Day One - Arrival: (Milan/Voghera to Piedmont/Varzi)

Lush, Green plains to the Foothills of the Apennine mountain range.

Provided Meals: Dinner

(No Organised Walk Today)

You will be met by your host at Milan’s Malpensa Airport between 2.30 and 3pm, or alternatively at the Voghera train station between 3.30 and 4pm. A well-appointed private, air-conditioned vehicle will transfer you to the centrally located " Locanda Le Cicale", in Jim's dad's medieval town of Varzi. Varzi's town centre is like going back in time: eight centuries of history documented in the architectural traces of its churches, towers and castle. You will have time to unwind in your room, enjoy an aperitivo, or simply explore this gorgeous little town. In the evening we will come together for our welcome dinner in Varzi.

Day Two - (Mount Penice to medieval Bobbio)

Mountain top walk to luminous valley floor for a well deserved lunch.

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(AM WALK - DIST. 12.5-14 KMS / 2-2.5 HRS (EASY TO MODERATE DOWNHILL Country Lanes and Walking Trails)

Today begins with a scenic drive to nearby Mount Penice, where we begin our walking for the day. Initially, we will wind our way along a forest trail from the top of Mount Penice, and we'll continue our walk along quiet backroads, passing fields, forests, and a couple of small hamlets until we reach the hillside town of Santa Maria. We'll then be shuttled down to Bobbio by van for our lunch together. Our walks today offer amazing views of the vast Trebbia and Tidone Valleys, and our lunch is in Bobbio's elegant "Il Piacentino" restaurant. It's very well known for its delicious anti pasti and primi (pasta dishes). After lunch you can explore this little gem of a town. Two beautiful churches, a centuries old monastery, and a beautiful Roman Bridge full of character, are just some of the delights of Bobbio waiting to be discovered! In the evening you can simply unwind at "Locanda Le Cicale", or take a leisurely passeggiata in Varzi, where you can enjoy a gelato, coffee, or delicious glass of wine (or two!), before retiring for the evening.

Day Three -( DAY TRIP - Lake D'Orta and Villa Taranto-Lake Maggiore)

The Majesty of two of Italy’s most beautiful lakes - Scrumptious Pizza dinner!

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

(No Organised Walk Today)

Today we visit two of Italy's most beautiful lakes - Lake D'Orta and Lake Maggiore. First up we spend a free morning and lunch in the gorgeous medieval town of Orta San Giulio on the shores of Lake D'Orta. A couple of highlights here are the little island of Isola di San Giulio, and the hillside chapels of the Sacro Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers stunning views of Lake D'Orta. Of course whilst here you can also take a leisurely lakeside passeggiata, or simply explore the narrow alleyways of this charming town. After lunch we head to the stunning gardens of Villa Taranto. Established from 1931-1940 by Scotsman Neil McEacharn, the gardens are on the edge of Lake Maggiore and offer a dazzling variety of plants and plant combinations. It is pretty much in full colour from spring to autumn, but the display in spring/early summer is particularly astonishing! Prior to our return to Le Cicale we will enjoy a delicious pizza at one of Jim and Lynette's favourite local pizzerias.

Day Four - (Varzi market and Cecima hilltops walk)

Morning fun with the locals in Varzi and an afternoon of bucolic rolling hill views.

Provided Meals: Breakfast

(PM Walk - Dist. 11 Kms / 2.5-3hrs Hrs (Undulating Country Lanes)

Today we start off by relaxing and unwinding in the sleepy medieval town of Varzi. In the morning you can stroll through Varzi’s local market and have the opportunity to see the delicious produce on offer, along with an interesting assortment of other wares. The market, or "mercato", was traditionally a cattle and produce market. Cattle farmers from the surrounding hills would congregate once a week, not only to trade in their produce, but also to meet with their friends and fellow farmers. Today, even though the cattle are no longer there, one can still imagine what it may have been like, as older townsfolk gather and converse in their local dialects amidst the market’s shoppers. Our afternoon's 3 hour walk will take us through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Oltrepo. We commence our walk at the quaint village of Cecima, a medieval town built with the stones of the staffora river. Cecima sits on a hilltop oferring views of Mount Penice, Mount Boglelio and the Staffora River. We will wind our way through rolling hills scattered with rustic farms, orchards and vineyards. This peaceful walk is enjoyed by following a small, winding road that takes us from the border of Lombardy to Piedmont.

Day Five - (Castellaro and the "Via del Sale" / The Salt Road")

Follow the ancient Salt Road!

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(AM & PM WALKS - TOTAL DIST. 15 KMS / 4 HRS (MODERATE TO DIFFICULT UNDULATING)

The Via del Sale or Salt Road is a famous route that was first established in the 12th century, when merchants followed it to bring precious salt and basic necessities from the Ligurian Sea to the region. The full "Via del Sale" walk is 72km long, and it takes you from Varzi to the Ligurian coastal town of Recco (near Genoa). This morning we will be doing the first 4 kilometres and climbing around 350m. We stop at the popular restaurant Primula Bianca in Castellaro for a well deserved lunch. Castellaro sits 756 meters above sea level and is a typical medieval hamlet. The houses lean against each other and the gnarly, narrow alleys reflect its bygone era. Our walk to Castellaro is a challenging and interesting one that follows the Staffora river and ascends along a rocky single track to Castellaro. The return walk descends into Varzi along a paved backroad that opens up to lovely views of the town. All up today's 15km walk takes around 4 hours return.

Day Six - (Antique market, Pietragavina and Ristorante Ra Canva)

Charming backroads and a legendary Sunday lunch!

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(AM & PM Walks - Total Dist. 15 Kms / 3.5-4 Hrs (Easy-Moderate Undulating)

Sunday is a day for Italians to relax and come together with family. During the morning in Varzi there's a small, yet interesting, bric a brac/antique market. Children come out to play whilst families enjoy a pre-lunch passeggiata to chat with friends. This morning we'll take one of our favourite local walks which takes us through Jim's grandfather's town of Pietragavina, in the hills above Varzi, to the family-run restaurant of Ra Canva. On our 2 hour walk we'll pass by fields, forests, farms and small villages, whilst enjoying sweeping views of fertile farmlands and family vineyards. Ra Canva is delightful and rustic. The food is divine and everything is homemade (including their delicious bread!). Our lunch starts with an aperitif, followed by aperitivi, two first courses, two second courses and a cart of desserts. It surely is a memorable experience and you'll be glad that you've had nice walks prior to and after eating there! We'll work off our Ra Canva lunch by taking a scenic 2hr walk back to Pietragavina where we'll be driven back to Varzi.

Day Seven - Volpedo - Rivanazzano Terme - San Ponzo (Walk and Spa Day)

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(AM & PM WALKS - TOTAL DIST. 20 KMS / 4.5 HRS (EASY FLAT-SLIGHTLY HILLY TERRAIN)

Today starts on the plains near the foothills of the area we're staying in. We begin with a coffee break in the charming little town of Volpedo. We'll then walk along the slightly hilly countryside on dirt and bitumen backroads to the town of Rivanazzano Terme. After a light lunch together you can explore the town of Rivernazzano or choose the optional Spa treatment for those who are keen to indulge their senses! The landscape around us in the morning is characterised by fields of corn, barley, tomatoes, lucern, and other crops - depending on the time of the year. After our free time in Rivanazzano Terme we'll take another delightful, 3-hour, 14km walk along the lower slopes of the Staffora Valley before returning to Varzi for the evening.

Day Eight - (Certosa to Pavia)

From the Stunning Certosa di Pavia Abbey to the youthful town of Pavia.

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(Walk - Dist. 10.5 Kms / 2.25 Hrs (Easy Flat Terrain Country Roads)

Day eight begins with a visit to a truly hidden Italian gem! The Certosa di Pavia is a stunning fourteenth Century monastery hidden deep in the countryside between the cities of Milan and Pavia. From here we walk a flat 8 km to Pavia for our provided lunch. On the way we will pass a variety of fields, including rice paddies where the famed and exclusively Italian Arborio rice is grown. The classy university city of Pavia, once the capital of Lombardy, is located on the banks of the Ticino river. After our morning walk, we'll head straight through Pavia to one of its traditional restaurants for a sample of the local fare. After lunch we will have time to explore Pavia at our leisure before returning to Varzi.

Day Nine – (Abbey of Sant'Alberto di Butrio to Varzi)

Picnic in the grounds of the serene Abbey of Sant'Alberto and panoramic walk into Varzi.

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(WALK - DIST. 10.5 KMS / 2.25 HRS (UPHILL, UNDULATING & DOWNHILL COUNTRY ROADS)

This morning we explore the Abbey of San Alberto di Butrio, a place that exudes spirituality and serenity. It is a medieval gem nestled in a green, lush landscape high in the hills above the Staffora Valley. The Abbey was built nearly a thousand years ago by the noble Malaspina family, for San Alberto, a cave-dwelling hermit-turned Saint who cured their mute son. There is also a curious tomb located here that is said to have been a temporary resting place for the body of an English King! The morning begins with an uphill walk to the Abbey along quiet country roads and through chestnut forests. After the abbey visit, we enjoy a picnic together in the grounds of the abbey. From here, beginning at the Oramala Castle, we will wind our way along a quiet country back road to the town of Varzi. This delightful downhill walk offers panoramic views over the Staffora and Nizza valleys, and family orchards and vineyards.

Day Ten - (Camogli - Punta Chiappa Walk)

A day out at the Ligurian seaside!!

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(AM & PM WALKS - TOTAL DIST. 8.5 KMS / 2.5-3hrs HRS (DOWN AN UNDULATING WALKING TRAIL AND UP A PAVED WALKWAY WITH STEPS).

Today we're heading to the seaside! Our day starts with a drive to San Rocco, which sits high above Camogli. Camogli is very close to the beginning point of the ancient salt road that also passes through Varzi. It is a very popular town for Italian holidaymakers during summer and is also a place where one can enjoy a sumptuous slice of cheese focaccia, more commonly known as Focaccia di Recco (named after a neighbouring town). We arrive at San Rocco in the morning, in time to walk a spectacular trail down the hillside that offers stunning views of the beautiful sea below. We then catch a ferry to Camogli, where lunch is at a local restaurant there. After lunch we walk back up some steep terrain (mainly spaced apart steps) to San Rocco before heading back to Varzi.

Day Eleven - (Castello di Luzzano Winery, Santa Maria Della Versa)

Oltrepo Pavese/Colline Piacentini Wine regions

Provided Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

(PM Walk - Total Dist. 11 Kms / 2.5 Hrs (Moderate Undulating)

Today begins with a scenic drive to Castello di Luzzano, an historical winery situated in the midst of a stunning natural landscape that straddles the border of the Oltrepo Pavese (Lombardy) and Colline Piacentini (Emilia Romagna) wine regions. The beautiful Piacentini hills are famous for their D.O.C. wines. Here we will have a cellar tour, wine tasting and lunch at the winery's restaurant. After our slow lunch we will set off on the final walk for the tour, an 11km walk that will take us through the vine-clad hills back to the town of Santa Maria Della Versa, which is the heart of sparkling wine in this area. This evening we will have a celebratory farewell dinner at Le Cicale.

Day Twelve - (Farewell Day)

Departure for Milan Malpensa Airport and Voghera train station - End of Tour

Provided Meals: Breakfast

Departure for Milan Malpensa Airport and Voghera train station - End of Tour

Today we say farewell to the lush rolling hills of the Oltrepo Pavese. After breakfast, you will be taken either to Milan’s Malpensa Airport, or the train station at Voghera. Alternatively you can make your own arrangements for your onward journey.

Arrivederci!