Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 32
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.
Days 1-5 Rome / Tuscan Villages From Rome,
we head to medieval Pitigliano, then hike along
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
Gimignano, just as the late afternoon sun burnishes
its medieval stone towers in golden light.
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.
The villages of the Cinque Terre are set amid some of the most dramatic
coastal scenery in the world.
FRITS MEYST
MARCO SCATAGLINI
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
DATES
May 3-12, 2017
May 24-Jun 2
Sep 6-15
Sep 26-Oct 5
Oct 16-25
TRIP COST
$5695 (10-14 members)
$6195 (5-9 members)
Single supplement: $1080
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