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Santa Croce

Trip Planning, Italy, Walking Tours

John's Alpine Walking Tours

Location: Lombardy

See location on a Google Map

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JOHN’S ALPINE WALKING TOURS

ABN 46 099 248 932

You are invited to join me in my leisurely walks through the Italian Swiss Alps.

My walks will take you deep into the Italian/Swiss Alps with its breath taking scenery.  From the base in Chiavenna, a town from the Roman times near the Italian/Swiss border, there will be opportunities to take long comfortable walks through the mountains where you can breathe the crisp mountain air mixed with typical Italian hospitality, great food and plenty of wine. Marvel at the panorama of the highest peaks in the Alps with their glaciers and the pristine alpine villages.

Options include a boat tour of Lake Como, sometimes called the “the pearl of Italy” with visits to the splendid villas along the lake, the Bernina express from St Moritz or a visit to Livignio, a tax free zone deep in the Alps.

There will be ample opportunities for free time to immerse yourself in the special alpine ambience where you can enjoy a cappuccino or a “bianchino”, a crisp dry white wine best before lunch.

Tours are for 7 days with an 4 day extension option.  Attached are tour details.  Changes can be made to suit the needs of particular groups.

7 DAY TOUR

DAY 1 Chiavenna

I will meet you at Chiavenna’s train station* where I will take you directly to our hotel.  After you have checked in, we will go for a passeggiata in Chiavenna finishing with a coffee at an award winning café.

DAY 2 Italy     Chiavenna –Santa Croce

10 km return with long lunch.  4 hours total walking time.  

Our first walk will be to the restaurant Quartino in Santa Croce for lunch.  The Quartino is a famous restaurant serving local cuisine.  Our walk back to Chiavenna will help our digestion.  The remainder of the day will be free for an opportunity to relax and take in the ambience of this historical town.  Have a passeggiata (a casual walk) down Via Dolzino, and enjoy a coffee or bianchino at one of the cafes.

 

DAY 3             Italy     Savogno-Dasile

2 hours climbing and then return. Time for a long lunch. Some incline with steps.

Walk up the mountains to visit two original villages, Savogno and Dasile where people once lived before settling in the valleys. A full lunch will be served to give you enough energy for the walk down.

 

DAY 4             Switzerland      St Moritz

5 km around the lake with additional sightseeing around the town.  Mostly flat.

We will drive through the magnificent “Engadina Valley.” with its beautiful lakes and Alpine villages to reach the glamorous town of St Moritz.  There will be time to walk around the lake and town and absorb the majesty of this alpine setting.

 

DAY 5  Switzerland, Cassacia -Castasegna

15 km with 6 hours walking, mostly in decline.

Beginning from Cassacia a typical Swiss alpine village, we will walk along beautiful mountain tracks through to Castasegna on the Italian/Swiss border.

 

DAY 6            Switzerland      Val Roseg

15 km walking over 7 hours.  Mostly flat.

We will walk through the spectacular Val Roseg in the heart of the Swiss Alps.  Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the glaciers and the dramatic mountains combined with native forest and lush farmyards. We finish the day with a gala dinner

 

DAY 7

Our tour comes to an end and you can catch the train from Chiavenna to Milan.

 

PRICE: $1490 AUD twin share, Single supplement $380 AUD

Inclusions: 6 nights at 3 star hotel or self contained apartment,

6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner

 

ABOUT JOHN

I was born in Santa Croce, a village near Chiavenna that we will visit on one of our walks, and arrived in Australia as a three year old. I am very fond and proud of my birthplace and have come to appreciate its alpine geography, long history and rich culture during my visits from Australia. It is always an enriching experience for me to visit the region and I look forward to sharing that experience with you soon

 

11 DAY TOUR

DAYS 1-6 AS FOR 7 DAY TOUR

 DAY  7                        Chiavenna

Options for the day include visit Milan by train, visit the Italian ski fields in Madesimo or visit some villas along Lake Como.

DAY 8             Italy     Tower of Signame

5 hr return walk with some gentle climbs.

Beginning from Chiavenna we walk up the mountains through some ninth century fortifications which have recently been restored.  Enjoy splendid valley views in a tranquil mountain setting.

DAY 9                         Chiavenna

Time to relax in Chiavenna. You may choose to take a cruise on Lake Como or take the Bernina Express, one of the world’s most spectacular train rides, from St Moritz to Tirano.

DAY 10                       Switzerland  Val Fex

15 km  over 6 hours.  Mostly flat with some incline 

Today we walk through the beautiful Val Fex. This will be a comfortable day’s walk in the Alps surrounded by the lush green mountainsides and numerous mountain peaks.  Enjoy the fresh alpine air and the natural beauty of the mountains. 

DAY 11

Our tour comes to an end and you can catch the train from Chiavenna to Milan.

PRICE: $2095 AUD twin share, Single supplement $557 AUD

TOUR DETAILS

INCLUSIONS Tour leader, transport & sightseeing

 

TOUR DATES

25 June

9 July

23 July

3 September

Private tours can be arranged on alternate dates.

EXCLUSIONS

• Personal Insurance essential
• Airfares, ferries, train fares
• Extra meals, beverages, accommodation costs not noted in the itinerary.
• Walking sticks or other walking equipment.

Inclusions: 10 nights at 3 star hotel or self contained apartment, 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 1 dinner

The main features of my walks include:

• Stay in the same hotel room/apartment in Chiavenna for the duration of the tour.
• Spectacular walks through breathtaking scenery.
• A mix of rest days with activity days.
• Opportunity to enjoy the local northern Italian lifestyle.
• Options for exploring Lake Como and surrounding towns.
• Small groups of 6-8 people.

The walks will be suitable for reasonably fit people.  That is, you can walk up to 15 km over one day.  The mountain climbs are on designated paths and the pace will be regulated to suit all participants.

Groups will comprise 6-8 people, so you may consider forming your own group for a private tour to suit your own needs and at a time that best suits your group.

Good quality sneakers or walking boots will be sufficient footwear for all the walks.

Included in the cost are all breakfasts, all lunches when on a walking tour and 1 evening meal.

Participants will be responsible for their own meals when not provided by the tour. Hotels/restaurants in Chiavenna offer set menus from 15€. The inaugural tour in 2011 will start on 5 September 2011 and last for 10 days.

Contact

JOHN IACOMELLA

for further details and to reserve your place.

Phone 08 9243 6657,

Fax: 08 9243 6600,

Mob: 0400 920 001,

Email: ji4@bigpond.com.au

Postal Address: 33 Amaroo Place Duncraig, 6023

By completing this form I acknowledge having read, understood and accept the full TERM AND CONDITIONS attached to JOHN’S ALPINE WALKING TOURS brochure.

Complete this form in BLOCK LETTERS and return to:

 JOHN IACOMELLA,

SANTA CROCE INDUSTRIES,

33 AMAROO PLACE DUNCRAIG, 6023 with $900 deposit.

 

Contact Information

Company: Santa Croce

Name: John Iacomella

Street: 33 Amaroo Place

City: Duncraig

State/Province: Western Australia

Country: Australia

Zip/Postal Code: 6023

Phone: 08 9243 6657

Fax: 08 9243 6600

E-mail: Click here to send an e-mail inquiry