CINQUE TERRE AND THE ITALIAN RIVIERA€¦ · CINQUE TERRE AND THE ITALIAN RIVIERA ... past Punta...

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CINQUE TERRE AND THE ITALIAN RIVIERA OCTOBER 6 - 15, 2018 TRIP SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS Hike the Cinque Terre's spectacular coastline trails through five brightly colored cliff side villages, rich in nature, history, and traditional ways of life Discover medieval castles and fortresses, tiny fishing ports, and bustling harbors in the nearby picturesque seaside towns of Camogli, Levanto, and Portovenere See the charming coastal towns from the sea Taste the fresh flavors, local wines, and traditional foods of this area Enjoy a winery tour and Italian cooking class Phone: 877-439-4042 Outside the US: 410-435-1965 Fax: 410-435-3084 Email: [email protected]

Transcript of CINQUE TERRE AND THE ITALIAN RIVIERA€¦ · CINQUE TERRE AND THE ITALIAN RIVIERA ... past Punta...

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 .