Mystical Maremma Hiking - Mount Amiata to the sea 4 days guided hiking tour October 11-14th, 2018 ATWS 2018 Montecatini Terme Pre-Summit Adventure www.s-capetravel.eu Ancient Etruscans, Knights Templars and modern Messiahs in the Maremma, Mount Amiata and Argentario peninsula Discover the mystical side of Southern Tuscany. This lesser-known part of the region encompassing the Maremma, stretches between Mt. Amiata an extinct volcano and the Thyrrenean sea. Far from the crowds, this pristine territory is still imbued with a magical atmosphere deriving from ancient rituals and beliefs. We start in Arcidosso, where stone carved alchemical symbols bear witness to the Knights Templars. Climbing Mount Labro, up to the Giurisdavidica tower we have breath-taking views on the Tuscan Archipelago and learn about the charismatic man and self-proclaimed messiah who founded his own cult. We continue on the footsteps of the Etruscan Civilization walking through 2500 year old mysterious “Vie Cave”, roads carved deep into the rock adorned with astrological signs. We admire the unrivalled burial architecture of the Necropolis of Sovana, where cave-like tombs lay under monumental temples carved out of volcanic tufa rock. www.s-capetravel.e2u Dates: October 11th - 14th TRIP Duration: 4 days SUMMARY Group size: 4-14 participants Difficulty: 3 out of 5 Dates Meals Technical info Arrive in Montecatini Terme, Day 1 briefing and Feldenkrais method class. dinner - 11th Oct. Overnight in Montecatini Transfer to Arcidosso and visit the Castello Aldobrandesco. After coffee, hike to Monte Labbro breakfast Day 2 stopping at the Giurisdavidica tower hermitage. Km 12 picnic lunch 12th Oct. Continue to Roccalbegna and visit. Transfer to 4 hrs Castel del Piano. dinner Overnight in Castel del Piano Visit Pitigliano and its medieval Jewish ghetto. Hike through the Via Cava di San Giuseppe to Sovana, where we visit the Romanesque church. Etruscan breakfast Day 3 Km 7.5 Necropolis with the swastika and the Hildenbrand lunch 13th Oct. 3 hrs tomb. End the day in the fortified town of Sorano, dinner sleep in the imposing Orsini fortress. Overnight in Sorano Transfer to the Monte Argentario Promontory for a Day 4 coastal hike with views on Elba Giglio and breakfast km 11 14th Oct. Montecristo islands. At the end of the hike we picnic lunch 4 hrs return to Montecatini HIGHLIGHTS . Immerse yourself in the Etruscan history, discovering gems such as Sorano, Sovana and Pitigliano . The "Vie Cave", used by Etruscans to connect towns and Necropolis . Explore the woods and grasslands of the Mount Labbro . Admire the Torre Giurisdavidica, deidicated to David Lazzaretti, leader of the mysteious cult "Giurisdavidismo" . The massive Argentario Promontory with unending views over the Islands of the Archipelago 3 Day 1 Arrival in Montecatini The trip begins in Montecatini Terme, an 18th century Spa town famous for the healing properties of its drinking waters, which acquire beneficial mineral-salts on their way to the surface. In the afternoon, we gather for a short briefing and then a Feldenkrais class that will help you stretch, relax and prepare for the trip. Strolling through town the parks of the 18th century Spa town of Montecatini we reach the old funicular tram that goes to Montecatini Alto, an ancient hamlet where we have dinner. OVERNIGHT MONTECATINI Day 2 Arcidosso, Monte Labbro & Roccalbegna Heading South to Mount Amiata, we reach Arcidosso with the stone carved templar and alchemic symbols on the houses and birthplace of David Lazzaretti, a self- declared Messiah leading a mysterious cult in the second half of 1800. From here we hike on Mt. Labbro, stopping at the Giurisdavidica tower, the hermitage where Lazzaretti spent three months meditating and receiving the “Divine stigmata”. We continue through shady woods, open grasslands and high limestone walls until the medieval village of Roccalbegna. that looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel. According to legend the huge rock that looms over the village was a dragon who stood guard over a large treasure. OVERNIGHT CASTEL DEL PIANO 4 Day 3 Pitigliano, Sovana & Sorano Today is dedicated to the Etruscan people: this ancient civilization has always fascinated historians with its peculiar language - unlike any other in classical Italy – advanced engineering, religious rituals and temple design. Our first stop is Pitigliano, rising dramatically from a tufa ridge and surrounded on all sides by a deep ravine. Hiking through an Etruscan Via Cava (a deep and narrow cut in the tuff cliffs) and through vineyards, olive groves and pastures we reach the hamlet of Sovana. We continue to the nearby Etruscan Necropolis. The site houses several types of tombs from simple cave-like excavations to the tomb of Hildebrand, a monumental temple named after a 11th century Pope who was born in Sovana. Our last destination for the day is Sorano, where we visit the imposing Orsini fortress, before spending the night in its rooms. OVERNIGHT SORANO Day 4 Monte Argentario Hike Heading towards the sea we reach Mount Argentario promontory connected to land by 2 massive sand dunes that create a lagoon great for birdwatching. Today’s panoramic hike takes us into the Mediterranean scrubland and along the western side of Monte Argentario, offering continuous views on 5 of the islands of the Archipelago and impressive cliffs plunging into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Along the way we see some watchtowers, a medieval defensive system against Saracen incursions. We continue to Porto Ercole celebrating the end of our trip with a coffee or a glass of wine before heading back to Montecatini. 5 “We move according to our perceived self-image.” (M. Feldenkrais) The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education uses gentle movement and directed attention to help people learn more effective ways of living the life they want. By increasing sensitivity and awareness, the Feldenkrais Method assists you to live your life more fully, efficiently, and comfortably. You can increase your ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. 6 About S-Cape Travel S-cape Travel is an Adventure Holiday specialist with over 20 years’ experience operating unique FIT and small groups in Italy and the Mediterranean. Our local offices in Italy, France, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands personally designs walking, cycling, cultural and food & wine tours. We have a vast selection of self-guided adventures and guided tailor-made experiences and our programs feature gourmet food, hand-picked accommodations, stunning natural areas interspersed with jaw roping culture Local adventurists and hosts Tullia Caballero, S-Cape Italy director Tullia is half-Italian, half-Spanish, and grew up in the UK, South America and Italy - a true Mediterranean with travel flowing in her blood. After graduating as a translator, she spent 4 months in Nepal which consolidated her passion for nature and the outdoors. In 1995 Tullia worked for World Wildlife Fund in Italy, creating wildlife and hiking trips and after a few years she knew that this was what she wanted to do. What she likes about her job is having fun and enjoying life going hiking, cycling, tasting amazing food and wine, meeting inspiring people and making lasting friendships as she scouts and develops trips that make people happy. Tullia have walked and cycled all over Italy and loves to share her first-hand knowledge with others. Marco Valtriani, environmental guide and biologist Marco’s main passion has always been the natural world together with history and traditions of his native country. He is convinced that the landscapes and lifestyles of today are the product of Italy’s unique combination of nature and culture. Marco has been hiking Italy since he was young. He likes exploring untamed places, charming villages, and little-known archaeological sites, especially when it comes to the ancient arts and crafts. He has been a tour guide and organizer since 1999. He has tracked hiking trips in destinations such as the Dolomites, Sicily, the Cinque Terre, Piedmont and Lake Como for individuals, groups, and international travel companies. As a professional ornithologist, he has worked on bird ringing and water bird counting and published several scientific papers. 7 Accommodation In this tour, we use a mix of 3- and 4-star hotels. All rooms are different in style and have their own private facilities. In Sorano, you will be accommodated inside the Fortezza Orsini directly, which now hosts a marvellous 3-star hotel. Montecatini - Hotel Boston 4* or 11 Oct. Montecatini - Hotel Da Vinci 4* 12 Oct. Castel del Piano, Grand Hotel Impero 4* 13 Oct. Sorano, Hotel della Fortezza 3* 8 Prices sharing twin single room per person Euro 840,00 Euro 920,00 Included Not Included . 2 nights in 4* hotel and 1 night in 3* . Flights and public transportation hotel on bed and breakfast basis; to/from the event and when not specified . N° 2 picnic lunches; in the programme . N° 1 lunch in a local restaurant; . Travel insurance . Admissions and entrance fees not . 3 dinners including wine, water and specified in the programme coffee; . Tips and gratuities for guides and driver . Return Cable car to Montecatini Alto; . Personal expenses such as drinks, phone . 1-hour Feldenkrais Method lesson; calls, extra transfers etc... English speaking hiking guide and tour . Any items that have not been leader; specifically mentioned in the programme . E/F to the Castello Aldobrandesco in Arcidosso; . E/F Duomo in Sovana; . E/F to the Necropolis of Sovana and guided visit of Hildebrand tomb; . E/F and guided visit Fortezza Orsini in Sorano; . Guided visit of Pitigliano; . All transfers from day 2 to day 4; . Luggage transfer between the hotels (1 piece max. 15 kg per person) . Hotel City taxes.