Nature and Trekking
Gulf of Poets, Cinque Terre, Garfagnana
8 days from the Golfo dei Poeti to Garfagnana via the Cinque Terre
In the first part of the tour an evocative itinerary in the Golfo dei Poeti, with Lerici and Portovenere, and then continue by train through the villages of the Cinque Terre National Park with breathtaking viewpoints and splendid views of the cliffs; among holm oaks and Mediterranean scrub, crossing the Cinque Terre National Park, we will discover the jewels of the Ligurian Riviera. In the second part of the tour we will discover the beauties of Garfagnana.
Programme
Arrival in Liguria, by own means. Meeting with the guide in La Spezia where the tour begins. In the late morning move towards the Golfo dei Poeti, arrival in Lerici which still shows its original medieval structure, with the characteristic houses lined up along the narrow alleys. Free lunch. In the afternoon we go to the other side of the gulf to Portovenere for an almost fairytale walk among the tower-houses with their typical Ligurian colours up to the castle built over a pre-existing fortification. Check-In. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Presentation of the programme by our representative. Dinner. Overnight stay.
In the morning we take the train that will allow us in these days to easily reach the 5 villages that make up the 5 Terre Park. In the morning will start by discovering Monterosso al Mare, the village so loved by Montale. We will walk through the streets of the colourful and medieval old town and then move on to Fegina. Free lunch. In the afternoon we move by train to Vernazza, the medieval village, with its magical and mysterious alleys enclosed by multicoloured, pink, red and yellow houses. Return to the hotel by train. Dinner. Overnight stay.
In the morning we take the train to head towards Corniglia. Perched on a picturesque cliff of an hundred metres high, Corniglia is the only village that is almost inaccessible from the sea. Free lunch. In the afternoon by train we move to Manarola, a fresco of sunny colours, a paradise of vines and olive trees, an ancient village with saline colours in which the houses seem to rise from the cliffs of the long, narrow sea. Return to the hotel by train. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Check-Out. In the morning we take the train to go to the last of the villages of the 5 terre, squeezed between two steep terraced hills that descend to the sea in steep cliffs, the ancient village of Riomaggiore, will impresse you for its houses built vertically and delightfully coloured, while walking through the alleys, vaults and stairs of the village, you will be fascinated by the alternation of light and shadow. Free lunch. In the afternoon by train back to La Spezia and transfer to Garfagnana, by own means. Meeting with the guide in Castelnuovo Garfagnana. Check-In. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. Typical “Garfagnana” dinner with a tasting of local products. After dinner, visit to the Rocca Ariostesca of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, which dominates the centre of the village and which in the sixteenth century hosted the poet Ludovico Ariosto for three years, who had been named governor of the province of Garfagnana, then under the rule of the Este family. Walk through the streets of the centre of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana.
In the morning visit to the Cinta Muraria and Rocca of Castiglione di Garfagnana. Medieval centre that has preserved completely intact the walls, the medieval castle and the two churches of San Michele and San Pietro. Move on to Calomini for a visit to the Hermitage of the same name: a monastery with a mystical flavour, set into a vertical rock face. After a short stop in Castelvecchio Pascoli, visit the home of the poet Giovanni Pascoli, where he lived and is buried. Free lunch. In the afternoon possibility to choose between
- a guided excursion to Fornovolasco to the Vallisneri Cave known as the “Screaming Cave”. Thanks to its easy access, it is a fascinating “journey to the centre of the earth”, in the heart of the Apuan Alps, to discover the most evocative underground environments.
- guided excursion to discover the underground world of the Grotta del Vento, one of the most complete caves in Europe. An exciting excursion in the centre of the Natural Park of the Apuan Alps to discover a hidden and fascinating world with an extraordinary variety of phenomena. Easy paths will allow you to admire a marvellous underground reality: from living and shining stalactites and stalagmites to polychrome flows and crystal-encrusted lakes.
Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 6 Vagli di Sotto
In the morning, availability permitting (for safety reasons), we’ll take you to visit Vagli di Sotto (GUIDED TOUR PAID FOR ON THE SITE), one of the most famous white marble quarries in the world (marble also used for the Sala Nervi in the Vatican), located in the beautiful Arnetola Valley. We will experience first hand the reality of the quarrymen, we will understand how work in the quarry has changed over time, (it is advisable to wear comfortable and sporty clothing and shoes with sturdy soles). If the above is not possible, an alternative is a visit to the Lipu Oasis of Campocatino: a primitive bassin overlooking the valley. Free lunch and relaxation on the shores of the lake. In the afternoon, visit to the new cable-stayed bridge and Lake Vagli, which, when emptyed for maintenance work, magically brings to the surface the ghostly ruins of a ghost town: Fabbriche di Careggine. On the way back to… cheese school! From the stable to the table. A journey that will take you to the heart of cheese production (from the arrival of the milk to the maturing process). Possibility of buying products. Dinner in a tavern. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
In the morning from Piazza al Serchio for a walk, accompanied by an environmental guide, along the Via del Volto Santo with destination Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Lunch Box with the sandwich bag menu. In the afternoon we head for the majestic and superb Fortezza delle Verrucole, one of the most beautiful examples of a medieval Tuscan castle. At the Fortezza delle Verrucole you can visit the Archeo Park, which is a living museum offering historical reconstructions. Afterwards, visit to the Selva Buffardello adventure park to spend some time immersed in nature, enjoying sports, fun and adventure. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 8 Return
Check-out and return by own means.
Details
Travel notes
This programme may be subject to change, both before and during the trip, depending on the weather, the needs of the travellers and the people hosting the group of travellers. All the visits are guaranteed, but they may be subject to change, on site, respect to the order listed above, at “our” discretion, for the sole purpose to ensure the best success of the tour, but without changing the substance of the visits [ The visits may be reversed depending on the opening times of the museums or for technical reasons, but the programme remains unchanged ].
Special requests
When defining and accepting the travel contract, it is necessary to indicate the presence of people requiring special diets or with reduced mobility in order to be able to verify the services and the possibility of assistance.
These are necessary
For all walking tours, you will need hiking boots, a water bottle of at least one litre, a kway or poncho, a backpack of at least 20/30 litres. Spare socks or T-shirt are recommended, as well as food or energy supplements.
Level of difficulty of walking tours
The trip is suitable for people who can walk, not necessarily trained but in good health. It is not suitable for children.
The price includes
- Overnight stay with accommodation in the agreed facility: hotel/farm/ B&B/holiday house
- Half board: breakfast and dinner in a restaurant, or hotel
- Lunches indicated in the programme
- Drinks at meals
- Guided tours and excursions as provided in the programme
- Tastings, provided for in the programme
- Entrances, if included in the programme
- Train tickets, provided for in the programme
- Taxes and service charges
- One Assistant/Companion for the duration of the tour
Not included
- Transfers to/from places of residence
- Transfers during the tour
- Transfers to/from train stations
- Meals not mentioned or defined as free
- Optional visits and excursions
- Entrances not specified
- Medical and baggage insurance and cancellation insurance
- Optional insurance
- Local tourist taxes, where applicable
- Tips and extras of any kind and of a personal nature
- Anything not expressly indicated under "The price includes".
Methods of payment
- DEPOSIT: € ___, within 7 days of registration
- BALANCE: no later than 21 days before the date of departure: € ___, by __________
Cancellation
CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELLER:
FOR ANY VOLUNTARY CANCELLATIONS THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES WILL APPLY:
- CANCELLATIONS UP TO 15 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE: 50% PENALTY
- CANCELLATIONS FROM 14 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE: 100% CANCELLATION FEE
CANCELLATION WITHOUT PENALTY: within ___________
Price
FROM
1300 €
Book A Holiday Idea
TOUR 7 Days/6 Nights
DEPARTURES
Period 01.05.2021 / 15.10.2021
- Dates on request
SELECTED STRUCTURE
- To be selected
SUPPLEMENTS
- Single room for the whole tour: € 100 [on request].
- Tourist tax is not included in the rates and will be paid directly on site
REDUCTIONS
- Third bed for adults: on request
- Children sharing a room with two adults: on request
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