Literature Lovers can now follow Jane Austen's Footsteps with the Newest Wayfarers' Walking Vacation

Six-day UK Sojourn Explores Austen’s Inspiration for Her Timeless Classics

Newport, Rhode Island, January 21, 2010 – Participants in the Wayfarers’ newest literary-influenced Walk are invited to travel along Hampshire’s village lanes and footpaths, exploring the quaint region that served as motivation for much of Jane Austen’s perceptive and often biting social commentary in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Among the stopping points are Steventon, home to Jane’s father’s rectory; the village of Chawton, later home of Jane Austen and site of today’s Jane Austen Museum; and Oakley Hall, the 18th-century Manor House Hotel considered the inspiration for Mansfield Park. After strolling along paths and passing classic cottages familiar to Jane Austen, walkers arrive at the ancient Winchester cathedral, Jane Austen’s final resting place. Other highlights include a song recital and a pre-dinner discussion led by a Jane Austen expert about Jane and her literary masterpieces including Emma, Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility.

Beginning in Steventon and ending in Winchester, the six-day all-inclusive Walk is priced at $3,595 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes accommodations, meals and trail snacks, wine with dinner, entrance fees, guides, van transport for moving luggage and resting walkers, all taxes and gratuities at hotels and restaurants, and more :

Dates: June 27-July 2, 2010
July 25-30, 2010
August 29-September 3, 2010

Terrain: Country byways, well-trodden footpaths, village lanes

Challenge Level: Easy, with a pace of 6-10 miles per day

The Wayfarers

Named by National Geographic Traveler as purveyor of one of the “50 Tours of a Lifetime,” and by National Geographic Adventure as one of the “Best Hiking Companies,” The Wayfarers offers an eco-aware “walking” holiday of both culture and fitness in 14 countries with 85 Walks. Literary itineraries include the new Brontë and Jane Austen Walks in the UK and add an element of historical magic. Newest locations cover Alaska, Greece, Venice and the Veneto (Founder’s Walk), Northern Ireland, Slovakia and the Basque Country. Other popular walks are in Croatia, Amalfi Coast, Czech Republic, England, Scotland, Italy, France, New Zealand, Maine and Southwest USA. A barging/Walk combination in Burgundy is also offered, and private group itineraries can be arranged. In its 27th year, The Wayfarers offers exclusive entrées into homes and gardens otherwise closed to the public, graceful accommodations, outstanding cuisine, and meetings with local residents. Walks range from 5-12 days and are rated easy to challenging. www.thewayfarers.com, 800- 249-4620.





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