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 at the Voghera train station between 3.30 and 4 pm. 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 KM / 2-2.5 HR (easy to moderate downhill country lanes and walking trails)

Today starts with a scenic drive to nearby Mount Penice, where we begin our walk 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 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, which is well known for its delicious antipasti 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 – (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, we spend a free morning and have lunch in the gorgeous medieval town of Orta San Giulio on the shores of Lake D'Orta. While here, you can 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 to 1940 by Scotsman Neil McEacharn, the gardens are on the edge of Lake Maggiore and offer a dazzling variety of plants and plant combinations. They are in full colour from spring to autumn, but the display in spring and early summer is particularly astonishing! Before returning 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 KM / 2.5-3 HR (Undulating Country Lanes)

Today, we start 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 their produce but also to meet with 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 three-hour walk will take us through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Oltrepo. We will 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 offering 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 follows 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 KM / 4 HR (moderate to difficult undulating)

The Via del Sale, or Salt Road, is a famous route first established in the 12th century when merchants followed it to bring precious salt and necessities from the Ligurian Sea to the region. The full "Via del Sale" walk is 72 km long and 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 350 metres. We will stop at the popular restaurant Primula Bianca in Castellaro for a well-deserved lunch. We promise you that this will be a lunch to remember! Castellaro sits 756 metres 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 to lovely views of the town. Altogether, today's 15 km walk takes around 4 hours round trip.

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 KM / 3.5-4 HR (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 while families enjoy a pre-lunch passeggiata to chat with friends. This morning, we'll take one of our favourite local walks, which leads us through Jim's grandfather's town of Pietragavina, in the hills above Varzi, to the family-run restaurant of Ra Canva. On our two-hour walk, we'll pass by fields, forests, farms, and small villages, 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 is surely a memorable experience, and you'll be glad you had nice walks both before and after eating there! We'll work off our Ra Canva lunch by taking a scenic two-hour 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 KM / 4.5 HR (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

(AM Walk - Dist. 10.5 KM / 2.25 HR (Easy Flat Terrain Country Roads)

Day eight begins with a guided visit to a hidden Italian gem, the Certosa di Pavia, a stunning 14th-century monastery nestled deep in the countryside between Milan and Pavia. From here, we walk a flat 8 km to the stylish university town of Pavia. Along the way, we will pass various fields, including rice paddies where the famed and exclusively Italian Arborio rice is grown. In Pavia, we will grab a bite to eat and explore the city, with its many churches, towers, and ancient library. Dinner will be in the heart of Varzi this evening.

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

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

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

(AM & PM Walk - dist. 10.5 KM / 2.25 HR (uphill, undulating & downhill country roads)

The morning begins with an uphill walk to the Abbey of Sant’Alberto di Butrio along quiet country roads and through chestnut forests. We explore the Abbey, 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 said to have been a temporary resting place for the body of an English king! After the abbey visit, we enjoy a delightful lunch at a family-run restaurant and goat farm. The food is delicious, with cheeses made from the goats and cows from the farm and bread from a wood-fired oven. From here, we drive to the Oramala Castle, which looms over the township of Varzi. We will wind our way along quiet country back roads into 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 KM / 2.5-3 HR (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 popular town for Italian holidaymakers during summer and a place where one can enjoy a sumptuous slice of cheese focaccia, more commonly known as Focaccia di Recco (named after a neighboring town). We arrive at San Rocco in the morning and start our descent into the township of Camogli. We have time to explore the town before gathering at a spectacular beachside restaurant with fresh seafood and fabulous local white wines. We then catch a ferry to Punta Chiappa and walk up a stunning trail offering breathtaking views of the beautiful sea below. Finally, we return 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 & Aperitivi

(PM Walk - Total Dist. 11 KM / 2.5 HR (Moderate Undulating)

Today begins with a walk through the backroads of the Oltrepo wine region to the Piacentini wine region. We arrive at the beautiful Castello di Luzzano, a historical winery nestled in a stunning natural landscape that straddles the border of the Oltrepo Pavese (Lombardy) and Colline Piacentini (Emilia Romagna) wine regions. The 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. Lunch is in a beautifully restored Customs House which sits on the border of Lombardy and Piedmont. Our lunch features an array of world-class cuisine with matching wines and views over the estate. After our leisurely lunch, we will set off on the final walk of the tour, a 7 km walk through the vine-clad hills back to the town of Vignole, which is in the heart of sparkling wine in this area. This evening, we will have a celebratory farewell aperitivi 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!