Compare Walking in Tuscany by Exodus Travels vs 14 Day North Continental 2017 by Perillo Tours

Day 1 Start Braccicorti

We gather at Agriturismo Braccicorti, approximately 4mi (6km) from Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and two hours from Pisa Airport. You can refresh yourself with a dip in the pool, before we gather for a welcome briefing later in the day. Please note: Most departures for this trip have been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate); however, if you’re looking to push yourself, join one of our Activity Level 5 (Challenging) departures. This itinerary provides a day-by-day schedule for both Activity Levels. Please check the Dates & Prices tab to confirm the Activity Level rating for each departure before booking. If you have extra days at hand and are willing to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa or Florence. Speak to your Sales Consultant for more information on our ‘Pre-Tour’, ‘Post-Tour’ and ‘City Extension’ packages.

Day 2 Walk through Orecchiella National Park to Pania di Corfino (Activity Level 3)

Day 3 Apuane National Park to Monte Sumbra (Activity Level 3)

Today we drive 40 minutes to the small village of Vianova and begin our walk into Alpi Apuane National Park. Much of our initial ascent is on a wide forest track that continues through beech woods to our first viewpoint across to the face of Pania della Croce and the Omo Morto range. From here, we take a footpath ascending to a limestone plateau where there is an optional ascent to the summit of Monte Sumbra (5,791ft/1,765m). Weather permitting, we will enjoy an uninterrupted view of the Alpi Apuane range, the Ligurian coast and the enormous spine of the Apennines. After lunch on the summit, we retrace our steps back to the limestone plateau, before heading down through the trees following one of the old charcoal trails back to the minibus. On the return to Braccicorti, we stop in the lovely town of Careggine (time permitting). Walking distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 2,205ft (672m); descent: 2,205ft (672m); maximum altitude: 5,791ft (1,765m)

Day 4 Circular walk from Braccicorti to medieval market town Castiglione di Garfagnana (Activity Level 3)

With a change of guide for the day, we walk directly from the farmhouse at 1,345ft (410m), firstly visiting the new town of Villa Collemandina before heading to the church and learning about the history of the area. After, the route follows tracks, quiet lanes and footpaths through the local farmland and villages allowing us a real insight into local life. Midway through the day, we will arrive at Castiglione di Garfagnana at 1,788ft (545m), a small but beautiful medieval town. Castiglione is also the place where the largest and most popular chestnut festival in the region is held each autumn, celebrating the chestnut tree and the growth of truffles and mushrooms. After lunch, we cross a 13th-century bridge below the town leading into more farmland and back to Braccicorti on easy tracks. Walking distance: 12mi (19km); ascent: 476ft (145m); descent: 476ft (145m); maximum altitude: 1,788ft (545m)

Day 5 Free day to visit Lucca, the Cinque Terre, Florence or Pisa

Today is free to enjoy any of the following optional activities: one-hour train journey to visit the stunning fortified city of Lucca; 20-minute taxi and 90-minute train journey to the coastal Unesco World Heritage site of the Cinque Terre; 2hr 30min train journey to visit the capital city of Florence, home of Michelangelo's David; or the 90-minute train journey to Pisa where you can ascend the leaning tower and walk along the beautiful river Arno. There are also plenty of options closer to home. Relax with a good book at the farmhouse and make use of the sun loungers and outdoor pool, take a walk down to Lago di Pontecosi for lunch or take a 10-minute train ride to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana for lunch and a walk to the old castle.

Day 6 Campocatino and San Viviano’s Hermitage (Activity Level 3)

A 25-minute drive to Lago di Vagli, with its submerged village and impressive Monte Sumbra backdrop, will bring us to the start point for the day: Vagli Sotto. From here, we walk on a small footpath to the town of Vagli Sopra where we continue to ascend on a section of the pilgrimage walk through chestnut woods to arrive at the 16th-century shepherds’ village of Campocatino. Wandering through the village and seeing the beautiful, terraced meadows, protected by the impressive wall of Roccandagia, it is easy to understand why the shepherds chose this location. From here, we continue to our highest point for the day at 3,904ft (1,190m) before descending through the trees to San Viviano's Hermitage. Built into the rock face, the tiny hermitage is said to be where San Viviano lived before his bones were discovered in 1993. It is now used as a chapel and pilgrimage site. Our descent takes a rarely used mountain path with views across the valley before arriving back at the bus. Walking distance: 8mi (12.5km); ascent: 2,067ft (630m); descent: 2,067ft (630m); maximum altitude: 3,904ft (1,190m)

Day 7 Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park and the summit of Monte Prado (Activity Level 3)

We start the day with a 40-minute drive to the small ski area of Casone. Walking through beech woods brings us to the beginning of the Crinali ridge, a section of the 994mi (1,600km) Apennine ridge in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, offering some of the most impressive views of the week. Look below to see the fiery colours of the forest between the ridge line of Tuscany and the opposite ridge of Emilia Romagna. We take an easy path along the undulating ridge, leading up to the peak of Monte Prado, the highest in Tuscany at 6,739ft (2,054m). After lunch, we retrace our steps before descending on another route through woodland back to Casone, where there is a bar to enjoy a well-earned drink. Walking distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 2,428ft (740m); descent: 2,428ft (740m); maximum altitude: 6,739ft (2,054m)

Day 8 End Braccicorti

This morning we’ll enjoy one final breakfast, before saying a fond farewell to Agriturismo Braccicorti, which may feel like a home-from-home by now.

Day 1 (Friday) - Depart USA

Boarding your overnight flight, you’re off on the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 2 (Saturday) - Arrive in Milan, Afternoon at Leisure

Benvenuti in Italia! We are pleased to offer complimentary transfers from the Milan airport to your hotel at scheduled times. Your Perillo representative will be at the airport to greet you.

This afternoon you will meet your tour guide who will have some excellent dining suggestions for your first night in Italy.

Whichever place you decide to eat, be sure to try the world famous “Risotto alla Milanese:” a creamy rich mixture that gets its rich color and flavor from saffron.

Day 3 (Sunday) - Milan, Lugano, Switzerland, Como, Milan

From Milan we enjoy an exhilarating excursion to Lugano. Here we can fill our eyes with beauty and our bags with gifts. We continue to Como, the place loved by the rich and famous. Wordsworth, Shelley, Byron and George Clooney.

Back in Milan, one of the world’s trendiest cities and one of the strongest bastions of traditional Italian cooking.

Day 4 (Monday) - Milan City Sightseeing, Sirmione, Venice

This morning we visit the mightiest Gothic building ever created- Milan’s Duomo, its capacity 40,000 people! Next we stroll through the spectacular glass-topped galleria-the world’s first shopping mall. Continue to Piazza Della Scala, home of the famed La Scala Opera House.

On the way to Venice, let’s stop at one of the most popular sights on Lake Garda - the peninsula of Sirmione. Crossing the drawbridge, we enter a peaceful world of hot springs, the medieval castles and phenomenal views of the Dolomites.

Our arrival in Venice is by boat. Venice is breathtaking with its misty lagoon and palaces seemingly floating on water. Nothing beats dining in a cozy Venetian restaurant enjoying local specialties and fine local wines.

Day 5 (Tuesday) - Venice, City Sightseeing

This morning we’ll meet our expert local guide for a walking tour of St. Mark’s Square, the great Byzantine Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and an inside visit of the Doge’s Palace.

This afternoon you’ll have a chance to “get lost” in the city’s labyrinth of canals, bridges and tiny piazzas. Being a small island, it’s impossible to stray very far. But it won’t hurt to master the phrase “Dov’e’ Piazza San Marco?”

Tonight, instead of a traditional dinner, do as the Venetians do! Enjoy “cicchetti,” Venetian-style tapas, served in various pubs all over Venice.

Day 6 (Wednesday) - Venice, Padua, Florence

We’re off to Florence today with an inspiring stop along the way. Visitors to Padua are often surprised by a sense of deep spirituality. St. Anthony (patron Saint of lost objects) is interred here in the serene Basilica which dates back to the 1200s. Next to Florence! Home of Dante, Boccaccio, Botticelli, da Vinci, and some say, the best gelato in Italy!

Back at the hotel, our tour director is happy to offer this evening’s restaurant suggestions. Perhaps, world famous Florentine steak?

Day 7 (Thursday) - Florence, City Sightseeing including ‘The David’

Florence, the fountainhead of the Renaissance, awaits our inspection.

Our day of sightseeing includes the majestic Duomo built in 1296, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned “Gates of Paradise” doors.

We follow the medieval streets to the most striking square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria, home of Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo’s final resting place.

“Breathtaking” is the only word to describe one’s first view of Michelangelo’s David. Yes, it’s quite large and detailed. But the real magic is in how Michelangelo transformed a lifeless rock into a man - full of pride, wary of his adversary, yet quietly confident. All with just a hammer and a chisel.

You’ll be sure to find a perfect Florentine dinner spot tonight.

Day 8 - Friday - Florence, Pisa, Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Florence

The bell tower of Pisa is among the most instantly recognizable structures on earth. Architects say it would be world famous even if it were perfectly straight. This morning we’ll see for ourselves, along with the beautiful Cathedral and Baptistery.

This afternoon we’ll visit a typical Tuscan winery to learn about the grape, the “nose,” food pairings and most importantly – which glass to use!

Cin-Cin! We’ll return to Florence for some free time. Tonight, ask your tour director for a nearby spot to enjoy fresh Tuscan fare.

Day 9 - Saturday - Florence, Sorrento

Our journey to Sorrento takes us through the rolling hills, scenic vineyards and post-card perfect vistas of Tuscany and Umbria. Soon, we are in Sorrento, high on a beautiful plateau, greeted by the sapphire blue Gulf of Naples and majestic Mount Vesuvius.

When most Americans think of Italian food, they’re usually thinking of the dishes of Naples and Sorrento - spaghetti with tomato and basil, mozzarella and pizza are from this area.

Day 10 - Sunday - Sorrento, Capri, Sorrento

This morning you’ll be taken to Capri, the world’s most enchanting island. You can explore to your heart’s content on your own or your tour conductor may have other ideas.

You’ll be as captivated by Capri as Emperor Tiberius who used the Blue Grotto as his personal swimming pool.

Tonight, still glowing from the sun, it’s time to enjoy another fine gastronomic experience.

Day 11 - Monday - Sorrento - Pompeii - Rome

Pompeii – an entire city perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day almost 2,000 years ago, when ash and lava literally stopped it in its tracks. You’ll see the tragic fossils of people attempting to escape along with children and dogs. 

Later this morning, we continue on to Rome, viewing the Bay of Naples on the way. 

A few hours later, we enter the gates of Rome and settle into our hotel.

Day 12 - Tuesday - Rome, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica*, Afternoon at Leisure

This morning we visit Vatican City, “headquarters” for more than a billion Catholics worldwide. We begin at the Vatican Museum, a treasure trove of sculptures, paintings and tapestries. Our visit culminates in the Sistine Chapel,the room where the pope is elected. We enter in total silence, not wanting to disturb Michelangelo’s famed frescoes, depicting stories from the Bible and the “End of Times.” You’ll be fascinated by which of Michelangelo’s contemporaries he assigned to heaven and which to hell.

We’ll also visit St. Peter’s Basilica*. We’ll see Michelangelo’s Pieta, sculpted when he was just 24, and Bernini’s seven-story bronze canopy soaring high above the main altar.

This afternoon, Rome is all yours to explore!

Tonight, treat yourself to one of Rome’s fine restaurants for a fabulous dinner. May we suggest some Roman specialties Bucatini all’ Amatriciana; Spaghetti alla Carbonara; Roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary; stuffed artichokes ....is your appetite whet yet?

* Please note that the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica is subject to availability based on the events planned for the Jubilee 2016.

Day 13 - Wednesday - Rome Sightseeing, Afternoon at Leisure

Hail Caesar! All aboard our chariot for a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome including the Roman Forum, Largo Argentina, the Jewish Ghetto and the Circus Maximus.

Then we’ll enter the Colosseum, reliving the brutal entertainment of the gladiators and the lions, refereed by the Emperor himself.

This afternoon, Rome is all yours! Shop, fountain hop, explore to your heart’s content. Tonight, treat yourself to one of Rome’s fine restaurants for a delizioso dinner!

Day 14 - Thursday - Flight Home, Rome, USA

This morning you board your flight home. No tears. You’ll exchange e-mails with your new friends and make plans for the future. How about we all meet again on a Perillo tour to Hawaii!