ATG News

ATG NEWS Dear ATG clients,

Welcome to ATG 2024 CLIMATE SOLUTIONS Climate Change, whether heatwaves, storms or other events, is affecting us all.

Providing on-site management of all eventualities, however, has always been what ATG offers, with high-quality trained staff, continually available for every client throughout their trip. So whatever transpires ATG will be there for you if, and when, needed.

ATG 2024 also includes some new trips, with quick easy access, to higher altitudes (around 3,000ft) …and others scheduled in ‘out-ofseason’ months where these have always been among the best, and some of the most ideal – and now predictable – weather for walking (see page 3).

NET ZERO The Net-Zero contribution included in the cost of each trip to ensure that it complies with NetZero greenhouse gas emissions criteria is being divided between the crucially important conservation of existing forests worldwide, and planting of new ones (see page 14).

TRAVEL TRENDS Recovery from the ravages of Covid has found ATG with new offices in Oxford, a new CRM, and with new 21st century technology, a restructured team, and new horizons…. We now look forward to welcoming you with ATG’s customary personal service – and thank you for your patience and understanding during the pandemic.

Within the Travel Industry generally, driven by a range of increased costs affecting hotels and restaurants, the knock-on effect has led to an increase in costs affecting all our trips. We are sorry to have had to increase prices, but this is beyond our control. We are, however, offering a 20% discount to everyone under the age of 18 (accompanied by an adult), as ATG’s environmentally low-impact, ‘Net-Zero’ Journeys on Foot make such wonderful family holidays and introduction to real travel.

WHAT’S NEW?

2-13

Alto Minho High Route ...plus 8 more new trips!

MAKING A BOOKING

15

Discounts & bargains

FOOTLOOSE Dates & Prices

16-17

ESCORTED Dates & Prices

18-19

PIEVE A CASTELLO Dates & Prices

20-21

BOOK NOW for 2024! See dates and prices pages 16-21

What’s New? Where is this?

Paths to Rocamadour

This memorable image captured by an ATG client, is on the ATG route from Lake Bolsena to the walled crag-top city of Orvieto.

The walk includes ancient Etruscan and Roman roads, lake views, Etruscan tombs, the miraculous ‘cleaving of the rock’ of 1263, an historic approach to Orvieto and much else. It is the last day’s walk for three ATG trips: ‘Unknown Tuscany’, ‘Roman Roads to Orvieto’ and ‘Southern Lakes’.

The historic market town of Souillac with its fine Romanesque abbey church, is on the main rail line from Paris to Toulouse, one stop from Brive-Souillac airport and 20 minutes by taxi to Sarlat. This gives access to ATG Footloose itineraries – ‘Classic Dordogne’, ‘Lot & Dordogne’ and NEW ‘Paths to Rocamadour’ – across the hills of Périgord Noir to the causses and gorges of Quercy and the cliff-side medieval pilgrim centre of Rocamadour.

Children: 20% Discount

Montefeltro & Urbino

Footloose Route Managers welcome walking children – to this ideal family Real Travel experience! Anyone under the age of 18 is eligible for a 20% discount on the basic cost of any Footloose trip.

A new Day 2 now takes you to the delightful little walled hill town of Pennabilli, (pr, Penna’beellee). Renowned for being one of the most beautiful in the region, it also has a 4* hotel and a Michelin* restaurant. Set on the west side of Monte Carpegna (4,634ft) the walk includes some fine mountain paths and spectacular views across Montefeltro.

Flights (Ryanair) from Stansted to Rimini offer quick access.

Most children over the age of 10 can manage the walking and enjoy the adventure of a genuine journey on foot. Give them the Route Book and let them guide you!

Pre-Alpine Paths to Bergamo

The Gargano

‘Getting there’ – to an area with wonderful walking, especially in mountains, may be time consuming, but from Bergamo rail station a 30-minute ‘light railway’ (tram) journey to a cable car takes you high into Alpine foothills to follow ancient paths through inspiring scenery, picturesque medieval villages, Art Nouveau San Pellegrino (famous for its water) and the historic walled hill city of Bergamo Alta (‘Città Alta’ – the high city’).

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The variety of walking on the Gargano Peninsula ranges from scenic coastal paths to high flower-rich meadows and includes 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (both on the ATG walking routes): the ancient pilgrimage destination of Monte Sant’Angelo with its historic rock church, and the Foresta Umbra on the crest of the Gargano massif. A new hotel has opened, increasing opportunities to enjoy the area’s rare and unique species.

Florence to Volterra

Tuscany & Siena

Quick easy access to the Florence city centre, by shuttle-tram from Florence airport or train from Pisa or elsewhere, takes you to the start of a journey on foot through archetypal Tuscan landscapes – of vineyards and olive groves punctuated with cypress trees – from Renaissance Florence, via iconic medieval hill towns including San Gimignano, then paths through forests and across high hills to Etruscan Volterra.

Yes, ‘Tuscany & Siena’ is a deservedly popular ATG Footloose route. If you start in Certaldo, it offers quick access by train from Pisa or Florence, and includes iconic San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Siena and a good selection of world-class ice creams…! New, is the possibility of continuing the walk from medieval San Gimignano – westwards, through forest to high hills and the ancient walled Etruscan city of Volterra….

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

ATG News The reason is simple. For the sheer exuberant delights of walking, this route is high amongst ‘the very best of the best’.

PHOTO: LAURA WHINNEY

High praise, but during the 40 years since we first offered escorted trips in this area, although we have found many wonderful walking routes, discovered historic paths, and places ‘untouched by tourism’ that have since become ‘mainstream destinations’, and ATG walking routes have been followed by others… this route has always remained as something uniquely different – deserving the best – not day walks and a taxi ride – but a continuous week-long traverse of the granite massif…. And, finally, here it is!

‘…thinking about a swim with the golden salamanders in the lake…’

SOMETHING DIFFERENT Alto Minho High Route Most mountain landscapes are limestone; this one is all granite. Most ATG journeys on foot are along historic routes where picturesque medieval hill towns and villages, offer comfortable hotels and a choice of restaurants. This trip traverses a National Park and Europe’s largest remaining wilderness area. It is something different…

The ATG ‘Alto Minho High Route’, close to Portugal’s northern border with Spain, offers prehistoric granite paths and monuments dating back to a megalithic period. It has a hotel for the first and last nights and for one night in the middle – that’s it!

So, why has ATG researched a route, and set up a trip, to the exacting standards of all ATG’s other continuous Journeys on Foot?

Is it the right trip for you?

• The distances are moderate, but there are some ascents and descents that make it more challenging.

• Is there the possibility of ‘pick-ups and drop-offs’?

Limited, but you can always travel with the luggage.

• Will you get lost (in the wilderness!)? You will have an ATG Route Book with its route-marked maps and measured walking directions, and GPX file.

• The places to stay overnight are memorable – from a hill village in Portugal’s ‘Little Tibet’, to high summer settlements – the branda – to a remote pilgrimage sanctuary – to an idyllic ‘winter settlement’ beside a mountain stream, and small high ‘frontier town’ with a castle.

• So, if it’s all quite remote, how does it work in practice? Don’t worry, Maria, the ATG Route Manager, will make it all ‘work for you’!

• …and the entire ATG Team have requested to have the ATG Spring Conference in the area – so everyone is meeting at Arcos de Valdevez!

• What is the difference between this high route and ‘Paths of Peneda’ ATG’s other Journey on Foot in the area? Paths of Peneda follows ancient pilgrim trails and visits, and spends nights in small towns or villages. For trip details see page 5.

High Sicily The continuous ATG Journey on Foot – ‘Sicily: Centre to the Sea’ now includes a walk along the top of the Madonie Mountains to Sicily’s second highest peak – 1,979m/6,493ft (only volcanic Mount Etna is higher) – and a night in a comfortable refuge.

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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F O OT L O O S E

France

Paths to Rocamadour

Sarlat-laCanéda

Day 1 • Arrive in Sarlat-la-Canéda Explore this attractive market town in the heart of Périgord Noir, with its narrow medieval and Renaissance streets.

Sarlat has the highest concentration of historical monuments in all of France.

NB Market days: Wednesdays and Saturdays.

HHH Hôtel Renoir (std) HHHH Plaza Madeleine (sup)

Souillac Rouffillac

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Lacave Rocamadour

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Day 2 • Sarlat-la-Canéda to Carsac-Aillac Walk from the valley up into low hills with fertile farmland, before descending to the Dordogne Valley (sup. 11.3 miles, 5.5 hrs; std. 9.3 miles, 5 hrs).

Domaine Lacoste (std) HHHH Villa Romaine (sup)

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Day 3 • Carsac-Aillac to Rouffillac Paths and tracks along the valley bring us to Rouffillac on the river Dordogne (sup. 6 miles, std. 5.3 miles (3 hrs); or via the Château de Fénelon (sup. 10 miles; std. 10.7 miles, 5.5 hrs).

HH Hôtel Le Rouffillac

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Route open: April-July; Sept-Oct Airports to first hotel: u Bergerac (46 miles) Taxi & train: 1.5 hrs - ~€30 Taxi: 1 hr 15 - ~€150 u Brive-la-Vallée (25 miles) Taxi: 50 mins - ~€150 u Paris: TGV to Souillac + taxi: 6 hrs, from ~€90

Day 4 • Rouffillac to Souillac (Day 1 – Arrive Souillac)* Paths across the hills, with farm and woodland tracks, and views of the Dordogne Valley bring us to the market town of Souillac, where we stay in the old town, close to the fine 11-12th century Benedictine Abbey church (10.3–11.2 miles, 5–6 hrs).

HHH Le Pavillon Saint Martin Day 5 (2) • Souillac to Lacave Paths through farmland and woods lead across low hills, then back down to the Dordogne river and at its confluence with the river Ouysse, the small village of Lacave with its impressive cave system – visited on a small electric train (7.3 miles, 3.5 hrs).

HHHH Le Pont de l’Ouysse (with MichelinH restaurant) Day 6 (3) • Lacave to Rocamadour Following the resurgent river Ouysse, good paths and tracks lead through dramatic limestone gorges and the causse of Quercy – as birds of prey wheel high overhead, to historic, cliff-side Rocamadour (8.4 miles, 4 hrs).

HH Le Terminus des Pèlerins (std) HHH Le Beau Site (sup)

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English, French and Swiss German.

Route Book: 107 pages – detailed measured directions, maps marked with the route, GPS and extensive background and local information.

Day 7 (4) • Free day in Rocamadour Time to visit the medieval monastic complex high on the Walking: Easy to moderate (Grade 2 – 3). See p.15. cliff, its churches and sanctuary with its famous Black Madonna. Optional circular walk along wooded paths Terrain: Low hills with valley views, limestone gorges, farm and woodland paths and tracks, a section of and tracks across hills of the causse to the Moulin du disused rail track, quiet country lanes and gravel roads.

Saut, returning through the valley of the Gorge d'Alzou (9 miles, 4.5 hrs).

Sarlat Rouffillac Souillac Lacave Rocamadour HH Le Terminus des Pèlerins (std) Feet Metres Carsac-Aillac 610 2000 HHH Le Beau Site (sup) 305 1000 0

Day 8 (5) • Departure day

*Days in brackets refer to 5-day itinerary

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Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

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F O OT L O O S E

Portugal

Alto Minho High Route

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10 miles

SPAIN

Melgaço

PORTUGAL Castro Laboreiro Aldeia de Branda da Pontes Aveleira Peneda Sistelo

Day 1 • Arrive in Arcos de Valdevez Arrive in Arcos de Valdevez, its cobbled streets and ornate churches, picturesquely situated on banks of the River Vez. HHHH Ribeira Collection

PENEDA NATIONAL PARK

Day 2 • Arcos de Valdevez to Sistelo Paths follow the River Vez, from its broad calm waters near Arcos, past medieval bridges, to where it becomes a tumbling mountain stream below the green terraced slopes of Sistelo (13.4 miles, 6–7 hrs, or, with a lift from your Route Manager 5.9 miles, 3 hrs).

Traditional village house

Arcos de Valdevez ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Day 3 • Sistelo to Branda da Aveleira Ancient paved paths linking valley villages, climb steadily through the famous landscapes of Portugal’s ‘Little Tibet’, to high open Serra and summer grazing settlements of the branda (7.1 miles, 5–6 hrs).

Traditional branda (renovated traditional summer habitation)

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Route open: May-July; Sept-Oct Airport to first hotel: u Porto (60 miles) Train/bus: 2 hrs - ~€16 Taxi: 1 hr - ~€120

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TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Day 4 • Branda da Aveleira Paths across the Serra offer superb views over the Minho valley into Spain, descending to visit picturesque hamlets before climbing back to the branda (9.6 miles, 5–6 hrs).

Or take it easy with a gentle circuit exploring the branda’s immediate landscape (4.3 miles, 2–3 hrs, or 9.5 miles, 5–6 hrs).

Traditional branda

PHOTO: LAURA WHINNEY

Day 5 • Branda da Aveleira to Peneda High paths above a rugged glacial valley, source of the River Vez, descend to Sao Bento do Cando with its delightful village square (& bar!), then climb again into the epic granite scenery of the high serra before a final descent to the pilgrim sanctuary of Peneda (9.1 miles, 5 hrs). A shorter option visits a megalithic tomb before also climbing into the serra (5.3 miles, 3 hrs).

HHH Hotel Peneda Day 6 • Peneda to Aldeia de Pontes Wooded paths up the Peneda valley then ascend to the highest serra, with panoramic views and a wild landscape.

Descend through ancient inverneiras (winter hamlets) and past historic stone bridges to reach picture-perfect Pontes (7.7 miles, 5 hrs).

Traditional village house

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English, Portuguese, French and conversational Spanish.

Route Book: Detailed walking instructions, marked maps and comprehensive local and background information.

GPS also provided.

Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 3+ – 4). See p.15.

Terrain: An impressive granite landscape with ancient paved paths, forest tracks, gravel roads, walkways along river banks and ways across open mountains.

Day 7 • Aldeia de Pontes to Castro Laboreiro Paths follow the Laboreiro river valley, crossing a Roman bridge and passing pools and cascades to reach Castro Laboreiro and its crag-top castle (5.4 miles, 3–4 hrs). A longer option leaves the valley to pass the extraordinary Duck Beak Rock and explore Castro’s higher, summer settlements (9.9 miles, 5–6 hrs).

Arcos de Valdevez HHH Albergaria Miracastro Feet Day 8 • Departure day Or, extension to delightful Melgaço, with its castle, vineyards and thermal spring (13.5 or 9 miles).

3000 2000 1000 0

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(Short option)

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Peneda

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Metres 915 610 305 0

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trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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F O OT L O O S E

Italy

Pre-Alpine Paths to Bergamo

Cornello dei Tasso

Serina San Pellegrino

Zogno Selvino

Day 1 (1)* • Arrive in Selvino Relax at your spa hotel in this modern mountain resort surrounded by 1,000-metre peaks. Optional circular walk to the top of Monte Purito (2.5 miles, 1.5 hrs).

HHH Hotel T’Ami

Clanezzo

Bergamo Alta

..... 5-day route

Day 2 (2) • Selvino to Serina Woodland paths and the cobbled Via Mercatorum lead over two ridges, passing ancient hamlets, rocks and ferns to medieval Serina, birthplace of Venetian Renaissance artist Palma Vecchio (10.2 miles, 6–6.5 hrs or 7.3 miles, 4.5 hrs).

HHH Hotel Moderno

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Day 3 (3) • Serina to Cornello dei Tasso The old merchants’ route crosses a mountain pass to panoramic, frescoed Dossena. Paths lead to mines mapped by Leonardo da Vinci, now used to mature local cheese, before descending to the River Brembo and arcaded Cornello, voted one of Italy’s most beautiful villages (7.2 miles, 4.5 hrs).

B & B La Tana del Tasso

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Route open: April-October Airports to first hotel: u Bergamo (16 miles) Bus to rail station, then tram & cable car: 1.5 hrs - ~€14 Taxi: 45 mins - ~€80 u Milan Linate (44 miles) Train + tram, or bus: 3 hrs - ~€24 Taxi: 1 hr 15 - ~€160 u Milan Malpensa (71 miles) Train & tram, or bus: 3.5 hrs - ~€25-€40 Taxi: 1 hr 40 - ~€190

Day 4 (4) • Cornello dei Tasso to San Pellegrino Quiet lanes, stone steps and a cycle path lead through the arched streets of Oneta, then San Giovanni Bianco with its Holy Thorn, before paths climb a small ridge with views to San Pellegrino. Free afternoon in this famous spa town with its Art Nouveau casino and Liberty-style Grand Hotel, now being restored (5.6 miles, 3 hrs).

HHH Hotel Bigio

PHOTO: MARCO ORFINO

Day 5 • San Pellegrino to Zogno & Clanezzo A cable car takes you to the start of an exhilarating climb on good paths through woods to 1,200-metre meadows, before a steep descent. Or, follow level lanes and tracks past churches, villages and farms. Routes meet in Zogno, before following the river on foot or by bike to Clanezzo (high route 13.9 miles, 8 hrs; low route 10.6 miles, 6 hrs).

HHH Hotel Cascina Belvedi Day 6 • Clanezzo to Bergamo Alta Minor lanes pass old Clanezzo port. An optional loop leads to three Romanesque churches before re-joining the trail along a former railway line up to a spectacularly situated sanctuary church. Leafy paths with views then descend to Bergamo Alta (11.6 miles, 6 hrs or 8.6 miles, 4.5 hrs).

Locanda Mimmo (std) HHHH Relais San Vigilio (sup)

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English and Italian.

Route Book: 179 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information.

Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 3 – 4). See p.15.

Day 7 • Free day in Bergamo Alta Visit this hilltop, medieval citadel, with its elegant Terrain: Mountain earth and stone paths, woodland eateries, UNESCO World Heritage Venetian walls, Piazza tracks, valley lanes and cycle paths, some asphalt.

Vecchia, Santa Maria Maggiore church where composer Donizetti is buried and exceptional art museum (Titian, San Bellini, Canaletto, Raphael).

Pellegrino Bergamo Alta Selvino Serina Metres Cornello Feet Clanezzo Locanda Mimmo (std) HHHH Relais San Vigilio (sup) 4000 High route 1220 dei 3000 2000 1000 0

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Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

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Almenno Detour

Low route

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F O OT L O O S E

Italy

Florence to San Gimignano & Volterra

Florence

San Casciano in Val di Pesa San Pancrazio Certaldo

Day 1 (1)* • Arrive in Florence World-Class sightseeing (& shopping!).

HHH Hotel Silla (std) HHHH Degli Orafi (sup) If you would prefer to start at San Casciano in Val di Pesa, a taxi from Florence airport takes 25 minutes and costs €50-€60. Regular buses between San Casciano and central Florence take 25 mins and cost €2-€4.

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Day 2 (2) • Florence to San Casciano in Val di Pesa From the Ponte Vecchio, follow roads and ancient lanes to La Certosa, the Cistercian monastery at Galluzzo, from where quiet lanes lead up through vineyards and olive groves to medieval San Casciano, with churches and museums containing 14C works by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Simone Martini (14.7 or 11 miles, 8 or 5.5 hrs).

B&B Art (std) HHHH Villa Il Fedino (sup)

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Airports to first hotel: u Florence (4 miles) Airport tram:20 mins - €1.5 Taxi: 20 mins - ~€30 u Pisa (50 miles) Train: 1.5 hrs - ~€15 Taxi: 1 hr 10 - ~€160

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Day 3 (3) • San Casciano in Val di Pesa to San Pancrazio Paths lead down into the fertile Pesa Valley, then up through olive groves and vineyards (6.3 miles, 3 hrs).

From the wine estate where you stay it is a 10-minute walk to the 9th-century Pieve di San Pancrazio.

Agriturismo Tenuta Il Corno Day 4 (4) • San Pancrazio to Certaldo Paths with some inspiring panoramic views lead across picturesque hills and valleys to the Elsa Valley and the small, walled medieval hill town of Certaldo, with its fine brick ramparts, and house of Giovanni Boccaccio, where in 1349 he wrote The Decameron (11.6 miles, 6.5 hrs).

HH Albergo Il Castello (std & sup rooms) Day 5 (5) • Certaldo to San Gimignano Strade bianche lined with cypress trees and paths through vineyards, olive groves and woods lead to San Gimignano, ‘the medieval Manhattan’ (10 miles, 5 hrs).

HHH Leon Bianco (std & sup rooms) Day 6 • San Gimignano to Volterra Paths lead down across a valley and then through forest before climbing to a ridge with views to Volterra. After following a strada bianca down into the Era Valley, an ancient path leads up (and up!) to the great Etruscan city of Volterra (16 or 12.1 miles, 9 or 6 hrs).

HHH Hotel Etruria (std) HHHH San Lino (sup)

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English and Italian.

Route Book: 121 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information.

Day 7 • Volterra Free day to explore its three miles of Etruscan walls, Etruscan tombs and excellent Etruscan museum, cathedral and medieval town. Optional circular walk (3 miles, 2 hrs).

HHH Hotel Etruria (std) HHHH San Lino (sup) Day 8 (6) • Departure day *Days in brackets refer to 6-day itinerary

Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 3 – 3+). See p.15.

Terrain: Paths and tracks uphill through vineyards, olive groves and forest. Some gravel roads; some asphalt.

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trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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Bologna to Ravenna: Glittering Trails* ESCORTED

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u Destination airport: Bologna

Walking through inspiring mountain scenery, along paths glittering with gypsum crystals, between historic cities famous for their architecture and art.

u Continuous route* u Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see page 15) u Days of walking: 6 u Shortest/longest walk:

ITINERARY

4/8.5 hours

Day 1 We drive (20 mins) from Bologna airport to Bologna and enjoy a tour of the inner city, before dinner in this renowned centre of gastronomy.

Day 5 After returning by road to Tossignano, we walk to cross into the Vena del Gesso Romagnola, a small mountain chain made entirely of gypsum minerals, where the karst formations create a unique landscape. We follow a ridge, the Rive di San Biagio, enjoying extensive views of the Apennines and exploring the woods where a famous robber ‘Il Passatore’ once roamed, and arrive back at Casola Valsenio to spend the night (5 miles, 4 hours).

Day 2 We enter the Regional Park dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa … to walk on paths glittering with gypsum crystals and across the karst site of the ‘Dolina della Spipola’ to reach San Lazzaro di Savena (11.5 miles, 7 hours).

Day 3 We walk past Castel de' Britti, an ancient village built on the top of gypsum rocks, and cross the impressively eroded ‘Calanchi della Luna’ to reach the village of Settefonti, renowned for its impressive grey ravines and romantic legend ….. from where we traverse ravines, enjoying fine views of the inner Apennines before walking up to reach Varignana (12 miles, 7 hours).

Day 6 We walk from the hotel down to Casola Valsenio and up into the eastern part of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola, where we find evidence of ancient gypsum workings, traces of the World War II Gothic Line on the slopes of Monte Mauro, before continuing to Brisighella, famous for its three towers and its excellent olive oil (13 miles, 8 hours).

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Relais Villa Valfiore

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Palazzo di Varignana

Relais Mevigo

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Ravenna

Hotel La Rocca

Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi

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The spectacular Argille Azzurre ravines

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San Lazzaro di Savena

Day 8 We return to Bologna airport (1 hour).

San Lazzaro di Savena

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Bologna

Day 7 We drive (1 hour) to Ravenna, where we spend the day visiting the city centre and its UNESCO World Heritage monuments, preserving the outstanding byzantine mosaics dating to 5th and 6th century.

Free afternoon to enjoy the lively city centre.

Day 4 We cross the notional border between Emilia and Romagna, walking through ravines, woods, orchards and pastures to Borgo Tossignano, at the western end of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola (Romagna Gypsum Vein) from where a short drive brings us to Casola Valsenio where we spend the night (14.5 miles, 8.5 hours).

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along the glittering paths of emilia-romagna ©

FEATURES u Visit Bologna city centre with

its UNESCO heritage covered streets and its artistic treasures

u Walking across the protected

areas of the Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (UNESCO site)

u Astonishing landscapes with

astounding views and unique vegetation

u Visit Ravenna city centre with

UNESCO heritage Byzantine mosaics and Dante Alighieri’s legacy

5

Bologna

FOOD & WINE

10 miles

San Lazzaro di Savena

Varignana

Monte Mauro, the summit of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Tossignano

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Casola 0 5 Brisighella 10 miles Valsenio

Bologna

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San Lazzaro di Savena

Varignana

Bologna San Lazzaro di Savena Varignana Ravenna Tossignano Casola Valsenio

Brisighella

Tossignano Casola Valsenio Brisighella

Byzantine art, is renowned for its breathtaking mosaics that showcase the city's rich history.

Bologna These intricate works of art, San Lazzaro di Savena Varignana Ravenna dating back to the 5th and 6th Tossignano centuries, adorn the interiors of its Brisighella Casola monuments.

UNESCO-listed The Valsenio Basilica di San Vitale features vivid depictions of biblical scenes, while the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia boasts a celestial night sky mosaic.

Ravenna's mosaics, crafted with meticulous detail, employ a palette of vibrant colours and intricate patterns, showcasing the influence of Byzantine and Roman artistic traditions. The Basilica di

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

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5

Bologna 32 0 J Fdi Savena M A M J J A S O N San Lazzaro Ravenna & RAINFALL Varignana TEMPERATURE

D

Tossignano Casola Valsenio

Footnotes Ravenna, a jewel of

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

Brisighella

From handmade pasta to cured meats and local DOP and IGP products, Emilia-Romagna is a hub for exquisite Italian produce. The exceptional local wines, such as Pignoletto DOCG, Sangiovese di Romagna DOCG, Albana di Romagna DOCG, Trebbiano, and Cagnina, add a delightful dimension to the gastronomic journey.

TERRAIN Farm tracks, mule paths, dirt roads, stony tracks, some tarmac on approach to towns, muddy terrain after rainfalls.

©

Sant'Apollinare in Classe displays a stunning mosaic depicting a vibrant procession of saints. These mosaics not only narrate religious stories but also serve as a testament to the city's cultural

and artistic significance during the Byzantine era. Today, Ravenna stands as a living museum, inviting visitors to marvel at these timeless masterpieces that have withstood the test of time.

Bologna San Lazzaro di Savena Ravenna Varignana Tossignano Casola Valsenio

Brisighella

PHOTO: PETAR MILÖsEvIć

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Theodora mosaic from the Basilica di San Vitale

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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TUSCAN FOOD & WINE Tuscany has one of the world’s most renowned cuisines, and in the area around Pieve a Castello produces some of Europe’s finest wines. The excellent chef at Pieve a Castello offers sustainable traditional Tuscan cuisine, with the fresh produce he grows in the organic vegetable gardens, and other ingredients sourced within a day’s walk (16 miles/25km) including wild boar and prized porcini mushrooms from the extensive forests, fresh fish from spring-fed pools and rivers, and an array of produce from local farms, including traditional pecorino cheese. The wine-growing area – in every direction from Pieve a Castello – is that of ubiquitous Chianti, and we explore some of its (DOCG) zones and sub-zones, and include high-quality white wines and new arrivals that you may enjoy.

Day 1 After arrival at Pieve a Castello there will be a tour of this unique 8th-century canonry. Evening presentation: Tuscan Food and Wine.

Day 2 We walk through vineyards to visit a producer of Colli Senesi wines. Cookery demonstration: Simple Beginnings. In addition, guests are invited to make an antipasta cooked on hot stones.

Day 3 We drive into the hills to walk and visit one of the most prestigious wine estates outside the ‘Classico’ area. Cookery demonstration: What’s in La dispensa.

Day 4 We drive, then walk, enjoying views of iconic San Gimignano, then visit a notable wine estate producing Vernacia di San Gimignano. Cookery demonstration: Tuscan Fish.

Day 5 We drive to the ‘Chianti Classico’ area and walk to a wine estate producing a range of wines – from traditional to innovative. Cookery demonstration: Tuscan Free Range.

Day 6 We drive to Siena for a Sunday morning passegiata. Cookery demonstration: Sustainable Quality. Evening presentation: Dessert wines Digistivi & Grappa.

Day 7 We visit one of the most renowned wine estates in Chianti Classico. Cookery demonstration: Make a gift to take home. Evening presentation: So, why does it taste so good?

Day 8 Departure day.

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RENAISSANCE LEGACY At Pieve a Castello, the ‘out-of-season’ months have always been among the best, and in this era of Climate Change, also offer some of the most predictable weather, with warm sunny days, star-filled evenings, the welcoming (solarassisted) warmth of Pieve a Castello, and a programme including: cookery demonstration, wine-tasting, presentations and live concert in the (under-floor-heated) church – before another memorable dinner.... What better time for walking to explore this ‘cradle of the Renaissance’?

Day 1 After arrival at Pieve a Castello there will be a tour of this unique 8th-century canonry. Evening presentation: Fortunes of the Via Francigena.

Day 2 Morning visit to the nearby 11th-century Abbey of Isola, and walk to tiny Monteriggioni, with its 14 watch-towers (& ATG Trust project). After lunch at Pieve a Castello a short drive and walk bring us to San Gimignano where we visit its two fine frescoed churches. Evening presentation: The Ideal City.

Day 3 We drive (25 minutes) to Siena, where we walk to enjoy epoch-influencing images – by Duccio and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Evening presentation: An Awakening World.

Day 4 We drive to the Oltrano district of Florence, to visit the church of Santa Maria del Carmine and its Brancacci Chapel, with frescoes

by Masaccio and Masolino, then continue to the nearby great Renaissance church of Santo Spirito.

Evening presentation: Revelations from Antiquity.

Day 5 We walk down quiet lanes into Florence and stroll through its historic streets to visit the markets of San Lorenzo (shopping!) and Medici Chapels with their Michelangelo sculptures of ‘Night’ and ‘Day’ and visit the Uffizi Gallery.

Evening concert in the church at Pieve a Castello.

Day 6 Morning walk and visit to Certaldo and house of Boccaccio. Optional afternoon river walk to explore the gore of nearby Colle di Val d’Elsa. Evening presentation: Renaissance Man. Day 7 A morning visit to a Renaissance villa with a notable garden. Evening presentation: Renaissance Legacy.

Day 8 Departure day.

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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SUMMER MUSIC Pieve a Castello is a perfect place to enjoy music on Summer evenings. This 8th-century Augustinian canonry, located in peaceful countryside, on the early medieval Via Francigena, between San Gimignano and Siena, still preserves its original arcaded octagonal baptistry and basilica-style proto-Romanesque church. World Legacy Award-winning restoration included recording-quality acoustics in the church, which seats up to 100.

Summer Music at Pieve a Castello, during the last two weeks of July, offers concerts every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with some limited public attendance to enjoy music at this unique Heritage site and raise money for local environmental projects. Guests staying at Pieve a Castello are given priority seating for both concerts and dinner.

Morning excursions return to Pieve a Castello before lunch, with afternoons free to relax or enjoy the pool….

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Day 1 After arrival at Pieve a Castello there will be a tour of this unique 8th-century canonry.

Day 2 We walk to explore some ancient paths with fine views. Evening concert in the church.

Day 3 An early morning walk takes us from Pieve a Castello to nearby Roman baths – with opportunities to swim!

Day 4 An early walk offers views of iconic San Gimignano, with time to explore. Evening concert at Pieve a Castello.

Day 5 We drive (5 minutes), then walk up to the iconic, fortified, hilltop village of Monteriggioni with its 14 watch-towers.

Day 6 We drive to take a leisurely Sunday morning stroll through the shaded streets of Siena. Evening concert at Pieve a Castello.

Day 7 We drive (5 minutes), then walk along banks of the Elsa River to Colle Val d’Elsa, with its network of ancient mill races.

Day 8 Departure day.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

FLOWERS & GOLDEN ORIOLES The country around Pieve a Castello (if you know where to look) is home to natural habitats supporting a wonderful diversity of wildflowers, with some rare species and attractive variants… as well as an impressive variety of birds – from the golden orioles around Pieve a Castello (one photographed from a bedroom window enjoying a plum tree) and eagles wheeling high overhead, to some rarities (one still unidentified!) and also wildlife – from wolves and porcupines to indigenous tortoises. The itinerary allows time to explore and enjoy these sites, and also includes some longer walking options.

Day 1 After arrival at Pieve a Castello there will be a tour of this unique 8th-century canonry.

Day 2 We walk to explore flowers in the meadows and woods surrounding Pieve a Castello (730ft/223m).

Day 3 We walk following 1,000-year-old routes of the Via Francigena through forested Montagnola Senesi hills (2,197ft/671m) that border Pieve a Castello to the south, and visit a Romanesque church with medieval frescoes.

Day 4 We drive to explore hills of the Crete south of Siena, before continuing on to Siena to visit Siena’s Botanic Gardens, Herbarium and Botanical Museum, or free time to explore the medieval city.

Day 5 We drive (15 minutes) up into the Colli Senesi and explore high areas of woodland and scrub…before continuing to visit hilltop Casole d’Elsa whose lights we see twinkling at night from Pieve a Castello.

Day 6 We drive 15 minutes for a morning visit to San Gimignano, before continuing to explore an area of high scrub with extensive views of the city and beyond.

Day 7 We drive (35 minutes) to a remote protected area in the Metalifere hills where a small massif (3,360ft/1,026m), with high cliffs, meadows and forest…offers a rich flora that includes fritillaries and rare Etruscan violets. The area is also the nesting site of birds, frequently seen at Pieve a Castello, including peregrine and lanner falcons and short-toed eagles. We return via the evocatively ruined Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano and walk to the adjacent domed Romanesque church with the ‘sword in the stone’.

Day 8 Departure day.

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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ALL TRIPS ‘NET ZERO’ From 2024 all ATG trips will have Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions.

What is ‘Net Zero’?

Net Zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere – for example by planting trees to absorb CO2 produced.

So how does it work?

Exact calculation of each individual client’s greenhouse gas emissions whilst travelling with ATG is an almost impossible task…. However, as an integral part of its Environmental Management System (EMS), certified annually by ISO14001, ATG has been meticulously measuring and recording its environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, so has 20 years of data from which to calculate the average environmental impact of each client.

ATG, founded on principles of Conservation and Sustainable Development, has had over 40 years to ensure that all trips have very low environmental impact… so the Net-Zero contribution is relatively small – about £14 per client.

What does this contingency contribution ‘cover’?

As a contingency it makes provisions for any future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. It has been calculated to cover: • All European road, rail and air travel directly relating to ATG trips… whether sourced and purchased independently or through ATG (e.g. all flights, trains, taxis etc.)

• All other ‘consumption emissions’ – i.e. greenhouse emissions accrued in connection with the production and distribution of purchases made or services used, that relate directly to ATG itineraries – including use of light, heating, air-con, hotel laundry, or food and wine etc.

• ATG trips outside Europe – as above with flight emissions measured from London (return).

What happens to the contributions?

Funds will be allocated to specific ‘Gold Standard’ -certified and other bonafide ‘Net-Zero’ projects and the results published.

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Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Making a Booking CHOOSING A TRIP

BOOK YOUR TRIP

There is a range of information available to help you choose a trip that is right for you.

You can make a booking:

• ATG Website: www.atg-oxford.com …where you will find the most up-to-date information about ATG trips, dates, prices, ATG NEWS events and offers, and Booking Conditions.

• ATG Brochures and latest ATG NEWS-letters: To receive copies of these for you or your friends please phone +44 (0) 1865 315 678 or email: info@atg-oxford.com • Phone: +44 (0) 1865 315 678 and talk to experienced ATG Reservations Consultants, and specialists in the area.

• Visit: ATG Oxford: Prama House, 267 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7HT.

PRICES Prices within the Travel Industry, driven by spiralling costs affecting hotels and restaurants, have increased and contracts been revised to require high deposits, earlier payment and longer minimum night stays: circumstances beyond our control that we regret have pushed-up ATG prices.

BARGAINS & DISCOUNTS There are still bargains to be had by booking early, whether flights or ATG trips (with trips booked for the following year offered at the current year’s prices) and, of course, the ATG ‘11th Trip Free’ offer (effectively an accumulated 10% discount on the previous 10 trips adjusted for RPI) – to thank you for choosing to travel with ATG! We are also offering a 20% discount on basic Footloose trip prices; to everyone under the age of 18 (accompanied by an adult) as ATG environmentally low-impact, Net -Zero trips make such wonderfully enjoyable family holidays and introduction to real travel.

• By phone +44 (0) 1865 315 678.

Our Reservations Team will take details of your booking request, your credit/debit card details and process the booking.

• By email: info@atg-oxford.com. Let us know the trip you would like us to book for you.

• ATG website: www.atg-oxford.com • To secure a booking a deposit of 25% of the current published trip price is required for each person travelling.

PUBLISHED TRIP PRICE On receipt of your Booking request and deposit, a binding contract between us comes into existence.

Our Reservations Team will process all the reservations (of hotels etc.) required by your chosen itinerary, and confirm your Booking. In the very unlikely event of your booking request not being confirmed to your satisfaction, you will be entitled to a full refund of your deposit.

CONFIRMATION OF YOUR BOOKING We will send you detailed confirmation of your booking which we ask you to check when it arrives.

We will also be asking you to let us know how you would like to receive the further pre-trip information and services – for example: on a Footloose trip – how you would like to receive the Route Book information – electronically or a printed copy by post (or both).

Payment of the balance is due 90 days before the departure date of your trip. We will contact you again with up-dated information prior to the departure of your trip. In the meantime if you have any queries or we can offer you assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Grades

n Grade 1: Gentle terrain, walking along good

Trips are allocated Grades 1-4 according to terrain and length of walk. The Fitness Quiz (see ATG website) may help you determine which grade of trip is right for you.

n Grade 2: Walking along well-established paths

paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with a few short, usually gentle, ascents/descents. and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces, and open meadows. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour.

Grades ‘+’: A grade followed by a ‘+’ sign indicates that it is a slightly higher grade than – say 2, but not as tough as 3.

n Grade 3: Walking along a variety of paths,

Grades ‘range’: Grades indicated as – say 2-3 – mean predominantly Grade 2 walks, with the option of Grade 3 walks on one or more days.

n Grade 4: Walking along a variety of paths and

some stony in places, with ascents/descents of 1 to 2 hours. surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours.

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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Footloose: Making it Happen...

ATG footloose

OXFORD

ROUTE BOOKLET

LOT & DORDOGNE VALLEY

ATG footloose

OXFORD

ROUTE BOOKLET

UNKNOWN UMBRIA & SPOLETO

ATG footloose

OXFORD

ROUTE BOOKLET

HIGH GARGANO

ATG footloose

OXFORD

SOUTHERN TUSCANY

ATG footloose

OXFORD

ROUTE BOOKLET

PATHS OF PENEDA

ATG footloose

OXFORD

ATG Footloose offers journeys on foot in Europe through areas of outstanding interest and natural beauty – over 1,500 miles of selfguided discovery…

ROUTE BOOKLET

CINQUE TERRE

ATG footloose

OXFORD

ATG footloose

OXFORD

HIGH TERUEL

How will you find the way?

You will have an ATG Footloose Route Book – with easy-to-follow, measured directions and maps marked with the route, as well as GPS coordinates, and extensive background and local knowledge and information.

So how does it work?

After arrival in the area you have chosen, the ATG-trained local Route Manager, resident in the area, will meet and brief you, discuss contact options and any requirements you may have. They will move your luggage to await you in your room at each hotel along the route… and always be available to help ensure the success of your trip.

ROUTE BOOKLET

MONTEFELTRO & URBINO

ROUTE BOOKLET

JOURNEYS ON FOOT

ROUTE BOOKLET

Do you have to walk all the way?

You can walk as much, or as little, as you like – or not at all – by taking a ride with the Route Manager and your luggage to the next hotel!

So, what sort of areas will you visit?

Areas include: inspiring high routes with spectacular views, scenic coastal paths, great wilderness areas burgeoning with exciting biodiversity, rare and profuse wild flowers and birds, historic journeys on foot, ‘World-Class’ art & architecture and superb medieval hill towns, all with comfortable hotels, fine local gastronomy – and some with superlative ice creams!

So with all the practicalities taken care of: Whether your chosen Footloose itinerary is one steeped in history, cultural heritage or wild scenic beauty and rare species, or – as with many trips – all of these together, you will be left free to enjoy the best of your chosen area at your own pace and in your own time.

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Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Footloose: Dates, Grades & Prices Route Dates 2024

G*

8-day Standard

8-day Superior

5-day Standard

5-day Superior

Scottish Borders (8/5 days)

01 Apr to 31 Oct

3

£1,200

•

£760

•

Classic Alsace (8/5 days)

01 Apr to 14 Oct

£1,760

£700

£880

Route

2+ – 4 £1,220

*Provence: Vaucluse & the Luberon (7/5 days)

02 Mar to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 16 Nov

2–3

*£1,540 *£1,880 £1,080

£1,300

NEW Paths to Rocamadour (8/5 days)

01 Apr to 31 Jul; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

2–3

£1,240

£1,600

£700

£900

Classic Dordogne (8/5 days)

12 Mar to 31 Jul; 01 Sep to 29 Oct

2 – 2+ £1,100

£1,640

£700

£980

Lot & Dordogne Valley (8 days)

01 Apr to 31 Jul; 01 Sep to 14 Nov

2–3

£1,160

£1,500

•

•

Old Catalonia: Volcanoes &.... (8/5 days)

01 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 30 Nov

2–3

£1,240

•

£680

•

High Teruel (8 days)

01 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

3–4

£1,120

•

•

•

Paths of Peneda (8/5 days)

01 May to 31 Jul; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

2+ – 4

£980

•

£640

•

NEW Alto Minho High Route (8 days)

01 May to 31 Jul; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

3+ – 4

£980

•

•

•

Sintra & the Portuguese Coast (8 days)

01 Mar to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

3

£1,380

£1,780

•

•

01 Apr to 31 Oct

3–4

£1,180

£1,580

£700

•

Barolo & the Langhe Hills (8/5 days)

01 Apr to 31 Jul; 01 Sep to 30 Nov

3

£1,180

£1,580

£680

£900

~Riviera & Portofino (8/6 days)

01 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

3 – 3+ £1,580

£2,560 ~£1,140 ~£1,840

Cinque Terre (8/5 days)

10 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

2 – 4+ £1,440

£1,900

£880

£1,040

£1,000

£1,400

•

•

~NEW Florence to San Gimignano & Volterra (8/6 days) 01 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

3 – 3+ £1,280

£1,780

Paths of Chianti: Siena to Florence (8 days)

16 Apr to 31 Oct

3 – 3+ £1,380

£2,180

•

•

Tuscany & Siena (8/5 days)

15 Mar to 31 Oct

£1,280

£1,780

£740

£1,040

Southern Tuscany (8/5 days)

18 Apr to 31 Oct

3 – 3+ £1,160

£1,460

£680

£840

Unknown Tuscany & Orvieto (8 days)

01 Apr to 31 Oct

2–3

£980

£1,440

•

•

Southern Lakes (8 days)

01 Apr to 30 Nov

3

£1,080

£1,580

•

•

Roman Roads to Orvieto (8/5 days)

01 Apr to 31 Oct

2

£980

£1,460

£680

£860

Umbria & Assisi (8/5 days)

13 Apr to 15 Nov

3

£1,260

£1,760

£660

£900

High Paths to Assisi (8 days)

13 Apr to 15 Nov

3–4

£1,340

£1,760

•

•

Unknown Umbria & Spoleto (8 days)

01 May to 15 Oct

3–4

£1,280

£1,580

•

•

Ancient Paths to Rome I: Tuscan Hills (8 days)

01 Apr to 31 Oct

3

£1,360

•

•

•

3–4

£1,240

•

•

•

3

£1,660

•

•

•

£2,380

£1,060

£1,340

NEW Pre-Alpine Paths to Bergamo (8/5 days)

Montefeltro & Urbino (8 days)

13 Apr to 15 Oct

Ancient Paths to Rome II: Ancient Volcanic Landscapes (8 days) 01 Apr to 31 Oct Ancient Paths to Rome III: Approach to Rome (8 days)

01 Apr to 31 Oct

3–4

2+

~£880 ~£1,200

Amalfi Coast (8/5 days)

21 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 05 Oct

Gargano Peninsula (8 days)

01 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 30 Nov

3

£1,300

•

•

•

High Gargano (8 days)

01 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 30 Nov

3–4

£1,260

•

•

•

Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea (8 days)

20 Apr to 30 Jun; 01 Sep to 15 Oct

3–4

£1,220

£1,800

•

•

Weeks of 26 March, 2 April, 20 August

2 – 3+

•

£2,000

•

•

Pieve a Castello (8 days)

3 – 3+ £1,840

*On this trip the longer route is 7 days • ~ On this trip the shorter route is 6 days • * G = Trip grade

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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What’s included?

From the moment you meet your Tour Leader and Tour Manager to the moment you leave for home, on ATG Escorted trips everything except your own private expenditure is included.

ATG E S C O RT E D

n Trips escorted by trained ATG Leaders and

Managers.

n Small, compatible groups – maximum 16

participants.

n Everything is included: all accommodation; all

meals and wines; all transfers; all specified excursions and visits.

n Hotels and restaurants, many of them

renowned, are always the best and most characteristic available on each itinerary. Many of them have been welcoming ATG clients for decades!

n Every level of walking from easy and relaxing to

challenging and momentous. Each trip has a deluxe air-conditioned Mercedes minibus, so you can walk as much or as little as you like.

n Transport of luggage en route. n Celebrated ATG picnics. The Tour Manager will

meet you at lunchtime with an ATG picnic lunch.

n The Tour Leader will provide succinct two-

minute sound bites on each aspect of the wide range of interests in each itinerary – and if you want to know more they’ll be delighted to explore these ‘one-to-one’.

n Friendly and relaxed atmosphere. n The interesting itineraries attract like-minded

people – who like each other!

n And what’s not included? Transport to/from the

beginning/end of the trip, as our clients come from all over the world.

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Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Escorted: Dates, Grades & Prices Dates 2024

Trip

Days Grade

Price

DFS*

March 1-5

Secret Venice

5

1

£4,120

£980

April 20-27

Flowers of the Gargano

8

2–3

£3,040

£200

April 17-24

Vintage Ways to Porto

8

2–3

£3,680

£480

April 24-May 1

Via Nova & the Camino Real

8

2+ – 3+

£3,460

£460

May 1-8

Barolo & the Langhe Hills

8

3

£3,680

£420

May 4-11

High Paths to Assisi

8

3–4

£3,700

£580

May 5-12

Unknown Catalonia

8

2–3

£3,380

£300

May 5-12

NEW Bologna to Ravenna: Glittering Trails

8

3–4

£3,440

£380

May 19-26

Flowers of Umbria

8

2

£3,520

£660

May 26-June 2

Unknown Umbria

8

3–4

£3,480

£440

May 26-June 9

Camino de Santiago

15

3–4

£6,640

£860

June 2-9

Southern Lakes

8

2–3

£3,320

£300

June 30-July 7

Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites

8

3–4

£4,460

£560

September 12-19

Unknown Sardinia

8

3

£3,500

£460

September 14-21

Southern Lakes

8

2–3

£3,320

£300

September 21-28

Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea

8

3–4

£3,440

£600

Sept 28-Oct 5

Best of Western Sicily

8

2

£4,060

£400

Sept 28-Oct 5

Chianti Hills: Siena to Florence

8

3 – 3+

£4,040

£760

October 5-11

Best of Eastern Sicily

7

1–2

£5,080

£1,600

October 5-12

NEW Bologna to Ravenna: Glittering Trails

8

3–4

£3,440

£380

October 10-17

Via Francigena 990

8

3–4

£3,140

£400

October 12-19

Gargano Peninsula

8

3

£3,140

£220

October 18-25

Mallorca: Mountains & Sea

8

4–5

£4,260

£1,000

October 26-Nov 2

Florence to Volterra

8

3 – 3+

£3,800

£600

*DFS = Double-room-for-single-traveller supplement

The Piano Grande, Flowers of Umbria and Unknown Umbria

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

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You Can Expect

Y

ou will be staying as a ‘house guest’ at this historic and architecturally important 8th-century Augustinian canonry. Pieve a Castello – on a secluded, fortified site, with unspoilt views – is located between Florence and Siena in central Tuscany, and was for centuries a main over-night stop for the thousands of travellers each year on the Via Francigena, the medieval ‘main road to Rome’.

Today, fully restored to a high standard*, you will be welcomed and looked after by a team of experienced staff that includes an ATG resident Manager, a skilled chef… and on Escorted trips, an ATG Tour Leader and Tour Manager.

Your room will be one of 10, each different, some in the main house, others opening onto the central courtyard, but all having en suite facilities, a sofa, writing table, fridge-bar, a safe (in cupboard with drawers), TV, WiFi, airconditioning and views of the ancient courtyard and also unspoilt Tuscan countryside.

Exploring further you will find comfortable rooms and shaded terraces for sitting and relaxing, a proto-Romanesque church with a concert grand piano and ‘perfect’ acoustics, a well-stocked library, a travertine pool with salt filtration and organic vegetable gardens.

Meals and wines (all included): Breakfast, a wide choice of options, including fresh eggs from the chickens, is usually served in the courtyard; lunch on the lower shaded terrace (or ATG picnic on Escorted trips); pre-dinner drinks and canapés on the library terrace, with, on Escorted trips, a presentation relating to the next day’s itinerary; then dinner, with ingredients from the organic gardens and local area, with fine regional wines, usually served in the early medieval splendour of the former baptistry.

Walking: ancient paths of the Via Francigena fan out through vineyards, olive groves, meadows and forested hills, and include over 200 miles of excellent walking (complimentary Route Book in your room with 20 self-guided walks of 1 to 7 hours).

Excursions to places of outstanding interest, often include walking options. *A licensed ‘Residenza d’Epoca’.

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Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Pieve a Castello: Dates & Prices Dates 2024

Trip

Days

Grade

Price

DFS*

March 26-2 April

Independent Stay

8

2-3+

£2,000

£400

April 2-9

Independent Stay

8

2-3+

£2,000

£400

April 9-16

Walking, Language & Libretto

8

1-2

£3,500

£400

April 16-23

NEW Renaissance Legacy

8

2

£3,400

£400

April 23-30

As You Like It 1

8

2+

£3,400

£400

April 30-7 May

Private group

–

–

–

–

May 7-14

As You Like It 2

8

2+

£3,400

£400

May 14-21

As You Like It 1

8

2+

£3,400

£400

May 21-28

Tuscan Gardens

8

1-2

£3,500

£460

April 28-4 June

Private group

–

–

–

–

June 4-11

As You Like It 3

8

2+

£3,400

£400

June 11-18

As You Like It 1

8

2+

£3,400

£400

June 18-25

As You Like It 2

8

2+

£3,400

£400

July 27-4 July

Siena & the Palio

8

1-2

£4,680

£400

July 4-11

As You Like It 3

8

2+

£3,400

£400

July 11-18

As You Like It 1

8

2+

£3,400

£400

July 18-25

NEW Summer Music

8

2

£3,400

£400

July 25-1 August

NEW Summer Music

8

2

£3,400

£400

August 1-8

Private group

–

–

–

–

August 11-17

Private group

–

–

–

–

August 20-27

Independent Stay

8

2-3+

£2,000

£400

August 27-3 September

As You Like It 3

8

2+

£3,400

£400

September 3-10

As You Like It 1

8

2+

£3,400

£400

September 10-17

As You Like It 2

8

2+

£3,400

£400

September 17-24

Italian Gardens

8

1-2

£3,500

£460

September 24-1 October

As You Like It 3

8

2+

£3,400

£400

October 1-8

As You Like It 1

8

2+

£3,400

£400

October 8-15

Painting Tuscany

8

2

£3,500

£400

October 10-17

Via Francigena 990

8

3-4

£3,140

£400

October 15-22

Private group

–

–

–

–

October 22-29

Walking, Language & Libretto

8

1-2

£3,500

£400

October 29-5 November

NEW Renaissance Legacy

8

2

£3,400

£400

November 5-12

NEW Tuscan Food and Wine

8

2

£3,500

£400

November 12-19

NEW Tuscan Food and Wine

8

2

£3,500

£400

DFS = Double-room-for-single-traveller supplement

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

21

Booking Conditions Bonding & Security ATG Oxford is a trading name for Alternative Travel Group Ltd, registered in England No. 1449375. ATG Oxford is a fully bonded tour operator, licensed by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), which provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Alternative Travel Group Ltd (ABTOT number 5181).

Making your booking To secure a reservation a deposit is required for each person travelling of 25% of the published trip price at the time of booking. The deposit is non-refundable. On receipt of the deposit a binding contract between us comes into existence.

We recommend that you do not make travel or other arrangements in connection with your booking until you receive our confirmation. You will receive confirmation of your booking with details of your confirmed travel itinerary.

Please check our confirmation as soon as you receive it.

Contact us immediately if any information which appears on the confirmation or any other document is incorrect is incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later.

We regret we cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies (for which we are responsible) in any document within ten days of our sending it out. We will do our best to rectify any mistake notified to us outside these time limits but you must meet any costs involved in doing so. In the unlikely event of your booking request not being confirmed to your satisfaction, you will be entitled to receive a full refund of deposits paid to ATG. Where a deposit is received by credit or debit card, the final balance, when due, will be charged to this card unless you otherwise notify us. The balance is due 90 days before the departure date of your trip. If we do not receive all payments due in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to keep all deposits paid or payments due at that date.

If you alter your booking If you wish to make any alteration to your booking after it has been confirmed by us, we will do our best to accommodate your request, which must be specified in writing. An amendment fee of £50.00 per alteration per person will be made to cover the necessary administration costs incurred. All changes are subject to availability, and if we are able to make the change, you will be liable to pay any costs which result, for example any amendment or cancellation charges imposed by any relevant supplier. Some suppliers, for example, may treat a change of name. or date, as a cancellation and subsequent rebooking. For any change of trip or trip date less than 91 days prior to departure, cancellation charges will apply (see ‘If you cancel your booking’).

We should emphasise that we cannot accept liability for any loss, damage or additional expense incurred by you as a result of choosing to make any change.

If you transfer your booking to another person If you are unavoidably prevented from travelling, you may transfer your place on the booking to another person, provided that this is done 28 days or more before departure.

The person to whom the trip place is transferred must meet any conditions which apply to it. The right to transfer is subject to payment of an administration fee of £50.00 per person, together with all additional charges of whatever sort imposed by suppliers providing the component parts of the trip. Any overdue balance payment must also be received.

For flight inclusive bookings, you must pay the charges levied by the airline concerned. As most airlines do not permit name changes after tickets have been issued for any reason, these charges are likely to be the full cost of the flight at the then applicable price as the airline will treat the original booking as cancelled and levy 100% cancellation charges.

If you cancel your booking Cancellation of booking will become effective upon receipt of written notification from you, and the following cancellation charges will be due: Up to 91 days before departure: deposit only.

Cancellation 90 - 43 days before departure: 45% of the invoice total.

Cancellation 42-29 days before departure: 60% of the invoice total.

Cancellation 28-15 days before departure: 75% of the invoice total.

Cancellation 14-8 days before departure: 90% of the invoice total.

Cancellation 7 days or less before, or after departure: 100% of invoice total.

The above cancellation charges apply to the land cost only.

If air tickets have been issued, you will have to pay the full cost of those flights in addition. Any previously incurred amendment charges are non-refundable. If the reason for the cancellation of your holiday falls within the terms of your insurance policy, then any such charges (less any applicable excess) may be refunded to you by your insurance company.

If you cancel your booking no refund will be issued in the event of the cancelled places subsequently being filled.

Cancelled bookings do not count towards the ATG ‘11th Trip Free’ offer.

22

If we alter or cancel your booking We start planning the holidays we offer long in advance.

Occasionally, we have to update information on our website both before and after bookings have been confirmed. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so.

If we have to alter your trip before departure, any alteration will either be significant or minor. Where an alteration is minor, we will, if practicable, advise you before departure, but we are not obliged to do so, pay you compensation or allow you to cancel or transfer to another holiday without paying our normal charges. A minor alteration is any alteration apart from a significant alteration. A significant change is a change made before departure which, taking account of the information you give us at the time of booking and which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we can reasonably expect to have a major effect on your holiday. Significant changes are likely to include the following changes when made before departure: a rescheduling of more than 15% of a current published itinerary, a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of your ATG holiday, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of your ATG holiday. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as reasonably possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:(a) Accepting the changed arrangements or (b) Purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. We will endeavour to offer you an alternative of equivalent or higher standard for which you will not be asked to pay any more than the price of the original holiday. If this holiday is in fact of a lower price than the original one, we will refund the price difference. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you, you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean your paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is lower priced or (c) Cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us (other than any previously incurred amendment or travel charges).

If we have to make a significant change or cancel after departure we will, where appropriate, pay you reasonable compensation depending on the nature and extent of the significant change and the circumstances, subject to the following exceptions. Compensation will not be payable and no liability beyond offering the above mentioned choices can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care. No compensation will be payable and the above options will not be available if we cancel your booking as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time).

When you have been advised of an alteration prior to departure, and elect to continue with the trip, this will be deemed to be acceptance of the change(s) and, apart from any compensation offered prior to departure, no further compensation will be paid.

ATG reserves the right to change any aspect of any itinerary prior to or after departure in the interests of clients’ safety, wellbeing, comfort or the successful operation of the trip in altered circumstances, or in the light of UK Foreign Office or/and US State Department advice. Payment of compensation, if appropriate, will be limited to any overall cost saving to ATG Oxford, generated by necessary changes made in the interests of clients.

Very rarely, we may be forced by force majeure (see below) to change or terminate your holiday immediately prior to, or during, your holiday. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result.

Escorted Groups Guarantee The maximum number of participants on a trip is 16, and the average number of people on an ATG Escorted trip is 12, but on occasion numbers will be lower. Bookings are made, transferred and occasionally cancelled by clients up to the day of a trip’s departure. If, at any time after 30 days before the trip's departure, group numbers fall to less than six, we will make every effort to contact you and offer you the options of either: transferring to another departure, and receiving a refund for non-refundable flights and/or hotel reservations made through ATG Oxford directly related to the specific trip; or cancelling your booking and receiving a full refund of all monies paid to ATG that are directly related to the trip.

Force Majeure Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by force majeure or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of force majeure. In these booking conditions, force majeure

All bookings are made and accepted in accordance with the terms set out in these conditions.

In these booking conditions, “you” and “your” means all persons named on your booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date) or any of them as the context requires. “We”, “us” and “our” means ATG Oxford.

means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, whether actual or threatened, war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, epidemics / pandemics, adverse weather conditions, fire, UK Foreign Office / US State Department advice against travel and all similar events outside our control / the control of the supplier(s) concerned.

Accommodation The cost of each trip is based upon accommodation in twinbedded or double rooms. Double rooms for single occupancy, booked on payment of a nominal fee, may sometimes be smaller than double rooms normally allocated to two people. All room types are subject to availability. The nature of accommodation on each trip is described in individual itineraries. Reservations are accepted on the understanding that, whilst each hotel, or other accommodation, is usually one of the most characteristic, comfortable and best located for travellers on foot, you are fully aware that limitations imposed by some itineraries make it inevitable that the character, and sometimes the standard, of accommodation may vary from place to place, and in some areas, hotels may be of a generally lower standard in relation to their ‘star ratings’.

Suppliers’ Conditions Suppliers such as suppliers of accommodation or transport providers have their own booking conditions or conditions of carriage and you will be bound by these so far as the relevant supplier is concerned. Some of these conditions may limit or exclude liability on the part of the relevant supplier sometimes in accordance with international convention. Where relevant, copies of such conditions may be available for inspection at the offices of the relevant supplier.

Flights The operation of flights is outside our control. Timings are set by airlines and are subject to various factors including air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, potential technical problems and the ability of passengers to check in on time. ATG cannot make any refund in the event of the cancellation of a flight or trip, or pay compensation for any additional costs involved as a result of changes in published flight times, routes, or flight delays.

Where flights are included in ATG itineraries, in the event of airlines changing or withdrawing their schedules or services, we will make every effort to arrange suitable alternative flights as close as possible to those advertised. All flights we arrange are subject to the airline’s conditions of carriage which limit and exclude the airline’s liabilities in accordance with international convention / EU regulation. In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “list” which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The list is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/airban/list_en.htm.

Price of the trip Prices of ATG trips and services are those currently publish on our website (www.ATG-Oxford.com) at the time of booking. We reserve the right to change and correct errors in any of the prices, services or other particulars at any time before we enter into a contract with you. If there is any change or error of which we are then aware, we will notify you before we enter into a contract with you.

Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking, we will only increase or decrease it in the following circumstances. A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, in the event of any change in our transportation costs or in dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or in the exchange rates which have been used to calculate the cost of your holiday.

Even in the above cases, only if the amount of any increase in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges) will we levy a surcharge.

If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us as referred to in “If we alter or cancel your booking”. Where applicable, you have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel or purchase another holiday. If you do not tell us that you wish to choose either of these options within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge.

Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later.

We promise not to levy a surcharge within 30 days of departure. No refund will be payable during this period either.

Holiday costs are based on the rates at which ATG Oxford has bought forward currency to stabilise the cost of trips in the event of fluctuations in exchange rates.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Health and Fitness Bookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons travelling are normally in good health and physically equal to the minimum demands of the chosen trip. If this is in doubt the Booking must be accompanied by a doctor's certificate stating that it is entirely safe for you to go on the particular holiday you have chosen. ATG reserves the right to decline to accept any persons not equal to the minimum demands of a trip where their continued participation adversely affects the enjoyment of other clients on the holiday. In such a situation we will have no further responsibility toward you including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

Special requests and Medical Conditions / Disabilities If you have any special request, you must advise us at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing that a special request will be complied with (where it is possible to give this) where it is important to you.

We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as “standard” bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests.

If you have any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or have any special requirements as a result of any medical condition or disability (including any which affect the booking process), please tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any change in the condition or disability occurs. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed.

Behaviour and Damage When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you or any member of your party.

Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be made direct to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier or to us as soon as possible. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises.

We expect all clients to have consideration for other people.

If in our reasonable opinion or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate your holiday. In this situation, you will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward you including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

Insurance, Passport, Visa and Health Requirements Please note that adequate travel insurance for all persons travelling (including medical, personal accident and repatriation in the event of illness, baggage, money and liability cover as well as loss of monies paid in the event of cancellation) is a condition of booking. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.

You are responsible for arranging, and being in possession of, a valid, acceptable passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the duration of your holiday, and it is your responsibility to check, in good time before departure, the up-to-date position with regard to passport and visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country(ies) through which you are intending to travel.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure. Information on health is contained in the Department of Health leaflet T7.1 (Health Advice for Travellers) available from the Department of Health via its website www.dh.gov.uk and from most Post Offices. For holidays in the EU / EEA, EU citizens should obtain an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) prior to departure from the Department of Health (see leaflet T7.1 and the website www.dh.gov.uk).

Health requirements and recommendations may change and you must check the upto-date position in good time before departure.

It is the responsibility of the person who makes the booking to ensure that all persons travelling are in possession of all necessary travel documents before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by

you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry all required documentation. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

Liability (1) We promise to make sure that the specified holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care have not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers).

(2) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following: – – the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or – the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or – force majeure as defined above (3) Please note, we cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised by us and we have not agreed to arrange them as part of our contract In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any advertising material or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out above and we do not have any greater or different liability to you.

(4) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as having been properly provided. This will be the case even if the services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the UK which would have applied had those services been provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature which might lead a reasonable holiday-maker to refuse to take the holiday in question.

(5) Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money), the maximum amount we will have to pay you is £500.00 per person affected unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under this paragraph (5) or paragraph (6) below. You must ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect your personal belongings. For all other claims which do not involve death or personal injury, if we are found liable to you on any basis the maximum amount we will have to pay you is twice the price (excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under paragraph (6) below. This maximum amount will only be payable where you have not received any benefit from your holiday.

(6) Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotelier concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention for international travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea and COTIF, the Convention on International Travel by Rail).

Please note: where a carrier or hotelier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable international convention or regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the carrier or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question.

Copies of the applicable international conventions and regulations are available from us on request.

which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers. Additionally, we cannot accept liability for any business losses.

Delay We regret we are not in a position to offer you any assistance in the event of delay at your outward or homeward point of departure. Any airline concerned may however provide refreshments etc. We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to force majeure (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on the flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time). In addition, we will not be liable for any delay unless it has a significant effect on your holiday arrangements.

Foreign Office Advice The Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.fco.gov.uk which you are recommended to consult before booking and in good time before departure.

Safety Standards Please note, it is the requirements and standards of the country in which any services which make up your holiday are provided which apply to those services and not those of the UK. As a general rule, these requirements and standards will not be the same as the UK and may sometimes be lower.

Information Brochure / website / advertising material accuracy The information contained in our brochure, on our website and in our other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing or publication.

However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us or your travel agent at the time of booking.

Activities and general area information We may provide you with information (before departure and/or when you are on holiday) about activities which are available in the area you are visiting. We have no involvement in any such activities which are neither run, supervised nor controlled in any way by us. They are provided by local operators or other third parties who are entirely independent of us. They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/other third parties and/or assist you in booking such activities or excursions in any way. We cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities. We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or about the area you are visiting generally or that any particular activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control.

Complaints and Arbitration Any complaint should be communicated to our representative as soon as it arises. Any verbal complaint should be put in writing as soon as possible if not resolved straight away. If you are not satisfied with the response of our representative or our representative cannot be contacted for any reason, please contact us in the UK during your holiday. If the issue is not resolved, then the complaint should be made in writing to ATG Oxford in the UK within 28 days of the end of your trip. Failure to notify our representative or us direct at the time so as to provide us with an opportunity to rectify the cause of the complaint may result in your loss of any legal rights in respect of the particular matter.

Should the complaint still not be resolved, we both agree that English law (and no other) will apply to our contract and to any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us must be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only.

Financial Security The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Alternative Travel Group Ltd (ABTOT number 5181), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for: • Non-flight packages ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with [Member name].

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made

(7) Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1)

trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com; +44 (0) 1865 315 678

23

Team Team Training Training for for the the ATG ATG Picnic Picnic Lunch!

Lunch!

Certificate Number 5739 ISO 14001

Alternative Travel Group Ltd., T/A ATG Oxford Prama House, 267 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7HT, United Kingdom +44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • www.atg-oxford.com ReGisTeReD in enGLAnD nUmBeR 1449375 • VAT nUmBeR 348 2372 47

Member 5181

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Alternative Travel Group Limited and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for non-flight packages.

Our ABTOT Trust number is 5181.