FOOTPATHS AND FLAVOURS OF PUGLIA

Transcription

1 Explore the wonderful highlights and delicious tastes of Puglia and Basilicata on this charming walking and cultural holiday in Italy. HOLIDAY CODE PWW Sleep in a trullo in Alberobello and stay in the ancient sassi in Matera Explore the Baroque gem of Lecce and meet the lady pasta makers of Bari Walking along a dramatic coast and visit the walled gems of Galipolli and Otranto Try pasta making, enjoy wine tasting and walk in the enchanted Valle d'itria Italy, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 7 nights hotel, 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinners, max group size: 14, 5 days walking and sightseeing, wine tasting, pasta making, VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Described as an Italian feast of colours and flavours, Puglia and Basilicata are home to a dramatic coast, towns bursting with medieval charm, magical hill-top villages, an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Baroque architecture, fairy-tale houses, olive groves, vineyards and charming footpaths nestled in a timeless landscape. The magical heel of Italy is the most flavoursome area in Italy making it perfect for a walking, sightseeing and food lover s holiday. The regions use the freshest of ingredients to cook up tasty dishes prepared with love. In Lecce, Italy's most beautiful Baroque city, we stay in the heart of the old quarter perfect for experiencing piazza life and strolling through cobbled streets. We ll walk along breath taking coastal trails overlooking the Ionian Sea, visit the medieval walled city of Gallipolli and explore the fortified jewel of Otranto, once Italy's gateway to the Orient. Next it s a picture perfect trullo amongst the magical landscape of Aleoberollo. We ll have a go at pasta making and wine tasting after hiking from Locorotondo to Cisternino through a rural landscape of olive groves, fruit trees and vineyards. In neighbouring Basilicata we lose ourselves in the surreal cave city of Matera. Here we'll explore Matera's rock-cut churches before heading down into the ancient sassi with its labyrinth of mysterious streets and beautiful architecture. Finally we head Bari, the regions capital. With its towering basilica, dramatic walls, historical centre and excellent promenade, Bari is a great end the holiday. If you're looking to experience Puglia and sample tasty dishes on a walking and discovery journey, then this is the perfect holiday. Is this holiday for you? This is a relaxed Mediterranean hiking holiday, with a reasonable amount of walking on most days. We average between 3 and 6 hours walking each day, with between 150 and 800 metres of ascent. Most of the time, the underfoot conditions are good, following tracks, trails, coastal paths and some sections of maintained pathway. Participants will carry just a small day-sack during the walking. This walking holiday is suitable for regular weekend hikers looking for a relaxing walking holiday in a beautiful part of Italy. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Lecce. Meet at the group hotel in Lecce. Our hotel is an easy 10 minute walk from the train station and has a fantastic location right in the heart of the old city. The outstanding roof terrace has an amazing panorama of the Lecce, especially the main cathedral and Piazza Duomo which are a few minutes' walk from the hotel. After you've checked in you may wish to explore a little or enjoy a drink in the main square of Piazza Sant' Oronzo, which is very close to the hotel. Piazza Sant' Orzono is a fantastic place for people watching and ordering a traditional Aperol Spritz. Aperol is a popular Italian aperitif made from bitter orange which mixed with Prosecco and a splash of soda then served over ice. Refreshing and delicious this is the perfect way to start a holiday in Puglia and you'll see many Italians enjoying this popular drink. The leader will meet everyone in the hotel at 6.30pm before heading out for dinner. *Food for thought: Pasticciotto - look out for these mouth-watering pastries from Lecce. They can only be described as delectable gems of golden brown flaky short crust pastry filled with a rich creamy vanilla centre. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS B Day 2: Visit the medieval gems of Galipolli and Otranto and walk along Puglia's undiscovered coast.

3 PAGE 3 This morning we'll walk along Puglia's undiscovered western coastline which is truly off the beaten track. After a short transfer from Lecce we arrive on the coast close to one of the many old lookout towers which line the cliffs. Today's trail takes us through a beautiful Karst landscape as we follow small footpaths hugging the coastline. In the distance we'll have views of Gallipoli majestically jutting out into the Ionian Sea, and which we'll visit later on. The footpath passes hidden bays and caves and we'll have plenty of time to take photographs or dip our feet in the crystal clear waters. We finish the walk at Torre Dell 'Alto, a magnificent watch tower perched on the cliffs and from here take a short transfer to the magnificent walled city of Galipolli. With its medieval centre, colourful houses, castle, numerous churches, labyrinth of tiny streets and majestic location, Galipolli feels more like an island than a peninsula. We'll have time to explore its timeless backstreets before transferring to the historic gem of Otranto on Puglia's eastern coast. Otranto was once an important port and provided Italy's gateway to the Orient, even today it has an element of grandeur. Nestled behind Otranto's high golden walls you'll find tiny lanes, a castle and cathedral all surrounded by sweeping sea views. After a lovely day on the coast we head back to Lecce and after freshening up go out for dinner. *Food for thought: Platters of aperitivi - most bars and pavement cafes in the early evening offer a low cost aperitivi platter. If you're enjoying a pre-dinner drink they are great for sharing and include an assortment of cheese, meats, croquettes etc. Each one is different so you never know what you're going to get. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BL TIME 2-3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 3: Explore Lecce and transfer to a tullo in Alberobello before pasta making. Today after breakfast we'll start the day with a guided sightseeing tour through the charming streets and Baroque architecture of Lecce. As the capital of Salento region, Lecce is fondly known as the Florence of the South due to its beautiful buildings, elegant piazzas and grand churches. Brimming with a generous amount of baroque buildings built between the 17th and 18th century, the city feels incredibly special and our guide will show us the highlights of the city including the Basilica di Santa Croce, the magnificent cathedral, the castle, the wonderful piazza del Duomo and magnificnet Roman ampitheture which seated a collosul 15,000! After our guided tour there will be some free time for lunch before we transfer to the the UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello. Here we'll check into our traditional trulli, where we'll stay for the next three nights. Alberobello has an almost fairy tale appearance with over 1500 trullis nestled in the town. Each trulli with its conical roof, pagan symbol and pretty white washed walls has a number and during out stay we'll be dotted around the town as this is a group hotel with a difference. Tonight we'll enjoy a pasta making class and once we've mastered the art of Italy's most famous dish, we'll sit down and enjoy dinner, which will be what we've prepared during the class. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BD TIME 2-3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 4: Walk from Locorotondo to Cisternino through the Valle d'itria. Today we'll walk through the Valle d'itria from Locorotondo to Cisternino, which are both officially classified as Borghi più belli d'italia, meaning the most beautiful villages in Italy. We start in Locorotondo which is famously known for its wine production and historical centre or centro storico. Here you'll find a whitewashed maze of little lanes lined with historic buildings and grand baroque archways. The town is also known for its houses with pointed gable roofs, stone staircases and lovely balconies. After strolling through the old centre we leave Locorotondo to walk along country lanes and footpaths whilst surrounded by fields, vineyards, olive groves, trulli houses and farms. Our walking trail takes us through a wonderful stretch of countryside right in the heart of the valley and we'll get to see an example of old trulli houses hidden in olive groves and vineyards. Along the way we'll have picturesque views back to Locorotondo and will be able to see the charming town of Cisternino perched on a hill in the distance. After arriving at Cisternino we'll have time to enjoy a cappuccino in the lovely main piazza and explore

4 PAGE 4 the timeless backstreets. In the afternoon we'll take a short train transfer back to Alberobello for our final night in our little trullo. This evening we'll enjoy a local wine tasting in Alberobello. Puglia has an excellent selection of wines and our host will introduce us to a few of these before dinner. *Food for thought: Burrata is a fresh Italian buffalo milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains stracciatella and cream. This gives it an unusually, soft texture. It is wonderful when drizzled with a little olive oil and served with rustic Puglian bread. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BL Day 5: A free day to visit white washed Ostuni or the charming centre of Martina Franca. Today is free for you to enjoy Alberobello or head out and explore one of the surrounding towns. The leader will be able to advise you on public transport links which are easy to use and excellent value for money. Close by, and signalling the end of the Trulli region is the beautiful white washed city of Ostuni. Dominating the surrounding countryside and overlooking olive groves, Ostuni is a great place to visit and buy some of Italy's excellent olive oil. As one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy, Ostuni is famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses which are a wonderful example of Mediterranean and medieval architecture. Built over a series of levels, staircases, small roads, alleys and arches, here you'll find hints of the Middle Ages and views of the sea. Another option and also close by is Martina Franca which is home to Baroque buildings, grand piazzas and an old quarter. As the highest town in the Murgia, it's an easy 15 min walk from the train station to lama, the old part of the city. Here you'll step back in time as you wander backstreets, lanes and alleys whilst surrounded by 18th Century architecture. Within the old town walls you'll discover ornate balconies and archways which decorate elegant buildings, along with lovely baroque windows. Alternatively you may wish to relax in Alberobello for the day. *Food for thought: Pizza - it wouldn't be Italy without trying traditional pizza and it always seems to taste so much better in country! A simple Neapolitan (Margharita) with cheese, tomatoes and basil is the perfect definition of "more is less" ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS B Day 6: Explore Matera's rock-cut churches and breath-taking sassi district. Today we visit the extraordinary city of Matera which is a real highlight of the holiday. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and believed to be one of the world's oldest towns, Matera is living proof that what was once Italy's dark secret is now something to be proud of. Until the 1950s Matera's sassi lacked simple facilities and the population lived amongst livestock in caves clinging to the sides of the canyon. However in the 1950s over 15,000 residents were moved into government housing schemes and Matera lay deserted. That was until 2004 when Mel Gibson chose this incredible location to film his Passion of Christ and the rest is history. Today Matera may have running water and a great variety of places to eat, but as you fall into the ancient area of the sassi, you feel as if you've entered somewhere that isn't quite real. We'll start the day on the opposite side of the canyon by exploring rock cut churches which cling to the hillside. Next we'll head down into the sassi itself and after the guided sightseeing there will be time to explore at leisure. Late afternoon we leave Matera and transfer to Bari, the capital of Puglia. *Food for thought: Fresh pasta: Basilicata lays claim to being the first place in Italy that pasta was recorded and there are over ten different kinds of fresh pasta produced in the region. Sagne 'ncannulate (rolled fettuccine) is a long twisted handmade pasta very common in Puglia. It's typically combined with tomato sauce with or without meat. Fava Bean Puree and Greens. Puglians are fanatical lovers of greens, and a must try is Fava Bean Puree, accompanied by greens with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Peasant food of the finest kind!

5 PAGE 5 ACCOMMODATION HOTEL ASCENT 150M DISTANCE 8KM MEALS B DESCENT 150M TIME 3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 7: Explore Old Bari and meet the pasta making ladies. As the capital of Puglia and occupying a headland reaching into the Adriatic Sea, Bari has a long promenade, towering walls, a castle, bustling piazzas and the charming old centre of veccuia Bari. Here you're more likely to bump into ladies busy making traditional pasta than tourists, which is part of Bari's charm. This is authentic Italy and a fantastic place to end our adventure. Today we'll enjoy a walking tour and the city has a number of beautiful buildings including the eleventh-century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola, dedicated to St. Nicholas, who's best known as Santa Claus. The church was built to house his remains, which still lie in the crypt and is an important site for both Catholics and Orthodox pilgrims. Bari's other magnificent building is the Cattedrale di San Sabino. This wonderful Romanesque cathedral dates to the late twelfth century and sits close to Bari's castle, the Castello Svevo, an imposing fortress situated by the sea. Vecchia Bari or Old Bari is a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets, lanes and alleyways with little shops and restaurants plus tiny houses. In Old Bari our guide will show us a wonderful side to the city and make sure we don't miss anything or get lost! In the afternoon there will be time to relax in Piazza del Ferrarese or Piazza Mercantile which are elegant squares and home to cafes with outside tables. Bari's promenade is also great for strolling along as it passes the harbour and old port of Porto Vecchio. In the evening we'll meet up and head out together to enjoy a final dinner and celebrate a fantastic time in the wonderful heel of Italy. *Food for thought: No one should leave Bari without trying its signature pasta dish, Orecchiette or little ears. Traditionally made in old Bari, these bit size pieces of pasta are lovingly combined with a variety of wonderful sauces from vibrant tomato to rich sausage and broccoli. Team it with Puglia's famous Rrimitivo wine and you've a match made in heaven! ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS B TIME 3-4 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 8: Departure Day. A single timed airport transfer to Bari Airport is included. Departure Day. A single timed airport transfer to Bari Airport is included. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included A professional local leader All land transport involved in the itinerary All accommodation as described Meals as per the Meal Plan Pasta making evening Wine tasting What's Not Included Travel insurance

6 PAGE 6 Tips for local staff Some meals per the Meal Plan Airport transfers Miscellaneous personal expenses - souvenirs and drinks etc Joining Arrangements & Transfers The group will meet at the hotel in Lecce. It is very easy to make your way to Lecce by train from either Bari or Brindisi and train tickets do not need to be reserved or booked in advance. For information the train times can be found here You'll find extremely frequent and direct trains from both destinations plus train travel in Italy is excellent value for money. Travelling tines are approximately Bari - maximum 2 hours (10 Euro) and Brindisi maximum 35mins (6 Euros) to Lecce. A taxi from Bari airport to the central train station costs Euros (15kms / 35mins) depending on the time of day and from Brindisi airport to the train station 10 Euro (5kms / 10mins). There are frequent airport buses (3-6 euro) from Bari or Brindisi into the centre and both airports have an excellent information desk to assist with getting a bus or taxi. On day 8 the leader can assist during your holiday with the airport bus or a taxi to Bari Airport or a train back to Brindisi Airport. Meal Plan All breakfasts and 1 dinner is iincluded. Food & Water Puglia is known for its love of simple, traditional food prepared with love. Historically it was a poor region and local dishes include fresh vegetables, beans and pluses plus freshly made pasta. Even today you ll find Puglia is extremely proud of its traditional recipes which are colourful and delicious. Despite their love affair with food, Italians are not known for their big breakfasts so mornings are more of a light and sweet affair. You ll generally find croissants, cakes, bread, butter and jams, occasionally yoghurts and sometimes fruit plus tea and coffee. If you re someone who enjoys museli for breakfast then bring a supply from home. For lunches you ll fine bakeries, small shops and cafes are fantastic for cheap and filling picnic items. Sandwiches, slices of pizzas, paninis and sweet pastries are easy to find. Puglia has excellent cheeses but Burrata is the most famous and a foodie highlight. Similar to mozzarella but with a gooey, creamy inside, it's rich and milky and needs nothing more than bread and a drizzle of olive oil to accompany it. Pasta in Puglia is made with durum wheat semolina and no eggs, and goes with a wide variety of sauces. The most common type is orecchiette or little ears which features on every menu and is freshly made on the streets of old Bari. Another typical dish is a delicious combination of fava bean puree with greens or Swiss chard and shouldn't be missed. Puglia has over 60 million olive trees and produces 23% of Europe s olive oil. Apply it liberally to all local dishes as it enhances even the simplest plate of vegetables. Rustic dishes are salads made with with chunky bread and fresh vegetables plus pasta with porcini mushrooms or asparagus. However don t leave Puglia without trying pasticciotto this mouth-watering creamy filled custard dessert is addictive! Water is drinkable from the taps on this holiday. Please fill your personal bottles for your day in the morning. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Special Diets Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot provide special diets. Due to the nature of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet

7 PAGE 7 with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances. Accommodation During this holiday the group will spend 2 nights in the atmospheric heart of Lecce. Here rooms are decorated in traditional style and the location is superb. Occasionally the group may be split over a couple of buildings which are a very short walk apart. This is because we'd rather you walk out into the heart of Lecce, rather than use a large hotel outside of the centre. For 3 nights in Alberobello the accommodation is a highlight. You'll be staying in a traditional trullo complete with stone walls and a conical roof. This charming accommodation is set out over a small area of the town, meaning you'll be part of a local community. Each trullo is a room so the group will be a very short walk away from each other. For these 3 nights you'll be staying in the heart of a living UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Matera we use a wonderful hotel right in the heart of the sassi district. This ensures you get to see sunrise and sunset over one of the most magical locations in Italy. For the final night in Bari we stay in a centrally located hotel near the main pedestrian area. Furthermore it's only a 10min walk from the train station, old town, harbour and promenade. Accommodation is en-suite and based on twin sharing, if you're travelling by yourself, you will be paired with another solo traveller of the same sex. In Bari and Lecce single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Additional hotel nights in Lecce and Bari are also available. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary Group Leader & Support Staff A professional, local leader will lead the trip. Spending Money Approximately should cover all miscellaneous personal expenditure, the non-included meals, wine with dinner and activities / transport on your free day as well as reasonable tips for the local staff. You can withdraw cash (euros only) from ATM on arrival at Bari Airport and there are further ATM machines in in Bari and Alberobello. If you intend to travel with cash, you should take this in the form of euros. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash (euros). If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly. Also, if you expect to buy considerable quantities of soft drinks, wine or beer, you should make an allowance for this. Guidance On Tipping Tips do not form part of the wages of local staff but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. It is best if the tip is given at the end of the trip by the group as a whole. We recommend that each group member contributes around to a group pool and that tips are then distributed between the guide and other support staff as the group feels is appropriate. It is a good idea also to have small change for other tips such as in restaurants or for porters carrying your bags at hotels. Free KE Gift We would like to give you a free gift as a way to say thank you when you book your holiday. Choose from exclusive KE branded t-shirts, caps, neckwarmers, trek bags* and more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10

8 PAGE 8 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your MyKE account after booking. You will need to select your free gift at least 6 weeks before you depart and all items will be posted out at 5 weeks prior to departure. For all late bookings, we will endeavour to send your FREE gift to you before you travel, however this cannot always be guaranteed. Please visit our Free KE Gifts page for more details of all our KE Branded goodies on offer. * A trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance There is no weight limit, other than that imposed by the airline. We ask you to restrict your luggage to one main trek bag / suitcase and one small daypack. You may find wheeled luggage to be useful on this holiday. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Recommended Outdoor Retailers Many of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers. >> Find out more General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Europe UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa. The European Commission announced in November 2018 that, even in a no-deal scenario, UK travellers can still visit the EU without a visa, providing the same is offered to European citizens visiting the UK. From 2021, UK citizens will need to pay a fee (of around 7 Euros) as part of a new electronic travel authorisation system applying to all third country visitors to the EU. After 12 April 2019, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK passport holders should ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your date of arrival. This applies to adult and child passports. If you renewed your UK passport before it expired, extra months may have been added to your new passport s expiry date. Any extra months beyond 10 years from the date of issue may not count towards the 6 months that should be remaining.

9 PAGE 9 You can check whether or not your current passport will be valid for your chosen holiday using this official government link: Health & Vaccinations Severe Allergies If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen. Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations. EHIC / Medical Cover UK residents should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is still vital when travelling overseas. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise. Whilst regular hiking in hill or back country is the best preparation, jogging, cycling and swimming are also good for developing better cardiovascular fitness and stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of longer walks in hilly country. Climate The coast around Puglia has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and coolish winters. The best time to visit is from March to June and from September to October, when temperatures are the most pleasant. At these times of year, daytime temperatures will vary between 20 and 30 degrees centigrade, falling to between 10 and 20 degrees centigrade at night. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will

10 PAGE 10 contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Single Use Plastic KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use. We have pledged to AITO s Project Protect that 70% of our agents stop using single use plastic bottles. Books Puglia Rough Guides Snapshot Italy - Kindle edition (includes Bari, Lecce and Ostuni) Lonely Planet Southern Italy (Travel Guide) Pan' e Pomodor My Passage To Puglia - Ian R McEwan The Night Calling - Katherine Webb Head over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy - Chris Harrison Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Land Only Notes We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and recommend that you book your flights to Bari International Airport which is the most convenient for making your way to the group hotel. Please refer to Joining Arrangements and Transfers for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Bari. These include Easyjet who have flights from London Gatwick & Ryanair who have flights from London Stansted & Liverpool. Other airports may be available. If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection.

11 PAGE 11 Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Operating since 1984, KE Adventure Travel has some of the most experienced staff in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Everyone has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trip support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and other accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. Group Tour Leaders All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. Sustainable Tourism Since we ran our first trip in 1984, we have been committed keeping the world's most beautiful places pristine by minimising our environmental impact. Recognising the fragility of the world's wilderness environments, we keep our groups small and operate according to a Mountain Code, which is provided to all groups, trek leaders, agents and staff. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment of the places we visit and take every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. Our philosophy of 'leaving nothing but footprints' has been integral to KE's approach right from the start over 30 years ago. In recognition of our efforts we are proud to have achieved the highest award of 5 Stars for Sustainable Tourism by AITO. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KE's Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Booking Your Holiday The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form.

12 PAGE 12 Adventure Travel Insurance It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

13 PAGE 13 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You Must Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots Trainers or sandals Socks Underwear Trekking trousers Waterproof jacket Waterproof overtrouser Thermal baselayer shirts T-shirts and/or casual shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Daypack 30 litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including for lips) Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic) Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Swimwear Small towel Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multivitamin tablets. The Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles Shorts Insect repellant - (DEET)

14 PAGE 14 Camera Spare laces Small padlock (to lock your luggage) Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags) Please note that on this trip, there are a number of occasions when you will need to carry your KE bag for short distances. Some clients have found that a piece of luggage with wheels makes sense for this holiday. Please note: This document was downloaded on 26 Mar 2019, and the trip is subject to change.