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Day 1 summary:
10am rendezvous at Bologna International Airport (also called Guglielmo Marconi International Airport). Short drive to the city of Parma. Walk (or bike ride), meals and accommodation in Parma.
Day 1 walk description:
A stroll around Parma's historic centre, art galleries, theatres, museums, cathedral, palace, public gardens, shops and street scene (with bike rental option.)
Day 1 walk time:
Optional. All the afternoon and evening are available.
Day 1 accommodation:
3-star hotel in the heart of Parma.
Day 1 total vehicle travel:
Bologna-Parma: 1 hour 30.
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Day 2 summary:
Breakfast and time for another walk. 9.30am departure from Parma. Drive to Portovenere for lunch. Walk from Portovenere to the village of Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre National Park. Dinner and accommodation in Corniglia.
Day 2 walk description:
Rugged, ancient footpaths along the dramatic Cinque Terre coastline, at times steep and challenging. Olive groves, vineyards, small villages. Outstanding views across the Mediteranean Sea.
Day 2 walk time:
5-6 hours. (Easier walk options available).
Day 2 accommodation:
3-star hotel and independent apartments in Corniglia.
Day 2 total vehicle travel:
Parma-Portovenere: 2 hours 30.
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Day 3 summary:
Breakfast, then all day to walk along the Cinque Terre coastline. Lunch en-route. Dinner and accommodation at Corniglia.
Day 3 walk description:
Rugged foot paths linking tiny villages, cultivations, beaches, high promontories. Steep climbs in places. Great views.
Day 3 walk time:
5-6 hours. (Easier walk options available).
Day 3 accommodation:
3-star hotel and independent apartments in Corniglia.
Day 3 total vehicle travel:
None.
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Day 4 summary:
Breakfast, then a drive to the Alpi Apuane mountains. Picnic lunch and walk along alpine trail to the tiny, picturesque village of Pruno for dinner and accommodation in independent apartments.
Day 4 walk description:
Well-formed mountain trails, alpine meadows, forests, magnificent views, marble rock-faces, mountain villages.
Day 4 walk time:
4-5 hours. (Easier walk options available).
Day 4 accommodation:
Independent apartments in Pruno.
Day 4 total vehicle travel:
Corniglia-Alpi Apuane: 2 hours.
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Day 5 summary:
Breakfast, then a full day's mountain hike, with a picnic lunch en-route, returning to the village of Pruno for a second night's accommodation.
Day 5 walk description:
A challenging hike up through the forest to a broad, rocky ridge-line, offering views of amazing peaks and rock formations, and out across the Italian peninsula.
Day 5 walk time:
5 hours. (Easier options available.)
Day 5 accommodation:
Independent apartments in Pruno.
Day 5 total vehicle travel:
Pruno-Stazzema: 30 minutes.
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Day 6 summary:
Breakfast in Pruno, then a walk along an quiet, historic trail through forest to lunch at another small village. A pleasant drive across the Tuscan countryside to our accommodation in the town of Volterra. Time for another walk before dinner.
Day 6 walk description:
Strolls around Pruno and Volterra, and along an ancient forest trail.
Day 6 walk time:
2-3 hours.
Day 6 accommodation:
Independent apartments in Volterra.
Day 6 total vehicle travel:
Pruno-Volterra: 2 hours
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Day 7 summary:
No vehicle travel needed. Walk routes within the walled town of Volterra and the surrounding countryside. Meals and accommodation in Volterra. Opportunity for to participate in Tuscan cheese and wine-tasting session.
Day 7 walk description:
The historic streets, art galleries, artisans workshops, museum, medieval fortress and Etruscan temple of Volterra, and the rolling hills, farm roads and elegant villas surrounding the town.
Day 7 walk time:
5-6 hours. (Easier options available.)
Day 7 acommodation:
Independent apartments in Volterra.
Day 7 total vehicle travel:
No vehicle travel needed.
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Day 8 summary:
Breakfast in Volterra, then a drive to the coast and a brief Mediterranean cruise to the island of Elba. A walk through forested hills to the fishing village of Marciana Marina for dinner and accommodation.
Day 8 walk description:
From one small island village to another, though forests and along quiet backroads, with great views around the island of Elba.
Day 8 walk time:
2-3 hours. (More/less walking options available.)
Day 8 accommodation:
3-star hotel in Marciana Marina.
Day 8 total vehicle travel:
Volterra-ferry: 1 hour 30.
Ferry journey: 1 hour.
Ferry-Marciana Marina: 30 minutes.
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Day 9 summary:
Breakfast, then a short drive around the island to the village of Chiessi. The walk follows an old route across the most mountainous part of the island. Picnic en-route. Dinner and accommodation at Marciana Marina.
Day 9 walk description:
Along rugged mountain trails, steadily climbing through cultivations, past shepherds huts, up a ridge and over a high alpine pass offering great vistas across to many other Mediterranean islands, then down through forest to the coastline once again.
Day 9 walk time:
5-6 hours.
Day 9 accommodation:
3-star hotel in Marciana Marina.
Day 9 total vehicle travel:
Marciana Marina - Chiessi: 30 minutes.
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Day 10 summary:
Breakfast, then a 2-hour walk through coastal forest to a beach for a picnic and swim. Ferry to the mainland, then a drive across Toscana and the mountains. Drop-offs at the airports of Firenze (Florence), and Bologna.
Day 10 walk description:
Quiet forest trails following the contours of the coastline, with great views across to other islands.
Day 10 walk time:
2 hours 30.
Day 10 accommodation:
Not included.
Day 10 total vehicle travel:
Marciana Marina - ferry: 30 minutes.
Ferry - Firenze: 2 hours.
Firenze - Bologna: 2 hours.
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