& Switzerland

Introduction: 2115 m at the Splugen Pass, and then looking around you can observe how “Le grand chemin d’Italie” – this is the way descend through the spectacular and it has lived a past full of history and nineteenth-century European travellers charming gorge of the Cardinello as far extraordinary works of art such as the often called the road from Coira to as Isola, where it continues along the beautiful palaces, the portals and the through the Splugen. For many whole of the San Giacomo valley, fountains made with pot stone. years this has been the most travelled eventually reaching the picturesque Overnight. route from Germany to Italy, thanks to its village of Chiavenna (333m). particularly privileged geographical Day 2: Chiavenna - Isola position. The Splugen Pass (2115m), Tour highlights: The way takes you uphill just beside located in one of the narrowest points of - Rofla gorge with spectacular the river through Campodolcino the Alpine chain, marks the passage waterfalls; the main centre of the Spluga valley through the Lepontine and Rhaetian . - Via Mala Gorge - extraordinary where it is possible to see many Equidistant from Milan and Zurich, it is the geological characteristics, a real shops and to visit the new museum communication gate of the two basins of breathtaking show; called “Mu.vi.s.” that means Museo of Lake Constance and as well - St. Martino churc and the the Via Spluga and of the S.Giacomo as the large valleys of the and . regional museum in Zillis - visit valley. Once you pass the “Soste”, a Today, after two centuries, it can be seen of the three apses Romanic very ancient centre where horses that interest in that road is coming back to church and dicover the daily life were changed, you enter the life and this does not depend on trade and of the past centuries in a XVI-th Cardinello deep valley. In this part the economic reasons; more on a mix of century bulding; path skirts the gorge halfway up the motivations including ecology and a - The thermal bath of ; hill like a long sheer balcony over th reminiscent tourism: the wish to disappear - Museum of the Via Spluga in rushing stream, Liro, which is a into a intact and well-preserved natural Campodolcino possibility to reminder of the winter passages of space combines with the desire to recover know the history of the valley armies and stable men. Overnight in the ancient way of travelling, to discover through a verry good exposition; Isola. new places and to feel the same - The Mill of Bottonera in /Chiavenna–Isola:6h 20min;downhil sensations as those of the ancient Chiavenna; walk 100m; uphill walk 1000m/ travellers. The itinerary, full of historical, - The Cardinello Gorge and the /breakfast, lunch pack/ ethnographic and naturalist features, historical centre of Chiavenna; unwinds along ancient routes and it is set Day 3: Isola - Splugen up with stopping places containing logistic Itinerary: Sublime pass across to the Swiss and informational aids. It covers a total of Day 1. Arrival in Chiavenna the key of Alpine of Spluga. Cardinello throat 65 km, starting from Thusis in the heart of the alps, and from Roman times an and the most picturesque stretch of the Grison Canton (720m), continuing important transit town to the Rhine basin. Via Spluga; the trail along the gorge along the gorges of the Mala Way, Today it is a flourishing tourist and halfway down as a long balcony through the towns of , cultural town with well preserved overlooking the impetuous Liro River, and on to Splügen (1457m), an important historical centre. It offers interesting reminds the tragic winter crossings of transit crossroad. The Via Spluga then museums. Walking through the streets in the military. Overnight in Splugen the turns southwards, reaching an altitude of the town centre of Chiavenna and most important settlement Val di Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] Reno (Rheinwald), site of ancient trade public bus (extra charged). Visit the drinks, cigarettes and other personal remained almost perfectly preserved in its museums of Chiavenna, overnight. expenses. splendor. /breakfast, lunch pack/ /Isola–Splugen: 6h 40min; uphill walk Optional services: 900m; downhil walk700m/ Day 7: Breakfast. Departure. Single supplement 106 euro; /breakfast, lunch pack/ /breakfast/

Day 4: Splugen - Andeer This program reversible – could GENERAL Nestled deep in the Schamsertal between start in Thusis and walk the ======the gorges of Via Mala and Rofflaschlucht TOUR TYPES & GRADES at 1000 m, Andeer is a lovely village of other way around. We provide different varieties of tours 750 inhabitants. The presence of the 34° as regards to their types and difficulty thermal spring has always constituted a DETAILED ROAD BOOK AND MAP grades! tourist attraction and today, thanks to the WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL Whether you will choose individual new facilities, it is a modern and group tours with a guide or hydrotherapeutic centre. Whirlpool Accommodation & luggage combined tours with a guide for some massages, sauna, solarium and many transportation: part of the trip depends on you. We other activities, far from the daily noise, to Accommodation in en-suite rooms on emphasize on using local grant every kind of wishes. On the way to bed and breakfast and 5 lunchpacks. experienced guides with knowledge Andeer you can admire the cascades of There is organized transport of the of the local language, culture, history, Roffla this is a relatively new trail luggage for each of the days with art, etc. The tours are conducted in proceeding on the rocky side of the throat changes in the overnight places. the English language. Guides in other in order to see the spectacular waterfalls languages are available upon of the Rhine. Difficulty grade: B request. /Splugen–Andeer:4h 35min;uphill walk Tour types 200m; downhil walk 700m/ Best period: 15 June - 15 September Our tours are divided in different tour /breakfast, lunch pack/ types, regardless of being guided or General remarks: not or if someone travels alone or in a Day 5: Andeer – Zillis - Thusis - No sunday arrivals; group. We have prepared your The route brings you to Zillis here stands - The daily walks range between vacation so that you can concentrate the three apses Romanic church of 14km and 20km with uphill/downhill on new impressions and experiences, St.Martino (1130) where there was already walks up to 900m; awaiting you all the time. Here is a a proto Christian, then Carolingian - There is also incuded a Parking description of the various tours: religious place. The very famous painted card to use in Thusis (available at IT: Individual tours ceiling of the church offers a version of the tourist office of Thusis inside the There is no guide on this tour. You Christ’s life set in a typical medieval train station)- pay one day and have travel individually and we are period. 6 days free parking. responsible for the hotel overnights In the ethnographic regional museum it is - The program may start both form and /some/ transfers. Sometimes you possible to discover daily of the past Thusis or Chiavenna. will travel together with other people. centuries, in a XVIth century building. You If you wish a guide can be arranged, can choose to go through Travorsina or Equipment and clothing: if ordered. We take it for granted that Via Mala - situated 4 km south from Nothing compulsory. For the full list with you can read maps, provided by us Thusis, is one of the most suggestive recommended items see “General”. upon arrival. gorges of Suisse. It is delimited by rocky ------walls high till 300 meters. 321 are the Group size: Min. 2 persons Difficulty grades steps to get down to the Rhine river To prepare yourself for the best of banks, practicable from April till the end of The price includes: your vacation we recommend that October. From the tunnel of the gorge is Accommodation in en-suite rooms on you start planning it in an advance. possible to admire the “erosion stones”, bed and breakfast and 5 lunchpacks; Good physical condition is required. that are interesting plays of stones luggage transfers; detailed roadbook and In order to achieve it we advise you to produced by the incessant smoothing of map in English; start walking, jogging or cycling the river. This place has been recognized Entries for: Via mala gorge; The St. everyday. Swimming a couple of also in the past centuries for its Martino church and the regional museum times a week is also highly extraordinary geological characteristics.It in Zillis; Rofla Gorge; thermal bath of recommended. You do not need is a real breath-taking show! Andeer (max. 2 hours); to Museo of much to get yourself in shape. And /Route - Zillis - Verlorenes Loch - Thusis theVia Spluga in Campodolcino; Mill of don't forget that the most important tip 4.00h, uphill walk 300m, downhil walk 500; Bottonera in Chiavenna; "The Vertemate for an unforgettable active holiday is Route – Zillis – Travorsina - Thusis/Sila Franchi palace" in Prosto di (3 Km to choose a trip which corresponds to 5.00h, uphill walk 500m, downhil walk 850; from Chiavenna, on the way to the your physical condition! Andeer - Zillis 1.30h, uphill walk 100m, waterfalls); B: Moderate downhil walk 200m\/ Most of you, who are used to walking /breakfast, lunch pack/ The price does not include: during a long weekend, will be in Flights&airport taxes, Transfers to condition to cope with a tour of this Day 6: Acquafraaggia waterfalls Chiavenna/Thusis & return to Airport, level. You should be in good health Transfer by bus from Thusis to Chiavenna transfer by bus from Thusis to condition and not too bad physical (extra charged). Arrival at Chiavenna. Chiavenna/Chiavenna to Thusis; other condition. We have successive days Walk Chiavenna – San Fedelino/ meals than in the program, entrance fees of longer and more difficult walking Acquafraggia waterfalls and back by except the ones mentioned, tips, alcohol and days of lighter walking. Some

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] parts of the day routes are done at a electricity (dual voltage). For example, higher altitude. The paths are in good most laptops and some electric shavers condition. We walk for 5-7h a day. You are are designed to work both at 110 and free to skip some walks and have a rest. 220 volts. Plugging in an appliance that ======is not designed to run on 220 volts Equipment and clothing: electricity without using voltage converter You should always remember that you will most likely kill it. must try to keep the weight of your ======clothing equipment down to a minimum. Brief about Italy Your packed rucksack should weigh no - Geographical coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 more than 10-15 kilograms. 50 E Recommended items: waterproof - Area: 301,230 sq km (incl. Sardinia and rucksack (60 l) & daypack (35 l); walking Sicily) waterproof boots with suitable ankle - Borders: France (Northwest), the support; light casual shoes for walking Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea and/or for travelling; gaiters; loose, casual (West), the Ionian Sea (South), the trousers for trekking; waterproof trousers; (East), Slovenia (Northeast), fleece windstopper jacket; windproof, Austria and Switzerland (North). waterproof outer shell garment (breathable - Coastline: 7, 600 km if possible!); hat for sun protection; - Elevation extremes: lowest point: sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen Mediterranean Sea 0 m; highest point: lotion and lip balm; torch (headlamp), Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de water bottle, trekking sticks. Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak ======of Mont Blanc) Vaccination - Land use: arable land: 28.07%; Immunisation against Hepatitis A is permanent crops: 9.25%; other: 62.68% recommended two weeks prior departure. (1998 est.) Check latest requirements with your travel - Population: 57,998,353 (July 2003 est.) clinic or doctor prior to departure. - Religions: predominately Roman ======Catholic with mature Protestant and Money and personal expenses Jewish communities and a growing You will need some extra money to cover Muslim immigrant community drinks, other sightseeing, museums, ======laundry and souvenirs. National currency in Italy has become the Euro, divided into 100 euro cents. Some small pensioni, trattorie and pizzerie will only accept cash but ATMs are widespread and easy to use. Here are examples of some comparative prices: - Tea/coffee - 0,5-1 Euro - Beer - 1,5-2 Euro - Bottle of water - 1 Euro - T-shirt - 10 Euro - Slice of pizza -2-3 Euro ======Last edited by: VK, 05/11/10 Cell phone coverage Cellular phone coverage in Italy is excellent. The phone system available in Italy, GSM, offers superior digital audio quality and reception and cellular coverage in Italy is virtually all over the country. There will be some spots where coverage is not available or even the possibility of areas where there are temporary downs but in general, cellular coverage and network availability are not issues. ======Electricity Electricity in Italy is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC). For comparison, in the United States it is 110 volts, 60 cycle AC current. If you plan on using your own 110-volt appliances, you will need a voltage converter, unless your appliance is designed to also work with 220 volts

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]