Cliffwalkers
Hiking Italy’s Liguria Coast plus
A Taste of Tuscany
September 17 – 25, 2004
THE SWEET LIFE
For many centuries Italy has drawn those searching for culture, romance
and sensual pleasures. Few countries can compete with its classical
origins, architecture, music, literary tradition, art, scenery, food
and wine. Yet Italy is not one single cultural identity; rather, it
is a plethora of distinctive regions and peoples. Visitors are often
surprised by the sheer diversity of dialects, cuisines, and craftsmanship.
The Italian coast is seemingly endless,
and the lure of surf and sun is strong. Unfortunately, much of Italy’s
coastline is horribly overdeveloped and often matted with bronzed bodies
smelling of sweat and palm oil lotions. So, where can you go to sample
the Mediterranean pleasures without overdosing on the excesses of the
beach culture? This tour is your answer!
The Riviera de Levante
In northwestern Italy, bordering on Tuscany, the Liguria
coast is a relatively unknown treasure (to tourists at least) commonly
referred to by Italians as the Riviera de Levante. Along this
coast a dramatic chain of hills cradles a series of five small villages—the
Cinque Terre—in a wash of coastal terraced vineyards that are
perfect for an active walking/sightseeing holiday. The ravages of uncontrolled
tourism have thus far been kept in check, but it won't be possible to
do so for much longer as the fame of this area is growing wildly. A
scenic pathway, perfect for walking, connects the towns, winding along
terraced hillsides through olive groves and vineyards. Best of all,
these picturesque villages are all off limits to automobiles!
The Cinque Terre Villages
Riomaggiore overlooks a tiny cove, and fishing
boats rule the roost, lying along the shore and even in the small square.
Lovers’ Lane links the village with Manarola,
the most picturesque of the five villages. Corniglia is
not for the faint-hearted, as it sits high above the water and is reached
by tortuous steps. Vernazza makes the most
of its sea views, with a promenade and a piazza overlooking the water.
Finally, Monterosso overlooks the only real
beach in the vicinity, and features huge statues carved into the rocks
that overlook it.
Tuscany
The spectacular beauty of Tuscany has long inspired many of the world’s
great writers. The likes of Browning, Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Shelley
and Forster have all waxed rhapsodic on its simple charms, rural landscape
and centuries-old cultural heritage. Lord Byron declared himself “dazzled,
drunk with beauty” from its intoxicating allure.
A Feast for the Senses
A renowned philosopher once wrote, “A man who has not been to
Italy is always conscious of inferiority.” The miracle of Italy
is that all its treasures come packaged in a gorgeous country of majestic
mountains, placid lakes, idyllic islands, splendid cities and walled
villages. An ideal climate plus warm and gracious people make Italy
a perfect destination for the adventurer, art lover, gourmand, and hedonist
combined.
Get off the tour bus and experience Italy
as it must be done—slowly and sensually, at a leisurely pace.
Taste the metropolitan madness of Milan, walk the cliffs of
Liguria, luxuriate in the splendors of the Riviera de Levante,
revel in the beauty and cuisine of the Cinque Terre, and
sample the most famous highlights of Tuscany—all during
this delectible new adventure from Toto Tours!
ITINERARY
Friday, September 17, 2004
Departure
Today is a travel day. Depart the United States on overnight flights,
arriving in Milan, Italy, tomorrow morning.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Arrival in Milan / Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival in Milan, make your way to our hotel, the Grand Visconti
Palace. Transfer options will be described in Final Documents prior
to departure. The day is free to do personal exploration or recover
from jet lag. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a local
restaurant. (Dinner Included)
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Milan to Santa Margherita
Enjoy sightseeing by motorcoach as we travel about 75 miles through
the Northern Italian countryside from Milan to the village of Santa
Margherita on the Liguria coast. Free time to explore upon arrival.
Once home to a coral-fishing fleet that roamed as far afield as Africa,
Santa Margherita is known today for its orange blossoms and lace. Its
waterfront is an eclectic jumble of one-time fishing cottages, elegant
four-star hotels, and moored million-dollar yachts. The Lonely Planet
Guide urges us to “Stay in Santa Margherita and pretend you're
a millionaire.” We will stay here for three nights! Accommodations
at the Hotel Laurin. (Breakfast)
Monday, September 20, 2004
Portofino / San Fruttuoso / Cristo Degli Abissi
Our cliffwalking begins in earnest today as we walk a few miles to
Portofino, which for decades was Italy's premiere seaside resort town
(dubbed the “richest promontory in Italy”). This tiny, multicolored
village and its miniature cove are among the most beautiful spots on
earth, and home to the rich, powerful and famous. Scholar and poet Petrarch,
writers Guy de Maupassant and Truman Capote, and English photographer
Cecil Beeton all sojourned here.
Continue by boat to explore the fascinating
village of San Fruttuoso, set in a breathtakingly beautiful inlet lying
at the foot of mount Portofino. One of the highlights of our visit will
be a journey by small boat to see the Cristo Degli Abissi (Christ of
the Abyss), weather permitting. Return to Santa Margherita by bus. Overnight
at the Hotel Laurin. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Cinque Terre
After breakfast at the hotel we take a train to Riomaggiore, the furthermost
of the Cinque Terre villages, to begin our day of adventurous cliff
walking. Our path takes us along the “Via Dell’ Amore”
to Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. After a full day of
walking, with unexpected delights around every bend, return to Santa
Margherita by private minicoach. Overnight at the Hotel Laurin. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Pisa / Lucca / Florence
After breakfast at the hotel board a train bound for Pisa, where we
stop to see the famous leaning tower. Continue by motorcoach to Florence
with a stop for a guided tour in medieval Lucca. Highlights include
a visit to Puccini’s birthplace and the Duomo San Martino. Late
afternoon arrival in Florence, and the evening is free for personal
exploration. Overnight at the Hotel Capitol. (Breakfast)
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Florence / Farewell Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of
the major points of interest in Florence including the Duomo Santa Maria
del Fiore, the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s David,
and the Uffizi Gallery to view its rich collection of paintings by Cimabue,
Giotto, Paolo Uccello, Lippi, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Tiziano
and more. This evening Toto Tours tops off this brief taste of Tuscany
with a festive Farewell Dinner. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Friday, September 24, 2004
Florence to Milan (or extend)
After breakfast this morning we transfer to the Florence train station
and board a Eurostar to Milan. Upon arrival we are met and transferred
to the Hotel Grand Visconti for one final night in Italy.
We anticipate that many tour participants will
wish to extend their stay in Tuscany or travel to other parts of Italy.
You can disconnect from the main tour group this morning, and we will
deduct from the tour cost the price of today's return transfer to Milan
and the overnight stay in Milan ($100 double or $125 single). (Breakfast)
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Departure from Milan
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. We will assist
with arranging airport transfers for those departing today (transfer
not included in tour cost). (Breakfast)
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