Our active boat based holidays are more popular than ever before. The pure thrill of exploring tranquil, remote pockets of Europe during the day on bike or by foot before returning to the comfort, camaraderie and hearty local cuisine of a barge or boat each evening is a truly enlightening experience. To enjoy the amazing vistas from a completely new angle, has meant we’ve already assisted many early bird travellers secure their desired berth and departure dates for the extremely limited 2012 season.

Unlike our land based tours our impressive range of bike & barge, cycle & sail as well as walk & sail holidays are extremely limited in capacity. Places on our Cycle & Sail departures exploring the sun soaked coastlines of Croatia, Turkey & Greece are already limited while the perennial popularity of our Loire Valley Bike & Barge has seen many departures already completely full.

Whether you wish to explore the canals and waterways in Holland, the historic highlights along the Danube, remote coastal stretches of the Mediterranean, the Amalfi Coast or even Venice make sure you don’t miss the boat - plan your next active boat based holiday now with UTracks.

Go online to find the right trip for you > download trip notes today > or order a copy of our NEW UTracks 2012 brochure.

Book before 21 November to save 10%* during our Early Bird sale. *conditions apply, visit website for details.

“Once I discovered snow touring and snowshoeing, I found downhill too boring.”

If you’re an avid skier this statement by Vincent Lamy, one of our French snowshoeing guides, may just raise an eyebrow – or two.  A seasoned off-piste traveller, Vincent waxes lyrical about the wonders of experiencing the Queyras National Park during winter.

Snowshoeing is rapidly rising in the ranks of active winter pursuits. The loud silence, wilderness landscapes whitewashed with snow and the cosy comfort & hearty meals of warm mountain gites all combine to tantalise the senses and provide you with an unrivalled alpine activity that is already a common pastime for winter travellers in Europe.

If you’re headed to Europe this winter the great outdoors is still a place you should consider experiencing. UTracks offers seven superb winter itineraries; ranging from short 2-day retreats to Mont Blanc to longer jaunts through Iceland, Austria and the famous French mountain regions of Auvergne, the Pyrenees, Mont Blanc and the Queyras National Park.

Talk to us to learn more about a snowshoeing holiday in Europe.

Entries for our photo competition have now closed. We now need your help to decide on the ultimate winner!

The official voting period is now open and ends on 30 November. Anyone can vote and there are three Focus 10 photography course gift vouchers (valued at $290 each) up for grabs just for voting.

With a staggering 312 images to browse through there is no shortage of inspiration to capture your imagination. Our entrants have done a stellar job outlining the people and places of Europe that help encapsulate the spirit of a UTracks holiday.

Go on – help us find the winner by voting for your favourite photos right now.

The winner of the grand prize, a place on our Alpine Rhine Cycle complete with airfares to Zurich courtesy of Thai Airways International, as well as the three voting prizes will all be announced in next month’s Tracks and Trails e-newsletter.

For an unrivalled insight into the food and gastronomic history of the Camino Primitivo, the original Compostela Trail through northern Spain’s stunning Asturias region, there simply is no better escort than Dee Nolan.

Some of you may already be aware of Dee from her former life as a journalist. However after her own emotional journey along the Way of St James Dee changed her career path by deciding to connect with the soil back on her grandfather’s farm in South Australia where she established Nolans Road, a name that  has come to mean premium, certified organic produce that is farmed in harmony with nature.

Dee’s journey along the Camino took her back to the very heart of things: why we should care about what we eat and how it is produced and why we need escape valves like the pilgrimage in our busy modern lives. Inspired by Europe’s artisanal food producers, her travels are beautifully presented in her book A Food Lover’s Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

For those who have the privilege of joining Dee on our Food Lover’s Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela tour in September 2012  you can expect an extraordinary experience thanks to Dee and our local bilingual guide.

Places are filling fast so go online to learn more or get in touch today to book your place.

Cycling enthusiasts rejoice! UTracks now offers two amazing 15-day self-guided biking itineraries. 

Choose from our epic 500 km journey from France’s regal Loire Valley to the Atlantic Ocean or try a complete traverse of the German section of the famous Danube River, which can easily be extended further by connecting with our Danube Cycle, Blue Danube Cycle, Danube by Bike or Boat or Danube Explorer to Budapest.

The inspirational Cycle the Loire – Orléans to the Atlantic Coast is a cyclist’s delight. Discover the numerous chateaux and pause as you please to taste the many regional gastronomic delights, including delicious cheeses and young wines. Cycle through France’s wilder landscapes along the 'Loire à vélo' cycling path from Orléans in France’s playground of the kings to the rugged Atlantic coast at Le Croisic.

Cycling from where the Brigach and Breg Rivers join in Donaueschingen to where the Danube crosses over to Austria near Passau, our new German Danube self guided cycling tour will allow you to soak in the stunning vistas and explore many towns and villages as you coast along the entire length of the Danube in Germany. The fascinating cycle path meanders alongside Europe’s most famous and picturesque river and passes by magnificent castles and monasteries, providing you with an unparalleled active experience in Germany.

Book before 21 November to save 10%* during our Early Bird sale. *conditions apply, visit website for details.

How do I get to Mantova? Where is Mantova? Which tours are family friendly??

Learn about the Europe you don’t know at one of our FREE UTracks: Active Europe information evenings. Our Europe experts will answer questions you haven't even thought of yet so book your place(s) now as seating is limited.

Click your preferred date to book your place. All shows start at 6pm.

• PERTH: 15 November
• SYDNEY: 17 November
• BRISBANE: 30 November
• MELBOURNE: 07 December

p.s – Mantova is the Italian town where our new Veneto Bike & Boat tour concludes.