Summer is nearly upon us, and what better way to start the season than by booking a great summer holiday with Exodus.

Amanda Ceraolo, our European Product and Operations Executive gives an insight into why Tuscany is a must see destination this summer.

Calling all you walkers! Beginner or advanced, we have tips from our walking experts to make sure you are ready for any of our top 5 walking holidays around the world.

If walking isn’t really your cup of tea, read our favourite destinations for worldwide festival celebrations. Whether its for yourself, family or friends, we have a whole range of holidays to suit you.

Happy reading
The Exodus Team

NEW trip! Volunteer trip to the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco - This is an excellent chance to directly contribute to the Tijhza village school, one of our Responsible Tourism projects. The week will be spent assisting with some much needed development at the school, from painting to helping build a new classroom. There will also be plenty of time for gentle walking around the beautiful Berber villages and relaxing in Essouira and Marrakech. Exodus Leader Andy Mckee, who set up the project many years ago, will be your expert guide on this unique experience. Get involved!

Walking and Wine - If you like wine, countryside, sunshine and good food, then this is the trip for you! A fabulous one-week walking holiday through Spain's most prestigious wine producing region. Find out more.

Travel Advice - Travelling to Europe? - If you are a UK citizen and are travelling to Europe, then don’t forget to obtain your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC replaces the E111, and is easy to obtain by either phone or by filling out an application form, available from your post office or online. Don’t forget it! Find out more.

Ethiopia Gonder Eye Surgery Clinic project
Ethiopia - This verdant country often surprises the visitor as it’s very different from its neighbouring African countries. Surrounded by mountains, Ethiopia has developed a religion, calendar and language all of its own. It is also surprising to know that there are 10,000 blind adults (and 250 blind children) for every one million population in the country.

Exodus has recently become a supporter of the Gondar Eye Surgery in Ethiopia and has joined Dr Sandy Holt-Wilson, a UK ophthalmologist who has been involved with Gondar University Eye Department since 2000, in assisting with this worthwhile cause.

One obvious benefit of walking is its contribution to a healthy lifestyle. This natural form of exercise gets you out in the invigorating fresh air and can help combat everything from anxiety and stress to heart disease and high blood pressure. Here are our top tips for making your walk enjoyable, productive and safe.

Although not nearly as famous as the tequila, Mezcal is also one of Mexico’s most traditional alcoholic beverages. There are many different types of agaves plants, and each produces a different mezcal. Mezcal is made from the blue agave plant in the town of Tequila and the surrounding region of Jalisco.

Wines from Chianti; World Heritage sites of Cinque Terre and Florence; Siena’s Palio – it’s clear why everyone deems Tuscany to be paradise.

Amanda Ceraolo, European Product and Operations Executive gives an insight.

Festivals provide colour and energy, and usually have a sense of real purpose behind the celebrations. From music to arts and opera to dance, we have a number of festival holidays to choose from, from Italy’s famous Spoleto festival in July to the Saga Dawa festival in Tibet.

Calling all cycling enthusiasts!
Whether you’re a hardened mountain biker looking to challenge yourself on our Tour de France Special 2007 trip, or a weekend cyclist wishing to experience an exotic ride through dramatic scenery, Exodus has a cycling trip to suit you.

Sometimes our photo postbag is parsimonious in its offerings; not this month. It was extremely difficult to pick a winner so we have gone for two. Karen Hewitt, Chris Vernon-Parry and Alex Sladen, should also be congratulated for their efforts.

The Winners
Dave Collier - Lhotse and Ama Dablam, Nepal
Why is it a winner? This is not only an unusual photo, it’s also a very difficult one to get right. Night-time shots are fraught with difficulty but can often produce an interesting effect. This is dramatic and evocative, fully capturing the majesty of one of the top three mountain backdrops in the world.
Find out more about our trips to Nepal.

William Allaway - Lak Lake, Vietnam
Why is it a winner? Shots of this nature are frequently poorly composed and little more than records of travel. This however bristles with originality. It’s a touch bright but this is not the photographers fault and he is to be congratulated on not only the photo but also for not doctoring the exposure.
Find out more about our trips to Vietnam.

Well done to both of you. Your signed wildlife photography book by Paul Goldstein is on its way to you.