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Tuscany Garfagnana |
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A Walking in one of the most scenic and untouched parts of Italy |
Ref: EX-DIT
8 days
from £579 (minimum 4 passengers)
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Destination:
Italy
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Walking in one of the most scenic and untouched parts of Italy
The rural enclave in northwest Tuscany, known as the Garfagnana, has to be one of Italy's best-kept secrets. The Garfagnana is within reach of the Tuscan gems of Lucca, Pisa and Florence, but its appeal lies more in its isolation, its lack of tourism and its striking scenery. This area of outstanding natural beauty and matchless hospitality nestles between two distinct mountain ranges, the spectacular jagged ‘marble mountains’ of the Alpi Apuane and the rolling ‘spine of Italy’, the Apennines. The Parco Alpi Apuane is where Michelangelo obtained his marble, and the Orechiella National Park to the east is home to wolves and deer and has fine walks along mountain ridges. Every season demands your attention, with carpets of flowers in the crisp springtime giving way to long hot summer days followed by the rich autumnal hues of the chestnut forests. Our paths thread their way between the hilltop and lakeside villages where the traditional rural lifestyle of tending and harvesting the Garfangana’s bountiful produce continues. The people are fiercely proud of their heritage and way of life and like mountain folk everywhere are quick to offer a warm salutation or welcome. For those who want to see a piece of real Italy there is no need to go elsewhere.
Extend your stay: Extra nights accommodation can be booked at the Hotel Bologna in Pisa at the beginning or end of the trip. Single rooms cost £81 and twin/double rooms £98 on a B&B basis per person per night plus a £5 booking fee in each case.
Further Information:
Special equipment required:
Walking boots are highly recommended and you should bring a small day-pack and a water bottle, some waterproofs and warm clothes should also be included and you may find an umbrella and a torch useful.
Extra Expenses:
For the two lunches and the dinner not included, the leader will recommend local restaurants and cafes. About €40 is sufficient for these meals but the cost will depend very much on the standard of restaurant chosen. If you want wine or beer with your evening meals these will cost extra. Tuscany, and in particular the main cities, is an expensive part of Italy, prices of drinks are approximately: coffee €1.50 to €3 depending whether you are in or outside and if you are at the bar or sitting down; a small bottle of beer is €1.50, a bottle of wine €10, mineral water €0.75.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 6 dinners.
Transport:
We use a private minibus driven by our leader for all transfers and most of the organised walks.
Children:
Children under the age of 16 cannot join the group departure but it is possible to book this destination with children on a fly drive basis.
Joining locally:
the land only joining point is Braccicorti. To reach Braccicorti you can travel from Florence or Pisa by train via Lucca to Castelnuovo. The cost is approximately €7 each way. From Castlenuovo a 10 minute taxi ride will get you to Braccicorti for about €10.
Group & Staff:
Min. 4, max. 14, plus leader.
Accommodation:
Braccicorti - our lodge-style base is home to some real Italian family hospitality. The traditional stone building is tucked away on a hillside on the lower slopes of the Apennines. Situated on a typical Tuscan farm, it has been authentically renovated to a high standard, and is surrounded by meadows, orchards, woodland and vines. The accommodation comprises of 4 twin rooms (with en-suite facilities), 2 double rooms and 2 single rooms (sharing two bathrooms). There is also a large dining room, comfortable living room, terrace, swimming pool (open when the weather is warm enough - normally mid May to the end of September) and a garden with sweeping views across the Serchio River to the mountains.
Food:
Mrs Giovannetti is adopted as every group’s surrogate ‘Mamma’ after their first meal at the farm. She conjures up some wonderful Tuscan fare with a great deal of flair and humour, serving simple but outstandingly fresh ingredients, many from her farm itself. A continental breakfast is served with honey from Braccicorti’s bees, fruit juice and fruit or cereal. Lunch is a selection of bread, cheese, cold meat, tinned fish, rice/pasta, fresh salad and fresh fruit. Evening meals are home-cooked using fresh local produce and usually consist of three courses and coffee. A first course of soup/salad/antipasti, main local dish and vegetables, fruit or sweet pudding for dessert and finally tea or coffee. A reasonable quantity of table wine and water will accompany evening meals at Braccicorti. Vegetarian choices are always available. One meal will be taken at a local restaurant.
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Day 1 | Fly from London to Pisa on a BA scheduled flight; transfer to Braccicorti by road. Those with land-only arrangements join at Braccicorti. | Day 2 | We include 5 day walks including a route in the Alpi Apuane with their jagged and spectacular skyline and sweeping views west down to Pisa and the coast. We explore the Apennines, on the slopes of Mt. Prado, the highest peak in Tuscany, and include some low-level walking in the shaded valleys. Walks take from about 4 to 6 hours and cross a variety of terrain but there are no long steep ascents or long stretches of rough path. You do need to be a reasonably fit regular walker. Don’t expect to see many other people - surprisingly few come to the area and fewer still make it into the mountains or to the extensive area designated as a National Park to protect the unrivalled array of indigenous flora. You can however expect to see the Grotta del Vento - one of the longest cave systems in Europe, a dramatic rock arch, ancient forests and fortified villages all dotted round this picturesque landscape. There is one free day when options, at extra cost, include taking a taxi to the station in Castelnuovo and travel by train to Florence, Lucca or Pisa for some sightseeing. Alternatively relax by the pool or even go for a round of golf on the neighbouring course. | Day 3 | As above | Day 4 | As above | Day 5 | As above | Day 6 | As above | Day 7 | As above | Day 8 | Return to Pisa Airport for the flight to London. Those with land-only arrangements leave the group at Braccicorti. |
Departures Between | Price from | 17 Oct 04 | *£579 | 24 Oct 04 | *£569 | 31 Oct 04 | *£559 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Local payment €130 (approx. £90)
Single room supplement £55
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Tuscany Garfagnana
A Walking in one of the most scenic and untouched parts of Italy
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