For Immediate Release       
For more information contact:

Carolyn Walters Fox
800-464-9255/802-244-1387
carolyn@countrywalkers.com

Anna Stancioff
Hawkins International PR
212-255-6541
Anna@hawkpr.com

* Museum visits, elephant-back game viewing, wine tastings…the choice is yours

Waterbury, VT (March 2008) – Are you in the mood to sample local wines or take a behind-the-scenes tour of an art gallery? Either way – or any other way – Country Walkers has the adventure for you with Walking à la Carte, a NEW soft adventure program from the premier provider of small group walking tours. Promising designated daily itineraries with a world of options – from cultural sites to kayaking, wine tasting to private museum visits, or just more walking if that’s what you prefer – Walking à la Carte assures the choice is yours.

A bold innovation that’s quite unique in the premium tour industry, Country Walkers created Walking à la Carte in response to recommendations from past and prospective guests who requested more cultural options and regional highlights. Rather than just tack additional attractions onto existing walking itineraries, the company dreamed up a wealth of options for travelers to savor on specific "à la carte days” – typically two days per tour.

For example, during the Haarlem portion of Country Walkers’ popular Holland: Windmills & Waterways tour, travelers will enjoy a selection of diversions including a visit to the Frans Hals Museum, a guided tour of the Amelisweerd Estate along the Rhine River, a spa treatment, or a stop at the Centraal Museum, located in an Augustine monastery. In Tuscany guests can opt for an in-depth guided walk in Florence. Game-viewing from dugout canoes and on elephant-back is an option for the Nepal adventure. On Myanman: Cultural Odyssey, an à la carte date in Yangon will offer options such as a tour of the Gem Museum or a walk to the World Peace Pagoda, while in Bagan choices will include a morning visit to local markets, and even a cooking class.

Along with the above tours, Walking à la Carte days will be featured prominently on NEW Country Walkers adventures to Venice and India for 2009, as well as part of existing itineraries to Tuscany, the Dordogne, Nepal, California's Sonoma region, Maine, Hawaii, Panama and Baja, Mexico.

Walking à la Carte is just the latest innovation from Country Walkers, which previously introduced Women's Adventures, and last year launched a series of shorter Getaway tours offering walking and "insider activities" over just four or five days. The new program is a great option for independent-minded travelers, as well as for couples who tour together but maintain distinct spirits of adventure. Created to appeal to the experienced traveler who desires flexibility, each "à la Carte" itinerary still reflects Country Walkers' dedication to exploring the world by foot. Best of all, most Walking à la Carte options will be included in the usual tour price, and will be led by Country Walker's usual complement of local and professional guides.

"All too often, tour companies are locked into their agendas, when really it's the guests who know beest what they want to pursue," said Timo Shaw, President of Country Walkers. "We're forging a new path with Walking à la Carte, creating the perfect option for travelers who are eager for a healthy, active vacation but want even more cultural opportunities and more choice than our classic walking tours."

For more information on Walking à la Carte or to make reservations with Country Walkers, please contact (800) 464-9255.

Country Walkers, based in Waterbury, Vermont(www.countrywalkers.com) was established in 1980 and is the world.s premier small group walking tour provider. Country Walkers offers well-crafted itineraries for walking, snowshoeing, family, women.s adventures, and private vacations. All trips highlight superb cuisine, outstanding tour guides, and authentic accommodations.

First Choice Holidays PLC is a leading international leisure travel company. It operates from 17 major source markets, has 8 million customers and 72 brands. For more information visit First Choice Holidays PLC (www.firstchoiceholidaysplc.com).