Many of you may have seen TV presenter Julia Bradbury explore the delights of walking in Germany on the recent BBC series "German Wanderlust". If you missed it, don't worry, as there's a DVD of the series available. But, even better, shouldn't you be discovering real German Wanderlust for yourself instead of from a television screen?Since the broadcast of German Wanderlust, here at Walks Worldwide we've seen a dramatic increase in interest for walking holidays in Germany. Maybe it was Julia's infectious personality and enthusiasm for Germany, or the beautiful landscapes portrayed and deliciously mingled with art, history, culture, romance and gastronomy.Whatever the reason, at Walks Worldwide we're absolutely delighted that at long last the beauty of walking in Germany has received this much deserved attention. We don't wish to sound smug, but we've known about the pleasures of walking in Germany for many years now and were wondering when the secrets that we'd discovered from walking there ourselves would be out.We're also very pleased that in the series, Julia actually walks in the regions where all our Germany walking holidays take place; Bavaria, Saxony and the Rhineland, and visits all the highlights of these holidays too. Indeed when in the initial planning stages the TV production company contacted our very own trekking expert, Mark Knowles, for some advice, so it may not be just coincidence.If you'd like to follow in Julia Bradbury's footsteps (and ours too) you can discover your very own German Wanderlust. And with many budget airlines now operating flights from around the UK to various airports in Germany, it's never been easier or cheaper to get there either.www.walksworldwide.com Search: German Wanderlust In Search of the Swan King Alpine scenery, Schloss Neuschwanstein and the history of King LudwigWhen: June to OctoberDuration: 8 daysHow Much: From £595 Land OnlySearch: Bavaria Rhineland- Along RhineRomance, the Lorelei, castles and vineyardsWhen: March to NovemberDuration: 8 daysHow Much: From £595 Land OnlySearch: Rhine Saxony- Saxony's Sandstone Mountains (website only holiday)Saxon Switzerland, the "Empire of the Stones" and the Elbe ValleyWhen: April to OctoberDuration: 8 daysHow Much: From £565 Land OnlySearch: SaxonyThe Julia effect.have you got German Wanderlust too?German Wanderlust Walks6 Talk to an expert 0845 301 4737www.germany.travel

Special 'reccy' trip reportAlbania - The Accursed MountainsStunning Thethi National Park, AlbaniaIn June of last year Product Manager Mark Knowles travelled to the isolated and remote north of Albania with a handful of our intrepid trekkers. The mission that they chose to accept: to research trekking in the Accursed Mountains and don't come back until you've designed a great trip.Without exception, everyone felt like they had travelled to somewhere more "long-haul", somewhere very different to Europe, somewhere unique and somewhere very, very special. All were completely bowled over by the friendliness and hospitality of the Albanian highlanders. And the scenery? Awesome is an over-used word these days, but for Albania it's an understatement, even Top Gear think so.Opposite are some extracts from Mark's report. You can read the full report on the Albania page of our website. Seemingly it brought the romantic out of our usually less than romantic Cumbrian! You too can discover this very special part of Europe on our "Albania - The Accursed Mountains" trekking holiday. When: June, July and SeptemberDuration: 8 daysHow Much: From £565 Land OnlySearch: Albania Join us on our next "reccy" trip to ArmeniaWant to be part of something new and special? Our next "reccy" trek is to Armenia-Beyond the Silk Road, where we explore the highlands in the shadow of Mount Ararat.When: JulyDuration: 11 daysHow Much: From £1195 Land OnlySearch: Armenia I woke very early in a seemingly utopic, very rural, very isolated verdant mountain valley. For a brief moment the steep, jagged mountains carpeted in dense, green woodland that towered impressively all around echoed with just the sound of silence. I looked back to soak up this scene of bucolic, mountainous nirvana. Just a handful of scattered traditional farmstead homes occupy the valley floor, out of which rise sharply The Accursed Mountains. Everything seemed just perfect - this was definitely a "glad to be alive" day! Throughout our trek we had to constantly keep reminding ourselves that we were in fact in Europe. Life for the local people we found to be similar to life in remote Himalayan villages... self-sufficiency is seemingly almost an absolute necessity. The family we are staying with keep around 40 sheep, a few cows and grow all the seasonal vegetables they need, and the freshest, mountain purified spring water you could wish for. For them their nearest shop is almost 5 hours drive away.This is the Accursed Mountains, it's real and it's alive. You live it and you feel it as it really is. Europe's secret place for real adventure travel. Even in Tirana there isn't a McDonalds yet.Or visit us on the web www.walksworldwide.com 7 Mighty Mount Ararat from Armenia