Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Corsica & Sardinia HIKING THE EXQUISITE ISLAND WORLDS OF FRANCE AND ITALY

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike among Corsica’s craggy peaks and spectacular cliffs above the sea • Sardinia’s blue lagoons, fishing villages, and ancient traditions • Prehistoric sites include Corsica’s standing stones and Sardinia’s nuraghic villages • Fine wines and regional delicacies, from freshly caught seafood to brocciu and pecorino cheeses to pane carasau (Sardinian cracker bread) • Enjoy elegant picnics and a private lunch at a goat herder’s farm DETAILS • 11-day trip begins in Ajaccio, Corsica, and ends in Olbia, Sardinia • 10 nights 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels • All meals included except 3 dinners

Experience the landscapes—and cuisines—of the Mediterranean worlds of Corsica and Sardinia. PHOTO: STEVE HATHAWAY

DATES Apr 26-May 6, 2017 May 23-Jun 2 Sep 12-22

The wildly beautiful island of Corsica possesses one of the most diverse landscapes in Europe. Miles of untouched coastline, rugged granite peaks, sun-splashed villages, and ancient, mysterious standing stones are among its many enchantments. Sardinia is an island realm with a colorful pageant of folk traditions, churches where Christianity and paganism intermingle, and cuisine and wines that reflect its strong character. Our exquisite hiking journey combines these two cultures with a great mix of coastal and mountain hikes, evocative prehistoric sites, wine and cheese tastings, and a delightful cuisine born of the land and sea. Days 1-4 Ajaccio, Corsica / Col de Bavella / Bonifacio Gorgeous hikes on Corsica bring us among the ancient standing stones at Filitosa and Cauria, to a deserted beach (the wonderful setting for our elegant picnic lunch), and around the mountaintop setting of the Col de Bavella (4,000'). In Bonifacio, we’ll hike along limestone cliffs above the sea and enjoy a private lunch at a goat herder’s farm, where we’ll sample a variety of cheeses, including brocciu , made with fresh goat milk.

TRIP COST $5795 (11-15 members) $6195 (6-10 members) Single supplement: $680

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6 7 9 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails, 3-7 hours a day, van support, team of up to 3 Trip Leaders

Days 5-11 Alghero, Sardinia / Monte Ferru / Sinise Peninsula / Tiscali In Sardinia, our trails lead along a granite promontory with dramatic bays and sea-sculpted rocks, to a 2,500-year-old stone nuraghe , and through the cork oak forests and herb-scented maquis of Monte Ferru. A hike on the Sinise Peninsula reveals 360-degree views of the dazzling clear blue sea, and after a traditional lunch prepared by local fishermen, we taste wines at the prestigious Contini winery. Our final hikes bring us to mysterious nuraghic ruins tucked in a chasm near the top of Monte Tiscali, and through a remote canyon filled with pink oleander to a tiny half-moon beach accessible only on foot or by boat. Depart on Day 11. ON OUR WEBSITE PAGAN FESTIVALS OF SARDINIA In rural Sardinia, discover ancient festivals

that celebrate the cycle of life. Feb 22-Mar 3, 2017. From $4895.

FRASER HALL

COMBINE ANY TWO EUROPE TRIPS FOR A $500 PER PERSON DISCOUNT! 36