ItalyTourTravel

Hilltowns of Tuscany

Hiking in Tuscany and Cinque Terre
Surrender to the easy rhythms of a land that's perfected the art of living.

Hiking in Tuscany among rolling vineyard-covered hills, down country lanes bordered by tapering cypress trees, through age-old fortified hilltop towns, you'll experience the warmth of Italian country life. Moving on to the enchanting intimacy of the seaside towns of Cinque Terre on the Ligurian coast, you'll roam scenic trails drenched with views of the Mediterranean and wander steep cobblestone streets lined with pretty ice-cream-colored houses.

No mere stroll among Italy's plentiful charms, this trip will also introduce you to the country's fine cuisine and excellent wines. With native Italian guides at the helm of your hiking in Tuscany & Cinque Terre adventure, you won't be able to resist the lure of la dolce vita!

New for 2003! You can now lengthen your Tuscany adventure with an exciting four-day cooking extension. See the detailed itinerary for more information.

What's Included

What's Included

• expert leadership
   
• accommodations
   
• meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
   
• group airport transfers
   
• sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
   
• ground transportation by van
   
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

  What's Not
  International airfare; meals not noted on itinerary; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, such as coffee and teas, laundry, etc.).

  Air Travel Options
  Mountain Travel Sobek does not provide our air desk services for Europe-bound travel. With so many choices of air carriers and special promotional fares through newspapers and travel agents, not to mention "frequent flyer" miles, we suggest you call your local travel agent, consult the Internet, or call the airlines directly. We provide you with a list of toll-free numbers for some of the major air carriers after you sign up.

  Note - please check with us before purchasing your air tickets, as we need to ensure we have enough participants to operate the trip.

  What to Expect

  Expert Leadership
  Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you'd never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. Although leader assignments are subject to change, the following people regularly guide this trip:

  Silvia Giacon is a native Italian who lives in Venice. An architect by trade, she lived in Canada for many years, and when given the least amount of time, she'll find a way to travel. Silvia has led groups through France and Italy for nearly 20 years. She is enthusiastic about leading our tours and we are certain you will enjoy her rich knowledge of Italy's culture and history. You'll be in good hands with her every step of the way.

  Fabrizio Rogano is an Italian with experience leading both hiking and bicycling trips. A native and current resident of Rome, Fabrizio has the love of life typical of people from this city. He is an actor, and appeared in a production of Tommy, which traveled and played in southern Italy.

  Leader assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.

  Activity Level
  Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a flexible, positive attitude. On a scale from 1 to 5, we rate this trip as a 2 (easy to moderate in nature). Most days you'll be hiking 3-5 hours on hilly terrain; some of the trails can be rocky with some steep ascents and descents. Since there is a support van, you'll be walking with only a light daypack.

  Is this Trip Appropriate for Me?
  You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy the trip, with adequate muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and good balance. The level of fitness and endurance needed for this trip requires regular aerobic exercise at least one hour 3-4 times per week, performing moderate intensity walking, cycling, swimming, or other forms of aerobic exercise. You must be able to hike four to five hours a day for at least two consecutive days and must be comfortable walking on rough trails.

  If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical capacity is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.

  Accommodations
  We have selected the finest accommodations that fit our itinerary. Each accommodation reflects the authentic experience we are sure you will enjoy. We will stay in family-run, local three-star hotels and inns offering a variety of amenities for your comfort. You can occasionally expect to have to carry your luggage to your room on some nights, as a number of our hotels do not employ additional staff for this purpose.

  Meals
  We think the best way to enjoy Italy is to emphasize its traditional local and seasonal gastronomic specialties. Though not all dishes are known or common here at home, we encourage you to try them as they represent an authentic side of the country. We accommodate vegetarian needs as well as special dietary requirements, though these are more limited in variety. We would like to remind you that in Italy dinners are generally not served until 8:00 p.m. and meals typically last for a minimum of two hours.

  Embracing the Difference
  As with any Mountain Travel Sobek trip, we seek to promote the uniqueness of the country we are visiting. This means the experiences we have will be different than what we are accustomed to. These new experiences enrich our lives and open our minds to a different way of life in a foreign country. We are anxious for you to participate in our passion for the country you are visiting, and to enjoy these experiences with an open mind.

  Then Leave the Rest to Us
  Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

  Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure
  Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

  With Mountain Travel Sobek, you'll see Italy as only an insider can, with friendly, hospitable guides who know the region intimately. They'll accompany you throughout the day, lending support and insights about where you are and what you see. Their close familiarity with the local geography, history, culture and traditions (plus their entertaining stories and great jokes) are the key to a superb, informative experience-one you just can't get on your own.

  Note on Itinerary
  Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

  Conditions of Participation
  Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 ~ Fly to Italy
Leave your hometown and fly to Florence, Italy.

DAY 2 ~ San Casciano di Valpesa
Upon arrival in Florence, you'll meet with the trip leader and the group at 2:30 p.m. at the Hotel Villa Liberty, about a half-hour taxi ride from the airport. Drive along the Cassia road to beautiful San Casciano, along the River Pesa. Because of the town's nearness to Florence, some Florentine nobles and wealthy businessmen erected numerous imposing villas and castles, which we will enjoy seeing as we walk through olive orchards and rich vineyards belonging to the Chianti area.

Our two-hour hike leads us to the village of San Pancrazio and the 15th-century home of a Tuscan gentleman, Silvio Toccafondi. Our host will introduce us to an olive oil tasting, followed by a delicious country dinner, cooked by his wife, Anna. After dinner we will return by van to Florence.
D…Hotel Villa Liberty

Note - Art lovers will find Florence's art and architecture simply irresistible. We encourage you to arrive a day or two early to explore this beautiful city on your own. Highly recommended sites include the Bargello and Uffizi Museums; Michelangelo's famous statue of David is at the Galleria dell'Accademia.

DAY 3 ~ La Fattoria
Before leaving Florence, we will stop at the Benedictine church of San Miniato al Monte, one of the most splendid examples of Tuscan Romanesque architecture. Continue to Piazzale Michelangelo for great views of the city. Drive to the hills of southern Chianti and stop for wine tasting in Greve in Chianti, the wine capital of the region. From the charming fortified village of Lamole, we'll take a pleasant hike across forests and vineyards, reaching the medieval village of Volpaia. Picnic lunch en route. Continue to our overnight accommodation, a beautifully restored farmhouse set among the vineyards and surrounded by a lovely garden. Fattoria means "farm" in Italian; this one has a wonderful atmosphere and ambiance, and we'll get a nice glimpse of Italian country life-a pleasant introduction to Chianti. We'll enjoy a wonderful Tuscan dinner and overnight at the farm. (3 hours walking, about 4½ miles.)
B,L,D…Fattoria Castelvecchi

DAY 4 ~ Chianti Classico Region
From the farm, the trail meanders through vineyards and open fields to the village of Panzano, where the best pizzicheria (regional cured meats) is made. From here, we will continue to the majestic 11th-century abbey of Passignano. There is an optional and slightly more difficult hike back to the fattoria, as well as an option to visit the village of Radda in Chianti. (3 hours, 4½ miles.)
B,L,D…Fattoria Castelvecchi

DAY 5 ~ Siena
Drive one hour to Siena for a guided walking tour of the town, a traditional rival to Florence's dominance. We will see how the traditional "neighborhood" affiliations dating back to ancient times are still an important part of contemporary life. We'll tour the main sites, ending the visit in the central piazza, Il Campo, for lunch on your own. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore on your own (perhaps with a gelato-Italian ice cream-in hand). Siena is a very "walkable" town, with lots of interesting museums and places of great artistic and historical interest. Our hotel is located in the center of Siena about a quarter-mile from the Duomo. In the evening we'll enjoy a wonderful Sienese meal reflecting the best of the region's specialties.
B,D…Hotel Duomo

DAY 6 ~ Montalcino
In the morning, we drive one hour southeast of Siena to Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a large 13th-century abbey. Its magnificent courtyard has frescoes by Sodoma and Signorelli, and the inlaid woodwork of the choir is quite beautiful. From here we hike through a patchwork of fields and forests to Buonconvento. From Buonconvento we drive to Montalcino, home of the Brunello wine. We'll visit the village, enjoy its panoramic 360-degree views, and taste the well-known Brunello wine before returning to Siena. Dinner is on your own. (3 hours, 4 miles.)
B,L…Hotel Duomo

DAY 7 ~ Monteriggioni - Colle Val d'Elsa
Drive to the 13th-century walled fortress town of Monteriggioni, mentioned by Dante in the Inferno. We'll wander the streets of this tiny walled town and get a real feel for how it was to live here in ancient times. Continue by vehicle to the walled medieval town of Colle Val d'Elsa, renowned as the heart of the crystal industry in Italy. We'll take a walking tour of the old part of the town, and visit the workshop of one of the best crystal makers. From Colle Val d'Elsa, we'll take a pleasant walk to San Gimignano. We'll enjoy lunch near San Gimignano and take a tour of this small romantic old town with 13 towers that remain from medieval times. Afterwards, we drive to our hotel in San Lucchese, a beautifully restored 18th-century villa overlooking the town and surrounding hills of Poggibonsi. With nice gardens, modern deluxe rooms, a swimming pool, and delightful dining rooms, the hotel is a wonderful place to spend our last couple of days in Tuscany. (4 hours, 5½ miles.)
B,L,D…Hotel Villa San Lucchese

DAY 8 ~ Volterra
In the morning we hike from Pignano to Palagione, a beautiful 18th-century villa, where we'll have coffee before heading to the walled medieval town of Volterra. After lunch we'll visit the Museum Guarnacci, which hosts one of the most important collection of Etruscan Art. (3 hours, 3 miles.)
B,D…Hotel Villa San Lucchese

DAY 9 ~ Carrara and the coast
Drive 2½ hours to Carrara, world-famous for its marble, and explore the quarries of Fantiscritti, where sculptors have selected marble for several centuries. After lunch, we drive another two hours to Levanto, one of the seaside villages of Cinque Terre. We'll tour this pretty town to build up our appetite for a tasty seafood dinner in a restaurant by the waterfront. Overnight at hotel in Levanto.
B,L,D…Hotel Palace or Hotel La Giada del Mesco

DAY 10 ~ Cinque Terre
We take a five-minute train ride to Monterosso and start our more difficult hiking through the picturesque villages along the coast, enjoying scenic views of the Mediterranean with olive groves, vineyards, and pretty flowers along the trail. Arrive at Riomaggiore, from where we take a scenic boat ride back to Levanto. (5 hours, about 5 miles, moderate difficulty.)
B,L…Hotel Palace or Hotel La Giada del Mesco

DAY 11 ~ Cinque Terre
Today we'll walk along the seacoast, through forests, past groves of olives and lemons, and old farmhouses perched on hilltops to the town of Monterosso for a wonderful gelato or lunch at the small square in front of the church. Last minute shopping in Monterosso and return to Levanto by train. We will have our farewell dinner at an elegant restaurant in the old part of town. (3-4 hours, 3½ miles, moderate difficulty.)
B,D…Hotel Palace or Hotel La Giada del Mesco

DAY 12 ~ Pisa - Fly home
If you are departing on a homeward-bound flight from the Pisa airport, the trip leader will drop you off there, a 2½-hour drive from Cinque Terre. For those wanting to continue to Florence, we will transfer you to the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. (Arrival in Florence is scheduled for noon.)
B…

Make the Most of Your Adventure! Pre-Trip Cooking Extension
What better way to sample a slice of paradise? Before your trip, learn to combine nature's bounty, art, and Italian culture with the glories of the table-the very essence of Tuscany! The Locanda Le Piazze, an ancient restored Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by olive trees, cypresses, swimming pool, and herb gardens, is the setting for a cooking experience fit for a Renaissance lord. Our cooking adventure will be inspired under the contagious enthusiasm of Olivia Greco, a gifted chef who has lived and worked in Rome, Florence, Mexico, the US, and London. She has lived in Tuscany for the last 15 years. Since gaining a level of international notoriety with the London-based "Books for Cooks in Tuscany," Olivia offers cooking courses throughout Europe and the States.

During our stay, we will be introduced to a variety of traditional Tuscan dishes, including pastas, sauces, vegetable dishes, breads, and desserts (you will take home all the recipes!). In addition to visiting a local market in Greve, a local olive oil producer, and Chianti vintner, we'll have plenty of time to relax, hike, and take it all in. On the last day of your pre-trip extension you will be transferred to Florence to join the rest of your hiking group.

4 days. From $1350. Single supplement $300. Minimum 4 members.
In-country dates (do not include travel time from U.S.): May 2-5, May 16-19, May 30-Jun 2, Aug 29-Sep 1, Sep 5-8,
Sep 12-15, Sep 26-29 (you will meet the group tour on the last day).

12 days (11 in Italy)

8 days easy to moderate hiking on hilly terrain

8 nights hotels; 2 nights fattoria (farmhouse)

Sep 28 - Oct 09, 2003
May 01 - May 12, 2004
May 15 - May 26, 2004
Jun 05 - Jun 16, 2004
Sep 04 - Sep 15, 2004
Sep 18 - Sep 29, 2004
Sep 25 - Oct 06, 2004
Oct 02 - Oct 13, 2004

2003 Land Cost:
$3890 (6-9 members)
$3490 (10-16 members)
$450 single supplement

2004 Land Cost:
$3790 (10-16 members)
$4090 (8-9 members)
$450 single supplement