Mountain and lake holidays are known for their stunning sights and enchanting experiences - but, choose the right trip and you’ll get more than just a bit of a view and some flowing water, as Jessica Whittington discovers.

Horsing around in the hills, Spanish style!

If the thought of riding out in the hills appeals, then how about riding in the hills and mountains above Sotogrande, Southern Spain, looking out across to North Africa? Just seals the deal, right?

With Arbuthnott Holidays you get more than just a riding holiday - based at Almuña, the stunning house owned by the Arbuthnotts, you’ll be completely catered for, with a daily programme organised for you - no decisions and no responsibility.

There are sensational riding routes around Almuña, taking you along the old caminos and smugglers’ paths. Each morning will see you face a new adventure - along with a noble and sure-footed Andaluz horse, led by Hughie Arbuthnott.

As a part of the equestrian week guests have the opportunity to watch the ‘espectaculo’ at the Riding School in Jerez, returning via a ride through one of the most famous bull farms in Spain. With a stunning terrace and pool perfect for catching a few rays, Almuña is a wonderful place to spend a holiday.

Price: €2200 per person sharing (single supplement €225) - all food, drink and accommodation (six night stay at Almuña and one night at a boutique hotel in Jerez) is included.

Available dates: September 18-25 and October 1-8, 2011.

More info: www.arbuthnottholidays.com ^[1]

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Walking the fjords

Norway’s fjords are a stunning natural phenomenon - few visitors can fail to be inspired by the contrast of snow-capped mountains, steep green hillsides and powerful waterfalls plunging into the calm, clear waters of the fjords.

The Walking the Fjords experience, organised by Health and Fitness Travel, is the perfect trip for trekking and walking, exploring these landscapes on foot, giving unique access to areas of tranquil beauty and high mountain viewpoints.

The holiday starts with a flight to Bergen, where you’ll stay overnight in a hotel in the city. The next morning will take you on a sightseeing tour of Bergen, before you take the scenic journey to your base, a cosy family-run guesthouse on Lustrafjord, nestled between the Jotunheim and the massive Jostedalsbreen Icecap. For the rest of your stay you will discover remote valleys, glaciers and some of Norway’s highest peaks.

Offering much more than just a holiday in the mountains, the week draws to a close on a more cultural note, with a visit to Feigumfoss waterfall and Gaupne stave church, one of the few old wooden churches remaining in Norway.

Price: from £1,699 per person - including flights, accommodation and meals.

Available dates: July 3-10, July 10-17 and August 14-21.

More info: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com ^[5]

On your bike! The German lakeside way

What better way to enjoy the unspoilt countryside of the Salzkammergut than by bike on a tour taking you through Austria and Germany, passing not one, not two, but 10 different lakes?

A lake break with a difference, the Cycling Tour of 10 Lakes organised by Compass Holidays is an eight day, 265km long tour through some of the most scenic and unique routes Austria and Germany have to offer.

From day one you’ll be enchanted by the unique landscapes, departing Salzburg to travel through the soft hills of the Salzburger Voralpenland. As you cycle through pastures and moorlands along the River Salzach to the Silent-Night town of Oberndorf the tour will see you head towards lakes Trumer and Wallersee and on to either Lake Mondsee or Lake Attersee.

Further along the trip you’ll experience Orth castle in Gmunden as well as a bike museum in Altmunster and the Dachstein Ice Caves. Taking a ride on the Schafbergbahn, a rack railway, you’ll climb from St. Wolfgang to the summit of the Schafberg mountain, where the peak offers beautiful panoramic views of the Salzkammergut mountains and lakes.

Price: From £635.00 per person, based on two people sharing.

Available dates: Many dates between April 16 to October 9, 2024

More info: www.compass-holidays.com ^[6]

Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine