Book NOW for 2016 trips at 2015 pricesBookings (with 10% deposit) received before 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at the current published 2015 prices

ookB your

late 2015 trip

todaySee inside for

late availability

Aug-Dec

2016Trip dates

New for 2016...JULY 2015 ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL GROUP LTD., T/A ATG Oxford • 274 Banbury Road, OX2 7DY, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

REGISTERED IN ENGLAND, COMPANY NUMBER 1449375

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Note fromChristopher Whinney,Managing DirectorCommunicating…

It was very good to meet so many ofyou (the best form of communication– we should do it more often!) at theATG 35th Anniversary and ATG Trustfundraising event in London inNovember. The event raised over£7,000 for Sustainable Developmentprojects in areas visited by ATG.

The primary source of communicationabout ATG, its trips and news is theATG website. This provides far moreeasily accessible up-dated informationthan printed materials.

Footloose & Freewheeling routebooks are continually updated andprinted in small batches, so booksarrive ‘hot off the press’ … and theRoute Manager will advise you ofany ‘last minute’ information.

Newsletters are designed to remindyou that ATG is still here – waiting toprovide your next excellent holiday,and to provide information on newtrips, together with dates and prices.

So ‘is that it?’ No. Because brochuresare still really valuable, as are clientswho prefer a printed format to anelectronic one. With a brochure,together with the latest ATGNewsletters, you can source 98% ofthe information you need.

Changes of actual informationcontent amount to no more than1% year-on-year. For this reason,rather than distributing tens ofthousands of brochures world-wide…to dedicated internet users (!), ATGbrochures are sent ‘on request’. Ifyou would like an Escorted orIndependent (Footloose) brochureat any time please contact the office.

And an apology…

We apologize for the late arrival ofthe ‘ATG Escorted’ brochure. Thisbrochure is in an advanced stage ofproduction, and copies with the 2016trips will be available in the autumn.Despite the absence of a brochure,the ATG website seems to befunctioning well: 2015 has seen thelargest increase in both Escorted andIndependent bookings on Europeantrips for 10 years.

We look forward to welcoming you…

What do they have in common?... Answer on page 7

Nicholas Breakspear(1100-1159)

Thomas a Kempis(1380-1471)

Desiderius Erasmus(1466-1536)

PROVENCE NEWSn Footloose: Upgrade

It was ‘no problem’ when, on theProvence Footloose route, a hotelwith a restaurant, and no othersnearby, closed just before the firstclients started walking…

The Footloose route books offer achoice of walking routes on many days(easier and more challenging), so byusing one of these (easier) alternativeroutes, it was possible to divert…andstay at a picturesque village withpanoramic views and excellent(upgraded) accommodation!

Those taking the ‘standard’ routehave a comfortable 3* hotel in thecentre of the charming village ofBonnieux, with views and goodrestaurant. The ‘superior ’ route hasbeen upgraded to a 4* hotel (seeabove), which happens to be one ofthe best in Provence, and its**Michelin restaurant, one of thebest in France.

A three-course evening meal at thehotel's excellent 'La Bergerie'restaurant is included, however youmay upgrade to a meal in the**Michelin Restaurant EdouardLoubet for only 53 Euros.

n Escorted: New trip for 2016

Domaine de Capelongue, Bonnieux

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Long views over the Lubéron

The new itinerary of Classic Provenceincludes: walking in Les Alpilles, hills tothe south of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence,celebrated in the iconic paintings of VanGogh. It also includes walking throughpicturesque medieval streetspunctuated with ancient Romanmonuments; paths throughcharacteristic scented scrub with viewsto the sea, through lavender fields,vineyards and olive groves, and alongthe southern edge of the Vaucluse, andthe Lubéron. All this, wonderful variedwalking, some excellent hotels, and arange of some of the best Provençalcuisine. See pages 12-13.

Prize WinnersThank You to all our clients whoreturn their Quality Questionnairesafter trips. Your invaluable feedbackallows us to continually monitor andimprove our trips. Congratulations tothe winners of our Questionnaire drawfor 2014 trips:

1st prize – an 8-day ATG holidayMr R Langford, Stockton-on-Tees

2nd prize – a magnum of ChampagneMrs J Duncan, Aberdeen

3rd prize – a bottle of ChampagneDr G Pasvol, London

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices 1

n Across the CévennesBACK FOR 2016

A wonderful walk withsome excellent hotels, itincludes the Causse deMejean (also in Flowersof the Cévennes) andthe area of the Lozère &Tarn Gorge Footlooseroute, on which thefeedback has beenconsistentlyoutstanding. See pages 14-15.

ESCORTED TRIP NEWS

n Tuscan Trail BACK FOR 2016

This trip, established in 1979 andaffectionately known to thousands ofATG clients as the ‘Tuscan Trial’ (!),was their introduction to ATG, and todiscovering that ‘the best way to seea country is on foot’.

Today the hotels and restaurants arebetter, but the countryside and walkingroute remain timelessly unchanged,and from San Gimignano to Siena, theATG-researched paths were once partof the Via Francigena, the medieval‘main road to Rome’…. It’s back andbetter than ever! See pages 16-17.

n Unknown Basilicata NEW TRIP

Almost unvisited when ATG started running trips there20 years ago, Basilicata, from coast to coast, remainswild and ‘unimaginable’. Dolomites (!), Greek temples,vast, high flower-filled pastures, fine ancient pilgrimpaths, wonderful southern hospitality.

The itinerary includes three of the best walks from anearlier trip, but now, with the opening of new hotels andrestaurants, the trip we have long wanted to offer hasbecome practicable. For keen walkers there is a ‘feast’,and for those who prefer half-days, the minibus meetswalkers each day – for an ATG picnic! See pages 18-19.

n Srinagar & Ladakh NEW TRIP

Starting in Srinagar (recovered from2014 floods) we enjoy the experienceof staying in a houseboat on lakessurrounded by water-lilies, with viewsof snow-capped mountains. We thenfly direct to Leh in Ladakh. Ladakh,with its rich culture and traditions,many fine Buddhist monasteries,delightful people, and not least,superb Himalayan mountain scenery,offers a glimpse of a timeless world.There is comfortable accommodation(no camping!), good local cuisineand some excellent walking.Go Now! See pages 22-23.

n The Hills of South West India NEW TRIP

This new 14-day itinerary in south west India takes us throughthe high hills and most spectacular scenery of Kerala andTamil Nadu. Travelling on foot, by jeep, boat, narrow gaugerailway and by road, our journey takes us from the forestsand long views of the Western Ghats, to spice gardens, teaplantations, national parks with an abundance of wildlife,especially birds, and from the highlands surrounding thelegendary colonial hill-station of Ooty (2,240m/7,350ft), toidyllic lakes …and the sea. The best, most characteristic hotelsand delicious southern Indian cuisine. See pages 20-21.

Ladakh: ‘Land of High Passes’

Castelmezzano: one of Italy's most beautiful villages

Exploring medieval towns

Tranquil Kerala backwaters

Cévennes National Park

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Exclusive Tuscany: A flexible itinerary including variedwalk options, excursions, time to relax, superb food andwine, and a concert and gala dinner on the last night.

Hotel nights: 7 at Pieve a Castello Grade: 1 - 2£2,195 / $3,625 (+DFS £308 / $510)

29 Aug-5 Sep: Pieve As You Like It! 8 Days, Italy

A World Class walk, from meadows of the Monti Sibillinito Spoleto – wonderful country and views; picturesquevillages, fine frescoed churches, some excellent hotelsand cuisine.

Hotel nights: 3 at 4*, 3 at Residenza d'Epoca, 1 at 2* pilgrim hotel Grade: 3 - 4 £2,435 / $4,020 (+DFS £161 / $270)

29 Aug-5 Sep: Unknown Umbria 8 Days, Italy

* Most independent routes remain open through October. See page 27 for an overview.2

Unknown Umbria & Spoleto Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 18: From £495 / $820

5-12 Sep: Unknown Tuscany 8 Days, Italy

ATG’s most unusual trip! Crag-top towns approachedby ancient Via di Cava, then lakes and plateaux, andfinally Orvieto with its magnificent cathedral.

Hotel nights: 5 at 4*, 1 at *3, 1 at 2* Grade: 2 - 3£2,495 / $4,120 (+DFS £182 / $305)

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The most picturesque villages in France set invineyards with the forested Vosges hills as a backdrop.Great walking, hotels, food and wine.

Hotel nights: 3 at 4*, 4 at 3* Grade: 2 - 4£2,995 / $4,945 (+DFS £329 / $545)

5-12 Sep: Classic Alsace 8 Days, France

Classic Alsace Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 18: From £620 / $1,025

Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 31: From £465 / $770

See page 10 for all dates 2015-2016.

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BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices 3

Some of the country’s finest scenery, historic towns,castles and Renaissance palaces; fascinating open-airethnographic museum, delightful Hungarian people.

Hotel nights: 1 at 5*, 5 at 4*, 1 at 3* Grade: 3£2,295 / $3,790 (+DFS £203 / $335)

12-19 Sep: Hungary: the Danube Bend 8 Days, Hungary

Hungary: Danube Bend Independent: 8 days

Route open until October 18: £795 / $1,315

Idyllic scenery with longviews and delightfulmedieval towns containingfabulous works of Art –including those by Piero, stillwhere he lived and painted.

Hotel nights: 2 at 5*, 5 at 4*Grade: 2 - 3 £2,895 / $4,780 (+DFS £231 / $385)

12-19 Sep: Land of Piero della Francesca 8 Days, Italy

These picturesque volcanic islands off the coast ofSicily provide walking with spectacular views, afascinating historic heritage, comfortable hotels anddelicious seafood.

Hotel nights: 4 at 4*, 3 at very comfortable 3* Grade: 2 - 3 £2,695 / $4,450 (+DFS £189 / $315)

20-27 Sep: The Aeolian Isles 8 Days, Italy

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Discovering easy paths through the historic heart ofCatalunya, its deserted hills, Romanesque churches,exciting variety of birds and flowers, geologicalformations and wonderful cuisine!

Hotel nights: 7 at 4* hotel in lovely setting Grade: 2 - 2+ £2,395 / $3,955 (+DFS £231 / $385)

13-20 September: Unknown Catalunya 8 Days, Spain

Easy paths from cliff-side, medieval Rocamadour, to theimposing castles overlooking the Dordogne River, toprehistoric dwellings and paintings around Les Eyzies.Great Périgord cuisine.

Hotel nights: 2 at 4*, 5 at very comfortable 3* Grade: 2£3,115 / $5,145 (+DFS £210 / $350)

19-26 September: Classic Dordogne 8 Days, France

19-26 September: Way to AssisiThe trip that has everything! Fine walking, famedmedieval towns on Roman foundations, outstandingart, excellent hotels, good food and Sagrantino wine,and following in St Francis’ footsteps.

Hotel nights: 2 at 5*, 4 at 4*, 1 at 3* Grade: 3 £2,895 / $4,780 (+DFS £329 / $545)

8 Days, Italy

Umbria & Assisi Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 18: From £490 / $810

Classic Dordogne Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 31: From £615 / $1,015

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Wonderful walking and scenery! Extensive sierras, gorgesand ravines punctuated by picturesque villages; ridgewalks, pilgrim paths and magnificently situated castles.

Hotel nights: A range of characteristic hotels, all very friendly Grade: 3 - 4 £2,090 / $3,450 (+DFS £70 / $120)

20-27 September: Alto Teruel 8 Days, Spain

Alto Teruel Independent: 8 days

Route open until September 30: £780/ $1,290

The Baroque, Carthusian Certosa di San Lorenzo diPadula (or Padula Charterhouse) is the largest

monastery in Italy (12.7 acres), and has the largest cloisterin the world (2.97 acres), surrounded by 84 columns.Begun in 1306 and completed more than 400 years later,its design emulates a gridiron – a metal grate with parallelbars – evoking the live burning of a saint. Its museumhouses finds from excavations from two importantnecropoli discovered in the environs, representing theperiod from protohistory to the Hellenistic Age. Alsonotable are the cloister’s 16th century choir stalls with fineintarsia decoration, high altar and main door dating backto 1374, and the magnificent grand, white marblestaircase leading to the library.

Two little-known areas south of Naples – medievalPadula, its rich heritage dating back 3,000 years, andNorthern Calabria, its high grassy hills offeringinspiring walking.

Hotel nights: 2 at 5*, 5 at 4* Grade: 3 - 4£2,295 / $3,790 (+DFS £140 / $235)

3-10 Oct: Padula & Northern Calabria 8 Days, Italy

Portugal’s wild west coast with some of Europe’s largestwaves, the protected Serra da Sintra, and UNESCO Heritagesite of Sintra itself, with its castles, palaces and gardens.

Hotel nights: 5 at 5*, 2 at 3* (2 at Michelin* restaurant) Grade: 2 - 3£2,970 / $4,905 (+DFS £504 / $835)

4-11 Oct: Sintra & the Portuguese Coast 8 Days, Portugal

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Route open until October 31: From £995 / $1,645

Southern Tuscany Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 31: From £540 / $895

Two great wine areas, two of Italy’s finest abbeys,medieval hill towns and Renaissance Pienza. World-Class art. Inspiring walking, flowers, birds – andfabulous Siena.

Hotel nights: 5 at very comfortable 3*, 1 at 4* and 5* Grade: 3£2,660 / $4,390 (+DFS £294 / $490)

4-11 October: Southern Tuscan Trail 8 Days, Italy

5BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

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Sail the Aegean, anchoring to explore the islands onfoot. Nights in picturesque harbours, and finally dinnerwith classical music in the floodlit site of Ephesus.

Hotel nights: 7 on a luxury yacht, 2 in cottages Grade: 1 - 2£3,995 / $6,595 (+DFS £882 / $1,460)

10-19 October:Ephesus & the Dodecanese

10 Days,Turkey& Greece

11-18 October: Amalfi CoastSome of Italy’s most idyllic coastal scenery andimpressive picturesque towns and fishing villages.Walk along ancient stepped paths between villages,farms, churches and monasteries: the “Path of theGods” high above the sea.

Hotel nights: 7 at 4* Grade: 3£3,195 / $5,275 (+DFS £672 / $1,110)

8 Days, Italy

Amalfi Coast Independent: 5 or 8 days

Route open until October 31: From £675 / $1,115

Walk across the island twice! Fine, rugged scenerywith immense views, dramatic gorges, mountains andsea. Picturesque hill villages and delightful people.

Comfortable mountain/village hotels throughout (B+C grade)Grade: 3 - 4 £2,950 / $4,870 (+DFS £160 / $265)

13-23 October: Western Crete 11 Days, Greece

Inspiring mountain walking, fine monasteries,picturesque mountain villages and spectacular viewsacross the island and sea.

Hotel nights: 2 at 5*, 4 at 4*, 1 at simple sanctuary Grade: 4£3,095 / $5,110 (+DFS £623 / $1,030)

17-24 Oct: Mallorca: Mountains & Sea 8 Days, Spain

Hotel nights: 4 at 4*, 3 at very comfortable 3* Grade: 2 - 3£3,095 / $5,110 (+DFS £385 / $640)

20-27 October: Paths to Barolo 8 Days, Italy

Walk through the wooded Langhe hills and Barolovineyards: a picturesque patchwork interspersed withwoods, hill-top villages and castles. The area is famed asmuch for its food as its renowned wines.

Venetians’ Venice – lunch at private palazzo on theGrand Canal, a private visit to the cathedral of SanMarco in an exclusive itinerary, staying at the 5* Danieli.

Hotel nights: 4 at 5* Danieli Grade: 1 £2,920 / $4,820 (+DFS £432 / $715)

6-10 November: Secret Venice 5 Days, Italy

Medieval hill towns, art and landscape.Walk down from Monte Subasio onChristmas Eve – to spend Christmas Eve,day and night in Assisi.

Hotel nights: 5 at 4* Grade: 2 - 3 £1,995 / $3,295 (+DFS: £195 / $325)

21-26 December: Assisi Christmas 6 Days, Italy

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure: desert, hotsprings, lakes, fjords, glaciers and peaks;fabulous walking, unforgettable scenery –all in style.Hotel nights: 9 at 5*, 3 at 4*, 3 at 3* Grade: 2 - 3+ £9,325 / $15,390 (+DFS £1,790 / $2,955)

10-25 November: Discovering Chile 16 Days

Discover Oman’s subtropical coast, deserts,mountain villages, spectacular wadis, luxurydesert camping, and Muscat’s best hotel. Allthis and plenty of walking.Hotel nights: 3 at 5*, 3 at 4*, 2 at 3 *, 2 at Eco lodge, 2 campingGrade: 2+ - 3 £4,995 / $8,245 (+DFS £1,015 / $1,675)

6-18 November: Discovering Oman 13 Days

6

What’s so special?

Pieve a Castello is distinguished by

its fine, historically important

architecture from the 8th century,

situated in idyllic Tuscan countryside.

It has a timeless, peaceful

atmosphere that makes it a

wonderful place to relax and enjoy.

It is also the perfect location from

which to explore one of the world’s

richest and most influential areas of

cultural heritage, with some of

Europe’s finest and best-preserved

medieval and Renaissance towns

and villages, and over 60% of the

greatest works of Art in the

Western World within 35 miles.

Where is it?

Pieve a Castello is located between

Florence (35 miles/50 minutes) and

Siena (15 miles/25 minutes) in

central Tuscany, with quick, easy

access by superstrada-autostrada to

airports and the rest of Italy.

What is it?

Pieve a Castello is a complex of

buildings, on a fortified site dating

(excavations indicate) from the 5th

century BC. Today’s buildings date

from 600-750 AD, when, using some

of the ancient foundations, the site

was extended to provide overnight

accommodation for the increasing

number of travellers on the Via

Francigena, ‘the main road to Rome’.

As a thriving Augustinian canonry,

with extensive lands and 33 smaller

dependent canonries, it welcomed

(literally) millions of travellers,

including recorded visits by Popes

and Emperors, on their way to and

from Rome.

Images: CW = Christopher Whinney; CB = Chris Bartle

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Common Order What do NicholasBreakspear (1100-1159, the only EnglishPope – Adrian IV – from 1154-59), themystic Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471),and the Christian Humanist andscholar Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) have in common?

Answer: all were Augustinian CanonsRegular. This was the Order of Canonsthat, for seven centuries, ran thecanonry of Santa Maria (now Pieve) aCastello, the overnight stopping placeon the Via Francigena, the earlymedieval ‘main road to Rome’.

This fortified complex of early 8thCentury buildings played host tocountless travellers, including recordedvisits by Emperors and Popes – ontheir way to or from Rome. NicholasBreakspear is known to have travelleddown the Via Francigena from Francein 1149 prior to his appointment asCardinal Bishop of Albano, and lateras Papal Legate to Scandinavia – fromwhere he returned in 1154.

In 1156, in an attempt to quell conflictin Rome, Pope Adrian IV issued aninterdict, suspending administration ofmost religious rites in the city. Thisdecimated lucrative pilgrim traffic tothe city, and on all roads to Rome.

In the same year Pope Adrian IVissued a document granting privilegesto Santa Maria (now Pieve) a Castello…

Was this a coincidence? Or help for hisfellow Canons Regular, at a placewhere he had almost certainly stayedon several occasions, to secure itagainst fluctuations in the number ofpilgrims travelling the Via Francigena –upon which the canonry dependedfor its income and survival …?

Footnotes

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hoW does it Work?

Your stay at Pieve a Castello will

be on an all-inclusive ‘house-guest’

basis. Everything is included – all

meals, wines, drinks and snacks

between meals, all transfers, all

scheduled visits and excursions,

for guests wishing to participate in

the escorted programme offered.

Mornings at Pieve a Castello are

relaxed. Breakfast, from 7.45 to

11.00, is served in the courtyard

when the weather is fine – an

extensive buffet, with cooked

breakfast available between 8.00

and 9.00.

Lunch is available on the lower

(covered) terrace between 1.00

and 2.00pm each day, whilst those

out on a scheduled excursion will

enjoy a celebrated ATG picnic.

Snacks and drinks…between

meals: Each room has a fridge-bar

re-stocked once a day with

complimentary bottled water, soft

drinks, beer and light snacks.

There is also a guest kitchen with

coffee, tea and a selection of fruit

and a home-made cake or

biscuits. In the library a selection

of alcoholic drinks is also available.

Pre-dinner drinks are served in

the library or on the library

terrace from 7.00pm. These are

accompanied by freshly made

appetizers from the chef.

Dinner is served in the arcaded

octagonal former baptistery, or in

the courtyard ‘under the stars’. It

comprises three courses and fine

wines. After dinner coffee and

drinks are then served in the

library or on the library terrace.

perfectly preserved

The canonry was abandoned in

1400 AD, but remained in an

outstanding state of preservation,

with all its architecturally

important buildings still intact. Its

proto-Romanesque basilica-style

church is a rare survival, whilst its

early 8th century arcaded

octagonal baptistery, is the finest,

and almost only such building

remaining from the period.

Today, following 20 years of

restoration works, ‘Pieve a

Castello’ – some of the oldest still-

inhabited structures in Europe,

again welcomes travellers. Winner

of a ‘World Legacy Award’ for

Heritage tourism, it operates as a

Residenza d’Epoca (historic

building converted to

accommodate guests).

What is there?

There are 10 bedrooms,

originally built for multiple

occupancy by early medieval

travellers. All now have private

en-suite facilities and views of

the central courtyard and open

countryside.

The church and one chapel

offer recording-quality acoustics

and sound systems, and music,

including some recorded at

Pieve a Castello. There is a fine

concert grand piano, and

classical concerts every Friday

evening, followed by a gala

dinner.

The arcaded octagonal

baptistery, that in medieval

times, like the church, had

general daily use – for travellers

to meet, eat and sleep, as well as

for baptisms, is now used for

dining.

There is a well-stocked library

with many books about the

area, and several comfortable

sitting areas, as well as seating in

the courtyard and on shaded

terraces.

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Images: CW = Christopher Whinney; CB = Chris Bartle

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Which Week to

choose?

Whichever week you choose

will give you a unique insight

into the area, its culture and

heritage. As one client wrote:

Our week at wonderful, ancient

Pieve a Castello took us far

beyond the restless superficiality

of ‘tourism’. It made us feel from

the outset that we were privileged

insiders who genuinely belonged.

As an authentic travel experience

this is as good as it gets.

Pieve a Castello offers different

itineraries that explore the

area’s wide range of outstanding

World-Class interests. Each

week is accompanied by a

renowned ATG Tour Leader and

Tour Manager.

making it happen

To ‘make it happen’ – each

evening before dinner there is a

presentation of the next day’s

‘theme’, or focus of interest, and

related programme of activities

and excursions. If there is an

escorted walk, a wine tasting,

cookery demonstration, concert

or excursion to explore – e.g. –

‘legacy of the Etruscans’, and

you would prefer to swim, read,

listen to music, go for an

independent walk or bicycle

ride, or just enjoy being in this

‘very special place on the

planet’, Pieve a Castello is there

for you to enjoy ‘as you like it’.

What is there to do

and see…?

The location, between Florence

and Siena provides enough

places of outstanding historic

and cultural interest to last a

lifetime of exploration, with

almost unlimited opportunities

to access, not only the wealth of

world-renowned Heritage sites,

but also the many other

outstanding, but little-known,

sites, in this area burgeoning

with places of unsurpassed

cultural interest: ‘Secret Tuscany’.

Whilst the diversity of

sightseeing opportunities is of

an incomparably high standard –

so, too, are the opportunities for

exploring the area on foot.

A legacy of centuries when the

bustling Via Francigena carried

millions of travellers annually to

and from Rome, is a network of

major and minor, supply and

access routes, over 200 miles of

which fan out from Pieve a

Castello. These ancient routes,

now paths and tracks, ideal for

walking, lead through vineyards,

olive groves, meadows and

forest to iconic destinations

such as Siena, Monteriggioni and

San Gimignano.

These destinations can also be

reached by bicycle along quiet

country gravel roads and tracks.

A substantial booklet with a

variety of self-guided walks

(from 1 to 7 hours) is part of

the information pack provided

to each guest.

THE pool

Whether to cool off after a walk

or activity, to swim for exercise,

or to simply enjoy its ambience,

the 50-foot pool (open May-

October) guarantees to delight!

It has salt filtration and is lined

with travertine (marble) – the

water surface giving soft

reflections of the ancient

buildings and organic vegetable

gardens which supply the kitchens.

A fascinating immersion experience…

This unique, ‘’insider’s experience’’,includes two hours of each morning(days 2–7) spent in ‘immersion’ Italianlanguage sessions, tailored to all levelsof ability. Included, too, is a view of therace from one of the best-situatedwindows on the piazza…

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport wetravel by road (1.5 hours) to Pieve aCastello. After time to relax there will bea tour of this unique complex of early8th century buildings. Eveningpresentation: The Palio, its History,

Celebrations and Traditions

Day 2 After language session, apresentation on the history,celebrations and traditions of the Palio.After lunch, enjoy a two-hour walkthrough the Tuscan countryside.

Day 3 After a relaxed morning at Pievea Castello, we travel to Siena for theTratta – drawing lots to select the horsesfor the Palio and allotment of thesehorses to the Contrade. Lunch in Siena.

Day 4 Morning and lunch at Pieve aCastello, followed by a walk toMonteriggioni (3-4 hours). Optional:Siena – early evening procession of theVotive Choir of the Contrade.

Day 5 In the afternoon we visit Sienafor the ‘Prova Generale’ (fifth and finalrace trials) and we are privileged to jointhe ‘Cena Propriziatoria/Cena dellaProva Generale’ (a very special dinner)at a contrada.

Day 6 The day of the Palio! In theafternoon we depart for Siena.

Day 7 Morning review of the previousday’s unforgettable events! Afternoonwalk through the Montagnola Senese(2-3 hours), before a ‘gala’ dinner.

Day 8 Transfer to Pisa airport.

SIENA & THE PALIO

Itineraries in brief...

MEDIEVAL TRAVELLER

10

PIEVE: AS YOU LIKE IT

Dates & Prices

For over 700 years travellers on theVia Francigena, the ‘main road toRome’, stayed overnight at Pieve aCastello. This itinerary explores theearly medieval ‘road’ (today tracks andpaths) and fascinating world of themedieval traveller.

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport wetravel by road (1.5 hours) to Pieve aCastello. After time to relax, there willbe a tour of the 8th century complex.Evening presentation: Pieve a Castello

& the Medieval Traveller

Day 2 We walk through idylliccountryside to discover some of theancient major and minor routes of thearea, and what influenceddevelopments and changes (5 miles/2.5 hours). Evening presentation: The

Via Francigena

Day 3 We walk through forests of theMontagnola to an iconic medievalvillage – one of the dependentcanonries (6 miles/3 hours). Eveningpresentation: Medieval Enterprise &

Travel

Day 4 We drive for 15 minutes, thenwalk following the route of the earlymedieval Via Francigena to ‘Castello delBosco’ – now San Gimignano – with itsfamous towers. (8 miles/4 hours).Evening presentation: Medieval

Travellers – What they Wore, Carried

& Ate

Day 5 We follow the Via Francigenasouthwards through forest to afrescoed church (8 miles, 4 hours) andreturn to Pieve a Castello for lunch.Evening presentation: Medieval Pilgrims

Day 6 We drive (30 mins), then walkfollowing the Via Francigena to Siena,with time to explore the ‘best-preservedgreat medieval city in Europe’. Eveningpresentation: Age of Miracles

Day 7 We drive (10 mins) to a nearbyabbey, which we visit before exploringsome impressive variants to the ViaFrancigena, returning to Pieve aCastello on foot (6 miles/3 hours).Evening concert and gala dinner atPieve a Castello.

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road(1.5 hours).

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport wedrive (1.5 hours) to Pieve a Castellowhere, after time to relax, there will bea tour of this unique complex of early8th century buildings. Eveningpresentation: Mills & Tunnels

Day 2 We drive to nearby Colle di Vald’Elsa and explore the network ofancient mill-races and tunnel streets.Afternoon walk, following the ViaFrancigena from Colle to Pieve aCastello (6.6 miles/3.5 hours). Eveningpresentation: Life on the Via Francigena

Day 3 We drive (25 mins), then walk,enjoying spectacular views of SanGimignano. After a visit and lunch, anexcursion to the nearly iconic village ofMonteriggioni offers the opportunity towalk back to Pieve a Castello (8.5miles/4 hours). Evening presentation:The Sword in the Stone

Day 4 We drive (45 mins) to visit thehuge, roofless Abbey of San Galgano,and small domed church containingthe ‘Sword in the Stone’. After visiting afrescoed hermitage and a church onthe ancient Via Francigena, paths leadback to Pieve a Castello (7.5 miles/3.5-4 hours). Evening presentation:Volterra

Day 5 We drive (50 mins) to Volterra,and visit the excellent Etruscan museum,cathedral, fine public buildings, andworks of Art…. Optional afternoon walk(5 miles/2.5 hours), following the 10thCentury Via Francigena back to Pieve aCastello. Evening presentation: Monte

Oliveto Maggiore

Day 6 We drive (1 hour) to visit thegreat Abbey of Monte OlivetoMaggiore, with its frescoed cloister.After a private tour of the abbey wewalk through scenery of the crete downto the Asso Valley (5 miles/2.5-3 hours).Evening presentation and tasting:Chianti!

Day 7 We drive (25 mins) into theChianti hills to visit a renowned wineestate for a tasting. Afternoon free,before a concert and gala dinner atPieve a Castello

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road(1.5 hours).

Remaining Dates 2015

Pieve: As You Like ItAugust 29September 5 & 26October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Dates 2016All trips run Saturday-Saturday, exceptSiena & the Palio (Monday-Monday).

April2 Tuscan Legacy9 Medieval Traveller16 Tuscan Legacy23 Medieval Traveller 30 As You Like It

May7 Tuscan Gardens14 Tuscan Legacy21 Medieval Traveller28 As You Like It

June4 Tuscan Gardens11 Tuscan Gardens18 As You Like It27 Siena & the Palio (Mon-Mon)

July2 Tuscan Gardens9 As You Like It16 As You Like It23 Medieval Traveller30 Medieval Traveller

August6 As You Like It13 Tuscan Legacy20 Medieval Traveller27 As You Like It

September3 As You Like It10 Medieval Traveller17 As You Like It24 Tuscan Legacy

October1 Tuscan Gardens8 As You Like It15 Medieval Traveller22 Tuscan Legacy29 Tuscan Legacy

Note: Departures can be booked forprivate groups (subject to availability), with any of the above itineraries.

PricesMedieval Traveller Grade 2-3*£2,195 / US$3,625 DFS: £308 / US$510

Tuscan Legacy Grade 2-3£2,195 / US$3,625 DFS: £308 / US$510

As You Like It Grade 1-2£2,195 / US$3,625 DFS: £308 / US$510

Tuscan Gardens Grade 1£2,295 / US$3,790 DFS: £308 / US$510

Siena & the Palio Grade 1-2£3,450 / US$5,695 DFS: £308 / US$510

*See page 25 for Grades information.

Itineraries in brief...

11

TUSCAN LEGACYTUSCAN GARDENS

CW

Pieve a Castello is an ideal base fromwhich explore Tuscany’s profoundLegacy – that has done so much tofashion Western Civilization today.

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport wedrive (1.5 hours) to Pieve a Castello.After time to relax there will be an(optional) guided tour of the 8thcentury complex. Eveningpresentation: Etruscan Legacy

Day 2 We drive (45 mins) to the greatEtruscan city of Volterra where we visitimpressive Etruscan tombs, extensivewalls and the excellent Etruscanmuseum. We return via Roman bathsand walk back (45 mins). Eveningpresentation: Siena: the Legacy

Day 3 We drive (25 mins) to Siena,and walk to enjoy iconic paintings byDuccio, Lorenzetti and others.Opportunity to walk part way back toPieve a Castello along the ViaFrancigena (6 miles/3 hours). Eveningpresentation: Language Legacy –Dante, Petrarch & Boccaccio

Day 4 We visit nearby iconic locationsthat proudly feature associations withlocal writers on whose works theItalian language was modelled: SanGimignano, Certaldo and – on footfrom Pieve a Castello – Monteriggioni(4 hours). Evening presentation:The Renaissance

Day 5 We drive (45 mins) towardsFlorence, which we approach on footalong quiet lanes to San Miniato alMonte, from where a path descendsto an arched gate in the city walls. Wecross the Ponte Vecchio to visit theUffizi Gallery. Evening presentation:Leonardo: the Legacy

Day 6 We look at the legacy ofTuscan, world-renowned cuisine andwine. We drive (25 mins) to visit arenowned wine estate for a tasting.Optional walk and late afternoonCookery Demonstration.

Day 7 Free day with visit to the localmarket, and walk (6 miles/3 hours) tonearby Etruscan beacon. EveningPresentation: Tuscan Legacy, followedby a concert and gala dinner at Pievea Castello.

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road(1.5 hours).

Three great centres of Italiangardens – Lucca, Florence and Siena,with outstanding Tuscan gardensrepresenting their development fromthe early Renaissance through tomodern times.

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport wedrive (30 mins) to Lucca. Time toexplore this delightful city before dinner.

Day 2 We visit the Villa Reale, anhistoric garden noted for itsmagnificent trees; and Villa Torrigiani –an elaborate villa, which we cannormally visit, set in a formal garden.

Day 3 We drive (1 hour, 15 mins) toFlorence, where we visit the house andgardens of the Villa della Petraia andgardens of the Villa Reale at Castello,designed for Cosimo di Medici. Afterlunch we cross Florence to visit thedelightful Villa Gamberaia, muchappreciated by Edith Wharton. Wethen continue on to Pieve a Castello(1 hour).

Day 4 Free day with optional visit toSiena and afternoon walk in thecountryside around Pieve a Castello(2-3 hours).

Day 5 We drive into southern Tuscany(1.5 hours), visiting small historic formalgardens in San Quirico d’Orcia andPienza, en route to visiting the superblysituated Renaissance-style gardens ofLa Foce, creation and former home ofIris Origo. Return to Pieve a Castello(1.5 hours).

Day 6 We drive (25 mins) through thewooded Montagnola behind Pieve aCastello, to visit a ‘Peruzzi’ garden: theCastello di Celsa. We then walk (30mins each way) to enjoy a bird's-eyeview of the Villa Cetinale gardens,which we visit. After a picnic lunch,there is the option of a walk back toPieve a Castello from the hamlet of SanChimento (1.5-2.5 hours dependingon route).

Day 7 Visit to local market at Colle diVal d'Elsa, and optional walk backtowards Pieve a Castello (1.5 hours).After lunch we drive (40 mins) to enjoya private tour of the fascinating VillaGeggiano, near Siena.

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road(1.5 hours).

CW

Images: CW = Christopher Whinney

Day 1 After arrival at Marseille airport

we travel by road (1 hour) to St. Rémy-

de-Provence, where we stay for two

nights. Early evening exploration of the

walled medieval town.

Day 2 A short walk brings us to the

site of Glanum, the Greek/Roman

town, once the home of Julia, daughter

of the Emperor Augustus (31BC-14AD).

We then drive (30 mins) through

countryside that so inspired Van Gogh,

to Arles. Here we visit the Arletan

Museum of Provençal Life, and stroll

through ancient streets, past high

Roman and medieval walls, the Roman

amphitheatre, theatre, forum, temples

and baths, as well as the Romanesque

church of St Trophime. After lunch we

visit the fortified village of Les-Baux-

de-Provence, from where we walk,

following a ridge with views across

scented scrub-covered hills, isolated

farms, olive groves, vineyards and pine

woods – back to St Rémy (5 miles/2.5

hours). Time to relax and enjoy the

gardens and pool of our hotel before

dinner at its renowned restaurant.

Day 3 We walk past the monastery of

St-Paul-de-Mausole, where Van Gogh

stayed (May 1889-May 1890) and

painted ‘A Wheatfield, with Cypresses’,

‘Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the

Background’ and, one of his best-

known paintings, ‘Starry Night’. We

walk up through pine woods to the

ridge of the Alpilles, enjoying

panoramic views across southern

Provence to the sea. After descending

to the fertile plain, and a picnic lunch,

we continue by road (40 mins) to our

unique 5* hotel (with its Michelin*

restaurant) realised from bories –

ancient dry-stone dwellings – near the

village of Gordes, with views to the

Lubéron massif. (Walking 6 miles/4

hours).

Day 4 We drive (15 mins) to Fontaine-

de-Vaucluse, where we visit the source

of the river Sorgue, the world’s fifth

largest spring, that gushes from

beneath the Vaucluse at 500 million

cubic metres annually. We see the

house where Petrarch wrote his

‘Canzoniere’ (Song Book) of 360

poems to ‘Laura’ (see Footnotes page

13). We then set off on foot through

impressive scenery, flower-filled and

scrub and forest, to the Cistercian

Abbey of Sénanque (founded 1148),

idyllically situated amongst lavender

fields in a deep secluded valley, from

where an ancient path takes us back to

our hotel (9.1 miles/5 hours).

Day 5 From the village of Gordes,

dominated by its château, we walk

down ancient streets to the Coulon

Valley, and through fields of wheat,

lavender – and poppies (!) to the

village of Roussillon, situated on an

outcrop of ochre rock. We walk

through the famous ochre quarries

and down the picturesque main street

of the village, with its houses built of

variously coloured ochre rock (7.2

miles/3.5 hours). Our hotel, with its

quiet central location, offers views

across the valley to hills of the

Vaucluse and Lubéron.

Day 6 We follow paths and farm

tracks down to the valley to a Roman

bridge (built 3BC), then through

The best of Provence: walking in tiny mountains with

long views, landscapes of Van Gogh, Roman towns,

picturesque medieval villages, vineyards and

lavender fields. Excellent hotels and four dinners

in MichelinH/HH restaurants!

ITINERARY

12

Classic Provence

MetresFeet300020001000

0

915610305

0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Miles

Day 2 Day 3 Day 5Day 4 Day 6

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Gordes Roussillon Bonnieux

40

Day 7

Saint Rémy

meadows and olive groves, up towards

the col between the Grand Lubéron

and Petit Lubéron ‘mountains’, and the

village of Bonnieux, its ramparts still

visible, its houses rising on terraces to

its 12C parish church surrounded by

cedar trees (9.3 miles/5 hours). Our

hotel for two nights (4* with **Michelin

restaurant) is a fine, converted manor

house, with gardens and extensive

views, in a quiet location a short walk

from the village.

Day 7 Time to enjoy the hotel and its

facilities, with an opportunity to walk,

and picnic, in the ‘mountains’ of the

Lubéron, to enjoy the wild scenery,

relatively easy paths, and spectacular

views (7 miles/3.5 hours).

Day 8 We return by road to Marseille

airport (1 hour).

u Destination airport: Marseille

u Fitness: Grade 2 - 3 ('Grade' info: see page 25)

u Days of walking: 6

u Shortest / longest walk: 2.5 / 5 hours

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE

ACCOMMODATION

NIGHTS 1 & 2

Saint-Rémy

Mas des Carassins

HHH

NIGHT 5

Roussillon

Le Clos de laGlycine

HHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Bonnieux

Domaine deCapelongue

HHHH

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Gordes

Les Bories

HHHHH

new trip

2016 DATES 2016 PRICES

£3,795 / US$6,265

Double-for-singlesupplement

£665 / US$1,100

22 Apr - 29 Apr

9 Oct - 16 Oct

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

0 5 10 miles

Lourmarin

Bonnieux

Grand Lubéron

RoussillonGordes

Oppède les Vieux

Arles

Saint-Rémy

Fontaine deVaucluse

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Van Gogh's A Wheatfield, with Cypresses – a landscape through which we walk

13

Hotels 8

WORLD-CLASSINTERESTS

Restaurants 9

Wine area 9

Scenery 9

Walking 8

Flowers 8

Birds 7

Wildlife 6

Geology 6

Cultural 8

History 9

Art 7

Architecture 8

Environment 7

FOOD & WINE

Paths over hills are stony and dryunderfoot (even after rain). In thevalleys – quiet asphalt lanes,woodland and farmland tracks,paths across open country.

TERRAIN

For four nights of this trip we dineat MichelinH/HH restaurants. Therange of excellent local produce,and strong traditions of Provençalcuisine, make dining onsuccessive nights at restaurants ofthis quality a truly worthwhileexperience.

The cuisine is complemented bywines from the area, known fortheir delicate flavour, with well-balanced reds, crisp whites andlimpid rosés.

Francesco Petrarca(1304 – 1374, anglicized: ‘Petrarch’),was born in Arezzo, Tuscany, andspent his early years at Incisa, nearFlorence. In 1309 his father, a lawyer,and friend of (exiled) Dante Alighieri(see Tuscan trail Footnotes on page17), escaped the violent conflicts inFlorence, and followed Clement V,the first ‘Avignon Pope’, to France.The family lived in Avignon andnearby Carpentras. In 1316 he wassent to study Law at Montpellier, thenBologna, and after ‘seven wastedyears’ he returned to Avignon, wherehe took Minor Holy Orders.

Then on 6 April 1327, the sight of awoman called ‘Laura’ in the church of

Sainte-Claire d’Avignon, awoke inPetrarch a lasting passion. At hishouse in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse hestarted to write what became thecelebrated ‘Il Canzoniere’ (‘SongBook’): 360 poems to ‘Laura’ – whomhe possibly never met!

Petrarchestablished areputation as apoet, scholar,philosopher,prolific letter-writer, andadventurous

traveller throughout Europe – ‘forpleasure’ (combined with occasionaldiplomatic missions).

His rediscovery of Cicero’s letters,together with his pioneeringhumanist views, are credited forinitiating the 14th-centuryRenaissance. His sonnets were widelyadmired and adopted as a model forRenaissance lyrical poetry, and when,in the 16th century, Pietro Bembocreated the model for the modernItalian Language, he based this onthe works of Petrarch, Boccaccio, andto a lesser extent, Dante Alighieri.

In his will he left 50 florins to hisfriend Boccaccio ‘to buy a warmwinter dressing gown’, and his housein Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to thecaretaker.

Footnotes

©

©

VIbRANT COLOURS AND CONTRASTS

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

Day 1 After arrival at Montpellier

airport we travel by road to Ganges

(1 hour) and our hotel in a peaceful

setting next to the River Hérault.

Day 2 From Ganges, we follow a

ridge with fine views across low hills

of the Cévenol countryside before

descending through woods to Pont

d’Hérault, picturesquely sited at the

confluence of the Rivers Hérault and

Arre (8.8 miles/4.5 hours).

Day 3 Enthusiastic walkers start

early for a challenging day of

walking. A steep (then steady) ascent

through woods and pastures is

rewarded with spectacular views

across the Cévennes National Park.

After lunch we follow tracks through

woods and meadows to the

mountain village of L’Espérou

(1,230m/4,035ft), at the foot of Mont

Aigoual. The full walk is 15 miles/8

hours, but there are opportunities to

shorten this significantly.

Day 4 After a steep start on a rocky

path, we climb gently through

woods. We then follow paths

through forests of beech trees, and

grassy tracks lead us along a ridge

with wonderful views, before

descending on easy paths through

woods and fields, to our 4* hotel in a

peaceful setting just outside Meyrueis

(710m/2,330ft), at the head of the

Jonte Gorge. (10.4 miles/6 hours).

Day 5 We walk up from Meyrueis,

via panoramic views over the Jonte

River, onto the undulating, limestone

Causse de Mejean (1,150m/3,773ft),

to visit the beautiful, astonishing

Aven Armand cave, 100 metres

below the causse. (6.9 miles/3.5

hours). Afternoon free to enjoy the

hotel or explore Meyrueis.

Day 6 From Aven Armand we

continue our walk across the

inspiring landscapes of the vast, open

moorland plateau of the Causse de

Méjean, then descend into the

splendid scenery of the Tarn Gorge,

and Le Rozier (405m/1,328ft), which

lies at the confluence of the Tarn and

Jonte Rivers. (14 miles/7 hours).

Day 7 We walk up through pine and

oak forests to the plateau of the

Causse Noir (929m/3,047ft). Easy

paths then take us through forests,

farmland and the extraordinary rock

formations for which the Causse Noir

is renowned. We then descend

through cherry orchards into the

fertile Tarn Valley, and on to our

chateau hotel with excellent

restaurant, just outside Millau

(370m/1,214ft) (14.7 miles/8 hours).

Day 8 Return by road to Montpellier

airport (1.5 hours).

u Destination airport: Montpellier

u Continuous route

u Fitness: Grade 3+ - 4('Grade' info: see page 25)

u Days of walking: 6

u Shortest / longest walk: 3.5 / 8 hours

High forested hills, magnificent gorges and open rolling

plateaux carpeted by flowers in early summer. Eagles and

griffon vultures, plunging caverns, and excellent country

cooking, everything that eluded R L Stevenson and his donkey!

ITINERARY

8 DAY TRIP, FRANCE

ACCOMMODATION

NIGHT 6

Le Rozier

Grand Hôtelde la Muse

HHH

14

Across the Cévennes

NIGHT 1

Ganges

Hôtel les Norias

HHH

NIGHT 2

Pont d'Hérault

Chez Maurice

HHH

NIGHT 3

L’Espérou

Hôtel Touring

HH

NIGHTS 4 & 5

Meyrueis

Château d’Ayres

HHHH

Pont d'Hérault Le RozierMeyrueis Aven Armand MillauL‘EspérouGanges

Day 2

Feet Metres

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

183015351220

915610305

0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60Miles

Day 3 Day 7Day 5 Day 6Day 4

65

back for 2016!

22 May - 29 May

9 Oct - 16 Oct

2016 DATES 2016 PRICES

£2,395 / US$3,955

Double-for-singlesupplement

£145 / US$245

NIGHT 7

Millau

Château deCreissels

HHH

Astonishing Aven Armand cave, deep below the Causse de Méjean

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Millau

Le Rozier

GORGESDU TARN

GORGESDE LA JONTE

Meyrueis

L‘Espérou

Pont d’Hérault

Aven Armand

0 5 10 miles Ganges

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Breathtaking views across the Cévennes National Park

15

Hotels 6

WORLD-CLASSINTERESTS

Restaurants 7

Wine area 7

Scenery 10

Walking 10

Flowers 10

Birds 9

Wildlife 7

Geology 10

Cultural 6

History 7

Art N/A

Architecture N/A

Environment 8

THE MOST ExHILARATING WALK IN FRANCE

©

FOOD & WINE

TERRAIN

Lamb from the causses, venisonand wild mushrooms from theCévennes, trout from streams andwide variety of cheeses includingthe famous Roquefort. Cuisineranges from country cooking of ahigh standard to regional style withrobust local dishes using aromaticherbs. Good wines from theHérault Valley and Languedocregion like Faugères and St.Chinian; noteworthy wines fromthe Aveyron such as Marcillac.

Walking with (‘driving’)donkeys – i.e. 'muleteering' – has along history in the Cévennes. Untilthe late 19th century it was one ofMeyrueis's main sources of income. Itwas also in 1878 that Robert LouisStevenson published an account thatmade him a precursor of walking andcamping holidays: as a therapyfollowing the end of his relationship

with Fanny Vandegrift Osbourne

(whom he would later marry), he

walked 120 miles (his itinerary is now

GR70, east of Mont Aigoual) in the

company of stubborn donkey

Modestine, an experience he

retraced in one of his early works,

‘Travels With a Donkey in the

Cévennes’. An extract:

For my part, I travel not to go

anywhere, but to go. I travel for

travel's sake. The great affair is to

move; to feel the needs and hitches of

our life more clearly; to come down

off this feather-bed of civilization, and

find the globe granite underfoot and

strewn with cutting flints. Alas, as we

get up in life, and are more

preoccupied with our affairs, even a

holiday is a thing that must be

worked for. To hold a pack upon a

pack-saddle against a gale out of the

freezing north is no high industry, but

it is one that serves to occupy and

compose the mind. And when the

present is so exacting who can annoy

himself about the future?

Footnotes

©

Forest, mule, sheep and farm tracksand quiet country lanes. Rockypaths on two days. High forestedhills of the Cévennes and openrolling plateaux of the causses withsparse pastures and scrubintersected by dramatic gorges.

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

Day 1 After arrival at Pisa airport we

travel by road (1 hour) to the ancient

hill-top city of Volterra (531m/1,739ft)

where we stay for two nights at a

converted convent (4* with a pool),

in the walled medieval centre.

Day 2 We walk through the

medieval streets, through an arched

gateway, and down to an olive grove

beneath which lie extensive Etruscan

tombs, excavations from which, in

Volterra’s excellent Etruscan museum,

provide much of our understanding

of the city’s highly-developed ancient

civilisation. After visiting the tombs

and Etruscan museum, we walk to

enjoy evidence of Volterra’s Etruscan,

Roman, and medieval past (4.5

miles/3 hours). There is also time, ‘at

leisure’ to discover the alabaster

workshops for which the city is renowned.

Day 3 We walk down an ancient

paved Etruscan path into the valley

from where we follow farm tracks to

a ridge, with panoramic views back

to Volterra. After an ATG picnic, our

way lies through forest from which

we emerge to spectacular views of

the walled hill town of San Gimignano

(324m/1,061ft), ‘the medieval

Manhattan’, with its famous tower

houses, and walk up through olive

groves and vineyards to an arched

gate in the medieval walls (15.4 miles/

8 hours). Our hotel on the central

‘Piazza Cisterna’ occupies one of the

famous tower houses. We walk through

the evening streets of this once

bustling overnight stopping place on

the Via Francigena, the medieval

‘main road to Rome’, and dine at one

of the town’s best restaurants.

Day 4 Morning to explore San

Gimignano (before the day-visitors

arrive) – its medieval tower houses

built by rival families, of which there

were once 72 – the tallest rising to

over 70 metres (230ft) – and its fine

frescoed churches. There are also

good shopping opportunities! We

then walk into the country for a

picnic lunch, before continuing

through archetypal Tuscan landscapes

to enter the walled town of Colle di

Val d’Elsa (262m/858ft) through a

fine fortified gateway (8.7 miles/4.5

hours). We stay in ‘Colle Alta’, the

high walled town, where in the Middle

Ages, despite having 52 tower houses,

increasing population led to building

over the streets of the fortified town,

creating Italy’s finest ‘tunnel streets’!

The pedestrian circuit of the medieval

walls is an ATG Trust project.

Day 5 We walk across a plateau with

small stone villages, vineyards, olive

groves, meadows and woods. We

pass some Roman baths, and visit a

fine Romanesque abbey church

before walking, in the footsteps of

Dante Alighieri (see Footnotes page

17), who visited the village in 1300 as

an ambassador for the Guelf League,

up to the walls and 14 watchtowers

of our destination – Monteriggioni

(11.6 miles/6 hours). We stay in the

heart of this tiny iconic village at a

converted palazzo, with a pool in an

olive grove and dine at a renowned

restaurant ‘across the street’.

Day 6 Our walk takes us through

forest and farmland, before our first

view of Siena – Dante’s Antechamber

of Paradise. We walk up into the city

u Destination airport: Pisa

u Continuous route

u Fitness: Grade 3('Grade' info: see page 25)

u Days of walking: 6

u Shortest / longest walk: 3 / 8 hours

Archetypal Tuscany! Walk from hill-top, Etruscan

Volterra to Siena through vineyards, forests and olive

groves – via classic, timeless countryside – and enjoy

excellent Tuscan food and wines.

ITINERARY

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ACCOMMODATION

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Siena

Hotel Continental

HHHHH

16

Tuscan Trail

NIGHTS 1 & 2

Volterra

San Lino

HHHH

NIGHT 3

San Gimignano

Leon Bianco

HHH

NIGHT 4

Colle Val d’Elsa

Palazzo San Lorenzo

HHHH

NIGHT 5

Monteriggioni

Hotel Monteriggioni

HHHH

Volterra San Gimignano Colle Val d'Elsa Monteriggioni Siena

Day 4 Day 5 Day 6

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Day 2 Day 3

along a lane … before ascending

along medieval streets to the famous

Piazza del Campo and our hotel, a

fine palazzo with painted ceilings, in

the heart of the city (11.5 miles/6 hours).

Day 7 An optional walk takes us to

the lesser known areas of Siena,

before time ‘at leisure’ to explore the

city, its fine cathedral, iconic works of

art, and unique atmosphere.

Day 8 Return to Pisa airport by road

(1.5 hours).

20 May - 27 May

17 Sep - 24 Sep

2016 DATES 2016 PRICES

£2,895 / US$4,780

Double-for-singlesupplement

£360 / US$595

back for 2016!

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

0

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Timeless countryside: hill-top Monteriggioni

17

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Hotels 9

WORLD-CLASSINTERESTS

Restaurants 8

Wine area 9

Scenery 8

Walking 8

Flowers 8

Birds 7

Wildlife 6

Geology 6

Cultural 6

History 10

Art 10

Architecture 10

Environment 7

ROUTE ESTAbLISHED bY ATG IN 1979

©

FOOD & WINE

Dirt and gravel roads, farm tracks,mule paths, woodland trails andtracks across the Tuscan hills.

TERRAIN

The restaurants at which we dineare renowned for theirinterpretations of Tuscan cuisine,whether refined and stylish or allacasalinga (traditional). You canexpect game, wild mushrooms,beans and freshly made pasta –all local ingredients. We walkthrough vineyards producingChianti of the Sienese hills: full,fruity reds and white Vernaccia diSan Gimignano, Chianti Classiconear Siena, and the delicious VinSanto dessert wine.

Dante Alighieri, poetand moral philosopher, was born inFlorence in about 1265. When told,aged 12, that he had been promisedin marriage (to Emma Donati – theylater married and had 3 children),Dante declared that he had alreadyfallen in love. The girl was BeatricePortinari, who was never more than aformal acquaintance, and diedunexpectedly in 1290.

His love poems to Beatrice (VitaNova, 1296) were in the tradition of‘courtly love’, and significantly, writtennot in Latin, but in a literarylanguage, based on the Tuscandialect – that Dante called ‘Italian’.

Dante aspired to a political career,

held various public offices in

Florence, and in 1301 travelled to

Rome in a delegation seeking the

intervention of Pope Boniface VIII in

settling sectarian conflicts in Florence.

The Pope ‘suggested’ Dante remain

in Rome. Meanwhile the ‘Black

Guelph’ faction, supported by the

Pope, destroyed much of Florence,

and killed many of their enemies.

They seized Dante’s property, and

condemned him to perpetual exile

and death if he returned.

Freed from public office, Dante had

more time for literary projects.

Between 1308 and 1312 he

completed the Inferno, a vision of hell

– unflatteringly portraying Pope

Boniface VIII! He finished the

Purgatorio and Paradiso sections of

the Divine Comedy shortly before his

death in Ravenna in 1321.

His legacy – the Divine Comedy – is acorner-stone of Italian language andliterature, and its use of thevernacular instead of Latin, a preludeto the Renaissance.

Footnotes

©

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

Day 1 After arrival at Naples airport

we drive (2 hours 15 mins) to

Castelmezzano (750m/2,456ft) –

picturesquely situated amongst peaks

and pinnacles of Dolomite. An

afternoon walk explores the village,

considered ‘one of the most beautiful

(and geologically interesting) in Italy’

(2.5 miles/2 hours). We stay at a

traditional family-run hotel with a

renowned restaurant.

Day 2 We walk along a paved path,

(now punctuated with unusual, EC-

funded, thematic features), to the

neighbouring village of Pietrapertosa,

nestling amongst peaks of Dolomite

(2.5 miles/1.5 hours). From here we

drive (1 hour) to the coast and sites of

Magna Graecia, where we visit the

temple of Hera at Metapontum, before

continuing (20 mins) to ancient

Heraclea, and excellent museum with

artefacts excavated from successive

occupations. We then drive (1 hour)

inland, before walking 2.6 miles into the

Pollino National Park and the village of

Terranova di Pollino (900m/2,947ft).

Day 3 We drive (15 mins) to the head

of a wide valley (1,367m/4,485ft), from

where we walk up through deciduous

woods, to a forest track that contours

round the mountain and through

meadows. After lunch at the isolated

pilgrim church of Madonna di Pollino,

we walk down into the valley and to

our 4* hotel – a delightfully converted

mill (940m/3,078ft) (9.5 miles/6 hours).

Day 4 We drive (15 mins) then walk up

a gorge that brings us up into inspiring

mountain scenery of wide, flower-filled

pastures, and spend the day enjoying

the outstanding walking this area

offers. There are opportunities to walk

up the grassy, flower-rich slope of Serra

di Crispo (2,053m/6,723ft), its ridge

crowned with rare Loricato pines, some

over 1,000 years old. We visit the aptly

named ‘Garden of the Gods’ (747m/

5,711ft), and the Grande Porta del

Pollino (1,947m/6,376ft), from where a

climb to Serra delle Ciavole (2,127m/

6,965ft), offers spectacular views across

open mountain meadows to other

peaks of the Pollino range (see

Footnotes page 19) and the Ionian

Sea… before, reluctantly, leaving this

delightful area and walking down to

the Frido Valley (10.5 miles/7 hours).

Day 5 We drive (15 mins), then follow

tracks through forest, before emerging

into meadows and walking up to the

pilgrim church of the Madonna dell’ Alto

(970m/3,177ft), from where there are

views of the entire Pollino range (3.6

miles, 2 hours). After a picnic lunch we

walk along a ridge (c.900m/2,950ft),

with woods and scrub, before

descending through meadows to the

characteristic small town of Castelluccio

Superiore (c.550m/1,800ft) (8 miles/4

hours).

Day 6 Our walk takes us up a fine

ancient pilgrim track to an isolated

sanctuary church (1,103m/3,619ft) with

extensive views across the area. Here

we meet the ATG minibus (with those

who preferred a ride…) and collect a

snack, before walking up through

pastures to a low pass (1,146m/

3,753ft), from where we follow paths

and farm tracks to a lake, a noted

nature reserve, for a late lunch (9

miles/5 hours). From here we drive (40

mins) to Maratea (212m/694ft), where

we stay for two nights at a converted

convent (4*), with pool, and views

across the town to the sea.

Day 7 Free day in Maratea, with an

optional walk. After driving 15 minutes

to the start (500m/1,637ft) of an

Almost unvisited when ATG started running trips there

20 years ago, Basilicata, from coast to coast, remains

wild and ‘unimaginable’. Dolomites (!), Greek temples,

vast high flower-filled pastures, fine ancient pilgrim paths,

wonderful southern hospitality – and much more…

ITINERARY

18

Unknown Basilicata

u Destination airport: Naples

u Fitness: Grade 3 - 4 ('Grade' info: see page 25)

u Days of walking: 7

u Shortest / longest walk: 2 / 7 hours

8 DAY TRIP, ITALY

ACCOMMODATION

NIGHT 1

Castelmezzano

Albergo Locanda diCastromediano

HHH

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Mezzana Salice

Mulino Lannarelli

HHHH

NIGHT 5

Castelluccio Superiore

Hotel Sette eMezzo

HHH

NIGHT 2

Terranova di Pollino

Hotel Picchio Nero

HHH

NIGHTS 6 & 7

Maratea

La Locanda delleDonne Monache

HHHH

11 Jun - 18 Jun

18 Jun - 25 Jun

3 Sep - 10 Sep

2016 DATES 2016 PRICES

£2,395 / US$3,955

Double-for-singlesupplement

£95 / US$160

new trip

impressive pilgrim path, we walk up

through woods, then high pastures, to a

sanctuary church (1,089m/3,566ft) with

panoramic views of the coast. After a

picnic lunch we walk down through

meadows, then follow farm tracks. We

cross a small plateau to the church of

San Biagio (624m/2,045ft) overlooking

Maratea, from where a woodland path

winds down to just behind our hotel in

Maratea (8.8 miles/5 hours). Dinner is at a

notable sea-food restaurant on the coast.

Day 8 We return to Naples airport

(2.5 hrs).

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Naples

Terranovadi Pollino

Metaponto

Castelmezzano

Castelluccio

Maratea MezzanaSalice

POLLINONATIONAL PARK

0 5 10 miles

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

The wild and majestic Pollino National Park – and a signature Loricato pine

19

Hotels 7

WORLD-CLASSINTERESTS

Restaurants 7

Wine area N/A

Scenery 10

Walking 9

Flowers 10

Birds 8

Wildlife 7

Geology 10

Cultural 7

History 8

Art 6

Architecture 7

Environment 8

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

FOOD

The terrain is mountainousand the walking is moderatelystrenuous. We follow mostlygood mountain tracks withoccasional mule paths,forestry roads and waysacross open pastures.

TERRAIN

One of the most ancient andtraditional of all Italian cuisines,Basilicata is an area where almostall pasta is still hand made, thevegetables are grown withoutchemicals and the animals areraised in a traditional mannerproviding a gastronomy that hasnot changed radically throughoutthe centuries. Interestingly, acertain Greek influence stillpervades the cuisine of this area,as it does the food of much of thesouth. The dishes are notelaborate but full of aromas andalways balanced, a cuisine thatperfectly interprets theMediterranean diet.

©

Castelmezzano

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MezzanaSalice

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bEST OF THE WILD SOUTH OF ITALY

The Pollino is Italy’s largest National Park.Established in 1992, it covers 1,820 square kilometres in theBasilicata and Calabria regions. It takes its name from thewild Pollino Massif, which has many peaks over 2,000m/6,550ft (highest peak 2,267m/7,424ft). It includes natural,geological and archaeological interests, and is noted for itsancient Albanian-speaking communities. The park is one ofthe last refuges of the Bosnian pine (many over 1,000 yearsold) and has a rich flora with ‘carpets’ of orchids. Wildlifeincludes the Italian wolf, European otter, roe deer, goldeneagle, black woodpecker, chough, peregrine falcon, lannerfalcon, red kite and Egyptian vulture.

Footnotes

©

NOTE: We recommend you pre-extend

in Kozhikode (Calicut), with time to

acclimatise and explore the city.

Day 1 After arrival at Kozhikode(Calicut) airport we drive (3 hours) upinto the Western Ghats, throughsome of Kerala’s most picturesquescenery, to Vythiri (757m/2,483ft).Our resort-style hotel is set in 150acres of coffee and cardamomplantation and tropical rainforest.Time to relax, with optionalafternoon bird-watching walk.

Day 2 We walk (4 hours) aboveVythiri, along forest paths of theWestern Ghats, with fine views acrossthe forested hills and tea plantations.Afternoon free to relax, with optionalwalk.

Day 3 Morning drive (3 hours) intoKarnataka to Nagarhole NationalPark (687m/2,254ft to 960m/3,150ft),where we stay for two nights atluxury eco-lodge Orange CountyResort, with sweeping views over theKabini River. Afternoon jeep safari.

Day 4 We explore the park by jeepand boat. Nagarhole is home to wildelephant, jungle bison, wild dog,jungle cat, hyena, gaur, crocodile,barking deer, sloth bear, giant flyingsquirrel, 250 species of birds and afew tigers and leopards.

Day 5 We drive (4.5 hours) fromNagarhole to Ooty (2,240m/7,350ft),the largest hill station in the NilgiriHills (‘Blue Mountains’), in theprovince of Tamil Nadu, and enjoylunch at the Taj Savoy, a colonial-styleheritage hotel with spectacular viewsover the surrounding countryside.We visit Ooty’s impressive botanicalgardens, home to 1,000 species of

plants. A short drive (45 mins) takesus to the historic Gateway Hotel in thehill station of Coonoor (1,850m/6,069ft).

Day 6 A morning exploration ofCoonoor, including a walk through atea plantation, and gourmet teatasting, sampling the many flavoursand colours of tea grown in the highNilgiri Hills, followed by a privatelunch at a working estate. In theafternoon we enjoy a ride on thenarrow-gauge railway (‘Toy Train’)from Coonoor through spectacularmountain and forest scenery (2.5hours) to Mettupalayam, from wherewe continue by road (1 hour) toCoimbatore (1,850m/6,070ft).

Day 7 We drive (back into Kerala)towards Munnar. En route we stop tovisit the wonderfully preservedShenbaga Vilaasam estate, with aprivate tour by a family memberaround this magnificent house builtin its own unique blend of colonialand southern Indian architecture,decorated with family heirlooms,antiques and art. We enjoy a strollaround the family’s coconutplantations, paddy fields, vanillafarms and betel leaf plantationsbefore a sumptuous lunch. We thencontinue by road to our ‘retreat’ highin the hills of Munnar (from1,450m/4,760ft to 2,695m/8,842ft),surrounded by lush, hilly countrysideand rolling tea plantations. (5 hoursdrive in total).

Day 8 Morning walk to explore thehills, forests and plantationssurrounding our hotel (4 hours).Optional afternoon visit to the TataTea Museum, or time to relax andenjoy the hotel and its peacefulsetting.

u Arrival / Departure airports:Calicut / Cochin

u Fitness: Grade 2+('Grade' info: see page 25)

u Days of walking: 10u Shortest / longest walk: 1 / 4 hours

ITINERARY

14 DAY TRIP, INDIA

20

Discovering the Hills of South West India

Day 9 We drive (3.5 hours) toThekkady (1,337m/4,386ft), situatedhigh in the Cardamom Hills andhome to Periyar National Park. Keralais the spice capital of the world andThekkady is its chief producer. Overtwelve varieties of spices, includingginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla,pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, cloveand nutmeg are cultivated inThekkady and its neighbouringvillages. In the afternoon we tour alocal spice plantation and walk toenjoy the fine scenery (2 hours).

Day 10 After an early start(wonderful birdsong!) we explore thePeriyar National Park, one of India’smost important wildlife sanctuaries,on foot. The park is centred around alarge artificial lake (reservoir dambuilt by the British in 1895), andattracts an impressively large anddiverse population of birds andanimals. (3-4 hours walking). Afterlunch we drive (3 hours) toKumarakom (1m/3ft) and check in toour 5* hotel with magnificent viewsacross Lake Vembanad.

Day 11 We walk to explore the villageof Kumarakom with a local expert (3-4 hours). We transfer by private boatto a nearby backwater village andspend time with locals to gain a uniqueinsight into their way of life. Afterlunch, optional visit to KumarakomBird Sanctuary, or free time to enjoythe hotel and its facilities.

Day 12 After a relaxed breakfast, weboard a houseboat to enjoy abackwater cruise on the picturesqueVembanad Lake and surroundingwetlands (5 hours). On arrival atAlleppey, we continue by road toKochi (Cochin) (2 hours).

Densely forested Western Ghats, hill stations and tea

plantations, world-class national parks, the tranquil

Kerala backwaters and Cochin. This trip covers the

southwestern tip of the subcontinent – in style!

new trip

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

TAMILNADU

KARNATAKA

Cochin

Alleppey

KARNATAKA

KERALA

CoonoorOoty

Calicut

Vythiri

Nagarhole

Coimbatore

Munnar

ThekkadyKumarakom

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NIGHTS 1 & 2

Vythiri

Vythiri ResortJungle resort & spa

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Nagarhole National Park

Orange County Resorts

HHHH

NIGHT 5

Coonoor

Taj Gateway Hotel

HHHH

Hotels 8

WORLD-CLASSINTERESTS

Restaurants 8

Wine area N/A

Scenery 10

Walking 8

Flowers 9

Birds 8

Wildlife 8

Geology 7

Cultural 8

History 7

Art 6

Architecture 7

Environment 8

THE bEST OF THE SOUTH WEST

©

FOOD & WINE

Indian food has a richly deservedreputation throughout the worldfor being aromatic and delicious.Regional variety is vast. The Southis renowned for its extensive andoften surprisingly subtle use offresh spices. Coconut in everyguise forms the base for Keralancuisine. Its long, tropical coastlinemeans seafood and exoticvegetables and fruit abound. InCochin Arab, Chinese,Portuguese, Dutch and Britishinfluences are all present. Forthose used to the Mughal-inspired Indian cuisine found inthe UK this will be an excitingvoyage of culinary discovery.Excellent-quality beer is foundeverywhere and is the bestaccompaniment to Indiancooking with its strong spices andsugar, which together make thepalate insensitive to the subtletiesof fine wines. Refreshing, coldfruit or milk-based drinks mixedwith ice and sugar (e.g. nimbupani and lassi) are delicious,thirst-quenching alternatives.

Day 13 Morning walking tour of FortCochin, with its giant fishing nets(from China), ancient mosques andarchitectural reminders of the BritishRaj; and St. Francis’ church, theoldest European church in India(1503). We take a private boat toneighbouring Mattancherry to visitthe Jewish Synagogue and DutchPalace, and adjacent market.Afternoon ‘at leisure’.

Day 14 Transfer to Kochi airport.

NIGHT 6

Coimbatore

Vivanta by Taj

HHHHH

NIGHTS 7 & 8

Munnar

Windermere EstatePlantation & retreat

Well-established farm, forest andmountain tracks, tea plantations.Sightseeing in towns and cities.

TERRAIN

NIGHTS 10 & 11

Kumarakom

Kumarakom LakeResort

HHHHH

NIGHT 9

Thekkady

Spice Village

HHHH

NIGHTS 12 & 13

Fort Cochin

Brunton Boatyard*

HHHH

*January departure =5* Vivanta by Taj, Kochi

Tranquil backwaters

Tea plantation in the hills of Munnar

Nagarhole National Park

21 Jan - 3 Feb

3 Dec - 16 Dec

2016 DATES 2016 PRICES

£4,895 / US$8,080

Double-for-singlesupplement

£1,210 / US$2,000

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

NOTE: We strongly recommend you pre-extend in Delhi, with time to acclimatiseand explore the city.

Day 1 After arrival at Delhi airportwe take an afternoon flight (1 hour)to Srinagar (1,585m/5,200ft) in theKashmir Valley. Early evening shikara(rowed gondola-style with one oar)ride to explore Nagin Lake.

Day 2 We walk through the oldtown of Srinagar, its ancient narrowstreets, spice and copper markets,bazaars and traditional way of life.We visit the fascinating ShahHamadan and Jama Masjid Mosques,and the celebrated (UNESCO)Mughal Gardens, developed in the16th century along the banks of DalLake (connected by a waterway tothe Nagin Lake).

Day 3 We enjoy a shikara ride to thefloating market – a riot of colours andnoise, as farmers trade their vegetablesand fruit – then return to the houseboatfor breakfast. We visit ShankaracharyaTemple and enjoy panoramic views ofthe city and later transfer to ourhouseboat on Dal Lake.

Day 4 Excursion to the beautifulDachigam National Park, with itsdense forests and flower-filledmeadows. The park was establishedto protect a number of rare plantsand animals, including the Kashmiristag (unique to this park), Tibetanwild ass, snow leopard and urial, and145 species of birds.

Day 5 Morning flight to Leh(3,524m/11,562ft), with spectacularviews of the Zanskar range.Afternoon visit to the 15th centuryTsemo Gomba, a hilltop strongholdthat offers memorable views acrossthe valley and the old town of Leh.

Day 6 We explore the lovely SabooValley and its rural landscape on foot(3 hours), learning about the Ladakhiway of life. After lunch we visit atraditional Ladakhi house where wehave the opportunity to sample‘butter tea’ and/or ‘chang’ (barley beer).

Day 7 Early morning visit to ThikseyMonastery, picturesquely situated ona small hill. We witness the monks’morning prayer ceremony beforeexploring. We then drive (5 hours) toHunder village (3,127m/10,259ft) inthe Nubra Valley via the incrediblyscenic Wari La Pass. Optionalafternoon (1.5 hours) walk up to the32 metre statue of Maitreya Buddhanear Diskit Monastery.

Day 8 We drive (1.5 hours), thenfollow the Nubra River on foot all theway to the Ensa Monastery and itsgreen oasis (2.5 hours). After lunch wedrive to the Yarab Tso Lake – ‘WishfulLake’ (3,300m/10,826ft) where weenjoy another pleasant walk (1 hour).

Day 9 We drive (1 hour by jeep) upto the top of the Hundar Gorge andto the tiny village of Hundar Dok,where we begin our walk (3-4 hours),following a glacier-melt stream pastterraced farmland surrounded by theimpressive Karakoram mountains.Optional afternoon walk (3 hours)back down via a gorge.

Day 10 We drive (6 hours) toUletokpo in the Sham Valley,stopping en route at the top of theKhardong Pass (18,330ft – the world’shighest ‘motorable’ pass!). Afterlunch in Leh, we stop en route to visitthe stunning ruins of the fascinatingtown of Basgo, before continuing toour beautifully situated hoteloverlooking the Indus at Uletokpo.

u Destination airport: Delhi

u Fitness: Grade 3 - 4('Grade' info: see page 25)

u Days of walking: 11

u Shortest / longest walk: 1.5 / 7 hoursITINERARY

15 DAY TRIP, INDIA

22

Discovering Srinagar & Ladakh

Day 11 We drive (1 hour) to the small(2-house) village of Yangthang, fromwhere we walk (2 hours), followingpaths beside the river and through agorge to the isolated andspectacularly situated RizongMonastery (3,401m/11,158ft), set in anatural amphitheatre. After visitingthe gompa, we walk down to visitChulichan (Chomoling) Nunnery (20mins), before continuing on foot –(40 mins) to the Ule Ethnic Resort.In the afternoon we drive to Alchi(25 min drive), the oldest Buddhistlearning centre in Ladakh and anextraordinary National Heritagecentre.

Day 12 We drive (35 mins) to HemisShukpachan (3,645m/11,958ft), fromwhere we begin our walk (4 hours) toTingmosgang – crossing a flat areato an ill-defined pass, marked withchortens (stupas). From here wetraverse downhill before a steadyclimb towards the Mebtak La Pass(3,720m/12,183ft). After admiring theview, we walk down to the village ofAng, then follow a jeep road on tothe village of Tingmosgang (3,222m/10,570ft), the 15th century capital ofLadakh, set in a fertile valley.Optional afternoon walk up aspectacular gorge to a jewel of avillage unknown even to mostLadakhis (3 hours).

Day 13 We drive to the oldest villagein the region. Tia village (3,394m/11,135ft), located on a hill, comprises200 families occupying medievalhouses in a maze of alleys, tunnelstreets, and courtyards. Afterexploring Tia on foot we walk up tothe Bongbongla Pass, enjoyingstunning views all the way beforegently descending to the Indus River(3.5 hours). We drive to Lamayuru

Wonderful Himalayan walking in idyllic mountain

scenery with flower-filled meadows, lakes & glaciers;

picturesque villages with traditional ways of life,

colourful Kashmiri and Ladakhi culture and history.

new trip

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com

Srinagar

PAKISTAN HIMACHALPRADESH

CHINATAJIKISTAN

JAMMU ANDKASHMIR LADAKH

Diskit

Leh

NATTASIKIJAAJTTA ANIHC

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iskitiskitDD

NATTASIKAPPA

ADAKHADAKHADAKH

H

ADAKHADAKH

SEDARPLAHCAMIH

LLADAKH

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL

Stark, captivating scenery: a picturesque village nestled in a valley

ACCOMMODATION

23

NIGHTS 1 & 2

Nagin Lake

Traditional Houseboat

NIGHTS 3 & 4

Dal Lake

Traditional Houseboat

NIGHTS 5, 6, 13 & 14

Leh

Saboo ResortBoutique resort

Hotels 6

WORLD-CLASSINTERESTS

Restaurants 6

Wine area N/A

Scenery 10

Walking 8

Flowers 8

Birds 7

Wildlife 6

Geology 9

Cultural 10

History 9

Art 8

Architecture 9

Environment 8

IDYLLIC HIMALAYAN SCENERY

©

The terrain is varied: farm tracks,lanes and mountain paths – somerough, stony and barren underfoot.There are no precipitous drops.We have kept the walkingdistances relatively modest as thisallows us to acclimatise to thealtitude and gives us time toexperience the mountains. Pleaseensure you bring sturdy, well-broken-in walking boots with firmankle support.

TERRAIN

(3,504m/11,496ft), noted for its 11thcentury monastery perchedpicturesquely high on a spur of rock,and former shrine of the Bon-chosreligion prior to the advent ofBuddhism. We then return to Leh byroad (3 hours).

Day 14 We drive (25 mins) to themouth of a forgotten gorge, whichbecomes increasingly dramatic as wewalk towards the Himalayan peakswhose waters have carved it over theyears. We walk back to the MathoMonastery, where we enjoyunforgettable views of the KarakoramMountains (4 hours with shorteroptions). Free afternoon.

Day 15 Transfer to Leh airport for a 1hour flight to Delhi.

NIGHTS 7 - 9

Diskit

Hotel Sten-DelFamily-run hotel

NIGHTS 10 - 12

Uletokpo

Ule Ethnic ResortEco resort

This trip involves a considerableincrease in altitude, as it entailsflying from Delhi (at sea level) toLeh (at 3,500m/11,500ft). Fitnesshas no bearing on acclimatisationto altitude. There is no way topredict your acclimatisation rate(they vary every time one goes toaltitude), but what is known is thatit depends largely on rest andhydration prior to the trip and forthe first couple of days at altitude.For this reason the itinerary hasbeen structured to allow for agradual acclimatisation, withgentle sightseeing and walkingactivities at the start of the trip.Leh has excellent medical facilities(being also a military outpost)and should we have anyproblems with altitude we canmanage these.

ALTITUDE

10: World-Class 9: Outstanding8: Excellent 7: Very good 6: Good

17 Sep - 1 Oct

2016 DATE 2016 PRICES

£4,995 / US$8,245

Double-for-singlesupplement

£710 / US$1,175

Prices include internal flights but not flightsto/from the start/end of trip.

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices

Esc

ort

ed

Trip

Date

s 2

016

Trip

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s

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23

45

67

8

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5

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EM

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10

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JULY

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3

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GU

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12

34

56

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89

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PTE

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OC

TOB

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VEM

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01

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CE

MB

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31

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com24

*New

itine

rary for 201

6

Clas

sic Alsace

86

12

Clas

sic Dordo

gne

814

24

Clas

sic Prove

nceNEW

TRIP

822

9

Acros

s the Alps

512

Hun

gary: the Dan

ube Ben

d8

710

Cortina & the

Dolom

ites

818

Paths

to Barolo

820

Paths

to Urbino

85

Unk

nown Tu

scan

y8

22

Southe

rn Lak

es8

1525

Sien

a, Chian

ti &

Florenc

e8

14

Southe

rn Tus

can Trail*

87

9

Way

to Assisi

88

2

Assisi Ch

ristmas

621

Unk

nown Umbria

829

53

Amalfi Co

ast

89

16

Garga

no Pen

insu

la8

233

Sicily: From

the

Cen

tre to the

Sea

829

11

Camino de

San

tiag

o15

4

Alto Te

ruel

822

10

Mallorca: M

ountains

& Sea

89

15

Sintra &

the

Portugu

ese Co

ast

816

1

Wes

tern Crete

1111

Tuscan

TrailBACK

FOR 201

68

2017

Acros

s the Cé

venn

esBACK

FOR 201

68

229

Trip

Day

s

Secret Ven

ice

54

4

Bes

t of W

estern Sicily

814

25

Bes

t of Eas

tern Sicily

78

2

Unk

nown Sa

rdinia

818

Land

of Piero della Franc

esca

810

Pad

ula & N

orthern Ca

labria

811

9

Lake

Garda

& the

Brenta Dolom

ites

83

Flow

ers of the

Brenta Dolom

ites

726

Flow

ers of U

mbria

822

Flow

ers of the

Garga

no8

16

Flow

ers of the

Cév

enne

s8

29

Vintage

Way

s to Porto

824

Unk

nown Ca

taluny

a8

143

Ephe

sus & the

Dod

ecan

ese

1024

8

The Aeo

lian Isles

81, 22

18

Unk

nown Bas

ilicata

NEW

TRIP

811, 18

3

For inform

ation on

trips

bas

ed at Pieve

a Cas

tello

, ATG

's retreat in Tu

scan

y, see

pag

es 6-11

Discovering EuropeOriginal Journeys

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices 25

Esc

ort

ed

Tri

p P

rice

s*Tr

ip Day

s

Clas

sic Alsace

8£2

,995

$4,945

£329

$545

Clas

sic Dordo

gne

8£3

,115

$5,145

£210

$350

Clas

sic Prove

nceNEW

TRIP

8£3

,795

$6,265

£665

$1,100

Acros

s the Alps

5£1

,295

$2,140

£64

$110

Hun

gary: the Dan

ube Ben

d8

£2,295

$3,790

£203

$335

Cortina & the

Dolom

ites

8£2

,695

$4,450

£175

$290

Paths

to Barolo

8£3

,095

$5,110

£385

$640

Paths

to Urbino

8£2

,375

$3,920

£210

$350

Unk

nown Tu

scan

y8

£2,495

$4,120

£182

$305

Southe

rn Lak

es8

£2,535

$4,185

£189

$315

Sien

a, Chian

ti &

Florenc

e8

£2,995

$4,945

£364

$605

Southe

rn Tus

can Trail

8£2

,660

$4,390

£294

$490

Way

to Assisi

8£2

,895

$4,780

£329

$545

Assisi Ch

ristmas

6£1

,995

$3,295

£195

$325

Unk

nown Umbria

8£2

,435

$4,020

£161

$270

Amalfi Co

ast

8£3

,195

$5,275

£672

$1,110

Garga

no Pen

insu

la8

£2,345

$3,875

£182

$305

Sicily: From

the

Cen

tre to the

Sea

8£2

,260

$3,730

£147

$245

Camino de

San

tiag

o15

£5,350

$8,830

£532

$880

Alto Te

ruel

8£2

,090

$3,450

£70

$120

Mallorca: M

ountains

& Sea

8£3

,095

$5,110

£623

$1,030

Sintra &

the

Portugu

ese Co

ast

8£2

,970

$4,905

£504

$835

Wes

tern Crete

11£2

,950

$4,870

£160

$265

Tuscan

TrailBACK

FOR 201

68

£2,895

$4,780

£360

$595

Acros

s the Cé

venn

esBACK

FOR 201

68

£2,395

$3,955

£145

$245

Trip

Day

s

Secret Ven

ice (M

arch

)5

£3,230

$5,335

£616

$1,020

Bes

t of W

estern Sicily

8£3

,150

$5,200

£273

$455

Bes

t of Eas

tern Sicily

7£2

,995

$4,945

£498

$825

Unk

nown Sa

rdinia

8£2

,895

$4,780

£322

$535

Land

of Piero della Franc

esca

8£2

,895

$4,780

£231

$385

Pad

ula & N

orthern Ca

labria

8£2

,295

$3,790

£140

$235

Lake

Garda

& the

Brenta Dolom

ites

8£2

,995

$4,945

£420

$705

Flow

ers of the

Brenta Dolom

ites

7£2

,165

$3,575

£90

$150

Flow

ers of U

mbria

8£2

,475

$4,085

£196

$325

Flow

ers of the

Garga

no8

£2,235

$3,690

£133

$225

Flow

ers of the

Cév

enne

s8

£2,795

$4,615

£357

$595

Vintage

Way

s to Porto

8£2

,535

$4,185

£315

$525

Unk

nown Ca

taluny

a8

£2,395

$3,955

£231

$385

Ephe

sus & the

Dod

ecan

ese

10£3

,995

$6,595

£882

$1,460

The Aeo

lian Isles

8£2

,695

$4,450

£189

$315

Unk

nown Bas

ilicata

NEW

TRIP

8£2

,395

$3,955

£95

$160

DFS

DFS

DFS

DFS

Secret Ven

ice (N

ovem

ber)

5£2

,920

$4,820

£432

$715

nGrade 1:

Gentle

terrain, w

alking

along

goo

d paths, tracks and quiet lane

s,with

a fe

w sho

rt, u

sually gen

tle, ascen

ts/descents.

nGrade 2:

Walking

along

well-e

stab

lishe

d paths and

tracks. Occasional loo

se(gravel) surfaces, and

open

meadow

s. Ascen

ts/descents up

to 1 ho

ur.

nGrade 3:

Walking

along

a variety of p

aths, som

e ston

y in places, with

ascents/descents of 1 to 2 ho

urs.

nGrade 4:

Walking

along

a variety of p

aths and

surfaces, occasionally

challeng

ing, w

ith ascen

ts/descents of 2

- 3 hou

rs.

nGrade 5:

Challeng

ing walking

with

a variety of terrain, som

e long

days, and

/or

long

ascents and

descents.

Trip G

rades:(indicated

on 'Late Availability' and

trip

pag

es)

Trips are allocated Grades 1 - 5 according to terrain and leng

th of w

alks.

Grades '+

’:A grade followed

by a ‘+’ sign indicates that it is a slightly highe

rgrade than – say 2, b

ut not as toug

h as 3.

Grades 'ran

ge':G

rades indicated

as – say 2 - 3 –mean predom

inantly Grade 2

walks, w

ith the optio

n of Grade 3 walks on on

e or m

ore days.

On Indep

endent Fo

otloose these op

tions are clearly id

entified: you

simply select

the op

tion of you

r choice –easier or toug

her – and fo

llow the

appropriate ro

ute in

the Ro

ute Boo

k.

On Escorted

trip

s the Tour Leader will tell you

every evening

abou

t the following

day’s walking

. You

can the

n discuss this furthe

r with

him/her if you

wish – and

decide what you wou

ld like to do.

In addition

you

always have the

optio

n to ‘w

alk as m

uch or as little

as you like’.

DFS

= D

ouble room

for single trav

eller su

pplemen

t • $ = U

S$

Trip

Days

Disco

vering

the

Hills of

South Wes

t India

NEW

TRIPS

£4,895

$8,080

£1,210

$2,000

Disco

vering

Bhu

tan

£3,995

$6,595

£240

$400

Disco

vering

Mon

golia

£6,725

$11,10

0£3

60$5

95

Disco

vering

China

: the Wes

tern Silk

Roa

d£6

,995

$11,54

5£1

,010

$1,670

Disco

vering

Oman

£4,995

$8,245

£1,015

$1,675

Disco

vering

Chile

£9,325

$15,39

0£1

,790

$2,955

Disco

vering

Sri Lan

ka£4

,725

$7,800

£1,100

$1,815

DFS

DFS

Disco

vering

Srina

gar & Lad

akh

£4,995

$8,245

£710

$1,175

Discovering EuropeOriginal Journeys

Discovering Worldwide

14 11 16 14 13 161415

*BO

OK

NO

W f

or

20

16!

Bo

okin

gs

rece

ived

befo

re 1

st N

ove

mb

er

20

15

will b

e in

voic

ed

at

20

15 p

rice

s (p

er

this

pag

e).

21 Jan

-3 Feb

3 Dec-16 Dec

13 M

ar-23 Mar

26 O

ct-5 Nov

5 Jul-2

0 Jul

8 Se

p-21 Sep

8 Jan-20

Jan

4 Nov

-16 Nov

22 N

ov-7 D

ec

6 Fe

b-19

Feb

17 Sep

-1 O

ct

Dat

e

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

v

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

vv

v

Ancient Volcanic Land

scap

es

App

roach to Rom

e

*Tuscany & Siena

Sien

a to Florence

The Scottish Borde

rs

Classic Alsace

Classic Dordog

ne

Lot & Dordog

ne Valley

Lozère & the

Tarn Gorge

Hills of Giro

na

Sintra & the

Portugue

se Coa

st

~Riviera & Portofino

Cinqu

e Terre

Mon

tefeltro & Urbino

Tuscan Hills

Hun

gary: the

Danub

e Ben

d

Alto

Terue

l

*Provence: Vaucluse & th

e Lubé

ron

Footloose PricesBook your 2016 trip by November 1st 2015 and pay 2015 prices (below)

£870

£1,155

*£895

£970

$1,440

$1,910

$1,480

$1,605

£1,060

£990

£1,065

£880

£870

£895

£995

£1,190

£1,055

£930

£960

£795

£780

*£1,210

$1,750

$1,635

$1,760

$1,455

$1,440

$1,480

$1,645

$1,965

$1,745

$1,535

$1,585

$1,315

$1,290

$2,000

£119 / $200

£364 / $605

£228 / $380

£217 / $360

£189 / $315

£210 / $350

£196 / $325

£210 / $350

£154 / $255

£161 / $270

£280 / $465

£406 / $675

£266 / $440

£182 / $305

£238 / $395

£112 / $185

£91 / $

155

£342 / $565

8-day

Stand

ard

DFS

*£1,195

£1,390

$1,975

$2,295

£1,245

£1,420

£1,150

£1,390

£1,295

£1,860

£1,365

£1,070

*£1,480

$2,055

$2,345

$1,900

$2,295

$2,140

$3,070

$2,255

$1,770

$2,445

£498 / $825

£357 / $595

£294 / $490

£413 / $685

£252 / $420

£357 / $595

£469 / $775

£637/$1,055

£532 / $880

£252 / $420

£504 / $835

8-day

Sup

erior

DFS

£605

$1,000

£645

£620

£615

£460

£520

£595

£870

$1,065

$1,025

$1,015

$760

$860

$985

$1,440

£152 / $255

£96 / $

160

£168 / $280

£112 / $185

£92 / $

155

£92 / $

155

£152 / $255

£232 / $385

5-day

Stand

ard

DFS

£760

$1,255

£735

£865

£660

£750

£995

$1,215

$1,430

$1,090

$1,240

$1,645

£288 / $480

£216 / $360

£204 / $340

£160 / $265

£280 / $465

£300 / $495

5-day

Sup

erior

DFS

Southern Tuscany

Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

Roman Roa

ds to O

rvieto

Southe

rn Lakes

Umbria & Assisi

Sicily: F

rom the

Cen

tre to the

Sea

Amalfi Coa

st

Gargano Pe

ninsula

Umbria & Spoleto

£915

£830

£730

£780

£985

£975

£1,095

£875

£915

$1,515

$1,375

$1,205

$1,290

$1,630

$1,610

$1,810

$1,445

$1,515

£203 / $335

£182 / $305

£161 / $270

£168 / $280

£140 / $235

£91 / $

155

£287 / $475

£126 / $210

£84 / $

140

£970

£925

£790

£890

£1,380

£995

£1,255

£1,065

$1,605

$1,530

$1,305

$1,470

$2,280

$1,645

$2,075

$1,760

£238 / $395

£210 / $350

£175 / $290

£175 / $290

£336 / $555

£98 / $

165

£385 / $640

£182 / $305

£540

£465

£415

£490

£675

£495

$895

$770

$685

$810

$1,115

$820

£108 / $180

£92 / $

155

£92 / $

155

£84 / $

140

£188 / $315

£48 / $

85

£560

£530

£455

£725

£750

£570

$925

$875

$755

$1,200

$1,240

$945

£100 / $165

£108 / $180

£96 / $

156

£244 / $405

£220 / $365

£92 / $

155

~£855

$1,415

£295 / $490

~£1,225

$2,025

£430 / $715

*On this trip

the long

er ro

ute is 7 days •

~On this trip

the sho

rter ro

ute is 6 days •

DFS = Dou

ble ro

om fo

r sing

le traveller supplement •

$ = US$

Tel: +44 (0)1865 315678 • Email: trip-enquiry@atg-oxford.com • Web: www.atg-oxford.com26

BOOK NOW! Bookings for 2016 trips received by 1st November 2015 will be invoiced at 2015 prices 27

Tuscan Hills (225 Miles to Rom

e) (8 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Ancient Volcanic Landscapes (225 Miles to Rom

e) (8 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

App

roach to Rom

e (225 M

iles to Rom

e) (8 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Tuscany & Siena (7/5 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Siena to Florence (8 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Southern Tuscany (8/5 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Etruscan Lanes to

Orvieto (8/5 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Roman Roads to

Orvieto (8/5 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Southern Lakes (8 days)

01 Apr to

31 Oct

Umbria & Assisi (8/5 days)

15 Apr to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 16 Oct

Unknown Umbria & Spo

leto (8/5 days)

01 M

ay to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 16 Oct

Amalfi Coast (8/5 days)

01 Apr to

30 Jun; 01 Sep to 16 Oct

Gargano Peninsula (8 days)

01 Apr to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 16 Oct

Sicily: From the Centre

to the Sea (8 days)

22 Apr to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 16 Oct

Classic Alsace

Classic Dordog

ne

Lot & Dordog

ne Valley

*Provence: Vaucluse & th

e Lubé

ron

Mon

tefeltro & Urbino

Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

Roman Roa

ds to O

rvieto

Umbria & Assisi

Sien

a to Florence

Southe

rn Tuscany

*Tuscany & Siena

£1,110

£1,185

£1,000

*£1,330

£1,050

£950

£850

£1,105

£1,090

£1,035

*£1,015

$1,835

$1,960

$1,655

$2,195

$1,735

$1,570

$1,405

$1,825

$1,800

$1,710

$1,675

£210 / $350

£196 / $325

£210 / $350

£342 / $565

£182 / $305

£182 / $305

£161 / $270

£140 / $235

£217 / $360

£203 / $335

£228 / $380

8-day

Stand

ard

DFS

£1,540

£1,270

*£1,600

£1,190

£1,500

*£1,315

$2,545

$2,100

$2,645

$1,965

$2,475

$2,175

£413 / $685

£252 / $420

£504 / $835

£252 / $420

£336 / $555

£498 / $825

8-day

Sup

erior

DFS

£700

£695

£545

£685

$1,155

$1,150

$905

$1,135

£168 / $280

£112 / $185

£92 / $

155

£152 / $255

5-day

Stand

ard

DFS

£945

£840

$1,565

$1,390

£204 / $340

£288 / $480

5-day

Sup

erior

DFS

£570

$945

£84 / $

140

£805

$1,330

£244 / $405

£1,365

$2,255

£294 / $490

£815

$1,345

£216 / $360

£1,045

$1,725

£210 / $350

£910

$1,505

£175 / $290

£1,090

$1,800

£238 / $395

£1,510

$2,495

£357 / $595

£950

$1,570

£232 / $385

£1,075

$1,775

£300 / $495

£610

$1,010

£108 / $180

£495

$820

£92 / $

155

£535

$885

£96 / $160

£620

$1,025

£108 / $180

£640

$1,060

£100 / $165

*On this trip

the long

er ro

ute is 7 days •

DFS = Dou

ble ro

om fo

r sing

le traveller supplement •

$ = US$

The Scottish Borde

rs (7/5 days)

22 Apr to

30 Sep

Classic Alsace (8/5 days)

15 Apr to

16 Oct

Classic Dordo

gne (8/5 days)

01 Apr to

31 Jul; 01 Sep

to 31 Oct

Lot &

Dordo

gne Valley(8 days)

01 Apr to

31 Jul; 01 Sep

to 31 Oct

Lozère and

the Tarn Gorge

(8/5 days)

01 M

ay to

30 Jun; 01 to 30 Sep

Provence: Vaucluse & the Lubé

ron (7/5 days)

01 Apr to

30 Jun; 01 Sep to 31 Oct

Hungary: the Danub

e Bend (8 days)

15 Apr to

16 Oct

Alto Teruel (8 days) 01 M

ay to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 30 Sep

Hills of Girona (8/5 days)

15 Apr to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 16 Oct

Sintra & the Po

rtug

uese Coast (8 days) 01 Apr to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 31 Oct

Riviera & Portofino (8/6 days) 01 Apr to

30 Jun; 01 Sep to 16 Oct

Cinqu

e Terre

(8/5 days) 01 Apr to

30 Jun; 01 Sep to 16 Oct

Montefeltro & Urbino (8 days) 01 M

ay to

30 Jun; 26 Aug

to 30 Sep

Footloose & Freew

heeling Ro

ute Dates 2016

–Freewheeling (cycling) itinerary available

Freewheeling Prices

28

Long-time clients Rob and RobinWhitten, from Portland, Maine,USA, have been inspired tocapture their ATG Footlooseholidays by sketches and journalentries, including those on thefront and back covers. Whata wonderful way to re-livethe adventure!

You can see more of their ATGFootloose journals at:www.whittenarchitects.com

Inspiring views across the Gorge de la Jonte

For many ATG clients, travelling with ATG is a regular part of their lives,an annual (or biannual!), happy interlude that refreshes, restores andinspires. Yet it’s clear from feedback that ATG trips aren’t just‘holidays’, but experiences that shape and endure .... Some recent letters:

From Dr Eva Krug, Basel,Switzerland

I have been walking with ATG

since the end of the ‘80s and have

just completed what must be

about my 14th hike. I am writing

to complement the feedback form

because I think the Lozère and

Tarn Gorge hike is so outstanding

it merits a few extra lines of

appreciation. We already look

forward to seeing what Footloose

trips will tempt us in 2016.

From Jennifer and StuartWatson, West Yorkshire, whowere inspired by an article aboutATG in The Times in 2001, andwill take their 17th ATG trip this autumn:

My husband and I would like to

formally sincerely thank you for

the magnificent golden thread

you and ATG have woven in to

our lives….We deeply appreciate

the continuous journey, slow

travel and the feeling of setting

off together ‘over the hills and

far away’….Thank you again

Christopher Whinney and your

wonderful ATG Footloose

holidays, which have led to so

much enrichment in our lives.

From Jean and David Wildman,Surrey

My wife and I have just

completed the Approach to

Rome. This was our 15th ATG

holiday. More importantly, this

was the way we chose to

celebrate 50 years of marriage.

We were not disappointed. Since

our first trip in 1997 ATG changed

our approach to holidays. You

started our love affair both with

walking and particularly with Italy.

We owe you a huge vote of thanks.

The Trust supports projects that aim to:

• Protect the integrity of the environment and the beauty of its landscapes.

• Preserve the habitats of rare and interesting flora and fauna. • Conserve works of art and architecture.

All projects must be:• Co-funded by local organisations and implemented by the beneficiaries, thereby forging the commitment that helps ensure the long-term maintenance of the project.

• Part of an integrated, long-term plan to bring sustainable tourism development. This may require securing funding for the development of tourism services around the project.

• Accessible to ATG clients.

A TG T R U S T U PDAT E – J U LY 2 0 1 5

The Trustees would like to thank all clients who haveparticipated in ATG’s Saturday Charity Walks, boughtcopies of the ATG salad book – proceeds of whichsupport the ATG Trust; and also those who have madeindividual donations. The charity’s Trustees and Presidentare all ATG clients; and Jessica Jenkins, who looks afterthe Trust administration has worked for ATG for the last18 years.

Two new project proposals have been put forward byATG Tour Consultants. Both projects are in Italy and theTrust is keen to offer its support. The Trust would bedelighted to hear from any clients who may have ideasfor future ATG Trust projects. Contact Jessica Jenkins on01865 315 613 or jessicaj@atg-oxford.com

PROPOSED PROJECTColle Val d’Elsa, Tuscany

This project involves the clearingand reopening of the north city wallpaths around Colle di Val d’Elsa,Tuscany. The project will involveclearing all the rubbish andovergrowth on the walls and on thepaths, which will make theimpressive walls, which are animportant part of the town’sheritage, visible again from thesurrounding area. As part of theproject they will also make the pathsstructurally safe and put up woodenrailings, so that people, both localsand tourists, can walk here andenjoy the town’s historicsurroundings.

1. Haworth and the Brontës

19th September 2015 11.5 miles

From Haworth, situated above theWorth Valley amid the bleak PennineMoors, we walk past the famousBrontë parsonage and climb upPenistone Hill. We then join the BrontëWay to cross Haworth Moor above thepicturesque reservoirs of Laithe andPonder. We then turn to the heart ofthe moor and walk to Oxenhope forlunch. A short stroll above the WorthRiver brings us back to Haworth for tea.

2. Tetbury and Westonbirt Arboretum

24th October 2015 11 miles

From the Cotswold woollen town ofTetbury, we head along the edge ofHighgrove House and then along theborder of the Arboretum. We thenpass through the Arboretum on publicfootpaths, before gentle country trackstake us to Shipton Moyne for lunch.We return to Tetbury via EstcourtHouse.

UK Saturday Charity Walks

Trustees: Edward Bernard (Chairman), Hilary Daniels, Dr Fiona Davidson and Catherine MacRae

Trustee and Administrator: Jessica Jenkins; President: Sir Geoffrey Bindman

The ATG (Ad Terrae Gloriam) Trust is a Registered Charity (Number 1082542)

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3. Bradford-on-Avon to Bath

14th November 2015 12 miles

From Bradford-on-Avon, our routefollows the River Avon west to theremarkable aqueduct at Avoncliff. Towpaths, water meadows and woodlandpaths lead us through Freshford and onto Limpley Stoke. After lunch, the routeclimbs through woodland, and on toClaverton Down, with its wonderfulviews over Georgian Bath. We descendpast Prior Park to the Avon, and followthe river to the heart of Bath for tea.

29

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PROPOSED PROJECT Spoleto, Umbria

This project is the restoration of afresco depicting the martyrdom of StThomas Becket in the Church of SSGiovanni e Paolo, located in the heartof Spoleto, Umbria. The Trust hasreceived a letter from the Mayor ofSpoleto outlining the project plansand the importance of this projectlocally. This church was consecrated

in 1174 and the fresco dates back tothe early 13C. The church is currentlyin a dilapidated state and for yearshas only been opened occasionally tothe public. The restoration of thisfresco would be part of a generalrestoration of the church as a wholeand it is then proposed that thechurch can be opened permanently.

Colle Val d’Elsa is visited on the following ATG trips: Tuscan Trail (Escorted – see pages 16-17),Tuscany & Siena Footloose & Freewheeling, trips based at Pieve a Castello (see pages 6-11).

Inset: A section of adjacent paths to be made safePH

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The best way to see a country is on foot! ...

... and the best way to capture a holiday is by journal! The sketches on thefront and back covers are of timeless Tuscan landscapes traversed on ATG'sEtruscan Lanes to Orvieto Footloose route, courtesy of long-time clients Roband Robin Whitten from Maine, USA. More of their journals can be seen on

page 28, and at www.whittenarchitects.com