Wilderness Travel 2018 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

Our hikes have been designed to reveal the best of these two island realms. PHOTO: OLIMPIO FANTUZ

The beautiful Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia are a world apart from the rest of Europe, and offer gorgeous hiking country, vibrant traditions, and savory cuisines born of the land and sea. We’ll discover the islands’ unique enchantments as we follow trails along turquoise bays ringed by white- sand beaches, hike into secluded mountain enclaves where wildflowers flourish, and uncover mystical prehistoric sites that evoke a storied past. With charming picture-postcard villages, special private lunches with the locals, hearty red wines and tasty cheeses, and Trip Leaders who utterly adore this corner of the world and know it well, this is an unforgettable journey! Days 1-4 Ajaccio, Corsica / Col de Bavella / Bonifacio Exhilarating hikes on Corsica bring us from the ancient standing stones at Filitosa and Cauria, created by a Neolithic people some 8,000 years ago, to a deserted beach (the wonderful setting for our delightful picnic lunch), and around the mountaintop setting of the Col de Bavella (4,000'), with its sharp pinnacles and far-reaching views of the sea. In the cliff-perched town of Bonifacio, we’ll hike along limestone bluffs above the sea, discover its maze of tiny streets with a Renaissance flavor, 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.

DATES Apr 24-May 4, 2018 May 22-Jun 1 Sep 11-21

J-C. & D. PRATT

TRIP COST $5595 (10-14 members) $5995 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $610

Days 5-7 Alghero, Sardinia / Monte Ferru In Sardinia, our trails lead along a granite promontory with dramatic coves, sea-sculpted rocks, and the remains of a Roman quarry, to a 2,500-year-old stone megalithic tower. In the wild interior, we hike up the flanks of Monte Ferru, with its forests of cork oak and herb-scented maquis. Days 8-11 Sinis Peninsula / Tiscali A hike on the Sinis Peninsula reveals 360-degree views of the dazzling clear blue sea, and after a traditional lunch prepared by local fishermen, we taste wines at a nearby winery or view the Phoenician ruins of Tharros. Our final hikes bring us to mysterious 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. A stay at the incomparable Hotel Su Gologone is a glorious grand finale to our adventure. Depart on Day 11. ON OUR WEBSITE PAGAN FESTIVALS OF SARDINIA In rural Sardinia, discover ancient festivals that celebrate the cycle of life. Feb 27-Mar 8, 2019.

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

FRITS MEYST

COMBINE ANY TWO EUROPE TRIPS FOR A $400 PER PERSON DISCOUNT! 51