on the local Gran Risa ski run above La Villa. Hannah at Corvara was truly ecstatic when she thought she had come face to face with Bode Miller, only to be bitterly disappointed to find out it was a course marshal!

Wonderful views in the Dolomites

Wonderful views in the Dolomites

The Sellaronda ski tour is now fully open, much to the delight of the Arabba team who took their guests out for a hosted ski day on the anti-clockwise route. This was a pretty chilly affair, as temperatures plummeted to -19 degrees Celcius… brrrr! So make sure you wrap up warm for the week to come!

Snow Angels!

Snow Angels!

More snow is forecast at the end of the week making it a truly white Christmas in a winter wonderland for Collett’s Mountain Holidays guests and staff.

All of us at Collett’s Mountain Holidays, home and abroad, would like to take this opportunity to wish our guests – past, present and future – a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

A winter wonderland in the Alta Badia

A winter wonderland in the Alta Badia

Thanks to Felicity from Haus Valentin for the latest blog.

Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

Posted in Collett's Mountain Holidays, Skiing Holidays in Italy, Snowshoeing, Winter Walking having no comments »

Skiing in ItalySnowfall in the Dolomites
13th December 2011

December 14th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

There has been considerable snowfall in Italy yesterday and overnight in the Dolomites, with much more forecast for Wednesday and Friday this week.

Skiing above Pedraces and Corvara in the Dolomites

Skiing above Pedraces and Corvara in the Dolomites

We woke up this morning to the winter wonderland scenery we expect in Arabba, Corvara and Pedraces Badia, three of Alta Badia’s best ski resorts. This is superb timing for Collett’s as our skiing holidays and snowshoeing and winter walking holidays start tomorrow.

Snow Cats worked overnight to groom the fresh snowfall in the Dolomites. Superski Dolomiti has already done superbly to open so many ski pistes prior to our fresh dump of snow. Prior to yesterday’s snowfall, constant snow cannon activity and occasional decent coverings have allowed us to ski much of the Alta Badia and Val Gardena area. In both the Val Badia and the Val Gardena the locals are also busy preparing for the first World Cup Skiing events of the season. On the Gran Risa ski piste above La Villa, near our own catered chalet base, Haus Valentin in Pedraces Badia, the slope is being prepared for the traditional Men’s Giant Ski Slalom and for the first time this year, the Special Ski Slalom Challenge.

Snowfall in the Dolomites - Pedraces Badia - 13 December 2011

Snowfall in the Dolomites - Pedraces Badia - 13 December 2011

The Collett’s Mountain Holidays staff team, busy with their final preparations for the winter skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking season, are itching to get out and enjoy the area with their first guests for our traditional pre-Christmas ‘early-bird’ skiing and snowshoeing week. With fresh snow on the pistes to carve through and undisturbed trails amidst snow clad trees and towering massifs to explore on snowshoes, the winter delights of this idyllic area await us all.

Snowshoeing in Italy with Collett's Mountain Holidays

Snowshoeing in December 2011

And who knows, there may even be time to stop at a mountain hut for a hot glühwein at the end of the day!

Haus Valentin - Pedraces Badia

Haus Valentin - Pedraces Badia

Posted in Collett's Mountain Holidays, Skiing Holidays in Italy, Snowshoeing, Special Offers, Winter Walking having no comments »

Walking-BreakNovember Walking Break
at Eastfield Lodge

December 13th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

A wonderful time was had on our Nov Walking Break here in the Yorkshire Dales. Winter has been creeping in on us and we were blessed with crisp (albeit a little windy) days, with a small shower on one of the days which was nothing to stop any of our hardy group!

Walking Holidays with Collett's

Walking Holidays with Collett's

How quickly we all became friends as we took three fabulous walks, all displaying the gems of The Dales. We started with a varied day that takes in Penhill Summit where we had our encounter with the ponies, Templars chapel ruins and Redmire Force.

Walk to Redmire Force

Walk to Redmire Force

Alan and Ellie treated everyone to their walk at Semerwater and our final day took us to the old mine ruins at Gunnerside and then following Swinnergill to Crackpot Hall, my favourite so far.

Old mine ruins at Gunnerside

Old mine ruins at Gunnerside

Ellie and Alan spoilt us with an array of cakes, (good job we did plenty of walking!).

Special thanks to Jack, Mick, Veronica, Jeffrey and Beth, Marion and Robin and Anne. We hope to see you all again soon.

Pol x

Join us on our January Walking Break in the Yorkshire Dales – Click here for more information.

Posted in Eastfield Lodge, Yorkshire Dales having no comments »

skiing-holidays-01Snow falling in the Dolomites

December 8th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

Snow has fallen in the Dolomites overnight. Dolomiti Superski will be updating their open pistes list today with their snowcats making the most of the fresh snow and making more pistes ready for the upcoming winter season.

Collett’s Mountain Holidays staff, already in the Dolomites, have been working hard to get our Chalets ready for our winter skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking season. They have also been out looking at the snowshoeing and winter walking routes in preparation for the first week.

Collett's Skiing Holidays in Italy

Snowfall in the Alta Badia from Haus Valentin

We are looking forward to our first guests arriving for their pre-Christmas winter holiday.

Posted in Collett's Mountain Holidays, Skiing Holidays in Italy, Snowshoeing, Winter Walking having 1 comment »

youtubeDolomites Walking Holidays Slideshow

November 18th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

A short walking holidays slideshow for a group planning to take a trip to the Alta Badia next summer, staying at Haus Valentin in Pedraces Badia and joining our easier / moderate organised walks program.

Posted in Collett's Mountain Holidays having 1 comment »

october-walking-breakOctober Walking Break
at Eastfield Lodge

November 10th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

The weather was kind to us on our Walking Break recently, mild and very autumnal.

Our fabulous group of guests arrived to a toasty fire roaring in the lounge here at Eastfield Lodge before our get together over canape’s and a toast to welcome everyone in! Within minutes everyone was chatting like old friends and the chatter continued throughout the evening meal, (and well into the week for that matter)!

We had 3 lovely walks planned and after hearty breakfasts each morning everyone was ready for the off! Dave organised the walks with Alan, Ellie and myself all managing to get out and join the walkers on each of their days, it’s a good job too as someone needed to make sure that Dave was sharing the jelly beans out!!

Stopping to look at one of the Waterfalls at Aysgarth before heading off to Castle Bolton.

Stopping to look at one of the Waterfalls at Aysgarth before heading off to Castle Bolton.

The views across to our destination...Castle Bolton

The views across to our destination...Castle Bolton

The walks took us to Castle Bolton, Semerwater and Fremington Edge for glorious views of the Dales renowned countryside. On return we gathered in the lounge, around the fire with mugs of hot tea and marvellous afternoon cake delights from Ellie.

Marvellous afternoon cake delights from Ellie

Marvellous afternoon cake delights from Ellie

Walking along Fremington Edge, Arkengarthdale

Walking along Fremington Edge, Arkengarthdale

Stalling Busk, chapel ruins on the Semerwater and Roman Road Walk.

Stalling Busk, chapel ruins on the Semerwater and Roman Road Walk.

Our guests were great sports enduring our own version of ‘trick or treating’ on Halloween although I’m not sure if Dave and Alan will be talked into wearing those ‘false’ teeth again!

Alan, Dave, Pol and Ellie get up to a bit of 'trick or treating' of their own on the guests.

Alan, Dave, Pol and Ellie get up to a bit of 'trick or treating' of their own on the guests.

Our troop really appeared to enjoy their meal at The Sandpiper (check it out if you’re coming to Leyburn, it’s a fabulous treat), we’re still hearing stories now!

Thanks all for a great last evening, sitting around the fire with wine and chit chat, perfect!

Haloween Dinner at Eastfield Lodge

Haloween Dinner at Eastfield Lodge

So, many thanks for joining us here in the Dales for a fabulous break, hope to see you all again soon!! And no, Kanga was still not tired at the end of it all!!!

Pol, Dave, Alan, Ellie and Kanga!

November Walking Break

There is still some space left for our November Walking Break in beautiful Wensleydale at Eastfield Lodge. Dates 27th Nov to 1st Dec – Click here for more details of our November Walking Break

Taking a break!

Taking a break!

Posted in Eastfield Lodge, Yorkshire Dales having no comments »

Walking the GR11Walking the GR11
Week Two

October 6th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

An enormous thank you to the GR 11 Week 2 Extreme Team – Su and Andrew, Eric and Marie, Cheryl and Paul, Sue and Celia, Terry and Catherine, Bob and Linda, Helen and Jon, Nick and Bev, and lastly Dave and Kelly. Thank you also to those who donated their photos, and to cameraman Andrew for capturing the week’s action on film – not too much embarrassing footage thankfully.

Su descending beneath Vignemale (3208m)

Su descending beneath Vignemale (3208m)

Team Vegetarian!

Team Vegetarian!

Balcony traverse to Refugio Respomuso on the GR11

Balcony traverse to Refugio Respomuso on the GR11

A superb week walking 5 sections of the GR11 was had, made all the better by perfect Pyrenean weather (our waterproofs never left our bags!), great company and banter, hearty Spanish food and endless baguette butties, and plentiful tales of the mountains. To cool down from the tens of kilometres and hundreds of meters of ascent that we scaled, some of us braved the lakes and waterfalls for a swim, whilst others chose to dip a toe or two in the bracing streams.

Embalse de Respomuso

Embalse de Respomuso with the Refugio (2208m) on the left, our home for the night

We ‘roughed it’ for a night in the beautifully situated Refugio Respomuso on the banks of the Respomuso reservoir – where some of us had a better night’s sleep than others (we would never name the snorers, of course) in our dormitory-style bunk rooms. And then relished the comforts of our rooms in Hotel Sabocos back in Panticosa and also our hotel in Torla before the final stage.

An intense session of-the 'Name-Game' after dinner in the refuge

An intense session of-the 'Name-Game' after dinner in the refuge

It was all a bit much for Dave

It was all a bit much for Dave

We crept up on marmots, saw Griffon vultures and a Golden Eagle above, cuddled dirty but affectionate donkeys, and dodged leeches and frogs in the lakes – whilst always being serenaded by the bells of the local grazing sheep, cows and horses. Not to forget witnessing our men take a dip in a waterfall-fed pool in Ordesa National Park in their underwear. We couldn’t have asked for more from a week on the GR 11.

Mirador of the Faja de Pelay in Ordesa

Mirador of the Faja de Pelay in Ordesa

Sadly this is the last post from the Pyrenees team for this season! Thanks to Kelly, Dave, Lynne and Rushy for a superb summer, I’m sure all your guests wish you well for the future! You certainly made their holidays extra special!! We hope to see you all in the mountains very soon!

To see our dates for the GR11 in 2012 – Click here

Ordesa - The Mirador on the Faja de Pelay

Rushy, Kelly, Lynne & Dave on the faja de Pelay

Posted in GR11, Walking Holidays in the Pyrenees having no comments »

Walking holidays on the GR11Walking Holidays on the GR11

September 14th, 2011 by Collett's Mountain Holidays

5 Days on the GR11 – Candanchu – Ordesa

The GR11 is one of the classic high-level walking trails of Europe and runs 840km coast to coast along northern Spain, passing through the Spanish Pyrenees and taking in breathtaking and ever-changing scenery.

Our route for the guineapigs *cough* I mean pioneers of Colletts’ first outing on the GR11 began just below Candanchu, just below the French border, and finished five days later at the Ordesa Canyon near Torla. The pioneering seven were Chris, Melanie, Anthony, Richard, Rachel, Rushy and Lynne.

High on the GR11

High on the GR11

Day One

An early start for a taxi at 8:30am took us out of the Valle de Tena, beyond Jaca and up to our starting point at Candanchu. Beginning gently through flower meadows, with fantastic views behind us to the Sierra de Aisa (a range not seen from near Panticosa), we made our way up the Canal Roya and the familiar sight of Anayet.

Lunch was gratefully had when we reached the picturesque Ibones de Anayet, where Chris gave tired feet a good soak, successfully avoiding leeches (!).

Whilst the others relaxed by the shores of the lakes, Lynne, Richard, Chris and Rachel branched off the GR11 to scale the Vertice d’Anayet, affording great views both of where we’d come from and where we would be heading over the following few days.

We then regrouped to head down beneath the Formigal ski lift infrastructure to be collected by our taxi, then back to Panticosa to round off the day with a well-deserved shandy.

Stats: Distance walked: 14.5km – Total Ascent: 900m (1200m to the Vertice)

Day 2 on the GR11

Day 2 on the GR11

Refugio de Respomuso

Refugio de Respomuso

Day Two

Beginning at the La Sarra resevoir above Sallent de Gallego (thus skipping the somewhat soulless section of the GR11 which walks along the main road!), we began our climb up to the Ibones de Arriel. Rucksacks somewhat heavier than yesterday and contending with more difficult terrain as we stream-hopped and scree-scabbled, we consoled ourselves with the numerous raspberry and bilberry bushes en route, and yet still managed to fit in our lunches looking down at the beautiful Aguas Limpias (clear waters) valley.

On reaching Refugio de Respomuso, our camp for the night, we indulged yet again on local cheeses, sausages and shortbread, washed down with a cold beer.

Yet more food to follow – pasta soup, meatballs and ice-cream provided by the refuge before an early night to prepare for the following day.

Stats: Distance walked: 10.6km – Total Ascent: 800m

Day 3 Walking on the GR11

Day 3 Walking on the GR11

Day 3 Walking on the GR11

Day 3 Walking on the GR11

Day Three

Waking up and already being at 2200 metres is a fantastic feeling – unfortunately due to a certain snorer in our midst, we enjoyed the sunrise without that rested feeling of a good nights kip!

Undetered, we left the refuge after breakfast and headed for the Collado de Tebarrai, which at 2782m is the highest point of our GR week, and the second highest point over the whole GR11. A scramble up and down from here led us to the Ibon de Tebarrai; the glacial blue of the waters and the contasting rock colours of the Picos del Infierno (somewhat melodramatically named Peaks of Hell!) making it more than worth the effort.

We descended gradually to reach the Ibones Azules (Blue lakes), and tucked in to our substantial refuge picnics. A long but beautiful descent followed, passing the Embalse de Bachimana Alto to lead down gorges and boulders, past plunge-pools and streams to finally arrive at the Refugio Casa de Piedra in Banos de Panticosa – time for another beer!

Stats: Distance walked: 12.2km – Total Ascent: 700m

Leaving Hotel Sabocos on day 4

Leaving Hotel Sabocos on day 4

Taking a break on day 4

Taking a break on day 4

Day Four

Well-rested after a relaxing day off back in Panticosa, we picked up from where we’d left off at Banos de Panticosa, and began up the zigzagging path of the Brazato bridleway. Despite the forecast, the weather held for us, the morning cloud keeping us nice and cool on the ascent. Legs fresh after the rest day before, we powered up to the Cuello Alto del Brazato and descended into the Valle del Ara. As we descended, the impressive summit of Pique Longue, part of the Vignemale massif and the highest point in the French Pyrenees, came in and out of view. We joined onto the Valle de Ordiso to then make our way steadily towards Bujarelo, with the steep walls of the Ordesa Canyon beginning to make an appearance.

On reaching St Nicolas de Bujarelo, Rushy and Chris went paddling whilst the rest of us indulged in an cold drink, before we were picked up and taken to Hotel Bujarelo in Torla. A hearty three-course meal later and we were off for an good (and quiet!) nights’ sleep.

Stats: Distance walked: 18.6km – Total Ascent: 1000m

In the Ordesa Canyon on day 5

In the Ordesa Canyon on day 5

Taking a break on day 5

Taking a break on day 5

Day Five

Amazingly, despite the added weight of both the copious amounts of breakfast in our stomaches and very substantial baguettes (two of them…each!) in our rucksacks, we still managed it up the Senda de los Cazadores to reach the Mirador (viewpoint) overlooking the Ordesa Canyon. We quickly demolished one of the baguettes to lighten the load, and then continued along the breathtaking Faja de Pelay, a natural balcony which runs two thirds of the way up the Canyon walls to the head of the canyon at the Cola de Caballo waterfall. Again, the 65% chance of rainfall was no where to be seen, and we enjoyed great views of the Breche de Rolando and even Monte Perdido (Lost Mountain – because it’s so often covered in cloud!).

We made our way down to the water fall just in time for baguette number two, and then continued down the Camino de las Cascadas – blissfully deserted now we’re into September, to finish our day and GR11 week with a Magnum ice-cream back at the carpark.

Stats: Distance walked: 20.3km – Total Ascent: 800m

Lunch on the GR11

Taking a break for lunch on the GR11

Final Stats: Total Distance Walked: 77km – Total Height Gained: 3600m – Total Calories Burnt: Hundreds – Total Calories Consumed: Thousands (!!!)

Motto of the week: We came, we walked, we ATE!

Posted in Collett's Mountain Holidays, GR11, Pyrenees, Walking Holidays in the Pyrenees having 2 comments »

About Collett's Mountain Holidays

Collett's is a regulated, independent holiday specialist committed to the highest levels of personal care and attention to detail. Abroad, we respect the people, character and local customs of our featured destinations. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators abiding to its Quality Charter and encouraging high standards of quality and service. Finally, Collett's is bonded through ABTA and guarantees the protection of all holiday payments. Collett's Ltd. is registered in England No. 3467538 @ Rae House, Dane Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, CM23 3BT Directors: T.J.E Collett & P.Melia. All photos are copyright Collett's Mountain Holidays unless otherwise stated.

Collett's Mountain Holidays
3a Market Hill, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1HQ
tel. 01799 513331 - email admin@colletts.co.uk

Collett's Mountain Holidays is ABTA bonded W6883Collett's Mountain Holidays is ABTA & AITO Bonded with 100% financial protection