Cinque Terre The elegant charm of the Riviera and Liguria Capture an era of past Italian life as we ascend ancient footpaths to this untouched quintet of pastel fishing villages, perched on cliffs high above the Ligurian Sea. Hike over farmland tilled for centuries, where rosemary, thyme and basil pique our appetites for the area s pesto, seafood and white wines. Traverse untrammeled routes through silvery oak groves and by steep vineyard covered hillsides that flaunt breathtaking views of the sea. While the villages and luminous coast remain unspoiled, now is the time to visit this rich, kaleidoscope known as the Cinque Terre. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-4 Arrival & Departure / Page 5 Terms & Conditions / Page 6 Reserve Your Space! / Page 6 Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 1
TRIP ESSENCE Terraced vineyards and dramatic coastal scenery Explore the upper Sanctuary route with a gourmet picnic Discover the local wines and cuisine with expert Ligurian chefs Village walks, ancient abbeys, wine tastings and gastronomic surprises Visits with local craftsmen and fishermen WHAT S INCLUDED Service of local, professional guides throughout the program Walking stick Ciclismo t-shirt and water bottle All accommodations All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Dates May 21-26 Sep 24-29 Ability Level Intermediate Summary of Daily Distances Day 1: 2 hours, 3 miles Day 2: 5 hours, 7 miles Day 3: 3.5 hours, 5 miles Day 4: 4.5 hours, 7 miles Day 5: 5.5 hours, 7 miles Day 6: Arrivederci! Total: 20.5 hours, 29 miles Optional extra loops available Trip Price $3,995 Single supplement: $600 Wine tasting on a gorgeous terrace looking over the sea Private cooking lesson with a Ligurian cook Shuttles between hotels and at the end of the tour Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 2
DAY 1 SANTA MARGHERITA Hike - 2 hours, 3 miles Elevation - Gain/loss, 581 ft Hotel - Hotel Laurin Location: Santa Margherita Duration: 2 Nights www.laurinhotel.it/en/homepage.aspx Meals - D DAY 2 PORTOFINO TO CAMOGLI Hike - 5 hours, 7 miles Elevation - Gain/loss 1,542 ft Hotel - See Day 1 Meals - B, L, D DAY 3 LEVANTO TO MONTEROSSO Hike - 3.5 hours, 5 miles; along narrow paths with a steep descent Elevation - Gain/loss, 1,033 ft Hotel - Park Hotel Argento Location: Levanto Duration: 2 Nights www.parkhotelargento.com/ en/ Welcome to the region of Liguria! Meet in the lobby of our hotel at 1 p.m. for introductions, a trip overview and a snack. After introductions, we begin our first hike to Portofino. We hike up from the hills of the promontory where the views of the Mediterranean are spectacular. Arriving in Portofino, we stop to explore boutiques or to relax in a seaside cafe before heading back to Santa Margherita by boat or bus. Centrally located on the yacht quay with a splendid view of the Gulf of Tigullio and the charming port of Santa Margherita, Laurin has 43 airconditioned rooms with every modern amenity. All rooms have sea views and most have large terraces. Hike from Portofino up along coastal footpaths that take us into mountainous surroundings (250 m/820 ft). By late morning, we descend into the bay of San Fruttuoso, a 12 th -century, medieval Benedictine abbey. After lunch, we take a boat to Punta Chiappa and begin our hike through S. Rocco (221 m/725 ft) to Camogli to explore this lesser known, beautiful fishing village. The brightly colored trompe l oeil houses topple over the hillside, spilling into the sea. We roam about this splendid little town and eat the famous foccaccia al formaggio before returning by train to Santa Margherita. Shuttle from Santa Margherita to Levanto to visit its medieval quarter: Church of S. Andrea, a 13 th -century loggia with beautifully preserved medieval walls. By late morning, we hike along the pine-scented ancient trade routes around the Punta Mesco (314 m/1030 ft) past olive groves and grape terraces to lively Monterosso. This evening features a private cooking lesson with our chef and dear friend, Felicina, who teaches us the secrets to perfect pesto and zuppa di pesce. This 4 star hotel is situated in Levanto, just a short distance away from the beautiful Cinque Terre. The hotel was recently built and includes all the facilities and comforts of a 4-star hotel to ensure that guests enjoy a relaxing stay. Found in a convenient location from which to explore the coast, the hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with a massage section, wellness center with sauna, Turkish bath and shower. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 3
DAY 4 VERNAZZA-CORNIGLIA Hike - 4.5 hours, 7 miles; stonestep paths along coastal cliffs, steep in some areas Elevation - Gain/loss, 1,000 ft Hotel - See Day 3 Meals - B, L (gourmet picnic) DAY 5 RIOMAGGIORE TO PORTOVENERE Hike - 5.5 hours, 7 miles; narrow paths along open ridges ascending and descending Elevation - Gain/loss 1,312 ft Hotel - Le Ville Relais Location: La Spezia Duration: 1 Night www.levillerelais.it/en/ Default.aspx Meals - B, D DAY 6 ARRIVEDERCI! Meals - B We hike up (260 m/850 ft) and out of Monterosso, leaving behind stunning views of this village. We arrive in Vernazza to visit the Church of Santa Margherita to roam the narrow alleyways and to admire the colorful boats resting in the cove. After a gorgeous private picnic on a hilltop terrace, we continue our hike along footpaths, stone steps and over the hills (150 m/500 ft) to Corniglia. We take a train back to Levanto and tonight s dinner is on your own. After a train ride to Riomaggiore, we hike up to the Santuario Montenero (340 m/1,115 ft) where we enjoy gorgeous panoramic views of all the paths we have hiked thus far. Hiking along a ridge of vineyards and pine forests to Colle del Telegrafo (513 m/1,685 ft) for lunch, we arrive in the village of Campiglia (400 m/1310 ft) and stop to eat in a small trattoria overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia. Continuing on, we hike along a beautiful ridge trail until our descent into Portovenere where we can see its striking black and white zebra-striped marble cathedral jut right out to the sea! Le Ville Relais consists of two typically Ligurian houses set in a splendid panoramic position in the West of the Gulf of la Spezia, with deluxe rooms and suits. They take every effort to make their guests feel as welcome and as comfortable as possible, both in attention to detail of the fine furnishings in each room and in the common areas and outside grounds. Here, guests can relax at the swimming pool, in the big garden with solarium or on the terraces, which are surrounded by olive and lemon trees. Around 9 a.m., we provide a group shuttle to the train station in La Spezia. Your guides are happy to assist in any post-tour arrangements to extend your stay in the Cinque Terre or with further travels within Italy. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 4
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO S. MARGHERITA LIGURE Fly to Genoa C. Colombo (GOA), Milan Malpensa (MXP), or Pisa G. Galilei (PSA). From Genoa, take a taxi (20 minutes) to Genoa Piazza Principe train station and a direct train to S. Margherita Ligure (30 minutes). From Milan, take a bus (50 minutes) to Milan Central train station and a direct train to S. Margherita Ligure (2.5 hours). From Pisa, take a taxi to Pisa s train station (10 minutes) and a train to S. Margherita Ligure (2.5 hours). Take a cab from S. Margherita s train station to the hotel, approximately 5 minutes. For train schedules, visit www.trenitalia.com. DEPARTING FROM PORTOVENERE OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: 1-855-780-2022 or E-mail: ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: 1-800-423-3632 http://bit.ly/mhross_insurance Transportaion Rome2rio http://www.rome2rio.com After breakfast around 9 a.m., we offer one group shuttle to La Spezia Centrale train station (30 minutes). From there, you can take a train to Genoa (1.5 hours), Florence (2.5 hours), Milan (4 hours) or Rome (4 hours). Flights from Genoa should be scheduled later than 11 a.m., and from Milan later than 2 p.m. on the last day. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 5
INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via email once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* 91-120 days - 100% of the deposit* 61-90 days - 30% of the trip price 31-60 days - 60% of the trip price 0-30 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit http://www.ciclismoclassico.com/plan-your-trip/policies/ RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at 800-866-7314. Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA 02474 At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and email address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Ciclismo Classico 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 6