THE TRENTINO HIGHLANDS

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1 TOURCODE: GRADE : D/D+, D+/C & D/D+/FL JUNE SEPTEMBER week duration 26 Jun - 03 Jul D/D+/Fl & D+/C 03 Jul - 10 Jul D/D+ & D+/C 10 Jul - 17 Jul D/D+ & D+/C 21 Aug - 28 Aug D/D+ & D+/C 28 Aug - 04 Sep D/D+ & D+/C 04 Sep - 11 Sep D/D+ & D+/C 11 Sep - 18 Sep D/D+ & D+/C THE TRENTINO HIGHLANDS Some great alpine walking in the mountains of north Italy

2 HOLIDAY INFORMATION TOUR DESCRIPTION: This information is additional to our General Information Booklet, which is enclosed. The mountains of the Trentino Highlands, or Altopiano Trentino, rise to over 6500 feet, a prealpine wonderland of wide horizons with rolling meadowlands, wooded ravines, ridges and dramatic peaks. Largely unknown outside Northern Italy, this undiscovered' region lies hidden to the south and east of the Central and Brenta Dolomites and to the east of Lake Garda. The altopiano dominates the valley of the River Adige as it flows towards Verona and then the Adriatic. Our centre, Lavarone Chiesa, stands at about 4,000 feet, overlooking Lake Lavarone. It is a very quiet, pretty village where Sigmund Freud used to spend his holidays. The hotel stands in the village square with its onion-domed church - the gathering place on summer evenings, with its cafes and ice-cream parlour, for local concerts and events. Nearby there is a small bank with an ATM and a supermarket selling typical Italian produce including an array of locally produced cheeses. The area offers a wide variety of walking possibilities. The limestone topography provides some stunning ridge and peak walks. Some days will include visits to the massive forts built by the Austro-Hungarian Empire on what was the frontline between Austria and Italy during WW1. Local buses and trains allow for visits on free days to the nearby cities of Trento, the regional capital and once seat of the Council of Trent, Rovereto with its art galleries, Bolzano, renowned for its Ice Man museum and Verona, world-famous host of opera at the Roman Arena. Other free-day options might include a trip to Lake Garda, a lazy day at the pool or swimming in Lake Lavarone. The alpine meadows, particularly in June and July, should be abundant with alpine flowers. We have compiled a list for the botanists in the group! Hospitality is taken seriously in this area which, when combined with the excellent walking, makes for an enjoyable and exhilarating holiday. Please note the group will likely consist of clients staying for one week or two weeks. TRAVEL INFORMATION: We will fly between London (Gatwick) and Verona with British Airways. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. Please note groups on 21 August and 4 September fly back from Venice (Marco Polo) Airport. Travel between both airports and hotel is by road and takes approximately 2 2½ hrs. If you are joining and leaving in Italy, it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at the Grand Hotel Astoria. If this is not your intention, please let us know, in writing, at least 5 weeks before departure.

3 PASSPORTS & VISAS: Please refer to Section 2 of the enclosed General Information Booklet. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to the UK. Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at Please also take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you - it will help in the event of an emergency. Please note that the EHIC has an expiry date and check that your card is still valid for the duration of your holiday. See section 1 of our General Information Booklet for further details. LOCAL CURRENCY: Please refer to Section 2 of our General Information Booklet for details. The currency in Italy is the euro. There are banks in Lavarone with ATM machines. The hotel accepts credit cards. ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS: Accommodation is in twin bedded and single rooms with shower and wc at the 4-star Grand Hotel Astoria. The electricity supply is 220V AC. Grand Hotel Astoria Tel: (00 39) Chiesa Fax: (00 39) Lavarone Web: ITALY This comfortable, beautifully and quietly situated hotel offers greats views from the terrace down across the local lake. It is a great place for a drink whilst watching the sun set across the valley. It has an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna for guests. All rooms have shower and bath, hairdryers but not tea and coffee making facilities. Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday charge and will be taken at the hotel. Lunches are not included. Dinner will consist of well prepared local dishes. The hotel can easily cater for vegetarian or gluten free diets.

4 WALKS & EXCURSIONS: In a major innovation this holiday has been chosen as one where we are offering two different grades of walks and two leaders on all departures. 2x WALKS, 2x LEADERS, 2x GRADES On 2x Walks, 2x Leaders, 2x Grades departures, where we provide two tour leaders and offer a choice of easier or harder walks each day, we hope to be able to accommodate your choice of walk. However safety considerations do govern the sizes of groups in each walking grade; the minimum number of participants for a guided walk at a given grade and the maximum group size will be as indicated in our brochures. On most departures we are able to accommodate our clients first choice of walk each day, however some flexibility and co-operation might be required. In unusual circumstances, where a disproportionately high number of clients wish to walk at one grade, we might not be able to provide you with your choice of walk for safety reasons. Although we always endeavour to accommodate as many clients choices as possible, it might be necessary for you to switch from a higher to a lower grade walk during the holiday. Any decision regarding group sizes and the participants in the day s walking programme rests with our tour leader(s). For safety reasons the maximum number on any walk will be 21 per leader for grade D/D+ walks and 18 per leader on D+/C grade walks, and the minimum number will be 4 plus the leader. Each evening the leader will discuss the programme for the following day with you. If you do not wish to join the party, please let the leader know. Please note: There will be some free time - details will be confirmed locally by your leader. Lavarone Chiesa is an ideal centre for walking at grade D/D+ or D+/C. The surrounding limestone mountains have an extensive network of good paths and tracks, some of which have long steep sections. Walking times are typical for the grades with perhaps one or two slightly longer days. We walk through varied woodlands and at higher altitudes can enjoy panoramic views of the eastern Alps and the Dolomites. Many First World War forts, refuges and villages punctuate our walks. We might also walk to a medieval castle. Please bring a torch as there is a possibility of walking through tunnels, cut through the mountainside by the Italians during the First World War, on Monte Pasubio. Please note that the walks on offer form part of a two-week programme and will not, therefore, be offered every week.

5 The following list of possible walks is intended to give an idea of what to expect. We would hope to include some of these walks in the holiday. D/D+ walks. Lavarone Chiesa to Forte Belvedere via Cappella return. (D grade.) This walk serves as a lovely introduction to the villages of Lavarone and offers a visit Forte Belvedere a First World War Austro-Hungarian fort which has been set up as a museum. Ascent /Descent: 200m; 13.1kms (8 miles); 4hrs 30mins Luserna and the Sentiero Del Cimbro Immaginario. (D grade.) This easy walk offers an insight into the traditions and legends of the Cimbro-speaking Community one of Europe s minority language groups. Ascent /Descent: 250m; 8kms (5 miles); 3hrs 30mins Folgaria to Castel Beseno via Mezzomonte. (D/D+ grade.) This walk takes us to the fascinating Medieval Beseno castle which dominates the Adige valley. Ascent /Descent: 850m; 10kms; 4hrs Monte Spilech. (D+ grade.) This walk offers fantastic open views and sightings of chamoix. Ascent /Descent: 800m; 13.3kms (8 miles); 5hrs 30mins D+/C walks Luserna to Forte Luserna and return. (D+ grade.) This walk, to a very interesting World War One fort, affords us the opportunity to visit the intriguing town of Luserna home to the Cimbri, one of Europe s minority language groups. Ascent /Descent: 200m; 13.1kms (8 miles); 4hrs 30mins Lavarone Chiesa to Forte Belvedere via Piccoli and return. (D+ grade.) This walk takes us to the best preserved of the World War One forts via the myriad tiny villages which make up the district of Lavarone. Ascent /Descent: 500m; 17.5kms (11 miles); 5hrs 30mins Serrada to Forte Del Dosso Del Sommo with return to Lavarone Chiesa on the E5 Peace Path. (D+/C grade.) This is a very varied walk which offers the opportunity to visit another fort. The descent from the fort back towards Forte Cherle is on the European Peace Path offering excellent views in all direction. Ascent /Descent; 22.5kms (14 miles); 6hrs 30mins Albergo Vezzena to Porta Manazzo, Cima Manderiolo, Cima Vezzena and return to Albergo Vezzena. (C). This walk is one of the highlights of the holiday along a ridge with wide open views in all directions amidst a profusion of alpine flowers. Ascent /Descent: 1,200m; 22kms (14.5 miles); 7hrs

6 It is important to note we offer a programme of walks on a two week rolling basis so clients staying for one week might not be offered all of the walks above. However every walker, regardless of how long they stay, will enjoy outstanding and varied walking. We intentionally do not include local transport costs or entrance fees in conjunction with the programme of walks on this holiday. Walks can be weather dependent or you may choose to take a day off from the group arrangements and this way you only pay for the activities you take part in. Local transport costs for this holiday should not exceed 50 per week. Please note that the estimation of local costs relating to this holiday is based on currency exchange rates valid at the time of the publication of this Holiday Information sheet. Fluctuations in exchange rates since may impact on this estimation of local costs; please check with your bank or currency provider prior to your holiday to enable you to plan your spending. Optional local excursions may be taken at additional cost to Bolzano, Trento and Verona. It may be possible to visit the opera at the Arena in Verona. An excursion can be made to see Ötzi, the ice man where he is on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano. For details and current prices please consult: Please make sure that your insurance for this holiday covers you for guided walking up to 2500m. CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: This region enjoys an alpine climate and you should always be prepared for cool spells and the possibility of rain or snow falls in early or late season. We will very likely see snow lying on the ground. We suggest you bring a windproof jacket, walking trousers, waterproofs, fleece, gloves and hat as well as lighter summer clothes. We also advise you bring a small rucksack, lightweight bottle for drinking water, picnic knife, lunch box and some polythene bags, small first aid kit, insect repellent and head torch. Please bring swimming things for the hotel pool or the local lake. We strongly recommend walking boots with moulded soles for this tour. They should be comfortable and well broken in before the start of the holiday.

7 MAPS & SUGGESTED READING: Maps and books of the Trentino region may be obtained before departure from specialist map sellers such as The Map Shop 15 High Street Upton upon Severn, Worcs. WR8 0HJ Tel : Fax : Freephone (UK only) : Website: Further information can be found on the last page of our General Information Booklet. Various maps cover the area at 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scale and these are available locally. Many local libraries stock a good selection of travel guides/books which may offer you more information on the Trentino region. You may find the following websites useful: Italian State Tourism: Folgaria Tourist Office: Revisions to this Holiday Information sheet Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases any revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will be unchanged. Should we need to make a major change to the holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of the Holiday Information sheet online prior to travel. PLEASE QUOTE YOUR HOLIDAY CODE & BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. WE WISH YOU AN INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS UPON YOUR RETURN!

8 List of Flowers seen on the Trentino Highlands Holiday With reference to 'The Alpine Flowers of Britain and Europe' COLLINS Christopher Grey-Wilson and Marjorie Blamey COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY Page Notes Swallow-wort Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Asclepiadaceae 184 Yellow Melancholy Thistle Cirsium erisithales Asteraceae 256 Variable Fleabane Erigeron glabratus Asteraceae 240 Ox Eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Asteraceae 244 Goatsbeard Tragopogon pratensis Asteraceae 262 Alpine Coltsfoot Homogyna alpina Asteraceae 248 Silvery Milfoil Achillea clavennae Asteraceae 246 Borage Borago officinalis Boraginaceae 184 Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare Boraginaceae 186 Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis Boraginaceae 186 Common Comfrey Symphytum officinale Boraginaceae 188 Harebell Campanula rotundifolia Campanulaceae 234 Black Rampion Phyteuma nigrum Campanulaceae 230 Round-Headed Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare Campanulaceae 230 Spreading Bellflower Campanula patula Campanulaceae 232 Spiked Rampion Phyteuma spicatum Campanulaceae 228 Clustered Bellflower Campanula glomerata Campanulaceae 234 Betony-leaved Rampion Phyteuma betonicifolium Campanulaceae 228 Horned Rampion Phyteuma scheuchzeri Campanulaceae 230 Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi Caryophyllaceae 30 Soapwort Saponaria oficinalis Caryophyllaceae Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris Caryophyllaceae 32 Broad-leaved Mouse-ear Cerastium latifolium Caryophyllaceae 294 Moss Campion Silene acaulis Caryophyllaceae 32 Spanish Catchfly Silene otites Caryophyllaceae 32 Nottingham Catchfly Silene nutans Caryophyllaceae 32 Rock Soapwort Saponaria ocymoides Caryophyllaceae 34 Common Rock Rose Helianthemum nummularium Cistaceae 140 Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Convolvulaceae 174 Thick-leaved Stonecrop Sedum dasyphyllum Crassulaceae 76 Biting Stone Crop Sedum acre Crassulaceae 76 Buckler Mustard Biscutella laevigata Cruciferae 72

9 COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY Page Notes Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Ericaceae 164 Creeping Azalea Loiseleuria procumbens Ericaceae 164 Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria Fabaceae Small Sainfoin Onobrychis arenaria Fabaceae 128 White Melilot Melilotus alba Fabaceae 122 Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea Lathyrus latifolius Fabaceae 120 Alpine Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus alpinus Fabaceae 126 Mountain Clover Trifolium montanum Fabaceae 124 Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria Fabaceae 110 Yellow Vetchling Lathryus alphaca Fabaceae 120 Tall Melilot Melilotus altissima Fabaceae 122 Great Yellow Gentian Gentiana lutea Gentianaceae 176 Spring Gentian Gentiana verna Gentianaceae 180 Bloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum Geraniaceae 130 Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum Geraniaceae 130 Herb Robert Geranium robertianum Geranicacea 132 Matted Globularia Globularia cordifolia Globulariaceae 220 Bugle Ajuga reptans Lamiaceae 192 Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon Lamiaceae 196 White Deadnettle Lamium album Lamiaceae 196 Bastard Balm Melittis melissophyllum Lamiaceae 198 Meadow Clary Salvia pratensis Lamiaceae 194 Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus Lamiaceae 202 Dragon Mouth Horminum pyrenaicum Lamiaceae 204 Large Self-heal Prunella grandiflora Lamiaceae 200 Wall Germander Teucrium chamaedrys Lamiaceae 190 Yellow Woundwort Stachys recta Lamiaceae 198 Large Wild Thyme Thymus pulegioides Lamiaceae 202 Yellow Betony Stachys alopecuros Lamiaceae 198 Glabrescent Thyme Thymus glabrescens Lamiaceae 202 Red Hemp Nettle Galeopsis angustifolia Lamiaceae 192 Alpine Calamint Acinos alpinus Lamiaceae 200 Pyramidal Bugle Ajuga pyramidalis Lamiaceae 192 Alpine Butterwort Pinguicula alpina Lentibulariace ae 220 Orange Lily Lilium bulbiferum Liliaceae 270 Martagon Lily Lilium martagon Liliaceae

10 COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY Page Notes May Lily Maianthemum bifolium Liliaceae 272 Bath Asparagus Ornithogalum pyrenaicum Liliaceae 272 Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum Liliaceae 272 Herb Paris Paris quadrifolia Liliaceae 274 Tofield's Asphodel Tofieldia calyculata Liliaceae 264 Solomon's Seal Polygonatum odoratum Liliaceae 274 Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis Liliaceae 274 St Bernard's Lily Anthericum liliago Liliaceae 264 White False Helleborine Veratrum album Liliaceae 268 Sticky Flax Linum viscosum Linaceae 136 Perennial Flax Linum perenne Linaceae 136 Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Orchidaceae 284 White Helleborine Cephalanthera damasonium Orchidaceae 286 Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra Orchidaceae 286 Narrow-Leaved Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia Orchidaceae 286 Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii Orchidaceae 282 Elder Flowered Orchid Dactylorhiza sambucina Orchidaceae 282 Common Twayblade Listera ovata Orchidaceae 286 Bird's Nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis Orchidaceae 286 Fly Orchid Ophrys insectifera Orchidaceae 338 Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenea conopsea Orchidaceae 284 Military Orchid Orchis militaris Orchidaceae 280 Dark Red Helleborine Epipactis atrorubens Orchidaceae 284 Lesser Butterfly Orchid Platanthera bifolia Orchidaceae 286 Frog Orchid Coeloglossum viride Orchidaceae 284 Small White Orchid Gymnadenia albida Orchidaceae 284 Black Vanilla Orchid Nigritella nigra Orchidaceae 282 Burnt Orchid Orchis ustulata Orchidaceae 282 Round-Headed Orchid Traunsteinera globosa Orchidaceae 286 Slender Broomrape Orobanche gracilis Orobanchaceae 222 Hoary Plantain Plantago media Plantaginaceae 322 Bistort Polygonum bistorta Polgonaceae 30 Common Milkwort Polygala vulgaria Polygalaceae Shrubby Milkwort Polygala chamaebuxus Polygalaceae 136 Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa Polygonaceae 290 Rubble Dock Rumex scutatus Polygonaceae 290 Alpine Bistort Polygonum viviparum Polygonaceae 30

11 COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY Page Notes Sowbread Cyclamen purpurascens Primulaceae 172 One-flowered Wintergreen Moneses uniflora Pyrolaceae 160 Lesser Wintergreen Pyrola minor Pyrolaceae 160 Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa Ranunculaceae 42 Dark Columbine Aquilegia atrata Ranunculaceae 54 Common Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris Ranunculaceae 54 Alpine Clematis Clematis alpina Ranunculaceae 46 Stinking Hellebore Helleborus foetidus Ranunculaceae 38 Greater Meadow Rue Thalictrum aquilegifolium Ranunculaceae 54 Globe flower Trollius europaeus Ranunculaceae 38 Lesser Meadow Rue Thalictrum minus Ranunculaceae 52 Erect Clematis Clematis recta Ranunculaceae 46 Wild Mignonette Ruseda lutea Resedaceae 72 Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca Rosaceae 102 Herb Bennet Geum urbanum Rosaceae 96 Tormentil Potentilla erecta Rosaceae 100 Pink Cinquefoil Potentilla nidia Rosaceae 102 Alpine Rose Rosa pendulina Rosaceae 92 Mountain Avens Dryas octopetala Rosaceae 96 Water Avens Geum rivale Rosaceae 96 Paniculate Saxifrage Saxifrafa paniculata Saxifragaceae 88 Round-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga rotundifolia Saxifragaceae 80 Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor Scrophulariaceae 218 Mullein Verbascum Scrophulariaceae Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys Scrophulariaceae 210 Alpine Figwort Scrophularia canina Scrophulariaceae 318 Dark Mullein Verbascum nigrum Scrophulariaceae 206 Small Yellow Foxglove Digitalis lutea Scrophulariaceae 208 Wood Cow-wheat Melampyrum sylvaticum Scrophulariaceae 210 Common Figwort Scrophularia nodosa Scrophulariaceae 318 Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladonna Solanaceae 316 Alpine Lovage Ligusticum mutellina Umbelliferae 158 Spignel Meum athamanticum Umbelliferae 154 Lesser Masterwort Astrantia minor Umbelliferae 150 Common Nettle Urtica doica Urticaceae 288 Common Valerian Valeriana officinalis Valerianaceae 226 Heath Dog Violet Viola canina Violaceae 144