CINQUETERREANDTHEITALIANRIVIERAOCTOBER6-15,2018
TRIPSUMMARY
HIGHLIGHTS
• HiketheCinqueTerre'sspectacularcoastlinetrailsthroughfivebrightlycoloredcliffsidevillages,richinnature,history,andtraditionalwaysoflife
• Discovermedievalcastlesandfortresses,tinyfishingports,andbustlingharborsinthenearbypicturesqueseasidetownsofCamogli,Levanto,andPortovenere
• Seethecharmingcoastaltownsfromthesea• Tastethefreshflavors,localwines,andtraditionalfoodsofthisarea• EnjoyawinerytourandItaliancookingclass
Phone:877-439-4042OutsidetheUS:410-435-1965Fax:410-435-3084Email:[email protected]
TRIPATAGLANCEDates: Oct6-15,2018Location: Florence,ItalyCost: $3,495.00Activities: HikingArrive: MeetinthelobbyofHotelCellaiat1pmOctober6Depart: DepartfromPisaanytimeafter1pmonOctober15TRIPOVERVIEW
The Cinque Terre, is a collection of five colorful towns perched on steep cliffs overlooking theMediterranean,knownas the ItalianRiviera.Aftermeeting inFlorence,wewillexploresomeofits� culture and foodbefore traveling to Camogli a lovely coastal townon the LigurianCoast.WewillheadtothenorthernmosttowninCinqueTerre,MonterossoalMare.Wewillhiketimelessthelandscapealongpathsthatwindthroughoverhundred-year-oldterraces.Wewillwindthroughcharmingvillagesalongancientstonepathsthatclimbupanddowncliffs.Whennothikingwewillsamplelocalwinesandotherlocallyproducedspecialties,relaxinromanticoutdoorcafes,takeadipintheLiguriansea.Duringthetrip,wewillvisitall fivetownsalongtheCinqueTerre;MonterossoalMare,Vernazza,Coniglia,ManarolaandRiomaggiore.Maximumgroupsize:14
RATING
ThistripisdesignedforwomenwhowanttocombinehikingbetweenthevillagesofCinqueTerreand the surrounding area knownas the ItalianRiviera,with time to soak in Italian culture. TheCinqueTerreisperchedonhighanddramaticseacliffs:themajorityofpathsgoupanddownthesidesofcliffs,oftenonstairsandpathsthatcanbenarrow.Inordertodoallofthehikeslistedhere,womenshouldbeinverygoodphysicalconditionandabletohikeforfivetosixhoursadaywhichiswhywegiveitaratingof4.However,hikingcansometimesbeshortenedorforegonealtogetherasanexcellentrailsystemlinksallfivetowns.Rating:12[3][4]5
WHAT'SINCLUDED
• AnEnglish-speakingItalianandanAdventuresinGoodCompanyguide• Ninenightsdoubleoccupancylodgingwithensuitebathrooms• AllmealsfromdinneronOctober6tobreakfastOctober15withtheexceptionof1dinner
&1lunch• GroundtransportationwithinItalyotherthantheinitialFlorenceairporttransfertothe
hotelinFlorence• Acookingclassandawine-tasting
Notincluded:TraveltoFlorenceandfromPisa,airporttransferinFlorence,alcoholicbeverages,guidegratuities,andtravelinsurance
OURITINERARY
Belowistheproposeditineraryforthetrip.Asistrueonanyadventuretraveltrip,plansforanyspecificdaymay bemodified due toweather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and groupinterests.
D A Y 1 OCTOBER6, SATURDAY
MeetinFlorenceby2pm.Afterintroductions,wewillstartourweekwithahistoricandculturalwalkingtourofthemajorlandmarksinFlorence.WewilllearnthehistoryandlocalculturefromourlocalFlorentineguide.Ifyoucan'tarriveuntillater,youcanmeetusatthehotelat5pmwherewe'll start getting acquainted before going out for our first dinnertogether.OvernightinFlorenceatHotelCellaiD
D A Y 2 OCTOBER7, SUNDAY
WewillgettohaveseeanothersideofFlorencetodaywithaculinarytour.We'll sample some of Italy's best known delights as we stop atdifferent shops to taste everything from antipasti to dessert - beforestopping for lunch.Well fed wewill say good-by to Florence, for ourthree-hourdrivetothelovelytownofCamogli,situatedontheLigurianCoast just north of Cinque Terre National Park and known for livelystreets,cafes,restaurants,andboutiques.Wewillhavetimeforaswimorexplore the townandvisitCastelDragonenear theharbor.Drive3hoursinprivatevan,Walk2miles.OvernightCamogliatHotelCasmonaB,L,D
D A Y 3 OCTOBER8, MONDAY
PortofinoPeninsula-Afterbreakfast,westartwalkingfromourhotelandclimbacross thePortofinoPeninsulawithspectacularviewsof theseaand the PortofinoMarine Reserve.We'll have lunch along theway at"AgriturifugioMulino",afarmhouserestaurant,andthenhikedowntotheremote13thcenturyAbbeyofSanFruttuoso.Locatedinabeautifulsmallbay,itisaccessibleonlybyfootorboat.WewillcatchaboatridebacktoCamogli,stoppingalongthewayinPortofino.You'llseewhytherich and famous flock to this gorgeous town; its harbor is filled withyachts and its cliff-side coast is lined with impressive villas. Hike:Approximately4.5-5hours/5.4mileswithsteeprockyupanddownhilltrailsections.OvernightinCamogli.B,L,D
D A Y 4 OCTOBER9, TUESDAY
AfterbreakfastwedrivetoMonterossoalMare,thenorthernmostvillageintheCinqueTerreandourhomeforthenextfournights.Afterdroppingourluggageatthehotel,wewillwalkthroughtownandvisittheCapuchinChurchandHilltopCemeteryinaruinedcastle.We'llfinishourwalkattheBurancoorganicfarmforwinetastingandlunch.Afterlunchyoucanrelax,swim,shoporhikeuptotheMadonnadelSovioreMonastery,aretreatabovethehustleofvillagelife.Monterosso,theHike:Approx.6milesof steepupanddowncobbled trail and rural road.Overnight inMonterossoalMareatHotelMarina.B,L,D
D A Y 5 OCTOBER10, WEDNESDAY
TraintoLevantoandwalkbacktoMonterosso-AshorttrainridebringsustothevillageofLevanto,onceawalledtownandmajorstrongholdoftheGenoese.We leaveLevantoonfootandwalkacross thepeninsulapast PuntaMescowith views over Levanto'smedieval walls and tiledroofs,a lovelywoodedarea,andeventually themagnificentstretchoftheCinqueTerrecoast.WewillenjoyapicniclunchatPuntaMescowhileenjoying the views before returning toMonterosso. The afternoons isyourstodoasyoulike,beforewemetagainintimeforacookingclasstodiscover the secretsofPesto (whichoriginatedhere)andother Italianspecialities.Wewill then feaston the fruitsofour labor.Hike:about4hours;5milessteepupanddownacombinationoftrail,rockystepsandruralroad.OvernightinMonterossoalMare.B,L,D
D A Y 6 OCTOBER11, THURSDAY
MonterossoalMaretoCorniglia-Todaywewalkfromourhoteluppastagricultural terraces and then down to Vernazza, one of the mostphotographedvillagesintheCinqueTerrebecauseitissocharming.Afterexploringtheshopsandnarrowpedestrianstreets,we'llcontinueontoCorniglia,theoneCinqueTerrevillagethatisperchedoncliffshighabovethesea.(Note: Ifyoufeel liketakingadayofffromhiking,youcandopartoftheitinerarybytraintodayandtomorrow.)Wewillenjoylunchat a terrace restaurant and then take the train back to Monterosso.DinnerisonyourowntonighttoenjoyanyofthewonderfulrestaurantsinMontorosso.1.5hour/2miwalksteepupsanddownstoVernazzaand2.5mi/2hrstoCorniglia.OvernightinMonterossoalMare.B,L
D A Y 7 OCTOBER12, FRIDAY
CornigliatoManorolaviaVolastra-Afteradeliciousbreakfast,wetakethetrainbacktoCornigliatocontinueourCinqueTerrevillagewalks.Ourhike takes us up and along the high route toManarolawith stunningviewsovertheCinqueTerreandthroughtheancienthamletofVolastrafor lunch on your own.We then hike down to the seaside village ofManarolawherewehavetimetolookaroundtown,andperhapsindulgeinagelatobeforetakingthetrainbacktoourhotelinMonterossoanddinnerattheAncoradellaTortuga.Hiking:About5milesoflongsteeptrailandstonestairs,bothupanddownandatrailsectionwithexposuretoaverticaldrop.OvernightinMonterossoalMare.B,D
D A Y 8 OCTOBER13, SATURDAY
RiomaggioretoPortoVenereviaCampiglia -Thismorningwetakethetrain to the 5th village in the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore. Our hike ismostlyuphillpastterracedfieldsandsplendidforestsofpine,chestnut,and cork trees. We will enjoy more breathtaking views of the coastthroughoutthemorningandlunchinthehamletofCampiglia,wherewepicniconaterraceofasmall"Alimentari"shop.ThenwetransferbyvantoPortovenere.We'llcheckintoourhotel(ourluggagewastransferredseparately)andhavesomefreetimetoexplorethecobbledstreetsofthischarmingseasidetown.Here,spectacularcliffsriseabovethecrystalbluewatersof theMediterranean ina settingsobeautiful thatByron,ShelleyandD.H.Lawrence(amongothers)wrotehere;thus,theGulfofPoetswasnamed.Hike:Approx.6.2miles,mostlylong,gradualuphillontrailswithsomestonesteps;Trainapprox.15minutes;Van:20minutes.OvernightinPortovenereatHotelParadiso.B,L,D
D A Y 9 OCTOBER14, SUNDAY
WewilltakeashortboatridethroughtheharbortothenearbyislandofPalmaria,whichhasbeentheguardianofPortovenereforcenturiesandstillhasremnantsofNapoleon-eraforts.Wewalkaroundtheislandwithviews of the colorful buildings perched on the promontory ofPortovenereandthetinynearbyislandofTino.OurpathtravelsthroughadistinctnativeecosystemreferredtoasMediterraneanMacchia,withplants, suchasarbutus,broom,andmyrtle, adapted to thedry,harshheatandheavyseasonalrains.WereturntoPortoveneremid-dayandhavesomefreetimebeforedinnertoexplorethe16th-centuryGenovesenavalfortressthatonceprotectedPortovenerefrommaraudingcorsairpirates,walkbythe"Poet'sGrotto"ordosomelastshoppinginthemanycharmingboutiques.Tonight,we'llenjoyourlastItalianfeasttogether.Boat:10minuteseachway;Hike:3miles,2.5hoursonrockytrailsandpathwayswithshort,steepsections.OvernightinPortoVenere.B,L,D
D A Y 1 0 OCTOBER15, MONDAY
TransfertoPisaanddeparture-Afterourlastsharedbreakfast,wewillpackupandtransferinourprivatevantothePisaInternationalAirport.We'llarrivebynoonandyoucanplanflightsoutafter1pm.B
ADDITIONALTRIPINFORMATIONGETTINGTHEREIfyouwouldlikehelpwithanytravelplanswerecommendourtravelagentBarbaraNelson,ScanEastWestTravel,[email protected].
ACCOMMODATIONSAlllodginghasbeenchosenforitscomfort,convenience,andwelcomingstaff.Wewillbestayingindoubleoccupancyroomswithensuitebathroomsatthefollowing3*hotels(orsimilar):
• FlorenceatHotelCellai• CamogliatHotelCasmona• MonterossoalMareatHotelMarina• PortovenereatHotelParadiso
Vegetarian(andvegan)optionsforthistripareavailablebutlimited;ifyouareconcernedabouthavingenoughproteinduringyourtrip,pleasebringsomeplant-basedproteinsourcessuchasnutbutter,instantdriedhummus,orhigh-proteinenergybars.Ifyoucannoteatglutenorifyouhaveotherdietaryrestrictions,youwillneedtobringsomesupplementalfoodwithyou.Pleasecalltheofficesowecanhelpyouplan.
WEATHEROctoberisoneofthebestmonthstovisitItaly.Temperaturesrangefromhighsinthelowtomid70ââ�¬â�¢stolowsinthemid50’s.Thereislittlerainandlotsofsunshine.Allaroundagreattimeoftheyearandafterallââ�¬â��itisItaly!
TRAVELINSURANCEWESTRONGLYRECOMMENDTRIPCANCELLATION/TRIPINTERRUPTIONINSURANCE,WHICHCOVERSYOURCOSTIFYOUNEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseenemergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registrationinformation,oryoumaypurchasecoveragethroughyourowninsurancecompany.Inordertoavoiddisappointmentandexpenseintheeventthatyoumustcancelyourtripwestronglyurgeyoutopurchasesometypeofinsurancecoverage.YoucanalsosignupforitonlineatTravelexInsurance.Togetthebestrates,use20-0016asyourlocationnumberontheGetAQuotepage.
PACKINGLISTFOOTWEAR__1pairoflightweighthikingboots/shoes:theyshouldbewellbrokeninandcomfortable__1pairofcomfortablewalkingshoesforgeneraluse__3-4pairsofsocks(woolorsyntheticequivalent:Smartwool,Thorlo,DarnTough)CLOTHING__1-2pairlightweightsyntheticlongpants/caprisforhiking.Zipoffsworkwell.__1pairofshorts__1-2lightweight,long-sleevedshirtforhiking/sunprotection-buttonupfrontisthebest__2-3syntheticorlightweightmerinowoolT-shirtsorshort-sleevedshirts__1Lightweightfleecejacketorwoolsweater__1rainjacket/ponchoandrainpants–waterproof/breathablefabriclikeGore-tex-notalightweightplasticponch–
(rainpantsareoptionalthoughrecommended)__Underwear/nightwear__1wide-brimmedhat,visororbaseballcapforsun/rain__2-3casualoutfitsforwearingwhennothiking-goingouttodinner/touring/etc.__BathingSuitEQUIPMENT/ESSENTIALS__Passportandaphotocopyofyourpassport__1pairTrekkingpoles(stronglyrecommended)__1daypack(seenotesonpackinglistforrecommendedcapacity__Capabilityto‘waterproof’yourbackpack.Eitheraraincoveroraheavy-dutyplasticbagtolineyourpack.__Sunglasses(100%UVprotection)w/retentionstrap __Hydrationsystemorquartbottles–capacitytocarry2quartsofwater.__Earplugs(foragoodnight’ssleep!)TOILETRIES(smalleverything)__Toothbrush,toothpaste,dentalfloss,handsanitizer,shampoo,contactlensparaphernalia,sanitarysupplies__SunscreenandlipprotectionwithsunblockofatleastSPF15__Personalfirstaid/patchkit-Band-Aids,1safetypin,moleskin,Compeed(orblisterbandages),ibuprofen,any
personalmedicationsPleasenote:Individualswhohavehadorhavethepotentialforasevereallergicreactiontoinsectstings,specificfoodsormedicationsmustbringanepi-pen.Pleaseconsultyourphysicianandtellyourguide.OPTIONAL__Book,notebook,journal,pencil/pen __1or2bandannasorbuff__Watchwithanalarmortravelclock__10ftlightcordand4-6clothespins,detergent__Vestforlayering(fleece,synthetic)__Plugadaptor,Europeanstyle.__Washcloth(Europeanhotelsdonotprovidewashclothswiththetowels)__Camera(extrabatteryorbatterycharger)andfilm/memorycard
NOTESONPACKINGAdventuresinGoodCompany'spackinglistcoverseverythingyouneedtoassureyoursafetyandcomfort.Youmaynotuseeverythingyoubring;however,youneedtocomepreparedforallpossibleweatherconditions.Atthesametime,youmustbeabletocarryyourownluggage,sometimesupanddownstairs.Bringingaduffelbagorsoft-sidedsuitcasewithwheels,ratherthanahard-sidedsuitcase,iseasierforpackinginthevan.Daypacks:Yourdaypackshouldbelargeenoughtoholdthefollowingitems:1–2litersofwater,raingear,lunch/snacks(fortheday),sunscreen,warmlayer(fleecepulloverorvest),personalfirstaidkitandpersonalitemssuchascamera,etc.Werecommendadaypackwithacapacityofbetween24–36Liters(1500and2200cubicinches)withahipbelt,paddedshoulderstraps,and‘lifters’.Lineyourdaypackwithadurableplasticbagtokeepyourbelongingsdry,orhaveanelasticizedpackcoverthatfitssnugglyoverit.Beforeyouleavehomechecktobesurethatitiscomfortabletowearalldayandhassufficientspaceforallofyouritems.Note:Fanny-packsandhydrationpacksarenotlargeenoughtoholdalloftheitemsyouwillneedfortheday.Footwear:Well-fitting,sturdybootsortrailshoesareveryimportanttoyoursafetyandenjoyment.Ifyouplantobuynewboots,breaktheminbywearingthemaroundtownandtakingsomeshorthikesbeforeyourtrip.Forgeneralhiking,lightweightormidweightcorduraorleatherbootswithaVibramsoleworkwell.Ifyouhaveweakanklesorarerecoveringfromanankleinjury,getbootsthatcomeabovetheankle–you’llfindthatthiswillgiveyoumoresupportinunevenorslipperyterrain.Remembertowaterproofyourbootsbeforethetrip.Evenbootsbilledas‘waterproof’needtobetreatedwithawaterproofingproduct.Clothing:Theclothinglistedonthepackinglisthasbeenchosenforyourspecifictripconditionsandforitsversatilityforlayering.NOCOTTONforyouractivewear!Itshouldallbemadefromsynthetic/syntheticblends,down/downblendsorwool/woolblends.Layeringisthemostpracticalandefficientmethodofinsulatingthebody.SeverallayersofvariedweightmaterialsprovidebetterinsulationthanonethickLayerofclothing.Also,addingorsubtractinglayersallowsyoutoadjusttothetemperatureatyourparticularlevelofactivity.
RainGear:Youwillneedaparkaorjacketmadeofacoatednylonorawaterproof/breathablefabriclikeGore-tex,HellyTech,Membrane,H2No,orUltrex.Besureitkeepswaterout.Beforemakingthisimportantpurchase,besurethatitfitsyouproperly.Itshouldbelargeenoughtofitoverallyourlayers.Inparticular,thehoodneedstobeeffective.Itshouldshieldyourfacefromtherainandturnwithyourhead.Movementofyourarmsmustnotinterferewiththehood.Putonyourdaypack;canyoustillraiseyourarms?Yourwind/rainpantsshouldbecomfortable,allowenoughroomforyourlayers,andpermitfreemovementofyourlegs(forexample,canyoucrouchcomfortably?).Partialorfull-lengthlegzippersareusefulforeasilyputtingyourpantsonoveryourboots.Aninexpensiveplasticponchowillbothleakandteareasilyandisnotrecommended.Hydration:Beingabletoeasilyaccessyourwaterwithoutassistance,sothatyoucandrinkfrequently,isimportanttoyoursafetyandenjoyment.Onemethodistohaveawaterbottleattachedtoyourwaiststrap.AnotheroptionistouseaHYDRATIONSYSTEMsuchasCamelBak,Platypus,andMSRbladderbags,whicharecollapsiblewaterbagswithahoseattachmentthatyoudrinkfrom.Thebagsfitinsideoroutsideyourpackwiththehosepositionedoveryourshouldersothatyoucanaccessyourwaterasyouhike.Bladderbagscanhold1-3litersofwater.PersonalFirstAidKit:Bringasmallfirstaidkitwithfamiliarmedicineandfirstaidsuppliesyoumightneed.Recommendationsincludethefollowing:blisterorfootremedieslikemoleskin,Compeed,blisterbandages,orsimilar,asmallroleofducttape(alwaysuseful!),remediesforrespiratoryailments,stomachailments,soremusclesorjoints.Theguideswillhaveafirstaidkitbuthavingwhatyouknowworkswellforyouisagoodidea.TrekkingPoles: Trekkingpolesarehighlyrecommendedforthistrip.Trekkingpolescontributetoyoursafetybyimprovingyourbalanceandstability,andtoyourhealthbysavingstressonyourhipsandknees.Ifyouarenotfamiliarwithtrekkingpoles,readthisblogpostthataddressesthemostcommonlyaskedquestions:http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/154714/Trekking-poles-for-hiking-trips-the-4-most-common-questions .
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