Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Tuscany & the Cinque Terre FROM MEDIEVAL HILLTOWNS TO THE LIGURIAN SEA

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike to charming medieval hilltowns, explore Etruscan ruins • Stroll through Siena, with its exquisite scallop-shaped piazza • Discover San Gimignano, the quintessential walled Tuscan town • Visit local wineries, taste fine wines including Vernaccia and Brunello di Montalcino • Hike seaside trails to the most beautiful villages of the Cinque Terre, explore Portofino • Delight in charming hotels, from a restored palazzo to a welcoming seaside hotel • Savor picnics of local culinary treats, including zesty salumi , aged cheeses, and foccacia al stracchino DETAILS • 10-day trip begins in Rome and ends in Pisa • 9 nights fine hotels, including a restored palazzo • All meals included except 3 dinners

The villages of the Cinque Terre are set amid some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the world.

In Tuscany, ochre-colored hilltowns rise above a painterly landscape of cypress and olive groves. Our cultural hiking adventure pairs the beauty of this enchanting region with the Cinque Terre, five lovely villages tucked beside the sparkling sea. To savor these dreamy landscapes, we’ll explore the medieval Tuscan gems of Sovana and Siena, and enjoy a sunset hike into legendary San Gimignano. In the Cinque Terre, home of fabulous seafood and sweet Sciacchetra wine, our hikes bring you to tiny villages of pastel-hued palazzi . Gourmet picnics, wine tastings, and a cooking class round out our captivating experience of Italy’s la dolce vita . ancient Etruscan pathways to Sovana, with its impressive Etruscan tombs. After exploring tiny Pienza, a perfect window into 15th century Italy, we hike to San Quirico d’Orcia, an exquisite walled town of Etruscan origin, and on to Montalcino, known for its ruby-red Brunello di Montalcino (with a wine tasting, of course!). We explore Siena’s scallop-shaped campo , then hike through vineyards right into San Days 1-5 Rome / Tuscan Villages From Rome, we head to medieval Pitigliano, then hike along

DATES May 3-12, 2017 May 24-Jun 2 Sep 6-15 Sep 26-Oct 5 Oct 16-25

FRITS MEYST

Gimignano, just as the late afternoon sun burnishes its medieval stone towers in golden light.

TRIP COST $5695 (10-14 members) $6195 (5-9 members) Single supplement: $1080

Days 6-10 Trails of the Cinque Terre / Italian Riviera The five hamlets of Cinque Terre are wedged into a rocky coast terraced with ancient vineyards. Our trails lead to the fishing village of Riomaggiore, and from the sandy beaches of Monterossa to Vernazza’s tiny picturesque harbor and cliff-perched Corniglia. We also explore the Riviera resort town of Sestri Levante, where we have a lesson in making the area’s famous—and absolutely delicious—pesto, visit below-the-radar Camogli, and enjoy famed Portofino, where we hike to an isolated village reached only on foot or by boat. Depart on Day 10. ON OUR WEBSITE ITALY’S LAKE DISTRICT Our hiking and cultural journey brings you to gorgeous lakes and the captivating towns of Varenna, Bellagio, and Orta San Giulio. May 25-Jun 2, Sep 21-29, 2017. From $5395.

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A mix of easy to moderate walks and hikes, 3-6 hours a day, van support, team of up to 3 Trip Leaders

MARCO SCATAGLINI

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 32