TOUR CODE: 18410
GRADE: D & D+
MAY - OCTOBER 2016
2x WALKS, 2x LEADERS, 2x GRADES
01 May 18 May 07 Sep 14 Sep 21 Sep 06 Oct
-
08 May 25 May 14 Sep 21 Sep 28 Sep 13 Oct
1 week duration
RIVIERA CINQUE TERRE Five lands – Great walking The famous Ligurian coastline and a choice of walks!
© Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 ADK/ADK/ SEPTEMBER 2015
HOLIDAY INFORMATION TOUR DESCRIPTION This information is additional to our General Information Booklet, which is enclosed. This holiday allows us to explore the coastal beauty of the Cinque Terre with a choice of walks to allow everybody to get the most out of walking this beautiful coastline. We stay in Sestri Levante, a great base from which to explore the Cinque Terre to the south and Portofino to the north. From here we can walk the spectacular coastal paths above the Cinque Terre or ‘Five Lands’. The paths are subject to erosion and are constantly being repaired. One year to the next it is impossible to know exactly what routes will be open. However walking this remarkable beautiful coast will always an outstandingly rewarding undertaking. As for navigation, keep the beautiful panorama on your left, or right depending which way you are walking Sestri itself is a small, relaxed resort spread over two bays. The smart old town, situated on the isthmus, separates the evocatively named Bay of Silence from the Bay of Fables, where our hotel is situated. The Hotel Celeste has the perfect combination of family run hospitality and modern efficiency. It has an ideal sea front location.
ITINERARY
Day:
Overnight accommodation:
Daily itinerary:
Meals:
We fly from London (Gatwick) to Genoa and transfer by coach to Sestri Levante (7 nights), a beautifully situated resort on the Ligurian coast.
D
2–7
Sestri is an attractive place in its own right but we stay here as it is an ideal base to begin our exploration of the Cinque Terre and Portofino, known as one of the more beautiful villages on this particularly beautiful coastline.
B, D
8
We transfer by coach back to Genoa Airport for the return flight to UK.
B
1 Sestri Levante
© Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 ADK/ADK/ SEPTEMBER 2015
TRAVEL INFORMATION We fly from London Gatwick to Genoa and return on British Airways. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately ten days before departure. If you intend to join and leave the party in Italy, it is assumed, unless you have informed us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at the hotel in Sestri Levante. If this is not your intention, please let us know, in writing, at least five weeks before your departure date.
PASSPORTS & VISAS Please refer to Section 2 of the enclosed General Information Booklet. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to the UK. This should also allow you to change money. Please note reductions on entry charges are sometimes available for people over 65 on production of a passport and combined tickets can be bought for several sites which greatly reduces costs of entry. Please also take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you - it will help in the event of an emergency. See section 1 of our General Information Booklet for further details. Please note that the EHIC has an expiry date and check that your card is still valid for the duration of your holiday. Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
LOCAL CURRENCY Please refer to Section 2 of our General Information Booklet for details. The currency in Italy is the euro. There are banks, with ATM machines, in Sestri. The hotel accepts credit cards but does not change cash or travellers’ cheques.
© Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 ADK/ADK/ SEPTEMBER 2015
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS Accommodation is in twin bedded and single rooms with shower and wc in the 3 star Hotel Celeste. The Hotel Celeste is particularly well appointed, situated behind its own private beach where sun loungers and canoes may be hired. All rooms have hairdryer, safe and free Wi-Fi. There is also a free internet terminal in reception. Please note care may be required when entering and leaving the Hotel Celeste as the entrance to the hotel has a low step which can be difficult to see. Hotel Celeste*** Lungomare G. Descalzo, 14 16039 Sestri Lavante (GE) Italy
Tel: Fax: E-mail: Web:
(00 39) 0185 485005 (00 39) 0185 41166
[email protected] www.hotelceleste.com
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday price and will be taken in the hotel. Lunches are not included. Sestri offers possibilities to purchase picnic supplies.
2x WALKS, 2x LEADERS, 2x GRADES
On ‘2x Walks, 2x Leaders, 2x Grades’ departures, where we provide two tour leaders and offer a choice of easier or harder walks each day, we hope to be able to accommodate your choice of walk. However safety considerations do govern the sizes of groups in each walking grade; the minimum number of participants for a guided walk at a given grade and the maximum group size will be as indicated in our brochures. On most departures we are able to accommodate most clients’ first choice of walk most of the time, however some flexibility and co-operation may be required. In unusual circumstances where a disproportionately high number of clients wish to walk at one grade, for safety reasons, we may not be able to provide you with your choice of walk each day. Although we will endeavour to accommodate as many clients’ choices as possible, it may be necessary for you to switch between higher and lower grade walks during the holiday. Any decision regarding group sizes and the participants in the day’s walking programme rests with our tour leader(s).
© Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 ADK/ADK/ SEPTEMBER 2015
WALKS & EXCURSIONS Each evening the leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. If you do not wish to join the party, please let the leader know. The walking will generally be on good tracks and paths with walks of appropriate length and difficulty for the grade. We will follow classic coastal paths with expansive sea views between the villages on the Cinque Terre but also take some time to discover some of the inland walking for contrast. The following list of possible walks is intended to give an idea of what to expect. We would hope to include some of these walks on the holiday. It is important to note that walks at both grades will take in the best of the Cinque Terre and visit Portofino. Grade D Walks
Sestri Levante to Riva. A lovely introductory walk taking in some great viewpoints up & down the coast. We will also include a stroll around Sestri Levante to get our bearings. Ascent/Descent 400m; 7 miles (10km); 4 hours
Isola Palmaria and Porto Venere. This is a leisurely walking day, around the largest island off the Porto Venere Peninsula. The day is completed by a leisurely exploration of Portovenere. Ascent/Descent 250m; 4 miles (7km); 3 hours
The Sentiero Azzurro – Vernazza to Riomaggiore. This is a magnificent coastal walk along narrow paths and mule tracks connecting the principal fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Ascent/Descent 200m; 5 miles (8km); 4 hours
Grade D+ Walks
Riomaggiore to Porto Venere. Spectacular coastal views, from terraced vineyards and woods which give shade in hot weather. The hardest of the Cinque Terre walks. Ascent/Descent 540m; 10 miles (14km); 5½ hours
Madonna di Soviore to Monterosso via Vernazza. This is a fine panoramic walk along narrow paths and mule tracks to Vernazza with a chance of a swim at Monterosso. Ascent 450m / Descent 900m; 6.5 miles (10.5km); 5 hours
Travel costs in conjunction with the programme of walks may vary depending on the size of our party and the weather conditions, please allow approximately £50 per week. Any local excursions taken will be at additional cost. Please make sure that your insurance for this holiday covers you for guided walking below 2000m. © Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 ADK/ADK/ SEPTEMBER 2015
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT We should enjoy, at minimum, warm weather and it can be hot on the coast. We advise you to take a lightweight waterproof jacket, fleece and hat as well as lighter summer clothes, swimwear and a towel. We also recommend you take a small rucksack, lightweight bottle for drinking water, picnic knife, some polythene bags, first aid kit and a lunch box. Lightweight walking boots with good ankle protection are recommended for this holiday.
PERSONAL SAFETY Please take sensible precautions; like leaving your credit cards and passport in the hotel safe if you don’t need them and avoiding displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
MAPS & SUGGESTED READING Maps and books of the Ligurian region may be obtained before departure from specialist map sellers such as: The Map Shop
15 High Street, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcs, WR8 0HJ Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
Further information can be found on the last page of our General Information Booklet. Many local libraries stock a good selection of travel guides/books which may offer you more information on the Liguria region. You may find the following websites useful: Italian State Tourism: Liguria Tourism:
www.enit.it www.turismoinliguria.it/turismo/en/home.do
Revisions to this Holiday Information sheet Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases any revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will be unchanged. Should we need to make a major change to the holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of the Holiday Information sheet online prior to travel. PLEASE QUOTE YOUR HOLIDAY CODE & BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. WE WISH YOU AN INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS UPON YOUR RETURN. © Ramblers Worldwide Holidays 2015 ADK/ADK/ SEPTEMBER 2015
