We meet at Olbia airport in Sardinia at 11.00 am before a short drive takes us to Santa Teresa Gallura on the northernmost point of the island. After time for lunch in the town, we take the short ferry ride across to Bonifacio in Corsica, where we stay for two nights. After a welcome drink in the hotel, we have dinner in a lively restaurant in the port.

We leave the hotel on foot and walk through the old citadel to join a coastal path with magnificent views back to Bonifacio. There is time for a dip in the sea before our picnic lunch. We return to the hotel by van with free time to visit the formidable fortifications of Bonifacio and explore its many shops and cafes. Dinner tonight is in a restaurant in the old town.

(8.5km/5 miles)

Today we leave Bonifacio and make our way up to the west coast of the island. We stop for coffee in the hilltop town of Sartène, in the heart of one of Corsica’s flourishing wine regions, before continuing our drive along the coast with increasingly stunning views. We stop for lunch before arriving at our hotel near Piana, officially voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. As the sun is starting to set, we take a short hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Calanques de Piana to explore the area’s dramatic granite rock formations. We walk to dinner in a delightful restaurant in the village.

(6.5km/4 miles)

A short drive takes us to the start of our walk out to Capu Rossu, a spectacular headland jutting out to sea and the most westerly point of the whole island. We follow a path through the maquis before climbing steadily on a rocky trail to a 15th-century Genoese watchtower, perched 450 metres above the sea, affording fabulous views in all directions. We descend by the same route and, after our picnic lunch, return to Piana by van. There is free time to explore the village or relax by the pool before dinner in the wonderful restaurant at the hotel.

(10km/6.2 miles)

We leave Piana after breakfast and head for the impressive granite interior of the island, where we are more likely to see grazing pigs and goats on the road than any other cars. Our hike starts at the Col di Vergio (1478m) and we follow a section of the famous GR20 long-distance route up a beautiful valley with stunning rock pools. We climb 800 metres to a high ridge before descending back into the valley, perhaps dipping our toes in the water en route. There is no van access at lunchtime today, so both guides will hike in the picnic. After the hike, our drive to Corte takes us through magnificent red granite gorges and ancient pine forests. We stay the final 3 nights of the tour in our hotel in the Restonica Gorge. Dinner is in a fabulous Auberge close to the hotel.

(14.5km/9 miles)

Today we walk a section of the famous Mare a Mare long-distance hike which crosses the island. We set out from just outside the town and climb into beautiful pastures with increasingly stunning views back to Corte and Monte Rotondo. We pass through a pretty village before our picnic lunch at a remote chapel. Short descent in the afternoon to another hilltop village from where we drive back to the hotel. Time in the afternoon to explore the town of Corte, once capital of an independent Corsica, before dinner in a local restaurant.

(13km/8 miles)

We start our hike near the Citadelle of Corte. Our hike follows the mule trail once used by Napoleon’s parents when fleeing from the French Army, whilst Letizia was pregnant with the future Emperor. This is now part of the Mare a Mare long-distance hiking trail. We climb gently with increasingly spectacular views of the Tavignano Gorge to reach a series of rock pools where there is the opportunity for a refreshing dip before our picnic – which your guides have hiked in for you. We return to Corte on the same trail and have time to relax at the hotel before our final dinner.

(13km/8 miles)

We return to Bastia Poretta airport for 10.30 am or ferry port for 11.00 am.

The tour starts in the beautiful city of Bergamo, the 2023 European Capital of Culture. We meet at the Best Western Hotel Cappello d’Oro, in the lower town, at 9:15 am. We take the funicular to the Città Alta where we enjoy a tour with a local guide to see many of the main sights, including the Piazza Vecchia, Colleoni Chapel, and the Civic Tower. After a light lunch of local specialties, we drive to the Franciacorta region where we stay in a modern hotel in a small village in the heart of the vineyards. Time to settle in before we enjoy a glass of the prestigious sparkling wine before dinner in a local restaurant.

We start the day walking through the hills of Franciacorta, with expansive views over the vineyards. We visit the cellars of a local producer and taste the different styles of this famous sparkling wine before our picnic lunch. Later in the day we take a private boat cruise on Lake Iseo. Time to stroll around the charming town of Iseo with its boutique stores and stylish bars, before dinner in an elegant restaurant in the town

(7 km / 4.3 miles)

We drive up into the hills above Lake Iseo. Our hike takes us into the mountains, climbing steadily on well-graded paths, first through woods and then on open mountain trails to reach the highest peak in the area, at an altitude of almost 2000 meters.(850m climb) Although only a short distance from the Franciacorta vineyards, we experience quite different scenery and are rewarded with spectacular views. Lunch in a mountain refuge before descending back to the start and returning to the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant of an organic farm, the proud recipient of a Green Michelin Star.

(15 km / 9.3 miles)

We leave our hotel and a short drive takes us to the town of Trescore Balneario, where we have a tour of a private chapel with a stunning 16th-century fresco cycle. We continue by road to a small village above Lake Iseo from where we hike along quiet tarmac roads and small trails with stunning views down to the lake. We climb up to a remote church with a breathtaking panoramic view, where we have our picnic. (There is no vehicle access at lunch – the picnic is hiked in for you.)  After lunch, we descend through the woods to arrive at the hamlet of Castro, where we stay for two nights.  Dinner in the hotel tonight.

(12 km / 7.5 miles)

A short drive takes us up into the mountains to the west of Lake Iseo, known as the Bergamasque or Orobic Alps. We start our walk at 1300 meters, from where we enjoy a stunning circular hike, climbing above the tree line to enjoy open views across alpine meadows overshadowed by some impressive mountain peaks. There is no road access today, so we enjoy a picnic which is hiked in by both of your guides. Later in the day visit Lovere – one of most beautiful villages in Italy. Time to browse the shops and enjoy an aperitif before dinner in a cosy restaurant.

(11.5 km / 7.2 miles)

We leave our hotel after breakfast and drive north along the Val Camonica, a UNESCO World Heritage site which has over 250,000 preserved rock engravings. A short walk with a local guide through one of the pretty villages leads us to a beautiful Romanesque church and one of the most important prehistoric sites in the valley. After lunch in a tiny alpine parish, we continue our journey to the Valtellina. Before reaching our destination, we visit the astonishing Besta Palace, formerly a noble residence and a lavish example of Renaissance architecture. We arrive in Tirano late afternoon and check into our beautiful hotel in the center of the old town. A short stroll takes us to a local winery where we visit their cellars before a wine tasting and light supper.

A short drive takes us to the attractive, historic village of Teglio at 860 meters. From here we follow quiet trails which pass through terraced vineyards and beautiful hamlets with stone houses suspended over the river valley. We enjoy our picnic in a small village en route. We are rewarded with increasingly beautiful views as we gradually descend, passing a remote church clinging to the rocks before we arrive back in Tirano.  Dinner in a local restaurant.

(15 km / 9.3 miles)

Our final hike starts with a short train journey up the Poschiavo valley, part of the same route taken by the Bernina Express which travels from Tirano to St. Moritz. We experience the amazing corkscrew turns of the train line before we disembark at an alpine lake. We climb up through woods and past remote settlements to reach the historic Path of the Smugglers – used for contraband up until the 1970s. We stop at a mountain restaurant for lunch before descending steeply through chestnut woods and tiny hamlets to arrive at the medieval gate of Tirano. Final dinner in a local restaurant.

(18 km / 11.2 miles)

We depart Tirano after breakfast and head back to Bergamo. En route, we learn about the fascinating local cheese known as Storico Ribelle. These cheeses, awarded a Slow Food presidia, are made from cow and goat milks following ancient traditions of summer alpine grazing. We enjoy a private visit and a tasting. We arrive back in Bergamo train station at 2 pm and Bergamo airport at 2:30 pm.

On the final day, guests who don’t wish to return to Bergamo will have other options:

1. Say farewell to the group in Tirano and take the spell-binding Bernina Express directly from Tirano into Switzerland. This is truly one of Europe’s most spectacular train journeys, as the track snakes its way past alpine gorges, glaciers, and crosses over monumental viaducts. The journey to St. Moritz takes approximately 2.5 hours, or it is possible to continue on to Chur, or connect to other Swiss cities. It is easy to do the return to St. Moritz as a day trip. It is also possible to exit the Bernina Express at one of its alpine stops along the route and book to stay for a spectacular night or two in this panoramic scenery. Contact Cristina Giudici at info@treninorosso.it for itineraries and bookings.
2. Join the visit to Storico Ribelle and then take a train from Morbegno back to Tirano and make the journey on the Bernina Express the following day. Morbegno is on the Milan-Tirano train line.

We meet at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 9.30 am. A short drive takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage site at Cerveteri where we have a private guided visit of the Etruscan tombs. It is important to be wearing your walking boots/shoes to hand for this first day. After a picnic, we visit the Roman amphitheatre and church of Mithras in Sutri, before arriving at Lake Vico and our hotel, where we stay for two nights. Dinner tonight is in the hotel.

A short drive takes us to the Casaletto Pass where we start our walk at 623 m. We climb through ancient beech forests before descending to Lake Vico for our picnic. After lunch, we walk along the water’s edge with lovely views of the volcanic lake. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant.

(16km/10 miles)

Today we leave Lake Vico and drive to another beautiful volcanic lake at Bolsena. After a visit to the church of Santa Christina, we walk out of the crater on an old Roman road and through ancient sunken Etruscan roads. We pass more Etruscan tombs before stopping for our picnic. After lunch, we continue through open farmland to finish the hike below the town of Orvieto. We stay here in the heart of the town for three nights. Dinner is in a local restaurant.

(16.5km/10.2 miles)

Our walk today takes us to the extraordinary town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Once an Etruscan settlement, it was later known as the “dying town,” damaged first by a major earthquake and then by rapid erosion, leaving an island isolated in the landscape. Our hike takes us through wooded countryside and open farmland back to Orvieto. Dinner in a Slow Food restaurant in Orvieto.

(14.3km/8.8 miles)

Today is a non-walking day. We start with a tour of the town with an expert local guide before free time to explore Orvieto and its many interesting churches, museums, and historic streets. Long lunch in one of Orvieto’s top restaurants. Free time in the afternoon before we meet for an aperitif in a popular local bar.

We leave Orvieto and head for the Val d’Orcia, one of the most beautiful valleys in Southern Tuscany. Our hike takes us through open farmland on wide gravel roads (strade bianche) and woodland. We picnic in a picturesque spot on a ridgeline with open views. At the end of the walk, we visit the famous gardens of La Foce, a property owned by writer Iris Origo who vividly recorded daily life in the valley during the Second World War. After our visit, we drive to Montepulciano. Our hotel, where we stay for three nights, is a few kilometres from the town with views of the Tuscan landscape. Dinner in the hotel.

(9.8km/6 miles)

A short drive takes us to Pienza, famous for Popes and pecorino cheese, where we visit the Piccolomini Palace. Our hike today takes us back towards Montepulciano, stopping for our picnic in the countryside en route. Later we visit a local winemaker to learn about the fabled Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and taste his wines. Dinner in the hotel after the wine tasting.

(10km/6.1 miles)

A short drive takes us to the small town of San Quirico for the start of our walk. We stroll through the village and then follow farm tracks through open countryside with far-reaching views to Montalcino and the Val d’Orcia. After our picnic, we return to the hotel by van. Time to rest before heading out to explore the lovely town of Montepulciano, ahead of our final dinner in its historic centre.

(11.6km/7.2 miles)

We return to Rome airport for 12.00 pm. En route, we will make a stop at Chiusi train station for anyone wishing to use the rail network to onward destinations.