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Visit two contrasting
worlds: Piedmont offers truffles, mushrooms, hazelnuts, wild
game, and mountains blanketed with vineyards that produce
powerhouse reds like Barolo and Barbaresco. The Cinque Terre
offers fishing villages, rocky cliffs, seafood, and white
wine fresh as an ocean breeze. Come hike through these different
terrains, and enjoy the best of both worlds.
The most intimate way to explore Tuscany. Stroll down country
lanes and see why travelers through the centuries have walked
these roads, past olive groves, stone farmhouses, rosemary
hedges, and quaint medieval villages. Morning walks are 7-10
miles. In the afternoon, van shuttle to the vineyards.
Piedmont
& Cinque Terre Trails
Dates: June
15 - 21; August 31 - Sept 6, 2008
Price $2995
per person land only
Piedmont and the Cinque Terre couldn't be
more different - in their landscape, their food, and their
wine. Piedmont offers the treasures of the forest - truffles,
mushrooms, hazelnuts, and wild game - and its massive rolling
mountains are draped with vineyards that produce powerful
red wines to match. The Cinque Terre, in turn, offers the
sea and its treasures. Fishing villages nestle at the base
of giant rocky cliffs, where seafood is enjoyed with white
wine that's as fresh as an ocean breeze. Come hike through
these different terrains, and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Highlights:
• Wine estates: Renato Ratti, Fantino Conterno, Villa
Sparina & more
• Walking: 3-4 hour maximum (7-10 miles) on country paths
& mountain steps
• The towns of the Cinque Terre and Portofino
• The castle of Barolo
• A piemontese cheesemaker
Meet: Tortona train station
Depart: Sestri Levante train station
Tuscan
Trek
Walking the wine
roads of Montalcino and San Gimignano
Dates: June
1 - 7; September 28 - October 4, 2008
Price: $2995
per person land only
Walk the wine trails and get an intimate view
of Tuscany. On foot you'll discover old stone villages tucked
away in the woods; fragrant hedges of rosemary and lavender;
festive fields of sunflowers; cypress-lined country lanes;
and the most stunning views of ancient cities and towering
fortresses. Sneak a few grapes as we pass the vineyards, and
discover what the pure fruit tastes like. Then visit the wine
producers and meet some of Italy's most dynamic innovators.
You'll enjoy in-depth tastings of Brunello di Montalcino,
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano,
Chianti dei Colli Senesi, and learn how oil olive and Pecorino
cheese are made.
Highlights:
• Wine estates: Cesani, Il Marroneto,
Sassetti, Ciacci Piccolomini di Aragona & more
• Walking: 3-4 hour maximum (7-10 miles) on country paths
• Volterra, an Etruscan town
• Gregorian chants at Sant' Antimo, a still active 9th
C. abbey
• The Renaissance towns of Pienza & Montepulciano
Amalfi Coast
Dates: June
29 - July 7, 2008
Price: $3145
per person land only
Highlights:
• Wine estates: Marisa Cuomo, Sammarco & More
• Walking: 2 - 5 hour maximum (2-12 miles) on mountainous
terrain
• Hike around the cone of Mt. Vesusius
• Visit Pompeii and its Roman vineyards
• Hike on the isle of Capri and near Amalfi & Positano
Arrive: Naples hotel
Depart: Naples train station
South of Naples is the Amalfi Coast, one of Italy's most
spectacular coastlines. The seaside mountains, covered with
lemon groves and umbrella pines, offer gorgeous hiking near
the towns of Positano, Amalfi, and on the island of Capri.
Excellent wine has been made in this region since the Greeks
came to settle, who brought Aglianico, Greco di Tufo, Fiano
di Avellino, and other grape varieties.
In 2005, Amalfi will join our roster of hiking tours. It
will journey from Pompeii to Positano, Capri to Avellino.
Like our other hiking tours, it offers a unique combination
of morning hikes and afternoon wine tastings. The complete
itinerary and price will be posted in November.
For more information
call 877-485-7221 or email
travel@exclusivewinevacations.com
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