Jazz up your summer
Summer music festival time is coming around again and those who are too grown up for Glastonbury might want to consider a short break at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Inghams is offering a seven-night holiday, departing from London at any time during the 34th festival, from 7- 22 July. If half- board at the Eurotel Riviera, in the heart of the action on the waterfront, may seem pricey at £627, try the three-star Hotel des Alpes at Glion sur Montreux (from £459).
The hotel is a short funicular ride from the centre of Montreux and its altitude can provide a welcome relief from the sweltering hub of the festival city. All prices include flights from London, half board accommodation and train transfers. Phone 020 8780 4433. Music-lovers who can't stand the pace for a full week can avail of Lakes and Mountains Holidays' three-night breaks to Montreux for £344 per person, including flight, and three-star hotel accommodation. Phone 01329 844 405.
Muck and Eigg raking
Take a trip with Naturetrek to the Inner Hebrides and not only will you get the chance to view excellent wildlife with an expert guide, but you can benefit from the opportunity to stay with the Lairds of Muck. Participants in the seven day walking tour will spend four days and nights on the island of Eigg and the rest of the trip on Muck.
Eigg is just eight miles square and is an hour's boat journey from Arsaig, Inverness-shire. Its diverse natural habitats and rich plant and animal life are such that the island has recently been purchased by a partnership of residents, local council and the Scottish Wildlife Trust for its protection. Accommodation on Eigg will be in farmhouse bed and breakfasts.
More guided wildlife exploration is possible on the neighbouring island of Muck where the MacEwan family, the Lairds of Muck, make their farm guesthouse available to walkers. The tour, which departs 8 July, costs £395, which includes accommo dation, all meals, transport between the islands and the guide's services.
Inquiries 01962 733051.
Horse around Devon
The choice of a car or a plane as a holiday mode of transport is just too easy for some. Otter Valley Horse Caravans has catered to the demand for a less modern style of transport by organising horse-drawn caravan holidays in Devon. The traditional hand-painted caravans are drawn by placid horses and full instruction in the handling of both the horse and the caravan is given before departure. Other support services include collection from local train and bus stations and luggage transportation between sites. The company recommends routes around the Blackdown Hills that include several suitable campsites at which to spend each night. Holidays are available until 31 October and for up to four people cost £220 for a long weekend and £450 for a week, including caravan and horse hire, equipment and support services. This might just be your chance to indulge your Wind in the Willows country lanes fantasies. Phone 01404 861168.
•The winner of the Observer/Sunvil Peleponnese holiday featured in our Greece special on 4 June was W.S. White of Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire.
