Loire Valley (Vallee de La Loire in French) was added to the unique UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2000. When delivering its decision, the comittee said that the area was “an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments – the Chateaux – and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself. With cities such as Orleans, Blois, Tours or Nantes, the Loire Valley offers an incredible quality of architectural heritage. Also known as the Gardens of France, Loire Valley is a great place to enjoy biological diversity, endless well kept forests (such as Forest of Amboise) and last but not least, its world class wines. We have graded this walk as “easy” as the average walking time is 4 hours, without any major ascent or descent.

We have decided to focus this trip on a more specific area of the Loire Valley: Le Val de Loire, and more specifically Touraine. With so much natural, cultural and gastronomic wealth, it is no wonder the local motto is still Here, living is an art! Chateau of Amboise or Chateau of Chenonceaux are amongst the most famous castles of the Loire Valley indeed, but there are also lots of small castles you will see during these walking holidays. All these castles were built or re-built during the Renaissance time, thanks to the local soft, friable and porous calcite rock called tuffeau, an easy-to-sharpe material. As a result, Touraine is full of underground quarries that were then transformed into troglodytic dwellings or caves ideal for storing wine, cheese, growing mushrooms and more. Between La Loire and one of its affluent Le Cher, Touraine also holds home to some of the finest wines in France. The walking holidays we have designed for you will bring you through colourful vineyards where you will have a few chances to stop by for wine tasting in local producers cellars.

DAY 1 – To Amboise

After your flight to Nantes or Paris, you will be pre-booked in our selected hotel, Logis de France, in the historical part of town – close to all facilities and only 5 minutes walk from the Castle. This picturesque town, with is white-washed buildings, is in the magnificent Loire valley. Definitely worth a visit! You could spend more time here and visit the magnificent Chateau d’Amboise, Clos Luce (the house of Leonardo da Vinci), or the Pagoda of Chanteloup – all within a short taxi ride (10min) or by bus in the summer!

DAY 2 – Thesée to Montrichard (4H, 16 KM)

From the Gallo-Roman ruins of Thesée, our way leads to Bourre via the Castle of Gu-Pan and Monthou-sur-Cher. Vineyards and troglodytic dwellings will be part of the landscape. You will continue your journey towards the medieval town of Montrichard with its castle overlooking the cobble streets and Le Cher.

Town: Shops, ATM, Internet, Pharmacy, Bars, Restaurants. Accomodation: 2* Hotel Logis de France, in the heart of the medieval town, at the foot of the castle and nearby river Le Cher. Meals: Half board – 3 courses Menu du Terroir dinner and buffet breakfast.

DAY 3 – Montrichard to Chissay-en-Touraine (2H, 8 KM)

For this second day, we offer you a short walk so you can enjoy visiting Montrichard, its castle and the Monmousseau Cellars, Touraine longest wine underground galleries. Then, an easy walk along Le Cher and through vineyards will bring you to Chissay-en-Touraine. Here, you are booked in a 4* castle!

Town: Bar & restaurant, shops. Accomodation: 4* stunning XVIth century Castle, with swimming pool. Meals: 3 courses dinner and buffet breakfast.

A Walking Holiday in Tuscany, Italy. Situated on the west side of Italy on the Mediterranean coast, Tuscany is simply steeped in natural beauty, history and culture. Chains of slender cypress trees rise and fall amongst the green brown contours of the Tuscan hills. Here you will discover peace and calm. The evenings inherit the beauty of the days just spent and you will soon come to appreciate why this place has seduced writers like Robert Browning and E.M. Forster.

During 6 days you will experience the real heart of Tuscany in this truly unique trip, partly following the famous “Via Francigena”, an ancient pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome.

So, relax and enjoy your time in Tuscany!

DAY 1 – Coming to Volterra

Volterra is one of the oldest villages in Italy, we recommend visiting the historic centre.

Optional circular walk: [3h, 10km, +/-351m]

Ease your way into your walking holiday with a gentle trek. The walk is mostly on a white road, lined with cypress trees – a good introduction to what is to follow…

Town: Shops, bus, ATM, Internet, pharmacy, pubs, restaurants. Accommodation: 4* hotel in the heart of the town in a 17th-century villa, with swimming pool. Room en suite.

DAY 2 – To San Gimignano [4h, 12km, +348m, -178m]

After a short transfer to Pignano, you will walk between vineyards and through oak woods with wild Cyclamen in flower in autumn and fine views of the ruins of the fortifications of Castelvecchio. Tonight you will stay at San Gimignano – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – known for its imposing medieval towers.

Town: Shops, bus, ATM, Internet, pharmacy, pubs, restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel in the heart of the village. En-suite.

DAY 3 – To Colle Val d’Elsa [4h10,14km,+394m, -208m]

Today is a leisurely day through olive groves and cypress avenues up to the village of Montecchio. In Colle Val d’Elsa, enjoy a glass of Chianti in the central piazza.

Town: Shops, bus, ATM, Internet, pharmacy, pubs, restaurants. Accommodation: 3* hotel with character. Rooms en-suite.

DAY 4 – To Monteriggioni [4h, 23km, +61m, -191m]

Today’s walk is spent mostly in the shade, starting with a long descent to the Castel Petraia and then up to the densely forested hill of Montagnole, close to the attractive village of Strove. The stroll continues on to the handsome fortifications of Monterrigioni.

Town: Shops, bus, ATM, Internet, pharmacy, pubs, restaurants. Accommodation: Guesthouse in the tiny fortress-town of Monterrigioni. Rooms en suite.

DAY 5 – To S. Columba [4h35, 13km, +346m, -410m] and to Siena

We take to the road again for the last day of our trip. While you might find this day the most challenging, the end will certainly justify the means! After walking across the Montanella, you can admire the village of Funghaia and its church with frescoed interior. A short taxi ride will take you to your hotel in the heart of Siena – your reststop for tonight. Experience real Tuscan food in one of the region’s best osterias.

Town: Shops, bus, ATM, Internet, pharmacy, pubs, restaurants. Accommodation: 3* guesthouse in a 16th-century historical building in Siena. En-suite.

DAY 6 – Siena

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. However, you can extend you stay in Siena or take an additional night in Pisa or Florence (see options below).

Il Palio (a famous horse race in the heart of the city) takes place on dates in August and July each year. If you wish to book this trip during these dates, please contact us early so that we can secure your accommodation.

Hotel: Same as Day 5. Meal: Breakfast

TO PISA

http://www.pisa-airport.com/index.php

20 major airlines fly to Pisa: Ryanair www.ryanair.com, easyJet www.easyjet.com, Air France www.airfrance.com, Alitalia www.alitalia.com, Lufthansa www.lufthansa.com, Sky Europe www.skyeurope.com and others.

Shuttle buses connect to Pisa Central Bus & Train Stations (every 10-20mins, until 11pm). Trains also connect the airport to the Pisa Central Station, but these are less frequent. The taxi rank is located outside the airport’s arrival terminal. Average fare to the city €12.00 (+ a surcharge on Sun & Bank Hols).

FROM VOLTERRA TO PISA

To Volterra by bus: Several buses a day connect Pisa to Volterra from the central bus station (takes 2hrs). Departure 5.35 to 21.30 (10.30 to 18.30 on Sat & Sun). Check CPT www.cpt.pisa.it. On Sundays, the service is less frequent. In August, timetable is subject to changes.

• First, line 190 Corsia 1. Pisa to Pontederra (1h)
• Then, line 500 Corsia 4. Pontederra to Volterra (1h)

To Volterra by train: First Pisa to Cecina, then a train from Cecina to Salina di Volterra. Finally, a bus will take you to Volterra. This takes longer (3hrs30) but it can be a good option on Sundays when other services may be limited. See www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

TO FLORENCE

Air France www.airfrance.com, Alitalia www.alitalia.com, Lufthansa www.lufthansa.com and others. Shuttle buses connect to Florence Central Bus & Train Stations every 30 minutes.

To Volterra by bus: There are several buses a day from the central bus station (2hrs10mins). Departures 4h50 to 17h10. Check http://toscana-toskana.de/volterra-it/bus.htm

TO ROME FIUMICINO OF ROME CIAMPINO

Virtually all airlines fly to Rome. From the airport, there is an easy shuttle to Rome Termini train station.

From Rome Termini there are many trains to Cecina (4h30) and a bus to Volterra: www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

OTHER AIRPORTS

The train & bus networks in Italy are well developed and relatively inexpensive. It is probably possible to get to Volterra from other major cities in Italy. Ask us for advice and we will help you!

BACK FROM SIENA

Many options are possible from Siena, whether you want to return to the airport or visit Pisa, Florence, Rome or another city.

To Pisa: Several trains a day connect Volterra to Empoli (45mins) & Empoli to Pisa (1hr15). See www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

To Florence: Several trains a day (1hr30 approx.). See www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

To Rome: Several trains a day (3-4hrs). See www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html.

• 4 nights in hotels 3* or superior (B&B basis)
• 1 nights in guest house of character (B&B basis)
• 6 breakfasts
• Luggage transferred every walking day (Day 2 to 5)
• Transfer Day 2 from Volterra to Pignano
• Step by step walking notes describing the itinerary
• Detailed map(s) of the area (1:25,000 and 1:50,000)

Think about France. Villages nestled in pretty valleys, steeples of medieval churches pointing out to the blue sky, traditional food fairs, green hilly vineyards, rich food and of course, its prestigious wines. Burgundy has it all, as you are about to discover! Ideally located at the crossroad of Western Europe, Burgundy has played a huge part in the history of France since Gallic times. Add to this all of the best French “cliches” and “raisons d’tre”, and you’ll see there is no wonder that it is called the cradle of France.

For several centuries, the fame and power of the Duchy of Burgundy brought wealth to the region. Nowadays, its amazing architectural heritage can still be seen everywhere as the typical Burgundy tiled roofs testify. Burgundy’s regional gastronomy has spread past its borders to the rest of the country, with well-appreciated dishes such as beef bourguignon, coq au vin, and much more. Burgundy is also renowned for breeding the weirdest food one can think of: snails! The region also owes its fame to its world-class wines, usually produced in small quantities such as Nuits Saint-Georges, Pommard, Mercurey and Meursault, to name but a few.

The walking holidays we have designed for you aim to bring you through the heart of this incredible area and to help you enjoy the wide variety of landscapes, architecture, food and of course, wines, that Burgundy has to offer. The city of Beaune is home to France’s finest medieval hospital (Les Hospices de Beaune) but the surrounding villages have beautiful features of which to boast. Indeed, villages like Pommard, Meursault, Saint-Romain or Rully will seduce you not only with their tortuous streets bordered by stone built houses, food markets, and cafes but they will also ravish your palate with their tannic Pinots Noirs, refreshing Chardonnay, or even the local “Kir” aperitif, a regional blackcurrant cream mixed with local white “aligot” wine. Over the days, the charm of the varying landscapes will bewitch you and visitors often feel their heart sinking when it is time to depart. But don’t worry, we are sure the memories of walking through this life-size postcard added to some wine shopping will comfort you in many ways!

Day 1 – To Beaune (pronounced bone).

You will be pre-booked into an old renovated family house, in the heart of the Vieille Ville (old town).
Beaune is best known for: Red wines made with the Pinot Noir grape, although plantings of Chardonnay have increased recently. There is more sand in the soil here than in most Cote d’Or villages; the red wines tend to be medium bodied, and best drunk between 5 and 10 years old.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 3* hotel in the old town centre. En-suite.

DAY 2 – Beaune – Pommard – Meursault (3h,10km,+29m-5m).

The morning is free in order to visit the medieval city of Beaune. Don’t miss the Hotel Dieu (France’s most beautiful medieval charity hospital), the Basilique Notre-Dame dating from 11th-15th century and the “Musee du Vin de Bourgogne”. Then after an early lunch, it’s an easy 10km to Meusault, on mostly flat ground. On the way we will stop in Pommard, for our first tasting opportunity. Later we reach the town of Meursault for a relaxing evening in the vineyards.

Pommard is best known for: Cote de Beaune’s most powerful Pinot Noir reds.

Meursault is best known for: mainly white wines from the Chardonnay grape. Although it contains no Grand Cru vineyards, the wines of the best Premier Crus are rarely surpassed.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 3 – Meursault to Nolay (5h,16km,+359m -360m).

We leave the vineyards today and climb the hill above, meeting the GR76 (a variant of the GR7; a long distance trail that crosses France, east to west). We will walk under the shade of an oak forest, typical of Burgundy. Coming out of the wood, the views of Chateau “La Rochepot” are stunning! The restaurant in the middle of the village serves local specialities and is the best place to stop for lunch. We recommend a visit to the Chateau after lunch. Finally, we follow the GR7 to the small medieval market town of Nolay. Nolay is worth exploring, with his 14th-century market and wooden framed houses.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 4 – Nolay to Rully (5h,18km,+470m-472m).

Gentle ascent for the first few kilometers through green pastures, shared with the beautiful Charolais cows. At the top, we are rewarded with wide views of the Saone plain with the Alps in the background. Next, we reach the village of Santenay, for a well-deserved rest (and a wine tasting!). We follow the GR7 across the Canal du Centre, then up Hermitage Mountain, and down through the vineyards to Rully. Please note that if you start the trip on a Friday or Saturday, we will stop in Chassey le Camp, a small hamlet 1km before Rully.

Santenay is best known for: red wines from Pinot Noir grapes and, occasionally, whites. The soils in Santenay tend to be richer than in the rest of the Cote de Beaune and, as a result, wines are more rustic than elegant.

Rully is best known for: its dry whites, made from the Chardonnay grape. These are straightforward and easy to drink.

Town: Shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 5 – Rully-Mercurey-Rully (5h,18km,+/-481m)

A pleasant walk winding through the vineyards and the “Cote Chalonnaise”, to the village of Mercurey with its robust vintages. On the way we will pass the ancient “Chateau de Montaigu”. A visit here simply necessitates a tasting! Back to Rully via the GR7 and through the sleepy villages of Aluze and Nantoux.
Mercurey is best known for: producing more wine than any other village in the Cote Chalonnaise, 90% of which is red. Pinot Noir is the principal grape variety which is firm, if a little rough when young, but ages well.

Town: Shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 6 – Rully to Beaune. (5h, 15km, or 24km for the full trip,+401m-422m).

Finally, we head back to Beaune across an undulating landscape, and among some of the best vineyards in the area. We cross the “Canal du Centre” again at the village of Remigny and soon cross the famous vineyards of Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet. Soon after Blagny, we ascend to Mont Melian, to cross the villages of Auxey-Duresses, Volnay and Pommard. From here, you can either retrace the route from Day 2 for 4km to Beaune, or alternatively, call a taxi (not included).
Chassagne Montrachet is best known for: its white wines, made from the Chardonnay grape. The village produces wine at Grand Cru and Premier Cru level, as well as some ‘village’ appellations.
Puligny Montrachet is best known for: Its fine white wines. The village has a number of Grand Cru vineyards in addition to its Premier Cru and ‘village’ wines.
Blagny is best known for: its Appellation status red wines.
Auxey-Duresses is best known for: its medium-priced red and white wines – not dissimilar to those of Volnay and Meursault.
Volnay is best known for: producing elegant red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. More than half of Volnay’s vineyards have Premier Cru status and stretch from Pommard to Meursault. As Meursault is really known for its white wines, the single red wine vineyard of Les Santenots is sold as Volnay Santenots.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel or equivalent, en-suite. Meals: breakfast

DAY 7 – Beaune: end of the trip

After breakfast, we bid you farewell.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops. All facilities. Hotel: 3* hotel in the old town centre. En-suite. Meals: breakfast

Please note that all of our hotels and guest houses have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, food, friendliness and character, and are subject to availability. If the hotel described is not available, we will provide you with one of the same standard of comfort & price.

Your luggage is transported by us from hotel to hotel. During the walks, you only carry your day pack!

A Walking Holiday in Dordogne, France. Known to the French as “Prigord”, the Dordogne “department”, is named after the most important of the region’s seven rivers. The area is a celebration of colour and diversity
of landscape. It is also called the “Land of the 1001 stles”. To walk here is to travel through time.

This trip will bring you through the “Parigord Noir”, known for its dark forests, medieval chateaux and great food. Dordogne supplies almost half of France’s fine food produce: wine, cpes, truffles, duck and goose, which yield many specialties from foie gras to the “Demoiselle” (the whole bird grilled over a wood fire).

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 2* “Logis de France” hotel, former family residence, situated just 10min from the historic centre. Also features large garden, wimming pool and open fire. En-suite.

DAY 2 – Sarlat to Vitrac [5h30, 19km, +50m -50m].
At first we follow the “piste cyclable” – an old railway track converted into a scenic path – through woodlands. After an hour or so, we leave the path behind and take a marked trail through organic vegetable fields to the cliffside castle of Montfort, overlooking the luxuriant Dordogne valley. It”â„¢s also a perfect stop for lunch! Later, we will arrive in our beautiful 2* “Logis de France” hotel. Jean-Claude, our chef, creates local dishes with passion while maintaining the grand gastronomic tradition of the Prigord Region. Enjoy!

Hotel: 2* “Logisde France” hotel with swimming pool. Rooms en-suite. Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 3 – Vitrac to Beynac [3h30, 12km, +70m -80m]
Probably the most beautiful walking day. From Vitrac, we cross the Dordogne valley and follow the left banks through cornfields. As we ascend to Domme, the views of the white cliffs on the other side of the river are stunning. After one hour we come to Domme, a very well-preserved medieval village and noted as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Going down, we pass walnut trees, fields and forests. You will soon catch a glimpse of the chateau of Castleneau; a superb example of a fortified medieval castle. Efforts have been made to make a visit there interactive, so don’t miss it! Crossing the Dordogne river again, we follow the right bank through a large poplar forest.On the way into Beynec you can see the 900 hundred year-old fortified castle, sitting majestically atop the limestone cliffs.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel with a large garden. Rooms en-suite. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

To save you an unpleasant walk along the road, we have organised a 15minute transfer to the picturesque village of St Cyprien. The walk today starts with a steep – but short – walk to the plateau above. As we cross vineyards and cornfields, you can see numerous mansions and small castles. After passing through a forest, you will find a great picnic spot, with super views of the valley below. Continuing down, we arrive in Les Eyzies, the European capital of prehistory. The town is nestled between limestone cliffs.We arrive at our hotel early in the afternoon. Here,a large garden awaits you, and of course – an excellent meal.

If you wish, it is possible to stay an additional day here. Les Eyzies is known for its archaeological wealth and its cliffs with numerous underground caves. The village offers a variety of sites & monuments that will interest both adults & children. We recommend a visit to the Museum of Prehistory. Also of interest – The “Cave du Grand Roc”; a cave inhabited by Cro-Magnon people some 14,000 years ago. The cave is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave “Font de Gaume”, famous for its well-preserved Cro-Magnon paintings is also worth a visit.

Town: ATM, shops, all acilities. Hotel: 2* hotel with a swimming pool and garden. En-suite. Meal: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 5 – Les Eyzies to Marquay [5h, 19km, +150m -20m]. Today is a very easy walk in a shaded wooded valley. From Les Eyzies we follow the GR6 through typical villages & hamlets. En-route you will have the chance to visit the “Abri du Cap Blanc” to witness some more unique prehistoric art. Tonight we stay in Marquay, a fortified village dating from the 12th century. Michel, our host and chef, is waiting for you in the Hotel La Condamine. Facilities include a swimming pool and a large garden.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 2* hotel “Logis de France”. En-suite. Large garden and very quiet surroundings. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

DAY 6 – Marquay to Sarlat [4h, 15km, +70m -150m]. Our
last day”â„¢s walk takes us back to Sarlat through shaded woodland and up into the hills for views of the surrounding countryside. We recommend
stopping in Campagnac for lunch. The castle is also
worth visiting. Then it’s back to medieval Sarlat to the hotel we stayed at on Day 1.

Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Hotel: 2* “Logis de France” hotel, former family residence, situated just 10min from the historic centre. Also features large garden, swimming pool and open fire. En-suite. Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 – Sarlat. End of the Adventure

After breakfast we bid you farewell.

Meal: Breakfast

• Flights
• Insurance
• Drinks
• Transfer from/to airport (included in Guided trips departure)

Night 1&6

Night 3

Night 4

Night 5

After a luxury breakfast we take an easy path up to the Reckingerbach River at 1760m, here there is a most unusual mountain restaurant by the stream; with its garden gnomes, jokes painted on the walls, and a guardian who insisted to write in his visitors’ book. From here the path crosses a succession of streams, the Walibach, Hilpersbach, Wilerbach and, and crossing green pasture and lovely wooden chalets. The next 3 nights in a 4-star hotel, kids friendly, as they can enjoys numerous of activities like an initiation to the Via Ferrata… The restaurant appears in the famous “Gault Millau” & the “Guide bleu”, is just SUPERB

Town: ATM, Food shop, internet in the hotel Hotel: 4* hotel, great comfort, best views on the valley, swimming pool, and free activities for kids (climbing, via ferrata, pony riding, drawing…) Meal: Breakfast, 3 Course dinner

DAY 6 – Blitzingen. Free day
From the town take the cable car up the Eggishorn (2927m), an unspoiled vantage point, above the hamlet of Kuhboden, offering the finest views of the glacier Aletsch for a 360 degree Alpine Panorama and on the magisterial the Eiger, Matterhorn are just Breath-taking.

Town: Same as Day 5.
Hotel: Same as Day 5, 4* hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, 3 Course dinner

DAY 7 – Blitzingen. Day with Options [5h, 13.5km, +50m, -50m]
As we stay a third night in our luxury hotel, you have the option to relax in town, visit Zermatt, less than an hour away by train, or to come with us for a walk. We start ascending to the Schwarzer Brunnen River at 1371m, and then the path climbs again up to 1622m at Obermatta before gradually descending to the outskirts of Bellwald. From here you can take a chairlift up and get great views of this part of the Goms valley. Later today, we will go back to Blitzingen by a low path mostly on the shade.

Town: Same as Day 5.
Hotel: Same as Day 5, 4* hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, 3 Course dinner

DAY 8 – Blitzingen. End of the adventure
After breakfast, we bid you farewell at the train station below

Meal: Breakfast

From Dublin: BA, Swissair, Aer-lingus fly to Zurich, Geneva.

To the beginning of the adventure

To Obergesteln.
Several trains a day operate to
Obergesteln from Zurich[2h00] & Geneva [3h30]