DATE AS TO PROGRAMME ON THE WEBSITE

Walking through woods and hamlets to a pollibreria – Lake ENJOYING WALKING AND SHARING READING IN A UNIQUE PLACE IN AN ANCIENT HAMLET

Walking slowly along mule tracks dotted with ancient chapels of worship through chestnut and oak woods and olive groves; enjoying the atmosphere of hamlets on the hills surrounding ; experiencing the pleasure of sharing reading in a pollibreria, a unique and magic place where to read in the silence of nature; living the agricultural past of an hamlet deeply rooted in the traditions but turned towards the present.

The itinerary starts in Bellano and offers, as an alternative, the visit to the well- known Orrido, a canyon created by the river. Then the path goes up the hill through olive groves and woods, along ancient mule tracks travelled along by dwellers when transporting goods to be exchanged or needed to live on. Typical dry-stone walls along the tracks are still visible representing an important heritage; likewise, ancient chapels of worship bear witness of a path travelled along by pilgrims and travellers alike, and Leonardo was it when going from to Switzerland.

From hamlet to hamlet, from path to path, from wood to wood, we will finally reach the pollibreria, a unique place where we will read some passages from our favourite books, sharing stories, emotions, and experiences.

Packed lunch will be in the shade of trees and in the calmness of the hamlet respecting the place and its inhabitants. Return path runs down through a nice wood, flanking restored terracing where olive trees are now grown. DETTAGLI TECNICI Difference in altitude 350 m Distance 8 km Actual walking time 4.5 hours Max altitude 545 m s.l.m.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY Itinerary on well-kept paths and mule tracks having slight slopes. It is suitable for adults and children over 10 who are used to walk on mountain paths able to tackle a difference in height of 350 meters . Hiking shoes with good gripping soles, preferably in Vibram material, are required in order to walk safely on mule tracks.

Dogs must be on a leash owing to the presence of wild animals in the wood and out of respect for other participants who could be afraid of or annoyed by it. 2

CLOTHES AND EQUIPMENT - hiking shoes are required, preferably high laced-up and having soles in Vibram material to walk safely on slippery mule tracks. - hiking poles considerably reducing stress on joints and knees; telescopic poles are very handy. - backpack to carry personal belongings, spare clothing, and food and water supplies. - packed lunch (no mountain hut on the way) in the shade of trees; drinkable water source available. - dress in layers according to the season (shirt, long-sleeved shirt, Fleece jacket or sweatshirt, rain and wind stopper jacket). - a second-hand book to share at the pollibreria

PROGRAMME Meeting point: 9.30am Bellano railway station car parking (trains from Milano and arriving around that time) Visit to the Orrido of Bellano (optional and according to time and containment measures in force) and excursion to the pollibreria as described. Packed lunch, shared readings, experiences, emotions and knowledge. Return to Bellano End of tour: around 5.00/ 5.30pm (trains to Milan and Lecco around that time)

CANCELLATION/POSTPONEMENT The excursion can be cancelled or postponed anytime by the Guide at her absolute discretion, in case safe and proper conditions cannot be guaranteed following bad weather conditions on the day of the excursion or on the previous days. Any fees paid will be considered valid as a voucher on the next excursion or refunded (for foreign people).

PARTICIPATION FEE Adult: € 18.00; Children and teens less than 12-year-old accompanied by an adult: € 10,00 Inclusions: Nature Guide fee accompanying the group - AIGAE LO639; liability insurance. Exclusions: any lunch and break; any transport to the meeting point; injury insurance; free offer to the pollibreria; entrance to the Orrido any service not included in the item “inclusions”.

Entrance to the Orrido: 5 € adults/3 € children less than 12 anni/ free for children less than 6 (to be paid on site) Train Milano – Bellano: 6.70 € one way, per person Train Lecco – Bellano: 2.90 € one way, per person

Reservation required within Friday (preceding the excursion) when the excursion is on the weekend The day before when the excursion is during the week (see link to website for details on reservation) Please refer to the link on my website www.trekandtste.it or contact me directly: e-mail [email protected] and mobile +39 347 04 05 703.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 4 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 15

Minors must be accompanied by an adult holding responsible. Participation to the excursions implies unconditioned acceptance of the rules available on my website www.trekandtaste.com.

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INJURY INSURANCE FOR TREKKERS Participation fee only includes liability insurance; no injury insurance coverage is provided to Participants to the excursion. It is advisable to take out a suitable injury insurance. EIC Organization offer an annual injury insurance which can be activated by the Trip&Trek app and amounting to 10 euros per year, per person. The insurance is valid 1 year whenever you participate to an excursion with and AIGAE Guide. For more details, please contact [email protected].

HOW TO REACH THE MEETING POINT Bellano is easily reachable by: YOUR OWN CAR From Milano (80 km), Como (km 56) and Lecco (circa 27 km): SS36 exit Bellano. Very few free parking are available while paid parking are available along lake promenade Via T. Grossi (1.50 €/hour) and near the railway station (0,50 €/hour) PUBLIC TRANSPORT From MILAN: Train from Central Station: line Milan – , stop in Bellano; duration 1 hour 10 minutes. From LECCO (railway station): train line Lecco – Colico (around 30 min) From COMO Bus station or piazza del Popolo (near main Church): bus line C40 to Lecco, and then train line Lecco – Colico

PLEASE CHECK TIMETABLE BEFORE LEAVING https://www.trenord.it/linee-e-orari/circolazione/orario-ferroviario/

Free and large car park in Lecco in Via Giuseppe Badoni, 10 min. walk from the railway station.

Train tickets must be bought before getting on the train: at the ticket machine in Milan and at the newsstand in Lecco. If you do not manage to buy the ticket, immediately prevent the ticket collector as you get up the train. Tickets must be validated before getting up the train.

Private cars are to be shared according to the containment measures in force.

CONTAINEMENT MEASURES Participants are requested to: ✓ wear their face masks when stopping or when meeting other trekkers coming from the opposite direction; it is not recommended to wear masks while walking but interpersonal distance must be guaranteed. ✓ take some spare masks with you. ✓ interpersonal distance must be guaranteed while walking. ✓ avoid sharing private car for transportation. ✓ do not share food and beverage. ✓ read and sign participation rules which have been sent to you upon registration and to be given to the Guide on the day of the excursion. ✓ take some plastic bags with you to put your personal sweaty clothes.

SORRY, MAY I ASK A QUESTION? Is there a car park at the meeting point? Parking in the villages along Lake Como is quite difficult. In Bellano parking fee is 1.50 euros/hour along lake promenade and 0.50 euro/hour at the railway station. Car park in Lecco in Via Giuseppe Badoni (large and free) only 10 min. walk from the railway station.

Where can I buy train tickets?

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Train tickets must be bought before getting on the train: at the ticket machine in Milan and at the newsstand in Lecco. If you do not manage to buy the ticket, immediately prevent the ticket collector as you get up the train. Tickets must be validated before getting up the train.

Is the itinerary suitable for my child? YES, it is. The itinerary is suitable for families and children more than 10 who are used to walk on mountain paths going slightly up and to tackle a difference in altitude of 350 meters; in case of doubts, please do not hesitate to contact me.

What about my dog? Your dog can participate to the excursion, but the Guide must be prevented. Dogs must be on a leash owing to the presence of wild animals in the wood and out of respect for other participants who could be afraid of or annoyed by it.

Are hiking shoes compulsory? YES, they are. Hiking shoes are recommended, preferably high laced-up and having soles in Vibram material to walk safely on slippery stream rocks. It is advisable to use hiking poles reducing stress on knees and joints (telescopic ones are very handy).

What about lunch? Packed lunch in the shade of trees on the lawn respecting the calmness of the place. No benches and tables available.

Is there a market near the meeting point? YES, there is. It is near the railway station; closed on Sundays. Please, DO NOT BE LATE AT THE MEETING POINT. Close on Sundays.

Return will be in Bellano? YES, it is. It is a circular path on the hills above the village of Bellano.

Is the visit to the Orrido compulsory? NO, it isn’t. Visit to the Orrido is optional as I know someone could be afraid of. It is a narrow and deep gorge where the river is flowing wild, which could cause dizziness. However, visit is short, and the brand-new catwalks make you feel safe and firm.

For more details and information, please contact me Sabrina Italian Nature Guida AIGAE LO639 - Tel: +39 347 040 57 03 e-mail: [email protected] www.trekandtaste.it FB Sabrina Pastacaldi – Guida ambientale escursionistica AIGAE

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