ATG Oxford Escorted Walking Tours by ATG Oxford

ThE bEST WAY TO SEE A COUNTRY IS ON FOOT

ATG OXFORD

E S C O R T E D

CONTINUOUS JOURNEYS EUROPE

DISCOVERING EUROPE

PIEVE A CASTELLO EUROPE

DISCOVERING WORLDWIDE

Welcome to ATG Escorted Original, all-inclusive holidays providing unique insights into the areas visited. We walk – because the best way to see a country is on foot!

Thank you!

PHOTO: AMELIA WHINNEY

Fashions in travel change, and ATG has to thank clients for their feedback that has kept ATG at the forefront of tourism development since 1979, when the Company was founded. Since then, frequently copied and never equalled, ATG has continued to offer the ‘best of everything’ (see page 5). In 2015 92% of clients on Escorted trips rated their overall enjoyment as ‘Excellent’, and 8% ‘Good’ * and standards are still rising. We look forward to welcoming you….

Directors Kate and Christopher Whinney – on an ATG holiday!

What sort of trips?

Feedback, Quality and Value

ATG Escorted trips, researched and developed since 1979, offer a range of high-quality, original travel experiences that provide unique insights into the areas visited. We walk – because the best way to see a country is on foot – and also because walking, apart from maximising the experience and enjoyment of travel, is the healthiest form of exercise, ensuring that you return home feeling revitalised and refreshed.

* ATG is run by an IT Quality Control System, specially designed for the company. This analyses customer feedback and quality on a continual basis, ensuring that every aspect of every trip is monitored daily and exceeds the high standards expected by clients. Focussing on quality, ATG never compromises on quality to sell on price. Each trip is simply the best possible, and the price of each trip directly reflects ATG’s costs. The Value is in the quality of the best possible travel experience.

All-inclusive Basis The ATG all-inclusive basis for Escorted trips is controversial. Criteria of ‘Quality and Value’ rather than price are not fashionable today, and make ATG trips look expensive. Offering cheaper trips would be easy – cheaper hotels, half-board ‘chicken and chips’– style meals, excluding wines, excursions, and taking clients ‘shopping’ (the 10% commission is a large source of income for most tour operators). We could... except these would not be ATG trips, and to pay ‘piecemeal’ for everything that is included would work out far more expensive!

All holidays in this brochure that do not include flights purchased through ATG are ABTOT protected by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Ltd. Our ABTOT Trust number is 5181. 5181

The air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 2618.

Environment ATG is the ‘original’ environmentally friendly travel company. Founded on principles of Conservation and Sustainable Development, it was being commended for its environmental training in the early 90s, and was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA); and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System. ATG is ‘Carbon Neutral’. The ATG Trust carries out Sustainable Development projects in many of the areas visited.

Your type of holiday? Our holidays have in common the same high quality of itinerary, interests, accommodation, service, support and attention to detail. The detailed information in this brochure and on our website will help you determine whether our trips are right for you. If you would like further information about the company or any of our trips, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Contents 2 ATG Escorted: What’s Included?

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The best way to see a country is on foot

3 Escorted Programmes 4 The ATG Team 5 ATG Quality & Value 6 ATG Style 8 Walking to Eat 10 ATG Hotels 12 Choosing a Trip: Fitness & Grades 14 Choosing a Trip: World-Class Interests 16 Great Historic Routes ORIGINAL CONTINUOUS JOURNEYS Italy 18 Path to Rome Spain 20 Camino de Santiago 22 Hills of Central & Southern Europe ORIGINAL CONTINUOUS JOURNEYS Hungary 24 Hungary: the Danube Bend 26 Classic Alsace France 28 Classic Dordogne 30 Across the Cévennes Switzerland/Italy 32 Across the Alps Spain 34 Alto Teruel 36 Cortina & the Dolomites 38 Paths to Barolo 40 Paths to Urbino 42 Siena, Chianti & Florence

72 Mediterranean Islands & Coasts ORIGINAL CONTINUOUS JOURNEYS Spain 74 Mallorca: Mountains & Sea Portugal 76 Sintra & the Portuguese Coast 78 Amalfi Coast Italy 80 Gargano Peninsula 82 Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea Greece 84 Western Crete DISCOVERING EUROPE 86 Secret Venice 88 The Aeolian Isles Italy 90 Best of Western Sicily 92 Best of Eastern Sicily 94 Unknown Sardinia 96 Astonishing Flowers DISCOVERING EUROPE France 98 Flowers of the Cévennes 100 Flowers of the Brenta Dolomites Italy 102 Flowers of Umbria 104 Flowers of the Gargano 106 Exclusive Tuscany Italy 108 Pieve a Castello 114 DISCOVERING WORLDWIDE

44 Tuscan Trail Italy 46 Southern Tuscan Trail

116 The Hills of Southwest India

48 Unknown Tuscany

118 Srinagar & Ladakh

50 Way to Assisi

120 Bhutan

52 Assisi Christmas

122 Sri Lanka

54 Unknown Umbria

124 China: The Western Silk Road

56 Southern Lakes

126 Oman

DISCOVERING EUROPE France 58 Classic Provence Spain 60 Unknown Catalunya Portugal 62 Vintage Ways to Porto

Italy

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128 Chile

Further Information & Booking 130 Walking the Talk 131 UK Saturday Charity Walks

64 Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites

132 Extension Hotels

66 Land of Piero della Francesca

134 Making a Booking

68 Padula & Northern Calabria

135 Booking Form

70 Unknown Basilicata

136 Booking Conditions

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

ATG Escorted: What’s Included? ATG is almost alone in the travel industry in offering Escorted trips on which, from the moment you meet our Tour Consultants to the moment you leave for home, everything except your own private expenditure is included. n Trips escorted by trained ATG Tour Leaders and

Managers.

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

n Trip itineraries from 5 to 22 days. n Small, compatible groups, up to a maximum of 16

meet you at lunchtime each day with an ATG picnic lunch. n The Tour Leader will provide succinct two-minute

people. n Everything is included: all accommodation; all meals

and wines; all transfers, including flights (when part of the itinerary); all specified excursions and visits; and all tips en route. 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

n In true ATG style, the atmosphere of each trip is

friendly and relaxed. 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...

PHOTOS: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

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

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’.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

European programmes Original Journeys

Discovering Europe

ATG’s original Escorted Journeys on foot. Continuous routes through the most beautiful and interesting areas of Europe; the best available hotels and restaurants; ATG Leader, Manager and deluxe Mercedes minibus. Walk as much or as little as you like.

Discovering Europe trips make use of ATG’s exclusive unrivalled knowledge of each area, having explored it extensively on foot, to offer the very best walking... and also use ATG’s de-luxe air-conditioned Mercedes minibuses, to complete the travel experience. Walks explore the most beautiful country, with the finest views, the rarest and most profuse flowers, and exclusive sites, often only accessible on foot. The minibuses provide possibilities for excursions to places of outstanding interest in the area.

What are the differences between these two programmes?

...And what do they have in common?

n Journeys provide the satisfaction and sense of

n All the characteristic ATG qualities – on an all-

achievement in making a continuous journey on foot. n Journeys provide the ‘original’ travel experience

familiar to our ancestors. Many of the ATG routes are historic ones, with a wealth of outstanding historic sites en route. n Discovering trips provide delightful walking and also

the secure knowledge that you have experienced the best that the area has to offer. n Discovering offers themed trips – the advantage

being that in outstandingly culturally rich areas you can have the pleasure of focussing on a particular area that interests you, or the enjoyment of visiting an area you particularly enjoy time and again – each time from a different perspective.

inclusive basis. Everything on every trip is included except drinks between meals and personal expenditure. n Excellent ATG-trained Leaders and Managers. n Each trip is accompanied by one or more ATG

deluxe air-conditioned minibuses – so you can walk as much or as little as you like. n Dining in good, often renowned, restaurants. High-

quality menus accompanied by good wines. n Celebrated ATG picnics. n Clients who are like-minded people – who like

each other!

How do Discovering Worldwide trips differ from Escorted European trips? See pages 114–115. +44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

The ATG Team These are some of the people who will lead or manage your escorted trips. They have been selected from many thousands of applicants for their wide range of skills and interests, their knowledge and experience, but above all because we think they are delightful people to go on holiday with! Saskia Baker

Giancarla Bindi Saskia Baker grew up in the French Alps. She graduated in Theatre Studies and ran her first ATG trip in 1997. She now divides her time between her four children and guiding, her work on a community allotment and a project to develop a community cookbook. She loves the opportunity to indulge her love of art, natural history and walking that working for ATG offers.

Ágnes Deák

Giancarla graduated in Modern Literature at the University of Siena; studying history, art and languages. She combines her own business with working for ATG at Pieve a Castello; the trips she runs reflect her interests in the Palio, language, history, and music. She also finds time for her lifelong passion for sports – skiing and walking.

Chiara Farneti Ágnes was born and raised in Budapest. After studying Tourism and Hospitality in Budapest she worked in Austria and the UK in these industries, and now manages ATG’s Footloose and Escorted tours along the Danube Bend. She is passionate about travelling and snowboarding – and is an official chocolate taster!

Irene Maturi

Stephen was born in Oregon, USA, but has spent the past 17 years living abroad, mostly in Italy and Spain. He read Humanities and Cultural Management in Madrid and completed a postgraduate degree in Cultural Tourism in Turin. Walking and travelling are his lifelong passions, as is everything that goes with them: history, art, food, wine, literature – not necessarily in that order.

Frances Wolverton

Half English and half French, Elizabeth studied French and Spanish at King’s College London before heading off to Hong Kong to launch a career in hotel public relations, and later worked on a tiny island in the Maldives. She now works in sales in ATG’s Oxford office, as an occasional Tour Manager and as Route Manager for the Lozere and Tarn Gorge, where she loves the hiking!

Angharad Parry Lara was born in Italy and lives in Umbria. She studied English and German Literature at Rome University, and developed a love of food, wine and cooking while working in her family’s hotel. She is passionate about her young daughter and outdoor pursuits, and is also involved with an olivepress co-operative making olive oil – in 2009 she became an official taster!

After graduating from Goldsmiths, Angharad worked as a pirate in Disneyland Paris. She has since used her knowledge of languages in Europe, working in the ski industry and teaching and running a gourmet cooking school in the Tuscan hills. She is passionate about food and wine and one day would love to own a catering business in the French Alps.

Sarah Wellburn

Michela speaks four languages and has travelled the world pursuing various interests including horse riding, hiking and climbing. She graduated in Sociology and development from Sussex University and since then has worked on several sustainable development projects. Alongside working with ATG she is developing a family farm project in the Dordogne, France.

Adrian Woodford

Frances is one of ATG's longest-serving Tour Leaders. She has worked for the company since 1989, and continues to lead a few trips each year. She still lives in Tuscany and keeps busy tending her olive grove, looking after fruit and nut trees and garden. Otherwise she contributes to guide books, looks after villa rentals and is granny to 5 grandchildren!

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Elizabeth Martin

Michela Thomann

Stephen Sutton

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They really try, they really care… and it shows!

Chiara was brought up in Italy and studied Travel and Tourism in Rimini. She lived in France, Austria and England before joining ATG. She has cycled solo from the Marche to Portugal, raising money for charity. She lives in Umbria and enjoys outdoor activities as well as good food and wine, and is passionate about Italian culinary traditions.

Lara Piccioli Born and raised in Spoleto, Irene graduated in Conservation of Cultural Heritage. A member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) since a child, she is an official trekking and tourism guide for the region of Umbria. When not working for ATG she restores rare books and works on heritage archiving projects.

All speak three or more languages fluently, including English, and have passed the ATG award-winning training with distinction. Their contribution to clients’ enjoyment of their trips is consistently outstanding.

After reading English Literature at Cambridge University, Adrian worked as a journalist, producer and teacher before joining ATG in 1996. He now combines guiding with travel writing and lecturing.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Sarah joined ATG in 1992 after graduating from London University, enjoying a lifestyle that has satisfied a wide range of passions: Italy, travel, walking and history to photography, food & wine. She has also trained in garden design and massage therapy and worked as an international conference manager. When not running ATG trips she enjoys wandering the South Downs.

Jane Wright Jane has moved with no discernible logic from an Oxford degree in French and German, to four years teaching and research in Italy, to running her own international recruitment business in London, to ATG back in Oxford again. On the way she has taken every chance to travel, from Brazil to Burkina Faso, and aims to reach the C's some day soon.

ATG Quality & Value Everything included

Quality

ATG is almost alone in the travel industry in offering Escorted trips on which, from the moment you meet our Tour Consultants to the moment you leave for home, everything except your own private expenditure (drinks between meals, postcards, gifts) is included.

ATG never compromises on quality to sell on price. ATG provides the best that each area of the world has to offer. Itineraries are created with this sole purpose, irrespective of price.

This has been the basis of all ATG Escorted trips for 37 years.

What is the best? The ‘best’ is what, for over 37 years, tens of thousands of clients have told us is ‘the best’ – what they really want: The best itineraries

The best picnic lunches

Celebrated ATG picnic lunches on all European trips! They’re even showing up on some Discovering Worldwide trips. ATG’s transformation of the picnic into an art form is starting to have an influence!

The best available accommodation

The best available restaurants

Discovering local cuisine is another of the delights of travel. ATG trips include many restaurants with Michelin stars and other accolades, as well as family-run restaurants serving traditional home cooking.

PHOTO: MYA PADGET

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

The best that each area of the world has to offer. The best views, flowers and wildlife, interaction with local people and their way of life, cultural heritage – monuments, art and music.

Exclusive features

The best Tour Leaders and Managers

You might stay in one of the best hotels in the world, e.g. in Sintra (below), on the Sintra & the Portuguese trip, or in a simple mountain hotel with wide views. On Original Journeys trips your daily destination on foot is where you stay overnight. One of the joys of travelling is discovering hotels with a range of character and charm.

Treat yourself to the best... exclusive entrance to private palaces; a private visit to St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice; private classical music concert in the church of Pieve a Castello; a flight in a private light aircraft over Cape Horn and sailing down the Beagle Channel; or a superlative view of the Palio horse race in Siena (below).

The best transport arrangements

The best environmentally

And finally...

...to minimise ‘down-time’ and maximise enjoyment of the best that the area has to offer. ATG has its own modern fleet of deluxe Mercedes minibuses, enabling people to walk as much or as little as they like.

ATG is run within an accredited Environmental Management System (EMS) – ISO 14001. The Company is ‘Carbon Neutral’.

ATG has one of the highest repeatbooking rates in the travel industry. 97% of new clients come through referrals from other ATG travellers!

PHOTO: BRETT COURTENAY

ATG Leaders and Managers are trained to work to the very highest standards, and they know that it’s not where you travel, but decisions on priorities and focus on excellence, together with preparation and planning, that determine the quality of a trip. ATG clients are people who want the best possible travel experience and know that value is what matters.

All transport is ‘Carbon-Offset’. Certificate Number 5739 ISO 14001: 2004

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

ATG Style

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n trips with such a wide spectrum of highquality interests, being kept standing around for a succession of long ‘lectures’ is clearly inappropriate. A synopsis will allow you to decide if you want to know more. The Tour Leader will therefore supply two-minute ‘sound bites’ from time to time to keep you informed and entertained. If you want to know more please ask the Tour Leader, who will be delighted to respond. In this way you get to know as much (or as little) as you like.

everything is meticulously organised without ever seeming so

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serendipity

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

No opportunities are missed and everything is meticulously organised without ever seeming so, but then these are holidays for individuals who enjoy the sociability, interest and advantages of travelling with a group, whilst retaining the greatest joy of travelling – making unexpected discoveries by accident...

’’ Choosing a trip

the slower you travel, the more you see

A glance at pages 14–15 (World-Class Interests), will give you an indication of the immense variety of features included in each ATG itinerary. These are not walking trips as such. We walk because ‘the slower you travel, the more you see’, so walking is the perfect way to experience and enjoy the best that every area of the world has to offer – its views and landscapes, flowers and wildlife, architecture and art; its people and their culture, traditions and ways of life.

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PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

What to expect

ATG Escorted trips offer relaxed days of walking through the most beautiful countries in the world. Travelling on foot along well-researched routes you should expect to see more, not less, including the ‘world-class’ sights of an area. We usually begin at about 9.00am and stop for lunch at about 1.00pm, after which there is usually time for a siesta; and you should expect to arrive at your hotel each afternoon with an hour or two to relax with a book or a drink, or to do some sightseeing or shopping before dinner, which is usually at 8.00pm.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

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Like-minded people who like each other

Small, compatible groups ATG trips are renowned for the compatibility of their groups. This is not simply fortuitous!

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small groups, sharing similar tastes and interests

Our full and accurate descriptions of each trip ensure that people know exactly what to expect and so choose the trip that suits them. By describing the specific features of a particular trip – whether flowers, art, architecture, or food and wine – ATG attracts people who share similar tastes and interests. ATG is completely focused on quality, relying entirely on repeat bookings and on clients telling their friends. Groups are small – never more than 16 people. 60% of our clients are British. The other 40% come principally from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. There is no ‘average group’. The combinations are endless – single, married, young and old, and from many different walks of life. Yet because these trips are, by nature, exclusive, and designed around specific areas of interest, they tend to attract like-minded people who like each other.

optional transportation

’’ PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

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You will be welcomed

On arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by the Tour Leader and Tour Manager who will accompany you through-out the trip (Worldwide trips: an ATG Tour Leader and a local guide).

Optional transportation

European trips are accompanied by one or more of our Mercedes minibuses, with regular pick-ups on each walk, allowing you to walk as much or as little as you like. Worldwide trips have similar flexibility, with comfortable transport appropriate to the country and terrain.

What to bring

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart casual/informal. Most trips tend to include some quite distinguished hotels and restaurants. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support, a small daysack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, spare sweater, etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles, popular for many years with walkers in the hills and mountains of Europe. And money? We try to include everything so that your only expenses will be for privately arranged excursions, drinks before or after dinner and gifts to take home.

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

Walking to Eat £10 + p&p

ATG Trust Salad Book Copies of the ATG Trust’s superb ‘Table of Moveable Feasts’, a collection of recipes inspired by our famous Escorted trip picnics, are sold in aid of the ATG Trust. It is an invaluable aid to summer entertaining and a popular gift for occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, or as a thank you present.

The ATG salad book comprises 51 of the best recipes from nearly 37 years of ATG picnic lunches.

PHOTO: STEPHEN TILSLEY

The book is sold in aid of the ATG Trust. Price: £10 / US $15 Postage and packing per book: UK addresses: £2.50 / $4 Rest of the world: £5 / $7.50 Please contact the ATG office to order. Mixed leaves and peach salad

ATG Picnic Lunches ATG picnic lunches in Europe are renowned! ‘Happening upon’ an ATG picnic in an idyllic location punctuates each day’s walk. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, substantial salads, bread and fruit...and pudding. (If it is cold there will be a hot dish). Many salads are ‘exclusive’ to ATG and some of these original recipes are in the ATG ‘Table of Moveable Feasts’ (see above) – available to buy from the ATG office.

‘‘ PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

After lunch, there’s usually time for a siesta!

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After being greeted with mineral water and a starter, followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities, there’s usually time for a siesta! Where there is a particularly spectacular and remote picnic spot, we may occasionally carry packed lunches. Outside Europe the location of lunches may vary, from picnics to meals in restaurants or private houses.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

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Traditional local dishes, regional classics, and excellent wines

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Dinner Dinner is usually at about 8.00pm (later in Spain). We tend to eat in the best and most interesting restaurants available, which serve traditional local dishes as well as regional classics and excellent regional wines. To ensure that we enjoy the best that the area has to offer, the Tour Manager, with his/her specialist knowledge and experience, will have worked closely with the chef in advance, selecting the most interesting and characteristic menu possible.

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Discovering the local cuisine is part of the adventure of travelling with ATG

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PHOTO: MYA PADGET

This not only ensures that we eat far better than people who ‘come in off the street’, but enables us to enjoy a very wide range of local specialities during the trip, and also to cater imaginatively for those with special dietary needs.

Walking to eat

At the start of dinner each evening, it is ATG ‘style’ to tell you about the menus and wines for that evening. If there’s anything different that you would prefer, you have only to ask.

One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is enjoying a range of different regional cuisines. Part of the ATG experience is discovering the diversity of local ingredients and culinary traditions of the particular methods of cooking, and styles of restaurant. ATG trips include a wide range of different restaurants, with some of the finest and most famous in the world. Each has been carefully selected. Others are more traditional, providing excellent local cuisine, using recipes that have often become established ‘classics’ of regional cooking. Which is better? It is thrilling to eat at great restaurants – each course a revelation of sensation, aroma, texture, taste, colour and decorative design, with a superb selection of wines to match.

PHOTO: KATE WHINNEY

It is also a delight to find a small restaurant specialising in authentic local cuisine using fresh, organically grown local produce, and accompanied by the best regional wines. At ATG, whose founder/MD ‘travels to eat’ – food matters! N.B. Whilst smoking in public places is widely prohibited, in countries where it is not, we request clients not to smoke at the dinner table.

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

ATG Hotels Whether an atmospheric palace hotel in the heart of a medieval city, or an idyllically situated mountain hotel...if that’s where you arrive in the afternoon, then that’s where you stay! ATG does not ‘bus people off’ to distant ‘standard’ hotels. You should expect successive hotels to differ in character – part of the adventure of travel. Because groups are small (maximum 16 clients) ATG is accepted by many exclusive hotels that do not usually work with travel companies.

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ATG selects only the best and most characteristic hotels, conveniently situated for travellers on foot.

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Style

Accommodation ranges from 5-star ‘palace’ hotels to luxury tented camps (and even occasional one night ‘fly’ camps), to converted historic monuments, comfortable family-run hotels, and world-famous city hotels.

Information

ATG provides total transparency with regard to hotels used. Publishing hotel names, locations, star ratings and pictures along with the ATG itineraries, gives them integrity. It also enables clients who require more information to check hotels on the internet.

France • Gordes Les Bories HHHHH Classic Provence

Italy • Norcia Palazzo Seneca HHHH

Unknown Umbria, Flowers of Umbria

Italy • Gaiole Castello di Spaltenna HHHH

Italy • Bagno Vignoni Le Terme HHH

Italy • Monteriggioni Pieve a Castello Residenza d’Epoca

Italy • Urbino San Domenico HHHH

Siena, Chianti & Florence

Exclusive Tuscany trips

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Southern Tuscan Trail

Paths to Urbino

Italy • Palermo Villa Igiea HHHHH

Italy • Siena Grand Hotel Continental HHHHH

France • St Hippolyte Hôtel Le Parc HHHH

Spain • Deia La Residencia HHHHH

Best of Western Sicily

Tuscan Trail, Southern Tuscan Trail

Classic Alsace

Mallorca: Mountains & Sea

Italy • Venice Danieli HHHHH

Italy • Madonna di Campiglio BioHotel Hermitage HHHH

Portugal • Sintra Palácio de Seteais HHHHH

Italy • Positano Punta Regina HHHH

Secret Venice

Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites

Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

Amalfi Coast

France • Near Sainte-Enemie Château de la Caze HHHH

Italy • Assisi Nun Relais HHHHH

France • Domme L’Esplanade HHH

Flowers of the Cévennes

Way to Assisi

Italy • Ferentillo Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle Residenza d’Epoca

Italy • Monteriggioni Hotel Monteriggioni HHHH

Italy • Sovana Sovana Hotel & Resort HHHH

Spain • Peramola Can Boix HHHH

Italy • Oliena Su Gologone HHHH

Tuscan Trail

Unknown Tuscany

Unknown Catalunya

Unknown Sardinia

Unknown Umbria, Flowers of Umbria

Classic Dordogne

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

Choosing a Trip: Grades & Fitness Walk as much or as little as you like

Fitness Quiz: how fit are you?

What distinguishes all ATG Escorted walking trips is that you can genuinely walk as much or as little as you like: This is made possible because escorted trips are accompanied by a trained ATG Tour Leader and Tour Manager dedicated to the specific trip – with a deluxe ATG minibus (or two) – so that all participants have a range of walking options.

To assess your level of fitness in relation to the various trips, you may find it helpful to complete this quiz:

On all ATG trips each day’s itinerary includes ‘the best that the area has to offer’ along a route, with easier and tougher sections of walking, and a range of interests, many of them outstanding (see pages 14-15). ATG’s service, support and experience are unique.

Grades Trips are allocated Grades 2-5 according to terrain and length of walk. The Fitness Quiz (right) may help you determine which Grade of trip is right for you. Grades '+’: A grade followed by a ‘+’ sign indicates that it is a slightly higher grade than – say 2, but not as tough as 3. 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. The Tour Leader will tell you every evening about the following day’s walking. You can then discuss this further with him/her if you wish – and decide what you would like to do.

Grade 1: Gentle terrain, walking along good paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with a few short, usually gentle, ascents/descents (Fitness Quiz score 10+)

Grade 2: Walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces, and open meadows. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour (Fitness Quiz score 20+)

Grade 3: Walking along a variety of paths, some stony in places, with ascents/descents of 1 to 2 hours (Fitness Quiz score 30+)

Grade 4: Walking along a variety of paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/ descents of 2-3 hours (Fitness Quiz score 40+)

Grade 5: Challenging walking with a variety of terrain, some long days, and/or long ascents and descents (Fitness Quiz score 45+)

1. When you hurry/run to answer the telephone are you... a) Able to carry on a normal conversation. b)Slightly out of breath, but able to speak normally. c) Pausing between phrases to ‘catch your breath’. d)You never hurry/run to answer the phone.

5. After 15 minutes of fast walking to catch the last train, how long does it take to ‘get your breath back’ and for your heart to stop pounding? a) 1 minute. b)2 minutes. c) 4 minutes. d)You would rather miss the last train than hurry to catch it.

2. Do you... a) Run, or bound upstairs. 6. Do you enjoy the challenge of b)Walk quickly/easily walking/cycling upstairs. (slowly) uphill... c) Walk slowly/steadily upstairs. a) For 3 hours. d)Take the lift/elevator. b)For 2 hours. c) For 1 hour. 3. When travelling, d)You avoid walking without time uphill whenever constraints, in your possible. nearest city or town do you... a) Walk whenever 7. After prolonged possible. physical exertion (say b)Use public transport a 10 mile walk, a 15 and walk. mile cycle ride, or the c) Drive, circling until you equivalent) do you find a parking place feel... close to your a) Ready to enjoy destination, then walk. other/social activity. d)Take a taxi door to b)Ready for a nap. door. c) In need of a day or two to recover. 4. Do you enjoy d)Determined never to walking/cycling... repeat the experience. a) More than 10 miles a day. b)5–10 miles a day. c) 1–4 miles a day. d)You never walk unless you have to. To Score: a) = 9 b) = 6 c) = 3 d) = 0 Your total score will give an indication of the trips that might suit you best (see Grades page 13).

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

Trips by Grade, Length, Mileage

G = Grade L = Trip length (days) M = Total miles G

ORIGINAL JOURNEYS

Classic Provence

2-3

DISCOVERING EUROPE

Path to Rome

3 - 5 8/15/22 225

Camino de Santiago

3-4

116

Unknown Catalunya

2-3

Vintage Ways to Porto

3-4

Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites

2-3

Hungary: the Danube Bend Classic Alsace Classic Dordogne

2 - 2+

Land of Piero della Francesca

2-3

Across the Cévennes

3+ - 4

Padula & Northern Calabria

3-4

Unknown Basilicata

3-4

Across the Alps Alto Teruel

3-4

Secret Venice

Cortina & the Dolomites

2-3

The Aeolian Isles

Paths to Barolo

2-3

Best of Western Sicily

20 / S

Paths to Urbino Siena, Chianti & Florence Tuscan Trail

2-3

Best of Eastern Sicily

1-2

20 / S

3 - 3+

Unknown Sardinia

Flowers of the Cévennes

Flowers of the Brenta Dolomites

2-3

Flowers of Umbria

1-2

Way to Assisi

2 - 3+

Flowers of the Gargano

1-2

Assisi Christmas

2 - 3+

Unknown Umbria

3-4

Southern Tuscan Trail Unknown Tuscany

Southern Lakes Mallorca: Mountains & Sea

2-3

Tuscan Gardens

4 - 4+

Siena and the Palio

1-2

All other Pieve trips

1-3

2-3

Amalfi Coast

Gargano Peninsula

Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea Western Crete

PIEVE A CASTELLO

DISCOVERING WORLDWIDE

60 / S 60 / S

3-4

The Hills of Southwest India

2-3

Srinagar & Ladakh

3-4

Bhutan

2-3

60 / S

Sri Lanka

2-3

40 / S

China: The Western Silk Road

2-3

45 / S

Oman

2-3

36 / S

Chile

2 - 3+

39 / S

* Very flexible itineraries to suit all walking abilities S = Walking and sightseeing F = Walking and flower-seeking

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

World-Class Interests The benchmark against which assessments on this chart have been measured is ‘World Class’ – ‘as good as it gets’. Who decides? You do!

highly discerning people who travel with ATG each year – together with the feedback from ATG Tour Consultants. This information is meticulously recorded in the ATG Quality system, and actioned daily, to ensure continual improvement.

The purpose of this chart is not a marketing exercise! It is simply to share client feedback, so that expectations relate to reality.

The strength of this chart is that it represents a fairly wide consensus of opinion; its weakness is that assessments are made by trip, and on any trip every day will have different features (hotels for example) so the assessment represents an indication or summary.

With a range of travel information available on the internet – some of it accurate, some of it grossly misleading, there seems to be value in recording a distillation of the actual views of the several thousand

Birds

Wildlife

Geology

Historic

Art

Architecture

Environment*

Camino de Santiago

Hungary: the Danube Bend

7 7

Cultural s

Flowers

Path to Rome

ORIGINAL JOURNEYS

Classic Alsace

N/A

Classic Dordogne

Across the Cévennes

N/A

Across the Alps

N/A

Alto Teruel

9 10

Cortina & the Dolomites

N/A

Paths to Barolo

Paths to Urbino

Siena, Chianti & Florence

Tuscan Trail

9 10

Southern Tuscan Trail

Unknown Tuscany

10 9

Way to Assisi

Assisi Christmas

Unknown Umbria

Southern Lakes

9 10

Mallorca: Mountains & Sea

9 8

N/A

Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

Amalfi Coast

9 7

N/A

9 8

Gargano Peninsula

N/A

Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea

Western Crete

s Cultural: interaction with local people *Environment: success of operation within ATG standards of Conservation and Sustainable Development.

6 – Good 1 – Very Poor

Walking

7 – Very Good 2 – Poor

Scenery

8 – Excellent 3 – Disappointing

Wine area

9 – Outstanding 4 – Below Average

Restaurants

10 – World Class 5 – Satisfactory OK

Hotels

Rating:

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Flowers

Birds

Wildlife

Geology

Cultural s

Historic

Environment*

Walking

Architecture

Scenery

N/A

Art

Restaurants

Unknown Catalunya

Wine area

Hotels

Classic Provence

DISCOVERING EUROPE

Vintage Ways to Porto

N/A

Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites

9 8

N/A

Land of Piero della Francesca

Padula & Northern Calabria

Unknown Basilicata

N/A

The Aeolian Isles

N/A

Best of Western Sicily

Best of Eastern Sicily

9 7

6 9

Secret Venice

Flowers of the Brenta Dolomites

Flowers of Umbria

10 8

Flowers of the Gargano

N/A

All other Pieve trips

Hotels

Restaurants

The Hills of Southwest India

Srinagar & Ladakh

Bhutan

DISCOVERING WORLDWIDE

Environment*

Architecture

Art

Historic

Cultural s

Geology

Wildlife

Birds

Flowers

Walking

Siena & the Palio

Scenery

Tuscan Gardens

PIEVE A CASTELLO

Wine area

Environment*

N/A

Architecture

Art

Historic

Cultural s

9 10

Geology

Wildlife

Birds

Flowers

Walking

Scenery

Wine area

Restaurants

Hotels

Unknown Sardinia Flowers of the Cévennes

N/A

9 10

N/A

10 9

Sri Lanka

N/A

10 9

China: The Western Silk Road

Oman

Chile

N/A

s Cultural: interaction with local people *Environment: success of operation within ATG standards of Conservation and Sustainable Development.

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The best way to see a country is on foot

Great Historic Routes The inspiration for ATG came from its founder, Christopher Whinney, when walking from London to Rome in 1976. ~ Since then ATG has researched and re-established many hundreds of miles of ancient routes throughout Europe. The fascination of these historic and prehistoric routes, is not just walking in the footsteps of millions of others; but the progressive diversity of terrain, variation in climate, seasons, history, traditions, culture and cuisine that combine to make such journeys simply the most momentous, memorable and enjoyable experiences available. Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two most historic routes are to Rome and to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.

Path to Rome Europe’s most historic journey on foot, available in three week-long stages, walking through idyllic landscapes of central Italy in the footsteps of millions…. The route abounds with ‘world-class’ historic monuments and interests, via a wide variety of terrain: from limestone Tuscan hills with vineyards and olive groves; to volcanic crater lakes; forests, plateaux and plains; and – inevitably – urban walking on the last day into Rome.

8, 15 or 22 DAY TRIP Destination airports: Pisa (Sections 1 & 2) Rome Fiumicino (Section 3) u Continuous route u Fitness: Grade 3 - 5 (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 17 u Shortest/longest walk: 4.5/8.5 hours u

ITINERARY TUSCAN HILLS Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we travel by road (1.5 hrs) to the hill town of San Gimignano, ‘the medieval Manhattan’ with its famous towers. Day 2 Morning in San Gimignano before crossing the Tuscan hills to the walled hill town of Colle di Val d’Elsa (8.7 miles, 4.5 hours). Day 3 Paths across open farmland and through woods lead to the high village of Monteriggioni, encircled by walls with 14 watch-towers (11.6 miles, 6 hours). Day 4 Ancient routes through forest and farmland bring us to Siena, the best-preserved great medieval city in Europe (11.8 miles, 6.5 hours). Day 5 Free day in Siena. Day 6 We walk south, following paths across open hills, with long views and outstanding spring flowers, to Vescovado di Murlo (12 miles, 6 hours). Day 7 After visiting the small Etruscan museum in Murlo, we follow a wooded valley then paths across open farmland to the vineyards of Brunello, as we walk up to the hilltop walls of Montalcino (12 miles, 6 hours). Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road (2.5 hours). For those continuing the journey: Free day in Montalcino (Day 1 of Volcanic Hills). 18

VOLCANIC HILLS

APPROACH TO ROME

Day 1 After meeting at Pisa airport, transfer by road to Montalcino (2.5 hours).

Day 1 From Rome Fiumicino airport we travel by road to Viterbo (1.5 hours).

Day 2 We walk down through vineyards to the superb abbey church of Sant’Antimo, built of alabaster and onyx, before walking up to the forested slopes of Monte Amiata (16.5 miles, 8 hours).

Day 2 Paths through oak and

Day 3 We walk to the top of Monte Amiata, an extinct volcano, then down through forest to Piancastagnaio (12.8 miles, 6.5 hours). Day 4 Tracks along low ridges with long views bring us to Acquapendente (16.8 miles, 8 hours). Day 5 We walk through the forested Monti Volsinii and emerge to enjoy views of the wide blue waters of Lake Bolsena (12.2 miles, 6 hours). Day 6 Ancient paths with lake views lead to panoramic Montefiascone (11.1 miles, 5.5 hours). Day 7 Following one of the finest paved Roman roads in Italy we cross a plateau to Viterbo, stopping at thermal springs en route (11.4 miles, 5.5 hours). Day 8 We travel by road to Rome Fiumicino airport (1.5 hours). For those continuing the journey: Free day in Viterbo (Day 1 of Approach to Rome), with optional walk to Villa Lante gardens (5.2 miles, 2.5 hours).

chestnut woods lead to a ridge, then down to the small ancient crater and Lake Vico (Lago di Vico) (9.2 miles, 4.5 hours).

Day 3 Tracks lead to

Ronciglione, after which hazel groves lead to Sutri, birthplace of Pontius Pilate, with its atmospheric amphitheatre, frescoed church of the Madonna del Parto, and Etruscan sites (9.7 miles, 4.5 hours).

Day 4 Tracks across open

country lead to Campagnano di Roma (16.9 miles, 8.5 hours).

Day 5 Quiet lanes and farm

tracks lead via an isolated pilgrim church to the necropolis of Etruscan Veio, then, still in unspoilt country, to the hilltop village of Isola Farnese, 11 miles from Rome (13.2 miles, 6.5 hours).

Day 6 Start very early and you’ll

miss most of the traffic...relatively calm once you reach the river Tiber, which then leads to the Basilica of St Peter (13.2 miles, 5 hours + optional sightseeing in Rome).

Day 7 Free day in Rome. Day 8 Transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport (1 hour).

europe’s most historic walk ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS 6

Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

Following a series of ancient roads

TERRAIN

Section 1 NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

NIGHT 3

San Gimignano Colle Val d’Elsa Monteriggioni

Hotel Leon Bianco

HHH

Bosco della Spina

HHHH NIGHT 3

Siena

Palazzo San Lorenzo

Hotel Monteriggioni

Santa Caterina

HHHH

HHH

NIGHT 6

Vescovado di Murlo

NIGHTS 4 & 5

NIGHTS 7 & 8

Montalcino

Section 2 NIGHT 1

Montalcino

NIGHT 2

Seggiano

Dei Capitani

Il Silene

HHH

NIGHT 4

Piancastagnaio Acquapendente

NIGHT 5

Bolsena

NIGHT 6

Montefiascone

San Lorenzo

Hotel Toscana

Columbus

Urbano V

HHH

HHHH

HHH

NIGHT 2

NIGHT 3

NIGHTS 7 & 8

Viterbo

Hotel Tuscia

Section 3 NIGHT 1

Viterbo

Lake Vico

Hotel Tuscia La Bella Venere Borgo di Sutri

HHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Albergo da Righetto

Tempio di Apollo

Albergo Cesari

Campagnano Isola Farnese

Sutri

Rome

HHH

HHHH

Pre-historic, Etruscan, Roman and medieval routes, now paths, farm and forest tracks. Mountains, hills and plains. The walking is reasonably demanding: there are only three free days. If you intend to walk the full route (without help from the minibuses!) you should consider the overall Grade to be 5, the highest level, due to the sheer volume of walking. You will need stamina and a reasonable degree of fitness.

All roads lead to Rome San Gimignano Colle Val d’Elsa Monterrigioni

Siena

Vescovado di Murlo Montalcino Seggiano Monte Amiata Piancastagnaio Acquapendente Bolsena Montefiascone Viterbo Ronciglione Sutri Campagnano di Roma Isola Farnese Rome ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

FOOD & WINE Range of Italian regional food and wine from the Alps to Rome! Alpine cuisine and wines of the Aosta Valley; Tuscan cooking with game, beef, lamb and some of Italy’s greatest red wines; Northern Lazio with fish, truffles and elegant white wines, and robust Roman cooking with wines to match.

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

ACCOMMODATION

A momentous journey

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Camino de Santiago 15 DAY TRIP, SPAIN

ITINERARY Day 1 We travel by road to St Jean Pied de Port, the historic meeting place for travellers crossing the Pyrenees (2.5 hrs). We stay at the centrally located 4* Hotel Les Pyrenees, with its excellent restaurant (* in the Guide Michelin). Day 2 We walk up through meadows to the Col de Lepoeder (1,398m/4,585ft), then down into Spain and the monastery of Roncesvalles (16.3 miles, 8 hours). Day 3 Travel the Camino by road to the Romanesque church of Eunate, before continuing to Puente la Reina. We then walk via Estrella towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where we stay at the historic medieval hostal adjacent to the cathedral, now the 4* Parador de Santo Domingo (4.5 miles, 2.5 hours). Day 4 We visit the cathedral of Santo Domingo, with its live cockerel and hen, and walk to the pilgrim church of San Juan de Ortega, before continuing on to Burgos (7.5 miles, 4 hours). Day 5 Free day in Burgos, to visit the magnificent cathedral etc. Day 6 We drive to Hornillos, then walk to the monastery of San Antón, before continuing to Fromista and the delightful Romanesque church of San Martín, and on to historic León (11.3 miles, 6 hours). Day 7 We visit León’s superb cathedral, then drive to the bridge at Orbigo, famous for its association with Cervantes ‘Don Quixote’, before continuing to Astorga with its Roman walls, cathedral and Gaudi Bishop’s palace. In the evening we experience an historic Maragato dinner. Day 8 We walk across the Montes de Leon and down to the village of Molinaseca. We then follow paths through vineyards leading to the isolated

church of Sant Iago with its historic Puerto del Perdon, from where we walk on to Villafranca (14.3 miles, 7 hours). Day 9 We walk from the Valcarel up to a ridge with panoramic views across Galicia, and to the village of O Cebreiro, with its Neolithic pallozas (round thatched houses) (10 miles, 5 hours). Day 10 Walk along a mountain ridge, with extensive views and down to the village of Triacastela, from where we drive a short distance to Samos, where we visit the vast monastery (13 miles, 6.5 hours). Day 11 From Sarria, we walk through farmland and stonewalled pastures, past the Romanesque church of Barbadelo, where pilgrims would be accosted by agents of innkeepers in Santiago – still a week’s walk away, and continue through farmland and stonewalled pastures, before descending to the River Minho, and crossing the ancient bridge to the village of Portomarin (14.3 miles, 7 hours). Day 12 We drive to Santa Eulalia de Boveda with its pagan temple, then walk along the original Jacobean way of the Camino del Norte to Vilar de Donas and its frescoed church (12 miles, 6 hours). We then drive on to Rua de Arca. Day 13 Walk through eucalyptus woods following the historic approach, via San Marcos, Monte de Gozo and finally into Santiago de Compostela. We stay at the historic 5* Parador, Los Reis Catolicos, superbly situated on the cathedral square (13 miles, 6.5 hours).

Arrival/departure airport: Bilbao/Santiago u Continuous route u Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 10 u Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/8 hours u

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

St Jean Pied de Port

Roncesvalles

Hotel Les Pyrenees

Hotel Roncesvalles

HHHH

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Santo Domingo

Burgos

Parador de Santo Domingo

Meson del Cid

NIGHT 6

NIGHT 7

Leon

Astorga

Parador Hostal San Marcos

Asturplaza

HHHH

HHHHH

HHH

NIGHT 8

NIGHT 9

Villafranca

O Cebreiro

Parador Villafranca del Bierzo

Hotel O Cebreiro

HHH

NIGHT 10

NIGHT 11

Samos

Portomarin

A’Veiga

La Pousada de Portomarin

HHH

NIGHT 12

NIGHTS 13 & 14

Rua de Arca

Santiago

O Pino

Parador Los Reis Catolicos

Day 14 Free day to explore Santiago de Compostela. Day 15 Transfer to Santiago de Compostela airport (30 mins).

HHH

NIGHT 3

HHHHH

ancient pilgrimage route ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: M. BENTLEY

FOOD & WINE

The best, most historic paths across northern Spain

St-J ean Bur gos Sto . Dom ing o Ron ces vall es

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

de Santia Com go pos tela

San Ar Pal tiag as d zúa o oR e Ceb i Mel li reir o Sa d rria Ast Vill org afra a nca Leó n

˚F ˚C 104 40

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

TERRAIN Established cart tracks, mule, cattle and forest paths, and dirt roads.

St Jean Pied de Port Roncesvalles Azofra Atapuerca Feet 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 6 Miles 0

Villafranca del Bierzo Feet 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Miles

Cebreiro

Day 9

Samos

Day 11 75

Metres 1525 1220 915 610 305 0

Day 8 45

Rua de Arca

Portomarin

Day 10 60

Villafranca del Bierzo

Castrojeriz Astorga

Day 12 90

This trip features Basque, Castilian and Galician cooking. The cuisine of the Basque country is vigorous and hearty. Caught, gathered or hunted in the wilds, the food’s piquant seasoning distinguishes it from other areas. Basque cuisine also includes plenty of fresh fish from the Atlantic. The Castilians are fond of sumptuous soups and stews prepared with fresh meat, sausages and vegetables which are full-bodied, wholesome and filling but never compromise on flavour. Galician food is simple, using good local ingredients to complement the robust wines of the region. This trip passes through several wine regions of note, not least La Rioja and Navarra. We try the best of the wines of these regions.

Day 13 100

105

110

Santiago Metres 1525 1220 915 610 305 0

115

En route to charming Castrojeriz

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

The best way to see a country is on foot

Hills of Central & Southern Europe Fabulous cities, some medieval, others Renaissance or Baroque, many with iconic architectural monuments and works of art. ~ Archaeological sites, their temples, theatres and artefact-filled museums â&#x20AC;&#x201C; vestiges of the roots of Western civilisation. Unfenced hillsides patterned with olive groves, vineyards, wheat, barley, vegetable plots, and punctuated by cypress trees. Fruits and vegetables, ripened by the southern sun, bursting with flavour. High forested hills rich in game and wildlife, and higher still, vast open pastures carpeted with flowers in early summer. And everywhere a relaxed southern way of life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where people sit outside and watch the world go by.

Hungary: the Danube Bend National parks, meadows, forests and small towns of the famous Danube Bend, castles and Renaissance palaces, fascinating open-air ethnographic museum, and dynamic Budapest.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Budapest airport, we transfer to the town of Esztergom (1.5 hours) on the banks of the Danube. There will be time to explore the extraordinary hilltop Basilica and wander the quiet Baroque streets of Hungary's first capital. In the evening, there will be a wine-tasting in the impressive cellars beneath the Basilica, followed by dinner in the town’s finest restaurant, the Primas Pince.

bank. A pleasant riverside stroll brings us to the attractive village of Zebegény, with its unique ‘Sezession-style’ church. From here we climb into the heart of the southern Börzsöny Hills, rich in ‘romantic’ scenery of volcanic origin. An arduous climb is rewarded with extraordinary views from a remote tower on top of the Hegyestet hill (Alt. 482m/ 1,580ft). We then descend through ancient forest to Nagymaros, where we re-cross the river on a stunning (albeit only 10 minute-long!) ferry ride, admiring the great citadel that dominates Visegrád. We stay in an attractive 4* spa hotel by the river for two nights (13.7 miles, 7 hours).

Day 2 Free morning in Esztergom, with the chance to visit the Keresztény Museum in the Archbishop’s Palace, the Basilica Treasury and the Museum of the Danube. Before lunch, we will climb out of Esztergom to the Vaskapu Hill (380m) and enjoy lunch with wonderful views over the town, the Danube and Slovakia beyond. After lunch we descend to the Fáfi-kút Well, then pass a series of picturesque fishing lakes to our riverside 4* hotel, complete with wellness centre, in the hamlet of Búbánatvölgy (6.8 miles, 3.5 hours).

Day 4 Free day in Visegrád, with opportunities to explore the town’s many highlights: the Royal Palace, Salomon Tower and the medieval citadel. The all-weather steel bob-sleigh run on Castle Hill is optional! (5.5 miles, 3 hours). Day 5 We climb past the Citadel, and head into the Pilis Hills. Quiet paths rise and fall through the woods, taking us into the heart of the Duna-Ipoly National Park. We finish our walk at the famous outdoor museum of the Skanzen, where a 10-minute drive brings us back to the shores of the

Day 3 We climb steeply through woods to a pilgrimage site with wonderful views back over the Danube Valley. Our route then descends to the ferry crossing at Basaharc, where we cross the Danube to the town of Szob on the great river’s left Feet 3000 2000 1000 0

Miles 0

Skanzen

Day 2 5

Day 3 10

Day 4 20

Day 5 30

Day 6 35

Metres 915 610 305 0

8 DAY TRIP, HUNGARY u

Destination airport: Budapest

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/7 hours

Danube and our attractive 4* hotel hidden in a quiet corner of Szentendre (11.8 miles, 5.5 hours). Day 6 Morning free to take in the picturesque sights of Szentendre. Renowned for its characteristic 18th and 19th century buildings, and relaxed ‘southern’ atmosphere, the town has for almost a century attracted artists and artisans – and with them workshops, galleries, exhibitions, and excellent museums. Following our free morning, we will return by ATG minibus to the Skanzen (the open-air Ethnographic Museum), which contains over 400 houses representing the various architectural styles of Hungary’s regions. After a traditional Hungarian lunch (!), there will be time to wander through the vast site, and then there will be an optional (3 mile) walk back to Szentendre, where we spend our second night at the 4* Bükkös Hotel. Day 7 We travel by boat to enjoy a dramatic approach to the architectural and cultural gem that is Hungary’s capital – Budapest, and explore some of the highlights of the city. Day 8 We return to Budapest airport by road (30 minutes). Extend your trip: We highly recommend you extend your stay to explore fascinating Budapest.

a unique insight ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wide views over the majestic Danube River

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

Esztergom

Búbánatvölgy

Esztergom

10 miles

Skanzen

Hotel Bellevue

NIGHTS 3 & 4

NIGHTS 5 & 6

Visegrád

Szentendre

HHHH

Budapest

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Hotel Visegrád

HHHH

Bükkös Hotel NIGHT 7

HHHH

Budapest

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus

HHHHH

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

FOOD & WINE

Visegrád

Szentendre

Portobello Wellness Hotel

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

River Danube

Búbánatvölgy Nagymaros

Wildlife

Whilst Budapest is enjoying a sort of culinary Renaissance, in more remote areas Hungarian staples remain traditional and meat-based, featuring soups, stews and stuffed cabbage. Puddings: layered pastries, dumplings, fried dough and cakes with a variety of sweet toppings. There are many excellent Hungarian wines slowly emerging. Locals also enjoy palinka – fruited brandies unique to this area; and unicum, a dark brown bitter containing over 40 herbs. Not for the faint-hearted!

TERRAIN Established forest and mountain paths, meadows, wooden valleys, stream and river paths.

Footnotes The magnificent

cathedral of Esztergom is the largest building in Hungary. This early 19th century Neo-classical structure, built on earlier foundations, is impressive not just for its size, its Ancient Egyptianstyle crypt, its marble Bakocz Chapel adorned with Tuscan Renaissance motifs, and its status as the finest Renaissance building in Hungary: In a country where much of its architectural heritage has been destroyed by invaders, whether Genghis Khan’s Mongols or Ottoman Turks, this basilica, the world’s 18th largest church, seems even more outstanding. Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Classic Alsace The most picturesque villages in France set in vineyards with the forested Vosges hills as a backdrop. Great walking, hotels, food and wine.

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE u

Destination airport: Basel-Mulhouse

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 4/8 hours

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at BaselMulhouse airport we travel by road (1 hour 20 mins) to the outstandingly picturesque small town of Obernai, with its narrow streets, ancient houses and delightful main square. We stay at the 4* Hôtel Le Parc, a fine period building in the town centre.

Day 4 Paths through vineyards and forested hills lead to the small town of Ribeauvillé, famous for its Traniber and Riesling wines. After exploring the town, we continue through woods and vineyards to the village of Riquewihr, with its perfectly preserved streets of ancient houses (12.4 miles, 6 hours). Day 5 After ascending through woods we reach a ridge with fine views, which we follow until lunch. We then descend and follow farm tracks to Lapoutroie, set amongst meadows (12.2 miles, 6.5 hours).

Day 2 We walk to explore the delightful little town of Obernai, then drive 15 minutes to the wooded hills of the Vosges, and walk to the picturesque convent of Mont Ste Odile, with panoramic views across the Rhine Valley, before returning for a second night in Obernai (9.6 miles, 5 hours).

Day 6 Free day in Lapoutroie (1,145ft) with an optional walk up through pastures (to 3,995ft), where we follow a ridge to ‘cirques’ with lakes and meet the Tour Manager for a lakeside lunch. We then continue to Gazon de Faing (4,267ft) (8 miles, 4 hours).

Day 3 We drive 20 minutes to the walled village of Dambachla-Ville, its fortified gateways and towers set amongst vineyards. We visit its streets of ancient houses then follow paths through vineyards across a small valley and walk up to the landmark Castle of Koenigsbourg, before descending through forest to the village of St Hippolyte, set amongst vineyards against the wooded hills. Our hotel is set amongst vineyards (13.2 miles, 6.5 hours).

Riquewihr

Day 4 30

St. Hippolyte

Hôtel Le Parc

HHHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHTS 5 & 6

Riquewihr

Lapoutroie

Hôtel Le Schoenenbourg

Hôtel les Alisiers

HHH

NIGHT 7

Le Chambard

HHHH

Day 8 Return to BaselMulhouse airport (1 hour). If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information. Lapoutroie

Day 6 45

NIGHT 3

Obernai

Kaysersberg

Lapoutroie

Day 5

NIGHTS 1 & 2

HHH

Day 7 We walk up through meadows and small villages to a medieval sanctuary, before descending along an ancient pilgrim path to historic Turckheim. After visiting the village we follow paths across the hills to the small picturesque town of Kaysersberg, set amongst renowned vineyards (10.3 miles, 5 hours). We enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel's 2* Michelin restaurant.

St Hippolyte Feet Mittelbergheim Obernai Dambach-la-ville 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2 Day 3 Miles 0

ACCOMMODATION

Kaysersberg

Day 7 55

Metres 1220 915 610 305 0

walking, gastronomy & wine ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 9

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

10 Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

N/A 9

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

The perfectly preserved village of Riquewihr Obernai Ottrott

Dambach-La-Ville 5

10 miles

Le Bonhomme

St. Hippolyte

Turckheim

300

68 20

250

58 15

200

50 10

150

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Riquewihr

Orbey

Colmar

350

77 25

Ribeauvillé

Kaysersberg

Lapoutroie

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

86 30

Mont Sainte-Odile

˚F ˚C 95 35

0 -5

Alsace is famous for its cuisine, and the area visited has the greatest concentration of highquality restaurants in Europe. These offer a range of different styles of cuisine from robust country cooking to Michelin haute cuisine. The walking is great – with food and wine to match!

TERRAIN Farm and forest tracks through vineyards, forests and high meadows. Quiet lanes through picturesque villages, and pilgrimage routes.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

© been grown in the Vosgean piedmont since Roman times. Today, Alsatian wines are some of France’s most distinctive. Alsace’s vineyards produce over 150 million bottles of wine a year, of which 90% is white – the region supplies over 18% of France’s total production of still white wine. Wines from Alsace are named for their grape variety; perhaps the best-known of these is Riesling. Other important varieties are Gerwürztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Muscat d’Alsace, and Pinot Gris. Pinot Noir is the only Alsatian grape used to make reds and rosés. There are three Alsatian Appellations d’Origine

Controlées: Alsace AOC for standard whites, reds and rosés; Crémant d'Alsace AOC, for sparkling wines; and Alsace Grand Cru AOC, reserved for wines made from grapes from particular terroirs (vineyards), some of which

you will pass through. The economy and culture of this region is closely tied to the business of wine-making, and many of the impressive buildings were built with wine-making riches.

PHOTO: MYA PADGET

Footnotes Grape vines have

Picturesque valleys and some of France’s finest vineyards

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Classic Dordogne Easy paths from cliffside, medieval Rocamadour, to the imposing castles overlooking the Dordogne River, to prehistoric dwellings and paintings around Les Eyzies. Great Périgord cuisine.

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Toulouse airport we travel by road (2 hours) to the Lot region and small village of Lacave, at the confluence of the rivers Ouysse and Dordogne.

Day 5 After descending to the valley, paths lead along the river to the impressive castle of Castelnaud (visit, with superb view from the terrace). We then cross the river to explore the delightful gardens of Marqueyssac before continuing to Beynac with its crag-top castle high above the river. There is an independent option of making this day’s journey by canoe from Cenac, below Domme, to Beynac. From Beynac, a short drive brings us to a farm idyllically situated in a quiet valley, where we stay (8.6 miles, 4 hours).

Day 2 We walk through impressive scenery of gorges to the cliffside medieval pilgrim village of Rocamadour, famous in the Middle Ages for its black Madonna (8.4 miles, 4 hours). After visiting the village there is an optional excursion (3.5 miles) through the Alzou Gorge to a ruined mill. Return to Lacave by road. Day 3 Opportunity to visit the Lacave caves, where a mile-long return walk leads through a series of caverns, with finecoloured concretions reflected in pools and underground lakes. We then travel by road to Grolgeac on the Dordogne, and walk up onto a plateau with extensive views and to the ancient walled town of Domme, perched high on a cliff, enjoying panoramic views across the Dordogne Valley (7.6 miles, 4 hours).

Lacave

Day 7 Free day in Les Eyzies, with opportunities to visit numerous local attractions, or optional walk to Roque St Christophe, a rock shelter inhabited from prehistoric times to the 19th century (6 miles, 2.5 hours). Return by road.

Feet 2000 1000 0 Miles 0

Grolgeac

Day 2 5

Domme

Day 3 10

Day 4 15

Day 5 25

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 2+ (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/4 hours

NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Lacave

Domme

Pont de L’Ouysse

L’Esplanade

HHH

NIGHT 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Meyrals

Les Eyzies-de-Tayac

La Ferme Lamy

Hôtel Les Glycines

HHH

HHHH

If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Les Eyzies

Day 6 30

Day 8 Transfer to Toulouse airport (2.5 hours).

Beynac Meyrals

Domme

Destination airport: Toulouse

ACCOMMODATION

Day 6 Paths lead up into hills, then down to the Beune Valley, and site of the prehistoric settlement of Cap Blanc, with relief carvings of bison and horses. We then walk through woods and across farmland up to the picturesque village of Sireuil, before descending to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac (7.7 miles, 4 hours).

Day 4 Morning visit to Sarlatla-Canéda's old town, with its picturesque streets and fine houses. Free afternoon in Domme, or optional walk in the hills above Sarlat (6 miles, 3 hours).

Roque St. Christophe

Day 7 optional 40

Metres 610 305 0

rivers, caves, castles and gastronomy ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Beynac, with its crag-top castle high above the river ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Les Eyzies

Meyrals Beynac Domme

Lacave

Rocamadour

Gramat

15 miles

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Périgord has the reputation for being the leading gastronomic area of France since the Middle Ages. The rich alluvial soils of the valleys are perfect for growing a multitude of crops, while the rivers supply a variety of fish. The area is also renowned for foie gras and truffles. We enjoy superb cuisine throughout, including meals at Michelinrecommended restaurants. Interesting wines from Cahors, Bergerac and Bordeaux.

TERRAIN Cart and woodland tracks, farm and country roads, foot and mule paths along valleys. Some asphalt on minor roads.

Footnotes Les Eyzies-de-Tayac,

with its many prehistoric cave dwellings and artefacts, is often called the ‘Capital of Prehistory’. Finds in this region date mostly from the Palaeolithic Age – about two million to ten thousand years ago. It was during this long period that Man gradually developed the vertical stance and the use of weapons and tools such as worked flints for blades. Skeletons of people have been found upon which theories about the stages of Man’s evolution have been based. One such ‘race’ was CroMagnon Man, named after the cave in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac where, in 1868, three skeletons

were found. These people were about 6 feet tall, confounding the theory that ‘cave men’ were all squat and ape-like. Other skeletons have been discovered of animals that no longer exist in Europe: lions, tigers, elephants

and rhinoceros, and some species that don’t exist at all, such as mammoths. These animals are often the subject of cave paintings (some of which can be visited), with astonishing anatomical precision, perspective and sense of movement.

Breathtaking historic art

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Across the Cévennes High forested hills, magnificent gorges and open rolling plateaux carpeted by flowers in early summer. Eagles and griffon vultures, plunging caverns, and excellent country cooking, everything that eluded R L Stevenson and his donkey!

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Montpellier airport we travel by road to Ganges (1 hour) and our hotel in a peaceful setting next to the River Hérault.

head of the Jonte Gorge (10.4 miles, 6 hours). Day 5 We walk up from Meyrueis, via panoramic views over the Jonte River, onto the undulating, limestone Causse de Mejean (1,150m/3,773ft), to visit the beautiful, astonishing Aven Armand cave, 100 metres below the causse. (6.9 miles, 3.5 hours). Afternoon free to enjoy the hotel or explore Meyrueis.

Day 2 From Ganges, we follow a ridge with fine views across low hills of the Cévenol countryside before descending through woods to Pont d’Hérault, picturesquely sited at the confluence of the Rivers Hérault and Arre (8.8 miles, 4.5 hours).

Day 6 From Aven Armand we continue our walk across the inspiring landscapes of the vast, open moorland plateau of the Causse de Méjean, then descend into the splendid scenery of the Tarn Gorge, and Le Rozier (405m/1,328ft), which lies at the confluence of the Tarn and Jonte Rivers (14 miles, 7 hours).

Day 3 Enthusiastic walkers start early for a challenging day of walking. A steep (then steady) ascent through woods and pastures is rewarded with spectacular views across the Cévennes National Park. After lunch we follow tracks through woods and meadows to the mountain village of L’Espérou (1,230m/4,035ft), at the foot of Mont Aigoual. The full walk is 15 miles/8 hours, but there are opportunities to shorten this significantly.

Day 7 We walk up through pine and oak forests to the plateau of the Causse Noir (929m/3,047ft). Easy paths then take us through forests, farmland and the extraordinary rock formations for which the Causse Noir is renowned. We then descend through cherry orchards into the fertile Tarn Valley, and on to our chateau hotel with excellent restaurant, just outside Millau (370m/1,214ft) (14.7 miles, 8 hours).

Day 4 After a steep start on a rocky path, we climb gently through woods. We then follow paths through forests of beech trees, and grassy tracks lead us along a ridge with wonderful views, before descending on easy paths through woods and fields, to our 4* hotel in a peaceful setting just outside Meyrueis (710m/2,330ft), at the

Feet Ganges Pont d'Hérault 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2

Day 3

Miles 0

L‘Espérou

Meyrueis

Destination airport: Montpellier

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3+ - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3.5/8 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

Ganges

Pont d'Hérault

Hôtel les Norias

Chez Maurice

HHH

NIGHT 3

NIGHTS 4 & 5

L’Espérou

Meyrueis

Hôtel le Touring

Château d’Ayres

HHHH

NIGHT 6

NIGHT 7

Le Rozier

Millau

Grand Hôtel de la Muse

Château de Creissels

HHH

Day 8 Return by road to Montpellier airport (1.5 hours).

Day 4 20

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE

Aven Armand

Millau

Day 6

Day 5 35

Le Rozier

Metres 1830 1535 1220 915 610 305 0

Day 7 50

Astonishing Aven Armand cave, deep below the Causse de Méjean

the most exhilarating walk in france ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Cultural

Wine area

Scenery

10 History

Walking

10 Art

Flowers

10 Architecture N/A

Birds

7 N/A

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE Lamb from the causses, venison and wild mushrooms from the Cévennes, trout from streams and wide variety of cheeses including the famous Roquefort. Cuisine ranges from country cooking of a high standard to regional style with robust local dishes using aromatic herbs. Good wines from the Hérault Valley and Languedoc region like Faugères and St. Chinian; noteworthy wines from the Aveyron such as Marcillac.

Breathtaking views across the Cévennes National Park

GORGES DU TARN Le Rozier

Aven Armand

TERRAIN

Meyrueis GORGES DE LA JONTE L‘Espérou

Millau

Pont d’Hérault Ganges 0

10 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Forest, mule, sheep and farm tracks and quiet country lanes. Rocky paths on two days. High forested hills of the Cévennes and open rolling plateaux of the causses with sparse pastures and scrub intersected by dramatic gorges.

Footnotes Walking with

(‘driving’) donkeys – i.e. ‘muleteering’ – has a long history in the Cévennes. Until the late 19th century it was one of Meyrueis’s main sources of income. It was also in 1878 that Robert Louis Stevenson published an account that made him a precursor of walking and camping holidays: as a therapy following the end of his relationship with Fanny Vandegrift Osbourne (whom he would later marry), he walked 120 miles (his itinerary is now GR70, east of Mont Aigoual) in the company of stubborn donkey Modestine, an experience he retraced in one of his early

works, ‘Travels With a Donkey in the Cévennes’. An extract: For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more clearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilization, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints. Alas, as we get up in life, and are more preoccupied with our affairs, even a holiday is a

thing that must be worked for. To hold a pack upon a pack-saddle against a gale out of the freezing north is no high industry, but it is one that serves to occupy and compose the mind. And when the present is so exacting who can annoy himself about the future?

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Across the Alps Fine mountain walking following the most historic route across the high Alps. Good paths, including ancient Roman road, comfortable accommodation and good mountain cuisine.

5 DAY TRIP, SWITZERLAND / ITALY Destination airport: Geneva u Continuous route u Fitness: Grade 4+ (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 4 u Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/7 hours u

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Geneva airport we travel by road to the picturesque village of Sembrancher with its wooden houses and medieval atmosphere (1 hr 45 mins), from where we follow an ancient route up to Champex, where we spend the night (5 or 7.4 miles, 2.5 or 4 hours).

Day 3 We follow the ancient route used for millennia through the ‘Col des Morts’ up to the Great St Bernard Pass. After visiting the historic Augustinian canonry (and dogs!) we cross into Italy and follow the Roman road down to the small village of Saint-Rhémy (12.3 miles, 6 hours).

Day 2 We follow the river valley through woods and past waterfalls to the mountain village of Bourg St Pierre, where we stay (8.9 miles, 5 hours).

Day 4 We follow paths on down, following the valley, with flower-filled meadows, to the Roman town of Aosta (13.7 miles, 7 hours).

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

Champex-Lac

Hôtel du Glacier

HHH

NIGHT 2

Bourg Saint Pierre

Day 5 Return to Geneva via the Mont Blanc tunnel (2.5 hours).

Hôtel du Crêt

NIGHT 3

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Hôtel des Alpes

HHH

NIGHT 4

Aosta

Sembrancher

Note: Come prepared for ‘mountain weather’, which is extremely changeable and can be very cold, even in summer.

Champex Orsieres Bourg St Pierre

HHH Aosta

Sembrancher Feet

Day 1

Hôtel Turin

Day 2

Saint-Rhemy

Day 3

Day 4

an historic mountain walk ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 6

Wildlife

Geology

Cultural

Wine area

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

8 N/A 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Over the top – the Great St Bernard Pass Hours 400

˚F ˚C 104 40 Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Hearty mountain cuisine: fondues, raclettes, sausages, roasted meats, fried potatoes, casseroles, vegetable soups and omelettes. Chocolate! The area is not renowned for its viticulture, however there are some increasingly interesting wines being grown in the Aosta Valley, which we will sample.

TERRAIN Well-made mountain paths, forest tracks and ways across open mountain meadows. The walking is challenging due to ascents and descents but the paths are good.

Ways across open mountain meadows

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Alto Teruel Undiscovered Spain – high hills, inspiring views, flower-filled meadows, eagles, picturesque villages.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Valencia airport we travel by road (2 hours) to Iglesuela del Cid, a small village with finely preserved casa palacios dating from the 16th-18th centuries.

casa palacios (10.1 miles, 5.5 hours). A short transfer takes us to our hotel in the nearby village of La Cuba. Day 5 La Cuba to Forcall: Ancient paths lead up through scrub forest and to a pilgrim track – and on to the chapel of San Cristóbal, with fine views of our destination, Forcall. Forcall is noted for its fine plaza mayor and Renaissance porticos with two 16th century palacios (11.5 miles, 6 hours).

Day 2 Iglesuela del Cid to Cantavieja: From Iglesuela, we cross open sierra and stony pastures with wide views to Cantavieja (pr. Canta-ve-yea-ha), sited on a high outcrop of rock, its medieval walls enclosing a Baroque church (18C), municipal buildings dating from the 15th century, a medieval castle and a beautiful 14th century Templar church, San Miguel. We stay at a comfortable ‘spa’ hotel for two nights (11.4 miles, 6 hours).

Day 6 Forcall to Morella: Paths lead up to the top of one of the most famous muelas in the Alto Maestrazgo, the Garumba, from where we enjoy wonderful views of Morella (pr. Mor-rey-ya) – which we enter through one of the four medieval gates (10.7 miles, 5.5 hours).

Day 3 Circular walk around Cantavieja: Time for exploring Cantavieja, its porticoed Plaza de Cristo Rey and fine views. Optional walk to a viewpoint offering a panorama of the area (9.6 miles, 5 hours).

Day 7 Free day in Morella: Morella is enclosed within 1.5 miles of 14th century walls with 14 towers and four gateways, and dominated by ruins of its 12th century castle, 14th century aqueduct; Basilica de Santa María la Mayor (1330) with carved portals; Monastery of San Francisco with fine 13th century cloister and museum. Optional walk to the picturesque village of Chiva (4.2 miles, 2.5-3 hours).

Day 4 Cantavieja to Mirambel: We cross the valley to a hermitage overlooking Cantavieja, and follow a ridge with extensive views through wild empty country, before descending to the riverside village of Mirambel – a walled Templar town fortified in the 13th century with five gates, remarkable for their carvings, a fine 17th century church and 16th century convent, and two

Feet Iglesuela del Cid 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2 Miles 0

Day 8 Return to Valencia airport by road (2 hours).

Mirambel

Cantavieja

Day 3 10

Day 4 20

La Cuba

Morella Metres 1830 1535 1220 915 610 305 0 Day 6

Forcall

Day 5 30

8 DAY TRIP, SPAIN u

Destination airport: Valencia

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 5.5/7.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHTS 2 & 3

Iglesuela del Cid

Cantavieja

Casa Amada

Hotel Balfagon & Spa

HHHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

La Cuba

Forcall

El Canton Rural

Palau dels Osset

HHH

HHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Morella

Cardenal Ram

HHH

TERRAIN Farm tracks, some rocky cart and drove roads, and mountainous paths. Low, green table-top hills, with rises and valleys, followed by climbs and descents to walled towns and villages.

the least-known area of spain ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

The most sparsely populated and least-known area of Spain 104 40

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Morella Forcall 0

10 miles

Cantavieja

Mirambel

Iglesuela del Cid

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

The area’s cuisine is a blend of local traditions and homegrown ingredients, ranging from jamon Serrano (cured and thinly sliced ‘mountain ham’), and chilindron (spicy tomato & vegetable sauce); to game, stuffed peppers, fish and tender roast lamb, served with cochifrito, an onion, garlic and paprika sauce. Teruel is not known for refined wines, however it produces some very drinkable table wines – strong, basic and ‘interesting’! More sophisticated wines are from the nearby Rioja and Penedas regions.

Footnotes In the 12th century

these hills became a natural frontier between Muslims and Christians, with their fortified towns perched on easily defensible crags and their narrow passes. To the Christians, if these hills could be wrested from their enemies, then the rich coastal ports were in reach and the Maestrazgo could be fortified, populated and act as a bulwark against Almohad offensives into the recently recaptured tracts of northern Spain. Such strategic importance meant that some important struggles were to take place for the region. The first action was in the 11th century when Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, el Cid (his nickname

means master and was given by the Arabs) Campeador swept through the Maestrazgo on his epic raid on Valencia. This warlord and soldier of fortune with his private army, his beautiful wife, Doña Jimena, and his legendary horse Babieca, carved himself a

separate dominion by conquering Valencia which he held from 1094 until his death in battle against the Moors in 1099. Again he only passed through the Maestrazgo, storming Morella in 1084 as he did, but his legacy is left in the name of the town of Iglesuela del Cid.

Strategic hilltop towns: Morella

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Cortina & the Dolomites Paths through majestic mountain scenery of towering peaks, lakes and flower-rich meadows from the Südtirol, to the delightful (and fashionable!) Cortina d’Ampezzo.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 Travel by road from Venice (3 hours) to the Alto Adige/Südtirol. We stay for two nights at a characteristic mountain hotel, with a notable restaurant, situated remotely in high meadows, surrounded by idyllic mountain scenery.

Day 5 From the Tre Croci we take the cable car to one of the highest points in the Dolomites (2,932m/9,602ft) to enjoy panoramic views of the mountain range. After descending and a picnic in a tranquil meadow, we then follow picturesque paths beneath the peaks of the Faloria, before descending to Cortina, where we stay at a 4* hotel with renowned restaurant, its facade of flower-filled window-boxes forming a wall of colour in a quiet central piazza (1,211m/ 3,966ft) (3 miles, 2.5 hours).

Day 2 We follow a path through open mountain meadows, ascending along a high grassy First World War military road to the Strudelkopf (2,303m/7,555ft), from where there are panoramic views of the Dolomites. We then follow paths to a mountain refuge before returning to the hotel (4.5 miles, 4 hours).

Day 6 We drive (30 minutes) to 2,320m/7,598ft and walk following well made paths through the majestic scenery of the Tre Cime, and after lunch at a refuge/restaurant with spectacular views of the three towering peaks we return by the same easy route, or by a more challenging circuit of the Tre Cime massif through high mountain meadows (3.5 miles, 4.5 hours).

Day 3 We follow a wide track down through forest into the Popena valley (5.5 miles, 3 hours). After a picnic in meadows, an optional further walk takes us past Lake Landro, up to a malga (mountain dairy) and down to Lake Misurina (1,793m/5,872ft), where we stay at a 4* lakeside hotel for two nights (4.5 miles, 3.5 hours).

Day 7 Free day in Cortina (good shopping!). Optional halfday excursion, ascending by cable car for a circular walk around a wide grassy bowl in the mountains punctuated by rocky outcrops of the Cinque Torri (2,255m/7,385ft) (2 miles,

Day 4 Walk through meadows above the lake, and through forest, up to the Tre Croci pass, high above the Cortina Valley (1,860m/6,091ft) (5 miles, 4.5 hours). We return to our lakeside hotel by road (15 minutes). Feet 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

Miles 0

Alto Adige/ Südtirol

Popena Valley

Day 2

Day 3 am 5

Misurina

Day 3 pm 10

Tre Croci

Day 4 15

Cortina

Day 5 20

Destination airport: Venice Marco Polo

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/6.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Braies

Misurina

Hohe Gaisl

Grand Hotel Misurina

HHH NIGHTS 5-7

Cortina

Hotel Ancora

HHHH

2.5 hours). After returning to our hotel we walk to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Day 8 Transfer to Venice airport (2.5 hours). If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information. Cortina Metres 2745 2440 2135 1830 1535 1220 915 610 305 0

Cortina Cinque Torri

Tre Cime

Day 6 easy Day 6 longer route 25

HHHH

Day 7

easy paths through spectacular mountain scenery ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

N/A 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

FOOD & WINE

Picnic with a view! – the Cinque Torri ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Dobbiaco

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Braies STRUDELKOPF

TRÉ CIME

MT CRISTALLO

Cortina

Misurina

Passo Tre Croci

CINQUE TORRI 0

10 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

The cuisine of the region is an interesting mixture of Austrian and Italian traditions, and Tyrolese canederli (bread dumplings) are to be found alongside the pasta and polenta of northern Italian tradition. The game and mushroom dishes of the area are also prized. We drink the fine white and delicate red wines of the Alto Adige (Teroldego, Gewürztraminer) and the internationally famous full-bodied reds of the Veneto, such as Valpolicella.

TERRAIN Mountain tracks, forest paths and some gravel roads.

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

Majestic mountain scenery

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Paths to Barolo Walk through the wooded Langhe hills and Barolo vineyards: a picturesque patchwork interspersed with woods, hilltop villages and castles. The area is famed as much for its food as its renowned wines.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 We travel by road from Genoa airport (1.5 hours) up into the forested Langhe Hills and to the picturesque village of Bossolasco, with its cobbled streets and ancient buildings (757m/2,479ft).

name. We visit its renowned enoteca (wine museum) and enjoy a tasting of the region’s famous wines. We then continue, through vineyards, woods and meadows up to La Morra (513m/1,683ft), overlooking much of the area, and noted for its fine Baroque churches and palaces (7 miles, 4 hours).

Day 2 Paths across hills, through woodland and meadows, flowerfilled in spring and early summer, bring us down to the vineyards of Barolo, and the small bustling ‘wine town’ of Monforte d’Alba, where we stay at an elegant Bourbon villa outside the town (11 miles, 5.5 hours).

Day 5 We walk through vineyards and small medieval villages to picturesque Verduno, and then continue along a ridge to Roddi (5.5 miles, 3 hours), before returning to La Morra.

Day 3 Free day in Monforte d’Alba, with an optional walk along a ridge affording wide views of the Barolo vineyards to Castiglione Falletto, where we visit a local wine producer and taste the wines (5.5 miles, 3 hours).

Day 6 We follow a path along the River Tanara, through fields and woods to the walled ‘city’ of Alba, ‘the white truffle capital of Europe’, where we stay at a converted palazzo in the medieval centre (6.7 miles, 3 hours). In the afternoon there is an optional city walk, to include a visit to the cathedral, now open again after decades of restoration.

Day 4 We walk down into a wide ‘bowl’ in the hills – covered with some of the area’s most renowned vineyards – to the small town of Barolo (300m/ 985ft) that gives the area its

Day 7 We visit the neighbouring wine-producing area of Barbera, where we walk through picturesque vine-clad hills, before returning to the bustling ancient streets of Alba for dinner at one of its best restaurants (8 miles, 4 hours). Day 8 Transfer from Alba to Genoa airport (1.5 hours).

Feet 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

Bossolasco

Miles 0

Monforte d’Alba

La Morra

Alba

Alba Neive

Roddi La Morra

Day 2 5

Day 3 10

Day 4 20

Day 6

Day 5 25

Day 7 35

Destination airport: Genoa

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/5.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

Bossolasco

La Panoramica

HHH NIGHTS 2 & 3

Monforte d’Alba

Villa Beccaris

HHHH NIGHTS 4 & 5

La Morra

La Corte Gondina

HHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Alba

Metres 1220 915 610 305 0

Palazzo Finati

HHHH

vineyards, castles & wine ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

10 Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Finest vineyards punctuated by hilltop towns – Castiglione Faletto ˚F ˚C 104 40

Turin

95 35 0

10 miles

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

Asti

Roddi Verduno La Morra

Alba

Barolo

Monforte d"Alba Bossolasco

Serravalle delle Langhe

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Piedmont is renowned for its gastronomy, offering refined country cooking which follows the seasons. Its most prized ingredient is the white truffle (in season), but you can also expect game cooked in wine, delicate risottos and innovative desserts. We walk through vineyards producing some of Italy’s most outstanding wines, including the renowned Barolo and Barbaresco, and the lesserknown Dolcetto, Barbera and Moscato d’Asti.

TERRAIN Gentle, rolling hills following well-made dirt roads, farm and woodland tracks.

Vine-covered hills of the Langhe

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Paths to Urbino Walk across picturesque hills of little-known Montefeltro, from crag-top San Leo to Urbino. Small, medieval towns and villages, fine views and outstanding flowers and art.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Bologna airport we travel by road to the Marecchia valley, below the tiny republic of San Marino (2 hrs 30 mins), then walk up along easy track, past the convent of Sant’ Igne, founded by St Francis of Assisi. We approach the impressively situated village of San Leo (582m/1,909ft) along a road carved from the cliff face, to reach our hotel on the medieval central piazza (2.9 miles, 1.5 hours).

Day 4 From Frontino (519m/ 1,700ft) we follow lanes and farm tracks down to the Foglia Valley and small town of Piandimeleto (320m/1,048ft), distinguished by its fine castle complex (9.7 miles, 5 hours). Return to Frontino by road.

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 7

Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/6.5 hours

NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

San Leo

Villagrande

Albergo Castello

Parco del Lago

HHH

NIGHTS 3 & 4

NIGHT 5

Frontino

Sant’Angelo in Vado

Rocca dei Malatesta

Hotel Palazzo Baldini

HHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Urbino

San Domenico

HHHH

Day 7 Free day in Urbino with opportunities for a 1.5-hour walk to explore the city and visit the Ducal palace of Federico da Montefeltro, where, in the late 15th century life at the Court

Marecchia Villagrande Feet Valley 5000 Mt. Carpegna 4000 San Leo 3000 2000 1000 0 1 Day 2 Day 3 5

Day 6 Optional free morning to explore more of Urbania, its Ducal Palace and museum, unusual churches and arcaded streets. The walk from Urbania follows farm tracks and small gravel lanes which lead across the hills and up to the city of Urbino (13.2 miles, 6.5 hours).

Day 3 Paths across open country, through interesting micro-climates, lead to the panoramic ridge of Monte Carpegna, (1,327m/4,534ft), the highest point in Montefeltro. We descend through pine woods to the town of Carpegna, then join dirt roads and farm tracks to picturesque Frontino, where we stay in an historic Keep (11.5 miles, 6 hours).

Miles 0

Destination airport: Bologna

ACCOMMODATION

Day 5 From Piandimeleto we follow farm tracks steeply up to a ridge (489m/1,602ft) with panoramic views, from where tracks and small gravel lanes descend into the Metauro Valley and Urbania, situated between two gorges. After a stroll through the town we spend the night in a converted palazzo, with renowned restaurant, in nearby Sant’Angelo in Vado, where we explore the medieval streets of this once celebrated ‘town of goldsmiths’ (11.8 miles, 6 hours).

Day 2 Morning free to explore San Leo – its fine Romanesque churches and the impregnable medieval citadel where Cagliostro, the Sicilian adventurer, was imprisoned for heresy and died. We then follow paths and dirt roads across farmland, ascending a low pass (914m/3,000ft) to reach our lakeside mountain-style hotel (6.1 miles, 3 hours).

reached the highest point of Western Civilisation. Day 8 Return to Bologna airport by road (2 hours).

Piandimeleto Frontino

Urbania

Day 5

Day 4 20

Day 6 40

Urbino Metres 1535 1220 915 610 305 0

federico’s montefeltro ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10 9

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: MYA PADGET

FOOD & WINE

Rolling hills lead to the crag-top town of San Leo ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

10 miles

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Le Marche is renowned for its interesting and resourceful cuisine – robust handmade pastas complemented by rich and varied sauces; seasonal truffles, both black and white; a wide range of mushrooms – some unique to the area, such as rabbit roasted with mountain herbs, and tender lamb. Sample the local Sangiovese and light white, Bianchello del Metauro, as well as some delicious Verdicchio whites from the coast.

TERRAIN Hilly, with some steep paths, following well-made dirt roads, farm and mule tracks, woodland paths and occasional fields.

Footnotes Federico da

Montefeltro, (1422 –1482), the ‘Light of Italy’, was the illegitimate son of Guidantonio da Montefeltro, Lord of Urbino. Aged 16 Federico distinguished himself at the capture of San Leo, which he held for the rest of his life. In 1444 on the death of his halfbrother, Federico succeeded him and set out to restore the finances of Urbino, through a career as a condottiero, hiring his services as leader of a private army to Italy’s warring factions. An excellent military strategist and leader, inspiring loyalty in his soldiers, through his care for them and their families, his consistently successful fighting force was in great

demand. Loss of an eye in a tournament only seemed to strengthen his resolve. With success came wealth – which he used to commission the creation of a great library, and build a delightful Ducal Palace at Urbino. Here he assembled around him a large humanistic court, that made Federico, and tiny remote Urbino, renowned throughout Europe.

brilliant literary works. One of these guests, Baldassare Castiglione, immortalized life at the court in his book ‘Il Libro del Cortegiano’ (‘The Book of the Courtier’, 1528), transforming ideas on civilized behaviour and values throughout the Western World.

The legacy of Federico’s Court was carried on by his invalid son Guidobaldo, his wife Elisabetta Gonzaga and her sister-in-law Emilia Pia. Hosts and guests organized intellectual contests, pageants, dances, concerts, recitations, plays, and other cultural activities, producing

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Siena, Chianti & Florence Walk through the picturesque Chianti hills from Siena, the best-preserved great medieval city in Europe, to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Pisa

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 - 3+ (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/8 hours

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we travel by road (2 hours) to Siena, where we stay at a hotel within the medieval city walls and walk through ancient streets to the famous central Piazza del Campo.

Chianti, before descending via a fine fortified stone village to the small town of Greve-in-Chianti, with its arcaded piazza and statue of the explorer Giovanni Verazzano (discoverer of Long Island) who was born nearby (5.8 miles, 2.5 hours).

Day 2 We follow farm tracks and lanes across hills with stone-walled olive groves, vineyards and oak forest to the wine estate and villa of Dievole, where we stay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and enjoy wines from the estate with dinner (12.4 miles, 6 hours).

Day 6 From Greve we walk up stone walled lanes past olive groves and vineyards and follow woodland tracks through the forested Monti del Chianti, then emerge into a small fertile valley and climb to Strada-in-Chianti where we stay at an 18th century villa with gardens and pool (14.7 miles, 8 hours).

Day 3 We walk through woods up to the fortified Romanesque church of San Polo-in-Rosso and follow farm tracks through high vineyards before descending through lichen encrusted woods to the vineyard covered hills around Gaiole-in-Chianti, where we stay at the splendid 12th century fortified monastery, now a 4* hotel, with renowned restaurant, overlooking the village (7.5 miles, 4 hours).

Day 7 We walk down to the Ema Valley, following the riverbank to the small town of Grassina, from where farm tracks, small country lanes and quiet roads lead to the famous Romanesque church of San Miniato al Monte, from where we descend by cypress-lined footpath into the heart of Florence. We cross the Ponte Vecchio and walk through city streets to our stylish 4* hotel, in a quiet piazza near the church of Santa Maria della Scala (12.6 miles, 6.5 hours).

Day 4 We walk to a fortified medieval village, then through extensive vineyards up to a ridge, descend into a valley, and continue past stone farmhouses and vineyards to Panzano, where we stay at a 4* villa with elegant garden lawns and pool (12.9 miles, 6 hours).

Miles 0

NIGHT 2

Siena

Dievole

Athena

Villa Dievole

HHHH

NIGHT 3

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Gaiole-in-Chianti

Panzano

Castello di Spaltenna

Villa le Barone

NIGHT 6

NIGHT 7

Florence

Villa Il Leccio

Degli Orafi

HHH

HHHH

Stradain-Chianti

Panzano

Day 3

Day 2 5

Day 4 20

Day 6

Day 5 30

Day 7 50

HHHH

Strada-in-Chianti

The Duomo in Siena

Grevein-Chianti Panzano

Gaiolein-Chianti

Dievole

NIGHT 1

HHHH

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport (1 hour). NOTE: This trip includes a FREE extra night in Florence. If you would like to take advantage of this please let us know on booking. Your return to the airport would be on an independent basis.

Day 5 Free day, with optional short walk along hills with panoramic views over northern Siena Feet 2000 1000 0

ACCOMMODATION

Florence Metres 610 305 0

on foot between two of italy’s great art cities ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

10 Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

FOOD & WINE

Descending into the heart of Florence 0

10 miles

˚F ˚C 104 40

Florence

95 35

Stradain-Chianti Greve Panzano

Gaiolein-Chianti Dievole Siena

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Footnotes Specialists have

conducted much research to identify the origins of Chianti as a wine. The Lega (League) of the three regions of Chianti (Castellina, Radda and Gaiole) incorporated rules governing the vendemmia (the grape harvest) into their code of law as early as 1384. In 1444 the stipulation was made that no grapes should be harvested before Saint Michael’s day (29 September), to avoid the ‘damage done to the League by harvesting earlier because the wines could not be good’. These measures were so successful that the wine produced within the

Lega (the area generally thought of as Chianti ‘proper’, corresponding in wine terms to

Chianti’s cuisine is a microcosm of Tuscan cooking in general. Add to its base of bread, pasta, and wine a plentiful and changing supply of locally grown vegetables and fruit, game from the forests and, of course, the ubiquitous olive oil, with its peppery, spicy bite. We walk through vineyards producing some of the superb red wines of the area, including the fruity Chianti Classico.

TERRAIN Forested limestone hills, the lower slopes covered with vineyards and olive groves. A wide selection of farm and forest paths and tracks, small gravel roads and some asphalt in and around towns. the current territory of Chianti Classico) became famous for its quality, and remains so today.

Archetypal Chianti landscape

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Tuscan Trail Archetypal Tuscany! Walk from hilltop, Etruscan Volterra to Siena through vineyards, forests and olive groves – via classic, timeless countryside – and enjoy excellent Tuscan food and wines.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we travel by road (1 hour) to the ancient hilltop city of Volterra (531m/1,739ft) where we stay for two nights at a converted convent (4* with a pool), in the walled medieval centre.

Rome’, and dine at one of the town’s best restaurants. Day 4 Morning to explore the town’s medieval tower houses built by rival families, of which there were once 72 – the tallest rising to over 70 metres (230ft), and its fine frescoed churches. We then walk into the country for a picnic lunch, before continuing through archetypal Tuscan landscapes to enter the walled town of Colle di Val d’Elsa (262m/858ft) through a fine fortified gateway (8.7 miles, 4.5 hours). We stay in ‘Colle Alta’, the high walled town, where in the Middle Ages, despite having 52 tower houses, increasing population led to building over the streets of the fortified town, creating Italy’s finest ‘tunnel streets’! The pedestrian circuit of the medieval walls is an ATG Trust project.

Day 2 We walk through the medieval streets, through an arched gateway, and down to an olive grove beneath which lie extensive Etruscan tombs, excavations from which, in Volterra’s excellent Etruscan museum, provide much of our understanding of the city’s highly-developed ancient civilisation. After visiting the tombs and Etruscan museum, we walk to enjoy evidence of Volterra’s Etruscan, Roman, and medieval past (4.5 miles, 3 hours). Day 3 We walk down an ancient paved Etruscan path into the valley from where we follow farm tracks to a ridge, with panoramic views back to Volterra. Our way lies through forest from which we emerge to spectacular views of the walled hill town of San Gimignano (324m/1,061ft), ‘the medieval Manhattan’, with its famous tower houses, and walk up through olive groves and vineyards to an arched gate in the medieval walls (15.4 miles, 8 hours). We walk through the evening streets of this once bustling overnight stopping place on the Via Francigena, the medieval ‘main road to

Miles 0

Day 6 Our walk takes us through forest and farmland,

San Gimignano Colle Val d'Elsa

Volterra Feet 2000 1000 0

Day 5 We walk across a plateau with small stone villages, vineyards, olive groves, meadows and woods. We pass some Roman baths, and visit a fine Romanesque abbey church before walking, in the footsteps of Dante Alighieri (see Footnotes), who visited the village in 1300 as an ambassador for the Guelf League, up to the walls and 14 watchtowers of our destination – Monteriggioni (11.6 miles, 6 hours).

Day 2

Day 3 5

Day 4 15

Monteriggioni

Day 5 30

Day 6 40

Siena Metres 610 305 0

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Pisa

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3/8 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHT 3

Volterra

San Gimignano

San Lino

Leon Bianco

HHHH

HHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

Colle Val d’Elsa

Monteriggioni

Palazzo San Lorenzo

Hotel Monteriggioni

HHHH

HHHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Siena

Hotel Continental

HHHHH

before our first view of Siena – Dante’s Antechamber of Paradise. We walk up into the city along a lane … before ascending along medieval streets to the famous Piazza del Campo and our hotel, a fine 5* palazzo with painted ceilings, in the heart of the city (11.5 miles, 6 hours). Day 7 Free day in Siena, with opportunities for exploring on foot some of the lesser known areas of the medieval city, and its fine cathedral, iconic works of art, and unique atmosphere. Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road (2 hours).

route established by atg in 1979 ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

FOOD & WINE

Timeless countryside: hill-top Monteriggioni ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

The restaurants at which we dine are renowned for their interpretations of Tuscan cuisine, whether refined and stylish or alla casalinga (traditional). You can expect game, wild mushrooms, beans and freshly made pasta – all local ingredients. We walk through vineyards producing Chianti of the Sienese hills: full, fruity reds and white Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Chianti Classico near Siena, and the delicious Vin Santo dessert wine.

TERRAIN Dirt and gravel roads, farm tracks, mule paths, woodland trails and tracks across the Tuscan hills.

Footnotes Dante Alighieri,

poet and moral philosopher, was born in Florence in about 1265. When told, aged 12, that he had been promised in marriage (to Emma Donati – they later married and had 3 children), Dante declared that he had already fallen in love. The girl was Beatrice Portinari, who was never more than a formal acquaintance, and died unexpectedly in 1290.

His love poems to Beatrice (Vita Nova, 1296) were in the tradition of ‘courtly love’, and significantly, written not in Latin, but in a literary language, based on the Tuscan dialect – that Dante called ‘Italian’.

Dante aspired to a political career, held various public offices in Florence, and in 1301 travelled to Rome in a delegation seeking the intervention of Pope Boniface VIII in settling sectarian conflicts in Florence. The Pope ‘suggested’ Dante remain in Rome. Meanwhile the ‘Black Guelph’ faction, supported by the Pope, destroyed much of Florence, and killed many of their enemies. They seized Dante’s property, and condemned him to perpetual exile and death if he returned.

completed the Inferno, a vision of hell – unflatteringly portraying Pope Boniface VIII! He finished the Purgatorio and Paradiso sections of the Divine Comedy shortly before his death in Ravenna in 1321. His legacy – the Divine Comedy – is a corner-stone of Italian language and literature, and its use of the vernacular instead of Latin, a prelude to the Renaissance.

Freed from public office, Dante had more time for literary projects. Between 1308 and 1312 he

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Southern Tuscan Trail Two great wine areas, two of Italy’s finest abbeys, medieval hill towns and Renaissance Pienza. Worldclass Art. Inspiring walking, flowers, birds – and fabulous Siena.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we travel by road (2.5 hours) to Pienza, where we stay at a converted monastery with fine cloister, pool and views.

Day 4 We walk through the spectacular landscapes of the crete to visit the great Benedictine Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, with its cloister frescoed by Signorelli and Sodoma, and its church with marquetry by Fra Giovanni di Verona. We then continue to our hotel nestled in the surrounding hills (14.5 miles, 7.5 hours).

Day 2 We explore Pienza, birthplace of Aneas Piccolomini, later Pope Pius II, who commissioned architect Bernardo Rosselini to transform the village (Corsignano) into a Renaissance ‘city’ with Papal palace and ‘cathedral’. We walk the length of the ‘city’ (5 minutes!) and visit the Palazzo Piccolomini, church and museum. After lunch we walk across open country, with views, to Bagno Vignoni – where the town square is the Roman baths, and our adjacent hotel has a thermal pool (5.8 miles, 3 hours).

Miles 0

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5 + 1 optional

Shortest/longest walk: 3/7.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION

Day 6 We follow the route of the early medieval Via Francigena, across the open hills of the crete, towards Siena (14.5 miles, 7.5 hours). We walk through the centre of the magnificent medieval city past many of its outstanding monuments en route to our centrally located hotel.

Montalcino

NIGHT 2

Pienza

Bagno Vignoni

Il Chiostro

Le Terme

HHHH

HHH

NIGHT 3

NIGHT 4

Montalcino

Outside Buonconvento

Dei Capitani

Fattoria Pieve a Salti

HHH

NIGHT 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Lucignano

Siena

Borgo Antico

Grand Hotel Continental

HHHHH

Day 8 Transfer to Pisa airport by road (2 hours).

Lucignano

Pieve a Salti

Siena Metres 610 305 0

Buonconvento

Day 3 15

NIGHT 1

HHH

Day 7 Free day in Siena, with opportunities for exploring on foot some of the lesser known areas of the medieval city, and its fine cathedral, iconic works of art, and unique atmosphere.

Sant'Antimo

Destination airport: Pisa

Day 5 We walk via Buonconvento and its interesting museum containing paintings by Sienese masters, then through vineyards and open country to Lucignano (9.8 miles, 5 hours).

Day 3 We walk through woods along the Orcia Valley, then follow farm lanes to the village of Castelnuovo Abate and the Romanesque abbey church of Sant’Antimo, built of alabaster and onyx. From here we continue through woods and the vineyards of Brunello to the walled medieval hill town of Montalcino, where we stay at a hotel with astonishing views (14.1 miles, 7 hours). Evening wine tasting.

Bagno Vignoni Pienza Feet 2000 1000 0 Day 2

Day 4 20

Day 5 30

Day 6 45

route established by atg in 1984 ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

10 Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: SARAH WELLBURN

FOOD & WINE

Paths across open country ˚F ˚C 104 40

Siena

95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Lucignano Monte Oliveto Maggiore Buonconvento miles 0

Pienza Montalcino

Bagno Vignoni Montepulciano

Sant’Antimo

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Dining at trattorie and some fine restaurants enables us to sample the full range of traditional Tuscan cooking. Ribollita (the classic bean soup of the area), wild boar, and more sophisticated dishes such as sformato (souffle) of Parmesan with porcini mushrooms, or guinea-fowl with prunes and almonds. Outstanding Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, incomparable Brunello di Montalcino. Chianti Classico near Siena.

TERRAIN Mountain tracks, forest paths and some gravel roads.

Footnotes The basis of Tuscan

cooking can be found in the fields and hillsides through which you will be walking: wheat, olives, vines. Add to this base of bread, pasta, olives and wine a plentiful and changing supply of locally grown vegetables and fruit, game from the forests (wild boar, pheasants, deer and hare), meats cured at home or cooked on open fires, and locally made cheeses (particularly pecorino – made from sheep’s milk). Extra flavour is provided by onions and garlic, wild herbs (sage, bay, thyme, rosemary, bitter chicory, wild fennel), and of course the ubiquitous olive oil, with its

peppery, spicy bite. The main characteristic of the cuisine is simplicity, but this does not mean the preparation is quick and easy

– far from it. The success of Tuscan cuisine is a result of pride in – and great care given to – producing excellent ingredients.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Unknown Tuscany ATG’s most unusual trip! Crag-top towns approached by ancient vie di cave (deep paths cut dramatically into limestone), then lakes and plateaux, and finally Orvieto with its magnificent cathedral.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport we travel by road towards Pitigliano (2 hours). From a viewpoint of this dramatically situated crag-top town, we follow a 2,500 yearold via di cava – hewn deep into the volcanic tufa, and follow this on foot as it winds down to the valley. After crossing a stream we walk up an Etruscan lane, with ancient houses carved from the rock and enter one of the town’s gates. Our hotel forms part of the town walls, and has a locally renowned restaurant where we sample Pitigliano’s highly regarded wines (1.5 miles, 1 hour).

Day 4 Paths across farmland bring us to an isolated church from where another impressive via di cava leads down to a gorge – from which rises the ancient town of Sorano. We visit the town, then continue up the Lente Gorge to the troglodyte village of Vitozza, with its diverse cave dwellings (9.8 miles, 5 hours). From the village of San Quirico we return to Sorano by road (5 minutes) where our hotel is the historic Orsini castle that dominates the town. Day 5 From San Quirico we follow farm and woodland tracks down to a village then walk up to the rim of the ancient caldera in which Lake Bolsena lies. We walk down to the lake, and (weather permitting) are met by a boat that speeds us five miles across the lake to the town of Bolsena. (9.7 miles, 5 hours).

Day 2 We explore Pitigliano, its narrow streets, castle and medieval synagogue. We then descend to the valley from where another fine via di cava leads up to a plateau where we follow farm and woodland tracks to the picturesque village of Sovana – with its large Romanesque cathedral! (4.8 miles, 2.5 hours).

Day 6 We visit the Church of the Miracle of 1263, commemorated by the feast of Corpus Domini and walk up to the castle, from where an ancient route leads across a plateau to Orvieto (10.8 miles, 5.5 hours).

Day 3 Free day in Sovana with an optional walk to explore the extensive necropolis, where one of the most celebrated Etruscan tombs, ‘Tomba della Sirena’, was restored with funds from the ATG Trust (5.4 miles, 3 hours).

Pitigliano Feet 2000 1000 0

Miles 0

Sovana

Day 2 5

Day 3 10

Day 7 Free day in Orvieto with opportunities to visit the Etruscan necropolis, walk down

San Quirico

Day 4 15

Bolsena

Latera

Sorano

Day 5 20

Orvieto

by boat 30

Day 6 40

Metres 610 305 0

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 1/5.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHTS 2 & 3

Pitigliano

Sovana

Guastini

Sovana Hotel and Resort

HHHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

Sorano

Bolsena

La Fortezza

Hotel Royal

HHH

HHHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Orvieto

Palazzo Piccolomini

HHHH

the 365ft deep ‘double helix’ well built by Antonio da Sangallo in 1535, and visit the magnificent cathedral with its outstanding fresco of the ‘Last Judgement’ by Fra Angelico and Signorelli. Dinner is at a Michelin starred restaurant. Day 8 We return to Rome Fiumicino airport by road (1.5 hours).

etruscan lanes to orvieto ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 10

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

FOOD & WINE

Orvieto, situated on an extinct volcano ˚F ˚C 104 40 0

95 35

15 miles

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

Orvieto

Sorano San Quirico

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Sovana Bolsena Pitigliano

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Footnotes

Who were the Etruscans?

By 850 BC new cultural influences in the peoples of central western Italy had developed into a distinctive civilisation – that of the Etruscans. Their origins, however, remain unknown, together with their language – which is unrelated to any other. They occupied much of the area to the west of the Apennines between Florence and Rome, which was ruled by 12, culturally distinct, Etruscan city states. They were renowned traders on land and sea. They controlled

© lucrative salt routes in Italy, and their fleets traded throughout the Mediterranean, where they also established trading outposts. They were skilled craftsmen in wood, metal and stone – and renowned builders, planners and innovators – responsible for invention of mortar, the barrel arch, central heating, town planning and organised bureaucracy. Etruscans were also one of the ‘three tribes of Rome’, and an Etruscan king of Rome laid out the city’s foundations. Roman assimilation of the 12 Etruscan city states (396-198 BC)

Specialities include acquacotta (rich tomato-based soup), sweet Maremma lamb,wild boar and other game; dishes influenced by Pitigliano’s ancient Jewish community; and fresh fish, including unique corégone and eels from Lake Bolsena. Morellino di Scansano, a fruity full DOC red, and Bianco di Pitigliano, a fragrant dry DOC white often aged in Etruscan caves below the town. Orvieto Classico DOC; also Est! Est!! Est!!! from Montefiascone.

TERRAIN Dirt roads, farm tracks and mule paths across hills, plateaux and gorges, and deeply carved Etruscan lanes. established the economic base from which the Roman Empire rapidly expanded, and spread achievements of Etruscan civilisation throughout the Western world. The ATG trip follows 2,5003,000-year-old, often spectacular Etruscan routes, between dramatically situated ancient walled towns, with picturesque Etruscan and medieval streets, comfortable hotels, good restaurants, and outstanding features from a fascinating past. An ATG Trust project funded restoration of the important ‘Tomba delle Sirene’ (Tomb of the Sirens) at Sovana.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Way to Assisi The trip that has everything! Fine walking, famed medieval towns on Roman foundations, outstanding art, excellent hotels, good food and Sagrantino wine, and following in St Francis’ footsteps.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 From Rome Fiumicino airport we travel by road to the medieval hill town of Spoleto where we stay at a wonderfully restored ancient 4* palazzo in the heart of the medieval city (1 hour, 40 mins).

Gozzoli frescoes, before continuing on down through renowned vineyards to the walled ancient town of Bevagna where we stay at a fine palazzo, with painted ceilings, and gardens that are the Roman amphitheatre (9 miles, 5 hours).

Day 2 From Spoleto we follow farm tracks through olive groves and a succession of small, picturesque medieval villages with long views across the wide Umbra Valley. Our destination is the village of Poreta, with its castle and extensive medieval walled defences. (11.5 miles, 6.5 hours).

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3+ (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 3.5/6.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

Spoleto

Poreta

Palazzo Dragoni

Borgo della Marmotta Agriturismo

HHHH

Day 7 Free day to explore Assisi, or visit the nearby Carceri hermitage, San Damiano or Santa Maria degli Angeli.

NIGHT 3

NIGHT 4

San Luca

Bevagna

Villa Zuccari

HHHH

Orto degli Angeli Residenza d’Epoca

NIGHT 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Spello

Assisi

Palazzo Bocci

Nun Assisi

HHHH

HHHHH

Day 8 Return to Rome Fiumicino airport by road (2.5 hours).

Spoleto

Bevagna

San Luca Poreta

Assisi

Spello

Monte Subasio

Montefalco

Day 3

Day 2 5

Day 6 We set off early to climb the high flower-filled pastures of Monte Subasio (1,290m/4,232ft), or take a ride to near the top – to enjoy astonishing views. We descend along the path walked by St Francis into the heart of Assisi and the city's best hotel (5*) (11 miles, 2.5 + 4 hours).

Day 4 We walk up through the Sagrantino vineyards to the walled hilltop town of Montefalco, ‘the balcony of Umbria’. We visit the Church of San Francesco with its fine

Miles 0

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Day 5 After visiting Bevagna’s Roman theatre and baths with fine mosaics, we walk across the valley to Spello, where there is time to explore the Roman and Medieval town en route to our hotel a 4* 18th century palazzo in the old town. In the church of Santa Maria Maggiore a few metres down the street, we see the delightful Pinturicchio fresco of the ‘Nativity’ (7.1 miles, 3.5 hours).

Day 3 From Poreta we follow tracks through olive groves, climbing high up to Campello Alto, a delightful medieval hilltop village, with wonderful views. We then descend to the valley, and follow farm tracks to San Luca (9.9 miles, 5 hours). We stay at a fine villa surrounded by vineyards, and discover some of Italy’s finest, though little known, red wines made from the rare Sagrantino grape.

Feet 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

Day 4 20

Day 5 30

Day 6 40

Metres 1220 915 610 305 0

medieval hill towns, art & landscape ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

Restaurants of distinction and a wide range of hearty Umbrian dishes. Original seasonal recipes with game, mushrooms, asparagus, artichokes and black truffles.

Farm tracks from Roman Spello ˚F ˚C 104 40 0

10 miles

95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Montefalco is renowned for being one of Italy’s most innovative wine-making areas, especially Rosso di Montefalco and Sagrantino DOCG, with its incomparable passito variety.

Assisi Spello Bevagna Montefalco San Luca Poreta Spoleto

Footnotes Assisi is, of course,

the birthplace and shrine of one of history’s most famous saints – St Francis (San Francesco), and as such is full of important monuments and works of art. Assisi’s first saint was not St Francis, however, but St Rufino, an evangelist of the Roman town Asisium, who was martyred here in 238 AD. Although a fine Romanesque church dedicated to St Rufino exists, it is St Francis and his disciple St Clare (Santa Chiara) who have inspired the most famous of Assisi’s monuments. The vast Basilica di San Francesco attracted many of

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

TERRAIN Farm tracks, mule paths, dirt roads, stony tracks. Springy turf across Monte Subasio. Some steep ascents and descents. Day 6 is quite strenuous. whose fresco cycle showing the life of St Francis is famed throughout the world.

One of the many astounding Giotto frescoes depicting the life of St Francis

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Assisi Christmas Medieval hill towns, art and landscape. Walk down from Monte Subasio on Christmas Eve – to spend Christmas Eve, day and night in Assisi.

ITINERARY Day 1 We transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport (2 hours) to San Luca, where we stay at a fine villa surrounded by vineyards; and discover some of Italy’s finest, though little known, red wines made from the Sagrantino grape. Day 2 We walk up through the Sagrantino vineyards to hilltop Montefalco, ‘the balcony of Umbria’. We visit the Church of San Francesco before continuing on down through renowned vineyards to the walled town of Bevagna (9 miles, 5 hours). Day 3 After visiting Bevagna’s Roman theatre and baths, we walk across the valley to Spello, where there is time to explore the Roman and Medieval town (7.1 miles, 3.5 hours).

Lorenzetti's Madonna and Child

Day 4 We walk up through scrub and pine woods to the high meadows of Monte Subasio (1,278m/4,192ft), and follow the high grassy ridge (with possibly a dusting of snow) before following a path used by St Francis, down to Assisi (11 miles, 5.5 hours). Day 5 Christmas Day. Walk to explore the city, followed by a hot ATG Christmas picnic lunch – high on Monte Subasio if the weather is fine. Day 6 We return to Rome Fiumicino airport by road (3 hours).

6 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3+ (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 3

Shortest/longest walk: 3.5/5.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

San Luca

Bevagna

Villa Zuccari

HHHH

Orto degli Angeli Residenza d’Epoca

NIGHT 3

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Spello

Assisi

Palazzo Bocci

Hotel Giotto

HHHH

Magnificent Basilica of San Franceso

following in the footsteps of st francis ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE Restaurants of distinction and a wide range of hearty Umbrian dishes. Original seasonal recipes with game, wild boar, sausages, lentils, polenta and pasta with black truffles. Delicious cured meats and cheeses.

Detail of Pinturicchio’s Nativity, Spello ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Assisi 0

15 miles

Spello Bevagna Montefalco San Luca

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Wine: Montefalco is renowned for being one of Italy’s most innovative wine-making areas, especially Rosso di Montefalco and Sagrantino DOCG, with its incomparable passito variety.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

TERRAIN Farm tracks, mule paths, dirt roads, stony tracks. Springy turf across Monte Subasio. Some steep ascents and descents. The only challenging day is the walk over Monte Subasio.

Miles 0

Bevagna

Assisi

Spello

Monte Subasio

Day 3 10

Day 4 15

Metres 1220 915 610 305 0

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

San Luca Feet 4000 Montefalco 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2

Sublime Sagrantino wine

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Unknown Umbria A World Class walk, with the flowers at their best (May/June trips). Wonderful country, views, picturesque villages, fine frescoed churches, some excellent hotels and cuisine.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY valley to Roccaporena, a hamlet dramatically situated at the junction of three gorges, and the saint’s birthplace (13 miles, 6.5 hours).

Day 1 Drive (2.5 hours) from Rome Fiumicino airport to the walled medieval town of Norcia, famous as the birthplace of St Benedict and for its hams, salamis – norcinerie – and world-renowned black truffles! We stay for 3 nights in an elegantly converted palazzo just off the central piazza, with a Michelin * restaurant.

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3/8 hours

ACCOMMODATION

Day 5 We cross hills with scrub and oak woods famous for truffles, climb to a ridge from which there are panoramic views, then walk down to the picturesque village of Gavelli, with the finest small frescoed church in Italy (former ATG Trust restoration project). From here we descend into a gorge that leads down to medieval Scheggino on the Nera River (12.8 miles, 6.5 hours). We drive for 15 minutes to the magnificent Romanesque Abbey of San Pietro in Valle – where we stay.

Day 2 We explore the idyllic, grassy highlands of the Monti Sibillini, including the Piano Grande – a vast mountain plain, that bears carpets of flowers from late May to July and is overlooked by the isolated medieval village of Castelluccio, famed for its delicious, tiny lentils (8 miles, 4.5 hours). Optional afternoon walk to explore more of the area.

NIGHTS 1, 2 & 3

Norcia

Palazzo Seneca

HHHH NIGHT 4

Roccaporena

Day 6 Free day to enjoy the remarkable 12th century frescoes at San Pietro in Valle (ATG Trust restoration project) and the pretty village of Scheggino. Optional walk along the river valley between San Pietro and Scheggino (5.9 miles, 3 hours).

Day 3 We return to the Monti Sibillini and follow paths leading over hills with views across the Piano Grande, before descending towards Norcia and our picnic (10 miles, 5 hours). Optional afternoon excursion along the Campiano valley (3.5 miles, 2 hours), and visit to the Abbey of Sant'Eutizio. Return to Norcia by road.

Roccaporena

HHH

NIGHTS 5 & 6

Ferentillo

Day 7 From Scheggino we walk through wooded hills.... Our approach to Spoleto is the most elegant approach on foot to any city in Europe – from the country across the 14th century Ponte delle Torri aqueduct (12.3 miles, 6 hours).

Day 4 We walk through oak woods and across farmland to the small town of Cascia, a centre of pilgrimage for St Rita, patron of desperate causes. From here an old pilgrim path follows the steep-sided river

Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle Residenza d’Epoca NIGHT 7

Spoleto

Day 8 Return to Rome Fiumicino airport (2.5 hours). Palazzo Dragoni

Feet 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

Piano Grande

Miles 0

Piano Grande

Day 2 5

Day 3 10

HHHH

San Eutizio Norcia Norcia

Day 3 20

San Pietro Scheggino in Valle

Roccaporena

Day 4 30

Day 5 40

Day 6 50

Spoleto

Day 7 60

Metres 1535 1220 915 610 305 0

‘an unimaginable delight from start to finish’ ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Cultural

Wine area

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

Art

Environment 10

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: SARAH WELLBURN

FOOD & WINE

Unspoilt countryside with long views ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Monti Sibillini

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Norcia

Spoleto

Piano Grande

Scheggino Roccaporena

Ferentillo

10 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

From the tastes and textures of the Marche, to Umbrian black truffles, cured meat and unique green lentils for which Norcia is famous throughout Italy and beyond; trout fresh from mountain streams, tagliolini with truffles, lenticchie, lamb with mountain herbs and sheep's cheeses. Wines from Montefalco and the Adriatic coast.

TERRAIN Woodland, sheep and mule tracks, dirt roads and high, open grassland with wide views. Wonderful grassy ridges and well-made tracks on most ascents and descents, some of which are steep. Walking poles highly recommended.

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

Castellucio, on the Piano Grande

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Southern Lakes Ancient volcanic landscapes punctuated by three lakes providing the backdrop for inspiring walking; two fascinating gardens, medieval towns, and Orvieto, with its magnificent cathedral.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport we drive for 45 minutes to stay for 2 nights at a fine Villa with views across Lake Bracciano.

functioning after over 430 years) using natural flow of water. Afternoon walk across a plateau with long views, past thermal Roman baths (opportunity to wallow!) and along superbly preserved, paved Roman road (8 miles, 4 hours). We stay in the medieval centre of Montefiascone, with its castle and panoramic views across Lake Bolsena.

Day 2 We walk down (500ft) through woods and vineyards to Lake Bracciano, from where forest tracks lead up (1,400ft) into the Monti Sabatini, and across farmland to historic Sutri (10 miles, 5 hours), with its famous frescoed pilgrim church of the Madonna del Parto and impressive amphitheatre hewn from solid rock. Lanes through hazel groves then lead (4 miles, 2 hours) to Ronciglione.

Day 6 We walk up to the castle through Etruscan, Roman and medieval levels of Bolsena, then follow Roman, Etruscan and medieval ways across a plateau to the great crag-top city of Orvieto, where we stay in the medieval city (11.3 miles, 5.5 hours).

Day 4 We visit the elegant 16th century garden of the Villa Lante, its perpetual fountains supplied by a system (still

Day 7 We explore Orvieto on foot – the magnificent cathedral with its iconic medieval fresco of the ‘Last Judgement’ by Fra

Miles 0

Montefiascone

Ronciglione Lake Vico Viterbo Sutri

Day 3 10

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 4/7 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHT 3

Ronciglione

Viterbo

Hotel Sans Souci

Tuscia

HHHH

HHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

Montefiascone

Bolsena

Urbano V

Hotel Royal

HHH

HHHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Orvieto

Palazzo Piccolomini

HHHH

Angelico and Signorelli; the well of San Patrizio – a double helix, 365ft deep, down which a flock of sheep could be driven to drink; Etruscan necropolis, museums, elegant cafes and bars, and good shopping. Day 8 Return to Rome Fiumicino by road (1.5 hours). Bolsena

Bagnaccio

Day 2

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Day 5 We walk along paths with panoramic views across the wide waters of Lake Bolsena, following the route, with some original paved stretches, of the ancient Roman road; before descending across meadows and through woods to the lakeside, which we follow beside beaches of volcanic sand (opportunities for swimming) to the ancient town of Bolsena (11 miles, 5.5 hours). After arrival there are opportunities to explore ancient Bolsena, the ’Church of the Miracle’ (of 1263AD) etc.

Day 3 We visit the splendid Villa Farnese at Caprarola, an extensively frescoed palace, then explore its delightful 16th century gardens – that have influenced garden design worldwide. We then return to Lake Vico (1,600ft) and follow a track up through oak forest to the rim of the ancient crater (2,935ft) and the Monti Cimini. From here, we walk down through chestnut groves and forest to the walled city of Viterbo (1,300ft), and walk through the medieval quarter via the cathedral and infamous Papal Palace to our centrally located hotel (8.5 miles, 4 hours).

Feet Manziana 3000 2000 1000 0

Day 4 25

Day 5 35

Day 6 45

Orvieto Metres 915 610 305 0

ancient volcanic landscapes WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 9

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: PETER LEWIS

FOOD & WINE

Towards Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic crater lake in Europe ˚F ˚C 104 40

Bolsena Lake Bolsena Isola Bisentina

95 35

Montefiascone Ferentum

Tuscania

Bagnaia

Viterbo Lake Vico

Ronciglione

Manziana

Lake Bracciano

10 miles

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

Bagnoregio

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Very interesting cuisine combining influences of very strong flavours of Roman cooking – spicy pasta and hearty meat dishes; and the delicate cuisine of Umbria, with truffles, fish from the lakes (we visit this area just to eat!). Some notable trattorie en route, and outstanding restaurants in Viterbo and Orvieto. Local white wines include Orvieto Classico and Est! Est!! Est!!!

TERRAIN Low volcanic hills with long views across lakes, established paths through woods and vineyards, farm tracks, occasional (near towns) stretches of asphalt.

Footnotes Lakes Bracciano,

Vico and Bolsena, north of Rome, are the result of volcanic activity that began 1,400,000 years ago causing the emergence of the Cimino Volcano (south of Viterbo). The volcano reached its most active period – producing lava cones, around 950,000 years ago.

Lakes Bracciano and Vico are more recent, dating from 400,000 years ago, with the majority of the caldera and lava flows dating from between 300,000 to 150,000 years ago. Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic crater lake in Europe, was formed around 370,000 years ago following the collapse of a caldera,

in the Volsinii volcanic complex, into a deep aquifer beneath the underlying Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary sands and clays. The two islands in the southern part of Lake Bolsena were formed by underwater eruptions following the initial collapse of the caldera. Roman historic records indicate activity in the Volsinii volcanic area as recently as 104 BC, since when it has remained dormant. The area’s porous volcanic terrain has been subject to water erosion, especially by rivers, creating deep ravines and gorges. The occurrences of sulphurous hot springs are reminders of the area’s distant origins. Land surrounding

the lakes, whether farmland, forests or inhabited, is very strictly controlled, preserving the ecology and natural beauty of each area, whilst water in all the lakes (where you can swim), is some of the cleanest in Europe. Lake Bracciano is the principal source of drinking water for Rome.

Lake Vico

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Classic Provence The best of Provence: walking in ‘tiny’ mountains with long views, landscapes of Van Gogh, Roman towns, picturesque medieval villages, vineyards and lavender fields. Excellent hotels and four dinners in MichelinH/HH restaurants!

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Marseille airport we travel by road (1 hour) to St. Rémy-de-Provence. Early evening exploration of the walled medieval town.

ridge of the Alpilles, enjoying panoramic views across southern Provence to the sea. After descending to the fertile plain, and a picnic lunch, we continue by road (40 mins) to our unique 5* hotel (Michelin* restaurant) with views to the Lubéron massif. (Walking 6 miles, 4 hours).

Day 2 A short walk brings us to the site of Glanum, the Greek/Roman town, once the home of Julia, daughter of the Emperor Augustus (31BC-14AD). We then drive (30 mins) through countryside that so inspired Van Gogh, to Arles. Here we visit the Arletan Museum of Provençal Life, and stroll through ancient streets, past high Roman and medieval walls, the Roman amphitheatre, theatre, forum, temples and baths, as well as the Romanesque church of St Trophime. After lunch we visit the fortified village of Les-Bauxde-Provence, from where we walk, following a ridge with views across scented scrubcovered hills, isolated farms, olive groves, vineyards and pine woods – back to St Rémy (5 miles, 2.5 hours).

Day 4 We drive (15 mins) to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where we visit the source of the river Sorgue, the world’s fifth largest spring, that gushes from beneath the Vaucluse at 500 million cubic metres annually. We see the house where Petrarch wrote his ‘Canzoniere’ (Song Book) of 360 poems to ‘Laura’ (see Footnotes). We then set off on foot through impressive scenery, flower-filled and scrub and forest, to the Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque (founded 1148), idyllically situated amongst lavender fields in a deep secluded valley (9.1 miles, 5 hours). Day 5 From the village of Gordes, dominated by its château, we walk down ancient streets to the Coulon Valley, and through fields of wheat, lavender – and poppies (!) to the village of Roussillon, situated on an outcrop of ochre rock. We walk through the famous ochre quarries and down the picturesque main

Day 3 We walk past the monastery of St-Paul-deMausole, where Van Gogh stayed (May 1889-May 1890) and painted ‘A Wheatfield, with Cypresses’, ‘Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the Background’ and, one of his best-known paintings, ‘Starry Night’. We walk up through pine woods to the

Saint Rémy Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Feet 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Miles 0

Gordes

Roussillon

Day 5 20

Bonnieux

Day 6 30

Day 7 35

Metres 915 610 305 0

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE u

Destination airport: Marseille

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Saint-Rémy

Gordes

Le Mas des Carassins

HHHHH

HHH

Les Bories

NIGHT 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Roussillon

Bonnieux

Le Clos de la Glycine

Domaine de Capelongue

HHH

HHHH

street of the village, with its houses built of variously coloured ochre rock (7.2 miles, 3.5 hours). Day 6 We follow paths and farm tracks down to the valley to a Roman bridge (built 3BC), then through meadows and olive groves, up towards the col between the Grand Lubéron and Petit Lubéron ‘mountains’, and the village of Bonnieux (9.3 miles, 5 hours). Our hotel for two nights (4* with **Michelin restaurant) is a fine, converted manor house, with gardens and extensive views. Day 7 Time to enjoy the hotel and its facilities, with an opportunity to walk, and picnic, in the ‘mountains’ of the Lubéron, to enjoy the spectacular views (7 miles, 3.5 hours). Day 8 We return by road to Marseille airport (1 hour).

vibrant colours and contrasts ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 9

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Van Gogh’s A Wheatfield, with Cypresses – a landscape through which we walk

Oppède les Vieux Saint-Rémy

The cuisine is complemented by wines from the area, known for their delicate flavour, with wellbalanced reds, crisp whites and limpid rosés.

Gordes Roussillon

Fontaine de Vaucluse

Bonnieux

TERRAIN

Grand Lubéron Lourmarin

Arles 0

For three nights of this trip we dine at MichelinH/HH restaurants. The range of excellent local produce, and strong traditions of Provençal cuisine, make dining on successive nights at restaurants of this quality a truly worthwhile experience.

10 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Paths over hills are stony and dry underfoot (even after rain). In the valleys – quiet asphalt lanes, woodland and farmland tracks, paths across open country.

Footnotes Francesco Petrarca

(1304 – 1374, anglicized: ‘Petrarch’), was born in Arezzo, Tuscany, and spent his early years at Incisa, near Florence. In 1309 his father, a lawyer, and friend of (exiled) Dante Alighieri (see Tuscan trail Footnotes on page 45), escaped the violent conflicts in Florence, and followed Clement V, the first ‘Avignon Pope’, to France. The family lived in Avignon and nearby Carpentras. In 1316 he was sent to study Law at Montpellier, then Bologna, and after ‘seven wasted years’ he returned to Avignon, where he took Minor Holy Orders. Then on 6 April 1327, the sight of a woman called ‘Laura’ in the church

of Sainte-Claire d’Avignon, awoke in Petrarch a lasting passion. At his house in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse he started to write what became the celebrated ‘Il Canzoniere’ (‘Song Book’): 360 poems to ‘Laura’ – whom he possibly never met! Petrarch established a reputation as a poet, scholar, philosopher, prolific letterwriter, and adventurous traveller throughout Europe – ‘for pleasure’ (combined with occasional diplomatic missions).

His rediscovery of Cicero’s letters, together with his pioneering humanist views, are credited for initiating the 14th-century Renaissance. His sonnets were widely admired and adopted as a model for Renaissance lyrical poetry, and when, in the 16th century, Pietro Bembo created the model for the modern Italian Language, he based this on the works of Petrarch, Boccaccio, and to a lesser extent, Dante Alighieri. In his will he left 50 florins to his friend Boccaccio ‘to buy a warm winter dressing gown’, and his house in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to the caretaker.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Unknown Catalunya Discovering easy paths through the historic heart of Catalunya, its deserted hills, Romanesque churches, exciting variety of birds and flowers, geological formations and wonderful cuisine!

ITINERARY Day 1 Transfer from Barcelona airport to our hotel in the picturesque Segre Valley (1.5 hours). Optional afternoon walk to the nearby village of Peramola (3 miles, 1.5 hours). Day 2 We follow paths behind the hotel up into the Sierra del Corb, and visit a Romanesque church with extensive views of the Segre Valley (7.5 miles, 3.5 hours). Day 3 From the unusual Romanesque church at Col de Nargo we follow an ‘easy’ track through a low pass, then continue, enjoying extensive views, to the old fortified village of Montanissell (3.3 miles, 1.5 hours). Optional afternoon walk – returning by a different route (4 miles, 2 hours).

Day 6 We drive (30 mins) to Solsona to visit the museum of Romanesque art and sculpture. Free afternoon at Can Boix, with an optional walk to explore the excellent walking to the west of Peramola, following paths through scrub, woods and meadows to a ridge with extensive views (6 miles, 3 hours). Day 7 We drive to Organya and follow an ancient pilgrim path up to a remote, dramatically situated Romanesque sanctuary church with panoramic views, returning by the same route. There have been some impressive bird sightings on this walk, including two species of eagles and vultures (4 miles, 2 hours). Day 8 Return by road to Barcelona airport (2 hours).

8 DAY TRIP, SPAIN u

Destination airport: Barcelona

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 7

Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/3.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-7

Peramola

Can Boix

HHHH

TERRAIN Dirt roads, forest tracks and mule paths; ways across open mountains and along river banks.

Day 4 We travel by road (35 mins) to La Seu d’Urgell to visit the fine Romanesque church, picturesque streets and colourful local market. Optional afternoon walk to a point with excellent views of the Pyrenees (5 miles, 2.5 hours). Day 5 We travel by road to the picturesque Val d’Arques, and follow tracks to a fine Romanesque church (an ATG Trust restoration project). Opportunities for swimming in an idyllic natural pool in the river (6.5 miles, 3 hours).

Note: At some point during the week (scheduling determined by weather) we will enjoy a visit to the impressive Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria at Montserrat. 60

the sierras of the segre ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 9

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

N/A 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Spectacular views walking through limestone sierras

A FRANCE ORR AND

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

La Seu d'Urgell

Organyà Coll de Nargó

Fígols Alinyà

Peramola 0

15 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Catalunya boasts an excellent and varied cuisine which owes as much to its history as to the influence of the many cultures that have passed through its lands, including Greeks and Romans and more recently French and Italians. Its location in the mountains near the Mediterranean means you will find dishes that mix flavours of the ‘sea and mountain’ mar i muntanya in Catalan: combining chicken, game or beef with fish or seafood. Can Boix has a renowned restaurant where you will sample the best of what the area has to offer. Catalunya boasts numerous wines of note, including some of the most sought-after reds in the world!

The picturesque Val d'Arques

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Vintage Ways to Porto Wild! The largest – and one of the most beautiful – wilderness areas in Europe. Good paths through granite terrain, pilgrim routes and picturesque villages – then vineyards of the Douro Valley.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Porto airport we drive (3 hours) to the Peneda-Geres National Park and walk to our hotel in the remote frontier village of Castro Laboreiro. Day 2 We walk following ancient granite paths through wild landscape of rugged hills and granite boulders – an area rich in prehistoric monuments, rare fauna and birds. We descend to the once renowned pilgrim village of Senhora da Peneda (4 hours). Day 3 We set off down the Via da Gloria lined with shrines and follow the valley past granite villages with trellised and trailing vines, and espigueros, the region’s traditional stone granaries, towards the Lima Valley (4 hours). We then drive (2.5 hours) into the Gerês National Park. Day 4 Free day with optional walk (4 hours) in the Gerês National Park.

Day 5 We drive (2.5 hours) to the Serra do Alvão from where we follow ancient paths, enjoying spectacular scenery and views to distant peaks, to Lamas de Olo, a medieval village of thatched granite-block houses (3 hours). A short drive then takes us down to the Douro River at Pinhão. Day 6 We follow paths across vine covered hills of the Douro Valley, with extensive views of the river, famous vineyards and quintas (wine lodges), where we enjoy a tasting of one of Portugal’s most outstanding red wines (4 hours). Day 7 We board a rabelo, (traditional boat used for transporting casks of wine down river to Porto) and sail down the Douro. After lunch we complete the journey to Porto with a scenic train ride down the Douro Valley (3 hours). Day 8 Return to Porto airport (45 mins).

8 DAY TRIP, PORTUGAL u

Destination airport: Porto

Fitness: Grade 2+ (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 3/4 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

Castro Laboreiro

Albergaria Miracastro

HHH NIGHT 2

Gavieira

Hotel de Peneda

HHH NIGHTS 3 & 4

Canicada

Pousada do Gerês

HHHH NIGHTS 5 & 6

Pinhão

CS Vintage House Hotel

HHHH NIGHT 7

Porto

Palacio das Cardosas

HHHHH Espigueros, traditional stone granaries

the most beautiful area of portugal ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

N/A 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

The vineyard-covered Douro Valley and its wide river ˚F ˚C 104 40

SPAIN Castro Laboreiro

95 35

Senhora da Peneda Caniçada

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

200

150

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Pinhão Porto

iver D o u ro R

PORTUGAL

SPAIN

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Rustic, wholesome cuisine: sumptuous stews accompanied by potatoes or rice; hearty fish and vegetable soups, often enhanced by aromatic herbs and always prepared with the best of olive oils. Fish and seafood are basic to the Portuguese cuisine and ‘bacalhau’ (salted cod) is still a firm favourite. The area is renowned for its interesting wines, including Vinho Verdo made from the white grapes cultivated in the vineyards of the Minho and Lower Douro Valley; and red Dão wines from the Dão Valley further south. And of course – Port!

TERRAIN Excellent granite paths; forest and farm tracks.

Wild! The Peneda-Geres National Park

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Lake Garda & the Brenta Dolomites From the hills around Lake Garda to the incomparably picturesque mountain scenery of the Brenta Dolomites. Hotels with pools and spa. Excellent walking, food and wine.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Verona airport we travel by road (30 mins) to the hills to the east of Lake Garda where we stay in a wine-growing area for three nights. Day 2 We walk following paths through olive groves and vineyards, and past prehistoric rock carvings, down to the Lake and town of Garda (4.5 hours). We enjoy a late afternoon wine tasting in the nearby Valpolicella region. Day 3 We drive (45 mins) to Malcesine and take a cable car up to Monte Baldo. Once on top we enjoy panoramic views of the lake and mountains to the east, before descending the eastern slope to what is popularly known as Europe’s botanical garden. Opportunity to visit WWI trenches (3 or 6 hours). Day 4 A charter boat trip across Lake Garda brings us to the ‘Isola del Garda’ (also known as Isola Borghese) with its Venetian/Neogothic 19th century villa and extensive Italianate and English gardens. After a private tour of the villa and opportunity to explore the park and gardens, we return to the lake shore by boat. We then drive (2.5 hours) through fertile hill valleys to the Brenta Dolomites. Our mountain-style hotel, situated near Madonna di Campiglio, has unrivalled views of the Brenta range, an indoor pool and spa and excellent restaurant.

Day 5 From Madonna di Campiglio, keen walkers ascend via well-made paths and pastures (whilst others ascend in a cable car) to the limestone Presanella, renowned for its lakes, great variety of flowers and excellent views of the Brenta (2, 5 or 6 hours). Day 6 From Madonna di Campiglio, keen walkers again follow paths, this time to the east of the town (whilst others ascend in a cable car) to explore the flower filled meadows beneath the peaks of the Brenta, with panoramic views. We then descend through woods and past picturesque waterfalls to the valley and our hotel (3, 4.5 or 6 hours). Day 7 We drive (10 mins) then walk up into the Brenta following well-made paths. We ascend through woods to the first mountain hut, before continuing along mountain meadows with extensive views to a second hut (restaurant & bar) with a spectacular setting surrounded by peaks, pinnacles and a glacier. We descend to the valley from where there is an optional walk back to hotel via the magnificent Cascate di Mezzo waterfall (5.5 or 7 hours). There are no cable car options for this walk.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Verona

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 2/7 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-3

San Verolo

Locanda San Verolo

HHHH

NIGHTS 4-7

Madonna di Campiglio

BioHermitage Hotel

HHHH

Day 8 We return to Verona airport by road (2.5 hours). OR... Extend your stay in Verona and enjoy opera in the magnificent Roman amphitheatre. Verona airport is a short taxi ride from the city.

Hotel room with a view!

incomparable mountain scenery ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 9

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

N/A 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: KATE WHINNEY

FOOD & WINE

The Brenta Dolomites: incomparably picturesque scenery Madonna di Campiglio

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Lago di Ledro

Monte Baldo Isola del Garda

San Vérolo

Lake Garda Garda Verona

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Mountain cuisine with fresh produce from hills and mountain farms; lamb, cheeses, game, wild fruits, nuts and mushrooms. Produce from around the lake: olive oil, fruits from orchards and lemon groves; and maize (polenta) and rice from the Po Valley. Wines from neighbouring Valpolicella, Bardolino and Soave; as well as some excellent reds and whites from the Alto Adige.

TERRAIN Well-made and characteristic mountain paths. Walking through olive groves, vineyards, deciduous woodland, coniferous forest and flower-filled mountain meadows. A range of walking possibilities each day; some optional ascents via cable car.

Panoramic views from Monte Baldo

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Land of Piero Della Francesca Idyllic scenery with long views and delightful medieval towns containing fabulous works of Art – including those by Piero, still where he lived and painted.

ITINERARY Day 1 We travel by road from Rome Fiumicino to the medieval town of Città di Castello (2.5 hours) where we stay for three nights. Day 2 We drive to the medieval town of Anghiari, then walk through gentle countryside with views of Citerna before descending to Monterchi, where Piero’s mother was born and the famous fresco of the Madonna del Parto (1460) is rehoused in the converted village school (5.7 miles, 3 hours). We then return to Città di Castello.

the church of San Francesco, housing Piero della Francesca’s masterpiece, the Legend of the True Cross (3.5 miles, 2 hours). We then continue on to Cortona. Day 5 We walk up to the convent of Le Celle, founded by St Francis of Assisi. We then walk along a ridge back into the centre of Cortona (6 miles, 3 hours). Free time in Cortona to visit its many fine churches and museum. Day 6 We follow a panoramic ridge path down to Passignano on Lake Trasimeno (12 miles, 6 hours). We then travel on to Perugia, entering through the underground city.

Day 3 We walk down from the Apennines, enjoying superb views across the Tiber valley, and lunch at the convent of Monte Casale on route to Sansepolcro, birthplace of Piero della Francesca. We visit the Pinacoteca with its important works by Piero, including his Resurrection, and pass the 14th century house where Piero is thought to have lived (8.3 miles, 4 hours).

Day 7 Time to visit some of Perugia’s exceptional monuments and museums, including the Basilica di San Pietro and the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, with the Polyptych of Perugia by Piero della Francesca.

Day 4 We set off by minibus, then walk past ancient Etruscan walls down to Arezzo, visiting

Day 8 Return to Rome Fiumicino airport by road (2 hours).

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 2/6 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-3

Città di Castello

Tiferno

HHHH

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Cortona

Hotel San Michele

HHHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Perugia

Brufani Palace

HHHHH

Panoramic views over Lake Trasimeno

‘the greatest painter who ever lived’ ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

10 9

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Sansepolcro Anghiari Citta di Castello

Cortona Lake Trasimeno 0

Perugia

10 miles

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

200

150

100 mm 150 100 50 0 J

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Some outstanding restaurants offering both Tuscan and Umbrian specialities – the highly prized Chianina beef, freshwater fish, hand-made egg pasta, delicious mushroom-based dishes and imaginatively prepared seasonal vegetables and comforting soups made from locally grown pulses. We compare wines produced in the two regions from Tuscany’s Chianti Classico to Umbria’s Rosso di Montefalco.

TERRAIN Rolling plains, hilltop towns, ridges with panoramic views. Walking mainly on dirt roads, grassy tracks and small paths across hills and along ridges with many fine views.

Footnotes Piero della

Francesca (1415-1492), painter and mathematician, is one of the most outstanding artists and influences of the early Renaissance. Born in San Sepolcro, Tuscany, and probably apprenticed to a local painter in nearby small town of Anghieri, although he ‘came from nowhere’, his prodigious talent, natural style and unique vision were soon recognised. By the age of 24 he was winning commissions in Florence, and others followed – in Ferrara, Rimini, Urbino and Rome. Much of his work has disappeared or been destroyed: Of his frescoes

in Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome only fragments remain, and frescoes in the Vatican were destroyed. His influential mathematical treatises on solid geometry and perspective were largely absorbed into the works of others, including Pacioli’s De Divina Proportione, which was illustrated by Leonardo da Vinci.

which, 600 years later, we can still enjoy, together with some wonderful walking through the inspirational country surrounding the towns and villages where these iconic works were painted.

In a small area, however, around his birthplace, Sansepolcro, where he spent much of his life, and where he died, some of his finest works of ‘the greatest painter who ever lived’ can still be seen at Monterchi (where Piero’s mother was born), Arezzo and Perugia –

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Padula & Northern Calabria Two little-known areas south of Naples – medieval Padula, its rich heritage dating back 3,000 years, and Northern Calabria, its high grassy hills offering inspiring walking.

ITINERARY Day 1 We drive from Naples to the hill town of Padula in the South of the Campania region, where we stay in the medieval centre at a 4* hotel, a converted palazzo, built on (visible) Roman foundations (2.5 hours). Day 2 We walk through one of the town’s walled gates into the country, then pass a Roman aqueduct, and follow tracks through woods, before emerging into high meadows with the site of an ancient walled city (believed to be a Lucanian site dating from 1,000BC). We then continue to visit a remote hermitage with a rock church, its walls decorated with outstanding medieval frescoes (6 miles, 3 hours). Day 3 We drive (5 minutes) to the valley and visit the Carthusian monastery of San Lorenzo, a World Heritage Site. The monastery’s Baroque buildings, including a particularly fine staircase, cover three acres and consists of over 320 rooms. From the extensive kitchens, on the feast day of San Lorenzo, the monks would offer the local community an omelette cooked with 1,000 eggs, a tradition perpetuated today in the world’s largest omelette pan! After visiting the monastery, we walk to Roman baths and an early baptistery, then climb to open hillsides and follow easy tracks with fine views (7 miles, 3.5 hours).

We walk across dramatic spurs of the Orsomarso massif and a lush highland plateau (950m/ 3,116ft), before descending into Morano Calabro, where we stay at a fine converted Villa overlooking the village (9.5 miles, 6 hours).

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Naples

Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3/7 hours

ACCOMMODATION

Day 5 After driving into the inspiring mountain scenery of the Pollino, a circular walk takes us across high meadows and through majestic beechwoods (10 miles, 7 hours). Day 6 From Saracena we drop into a dramatic gorge, then climb across hillsides to reach Albanian Lungro, one of area’s various Albanian settlements dating from the early 16th century. We continue through olive groves and fields to Altomonte, surmounted by its castle, now a 5* hotel – where we stay (12.5 miles, 6.5 hours). Day 7 Ancient mule paths lead to a high meadow with wonderful views of the Orsomarso mountains. We then descend along forest tracks to the small hamlet of Policastrello (6 miles, 4.5 hours). Free afternoon to explore Altomonte, or swim in the Ionian sea near the ancient site of Sybaris. Day 8 Transfer to Naples airport (3 hours).

Day 4 We drive south (1 hour) into Northern Calabria and the high hills of the Pollino, Italy’s largest, least visited, National Park, with its diverse wildlife, flower-filled mountain meadows and ancient Loricato pine trees. Pollino National Park – home to ancient Loricato pines

NIGHTS 1-3

Padula

Villa Cosilinvm

HHHH

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Morano Calabro

Villa San Domenico

HHHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Altomonte

Il Castello di Altomonte

HHHHH

italy’s secret south ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Spectacular, high mountain meadows ˚F ˚C 104 40

Padula

20 miles

95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Morano Calabro

Lungro Altomonte

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Intense sun in this southernmost part of Italy gives rise to strong flavours and unusual influences such as liquorice and gentian in local dishes. Small, fiery chillies give a kick to pasta dishes and wild herbs such as fennel and oregano are used in making salami and sausages. Vines introduced by the Greeks still flourish and are used to produce the red Cirò. Liqueurs are produced in many homes, based on diverse local ingredients.

TERRAIN Paths through forest and across grassland of dramatic mountain landscapes; tracks and small lanes across lower hills. Long climbs with short, steep sections and some paths are rocky and uneven.

Footnotes The Baroque,

Carthusian Certosa di San Lorenzo di Padula (or Padula Charterhouse) is the largest monastery in Italy (12.7 acres), and has the largest cloister in the world (2.97 acres), surrounded by 84 columns. Begun in 1306 and completed more than 400 years later, its design emulates a gridiron – a metal grate with parallel bars – evoking the live burning of a saint. Its museum houses finds from excavations from two important necropoli discovered in the environs, representing the period from protohistory to the Hellenistic Age. Also notable are the

cloister’s 16th century choir stalls with fine intarsia decoration, high altar and main door dating back

to 1374, and the magnificent grand, white marble staircase leading to the library.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Unknown Basilicata Almost unvisited when ATG started running trips there 20 years ago, Basilicata, from coast to coast, remains wild and ‘unimaginable’. Dolomite peaks (!), Greek temples, vast flower-filled pastures, fine ancient pilgrim paths, wonderful southern hospitality – and much more…

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Naples airport we drive (2 hours 15 mins) to Castelmezzano (750m/2,456ft) – picturesquely situated amongst peaks and pinnacles of dolomite. An afternoon walk explores the village, considered ‘one of the most beautiful (and geologically interesting) in Italy’ (2.5 miles, 2 hours). Day 2 We walk along a paved path, (now punctuated with unusual, EC-funded, thematic features), to the neighbouring village of Pietrapertosa, nestling amongst peaks of dolomite (2.5 miles, 1.5 hours). From here we drive (1 hour) to the coast and sites of Magna Graecia, where we visit the temple of Hera at Metapontum, before continuing (20 mins) to ancient Heraclea, and its excellent museum with artefacts excavated from successive occupations. We then drive (1 hour) inland, before walking 2.6 miles into the Pollino National Park and the village of Terranova di Pollino (900m/2,947ft). Day 3 We drive (15 mins) to the head of a wide valley (1,367m/4,485ft), from where we walk up through deciduous woods, to a forest track that contours round the mountain and through meadows. After lunch at the isolated pilgrim church of Madonna di Pollino, we walk down into the valley and to our 4* hotel – a delightfully converted mill (940m/3,078ft) (9.5 miles, 6 hours). Day 4 We drive (15 mins) then walk up a gorge that brings us up into inspiring mountain scenery of wide, flower-filled 70

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Naples

Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 7

Shortest/longest walk: 2/7 hours

ACCOMMODATION pastures, and spend the day enjoying the outstanding walking this area offers. There are opportunities to walk up the grassy, flower-rich slope of Serra di Crispo (2,053m/6,723ft), its ridge crowned with rare Loricato pines, some over 1,000 years old. We visit the aptly named ‘Garden of the Gods’ (747m/ 5,711ft), and the Grande Porta del Pollino (1,947m/6,376ft), from where a climb to Serra delle Ciavole (2,127m/6,965ft), offers spectacular views across open mountain meadows to other peaks of the Pollino range and the Ionian Sea… before, reluctantly, leaving this delightful area and walking down to the Frido Valley (10.5 miles, 7 hours). Day 5 We drive (15 mins), then follow tracks through forest, before emerging into meadows and walking up to the pilgrim church of the Madonna dell’ Alto (970m/3,177ft), from where there are views of the entire Pollino range (3.6 miles, 2 hours). We then walk along a ridge (c.900m/2,950ft), with woods and scrub, before descending through meadows to the characteristic small town of Castelluccio Superiore (c.550m/ 1,800ft) (8 miles, 4 hours). Day 6 Our walk takes us up a fine ancient pilgrim track to an isolated sanctuary church (1,103m/3,619ft) with extensive views across the area. We continue up through pastures to a low pass (1,146m/ 3,753ft), from where we follow paths and farm tracks to a lake, a noted nature reserve, for a late lunch (9 miles, 5 hours). From here we drive (40 mins) to Maratea (212m/694ft).

NIGHT 1

NIGHT 2

Castelmezzano

Terranova di Pollino

Albergo Locanda di Castromediano

Hotel Picchio Nero

HHH

HHH NIGHTS 3 & 4

NIGHT 5

Mezzana Salice

Castelluccio Superiore

Mulino Iannarelli

Hotel Sette e Mezzo

HHHH

HHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Maratea

La Locanda delle Donne Monache

HHHH

Day 7 Free day in Maratea, with an optional walk. After driving 15 minutes to the start (500m/1,637ft) of an impressive pilgrim path, we walk up through woods, then high pastures, to a sanctuary church (1,089m/3,566ft) with panoramic views of the coast. We walk down through meadows, then follow farm tracks, and cross a small plateau to the church of San Biagio (624m/2,045ft) overlooking Maratea, from where a woodland path winds down to just behind our hotel (8.8 miles, 5 hours). Day 8 We return to Naples airport (2.5 hours).

best of the wild south of italy ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Cultural

Wine area

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

Art

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD One of the most ancient and traditional of all Italian cuisines, Basilicata is an area where almost all pasta is still hand made, the vegetables are grown without chemicals and the animals are raised in a traditional manner providing a gastronomy that has not changed radically throughout the centuries. Interestingly, a certain Greek influence still pervades the cuisine of this area, as it does the food of much of the south. The dishes are not elaborate but full of aromas and always balanced, a cuisine that perfectly interprets the Mediterranean diet.

The wild and majestic Pollino National Park – and a signature Loricato pine Castelmezzano

10 miles

Metaponto

Mezzana Maratea Salice Terranova Castelluccio di Pollino POLLINO NATIONAL PARK Naples

TERRAIN

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Terranova Feet di Pollino 6000 5000 Castelmezzano 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 AM PM Day 1 Day 2 Miles 0

Mezzana Salice

Day 3 10

Day 5

Day 4 15

Maratea Metres 1830 1535 1220 915 610 305 0 Day 7

Castelluccio Superiore

Day 6 45

The terrain is mountainous and the walking is moderately strenuous. We follow mostly good mountain tracks with occasional mule paths, forestry roads and ways across open pastures.

Footnotes The Pollino is Italy’s largest National Park.

Established in 1992, it covers 1,820 square kilometres in the Basilicata and Calabria regions. It takes its name from the wild Pollino Massif, which has many peaks over 2,000m/ 6,550ft (highest peak 2,267m/7,424ft). It includes natural, geological and archaeological interests, and is noted for its ancient Albanian-speaking communities. The park is one of the last refuges of the Bosnian pine (many over 1,000 years old) and has a rich flora with ‘carpets’ of orchids. Wildlife includes the Italian wolf, European otter, roe deer, golden eagle, black woodpecker, chough, peregrine falcon, lanner falcon, red kite and Egyptian vulture. Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

The best way to see a country is on foot

Mediterranean Islands & Coasts Areas of the Mediterranean accessible by road are mostly built-over or degraded, but for those on foot there are thousands of miles of wonderful country with inspiring walking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cooling sea breezes, scented scrub and pine woods, ridges and headlands with spectacular views, small farms with stone-walled fields, fig trees, vines and olives.... and opportunities for swimming. ~ No area is the same, every island almost unimaginably different, as is every small port and village. From the Lattari hills high above the Amalfi coast, to the remote stretches of beach along the wild Gargano Peninsula, from the mountains of Mallorca to the picturesque, volcanic Aeolian Isles... all offer great walking, and welcoming hospitality.

Mallorca: Mountains & Sea Inspiring mountain walking in the wild and dramatic Tramuntana mountains, fine monasteries, picturesque mountain villages and spectacular views across the island and sea.

8 DAY TRIP, SPAIN

ITINERARY Day 1 Transfer from Palma airport to the delightful old town of Pollensa (1 hour).

ravine into the next cultivated valley, owned by a splendid finca which we pass. From here we climb back into the Serra Tramuntana, with splendid views from the lofty Col d'Ofre (900m/3,000ft). Paths then descend through woods and alongside stone-built irrigation channels to the fertile valley of Sóller (90m/300ft), where our walk ends (10 miles, 6 hours). Transfer by road (15 mins) to our seafront hotel.

Day 2 We walk out along a verdant valley, and from here climb into the beautiful foothills of the Serra Tramuntana, through woodland and high meadows, and past unusual rock formations, before we drop down to the remote monastic complex of Lluc (11 miles, 6 hours). Day 3 From Lluc our route climbs into glorious limestone mountain scenery, with expansive views. We cross a small pass and descend into a wooded valley to our picnic. After lunch our route climbs again before descending into a cultivated valley dominated by a pair of magnificent limestone bluffs, where we spend two nights in an elegant countryhouse hotel (13 miles, 7 hours).

Day 6 From Port de Sóller we walk up through terraced orchards and around pine-clad hills to the picturesque village of Deia, nestled against the mountain. We stay here for two nights in a very comfortable hotel (8 miles, 4 hours).

Day 4 We walk up through olives and woods to the impressively-situated ruins of the Moorish castle of Alaró, with vast views over the plains below. From here small paths descend to our picnic, after which there is the option to walk or drive back to the hotel (5.5 miles, 3 hours + 2.5 miles, 1.5 hours).

Day 7 From Deia we climb through woods to emerge high on the mountainside with panoramic views over the coast. We cross the mountain and descend to Valledemossa following an extraordinary mountain bridleway built in the 1870s by an Austrian archduke (7.5 miles, 4.5 hours). Opportunity to visit Valledemossa before returning by road to Deia.

Day 5 We walk up through farmland, then climb a small

Day 8 Transfer to Palma de Mallorca airport (45 mins).

Destination airport: Palma de Mallorca

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 4 - 4+ (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3/7 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

Pollensa

Son Sant Jordi Boutique Hotel

HHHH NIGHT 2

Lluc

Santuari de Lluc

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Near Orient

S’Olivaret

HHHH NIGHT 5

Sóller

Hotel Esplendido

HHHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Deia Feet Pollensa 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2

Valldemossa

S'Olivaret

Lluc

Day 3 (dotted line = short walk)

Day 4

Sóller

Day 5

Deia

Day 6

Day 7

Metres 1220 915 610 305 0

La Residencia Miles 0

HHHHH

across the tramuntana to the sea ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

N/A 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Gorg Blau Lake 104 40

Sóller Deia

95 35

Lluc Orient

Valldemossa Palma

SPAIN

400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

Pollensa

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Moorish, Catalan and Jewish influences combine to produce a distinctive, stylish cuisine based on seafood and fresh vegetables. Highlights are baked sea bass, sausages (botifarrones), ratatouille with potatoes (tumbet), fish casserole (cassola de peix), and ensaimadas, sweet pastries filled with custard or pumpkin jam. The red and rosé wines of Binissalem, es Raiguer are both respectable while the Pla de Llevant produces a number of smooth whites.

TERRAIN A mixture of well-made cobbled paths, rocky mountain trails and a few unsurfaced lanes. Lots of ascent and descent, though distances are not that great. Sticks/poles recommended.

Footnotes The monastery of

Lluc, set in a high sheltered valley of the Tramuntana, originated as an Augustinian hermitage. It was established in 1260 on land owned by the Knights Templar to house a miraculous black Madonna, found at the site by a goatherd around 1247.

teach grammar and Christianity was also added and a choir established. Today the choir, known as the ‘Blauets’ in reference to their blue cassocks (‘blau’ means blue in Catalan), comprises 40 boys and girls who sing a mass twice daily.

By 1456 the hermitage had, under the auspices of Pope Calixtus III, become a collegiate, and by 1531 Pope Clement VII granted Lluc ‘priory’ status. A seminary was added in 1586, followed by accommodation to house the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the site. A boys’ school to Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Sintra & the Portuguese Coast Portugal’s wild west coast with some of Europe’s largest waves, the protected Serra de Sintra, and UNESCO Heritage site of Sintra itself, with its castles, palaces and gardens.

ITINERARY Portugal – and mainland Europe. We then walk through the famous vineyards of ‘Colares’ where vines rooted in sand dunes produce ‘bright blue’ grapes used to make some of Portugal’s best red wines. We return to the coast and past dramatic cliff formations to the beach of Praia Grande, with its world-famous ‘swirling’ waves (7.4 miles, 4 hours).

Day 1 After arrival at Lisbon airport we travel by road (40 mins) to the small fishing port of Cascais on the Atlantic coast – now a fashionable resort with a marina, smart shops, elegant restaurants and one of the best (and cleanest!) surfing beaches in Europe. Day 2 After a short transfer to Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake), forest paths lead to open farmland and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, then down to Guincho Beach (extensive views!), one of Portugal's best wind-surfing locations (7.9 miles, 4 hours).

Day 5 We continue along the coast to the small seaside resort of Azenhas do Mar, with its pretty whitewashed houses perched on a cliff. From here the coastal path continues, past more fine beaches, then heads inland to the curious church of São Mamede, ‘protector of the animals’ – which were freely allowed to enter the chapel until recent times. Minor roads then lead to Colares, centre of wine production in the area (9.9 miles, 4.5 hours).

Day 3 We follow coastal paths before heading inland into the Serra de Sintra, where we find hills with unique microclimates, known to the Ancient World as ‘mountains of the Moon’, and the legendary retreat of Diana the Huntress (Cynthia to the Romans, hence Çintra). We visit the Convento dos Capuchos (Capuchin monastery), before continuing through the Serra up to the spectacularly situated 14th century Peninha Chapel, with fine painted panels depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary (11 miles, 5.5 hours).

Day 6 We walk through small hamlets and vineyards before joining wide forest paths passing through the Serra to the romantic Palace of Monserrate, with its extensive exotic gardens and follies. We then continue through the Serra and a short section of road brings us to the arch of the old west entrance to Sintra (6.8 miles, 3.5 hours).

Day 4 We drive, then walk on paths with spectacular views leading to Cabo (Cape) da Roca, the most westerly point of

Cascais Lagoa Azul Guincho Feet 1000 0 Day 2 Miles 0

Azoia

Day 3 15

Praia Grande

Day 4 20

Day 5 30

Sintra

Colares

Day 6 35

Metres 305 0

8 DAY TRIP, PORTUGAL u

Destination airport: Lisbon

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3/5.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHTS 2 & 3

Cascais

Guincho

Hotel Albatroz

Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho

HHHHH

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

Praia Grande

Colares

Hotel Arribas

Sarrazola House Hotel

HHH

HHH NIGHTS 6 & 7

Sintra

Tivoli Palácio de Seteais

HHHHH

Day 7 We walk to explore Sintra, recognised by Byron as ‘a glorious Eden’ and by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We find a ‘garden of delights’ with magnificent palaces, galleries, churches, museums, and cobbled medieval streets lined with boutique shops and cafés. Day 8 We travel by road (1 hour) to Lisbon airport.

wild coast, vineyards & gardens ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

FOOD & WINE

Dramatic coastal views: Guincho beach ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Sintra Praia Grande Colares Cabo da Roca Azóia

Sintra PORTUGAL Lagoa Azul

Guincho Cascais

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Delicious country cooking – hearty soups and roasts, with a strong reliance on sausage, cheese, bread and elaborate, fresh seafood dishes. Puddings tend to be sticky and extremely sweet – pastries and cheesecakes are favourites. The hotel in Guincho has a Michelin restaurant. The windswept coastal area is home to the ‘Ramisco’ vines grown in deep trenches (technically underground) that produce the area’s internationally renowned Colares wines. Another famous Portuguese wine worth sampling is, of course, Port.

TERRAIN Paths along the Atlantic coast, through low hills, vineyards and forest.

Footnotes In 1836 Queen Maria II of Portugal (aged 16 and already a widow) married the cultured and able Prince Ferdinand of SaxeCoburg Gotha (aged 20). In 1837 following the birth of an heir, Ferdinand was crowned king – Dom Ferdinando II of Portugal. In 1838 Ferdinand, newly married, enterprising and interested in art, craftsmanship, and modern and liberal ideas, turned a ruined monastery at Sintra into a castle, the Pena National Palace: a wild architectural fantasy in an eclectic style, combining Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance styles, and symbolic elements,

comparable with the castle of Ludwig II of Bavaria at Neuschwanstein. The Pena Palace and its park with local and exotic trees inspired the creation of other buildings in the Romantic style, and created a unique combination of parks and gardens around Sintra, which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe. After the death of Maria in 1859, giving birth to her eleventh child, Ferdinand rejected an offer of the Spanish throne in 1861. He later married the opera singer Elsa Hensler, and spent his last years at

the castle receiving many of the greatest artists of the Age, before his death in 1885.

The Pena National Palace: wild architectural fantasy

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Amalfi Coast Follow paths above one of the world’s most picturesque coastlines, walking down to stay beside the sea each afternoon – fine villas, churches, and concert at the Villa Rufolo.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 Transfer from Naples airport (1.5 hours) to the hill town of Ravello, renowned for its idyllic position and, views of the Amalfi coast and the sea, as well as its villas and gardens. Late afternoon visit to the Villa Cimbrone and its extensive gardens, with statues and view of the Gulf of Salerno. We also visit the fine 11th century cathedral – and opposite, the 13th century Villa Ruffolo, admired by Boccaccio and Richard Wagner, where in the evening we attend a concert. (Note: Depending on the concert schedule, this may be on a different night). Day 2 Follow ancient stairways down to the fishing village of Atrani, a maze of whitewashed alleys, and two fine churches. Paths then lead through lemon groves, above Amalfi, to the Torre dello Ziro and on to Scala, the oldest ‘little’ city of the coast, then back to Ravello (6.6 miles, 5 hours). Day 3 A high path leads to the famous nature reserve of ‘Valle delle Ferriere’, through meadows, chestnut groves and past waterfalls towards the village of Pogerola and then down an ancient flight of steps towards the historic city of Amalfi (8.5 miles, 6 hours). Day 4 There is time to visit Amalfi, its outstanding cathedral with 11th Century bronze door cast in Constantinople, and delightful cloister. Also the huge, Gothic Arsenale della

Repubblica, where the ships were built that made Amalfi one of the Mediterranean’s greatest maritime states during the Middle Ages. A 1,000-year-old footpath leads through historic villages, past the monastery of Santa Rosa, to the old fishing village of Conca dei Marini (3.6 miles, 3 hours). Day 5 A stepped footpath passes churches with panoramic views, and descends into the spectacular fjord of Furore. Then the ‘Via dell’Amore’ leads into the green Praia Valley, before descending to the quiet village of Vettica Maggiore, distinguished by its 16th century church (5 miles, 4 hours).

Destination airport: Naples

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 3/6 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHT 3

Ravello

Amalfi

Hotel Giordano

Luna Convento

HHHH

NIGHTS 4 & 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Vettica Maggiore

Positano

Tramonto d’Oro

Punta Regina

HHHH

Day 6 Climb up the Via Croce to the monastery of San Domenico and along the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ (footpath of the Gods), a high open ridge walk with fine views, before descending through olive groves to famously picturesque Positano, its characterful buildings perched on terraces that descend to the rocky shore and delightful bay. We stay for two nights at a delightful 4* boutique hotel set in a garden with pool (6.3 miles, 4.5 hours).

(weather permitting); otherwise walk from Montepertuso along scenic paths towards Santa Maria al Castello with panoramic views over the Gulf of Salerno and Naples. Return via the fertile Pozzo Valley (5 miles, 4 hours).

Day 7 An excursion by hydrofoil to the island of Capri

Day 8 Return to Naples airport (1.5 hours).

Ravello Feet 2000 1000 0

Miles 0

Vettica Amalfi Maggiore Conca dei Marini

Ravello

Scala

Day 2 5

Day 3 10

Day 4 15

Montepertuso Metres Positano 610 305 0 Day 6 Day 7

Day 5 20

europe’s famous picturesque coastline ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

N/A 9

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

The elegant resort of Positano 0

Hours 400

˚F ˚C 104 40

10 miles

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

Sta Maria del Castello Monte Pertuso

Ravello

Scala

Positano Atrani Amalfi Vettica Maggiore

Conca dei Marini

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Footnotes Many of the

outstanding historic buildings derive from the early medieval period, when Amalfi rivalled Pisa and Genoa as the dominant trading power in the Mediterranean – prior to the rise of Venice. By the 6th century Amalfi had developed extensive trade across the whole Mediterranean area. In 837 Amalfi renounced Byzantine allegiance and declared itself a republic. In 956 it elected a duke and became known as the ‘Duchy of Amalfi’. In 1134 the town was sacked by the Pisans, and in 1346 a tsunami destroyed part of the harbour, and the city

never recovered. The area again rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s when it became a popular holiday destination for the British ‘Upper Classes’. Many of the most outstanding monuments, including its fine 9th century cathedral, remain, and today Amalfi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St Andrew’s Cathedral

An abundance of delicious, fresh seafood – octopus, crab, shrimp and lobster. Basic ingredients – tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, mozzarella, bread – feature in many dishes. As Naples is the birthplace of pizza, there is a huge selection, often including seafood. Roasted vegetables with parmesan cheese is another favourite. Few Campania wines have official credentials; however there are some pleasant surprises among the table wines. Ravello produces some excellent red, white and rosé under the labels of Vino Gran Caruso and Vuilleumier, and try Divina Costiera from Furore. The famous liqueur of Campania is limoncello – an infusion of lemon peel in pure alcohol.

TERRAIN Ancient paths, with long flights of steps, originally used to link the villages, which climb and descend through lemon groves. Small open footpaths (rocky in places) through the Valle delle Ferriere and on the Sentiero degli Dei – not suitable for vertigo sufferers. NOTE: Steep ascents and descents; plenty of steps; sticks/poles advisable. Stepped sections may seem more like Grade 3+.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Gargano Peninsula High coastal walking with excellent views; fine Romanesque churches and Monte Sant’Angelo; perfect time for swimming in the sea (autumn departure); delicious seafood.

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Bari airport we travel by road to the picturesque fishing village of Peschici, its narrow alleys of clifftop whitewashed houses perched on the eastern edge of the Gargano Peninsula (3 hours). We stay close to the tiny harbour and its sand beach.

Day 6 Paths from the small harbour village of Mattinata lead up through olive groves to an ancient pilgrim path, which we follow uphill, enjoying panoramic views of the coast, to the ancient town of Monte Sant’Angelo (840m/2,755ft), with its whitewashed houses, steep narrow alleys and stairways, and views across the Gargano Massif and the sea (8.4 miles, 4.5 hours). Time to explore the town, with a fine Romanesque church built above the famous cave, believed to be the last place that St Michael appeared on Earth (491 AD).

Day 2 A fine ridge walk with extensive views down from the forested crest of the Gargano Massif to Peschici (8 miles, 4 hours). Day 3 We drive to the high massif above the village and follow tracks and paths through forest and pastures with panoramic views of the Gargano coast, before descending to the small ancient port of Vieste (12 miles, 6 hours).

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 4/6 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

Peschici

Hotel Elisa

HHH

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Vieste

Palace Hotel

HHHH

NIGHTS 5-7

Fontana delle Rose

Villa Scapone

If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Fontana delle Rose Gargano Massif Peschici Feet 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2

Day 8 Return to Bari by road (2 hours).

Day 5 After a brief (30 minute) transfer we follow paths and tracks through limestone hills and scrub to a viewpoint (340m/1,115ft), before descending to follow a picturesque coastal path to the bay of Fontana delle Rose (8.3 miles, 4 hours).

Destination airport: Bari

Day 7 From the historic pilgrim church at Monte Sant’Angelo, we follow the ancient pilgrim path down through meadows and a ravine to the plain, then walk through olive groves to the port of Manfredonia (8.1 miles, 4 hours). Return by road to Fontana delle Rose.

Day 4 Free day in Vieste with (weather-permitting) a boat trip along the very picturesque Gargano coast, followed by an optional afternoon walk in the Gargano National Park.

Miles 0

Mattinata Manfredonia Monte Metres Sant‘Angelo 915 610 305 0 Day 6 Day 7

Vieste

Day 3 15

Day 5 20

HHH

pilgrim paths, sea coast & monte sant’angelo ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

N/A 8

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: SARAH WELLBURN

FOOD & WINE

Flower-covered meadows descend to a picturesque coast Hours 400

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Bari

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

Peschici Vieste

S. Giovanni Rotondo Fontana delle Rose Monte Sant’Angelo Mattinata Manfredonia

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Excellent local seafood, olive oil, interesting and original pasta dishes; and delicious sheep’s cheese and lamb from the high plateau. The area is famous for its breads, biscuits and pastas, which are distributed throughout the country; and more than 50% of Italy’s output of olive oil comes from Puglia and Calabria. Puglia is noted for its wines and there are some local to the area.

TERRAIN Limestone terrain with coastal and pilgrim paths; farm and forest tracks through pinewoods, olive groves, and across beaches and meadows.

Footnotes The town of

Monte Sant’Angelo is perched on a limestone promontory 800m/2,620ft above the Adriatic coast. In spring the meadows surrounding the town are carpeted with orchids. The town developed around a cave, the oldest shrine in Western Europe, which is revered as the last place that the Archangel Michael appeared on Earth – to the Bishop of nearby Siponto, in 490 AD. The attributed date of the appearance, 8 May, relates to another appearance of the archangel – with flaming sword – prior to a victory by local Lombard forces over a

Greek army at Siponto in 663. The shrine, now entered via a Romanesque basilica, has been visited by emperors, kings, popes and saints, including

Bridget of Sweden, Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas Aquinas and Francis of Assisi. Today Monte Sant’Angelo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea Walk across the island... along ancient paths and tracks with long views. Abundant flower and bird species, remote picturesque villages, characteristic accommodation and traditional cuisine.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Catania airport we drive (1 hour) to the ancient city of Enna, centrally situated high (1,000m/3,275ft) on a great buttress of rock. We stay in the old town close to the cathedral and castle. Day 2 We drive (30 minutes) to the village of Villadoro, set amongst open rolling hills in the centre of the island, and follow tracks, originally the routes of ancient drove roads, Carthaginian and Roman roads, with long views across the island to Mount Etna...until we come to the spectacular village of Gangi. We stay at a converted patrician villa in the valley below the village (8.5 miles, 5 hours). Day 3 We explore Gangi, its picturesque alleys, its piazzas and churches, and also visit the village of Sperlinga, with its troglodyte dwellings and castle (5 miles, 2.5 hours). Day 4 We follow farm tracks then a section of ancient road, that includes a fine Roman bridge, leading to the village of Geraci Siculo, with its Saracen fountain and ruined Saracen castle. Continuing, we enter the Madonie National Park, noted for its geological formations, its birds and flowers, and follow paths through meadows of the

Madonie Mountains to our hotel, on a remote hilltop site in the mountains (13.4 miles, 6.5 hours). Day 5 We cross a ridge and descend along an ancient grassy road, through woods, past a wildlife reserve, with fallow deer and wild boar, then down through beech forest to our hotel, converted from a large fortified farm with views to the Gulf of Palermo (8.5 miles, 4 hours). Day 6 Forest and farm tracks lead down to the village of Isnello, with its castle and fine medieval buildings. We then follow ancient tracks up to a sanctuary church with views, and continue down along the pilgrim route through increasingly sub-tropical vegetation, olive and lemon groves, towards Cefalù, where our hotel is a few metres from a beach (15 miles, 8.5 hours). Day 7 We follow paths up, through woods and scrub, on to the massive buttress of rock behind Cefalù – to visit its Greek and Roman sites, and enjoy a panorama of the town and coast. Descending we explore Cefalù, its harbour, picturesque streets and alleys and not least its outstanding cathedral dating from 1131, with impressive 12th century Byzantine mosaics (4 hours). Optional afternoon

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Catania

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/7 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

NIGHTS 2 & 3

Enna

Gangi

Grande Albergo Sicilia

HHH

Villa Raino Agriturismo

NIGHTS 4 & 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Madonie Mountains

Cefalù

Hotel Pomieri

Hotel Kalura

HHH

visit to the cathedral of Monreale, the great masterpiece of medieval architecture, with its Byzantine mosaics and fine cloister, preserved almost intact after eight centuries. Day 8 We return to Catania airport (2.5 hours).

le madonie ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 6

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: COLLEEN FLEMING

FOOD & WINE

The spectacular village of Gangi ˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Footnotes The Madonie

National Park – Parco delle Madonie – was officially created in 1989, three years after the ATG walking route across the area was established. The park comprises about 39,972 acres (161.76km2/62.46 sq miles) of mountain pastures and forest, and includes the Madonie Mountain range with peaks around 1,500m/4,900ft, and Pizzo Carbonara (1,979m/6,493ft), the island’s second highest peak after Mount Etna. Many of the hill and mountain villages, with their characteristic medieval buildings and alleys, are connected by ‘roads’, now grassy

tracks, some dating back 3,000 years to the indigenous Siculi, whilst others trace their origins to the Minoans and later invaders – Phoenician, Greek, Carthaginian and Roman. Wildlife includes wolves, wildcats, deer and boar. There is a wide range of native birds, including several species of eagle. The park is on a major migration route between Europe and Africa. Amongst the migrants seen are flocks of cranes. Flowers are abundant, and in the forests are ancient, giant trees, and on the mountains the nearly extinct Nebrodi fir. Geologically the park is of outstanding interest with

Sicily’s interesting cuisine reflects the varied influences of invaders (Spanish, Arab, Greek) over the millennia. Its varied style is also characterised by the intense and pure flavour of local ingredients. Famous for its rich and brightly coloured puddings, those with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed. Sicily (with Puglia) is the largest producer of wine in Italy, and the wines are continually improving: excellent Rosso del Conte red and Nozze d’Oro white. There is also the well-known dessert wine Marsala.

TERRAIN Drove roads, dirt roads, mule, mountain and rough animal paths across rolling hills and low mountains. rocks spanning over 200 million years. In 1997, the Sicilian region recognised ATG’s pioneering development of tourism in the poorest areas of the island with a prestigious award.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Western Crete Walk across the island twice! Fine, rugged scenery with immense views, dramatic gorges, snow-capped mountains and turquoise sea. Picturesque hill villages and delightful people.

11 DAY TRIP, GREECE

ITINERARY Day 1 Transfer to the seaside town of Kissamos – excellent fish dinner! (1.5 hours) Day 2 After visiting the ancient ruins of Polyrinia, we follow the beautiful Sirikari Gorge to a high ridge with views, before descending to the mountain ‘hamlet’ of Milia, where we stay two nights (9.2 miles, 6 hours). Day 3 We visit the impressive rock church of Agia Sofia before continuing over hills of chestnut woods and olives to Sassalos. After lunch we follow paths through a remote wooded valley (12 miles, 6.5 hours). Day 4 From Spaniakos, we climb to a Venetian fortress on the mountain top before descending to the village of Azogyres, where we have lunch and visit a small monastery, before following a mountain trail down the Anidri gorge – to the sea. Short drive to the seaside town of Paleochora (12 miles, 6.5 hours).

Day 6 Optional excursion by boat to the remote church of Agios Adonis, returning on foot to Sougia along a trail with wonderful views (3 hours). Free afternoon.

Destination airport: Chania

Continuous route

Fitness: Grade 4 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 8

Shortest/longest walk: 5.5/6 hours

ACCOMMODATION

Day 7 We climb the spectacular Agia Irini gorge to its church, whose frescoes have been restored by the ATG Trust. From here we follow a scenic mule path over a high pass to the Omalos plateau, and small lanes to our hotel (12 miles, 7 hours). Day 8 We follow small mountain paths across rocky hillsides and hidden pastures to lunch, then continue through equally wild landscapes with farreaching views to the mountain village of Lakki. Return by road to Omalos (11 miles, 5.5 hours). Day 9 From Lakki we walk down into the citrus groves of Meskla, then cross a 2,000ft ridge to lunch, before following the impressive Theriso gorge down to the outskirts of Chania. Transfer by road to our comfortable hotel on Chania's Venetian harbour (10.5 miles, 6 hours).

Day 5 A rugged, picturesque coastal path leads to the ancient site of Lissos, and then climbs beyond it to descend a fine gorge into the seaside village of Sougia (12 miles, 7 hours).

NIGHT 1

NIGHTS 2 & 3

Kissamos

Milia

Hotel Kissamos HH(C)

Hamlet Milia HH(C)

NIGHT 4

NIGHT 5

Paleochora

Sougia

Aris Hotel HH(B)

Aretousa Pension HH(B)

NIGHTS 7 & 8

NIGHTS 9 & 10

Omalos

Chania

Neos Omalos HH(C)

Porto Veneziano HHH(B)

Day 10 Free day to explore the beautiful city of Chania, and swim! Day 11 Return to Chania airport (30 mins).

Feet 5000 Kissamos 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Day 2 Miles 0

Sougia

Paleochora

Strovles

Milia

Omalos

Metres Chania 1525 1220 915 610 305 0 Day 9

Lakki

Agia Irini

Day 3 10

Day 4 20

Day 5 30

Day 7 45

Day 8 55

the white mountains & their wild coastline ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 6

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Hillsides descend to the sea 0

10 miles

CRETE

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Chania

Kissamos

Milia

Lakki Agia Irini

Strovles Omalos

Paleochora

Sougia

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Tasty ‘peasant’ fare, much of it from their livestock and gardens; slow-roasted lamb and kid; plenty of fresh, grilled fish; tasty local cheeses. Dessert: filo pastry sweets and yoghurt. Unsophisticated but organic local wines – some surprisingly tasty. The local tipple is Tsikoudia (raki).

TERRAIN Varied, often rocky. Dirt roads and small tracks – some stony; a rocky river-bed (Agia Irini gorge), some minor asphalt roads, overgrown/ prickly in places – bring trousers and walking poles. You must be sure-footed and have a reasonable degree of fitness to participate in this tour.

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

Endless views over diverse landscapes

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Secret Venice Venetian’s Venice – lunch at private palazzi on the Grand Canal, a private visit to the cathedral of San Marco in an exclusive itinerary, staying at the 5* Danieli next to Piazza San Marco.

5 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Venice Marco Polo

Fitness: Grade 1 Please see important note re walking and fitness below right.*

ITINERARY Day 1 Note: We reserve ‘classic’ rooms at the Danieli. If you would like to upgrade to a ‘premium’ room with views of the lagoon, please contact the office. From Venice Marco Polo airport a private water taxi will speed us across the Lagoon to Venice (30 mins) and through a network of canals before emerging at the top of the Grand Canal – where our hotel – the 5* Hotel Danieli, is situated, on the waterfront, a brief stroll from the central Piazza San Marco. There is time to explore before dinner at one of the city’s most renowned restaurants. Day 2 We explore Venice’s tiny alleys and bridges, visit the tombs of the Doges in the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo and the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, with its nine unforgettable paintings by Carpaccio. Lunch, exclusive to ATG, is at a private palazzo on the Grand Canal, offering a unique insight into the lives of Venetian aristocracy. Optional afternoon visit to the Accademia. In the evening we enjoy a private guided visit to St Mark’s Basilica, illuminated specially for us, its domes resplendent with gold mosaic. Day 3 We visit the Doge’s Palace and Museo Correr, before meeting for lunch at another fine private palazzo on the Grand Canal. After lunch we cross the Grand Canal to the San Polo district to visit the magnificent Franciscan Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa de Frari, and then see Tintoretto’s masterpieces at the Scuola di San Rocco. 86

Day 4 We take a boat trip to the islands, visiting Burano, with its pastel coloured fishermen’s houses, and Murano, little changed since the 15th century, when the glass kilns of Venice were moved there – for safety! We continue to tranquil, sparsely inhabited, Torcello, once a great city and rival to Venice. We visit the cathedral with its 9th Century bell tower and adjacent 11th Century polygonal church of Santa Fosca, before returning, across the lagoon to Venice (1.5 miles excluding visits). Day 5 Return to Venice Marco Polo airport by water taxi (30 mins). If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Days of walking: 4

Urban walks and sightseeing

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-4

Venice

Danieli

HHHHH

‘la serenissima’ ©

Venice out of season is Venice at its best

Canal Gr

Pal Corner Spinelli

Pal Rezzonico

Basilica

S. Zaccaria

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

S. Zanipolo

S. Ma Gloriosa dei Frari Scuolo di S. Rocco

˚F ˚C 104 40

Pal Vendramin Calergi an

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Piazza S. Marco Gallerie di Accademia Ca n

ale

della

Giud e

S Maria di Salute S. Giorgio Maggiore cca

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

10 Wildlife

Restaurants 8

N/A

Geology

Cultural

Wine area

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Art

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Flowers

N/A Architecture 10

Birds

N/A Environment 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

*WALKING AND FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

FOOD & WINE

Though the fitness rating for this trip is Grade 1, with walks comprising gentle sightseeing strolls, please note that there are many steps over bridges and inside buildings to negotiate. Most monuments and other buildings do not have lifts. You must be sufficiently nimble to be able to get on and off water taxis and vaporetti (water buses). Please also

Wonderful fish and seafood from the Adriatic. Polenta, made from maize flour, has long been a staple of north-east Italy, as has risotto.

consider that at times of acqua alta (high water), when the only way to walk about the city is on duckboards (wooden slats), your walking must be stable and confident in order to enjoy the itinerary. Sturdy, comfortable footwear and warm clothing is recommended, and bring your Wellingtons just in case of acqua alta!

The wines of Veneto are varied and include some well-known grapes – both French and indigenous, such as Cabernet, Refosco, Raboso and Chardonnay; light, fruity reds, crisp whites and delightful sparkling wines.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

The Aeolian Isles These picturesque volcanic islands off the coast of Sicily provide walking with spectacular views, a fascinating historic heritage, comfortable hotels and delicious seafood.

ITINERARY Day 1 From Catania airport we travel by road to the port of Milazzo, where we spend the night (1.5 hours). Day 2 After breakfast we take a ferry (1 hour 10 mins) to Lipari, the largest island in the Aeolian archipelago. In the afternoon we drive to Chirica Rasa and walk up to the ridge of Monte Sant’Angelo (594m/1,948ft), from where there are extensive views of Lipari, Vulcano and the north coast of Sicily. The walk down takes us through a series of hamlets to the town of Lipari, with its narrow streets nestled between two ports and an ancient Greek acropolis (7.5 miles, 4 hours). Day 3 Starting from Chiesa Nuova we walk through farming hamlets to descend a dramatic path through former kaolin quarries and then follow a coastal path before climbing to visit a Mycenaean bathhouse. After a picnic lunch we descend by another route to Lipari (8 miles, 4 + 1 hours). Day 4 We take a private charter boat to the island of Vulcano (20 mins). Following a circular route (4 miles, 3 hours) from Porto di Levante, we ascend (530m/1,738ft) to the dramatic and still active ‘Gran Cratere’ (volcano), with some of the best views of the whole archipelago, before descending to our boat for a picnic lunch and exploration of the coastline of Vulcano and Lipari (weather permitting). Opportunities for swimming from the boat.

Day 5 We travel by ferry to the island of Salina, where we stay for three nights in the pretty village of Santa Marina di Salina. After lunch, we drive to Leni and walk along the flank of Monte dei Porri with panoramic sea views (4 miles, 2 hours), before returning by road to Santa Marina. Day 6 A circular route starts from a 17th century Baroque church – once a place of pilgrimage. We ascend through the dense woodland of Monte Fossa delle Felci (962m/3,155ft) to the summit of the mountain, from which we can enjoy splendid views of the archipelago and north coast of Sicily (6 miles, 4.5 hours). Day 7 We travel by hydrofoil to Panarea, the smallest of the main Aeolian Isles, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a Greek island. A circular route (6 miles, 4 hours) from the harbour at San Pietro takes us up and over the highest point on the island to visit a Bronze Age settlement at Punta Milazzese. Optional low-level walk to this renowned archaeological site for those who do not wish to tackle the mountain (2 miles, 2 hours). Opportunities for beach swimming. We return to a harbour cafe for lunch and later return to Salina by hydrofoil. Day 8 We return by hydrofoil (1.5 hours) to Milazzo, then by road to Catania airport (2 hours).

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Catania

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2/6 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHT 1

Milazzo

La Chicca Palace Hotel

HHHH NIGHTS 2-4

Lipari

Hotel Bougainville

HHHH NIGHTS 5-7

Salina

Hotel Mamma Santina

HHH

TERRAIN Paths tend to be ‘mountainous’ in character – through farmland and scrub on lower slopes and woods near summits. Paths are in places rocky and stepped, with stretches of steep ascent and descent. Being reasonably fit and surefooted will maximise your enjoyment of the trip. NOTE: Walking poles highly recommended.

volcanoes, islands & sea ©

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

N/A 5

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

FOOD & WINE

Panoramic views – Lipari to Vulcano ˚F ˚C 104 40

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

Hours 400 350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

The cuisine is simple, delicious and based on a few key ingredients: tomatoes, capers, anchovies, olives, vegetables and fresh fish. Lipari is known for its production of Malvasia, a white DOC wine of golden colour with an intense and sweetly delicate bouquet. Home-made Limoncello (lemon liqueur) is a popular after-dinner drink.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Footnotes The Aeolian Isles, set

in the Tyrrhenian Sea between Naples and Sicily, are the result of volcanic activity over the past 260,000 years. Rising 3,600m from the sea bed, the archipelago comprises an arc of eight islands, two of which, Stromboli and Vulcano, are still active, although there are still steaming fumaroles and thermal waters on most of the islands. Early immigrants from Sicily (4,000-2,500BC) prospered through mining Obsidian, natural volcanic glass, and using it to make tools for cutting and piercing. With the discovery of

metals and increased trade and travel across the Mediterranean, the islands’ strategic position made them a focus for navigators, (which, according to Homer, included Odysseus, a guest of the islands’ ruler Aeolus, c1,200 BC). In 580BC, Greeks exiled from Rhodes and Knidos, landed at Lipari and began a period of Greek domination, which was known for acts of piracy against Etruscan and Phoenician shipping. Support for Carthage against Rome led to Carthaginian victory at the Battle of the Lipari Isles in 260BC, but ultimately proved disastrous, as the Romans later

sacked the islands. Following the decline of Roman Empire a succession of invaders occupied the islands – Vandals, Goths, Visigoths, Arabs, Normans, Byzantines, Spanish and French. Today these uniquely beautiful islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site prospering from tourism.

Stromboli volcano

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Best of Western Sicily Visit the finest Greek temples, stay on a Marsala wine estate, walk to see prehistoric painting on the island of Levanzo, and dine at one of Palermo’s private villas.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Catania airport we drive (2 hours) to Agrigento, site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas, with its splendid Doric temples. We stay for two nights at a 4* hotel in country, not far from the archaeological sites. Day 2 We walk, visiting the ‘Valley of the Temples’, an extensive archaeological site dating from the 6th century BC, including, amongst others, the majestic 5th century BC Temple of Concordia. We also visit the fine archaeological museum and explore some of the lesser known areas guided by an experienced (English-speaking) archaeologist (4 hours). Free afternoon: opportunity to swim in the sea or relax in the hotel's gardens. Day 3 We drive (1.5 hours) to visit the majestic ruins of Selinunte. We explore the site of this once-great city situated on two hills overlooking the sea, with its ruined temples, fortifications and other buildings dating back to the 7th century BC (2.5 hours). Before travelling on, we discover that whilst the site may have been a flawed one for building a great city – it is perfect for an ATG picnic! We then continue to Marsala (1.5 hours), stopping at a 5C BC limestone quarry from which rock was extracted to build one of Selinunte’s temples. Our hotel, where we spend two nights, is on a private wine estate. Day 4 Optional morning walk (1-2 hours) through the picturesque vine-clad hillsides surrounding our hotel. We visit Donna Franca’s cellar and 90

sample their wines over lunch! We then drive (15 mins) to visit the extraordinary salt pans of Marsala, and take a boat across the lagoon to visit the Phoenician settlement of Mothia (optional walk round the island, 1.5 hours). Day 5 We travel by road (1 hour) to the port of Trapani from where a hydrofoil takes us to the small, sparsely populated island of Levanzo (one of the Egadi Islands). We travel by jeep and on foot (1.5 hours) to visit a grotto with fine prehistoric cave paintings. Optional onward walk along a beautiful and rugged coastal path (1.25 hours). After a bar lunch, we return to the mainland, and drive on (1 hour) to visit the medieval hilltop town of Erice, before continuing to our hotel in the valley. Day 6 We drive (45 mins) to a beautiful coastal nature reserve and walk along a fine path with sweeping sea views and lovely concealed bays (opportunities for swimming – 1-3 hrs). After lunch, we drive (30 mins) to visit the temple of Segesta. Built in the 5th century BC, in Greek Doric style, by the Elimi people, whose origins are unknown, it is one of the most perfectly preserved monuments to survive from antiquity. We continue by road to Palermo (1 hour), where we stay for two nights at a splendid ‘palace’ hotel with its own private beach – and harbour! Day 7 We spend the morning exploring the vibrant historic centre of Palermo, visiting some of its most important churches and oratories. Free afternoon to enjoy further sightseeing in

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Catania

Fitness: Grade 2 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/4 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Agrigento

Marsala

Baglio della Luna

Baglio Donna Franca

HHHH

NIGHT 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Valderice

Palermo

Baglio Santa Croce

Villa Igiea

HHH

HHHHH

Palermo or relax at the hotel. ....before visiting and dining at one of the most famous private, aristocratic villas, an ‘oasis’ set behind high walls in the centre of the old city. Day 8 We visit the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Capella Palatina and famous ‘Royal Apartments’, and after lunch we drive (20 minutes) to the cathedral of Monreale, the great masterpiece of medieval architecture, still perfectly preserved after eight centuries. We visit the Cathedral with its superb Byzantine mosaics and fine cloister, then continue by road (2 hours) to Catania airport. NOTE: This trip runs consecutively with Best of Eastern Sicily, so it is possible to enjoy an extraordinary ‘Grand Tour’ of the island. Two trips taken together are offered with a £200 / $350 per person discount. Please contact the office for further details.

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE Sicilian cuisine is one of contrasts: simple peasant cooking and the richer, more exotic styles of the invading civilisations. Its varied style is also characterised by the intense and pure flavour of the local ingredients.

The remote island of Levanzo ˚F ˚C 104 40 Erice

Monreale

Cefalù

95 35

Levanzo Marsala 0

10 15 miles

MOUNT ETNA

Selinunte

Enna Catania Agrigento

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

Palermo

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Sicily (with Puglia) is the largest producer of wine in Italy, which are improving: excellent Rosso del Conte red and Nozze d’Oro white.

TERRAIN Archaeological sites, farm tracks through vineyards, limestone island and coastal tracks and paths.

Footnotes From the hilltop of

Monte Bàrbaro (305m/1,000ft), site of the ancient city of Segesta, built by the Elimi – an ancient people of unknown origin – are panoramic views: on one side across a deep valley to the sea (Gulf of Castellamare); and on the other, beyond remains of walls, towards ‘the best preserved monument from antiquity’ – the temple of Segesta, presenting us with more questions than answers. Built in the late 5th century BC, the temple, with its 36 simple Doric columns, appears not to have been finished. The columns have not been fluted as they

normally would have been in a Doric temple and there are still tabs present in the blocks of the base (used for lifting the blocks into place but then normally removed). It also lacks a cella, or inner chamber or sanctum, and was never roofed over. The temple is also unusual for being a

Hellenic temple in a city not mainly populated by Greeks. And then, when the adjacent city was destroyed, and even later structures, such as a medieval mosque, were reduced to rubble, why did this exquisite building remain untouched?

The Temple of Segesta

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Best of Eastern Sicily Exploring Sicily’s famous Baroque towns, Greek temples at Syracusa, and prehistoric crag-top Pantalica; walking on volcanic, snow-capped Mount Etna and relaxing in luxury at Taormina.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Catania airport we drive south west to Ragusa, where we stay for two nights in the historic, Baroque centre at a beautifully converted boutique hotel with excellent restaurant. Day 2 We drive (10 mins) then walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) through a quiet valley to the delightful Baroque hill town of Ragusa Ibla, with its fine churches, palaces, piazzas and views. Like other towns in the south east of the island, it was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake, and rebuilt using creative interpretations of Baroque style. Whatever you may think of the results – these Baroque towns are a phenomenon – and well worth seeing....! Free afternoon or optional walk through a lovely gorge (4 miles, 2.5 hours). Day 3 We drive (25 mins) to the Baroque town of Modica, rising spectacularly on a hillside, then walk through its narrow maze of streets to the cathedral of San Giorgio (2 miles, 1 hour). From here we continue to Noto Antica (1 hour), where we walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) amongst its ruins in a spectacular setting, before visiting the ‘new’ town of Noto (a UNESCO World Heritage site), with its many exquisite Baroque buildings. We then drive to Siracusa (45 mins), where we stay on the island of Ortigia. Day 4 Free morning to explore some of the city’s outstanding places of interest, followed by a guided tour of the San Giovanni catacombs. In the afternoon we visit the excellent Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum, with its well-organised displays of treasures from Eastern Sicily. We then explore the ancient Greek site of Siracusa, with its 92

astonishing Greek theatre, its temples, and other delights in its garden setting. Day 5 We walk down through Ortigia’s colourful food markets before driving (1 hour) to the Anapo gorge, a protected area of outstanding natural beauty, its bare limestone cliffs contrasting with the ‘oasis’ of fertility along the river. We walk to explore the area and ancient site of Pantalica. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the site was taken over around 1,300 BC by the Sicani, who abandoned their coastal settlements for this easily defensible site at the junction of two gorges, and, during the following 600 years, excavated over 5,000 burial chambers into the steep cliffs of the gorge (the largest necropolis in Europe) (4 miles, 2 hours). In the afternoon we drive on to Taormina (2 hours), perched dramatically above the coast, where we stay two nights in a beautifully converted monastery in the old town centre. Day 6 We drive (1.5 hours) to the flanks of Mount Etna (1,700m), where we walk through startling volcanic landscapes and delightful silver birch woods (4 miles, 2 hours) to lunch in a mountain refuge, before returning to Taormina.

7 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Catania

Fitness: Grade 1 - 2 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 4

Shortest/longest walk: 1/3.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

Ragusa

Locanda don Serafino

HHHH NIGHTS 3 & 4

Siracusa

Des Etrangers

HHHHH NIGHTS 5 & 6

Taormina

San Domenico Palace

HHHHH

Day 7 Morning visit to Taormina’s Greek/Roman theatre and free time to enjoy the town before returning to Catania airport (50 minutes).

TERRAIN Small lanes and dirt tracks, gravel and volcanic ash paths; gentle mountain walking on Mount Etna.

Walking on Mount Etna

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

PHOTOS: FRANCIS ORAVETZ

Restaurants 8

Mount Etna from Taormina

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture 10

Birds

Environment 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Classic Baroque cities

…and architecture 104 40

Taormina MOUNT ETNA

Catania

10 15 miles

400 Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

95 35

350

86 30

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Siracusa Ragusa Modica

Noto

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

The Sicilians readily admit to the influences of the past: pasta came to Sicily with the Arabs, the Greeks introduced wine, honey and olives, the Byzantines brought sharp, pungent cheeses and spicy biscuits, the Normans salt cod, and the Spanish the infamous tomato sauce and sweet and sour flavours. Fish is one of the glories of Sicilian cooking, prepared in every possible way, including exotic fish stews. Popular white grape varieties include insolia, catarrato, grillo and caricante, (this last grown almost exclusively on Mount Etna and the basis of Etna Bianco Superiore); and red wine production is dominated by the Nero d'Avola grape. The Sicilian islands also produce some lovely white dessert wines based on moscato (muscat) and malvasia grapes.

Footnotes Archimedes of

Syracuse, the mathematician, philosopher and inventor, was born in Siracusa (Syracuse) in 287 BC, and educated in Egypt, at Alexandria, after which he returned to Syracuse, where he spent most of the rest of his life, devoting his time to research and experimentation. In mechanics he defined the principle of the lever and is credited with inventing the compound pulley and the hydraulic screw for raising water. He is most famous for discovering the law of hydrostatics, also known as the ‘Archimedes Principle’, stating that a body immersed in fluid loses weight equal to the

weight of the amount of fluid it displaces. Archimedes is supposed to have made this discovery when taking a bath – and then ran down the street shouting ‘Eureka!’ During the Roman conquest of Sicily in 214 BC Archimedes applied his talents to the city’s defence. Amongst the devices attributed to

him are the catapult and a, perhaps legendary, system of mirrors to focus the sun’s rays to set fire to the invaders’ ships. Archimedes died during the capture of Syracuse. It is said he was so absorbed in his calculations, that he told his killer, a Roman soldier, not to disturb him....

The ‘Eureka!’ moment

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Unknown Sardinia Discover ancient paths, still used by shepherds, breathtaking gorges, magnificent cave systems and remote sandy coves accessible only on foot or by sea. Wild and beautiful countryside!

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ITINERARY

Day 3 We climb to a volcanic plateau and follow paths through scented scrub to the prehistoric village of Serra Orrios and the ‘Giant’s Tomb’, one of the island’s outstanding Nuraghic monuments (5 miles, 2.5 hours). Day 4 We drive (20 minutes) to the sea at Cala Gonone, and board a boat that takes us along the coast to the sea cave of Bue Marino before continuing to the idyllic small bay of Cala Luna, fringed with pink oleander flowers. We explore the sandy river bed behind the beach then walk up to follow tracks, with wide sea views, through scented scrub … and back to Cala Gonone (5 miles, 2.5 hours). Day 5 A short drive takes us to the characteristic village of Dorgali, from where we walk across open country to a dramatic underground chasm, with a stalagmite-stalactite compound, that is the tallest in Europe and one of the tallest in the world. We then continue to a remote, sandy cove (4 miles, 2 hours). 94

Day 7 We walk through forest, then follow a path past ancient juniper trees up to the remarkable nuraghic village of Tiscali, dating from the 6th century BC. We enter the cavernous interior of Tiscali mountain, an extensive opentopped area surrounded by high cliffs, where we explore the sites of two small prehistoric villages with circular stone huts, and limestone concretions, some fused with the millenniaold stones of the huts. After emerging into scented warmth (!) we visit the sacred spring of Carros and the Oche cave (6 miles, 3.5 hours).

Fitness: Grade 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2/5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-7

Oliena

Hotel Su Gologone

HHHH

Day 8 We return to Cagliari airport (2 hours, 15 mins).

Wild and beautiful countryside

PHOTO: PETER GARSIDE

Day 2 We visit the spring of Su Gologone, near the hotel, then walk, through fields and vineyards of the Oliena Valley (6 miles, 3 hours plus optional 4 miles).

Day 6 We follow a track beside the river Flumineddu, up a wooded valley to the spectacular Gola su Goruppu (gorge). We enter its high, narrow, vertically sided confines, and, from the dry sandy river bed, there is an optional scramble to explore further – before returning on foot (8 miles, 4 hours).

Destination airport: Cagliari

PHOTO: NEVILLE HARRISON

Day 1 After meeting at Cagliari airport we travel northeast to our (4*) country hotel, set at the edge of an extensive limestone massif, with views across a wide plateau (2 hours, 15 mins).

Small-boat visit to a sea cave

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 9

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 9

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTO: PETER GARSIDE

FOOD & WINE

Remote sandy coves ˚F ˚C 104 40

Serra Orrios

Grotta di Ispinigoli

95 35

Hours 400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

200

150

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Su Gologone M. Tiscali

Gola su Gorrupu

Grotta di Bue Marino

Cala di Luna

10 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

An original, simple and robust cuisine – lamb with mountain herbs, porceddu (whole suckling pig), sheep and goats' cheese, carta di musica (paper thin sheets of crisp, unleavened bread), culurgiones (pasta filled with cheese and potato). Sardinia has some very good robust red wines, Cannonau and Nepente, as well as some fine whites including Malvasia, Vermentino and Vernaccia. Mirto is the local digestif that we try, made from myrtle leaves and berries.

TERRAIN Limestone terrain, farm and forest tracks, ancient drove tracks/roads, and coastal paths.

Footnotes Mysterious nuraghe:

There are more than 6,000 of these remote stone structures scattered across the island’s hills, yet little is known of their purpose or about the people who built them. There is a seemingly traditional uniformity in their construction, with large stones on the outside forming a tower, and smaller cut or trimmed ones inside forming a ‘beehive roof’ or dome, vaulted corridors and spiral stone steps to upper levels or a terrace. Structures rise to heights of 20m / 60ft, their structural strength (and potential weakness) lying in the immense weight of stone.

Nuraghe have been dated to the mid-Bronze Age – 1800-1500BC. Architecturally they remained the most advanced in the Western Mediterranean until Etruscan times (900BC).

declinations were of around 43° for the earlier nuraghe, and 45½° for the later ones, possibly coinciding with the sunrise at winter solstice and to the moon at its southernmost rising position.

This seemingly rules out direct connection with people who built similar structures (in bagpipe playing areas!) from northern Turkey to Galicia and Scotland (where the ‘brochs’ are thought to date from around 100BC). Studies of the positioning of 452 nuraghe, some on earlier prehistoric sites, some of them strategic, have shown similarities in the orientation of their entrances. The most common

Mysterious nuraghe

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The best way to see a country is on foot

Astonishing Flowers Some of Europe’s rarest and most abundant wild flowers are found in Italy and France. ~ In mid-April the limestone Gargano Peninsula has pastures filled with a profusion of irises and orchids, including unique species – one of which, ophrys sipontensis, is widely considered Europe’s most beautiful wild orchid. In late May the Piano Grande, a remote highland plain in Umbria, is carpeted with narcissi and wild yellow tulips, whilst the surrounding hills have a wide selection of other species, including orchids with variants and hybrids. In the high hills of the Cévennes National Park late May brings displays of 45% of all of France’s flower species (!). Then in late June the Dolomites offer a profusion of flowers in breathtaking scenery.... including the rare lady’s slipper orchid.

Flowers of the Cévennes Some of Europe’s finest walking country together with the greatest variety and profusion of flowers and birds, and most spectacular gorges.

ITINERARY Note: As with all flower trips there may be variations to the itinerary according to how advanced species are in particular areas. This trip is also suited to keen independent walkers who may like to take options for longer walks. Route Books will be available during the trip. Day 1 After arrival at Montpellier airport we travel by road (2 hours) to the village of Meyrueis at the head of the Jonte Gorge, and continue along a lane through meadows to our Château hotel, a short distance from the village. Day 2 We drive (10 mins), then walk... along the top of the Jonte Gorge through woods and meadows, to hills of flowerrich pastures, returning via the Causse de Mejean. Day 3 We drive (30 mins) to l’Esperou (4,009ft) at the edge of the Cévennes National Park, on the slopes of Mont Aigoual, the highest point in the Cévennes (5,141ft), and walk to discover Alpine and other species and enjoy panoramic views across the region. Day 4 We drive (15 mins) to the Causse Noir and visit the Dargilan Caves, with their astonishing concretions, then walk across the open limestone plateau, abundant with flowers (particularly orchids), and birds.

96 species of birds have been observed here, including golden and short-toed eagles and griffon vultures. Return to Meyrueis by road. Day 5 We drive (10 mins), then follow a path with abundant flowers up onto the Causse de Mejean, where we explore the flower-rich meadows renowned for their wide range of species and impressive profusion. We enjoy extensive views across the cause to the Jonte Gorge and visit the chasm and cave-system of Aven Armand before returning to our chateau hotel near Meyrueis. Day 6 We drive (20 mins) onto the Causse de Mejean to explore the northern area of this flower-rich area before descending through majestic scenery into the Tarn Gorge. We stay for two nights at an historic, superbly situated chateau on a buttress in spectacular scenery of the gorge itself. Day 7 Free day at Château de la Caze, with optional walk to explore the flora of the surrounding area. Day 8 We return by road to Montpellier airport (2 hours). If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE u

Destination airport: Montpellier

Fitness: Grade 2 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/3 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-5

Meyrueis

Château d’Ayres

HHHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Near Sainte-Enimie

Château de la Caze

HHHH

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

N/A 7

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Cévennes National Park Sainte Enemie GORGES DU TARN

˚F ˚C 104 40

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Aven Armand Caves Le Rozier GORGES DE LA JONTE

Meyrueis

Mt Aigoual

0 J

10 miles

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Regional specialities: Lamb from the causses; venison and wild mushrooms; trout from streams and a wide variety of cheeses including the famous Roquefort. Cuisine ranges from country cooking of a high standard to regional style with robust local dishes using aromatic herbs. Good red and white wines from the Hérault Valley and Languedoc region, such as Faugéres and St Chinian; noteworthy wines from the Aveyron, including Marcillac.

TERRAIN Farm and forest tracks, sheep drove routes and paths across open rolling plateaux, and through dramatic gorge scenery.

Hillsides carpeted with flowers

Magnificent Griffon Vulture

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Flowers of the Brenta Dolomites Using cable-cars and easy, well-kept paths to maximise access and enjoyment – to high flowerfilled meadows and views of the most spectacular peaks and pinnacles.

ITINERARY Day 1 We drive north from Verona into the increasingly dramatic scenery of the Alto Adige, to our lakeside hotel near the pretty mountain village of Molveno (1.5 hours). Day 2 A ski lift takes us up to the mountain meadow and forest above Molveno, with fine views over the lake. From here we follow a well-made, scenic path above an impressive gorge, with the possibility of seeing rare alpine flower species such as the ‘devil’s claw’. From the head of the valley a forest road descends, following a rushing river back down the valley to our picnic lunch and Molveno (3.5 hours). Day 3 We drive to the neighbouring town of Andalo and take ski-lifts to a refuge on the mountain top (2,100m/ 6,888ft). From here we follow a gravel road through flowerstudded meadows, then small paths up and down a panoramic ridge, with splendid views over the Val d’Adige and to the jagged peaks of the Brenta Dolomites. After a picnic lunch we descend to a forest road and follow this back to a lower ski-lift to regain Andalo (4.5 hours). We then travel by road to Madonna di Campiglio and our very comfortable chalet-style hotel in the town centre (1 hour 45 mins). Day 4 We take a cabin lift to walk among flower-rich mounds of glacial moraine, and through undulating alpine pasture with

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grazing cattle and marmot colonies (2,000m/6,560ft), before making a sustained descent on wooded paths to picnic in the open grassy meadows below. After lunch we descend steeply past waterfalls to the valley (1,550m/5,084ft). Optional continuation of walk through beech woods to Campiglio (4.5 hours + 2 hours). Day 5 We walk (or if ski-lift is open – ride) up into the granite Presanella mountain range on the other side of Madonna di Campiglio, soon reaching the perfectly formed but icy Lago Ritorto, where spotted gentians and butterworts grow. From here a small undulating path traverses the mountain before descending through woods to a refuge with superb views of the Brenta Dolomite peaks. After a picnic lunch there is an optional continuation of the wooded walk down to Madonna di Campiglio (3.5 hours + 1 hour). Day 6 We take a cable car to the craggy limestone heights at the snow-line above Madonna di Campiglio and then traverse the bare mountainside on panoramic rocky paths, seeing many different alpine flowers, to picnic near the superblysituated Tuckett refuge (2,272m/7,452ft). After lunch we gradually descend on foot towards Madonna di Campiglio, dropping through alpine meadow and dwarf spruce into forest, eventually reaching the valley bottom! (1,550m/5,084ft) (6.5 hours).

7 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Verona

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 5

Shortest/longest walk: 3.5/6.5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

Molveno

Grand Hotel Molveno

HHH NIGHTS 3-6

Madonna di Campiglio

Chalet Laura

HHHH

Day 7 Travel by road to Verona airport (2.5 hours) for return flights. We strongly recommend extending to enjoy an evening at the Verona opera.

TERRAIN We use regular, well-maintained mountain paths, which are occasionally stony or rocky. This trip is unsuitable for those who suffer acutely from vertigo.

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Forest paths and meadows carpeted with flowers Hours 400

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Madonna di Campiglio Rif. Tuckett Rif. Alimonta Rif. Pedrotti BRENTA DOLOMITES

Molveno 5

10 miles

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

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350

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Cuisine displays influences from Austria merging with strong Italian traditions. Very good quality local produce – fresh and cured meats, cheeses and vegetables from mountain meadows and valleys. The Dolomites region produces some excellent local wines – elegant whites and robust reds from more than a dozen DOC areas in the Adige valley and south Trentino, using a wide variety of grapes, including Schiava, Lagrein, Teroldego and Nosiola. The area is also renowned for its production of the distilled spirit grappa.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Flowers of Umbria Idyllic countryside where a range of micro-climates and terrain provide an abundance and variety of species, including orchid variance and hybridisation. Easy walking. Great hotels!

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Rome Fiumicino airport we travel by road (2.5 hours) to the Nera Valley in Umbria, and the monastery of San Pietro in Valle, where we spend 3 nights. Opportunities for visiting the abbey church with its remarkable frescoes (see Footnotes) and the tombs of the Longobard dukes of Spoleto. Day 2 We walk along the Nera Valley, with its swift flowing river, fertile meadows and abundance of flowers, including lizard orchids (6.5 miles, 3 hours). Optional afternoon visit to the extraordinary Cascate delle Marmore: ancient Roman-built waterfalls, some of the tallest in Italy. Day 3 We visit a remote frescoed Romanesque church (an ATG Trust project) then walk through mountain meadows enjoying a profusion of flowers (3.5 miles, 3 hours). Optional afternoon walk along a flower strewn lane with lovely views across the Nera Valley (3 miles).

3 hours), before visiting the village of Castelluccio. Day 6 We walk along the pretty wooded fringes of the plain of Santa Scolastica, enjoying gentle farmland and birdsong (5 miles, 2.5 hours). Free afternoon to visit the town’s lovely churches, museums – and gastronomic shops! Day 7 We drive into the Monti Sibillini (40 mins) to walk and enjoy a profusion of flowers and views in the high hills (3.5 miles, 3 hours). On our return we pause to explore the grassy scree slopes of Monte Vettore (8,123ft/2,476m) where trumpet gentians and other interesting species grow. Day 8 We return by road to Rome Fiumicino airport (3 hours).

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Rome Fiumicino

Fitness: Grade 1 - 2 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 2.5/3 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1-3

Ferentillo

Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle Residenza d’Epoca

HHHH

NIGHTS 4-7

Norcia

Palazzo Seneca

HHHH The hotel's Ristorante Vespasia, where we eat, recently earned a * in the Guide Michelin

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

Day 4 We drive (1 hour) to visit the abbey of Sant’Eutizio and walk along the picturesque Campiano valley (4 miles, 2.5 hours) before continuing to the walled medieval town of Norcia in a valley of the Monti Sibillini, where we spend 4 nights. Day 5 A drive (35 mins) brings us to the rim of hills overlooking the Piano Grande, a grassy highland plain, where we walk and discover a range and profusion of flowers (3.5 miles, The Piano Grande: a vast, flower-filled plain

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WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

Environment 10

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

Delicious food, with black Umbrian truffles of Norcia; trout from the rushing river Nera; world-famous Castelluccio lentils; and of course, Norcineria – hams and salami for which the area is famous. We enjoy local wines of the Nera valley and Spoleto, the prized DOCG reds of Montefalco, just west of the area we visit and the renowned DOCG whites of Orvieto to the north.

An astonishing profusion of flowers ˚F ˚C 104 40

Hours 400

95 35

10 miles

MONTI SIBILLINI Norcia

San Pietro in Valle

Castelluccio

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

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100 mm 150 100 50 0

TERRAIN Woodland, sheep and mule tracks, dirt roads and high, open grassland with wide views. Wonderful grassy meadows and well-made tracks.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

© San Pietro in Valle (where we stay), is the only existing building directly linked to the history of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto and provides an excellent record of life and art through the medieval ages. The abbey was founded in 742, and the present church dates from a reconstruction in the 10th-11th century. In 2013-14 the ATG Trust funded the restoration of the fresco in the right apse entitled ‘Madonna and Saints’, dating from the 14th century, which was in a terrible state of repair. It had been badly degraded by damp and previous poor restoration work undertaken in the 1930s and 40s. Sadly a patch of the fresco was so badly degraded that it has had to be left as bare plaster but the restorers are very pleased with the overall result. We hope you will be too!

PHOTOS: IRENE MATURI

Footnotes The Romanesque Abbey of

‘MADONNA AND SAINTS’ – BEFORE RESTORATION

... AND AFTER

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Flowers of the Gargano Europe’s most spectacular displays of April wildflowers – with unique species. Limestone hills with panoramic sea views, fine Romanesque churches and picturesque villages.

ITINERARY Day 1 After arrival at Bari, we travel by road to the small city of Manfredonia (2 hours), ‘gateway’ to the Gargano Peninsula. If flight times permit, we will pause en route to visit the interesting Romanesque churches of San Leonardo di Siponto and Santa Maria di Siponto, whose presence alludes to the enormous importance of this area at the height of medieval pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Day 2 We drive up the great limestone escarpment behind Manfredonia into peaceful farmland and rocky meadows, where a wealth of spring flowers bloom. We wander the open hillside, typically enjoying displays of wild iris and a great variety of orchids, possibly including the rare endemic Sipontum orchid (ophrys sipontensis). After picnicking amongst the flowers, we complete our circular walk (3 hours + 1 hour), and return to Manfredonia by road. Day 3 We drive – up – to Monte Sant’Angelo, the highest and most historic town on the Gargano Peninsula (880m/ 2,890ft), with its remarkable 4th century rock church, 12th century basilica and Swabian castle. After exploring the town we walk out to picnic on a ridge with panoramic views over the coastal plain. After lunch our walk continues, descending the ridge through wonderfully flower-filled meadows (1 hour + 2.5 hours). Return to Monte Sant'Angelo by road (20 mins). 104

Day 4 Our walk today follows quiet lanes and small paths through an unspoiled limestone landscape of farmland and woods in a ‘hidden’ valley. The flower displays are typically glorious, changing as we pass between habitats, and the verdant views and birdsong are equally delightful (3.5 hours + 1.5 hours). Free afternoon with optional late-afternoon excursion (by minibus – 20 mins) to the Madonna di Pulsano monastery. Day 5 We drive down towards the olive-covered plain of Mattinata, pausing en route to visit the ancient necropolis of Monte Saraceno (1 hour). Driving on, we follow small roads inland to Monte Sacro. From here, we walk up through flowery limestone rockeries and through shady woods to discover a ruined 12th century monastery on the summit of the ‘monte’, re-descending to picnic in the meadows below (2 hours). After lunch, we continue by road to the seaside town of Vieste (1.5 hours). Day 6 We drive up into the hills behind Vieste. Our walk then follows small lanes and farm tracks through oak woods and pasture, with grazing Podolica cattle and free-range pigs, along a pleasant ridge with open views, and tracks that lead us down to the olive groves behind Vieste. After picnicking in one of these, there is the option to walk on, along a quiet lane flanked by olives, to the outskirts of Vieste (3 hours + 1 hour).

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY u

Destination airport: Bari

Fitness: Grade 1 - 2 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 6

Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/5 hours

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

Manfredonia

Hotel Panorama del Golfo

HHH NIGHTS 3 & 4

Monte Sant’Angelo

Palace Hotel San Michele

HHHH NIGHTS 5-7

Vieste

Palace Hotel

HHHH

Day 7 Morning excursion by boat to explore the beautiful coastline of the Gargano (weather permitting!). After returning to Vieste, we explore a nearby orchid site, and then enjoy another delightful, short ridge walk through high meadows with open views, descending towards the sea (1.5 hours). Day 8 We return to Bari airport by road (2.5 hours).

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Flower-filled meadows

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

10 Architecture

Birds

N/A 8

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

PHOTOS: SARAH WELLBURN

FOOD & WINE

San Leonardo di Siponto

Mattinata

Hours 400

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Peschici Vieste

S. Giovanni Rotondo Monte S. Angelo Manfredonia

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

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TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Excellent fresh seafood and roasted meats, with some interesting and original pasta dishes and dried breads. Puglia produces over 40% of Italy’s olive oil, and more than 20% of Italy's wine. The region now has over 29 DOCs – and 4 DOGCs (!), making it a serious contender in the production of quality wines.

TERRAIN Dirt roads, woodland tracks and open country, in limestone terrain. The paths are stony and rough in places. Crossing ancient farmland we climb a number of (fairly low) dry-stone walls!

Footnotes Although the one-

time island of Gargano long ago moved towards the Italian coast and became connected as the plain of Foggia was formed by silting, it is still an island as far as its flowers are concerned. Whenever areas are isolated for long enough (several million years in geological terms) plants, and sometimes animals, develop characteristics which distinguish them from near relatives and they become endemics. The Gargano is particularly renowned for its remarkable range of wild orchids, some of which are endemic to the Gargano or are found almost exclusively in the southern part of Italy, and which we

hope to find on our walks. In particular there are several relatives of the British bee orchid (ophrys apifera) – the Siponto bee orchid (ophrys sipontensis), and promontory orchid (ophrys promontorii) among them. The inland landscape with its extensive limestone plateaux and deciduous woodland in Spring is an inspiration for gardeners with wonderful random arrangements of anemones, multi-coloured pansies, yellow or blue dwarf irises, cyclamen, narcissi, grape hyacinths, pansies, irises and the occasional peony, while the most brilliant patches of colour in the lowlands are created by poppies, crown

ophrys sipontensis

daisies and other annuals. Even people not particularly interested in flowers will be hard pressed to remain so after this tour!

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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The best way to see a country is on foot

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Exclusive Tuscany at

ATG offers the exclusive opportunity to stay at one of the earliest remaining and best-preserved overnight stopping places on the most travelled historic route in Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to Rome. ~ Pieve a Castello, built on 2,500-year-old foundations in the 8th century AD, still preserves many unique proto-Romanesque architectural features. Its location, however, in pristine countryside in the heart of Tuscany, between Florence and Siena, make it an ideal base from which to explore the unrivalled wealth of world-class historic and cultural interests in the immediate area; and the surrounding hills and countryside, with their ancient pilgrim paths â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on foot.

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What’s so special?

Pieve a Castello is distinguished by its fine, historically important architecture from the 8th century, situated in idyllic Tuscan countryside. It has a timeless, peaceful atmosphere that makes it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy. It is also the perfect location from which to explore one of the world’s richest and most influential areas of cultural heritage, with some of Europe’s finest and best-preserved medieval and Renaissance towns and villages, and over 60% of the greatest works of Art in the Western World within 35 miles.

Where is it? Pieve a Castello is located between Florence (35 miles/50 minutes) and Siena (15 miles/25 minutes) in central Tuscany, with quick, easy access by superstrada-autostrada to airports and the rest of Italy.

What is it? Pieve a Castello is a complex of buildings, on a fortified site dating (excavations indicate) from the 5th century BC. Today’s buildings date from 600-750 AD, when, using some of the ancient foundations, the site was extended to provide overnight accommodation for the increasing number of travellers on the Via Francigena, ‘the main road to Rome’. As a thriving Augustinian canonry, with extensive lands and 33 smaller dependent canonries, it welcomed (literally) millions of travellers, including recorded visits by Popes and Emperors, on their way to and from Rome. 108

Images: CW = Christopher Whinney; CB = Chris Bartle

PIEVE A

Footnotes

Common Order What do Nicholas Breakspear (1100-1159, the only English Pope – Adrian IV – from 1154-59), the mystic Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), and the Christian Humanist and scholar Desiderius Erasmus (14661536) have in common?

Answer: all were Augustinian Canons Regular. This was the Order of Canons that, for seven centuries, ran the canonry of Santa Maria (now Pieve) a Castello, the overnight stopping place on the Via Francigena, the early medieval ‘main road to Rome’. This fortified complex of early 8th Century buildings played host to countless travellers, including recorded visits by Emperors and Popes – on their way to or from Rome. Nicholas Breakspear is known to have travelled down the Via Francigena from France in 1149 prior to his appointment as Cardinal Bishop of Albano, and later as Papal Legate to Scandinavia – from where he returned in 1154.

In 1156, in an attempt to quell conflict in Rome, Pope Adrian IV issued an interdict, suspending administration of most religious rites in the city. This decimated lucrative pilgrim traffic to the city, and on all roads to Rome.

CASTELLO

In the same year Pope Adrian IV issued a document granting privileges to Santa Maria (now Pieve) a Castello… Was this a coincidence? Or help for his fellow Canons Regular, at a place where he had almost certainly stayed on several occasions, to secure it against fluctuations in the number of pilgrims travelling the Via Francigena – upon which the canonry depended for its income and survival …?

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hoW does it Work?

The canonry was abandoned in 1400 AD, but remained in an outstanding state of preservation, with all its architecturally important buildings still intact. Its proto-Romanesque basilica-style church is a rare survival, whilst its early 8th century arcaded octagonal baptistery, is the finest, and almost only such building remaining from the period.

Your stay at Pieve a Castello will be on an all-inclusive ‘house-guest’ basis. Everything is included – all meals, wines, drinks and snacks between meals, all transfers, all scheduled visits and excursions, for guests wishing to participate in the escorted programme offered.

Today, following 20 years of restoration works, ‘Pieve a Castello’ – some of the oldest stillinhabited structures in Europe, again welcomes travellers. Winner of a ‘World Legacy Award’ for Heritage tourism, it operates as a Residenza d’Epoca (historic building converted to accommodate guests).

What is there? There are 10 bedrooms, originally built for multiple occupancy by early medieval travellers. All now have private en-suite facilities and views of the central courtyard and open countryside. The church and one chapel offer recording-quality acoustics and sound systems, and music, including some recorded at Pieve a Castello. There is a fine concert grand piano, and classical concerts every Friday evening, followed by a gala dinner.

The arcaded octagonal baptistery, that in medieval times, like the church, had general daily use – for travellers to meet, eat and sleep, as well as for baptisms, is now used for dining.

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Images: CW = Christopher Whinney; CB = Chris Bartle

There is a well-stocked library with many books about the area, and several comfortable sitting areas, as well as seating in the courtyard and on shaded terraces.

Mornings at Pieve a Castello are relaxed. Breakfast, from 7.45 to 11.00, is served in the courtyard when the weather is fine – an extensive buffet, with cooked breakfast available between 8.00 and 9.00. Lunch is available on the lower (covered) terrace between 1.00 and 2.00pm each day, whilst those out on a scheduled excursion will enjoy a celebrated ATG picnic. Snacks and drinks…between meals: Each room has a fridge-bar re-stocked once a day with complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, beer and light snacks. There is also a guest kitchen with coffee, tea and a selection of fruit and a home-made cake or biscuits. In the library a selection of alcoholic drinks is also available. Pre-dinner drinks are served in the library or on the library terrace from 7.00pm. These are accompanied by freshly made appetizers from the chef. Dinner is served in the arcaded octagonal former baptistery, or in the courtyard ‘under the stars’. It comprises three courses and fine wines. After dinner coffee and drinks are then served in the library or on the library terrace.

perfectly preserved

Itineraries in brief... What is there to do and see…?

Which Week to choose?

The location, between Florence and Siena provides enough places of outstanding historic and cultural interest to last a lifetime of exploration, with almost unlimited opportunities to access, not only the wealth of world-renowned Heritage sites, but also the many other outstanding, but little-known, sites, in this area burgeoning with places of unsurpassed cultural interest: ‘Secret Tuscany’.

Whichever week you choose will give you a unique insight into the area, its culture and heritage. As one client wrote:

Whilst the diversity of sightseeing opportunities is of an incomparably high standard – so, too, are the opportunities for exploring the area on foot. A legacy of centuries when the bustling Via Francigena carried millions of travellers annually to and from Rome, is a network of major and minor, supply and access routes, over 200 miles of which fan out from Pieve a Castello. These ancient routes, now paths and tracks, ideal for walking, lead through vineyards, olive groves, meadows and forest to iconic destinations such as Siena, Monteriggioni and San Gimignano. These destinations can also be reached by bicycle along quiet country gravel roads and tracks. A substantial booklet with a variety of self-guided walks (from 1 to 7 hours) is part of the information pack provided to each guest.

SIENA & THE PALIO A fascinating immersion experience… This unique, ‘’insider’s experience’’, includes two hours of each morning (days 2–7) spent in ‘immersion’ Italian language sessions, tailored to all levels of ability. Included, too, is a view of the race from one of the best-situated windows on the piazza…

Our week at wonderful, ancient Pieve a Castello took us far beyond the restless superficiality of ‘tourism’. It made us feel from the outset that we were privileged insiders who genuinely belonged. As an authentic travel experience this is as good as it gets.

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we travel by road (1.5 hours) to Pieve a Castello. After time to relax there will be a tour of this unique complex of early 8th century buildings. Evening presentation: The Palio, its History, Celebrations and Traditions

Pieve a Castello offers different itineraries that explore the area’s wide range of outstanding World-Class interests. Each week is accompanied by a renowned ATG Tour Leader and Tour Manager.

Day 2 After language session, a presentation on the history, celebrations and traditions of the Palio. After lunch, enjoy a two-hour walk through the Tuscan countryside.

making it happen To ‘make it happen’ – each evening before dinner there is a presentation of the next day’s ‘theme’, or focus of interest, and related programme of activities and excursions. If there is an escorted walk, a wine tasting, cookery demonstration, concert or excursion to explore – e.g. – ‘legacy of the Etruscans’, and you would prefer to swim, read, listen to music, go for an independent walk or bicycle ride, or just enjoy being in this ‘very special place on the planet’, Pieve a Castello is there for you to enjoy ‘as you like it’.

Day 3 After a relaxed morning at Pieve a Castello, we travel to Siena for the Tratta – drawing lots to select the horses for the Palio and allotment of these horses to the Contrade. Lunch in Siena. Day 4 Morning and lunch at Pieve a Castello, followed by a walk to Monteriggioni (3-4 hours). Optional: Siena – early evening procession of the Votive Choir of the Contrade. Day 5 In the afternoon we visit Siena for the ‘Prova Generale’ (fifth and final race trials) and we are privileged to join the ‘Cena Propriziatoria/Cena della Prova Generale’ (a very special dinner) at a contrada.

THE pool

Day 6 The day of the Palio! In the afternoon we depart for Siena. Day 7 Morning review of the previous day’s unforgettable events! Afternoon walk through the Montagnola Senese (2-3 hours), before a ‘gala’ dinner. CW

Whether to cool off after a walk or activity, to swim for exercise, or to simply enjoy its ambience, the 50-foot pool (open MayOctober) guarantees to delight! It has salt filtration and is lined with travertine (marble) – the water surface giving soft reflections of the ancient buildings and organic vegetable gardens which supply the kitchens.

Day 8 Transfer to Pisa airport.

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PIEVE A CASTELLO – Itineraries MEDIEVAL TRAVELLER For over 700 years travellers on the Via Francigena, the ‘main road to Rome’, stayed overnight at Pieve a Castello. This itinerary explores the early medieval ‘road’ (today tracks and paths) and fascinating world of the medieval traveller. Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we travel by road (1.5 hours) to Pieve a Castello. After time to relax, there will be a tour of the 8th century complex. Evening presentation: Pieve a Castello & the Medieval Traveller Day 2 We walk through idyllic countryside to discover some of the ancient major and minor routes of the area, and what influenced developments and changes (5 miles, 2.5 hours). Evening presentation: The Via Francigena Day 3 We walk through forests of the Montagnola to an iconic medieval village – one of the dependent canonries (6 miles, 3 hours). Evening presentation: Medieval Enterprise & Travel Day 4 We drive for 15 minutes, then walk following the route of the early medieval Via Francigena to ‘Castello del Bosco’ – now San Gimignano – with its famous towers. (8 miles, 4 hours). Evening presentation: Medieval Travellers – What they Wore, Carried & Ate Day 5 We follow the Via Francigena southwards through forest to a frescoed church (8 miles, 4 hours) and return to Pieve a Castello for lunch. Evening presentation: Medieval Pilgrims Day 6 We drive (30 mins), then walk following the Via Francigena to Siena, with time to explore the ‘best-preserved great medieval city in Europe’. Evening presentation: Age of Miracles

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PIEVE: AS YOU LIKE IT Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we drive (1.5 hours) to Pieve a Castello where, after time to relax, there will be a tour of this unique complex of early 8th century buildings. Evening presentation: Mills & Tunnels Day 2 We drive to nearby Colle di Val d’Elsa and explore the network of ancient mill-races and tunnel streets. Afternoon walk, following the Via Francigena from Colle to Pieve a Castello (6.6 miles, 3.5 hours). Evening presentation: Life on the Via Francigena Day 3 We drive (25 mins), then walk, enjoying spectacular views of San Gimignano. After a visit and lunch, an excursion to the nearby iconic village of Monteriggioni offers the opportunity to walk back to Pieve a Castello (8.5 miles, 4 hours). Evening presentation: The Sword in the Stone Day 4 We drive (45 mins) to visit the huge, roofless Abbey of San Galgano, and small domed church containing the ‘Sword in the Stone’. After visiting a frescoed hermitage and a church on the ancient Via Francigena, paths lead back to Pieve a Castello (7.5 miles, 3.54 hours). Evening presentation: Volterra Day 5 We drive (50 mins) to Volterra, and visit the excellent Etruscan museum, cathedral, fine public buildings, and works of Art…. Optional afternoon walk (5 miles, 2.5 hours), following the 10th century Via Francigena back to Pieve a Castello. Evening presentation: Monte Oliveto Maggiore Day 6 We drive (1 hour) to visit the great Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, with its frescoed cloister. After a private tour of the abbey we walk through scenery of the crete down to the Asso Valley (5 miles, 2.5-3 hours). Evening presentation and tasting: Chianti!

Day 7 We drive (10 mins) to a nearby abbey, which we visit before exploring some impressive variants to the Via Francigena, returning to Pieve a Castello on foot (6 miles, 3 hours). Evening concert and gala dinner at Pieve a Castello.

Day 7 We drive (25 mins) into the Chianti hills to visit a renowned wine estate for a tasting. Afternoon free, before a concert and gala dinner at Pieve a Castello

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road (1.5 hours).

PIEVE A CASTELLO – Itineraries TUSCAN GARDENS Three great centres of Italian gardens – Lucca, Florence and Siena, with outstanding Tuscan gardens representing their development from the early Renaissance through to modern times. Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we drive (30 mins) to Lucca. Time to explore this delightful city before dinner. Day 2 We visit the Villa Reale, an historic garden noted for its magnificent trees; and Villa Torrigiani – an elaborate villa, which we can normally visit, set in a formal garden. Day 3 We drive (1 hour, 15 mins) to Florence, where we visit the house and gardens of the Villa della Petraia and gardens of the Villa Reale at Castello, designed for Cosimo di Medici. After lunch we cross Florence to visit the delightful Villa Gamberaia, much appreciated by Edith Wharton. We then continue on to Pieve a Castello (1 hour). Day 4 Free day with optional visit to Siena and afternoon walk in the countryside around Pieve a Castello (2-3 hours). Day 5 We drive into southern Tuscany (1.5 hours), visiting small historic formal gardens in San Quirico d’Orcia and Pienza, en route to visiting the superbly situated Renaissance-style gardens of La Foce, creation and former home of Iris Origo. Return to Pieve a Castello (1.5 hours).

TUSCAN LEGACY Pieve a Castello is an ideal base from which to explore Tuscany’s profound Legacy – that has done so much to fashion Western Civilization today. Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we drive (1.5 hours) to Pieve a Castello. After time to relax there will be an (optional) guided tour of the 8th century complex. Evening presentation: Etruscan Legacy Day 2 We drive (45 mins) to the great Etruscan city of Volterra where we visit impressive Etruscan tombs, extensive walls and the excellent Etruscan museum. We return via Roman baths and walk back (45 mins). Evening presentation: Siena: the Legacy Day 3 We drive (25 mins) to Siena, and walk to enjoy iconic paintings by Duccio, Lorenzetti and others. Opportunity to walk part way back to Pieve a Castello along the Via Francigena (6 miles, 3 hours). Evening presentation: Language Legacy – Dante, Petrarch & Boccaccio Day 4 We visit nearby iconic locations that proudly feature associations with local writers on whose works the Italian language was modelled: San Gimignano, Certaldo and – on foot from Pieve a Castello – Monteriggioni (4 hours). Evening presentation: The Renaissance Day 5 We drive (45 mins) towards Florence, which we approach on foot along quiet lanes to San Miniato al Monte, from where a path descends to an arched gate in the city walls. We cross the Ponte Vecchio to visit the Uffizi Gallery. Evening presentation: Leonardo: the Legacy

Day 6 We drive (25 mins) through the wooded Montagnola behind Pieve a Castello, to visit a ‘Peruzzi’ garden: the Castello di Celsa. We then walk (30 mins each way) to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Villa Cetinale gardens, which we visit. After a picnic lunch, there is the option of a walk back to Pieve a Castello from the hamlet of San Chimento (1.5-2.5 hours depending on route).

Day 6 We look at the legacy of Tuscan, world-renowned cuisine and wine. We drive (25 mins) to visit a renowned wine estate for a tasting. Optional walk and late afternoon Cookery Demonstration.

Day 7 Visit to local market at Colle di Val d’Elsa, and optional walk back towards Pieve a Castello (1.5 hours). After lunch we drive (40 mins) to enjoy a private tour of the fascinating Villa Geggiano, near Siena.

Day 7 Free day with visit to the local market, and walk (6 miles, 3 hours) to nearby Etruscan beacon. Evening Presentation: Tuscan Legacy, followed by a concert and gala dinner at Pieve a Castello.

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road (1.5 hours).

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Discovering Worldwide Discovering the world’s most outstanding areas and travel experiences in the best way possible. The highest available standard of accommodation and food; ATG specialist leaders and experienced local guides.

ATG Discovering Worldwide trips – the best that each area has to offer n ‘The best way to see a country is on foot’. n Discovering Worldwide trips make use of ATG’s

unrivalled knowledge, each area having been extensively walked and explored. n Walks explore the most beautiful country, with

the finest views, the rarest and most profuse flowers, and exclusive sites, often only accessible on foot.

n The trips include (internal) travel by air, land and

sea to visit the most outstanding sites and features of each area. n Like all other ATG holidays, Discovering

Worldwide trips offer exclusive and unique insights into each area for discerning travellers.

How do Escorted Worldwide trips differ from Escorted Europe trips? The itinerary n Each ATG trip is very carefully researched first by

the ATG office and then by ATG staff sent to the area. This may involve various visits – often over a period of years. n On Worldwide trips, once an itinerary is finalised

it is then discussed with a local specialist agent. The area is then revisited with the agent and every detail of each day carefully planned. n On Worldwide trips the local arrangements – all

practicalities – will then be organised by the local agent. The trip will be accompanied by an ATG Leader. n In Europe we operate the trip direct with an ATG

Leader and Manager and ATG vehicles. On Worldwide trips there is an ATG Leader and a local expert; and comfortable transport by minibus, 4x4… or on camels!

ATG Leader The ATG Leader is there to ensure that the trip runs smoothly, to provide information about the area and culture, to assist you with any issues that may arise, and to liaise with the local people. 114

On Worldwide trips the presence of an ATG Leader – rather than simply a local representative – distinguishes ATG trips from those of other travel companies, and ensures their success. Instead of an ATG Manager, on Worldwide trips a trained local guide, who is native to the country visited, accompanies the ATG Leader to manage the logistical aspects of the trip and to impart local and specialist knowledge.

Food, wine & hotels On every ATG trip, enjoying the range of local cuisines is one of the pleasures of travelling. Regional traditions and fresh ingredients create the style of each cuisine – offering new tastes, textures and aromas. On Worldwide trips clearly ‘the best that every area has to offer’ is not ‘international cuisine’ (!) or replicating European cuisine and wines – in Arabian sands, Himalayan meadows or Vietnamese villages. The absence of abundant wine (in nonwine producing areas) or ATG picnics, doesn’t mean it is not ‘an ATG trip’! It is, but one on which ‘the best...’ is unique cultural – and culinary – traditions.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

What’s Included? n

Trips escorted by trained ATG Tour Leaders and local experts.

Trip itineraries from 11 to 16 days.

Small, compatible groups, up to a maximum of 16 people.

Everything is included: all accommodation; all meals and wines; all transfers, including flights (when part of the itinerary); all specified excursions and visits; and all tips en route.

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 many years.

Every level of walking from easy and relaxing to challenging and momentous. Each trip has either a comfortable minibus, or other transportation (e.g., 4x4 / camel! etc.) so you can walk as much or as little as you like.

Transport of luggage en route.

In ATG style, 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’.

In true ATG style the atmosphere of each trip is friendly and relaxed.

The interesting itineraries attract like-minded people – who like each other!

And what’s not included? Transport to/from the beginning/end of the trip, as our clients come from all over the world... +44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

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Discovering The Hills of Southwest India Densely forested Western Ghats, hill stations and tea plantations, world-class national parks, the tranquil Kerala backwaters and Cochin. This trip covers the southwestern tip of the subcontinent – in style!

ITINERARY NOTE: We recommend you preextend in Kozhikode (Calicut), with time to acclimatise and explore the city.

Day 1 After arrival at Kozhikode

(Calicut) airport we drive (3 hours) up into the Western Ghats, through some of Kerala’s most picturesque scenery, to Vythiri (757m/2,483ft). Optional walk (up to 3 hours) above Vythiri along forest paths of the Western Ghats.

Day 2 We walk (3.5 or 5 hours)

through tea and coffee plantations, enjoying fine views across the entire Wayanad district and of the Western Ghats. Afternoon free to relax, or optional walk (1 or 2 hours).

Day 3 Morning drive (3.5

hours) into Karnataka to Nagarhole National Park (687m/2,254ft to 960m/3,150ft). Afternoon jeep safari.

Day 4 Morning walk (2 hours)

with a local naturalist, to explore the local habitat and birdlife, or optional early-morning jeep safari in the Park. Afternoon safari by boat along the Kabini River: Nagarhole is home to wild elephants, tigers, leopards, wild dog, jungle cat, hyena, gaur, crocodile, deer, sloth bear, flying squirrels (amongst others!) and 250 species of birds.

Day 5 We drive (5 hours) from

Nagarhole to Ooty (2,240m/ 7,350ft), the largest hill station in the Nilgiri Hills (‘Blue Mountains’), in the province of Tamil Nadu. After lunch we visit Ooty’s pleasant botanical gardens, home to 1,000 species of plants. A short drive (45 mins) takes us to the historic Gateway Hotel in the hill station of Coonoor (1,850m/6,069ft).

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Day 6 Starting from a vantage

point overlooking the Nilgiri Hills, a majestic waterfall and the plains of Tamil Nadu, we walk (3 or 5 hours) through several hilltop tea plantations and colourful villages inhabited by plantation workers until reaching a working tea estate. After lunch we take part in a gourmet tea tasting, then continue by road (3.5 hours) through spectacular mountain and forest scenery to Coimbatore (1,850m/6,070ft).

Day 7 We drive (back into

Kerala) towards Munnar. En route we stop to visit a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha before passing through Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in our ascent to the Ghats (from 1,450m/ 4,760ft to 2,695m/8,842ft). (6 hours drive in total). Optional walk (up to 2 hours) through our boutique hotel’s own cardamom plantation immersed in ‘Shola’ forest.

Day 8 We walk, passing

plantation workers’ vegetable plots and line houses, then climb through dense forest until reaching a lone grassy peak providing dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and the deep valley below (4 hours). Optional afternoon visit to the Tata Tea Museum.

Day 9 We drive (3.5 hours) to

Thekkady (1,337m/4,386ft), situated high in the Cardamom Hills and home to Periyar National Park. Kerala is the spice capital of the world and Thekkady is its chief producer. Over twelve varieties of spices, are cultivated in Thekkady and its neighbouring villages. Afternoon jungle safari walk (up

14 DAY TRIP, INDIA Arrival / Departure airports: Calicut / Cochin u Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 10 u Shortest/longest walk: 2/7 hours u

to 4 hours) in search of large mammals and many birds. Day 10 After an early start

(wonderful birdsong!) we explore the Periyar National Park, one of India’s most important wildlife sanctuaries, on foot. The park is centred around a large artificial lake (reservoir dam built by the British in 1895), and attracts an impressively large and diverse population of birds and animals (3 hours walking). After lunch we drive (3.5 hours) to Kumarakom and check in to our 5* hotel with magnificent views across Lake Vembanad.

Day 11 We walk along the

canals of the backwaters, accompanied by a local expert (3-4 hours). After lunch there is free time to enjoy the hotel and its facilities, or go on a sunset cruise on Lake Vembanad.

Day 12 After a relaxed

breakfast, we board a riceboat to enjoy a backwater cruise through the picturesque canals and surrounding wetlands (5 hours). On arrival at Alleppey, we continue by road to Kochi (Cochin) (2 hours).

Day 13 Morning walking tour of

Fort Cochin, with its giant fishing nets (from China), ancient mosques and architectural reminders of the British Raj; and St. Francis’ church, the oldest European church in India (1503). We take a private boat to neighbouring Mattancherry to visit the Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace, and adjacent market. Afternoon ‘at leisure’.

Day 14 Transfer to Kochi

airport.

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

N/A Cultural

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

Wine area

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Tea plantation in the hills of Munnar

ACCOMMODATION KARNATAKA Nagarhole Vythiri

NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Vythiri

Nagarhole National Park

Ooty Coonoor Coimbatore

Calicut

KERALA

TAMILNADU

Munnar Cochin Kumarakom Alleppey Thekkady

˚F ˚C 104 40 95 35

Vythiri Resort Orange County Resorts Jungle resort & spa HHHH

Average daily temperature max min

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

NIGHT 5

NIGHT 6

Coonoor

Coimbatore

Hours 400 350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

Taj Gateway Hotel

Vivanta by Taj

58 15

150

HHHH

HHHHH

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

NIGHTS 7 & 8

NIGHT 9

Munnar

Thekkady

Windermere Estate Plantation & retreat

Spice Village

NIGHTS 10 & 11

NIGHTS 12 & 13

Kumarakom

Fort Cochin

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Tranquil backwaters

HHHH

Kumarakom Lake Resort

Brunton Boatyard

HHHHH

HHHH

Indian food has a richly deserved reputation throughout the world for being aromatic and delicious. Regional variety is vast. The South is renowned for its extensive and often surprisingly subtle use of fresh spices. Coconut in every guise forms the base for Keralan cuisine. Its long, tropical coastline means seafood and exotic vegetables and fruit abound. In Cochin Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences are all present. For those used to the Mughalinspired Indian cuisine found in the UK this will be an exciting voyage of culinary discovery. Excellent-quality beer is found everywhere and is the best accompaniment to Indian cooking with its strong spices and sugar, which together make the palate insensitive to the subtleties of fine wines. Refreshing, cold fruit or milkbased drinks mixed with ice and sugar (e.g. nimbu pani and lassi) are delicious, thirst-quenching alternatives.

TERRAIN Well-established farm, forest and mountain tracks, tea plantations. Sightseeing in towns and cities.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Discovering Srinagar & Ladakh Wonderful Himalayan walking in idyllic mountain scenery with flower-filled meadows, lakes and glaciers; picturesque villages with traditional ways of life, colourful Kashmiri and Ladakhi culture and history.

ITINERARY NOTE: We strongly recommend you pre-extend in Delhi, with time to acclimatise and explore the city.

Day 1 After arrival at Delhi

airport we take an afternoon flight (1 hour) to Srinagar (1,585m/5,200ft) in the Kashmir Valley. Early evening shikara (rowed gondola-style with one oar) ride to explore Nagin Lake.

Day 2 We walk through the old

town of Srinagar, its ancient narrow streets, spice and copper markets, bazaars and traditional way of life. We visit the fascinating Shah Hamadan and Jama Masjid Mosques, and the celebrated (UNESCO) Mughal Gardens, developed in the 16th century along the banks of Dal Lake (connected by a waterway to the Nagin Lake).

Day 3 We enjoy a shikara ride

to the floating market – a riot of colours and noise, as farmers trade their vegetables and fruit – then return to the houseboat for breakfast. We visit Shankaracharya Temple and enjoy panoramic views of the city and later transfer to our houseboat on Dal Lake. In the late afternoon we visit the famous ‘floating gardens’, manmade islands on which local people, living around the lake, cultivate vegetables, before watching the sun set across the lake – against a backdrop of the Hari Parbat Fort and majestic mountains.

Day 4 Excursion to the

beautiful Dachigam National Park, with its dense forests and flower-filled meadows and rare plants and animals.

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Day 5 Morning flight to Leh

(3,524m/11,562ft), with spectacular views of the Zanskar range. Afternoon visit to the 15th century Tsemo Gomba.

Day 6 We explore the lovely

Saboo Valley and its rural landscape on foot (3 hours). After lunch we visit a traditional Ladakhi house where we have the opportunity to sample ‘butter tea’ and/or ‘chang’ (barley beer).

Day 7 Early visit to Thiksey

Monastery for the monks’ morning prayer. We then drive (5 hours) to Hunder village (3,127m/10,259ft) in the Nubra Valley via the incredibly scenic Wari La Pass. Optional afternoon (1.5 hours) walk up to the 32 metre statue of Maitreya Buddha near Diskit Monastery.

Day 8 We drive (1.5 hours),

then follow the Nubra River on foot all the way to the Ensa Monastery and its green oasis (2.5 hours). We continue to ‘Wishful Lake’ (3,300m/10,826ft) where we enjoy another pleasant walk (1 hour).

Day 9 We drive (1 hour by

jeep) up to the top of the Hundar Gorge and to the tiny village of Hundar Dok, where we begin our walk (3-4 hours), following a glacier-melt stream past terraced farmland surrounded by the impressive Karakoram mountains. Optional afternoon walk (3 hours) back down via a gorge.

Day 10 We drive (6 hours) to

Uletokpo in the Sham Valley, stopping en route at the top of the Khardong Pass (18,330ft – the world’s highest ‘motorable’

15 DAY TRIP, INDIA Destination airport: Delhi u Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 11 u Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/7 hours u

pass!). En route we visit the stunning ruins of the fascinating town of Basgo. Day 11 We drive (1 hour) start

our walk (2 hours), following paths beside the river and through a gorge to the isolated and spectacularly situated Rizong Monastery (3,401m/ 11,158ft). We then walk down to visit Chulichan (Chomoling) Nunnery (20 mins), before continuing on foot – (40 mins) to the Ule Ethnic Resort. In the afternoon we drive to Alchi (25 min drive), the oldest Buddhist learning centre in Ladakh.

Day 12 We drive (35 mins) to

Hemis Shukpachan (3,645m/ 11,958ft), then walk down – then steadily up – to the Mebtak La Pass (3,720m/12,183ft). After admiring the view, we descend, then follow a jeep road on to the village of Tingmosgang (3,222m/10,570ft), the 15th century capital of Ladakh (4 hours walking). Optional afternoon walk up a spectacular gorge to a remote, picturesque village (3 hours).

Day 13 We drive to Tia, the

oldest village in the region (3,394m/11,135ft), comprising 200 families occupying medieval houses in a maze of alleys, tunnel streets, and courtyards. We then walk up to the Bongbongla Pass, enjoying wonderful views before gently descending to the Indus River (3.5 hours). We drive to Lamayuru (3,504m/11,496ft), noted for its 11th century monastery perched picturesquely high on a spur of rock. Return to Leh by road (3 hours).

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 6

Wildlife

Geology

N/A Cultural

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

Wine area

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

TERRAIN The terrain is varied: farm tracks, lanes and mountain paths – some rough, stony and barren underfoot. There are no precipitous drops. We have kept the walking distances relatively modest as this allows us to acclimatise to the altitude and gives us time to experience the mountains. Please ensure you bring sturdy, well-broken-in walking boots with firm ankle support.

Stark, captivating scenery: a picturesque village nestled in a valley

CCHINA HINA

TTAJIKISTAN AJIKISTAN

Diskit D isk iskit isk ski kiiitt SSrinagar Sr rrinagar inaaagggaaarr in

Leh Leh eh

JAMM JJAMMU JAM AMMU AM MM MM MU U AND AN A ND ND KASHMIR KAS K KASHM ASHMIR AS HM MIR LLADAKH ADA ADAKH DA AKH KH PPAKISTAN AKISTAN

HHIMACHAL IMACHAL PPRADESH RADESH

Day 14 We drive (25 mins.) to

the mouth of a forgotten gorge, and walk towards the Himalayan peaks whose waters have carved it over the years. We walk back to the Matho Monastery, where we enjoy unforgettable views of the Karakoram Mountains (4 hours). Free afternoon.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Nagin Lake

Dal Lake

Traditional Houseboat Traditional Houseboat NIGHTS 5, 6, 13 & 14

NIGHTS 7 - 9

Leh

Diskit

Saboo Resort Boutique resort

Hotel Sten-Del Family-run hotel

Day 15 Transfer to Leh airport

for 1-hour flight to Delhi.

NIGHTS 10 - 12

Uletokpo Ule Ethnic Resort Eco resort

Floating market on Dal Lake

ALTITUDE This trip involves a considerable increase in altitude, as it entails flying from Delhi (at sea level) to Leh (at 3,500m/11,500ft). Fitness has no bearing on acclimatisation to altitude. There is no way to predict your acclimatisation rate (they vary every time one goes to altitude), but what is known is that it depends largely on rest and hydration prior to the trip and for the first couple of days at altitude. For this reason the itinerary has been structured to allow for a gradual acclimatisation, with gentle sightseeing and walking activities at the start of the trip. Leh has excellent medical facilities (being also a military outpost) and should we have any problems with altitude we can manage these.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Discovering Bhutan Step back in time and discover ornate monasteries perched high above terraced paddy fields, walk through magnificent forests with panoramic mountain views, visit local villages and temples and explore the country’s rich history and culture.

ITINERARY NOTE: We strongly recommend you pre-extend in Delhi, with time to acclimatise and explore the city.

Day 1 Meet at Delhi

international airport for a morning flight to Paro, and transfer (1 hour) to Bhutan’s delightful capital and cultural centre – Thimphu. We visit the large Memorial Chorten (or stupa) which dominates the skyline of Thimphu, then walk back via the city’s bustling market. (Walking 1 hour).

Day 2 We explore Thimphu,

visiting a nunnery, the Textile and Heritage Museums, Changangkha Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu valley), and the national library.

Day 3 We drive (20 mins) then

walk, following a trail up (917ft/280m) to the Tango (‘horse head’) Goemba Monastery, with its picturesque three-storey tower, the residence of an important young Trulku (Reincarnate Lama). After descending to the valley, we follow a trail that leads up (850ft/260m) the prayer flagstudded hill to the Cheri Monastery. We descend on foot, before driving back to Thimphu. (Walking 2 hours + 3 hours).

Day 4 We drive to the dramatic

Dochula Pass (10,326ft/3,150m), on clear days offering spectacular Himalayan views. From here we descend to the picturesque village of Gangtey (9,842ft/3,000m), on the western slopes of the Black Mountains (5-hour drive). In the afternoon we stroll through the village, dominated by the 16th century Gangtey Goemba (temple), then

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continue on foot into the protected Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of endangered black-necked cranes. (Afternoon walk 4 hours). Day 5 We walk through

inspiring countryside, before ascending from the base of the ancient Gangtey Goemba. A special prayer ceremony is organized for us at the temple where the monks chant their blessings. (Morning walk 4.5 hours). Optional afternoon walk to explore more of the area.

Day 6 We drive to the

picturesque village of Wangdue to visit to the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and Radak Naktshang, the village temple. We then walk (45 mins) down to the Wangdi Phadrong bridge before continuing to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan (3 hours drive in total). Late afternoon walk by the river, along a fertile valley (1.5 hours).

Day 7 We walk through

country, along the river bank, to Punakha (4,258ft/1,300m) – a winter retreat due to its temperate climate. We walk up to the magnificent 17th century Punakha Dzong, (walking 3 hours). Optional afternoon excursion takes to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, the ‘Divine Madman’ who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatize his teachings. Visitors may line up to be blessed by impressive wooden and bone phalluses.

Day 8 We drive (4 hours) to the

idyllic Paro Valley (7,369ft/ 2,250m) with its mountain

11 DAY TRIP, BHUTAN u

Destination airport: Delhi

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 10

Shortest/longest walk: 1/6 hours

scenery, small villages, terraced fields and historic monuments, on the ancient trade routes to Tibet. We walk up through woods to the ruins of Drugkyel Dzong, situated where the trail from Tibet via the Tremo La pass enters the Paro Valley. We then descend to visit Paro Dzong. (Afternoon walk 2-3 hours). Day 9 We explore the town of

Paro, built in characteristic Bhutanese provincial style in the 1980s. We drive for (20 mins) to the Ta Dzong, once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong and converted into the National Museum in 1968. From here we walk (30 mins) to the imposing Paro Rinpung Dzong, its high characteristic ‘battered’ walls built in the 16th century on the site of a monastery founded by Guru Rinpoche – revered for establishing Buddhism in Bhutan. After lunch we walk (1.5 hours) to visit Kyichu Monastery from where drive for 15 minutes to Drugyal Dzong, before returning to the hotel.

Day 10 We follow a wide uphill

trail to the picturesque Taktsang Monastery, set on a sheer granite cliff 3,120ft/900m above the Paro valley – revered as the place where Guru Padma Sambhava, known as the second Buddha in Bhutan is said to have meditated, having reached the spot on the back of a tiger – hence the name ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery’. The walking (return trip 5-6 hours of walking) is along a wide, well-established and maintained path, however it is reasonably challenging.

Day 11 Transfer to Paro airport

for flight to Delhi.

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 7

Wildlife

Geology

N/A Cultural

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 9

Wine area

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & DRINK

Tiger’s Nest Monastery 77 25

400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

68 20

350

59 15

300

50 10

250

200

150

-5

100 mm 150 100 50 0

14 -10 5 -15

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

TERRAIN Established farm, forest, riverside and mountain paths and tracks, paths through rice fields, steps to monasteries.

The beautiful Paro Valley

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 - 3

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Thimphu

Gangtey

Phuntsho Pelri

Dewachen Hotel

HHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

NIGHTS 8 - 10

Punakha

Paro

Meri Puensum Resort

Olathang

HHH

Bhutanese food is generally very spicy, but often ‘toned down’ for western palettes. Spicy chillies (which are considered a vegetable, not a spice!) mixed with a cheese sauce called ema datse is the national dish. Staples such as rice, buckwheat or maize are served with chillies and a variety of fresh vegetables. Meat, fish and poultry are often served in stews with a wide range of spices. Dairy foods, particularly butter and cheese made from yak milk are also a staple. Local drinks include sweet tea, salted butter tea, chang (beer) and arra, a spirit distilled from rice, maize, wheat or barley.

Young monks

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Discovering Sri Lanka Ancient monasteries and cities, temples, highlands with tea gardens, national parks, outstanding birds (492 species!) and mammals, and excellent walking across diverse landscapes. And…7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!

ITINERARY NOTE: We recommend you preextend in Colombo, with time to acclimatise and explore the city.

Day 1 On arrival we transfer

from the airport to our seafront hotel, conveniently located to explore the city at your leisure.

Day 2 We drive (4-5 hours)

along the coast, via paddy fields, woodlands and endless rows of coconut palms, to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura. Afternoon free to relax and swim.

Day 3 A full morning, and then

late afternoon, exploration of ancient Anuradhapura, dating from the 4th century BC, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilisation. There is time in between to go for a swim, have a siesta or simply escape the midday sun.

Day 4 We drive (2 hours) to

Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital of Sri Lanka, where many vestiges of this ancient civilisation remain – including the renowned ‘reclining Buddha’. We drive (1 hour 15 mins) to Sigiriya to visit the ruins of this ancient capital, which lies on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high (the ‘Lion's Rock’, which dominates the jungle from all sides). We then continue to Kandalama (45 mins).

Day 5 Optional early-morning

lakeside bird-watching walk (1.5 hours), then visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a 1st century complex of caves filled with statues and paintings dedicated to Lord Buddha (2 hours). ‘Jungle trekking’ in the afternoon (1.5 hours).

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Day 6 We drive (3 hours)

through lush, green countryside and the island’s main spice growing area, and begin a 3hour walk through rice fields, spice gardens and villages, visiting a unique temple along the way. In the afternoon we drive into Kandy to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, believed to house the upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself!

Day 7 We explore Knuckles

Mountain Range, one of the most unspoilt wilderness areas of Sri Lanka. We drive (1.5 hours) up into the mountains, before starting our walk (6 hours), which winds gently up for an hour through a tea plantation, then gently descends – very scenically – through a wide and secluded valley and forests, and via remote villages, small plantations and impeccably maintained terraced paddies. We return to Kandy (45 mins).

Day 8 We explore Kandy’s

magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens, renowned for its 300 varieties of orchid and myriad bird species, before driving (1.5 hours) further into the hills, through breathtaking scenery, and enjoy a 2.5 hour walk around a Ceylon tea plantation. We continue to picturesque Nuwara Eliya, capital of the hill country and resort for the British during the days of the Raj.

Day 9 An early start and drive

(1 hour) to Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka’s highest and most isolated plateau, to walk (4 or 5 hours) through

14 DAY TRIP, SRI LANKA Destination airport: Colombo u Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 10 u Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/6 hours u

remarkably diverse scenery – and not least World’s End, a sheer drop of 3,700 feet affording wide views as far as the southern coastline. We return to Nuwara Eliya – optional visit to Victoria Park, home to a large number of rare bird species. Day 10 We drive towards

Tissamaharama: a long, picturesque descent along winding roads to the plains. After 2 hours we stop at the superbly situated village of Ella and walk (2 hours) through verdant countryside up to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Rawana waterfall and Ella’s gap. We continue on to our hotel on the edge of Yala National Park (2.5 hours drive).

Day 11 Optional early morning

walk through surrounding jungle and along the beach (1.5 hours). In the afternoon we visit the spectacular Yala National Park (game drive), renowned for its dazzling array of birds and wild animals.

Day 12 We drive (4 hours)

along the southern coast to our seaside hotel just outside the fort town of Galle. In the afternoon we explore the town, previously a Dutch colonial fort, which is both architecturally and aesthetically unique.

Day 13 Morning boat safari

along the Maduganga River to enjoy a wide array of wildlife and one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 14 Transfer to Colombo

airport (2.5 hours).

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8 Wine area

Wildlife

Geology

N/A Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & DRINK

Walking through verdant countryside

ACCOMMODATION

INDIA

SRI LANKA

NIGHT 1

NIGHTS 2 & 3

Colombo

Anuradhapura

Galle Face Hotel

Forest Rock Garden Resort

HHHH

NIGHTS 4 & 5

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Kandalama

Kandy

Heritance Hotel

Earl’s Regency Hotel

Anuradhapura Sigiriya Polonnaruwa Dambulla Kandalama

TERRAIN

Negombo Kandy Nuwara Eliya Horton Plains National Park Yala National Park Bentota Kosgoda Tissamaharama Galle Colombo

Sri Lankan food is delicious – similar to Southern Indian cuisine but often with greater quantities of spices and chillies. Milder options will also be available throughout the trip. Rice with fish/vegetable curry is a staple, but we will sample a wide range of Sri Lankan delicacies. Meals will be accompanied by local beers.

HHHH

NIGHTS 8 & 9

NIGHTS 10 & 11

Nuwara Eliya

Yala

Jetwing St Andrew’s

Cinnamon Wild

HHHH

HHHHH

Good, easy paths throughout. There are some possibly vertiginous rock steps to a monastery, but the route is visible from the base and you can decide whether you want to take the ascent.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

NIGHTS 12 & 13

Galle

Lighthouse Hotel

Little green bee-eaters

HHHH

Dambulla Cave complex

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Discovering China: The Western Silk Road Following the Silk Road from Xi’an to Kashgar in the Himalayan west. Deserts, oases, mountain meadows, lakes, ancient ruined cities, caves with astonishing art and fascinating ethnic and cultural diversity.

ITINERARY NOTE: This itinerary does not include any free time in Beijing, and the trip starts with a half-day of travel followed by sightseeing. We therefore strongly recommend that you pre-extend in Beijing, with time to acclimatise and explore this fascinating city.

Day 1 After arrival at Beijing

airport we fly to Xi’an (2 hours), China’s ancient capital and starting point for the great trade caravans of the ancient Silk Road. En route to our hotel we visit the magnificent Mausoleum of the Western Han Emperor. Day 2 We explore Xi’an, with visits to its fascinating history museum, Great Mosque, city fortifications, and of course the famous Terracotta Warriors. Day 3 A mid-day flight (2.5 hrs) to the desert town of Dunhuang on the Silk Road (arriving for high tea at hotel) is followed by an afternoon walk to a village, via desert and vineyards (3 hours). Day 4 In the morning we visit the outstanding Mogao Caves. This World Heritage Site (some of the famous Dunhuang Caves), with their wall-paintings and statues, Oriental, Greek and Byzantine influences, provide a fascinating record of the cultures and religions that flourished on the Silk Road. In the afternoon we walk from the Yangguan Pass, via desert and sand dunes, to Shouchang City (3 hours). Day 5 A short transfer takes us to Mingsha Hill, from where a camel ride (40 mins) takes us to

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watch the sunrise over the endless dunes, and have breakfast! In the afternoon, we walk from the Yumen Pass, one of the two important passes on the western frontier of the Han Dynasty, through the Gobi desert, enjoying wonderful views over the widely scattered relics of the Great Wall and beacon towers (3.5 hours). In the evening we enjoy a campfire party with dance performances by locals. Day 6 Morning visit to the West Thousand Buddha Caves. After lunch we fly (1.5 hours) to Urumqi (home to 47 minorities) and explore the city’s fascinating Grand Bazaar. Day 7 We travel on the expressway to the oasis town of Turpan (2.5 hours) – the second lowest place on Earth (152m/ 500ft below sea level). After lunch we walk to explore a mountain village of the Tuyugou Valley, inhabited – and littlechanged by Uygurs for over 3,000 years (approx. 1.5 hours). We then visit the ancient ruins of Gaochang, which contain traces of Nestorian, Christian, Persian and Manichean culture. Day 8 We walk through fine scenery of the Flaming Mountains and descend, enjoying views of the picturesque ‘Grape Valley’ (3 hours). After lunch we visit the Emin Minaret, one of the architectural gems of the Silk Road. Day 9 We drive by coach (45 mins) to the ancient city of Jiaohe, from where we walk to

14 DAY TRIP, CHINA u

Destination airport: Beijing Capital

Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13)

Days of walking: 11

Shortest/longest walk: 1.5/3.5 hours

Karez, passing grape vines and Uygur villages (approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon we return to Urumqi and visit the fascinating Xinjiang regional museum. Day 10 From Urumqi we drive to Lake Tianchi in the Tianshan Mountains (2 hours). We visit the Taoist Temple at the foot of the mountains, and take a cruise on the lake, before walking along the lake and up to Mt Guodikeng (3 hours). After returning to Urumqi we take an evening flight to the fabled city of Kashgar (1.5 hours). Day 11 We visit Kashgar, its ancient mud-brick walls echoing a step back in time. We visit the Abakh Khoja’s Tomb (reminiscent of Samarkand or Isfahan and experience the astonishing, timeless spectacle of the Sunday Bazaar). In the afternoon we visit the Aidkah Mosque – the largest in China, and explore the Old Town. Day 12 We drive to the foot of the Kunlun Mountains (2.5-3 hours) and walk in the Oytagh forest and meadows, past Kirgyz villages (approx. 3 hours). Day 13 We fly back to Beijing via Urumqi (1.5 + 3.5 hours) and spend the evening in Beijing’s ancient city. Day 14 Transfer to Beijing airport.

TERRAIN Dirt and desert paths, stream beds, sand dunes, some rocky trails. One steep, stony ascent. Firm ankle support recommended.

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 6

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Forgotten cities and civilisations ˚F ˚C 104 40

C.I.S

Hours 400

95 35

MONGOLIA GOBI

KAZAKHSTAN Urumqi

INNER MONGOLIA Beijing

Turpan Kashgar

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

350

86 30

300

77 25

250

68 20

200

58 15

150

50 10

100 mm 150 100 50 0

Dunhuang Xi’an

TIBET

-5

14 -10

INDIA

CHINA

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

BURMA

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

NIGHTS 3 - 5

Sofitel

Silk Road Dunhuang

NIGHTS 6 & 9

NIGHTS 7 & 8

Sheraton

Tu-Ha Petroleum

NIGHTS 10 - 12

NIGHT 13

Yue Xing Jin Jiang International Hotel

Grand Hotel

Xi’an

HHHHH Urumqi

Dunhuang

Chinese food is one of the world’s three great cuisines, and even in the most remote areas of the Silk Road this rings true. It encompasses a wide variety of influences, cooking techniques and styles according to region and ethnic background, but is consistently of a high quality – something the Chinese are very proud of. We will sample local beers and wines, including rice (or yellow) wine, and kumiss – fermented mare’s milk, which, in the process of fermentation, becomes slightly alcoholic and fizzy. Originating in Mongolia, it has a sweet/sour taste and is very nutritious.

HHHH Turpan

Terracotta warriors

HHHHH Kashgar

Kashgar

HHHHH

HHHH Beijing

HHHHH

Breathtaking art: Mogao caves

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Discovering Oman Discover Oman's subtropical coast, deserts, mountain villages, spectacular wadis, desert camping ‘under a million stars’, and one of Muscat’s best hotels. All this and plenty of walking!

ITINERARY Day 1 After an early arrival at

Muscat airport, we take the onward morning flight (1 hour 15 mins) to Salalah in the remote subtropical south of Oman. Optional stroll around Salalah’s archaeological site and visit to its excellent museum.

Day 2 We visit Khawr Rhori, a

coastal lagoon with many migrant visitors including flamingoes, and explore nearby the evocative site of ancient Sumharum, an important port on the ancient ‘Frankincense Route’. After a short drive, we walk among grazing camels and picnic in craggy Wadi Dharbat (2 hours) before returning to our hotel for a swim. Late afternoon visit to Salalah's souk.

Day 3 We drive (40 mins) to a

Day 6 We follow a rugged,

ancient route on foot across two small canyons, to reach the village of Al Qatar on the mountain plateau above Al Hamra (3 hours). We then descend on foot (1 hour 45 mins) or by road, to the 400year-old mountain oasis village of Misfat Al Abriyeen, with its narrow alleys, old stone houses and lush oasis, to enjoy lunch in a local guesthouse. We explore the old village and oasis of Al Hamra and visit the Bait Al Safah museum, a ‘living’ museum that illustrates aspects of traditional Omani life.

frankincense plantation, then walk (2 hours) along Wadi Dawka. We then drive on (2 hours) to Shisr, pausing there to picnic and to visit its ancient remains, possibly those of the ‘Lost City of Ubar’. From here we drive (1.5 hours) out into the pristine dunes of the Empty Quarter (Rub al-Khali) – evocatively described by Wilfred Thesiger – to our remote desert camp. Optional walk up the dunes to watch the sunset.

Day 7 We drive (1 hour 15 mins)

Day 4 We walk through gently

Day 8 We make an early start

undulating dunes (1 hour) and proceed by 4WD to explore our astonishing desert surroundings, before leaving the Empty Quarter to return by road to Salalah (3 hours). Evening flight to Muscat (1 hour 15 mins).

Day 5 We drive (3 hours) into

the Jebel Shams Mountains (at 3,009m/9,872 ft the highest in Oman) to the start of a panoramic walk (3.5 hours) along Wadi Nakheer, known as

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the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Oman. We then continue by road to an ‘eco-luxe’ retreat, situated at 1,400m/4,593 ft above sea level, with panoramic vistas.

to visit 17th century Jabreen Fort, with its elaborately painted ceilings, and later stop to walk through the pretty oasis of Birkat Al Mauz, whose ancient falaj irrigation system has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue by road (1 hour) to our comfortable mountaintop hotel in the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains). Optional afternoon walk with wonderful views (2 hours).

to visit ancient Nizwa’s weekly livestock market and witness its frenzied negotiations under the palm trees. We explore its souk and visit the town’s impressive 17th century fort. We then drive on (2 hours) to lunch near the former merchant village of Al Minzifah, exploring the abandoned village on foot before continuing (1 hour) to our luxury accommodation in the dunes of the Shaqiya (formerly Wahiba) Sands desert.

13 DAY TRIP, OMAN Destination airport: Muscat u Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 11 u Shortest/longest walk: 1/5 hours u

Day 9 We drive through the

desert, past scattered Bedu settlements and then on to the mountain oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid for lunch, with opportunities for swimming and walking in the wadi. We then continue by road (2.5 hours) to the coastal town of Sur and the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, sited in one of the largest nesting areas of the green turtle in the Indian Ocean.

Day 10 Pre-dawn beach

excursion with possibility of seeing turtles laying eggs or young turtles making their way to the sea (not guaranteed). We travel by road to Sur and visit a boat yard where traditional dhows are repaired and built. We then continue towards Muscat along the coast road, stopping to walk (3 hours) and swim in idyllic Wadi Shab, a dramatic gorge with river pools and caves. We continue by road past the Bimah Sinkhole, an impressive limestone crater, to Muscat (2 hours).

Day 11 We visit the Sultan

Qaboos Grand Mosque, then drive to Muttrah and visit its fish market and souk. We then visit the Sultan’s palace in Old Muscat, and visit the beautifully displayed ethnographic collections of the Bait Al Zubair Museum.

Day 12 We visit the fine Muscat

Opera House. An optional walk (2 hours) in the surrounding volcanic hills with wonderful view to the sea. Time to to relax and swim before (weather conditions permitting) boarding our dhow for a sunset cruise along the Muscat coast. We return to our hotel for a farewell dinner.

Day 13 Transfer to Muscat

airport.

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 6

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

Cultural

Scenery

History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE Magnificent scenery MUSCAT 104 45

SALALAH 400

104 45

350

95 40

86 35

300

86 35

300

77 30

250

77 30

250

68 25

200

68 25

200

58 20

150

58 20

150

50 15

100 mm 150 100 50

50 15

100 mm 150 100 50

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

95 40

41 10 32

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Rub al-Khali

Crowne Plaza Hotel

(Empty Quarter) Camping

NIGHT 4

Jabal Sham Mountains

Holiday Inn

HHHH

The View ‘Eco-luxe’ retreat

NIGHT 7

NIGHT 8

Nizwa

Wahiba Sands

Sahab Hotel

Desert Nights Camp

NIGHT 9

NIGHTS 10 - 12

Ras al Jinz Scientific Centre

HHHHH

Ras al Jinz

HHH

TERRAIN Level paths and tracks, stony underfoot. Some steeper ascents and occasional vertiginous sections. Timings reflect terrain rather than distance.

NIGHTS 5 & 6

Muscat al Seeb

HHH

PHOTO: SARAH WELLBURN

HHHH

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

NIGHT 3

Salalah

350

41 10

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1 & 2

400

Hours of bright sunshine Rain in mm

Average daily temperature max min

Southern Arabian cuisine: simple dishes of rice and meat flavoured with spices, herbs, onion, garlic and lime. Also a strong Indian influence. Coffee and dates form traditional Oman hospitality everywhere. Wine from the Bekka valley and some European labels.

Opportunities for swimming

Camping in the Empty Quarter

The Grand Mosque, Muscat

Ancient villages

HHHHH Muscat

Al Bandar

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Discovering Chile A once-in-a-lifetime adventure: desert, hot springs, lakes, fjords, glaciers and peaks: fabulous walking, unforgettable scenery – all in style.

ITINERARY NOTE: We strongly recommend that you pre-extend in Santiago, with time to acclimatise.

Day 1 After arrival at Santiago airport we fly (2.5 hours) and drive (1 hour) to our hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (2,438m/7,984ft). Day 2 We walk (4 miles) along the cornices of the Cordillera de la Sal with panoramic views of the oasis, the Salar de Atacama and the Andes. In the afternoon we visit the small village of Toconao and enjoy a short walk in the valley with its characteristic terraced cultivation. In the evening we watch the sunset over the Chaxa salt flats, a nesting site of flamingoes and other Andean birds. Day 3 We walk (3 miles) up through a verdant gorge to an elevation of 3,500 metres, where we bathe in the warm pools of the Puritama Hot Springs. An optional walk (3 miles) after lunch leads us down through the Guatin Gorge lined with impressive giant cardon cacti, crisscrossing the Vilama River many times. Day 4 We drive (1.5 hours) to the Geysers del Tatio (4,320m), where we explore one of the highest geothermic fields on Earth. We then began our spectacular walk (4.5 miles) around the Copacoya peak, enjoying one of the most remote areas of the Atacama and reaching a maximum altitude of 4,500m. 128

Day 5 We return to Santiago – optional walk to the city’s most famous sights. Day 6 We fly to Punta Arenas (3.5 hours), then transfer (5 hours) to our hotel, superbly situated with extensive views in the Torres del Paine National Park. Day 7 In the morning we walk up (350m/1,148ft) to the cornice of the ridge behind the hotel, with views of the Paine Massif and surrounding lakes, then descend past small lakes and forest, with spectacular views (4 miles, 3.5 hours). Afternoon walk around a lake with unusual yet beautiful calcium formations along its shore, and a wide variety of birds and flora (3 miles, 2–2.5 hours). Day 8 A full-day excursion to Grey Glacier.* We depart by boat (30 min), then walk from the Pehoé Refugio to the Grey Refugio, enjoying views of the Grey Glacier, icebergs in Lake Grey, the Southern Ice Field, the Paine Massif and the Olguin Mountains. We return by boat across Lake Grey (2 hours), and then transfer by road (40 mins). (Walking 7.5 miles, 4–6 hours). Day 9 We walk along a path bordering Lake Pehoé, then continue on past Lake Skottsberg before gently ascending the French Valley for a magnificent view of the French Glacier, the main peak of the Grand Paine Mountain and the northern horns. After a picnic lunch in an awe-inspiring setting,

16 DAY TRIP, CHILE Destination airport: Santiago u Fitness: Grade 2 - 3+ (see pages 12 - 13) u Days of walking: 9 + sightseeing u Shortest/longest walk: 1/6 hours u

we retrace our steps back to the Pehoé Refugio (10 miles, 5 hours). Day 10 Transfer to Punta Arenas by road (5.5 hours). Optional city tour – time permitting. Day 11 Morning flight to Puerto Williams and transfer to Lakutaia Lodge. Afternoon walking tour of Omora Ethnobotanical Park with biologists, followed by an early evening bird-watching walk along the shore of the Beagle Channel to Gusano Point. Day 12 Following Darwin’s historic route, we travel by boat down the Beagle Channel, then south via the Murray Channel to Wulaia, and visit the site of ancient dwellings. We then walk up to a viewpoint overlooking Wulaia Bay and explore beaver habitats.* Day 13 We explore Puerto Williams, before boarding a charter plane for a flight over Cape Horn.* In the afternoon we walk (5.5 miles) up through old growth beech forest to Cerro Bandera, which provides wonderful views of the Beagle Channel, Argentina and the city of Puerto Williams. Day 14 Transfer to airport for flights back to Punta Arenas and on to Santiago (3 hours 30 mins). We then transfer to our hotel at the Santa Rita winery estate (45 mins) located in the Maipo Valley. Day 15 Tour of the Maipo Valley wineries. Day 16 Transfer to Santiago airport (30 mins). *Subject to stable climatic conditions

WORLD-CLASS INTERESTS Hotels

Restaurants 8

Wildlife

Geology

Wine area

10 Cultural

Scenery

10 History

Walking

Art

Flowers

Architecture

Birds

Environment 7

N/A 5

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding 8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD & WINE

Torres del Paine National Park N: North / C: Central / S: South San Pedro de Atacama

Mar Average maximum temp. (ºC) Average minimum temp. (ºC) Average monthly rainfall (mm) Daily hours of bright sunshine

ARGENTINA CHILE Santiago Buenos Aires Puerto Montt

N: 28 C: 21 S: 12 N: 16 C: 9 S: 5 N: 14 C: 3 S: 43 N: 8 C: 7 S: 5

Jul

Nov

N: 25 C: 15 S: 12 N: 13.5 C: 3 S: 2 N: 0 C: 80 S: 26 N: 7.5 C: 4 S: 6

N: 21 C: 18 S: 12 N: 14 C: 8 S: 4 N: 1 C: 8 S: 25 N: 7 C: 6 S: 7

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Torres del Paine Puerto Natales Punta Arenas Puerto Williams

PHOTO: STEPHEN GOULDEN

ACCOMMODATION NIGHTS 1–4

NIGHT 5

San Pedro de Atacama

Santiago

Alto Atacama Lodge & Spa

The Singular

HHHHH

The cuisine of Chile is as much influenced by the traditions of its indigenous peoples, combined with new flavours brought from Europe and the rest of the world, as it is by Chile’s geography. Seafood and fish feature prominently due to Chile’s extensive coastline. Staples such as maize, quinoa and potatoes complement grilled meats. With a climate similar to the Mediterranean, viticulture has flourished in Chile since the Spanish conquistador arrived in the 16th century. Heavily influenced by the French wine trade since the 18th century, Chile is now a major player in the New World wine industry.

HHHH

NIGHTS 6–9

NIGHT 10

Torres del Paine

Punta Arenas

Explora Patagonia

Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Sailing down the Beagle Channel

TERRAIN HHHHH

Atacama – the world’s driest desert

HHHH

NIGHTS 11–13

NIGHTS 14 & 15

Puerto Williams

Alto Jahuel

Hotel Lakutaia

Hotel Casa Real

HHH

HHHH

Very varied, with 1 day in Patagonia involving a 1 hour (optional) ascent and some negotiation of boulders. The fitness level of this trip ranges from Grade 2 - 3+, and depends very much on which walks you take part in.

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

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Walking the Talk Reputation throughout the organisation worldwide. Accreditation for both standards is subject to regular external audits. ATG’s various environmental projects world-wide are run through the ATG Trust – a registered charity, with independent Trustees.

‘Never compromising on quality to sell on price’ enables ATG to offer outstanding itineraries. The Company’s ‘best that each area visited has to offer’ policy; and the elite-trained Tour Consultants who manage the holidays, all ensure consistency of highest quality travel experiences. Quality creates Value.

Today, ‘Green Credentials’ are synonymous with ‘marketing advantage’ and, ostensibly, almost everybody’s doing it. This has led to widespread scepticism about ‘environmental PR’ and a proliferation of ‘awards’ judged on written applications. Predictably, the band wagon is looking over-loaded.

95% of all those who travel with ATG have come through referrals from those who have taken trips.

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER WHINNEY

But what about the environment? ‘We take care of the environment – for you to enjoy….’ This is organised so that you never see what ‘goes on behind the scenes’ – but in case you would like to know, this is how it works…

Walking the Talk From 1979, for many years, ATG was almost alone in running an organisation on principles of environmental best practice. Five years ago, ATG became the first organisation to win both tourism’s premier environmental awards – ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ and the ‘World Legacy Award’ (still the only two to have location inspections to verify winners' performance). ATG was also the first, and is possibly still the only, travel company to have an accredited Environmental Management System (EMS). This EMS, ISO 14001, is used by the Company in conjunction with the ‘Investors in People’ Management Standard to ensure environmental best practice 130

The fact is simply that people expect high-Quality products to incorporate environmental best practice, and Quality organisations to have an accredited EMS. We ‘walk the talk.’

Edward Bernard (Chairman), Hilary Daniels, Dr Fiona Davidson and Catherine MacRae Trustee & Administrator: Jessica Jenkins The Trustees are responsible for allocating Trust funds and determining the feasibility and validity of projects.

Projects The Trust supports projects that aim to: • Protect the integrity of the environment and the beauty of its landscapes. • Preserve the habitats of rare and interesting flora and fauna. • Conserve works of art and architecture.

The Big Idea The idea behind Sustainable Tourism Development is, of course, that tourism should ‘sustain’ its own resource. This might be conservation of water, or the natural unspoilt beauty of the country, beaches of clean white sand, or the profusion and variety of flowers, plants, birds and animals (biodiversity), traditional ways of life, and cultural heritage. Conserve these – the reasons for people to visit an area – and tourism can ‘sustain’ the local community for centuries. Degrade or destroy, and the resource will be lost for ever, and often with it the economic viability of the community.

Who pays? Will your trip cost more? NO! ‘Giving Something back’ means your trip will cost LESS. The vast amounts of good will and close, long-standing friendships created within local communities mean that ATG and its clients are warmly welcomed and almost invariably receive the best possible value and service. ‘Giving Something Back’ – everyone wins!

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

PHOTO: KATE WHINNEY

ATG has a reputation for being ‘amongst the world’s best travel companies.’ How can this be substantiated?

The ATG (Ad Terrae Gloriam) Trust is a registered charity no. 1082542.

14th century fresco restored by the Trust

All projects must be: • Co-funded by local organisations and implemented by the beneficiaries, thereby forging the commitment that helps ensure the maintenance of the project over time. • Part of an integrated plan to bring sustainable tourism development and selected for their long-term benefit to a local community. • Accessible to ATG’s clients and the local people. For a full list of projects past and present please visit our website: www.atg-oxford.com Project ideas We are always looking for worthwhile projects to invest in. Please let us know if you are inspired by something that could be a potential conservation and/or sustainable development project, in an area we visit and which might benefit from the Trust’s support.

UK Saturday Charity Walks Enjoy an easy, relaxed, ATG-style day in some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside, walking with likeminded people. Walks are usually about 3 hours in the morning, with a celebrated (hot) ATG picnic for lunch, followed by a further 2 hours walking before finishing with afternoon tea and a presentation. Walks cost £45 per person, of which at least £10 goes to support the ATG Trust, which funds environmental projects in areas visited on ATG trips.

Upcoming walks can be found in the ‘ATG Trust’ section of the website. ATG Trust Saturday Walks offer some of the best walking in Britain. Many of the walks are themed: prehistoric monuments, chalk figures, historic or cultural associations. Many walks, however, combine a multitude of outstanding interests. Each is in a different part of the UK. ATG provides a list of accommodation available for those wishing to stay overnight in the area.

• Lunch, usually between 12.30 and

What can you expect?

• The group meets at a designated

starting point (convenient to a car park and public transport options. We provide joining instructions).

• The walks usually start between 9.00-10.00am.

• An ATG leader will welcome you,

Fundraising

1.30, is at a village hall – with good facilities – so you can sit and relax and enjoy the ATG buffet lunch.

• Apart from providing an enjoyable day out, the purpose of these Saturday Walks is to raise funds for the ATG (Ad Terrae Gloriam) Trust.

• Lunch will have been prepared by

one or more ATG staff, who will be there to greet you on arrival and, with your walking leader, host the event.

and lead the way through some of Britain’s most interesting and beautiful countryside, pausing to admire the views or to provide ‘sound-bites’ of information about things and places of interest along the route.

• At least £10 per person is

contributed direct to the Trust. The Trust does not pay for its administration costs – so the whole amount is spent on Sustainable Development projects in the areas visited.

PHOTO: LAURA CLEWETT

• ATG, as part of its long-established environmental policy, undertakes the cost of general Trust administration and fundraising.

• The afternoon walk is usually shorter than the morning (about 1/3 of the total).

• Afternoon tea will be served at a

hotel, or occasionally at a private house – back at the starting point of the walk.

• Tea will be followed by a brief

presentation of an ATG trip or two – for those interested.

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

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Extension Hotels Extend your holiday...for more time to explore! Below are the most popular hotels used by ATG clients – selected for their location, character and service. In addition to these hotels we will be pleased to book you additional nights, before or after your ATG trip, at any of the other hotels that we use. For Discovering Worldwide trips (beyond Europe) our local organisers provide a wide range of extension options to suit varied requirements. Please enquire on booking. Italy

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Italy

Italy Assisi | Nun Assisi HHHHH Stunning hotel in the heart of Assisi.

Montepulciano | Albergo Duomo HHH Friendly hotel in excellent, central location.

Palermo | Grand Hotel et des Palmes HHHH Monumental building built in 1856 in the city’s historic centre.

Bologna | Dei Commercianti HHHH Restored medieval building, retaining many original features.

Montepulciano | Il Marzocco HHH Spacious, comfortable rooms; terraces with panoramic views.

Palermo | Villa Igiea HHHHH Landmark Art Nouveau, overlooking the sea.

Florence | Cellai HHHH Family-run hotel in 18th century restored building in the centre.

Naples | Chaja Hotel de Charme HHH Delightful hotel located at the heart of the Neapolitan city centre.

Perugia | Brufani Palace HHHHH Luxury hotel overlooking Perugia, with pool, gym and sauna.

Florence | River HHHH 19th century palazzina in quiet Santa Croce area, next to River Arno.

Naples | San Francesco al Monte HHHH Hotel set in former convent dating from 1557; panoramic views of the gulf.

PIsa | Relais dell’Orologio HHHHH Award winning hotel with 14th century tower.

Florence | Degli Orafi HHHH Chosen for its breathtakingly central location.

Norcia | Grotta Azzurra HHH Characteristic hotel in town centre with renowned restaurant.

Rome | Cesari HHH Quietly situated near Pantheon in central Rome.

Genoa | Hotel Bristol Palace HHHH Elegant, centrally located hotel.

Norcia | Palazzo Seneca HHHH Elegantly restored palazzo in town centre.

Rome | D’Inghilterra HHHHH Elegant hotel in the historic centre.

Lucca | Ilaria HHHH Comfortable modern hotel with terrace in historic centre of Lucca.

Orvieto | Palazzo Piccolomini HHHH Restored 16th century hotel overlooking the medieval Piazza Ranieri.

San Gimignano | Leon Bianco HHH Fine converted palazzo on the main piazza.

Montefollonico | La Chiusa HHH Converted mill and restaurant using local produce, 4.5 miles from Montepulciano.

Orvieto | Corso HHH Historic building in centre of old city.

Siena | Athena HHHH Large, modern hotel within the walls of the medieval city.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

Italy

France

Spain

Siena | Santa Caterina HHH 18th century villa, close to medieval gates of historic centre.

Aix-en-Provence | Hotel des Augustins HHH Charming, centrally located hotel.

Barcelona | Mesón Castilla HH Traditional hotel in a quiet street. Excellent value.

Siena | Grand Hotel Continental HHHHH Restored 17th century palazzo, with frescoes in medieval city.

Arles | Hôtel du Cloître HHH Charming hotel in historing centre with roof terrace.

Deia | La Residencia HHHHH Twin manor houses among lush gardens and citrus groves.

Spoleto | Aurora HHH Friendly, comfortable hotel in quiet courtyard in medieval quarter.

Avignon | Hôtel de L’Horloge HHHH 19th century hotel ideally located close to the Pope’s Palace in the heart of the historic town.

Cascais | Hotel Albatroz HHHHH Luxury boutique hotel in stunning seaside location.

Spoleto | Palazzo Dragoni HHHH Elegant hotel with wonderful views. Residenza D’Epoca

Colmar | Hostellerie Le Maréchal HHHH Charming, centrallylocated hotel with gastronomic restaurant.

Lisbon | Regency Chiado HHHH Innovative, modern hotel in the heart of Lisbon. Famous for its majestic tradition.

Taormina | San Domenico Palace HHHHH Elegant hotel with incomparable panoramas.

Kaysersberg | Le Chambard HHHH Characterful, luxurious spa hotel with **Michelin restaurant and pool.

Sintra | Lawrence’s Hotel HHHHH Elegant, stylish hotel in central location.

Turin | Grand Hotel Sitea HHHH Quietly situated, three minutes walk from the historic centre.

Kaysersberg | Les Remparts HHH Welcoming hotel in a very peaceful setting.

Sintra | Palácio de Seteais HHHHH Luxurious 18th century palace in substantial grounds.

Venice | Danieli HHHHH Elegant, world famous hotel, furnished with antiques.

Les Eyzies-de-Tayac | Hôtel Les Glycines HHHH Former coaching inn set in beautiful gardens with pool.

Szentendre | Bükkös Hotel HHHH Friendly, modern spa hotel, centrally located

Verona | Grand Hotel HHHH Historic hotel, in centre, close to arena.

Montignac | La Roseraie HHH Traditional, historic hotel with lovely gardens and pool.

Budapest | Kempinski Hotel Corvinus HHHHH Located in the heart of Budapest, with wonderful views.

Portugal

Hungary

The Perfect Gift?

£ 10 0

ATG Gift Vouchers, for whatever amount you choose, make the perfect gift for your friends or family to put towards an ATG holiday of their choice. Please contact our Reservations Team for more information.

V O U C H E R

Mrs Jane Smith Address: 274 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DY, United Kingdom Reservations & Information: +44 (0)1865 315678 Fax: +44 (0)1865 315697 Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com Website: www.atg-oxford.com

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

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Making a Booking Book online

Further Information

11th Trip Policy

www.atg-oxford.com

Payment Prices are shown in UK£ and US$. We accept payment in either currency, however you may not switch between currencies for deposit and final payment. Your booking will be secured on payment of a deposit of 10% of the trip price. The final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. When a booking is made within 60 days of departure, a reservation is secured upon receipt of the total holiday cost.

In recognition of client loyalty, we are delighted to offer the opportunity to take your 11th trip free. ATG’s contribution to your 11th trip is determined by calculating the current monetary land cost value of each of the 10 trips taken using the Retail Price Index, adding the totals together, and dividing by 10 to find the average. This amount (average expenditure on 10 trips at current monetary value) can be put towards any trip. Depending on which trip you choose, this may give you a free trip. If you choose a less expensive trip, the balance will be carried forward to your 12th trip. If you choose a more expensive one, you will be charged the difference in price.

• • Book your trip online • Find out more.... Check availability

Call From UK: 01865 315678 From overseas: +44 1865 315678

• Talk to someone who knows the trip • Find out about availability • Make a booking • Request a brochure. We produce three

separate brochures for our different programmes: Escorted, Independent and Pieve a Castello

E-mail trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

• For all enquiries and information or to

Protection Please note that ATG ‘buys forward’ its anticipated foreign currency requirements a year or more in advance, so that the price of your trip is guaranteed against normal currency fluctuations. If, subsequently, the rates improve we don’t benefit, but if the rates fall the price of your holiday is protected. Insurance Please note that insurance is a condition of booking. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance independently as soon as your booking is confirmed. ATG does not provide insurance cover.

request a booking form.

• We will reply within 24 hours Fax From UK: 01865 315697 From overseas: +44 1865 315697

Privacy Policy ATG regards its client data as confidential and as such does not disclose information about its clients to third parties except to those directly connected with ATG’s business.

We will reply within 24 hours.

Write to us 274 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7DY, England

Please note that the 11th trip policy refers to published itineraries only – any extras, such as flights, extension hotels or Double For Single occupancy are not included. Every year we are very pleased to welcome many people on their 11th trip – several clients have taken their 33rd trip!

Customer Service If you have any concerns relating to the processing of your booking, please call or email Liz Scrivener, Quality Manager. She will welcome your call in confidence. Phone: +44 (0)1865 315615 Email: lizs@atg-oxford.com

The Perfect Gift?

Your letter will be answered promptly.

Come and see us in Oxford We will be delighted to welcome you, and answer any questions that you may have.

Financial Security ATG Oxford is a fully bonded tour operator, with two licences and two bonds.

5181

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 for Alternative Travel Group Ltd. (ABTOT number 5181), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; 2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK; and 3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland, which are sold to customers outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Alternative Travel Group Ltd. We also hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 2618). All the flights and flights-inclusive holidays booked through ATG Oxford are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL certificate confirming your arrangements and your protection under ATOL. Please check it to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

In the unlikely event of our insolvency the CAA will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. The airinclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made; or if the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK. Please see our booking conditions for further information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL certificate, go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

Booking Form

Alternative Travel Group T/A ATG Oxford 274 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DY, England Reg. in England No 1449375 Office use

This booking form is subject to ATG Oxford’s Booking Conditions. Please write clearly and tick appropriate boxes. Please complete sections in the cream tint boxes if applicable. PLEASE NOTE: Adequate insurance cover is a condition of booking. Name of Trip

Start Date

No. of people

Accommodation* c

Standard

No. of days*

Superior

5–6

7–8

* Footloose / Freewheeling only

NAMES OF ALL TRAVELLERS Should each person travelling want a separate invoice and pre-trip information, separate booking forms are required. Title

First Name

Surname

Date of Birth

Room Type

1 2 3

Please indicate: (D) Double (T) Twin (DFS) Double for single occupancy

For additional passengers please attach a separate sheet

PASSENGER INFORMATION If we already have your current passport details on file, please leave blank Passport No.

Place of Issue

Date of Issue

Date of Expiry

Nationality

Date of Birth

Place of Birth

Occupation

1 2 3 4

For additional passengers please attach a separate sheet

FLIGHTS (FROM UK ONLY)

EXTENSION ACCOMMODATION Arrival Date

Departure Date

Hotel Name

ATG to book the following flights Business class Date From (airport)

Economy class To (airport)

Outward Return

INSURANCE Please tick to confirm you have adequate travel insurance:

For those on escorted trips making independent travel arrangements: I will meet the group at: the destination airport the first hotel Please provide details of your flight Date

DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT TO

From (airport)

Flight No.

To (airport)

Outward

Name:

Return

Address:

BICYCLE HIRE (FREEWHEELING ONLY) Tel:

Details of person travelling

Fax:

Email:

Height

Information & Correspondence Please send confirmation of this booking, correspondence and pre-trip information:

Inside leg length Preferred frame type (m/f)

Electronically (email + attachments)

By post

ROAD • MOUNTAIN • HYBRID

The correct bicycle size cannot be guaranteed without your measurements

PAYMENT (Note: 2% surcharge for Visa/Mastercard credit card; 3% surcharge for Amex) c US$ I would like to pay in*: c UK£

TAXIS Please book a taxi transfer for

persons for:

Outward flight (above) Flights independently booked

Deposit c I enclose a cheque (UK £ only) for the deposit of 10% per person, payable to

ATG Oxford or

Return taxi can be booked by Route Manager whilst on your trip

Airport

c Please debit my credit/debit card for the deposit

Flight No.

Flight arrival time

Outward

Balance (payable 60 days before departure) c I will send the balance when due, either by bank transfer or cheque

(UK£ cheques only). c Please debit my credit/debit card for the balance when due**.

** Please note – balance will be taken automatically from card on due date. Visa/Mastercard/Amex (Amex – Sterling only)/Delta/Maestro 4-digit code (Amex) Card No. 3-digit code (others)

Valid from or issue No.

Name on card:

DIET AND HEALTH Diet & Health Please indicate any dietary restrictions or relevant medical conditions (see Booking Conditions)

Card expiry date:

Date:

Signature

EMERGENCY CONTACT * You may not switch between currencies for deposit and final payment

11th Trip If you are claiming your 11th trip, please provide a list of prior trips with dates taken.

Emergency contact whilst travelling with ATG Name:

Tel:

Relationship:

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

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Booking Conditions Booking Conditions Unless otherwise stated 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. Making your booking Please telephone or e-mail us or check our website to confirm availability on your chosen trip. To secure a reservation a deposit of 10% of the published trip price is required for each person travelling. A binding contract between us comes into existence on receipt of the deposit. 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 60 days before departure. When a booking is made within 60 days before departure, the total holiday cost must be paid at the time of booking. 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. Please check our confirmation invoice as soon as you receive it. Contact us immediately if any information which appears on the invoice or any other document is incorrect or 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 (five days for tickets). 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. 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 £30/$60 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 as a cancellation and subsequent rebooking. Airlines usually do so after tickets have been issued. For any change of trip or trip date less than 61 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.

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.

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 £30/$60 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.

Very rarely, we may be forced by force majeure (see below) to change or terminate your holiday immediately prior to, or during, your holiday/scheduled time away. 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.

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 61 days before departure: deposit only. Cancellation 60-43 days before departure: 30% of the invoice total. Cancellation 42-29 days before departure: 45% of the invoice total. Cancellation 28-15 days before departure: 60% of the invoice total. Cancellation 14-8 days before departure: 80% of the invoice total. Cancellation 7 days or less before, or after departure: 100% of invoice total.

Guaranteed Departures The departure of Escorted trips with six or more participants is guaranteed, unless cancelled because of force majeure (see below). 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 ATG extension hotel reservations directly related to the trip; or cancelling your booking and receiving a full refund of all monies paid to ATG related to the trip.

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.

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 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 concerned.

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 ‘11th Trip Free’. If we alter or cancel your booking We start planning the holidays we offer long in advance. Occasionally, we have to update information in our brochures and other publications 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

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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 published itinerary, a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time of your arrangements of 12 or more hours or a change of UK departure point to one which is more inconvenient for you.

Accommodation The cost of each trip is based upon accommodation in twinbedded or double rooms. No supplement will, however, be charged for those booking a single room, which clients should generally expect to be smaller and not located in the best part of the hotel. 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 is usually one of the most characteristic

Find out more: www.atg-oxford.com

All bookings are made and accepted in accordance with the terms set out in these conditions. ATG Oxford is a trading name for Alternative Travel Group Ltd.

and comfortable available, 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 accommodation and 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 If purchasing flights independently we cannot make any refund in the event of the cancellation of a trip, or pay compensation for any additional costs involved as a result of changes in published flight times or routes. For those who have requested reservations with ATG inclusive of return scheduled flights from the UK, 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/air-ban/list_en.htm. In accordance with EU Regulations we are required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative “If we alter or cancel your booking” above will apply. We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the flight timings which will be used in connection with your flight. The flight timings shown in our pre-trip information are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. Flight timings are outside our control. They 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. Specific instructions relating to departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your air or other travel tickets approximately 2 weeks before departure. You must accordingly check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions. Price of the trip Whilst the information in this brochure is correct to the best of our knowledge at time of going to print, we reserve the right to change and correct errors in any of the prices, services or other particulars contained in this brochure 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 embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports 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. Details are available in conjunction with current published prices.

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 Form 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. Information regarding passport and visa requirements is sent with our Confirmation of your booking. You are advised, however, that whilst the information is provided in good faith, requirements may change 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) to or through which you are intending to travel. There are no compulsory health formalities for the countries we visit. 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 up to 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 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. (7) Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) 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.

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, the AITO independent dispute service (for which application must be made within six months of the date of your return from holiday) will be available to EC residents. 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 (except as set out below). We both also agree that any dispute, claim or other matter of any description (and whether or not involving any personal injury) which arises between us which is not referred to the AITO dispute service must be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only. Financial security ATG Oxford is a fully bonded tour operator, with two licences and two bonds. The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 for Alternative Travel Group Ltd. (ABTOT number 5181), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; 2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK; and 3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland, which are sold to customers outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland. 1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Alternative Travel Group Ltd. We also hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 2618). All the flights and flights-inclusive holidays booked through ATG Oxford are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL certificate confirming your arrangements and your protection under ATOL. Please check it to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. In the unlikely event of our insolvency the CAA will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. The air-inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made; or if the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK. Please see our booking conditions for further information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL certificate, go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. 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. 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. All bookings are made and accepted in accordance with the terms set out in these conditions and on the understanding that clients have read information relevant to the trip made available to them by ATG Oxford. ATG Oxford is a trading name for Alternative Travel Group Ltd. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions and agree to them. These booking conditions only apply to the holiday arrangements which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions to “holiday”, “booking”, “contract”, “tour” or “arrangements” mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated.

+44 (0)1865 315678 • trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com

ATG OXFORD Have you seen our other brochures?

ATG FOOTLOOS E Independent walking and cycling holidays along continuous routes in the most beautiful and interesting areas of Europe

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P I EV E A C A S TEL LO Escorted, all-inclusive trips based at ATG’s retreat located in idyllic Tuscan countryside between Siena and Florence

• ATG Oxford supports the Ad Terrae Gloriam (ATG) Trust: ‘Conserving the world for future generations’

Certificate Number 5739 ISO 14001: 2004

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Alternative Travel Group Ltd., T/A ATG Oxford, 274 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DY, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Fax: +44 (0)1865 315697 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com REGISTERED IN ENGLAND NUMBER 1449375 • VAT NUMBER 348 2372 47