HOLIDAY CODE FCQ Mediterranean climes, coastal walks, bike rides, swimming and kayaking on this family holiday to Liguria Walk between the car-free, pretty towns and villages of UNESCO Cinque Terre Take a boat trip to Isola Palmaria and cycle along the old railway to Framura Optional sea kayaking and pasta making fun on this centrebased holiday Take trains along the coast connecting the villages including Riomaggiore and Corniglia Italy, Trek & Walk, Family, 8 Days 7 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners, max group size: 15, 3 days walking, optional kayaking, optional biking, swimming: every day in the sea VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE
PAGE 2 Introduction This is a magical week in some of the most stunning scenery in coastal Europe. This pretty area is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cinque Terre, a beautiful national park of rolling hills, fairy-tale towns and villages, bustling harbours and excellent cuisine. Centre-based in the coastal town of Moneglia, we ll explore with a series of easy walks, a cycle ride, boat rides, optional kayaking and train journeys to villages accessible only by sea, rail or foot. There is plenty of opportunities for swimming on the numerous beaches this coast is blessed with. The exquisite villages are architectural treasures offering a rich kaleidoscope of colour as they cling to the coast in an almost fairy-tale setting. This is a lovely itinerary with walks interspersed with other activities which the children will thoroughly enjoy. There will be time for relaxing with gelato, chilled Limoncino or a strong cappuccino with almond biscotti. Towards to the end of the week we have an optional cooking class to make proper local Italian pasta and real pesto. Altogether this is a truly delightful family holiday with a focus on short walks and some easy outdoor activities, which is seeped in architectural history. Bellissimo! Is this holiday for you? Suitable for children from 8 yrs old This holiday is centre-based in the beautiful village of Mongelia. There is a protected beach here which is perfect for swimming after returning to the hotel from our walk. We have 3 walking days which are between 3 to 5 hrs each. The paths are well maintained and there is a little ascent and descent during the walks. There is an optional afternoon kayaking. This is suitable for beginners and children. Children will need to share a kayak with an adult. All kayaking participants need to be able to swim. We have a short little cycle ride (10km) from Levanto to Framura along an old railway path so no steep ascent or descent. All equipment is provided. This coastal area is stunning with the majority of villages and town being car free and only accessible by boat, train or foot - making it a perfect location for a family holiday. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Moneglia. A single transfer from Pisa Airport is provided. The group will meet at Pisa Airport in the middle of the afternoon. A single timed airport transfer (1.5 hr) is included to your accommodation in Moneglia which is situated in the heart of the Riviera de Lavante on the coast. Our accommodation is a mere 50m or few minutes walk from the sea and family run with a small bar where a predinner drink can be enjoyed, possibly after a quick swim if time allows! It's only a short walk to the train station, local shops and local cafes. Surrounded by sandy beaches and steep cliffs which are covered in pine trees and lush scrub, Moneglia is known as the "Gem of Liguria" and feels truly Mediterranean. Situated in a large sweeping bay and enclosed by two headlands, the area is rich in olive groves and lemon trees, whilst the historic centre has a collection of wonderfully preserved medieval houses, narrow streets and picturesque architecture. KE Land Only services begins with the evening group meal and a briefing from your leader for the week. MEALS D Day 2: Glorious panoramic short walk from Sestri Levante to Punta Manara. Our first morning of our holiday starts after breakfast with a short train ride from our village of Moneglia to Sestri Levante, just 15 minutes journey time to the north. We get our first feel of this stunning, forested and rugged coast
PAGE 3 line tumbling into the endless and vast, blue shimmering waters of the Aegean Sea. From Sestri Levante we set off to the point 'Punta Manara'. The path is undulating and steep in places, but very do-able for children as it's not for too long. We are mainly in the trees, and we have plenty of stops for water and snacks (some tasty focaccia bread or prosciutto - puff pastry twists). The view point is great and after some photos of the children and views we return to Sestri Levante. Here we have lunch in one of the local cafés in the piazza or similar. After some lunch, and maybe a small glass of the local wine, the children can go swimming in the sea here. The colourful buildings of the town seem to grow out of the end of one of the beaches here and it's a very fun place to cool off after our morning walk. We will also have time for a little walk around the historical centre before catching the train back to Moneglia. MEALS BL TIME 2-3 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 3: Walk from Corniglia to Manarola. Optional kayaking around Riomaggiore. We start our day with a train ride south of 30mins to the village of Corniglia. This is the smallest and highest on the Cinque Terre and without any access to the sea it is connected by footpaths (and train) only. It is an ancient Roman village surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terracing. Our footpath starts through a forest of pine and oak to reach the hamlet of Porciana, before walking through olive terraces and vineyards offering wide-open views of the sea. From the small village of Volastra, complete with a church square, and probably a gelato stop we descend to Manarola. Built on a rock above the sea, this beautiful port is known as the most charming of the Cinque Terre and is complete with a tiny harbour, picturesque multi-coloured houses, a tiny piazza and steep narrow alleys. We have lunch here before getting back on the train for 10 mins to Riomaggiore, the most southern village of the Cinque Terre, famed for its colourful slate roofs. We have the option of a 2 hour kayaking excursion here. This will be weather dependent, but if it's a calm day it is the most wonderful way of experiencing the area - and a totally different view of the coast. It is suitable for beginners and children. Otherwise we can relax and have a swim before we take the 40 min train journey back to Moneglia and our hotel for dinner. MEALS BLD TIME 4-5 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 4: Cycle along the old railway from Levanto to Framura. Optional pasta and pesto cooking class. Today we'll discover the beautiful north coast of Liguria starting after breakfast we head down to Levanto on the train, approximately 30 mins. Depending on sea conditions we can take the optional water taxi to Levanto, which might be a nice change from the train. Here we find our bikes and helmets, and set off on the little 5km ride to Framura. It is lovely along the old railway line, which is paved, and cool in the tunnels, which are well lit. The views are also splendid. There is also possibility of a swim at the beach of Bonassola. Framura is a laid back town compared to many of other coastal towns. We have a bite to eat here and an explore, including the 12th century castle, before heading back. There is no haste. Back in Levanto we can either take the train or the water taxi (optional) back to Mongelia. After freshening up we have the option, for interested or budding cooks, to participate in a pasta and pesto making session at a local restaurant. We attempt 'croxetti', a traditional local pasta and some 'real' pesto. Yummilicious! Of course then we get to eat this for dinner as well. DISTANCE 10KM MEALS BL TIME 1 HR CYCLING HOUR Day 5: Free day for swimming, beach time, gelato time or further exploring the stunning coast, maybe visit Genoa. Today we are free to have some time to rest up and maybe not take any transport anywhere. The children might want to have a couple of hours of unstructured play on the wide sandy beach, swimming and enjoying beach games. If we have not explored Moneglia there is time today. There is also time to write a postcard or two (almost
PAGE 4 an ancient art itself!) in a little café with a coffee or cool drink. If we are feeling more adventurous we can take the train and boat and explore the protected marine area of Portofino. The train to Genoa is only 45 mins and not expensive (10-15 Euros), here you can look around or go to the amazing Aquarium. This day of leisure is a real bonus in the week to ensure our complete relaxation! MEALS B Day 6: Walk from Levanto along the forest trails to pretty Monterosso. Again, we possibly have the option of the water taxi to Levanto. Otherwise we take the included train. Our walk starts along a panoramic trail which passes vineyards, olive trees and fruit trees of plum and fig. The path is good underfoot with some undulating sections along the way but mainly we'll be descending during the hike. As we leave the cultivated areas and houses we'll gradually enter shady sections of Mediterranean scrub and pine. At the end of the forest sections we join a path which is stony underfoot but not technical or difficult and brings us to Punta Mesco. This viewpoint offers panoramic views over the five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore where we have been during the week. We then start our final descent to Monterosso 'the red village' which we'll have time for a swim to cool off, and maybe a well earned gelato, before taking the train back to Moneglia. MEALS BL TIME 4-5 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 7: Boat trip to Isola Palmaria and explore the Italian jewel of Porto Venere. After breakfast we take the local bus (1.5 hours) to the beautiful village of Porto Venere known in Italian as "Venus Harbour." Perched on the Gulf of Poets, due to its connections with Bryon, Lawrence and the Shelly, the town is famed for its pretty seven and eight story pastel painted houses which are the perfect back drop to the harbour. On the headland, a sign points out Byron's cave, the Grotta Byron, where the poet composed The Corsair. There will be time to wander up to the fortress and explore the town either before or after the boat trip to Isola Palmeria. It is a mere 10 minute boat ride to Isola Palmaria on the local ferry and as you can imagine the view across to Porto Venere from the boat is simply stunning. Also on the UNESCO list alongside two other archepelago islands - Tino and Tinetto, Palmaria is a protected area and is famed for its rugged cliffs. We dock in the Terrizzo and from here our guide will decide which trail we'll take to explore the island a little. There will definitely also be an opportunity for swimming. After our visit we take the ferry back to Porto Venere before heading back to Moneglia for our final night. After freshening up, maybe time for a last swim, we'll regroup for our final dinner where we will celebrate with an Italian aperitif to round off a perfect week. MEALS BLD TIME 3-4 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 8: Departure day. A single transfer to Pisa Airport is provided. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A single timed transfer to Pisa Airport is provided in the morning. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included
PAGE 5 A professional and qualified tour leader Single timed airport transfers on arrival & departure All accommodation as described Meals as described in the Meal Plan All land transport required by the itinerary All activities/excursions mentioned except where specified as 'optional' What's Not Included Travel insurance Visas (if applicable) Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional Tips Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc Meal Plan All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners are included in the holiday price. Meals range from 10-25 per person. Food Breakfast in Italy is traditionally continental in style with bread, pastries or cakes, yoghurt, jam and honey served with tea or coffee. Lunches can be picnic style with local breads and fresh ingredients or in a local café. Included dinners will be taken in the family-run restaurant in the hotel and consist of the "3 courses of Italy." The family prides itself on freshly cooked food and as the hotel is small and friendly, you'll have a menu to choose from, with choices being made the evening before to ensure everything is freshly prepared. Part of the experience of any visit to Italy is the opportunity to taste the wonderful cuisine. Liguria is known for its simple flavours especially the world famous Pesto alla Genovese! The surrounding hills are dotted with pine trees which provide the allimportant pine nuts used in Ligurian dishes. The region is known for its hearty and rustic country flavours with the warm Mediterranean air creating excellent conditions for olives, wine grapes, corn, herbs, garlic, potatoes, onions and artichokes. Because of the wide coastline, fish and shellfish are frequently used plus the region has a love of pork like its French neighbours. As in the whole of Italy, pasta is important alongside polenta. Pesto is on most menus and often served with "fidelini" a local pasta cut, long and thin or "trenette" a flat, thin pasta similar to linguine. Gnocchi can also be found and is delicious! An additional great reason to holiday in Italy is that the majority of children enjoy some type of Italian food such as pizza or pasta. Alongside food, Italian wine is excellent and an important part of any meal, and don't forget the zesty local limoncello. Joining Arrangements & Transfers A single transfer from Pisa Airport to the group hotel in Moneglia is provided in the mid afternoon of Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. This transfer takes around 1hr 30mins. On the last day of the Land Only itinerary, there will be a single transfer back to Pisa Airport timed to arrive at approximately 1030. If you arrive early or later on arrival/departure day then there is plenty to see and do in Pisa (especially the famous leaning tower). There is a left luggage at the airport and it's a 5-10min bus ride to Pisa Central Station. Alternatively you could fly to Genova Airport and take the train to Moneglia. If your flight schedules do not fit with these single timed airport transfers we can provide private transfers at an
PAGE 6 additional cost. This would be approximately 180 per taxi one-way from Pisa to Moneglia. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Accommodation This holiday is centre based for 7 nights in a comfortable, family run Hotel Corallo in Moneglia. It is in an excellent location, a mere 50m or a few minutes' walk from the sea. The hotel has a small bar where a pre-dinner drink can be enjoyed and is a short walk to the train station, shops and local cafes. The hotel has a family run traditional restaurant which specialises in local Ligurian dishes and where dinner can be taken in the evenings. The rooms are simply furnished, have en-suite bathrooms and a small balcony. In general 3-person families will share a triple room, whilst 4-person families will have adjacent twin-bed rooms or a quad where available. We will do everything to ensure that you are happy with your rooming allocation. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be led by a professional and qualified tour leader. Spending Money Approximately 400 per family of 4 should be allowed for tips, soft drinks, snacks, non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses. Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and optional activities are additional so you may wish to budget for these. There will be the opportunity to change money into Euros on arrival at the airport and at the bank ATMs in the towns that we will visit. Credit cards are useful and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY COSTS: Please note that these prices are correct at time of writing, but are subject to change without warning. All prices are in Euros. Optional activities taken outside the KE holiday are at your own risk. Kayaking session: 20 per person for 2 hours Cooking class: 50 per person including dinner Water taxi from Mongelia to Levanto: 8 per person one-way Guidance On Tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you to your leader. Tipping is entirely voluntary and should be dependent on good service. We recommend that you decide levels of tipping and give any tips as a group rather than from individual group members. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for 24.95. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged.
PAGE 7 Baggage Allowance For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Luggage with wheels is useful. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. 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. 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. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations. 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. Currency The unit of currency in Europe is the Euro. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ 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: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.
PAGE 8 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 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. Climate The area has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers. Spring and autumn temperatures range from 15-20 C, and summer temperatures average 25-28 C. The chance of rain is low. 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 offer this holiday as a LAND ONLY departure, joining at Pisa's International Galileo Galilei Airport. A single, timed group transfer from Pisa Airport to the group hotel is provided. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements & 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 Pisa. These include Ryanair who operate direct flights from Stansted, Liverpool and Edinburgh, Easyjet from London Gatwick and Luton, and Jet 2 who have flights from Manchester & Newcastle. Note that the group transfer timings will not necessarily work with all of these airlines. Other airlines and 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. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since 1994. The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: www.exitotravel.com or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: 800.655.4053 ext. 8507.
PAGE 9 Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. 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, muleherders 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. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one 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 e-mail, 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 trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp 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. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at www.keadventure.com, and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: www.junipertrust.co.uk. KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too!
PAGE 10 Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking 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. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - 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.
PAGE 11 Equipment List Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the baggage allowance section for further details. YOU SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: Walking boots / shoes or trainers Sandals / Flip flops Lightweight walking trousers / shorts / skirt T-shirts and/or casual shirts Loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirt with collar (for sun protection) Socks & Underwear Lightweight waterproof jacket & overtrousers Fleece jacket or warm jumper Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Daypack 25-30 litres (depending on how much of the kids' stuff you want to carry) Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Insect repellent Water bottles (approx 1 litre per person) Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Swimwear Swim/beach towel Torch and batteries Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL: Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Camera Rash vest Goggles for the kids Snorkel and mask NOTE: All specialist equipment required for the activities on this holiday are provided. Please note: This document was downloaded on 21 Dec 2017, and the trip is subject to change.