Italy Destination Trip - Riverside Outfitters

Overview

This is it… the bucket list adventure to top them all! Whether you’ve done Italy before or have always wanted to, this is an opportunity to truly live large. Riverside Outfitters has teamed up with Richmond restaurateur — and northern Italy native — Claudio Ragazzi, to design this amazing trip. Claudio has led group trips throughout Italy over the past decade, and if there’s one thing Riverside Outfitters has built our business on over the past 15 years, it is safe, exciting adventuring. We have worked very closely with Claudio to select the outfitters we’ll use over this 12-day trip. With Claudio’s experience and connections, we’ve designed an exclusive expedition-style holiday, pairing top shelf adventure outings with authentic Northern Italian culinary delights — all wrapped in off-the-beaten-track travels and eco luxury that is matched to the remarkable landscapes we’ll travel through.

If whitewater rafting, road cycling, trekking, mountain biking, snorkeling, local wine and meals served family style in authentic, beautifully unpretentious settings are what you’re about — welcome home! Each day will bring adventure options scaled to your desired thrill and challenge level… so no worries there. This trip combines the benefit of having Claudio as our own dedicated guide, along with the safety standards that come from partnering with professional guides and carefully selected outfitters. We have crafted an adventure-travel package that will leave your soul deeply content and your body and mind wonderfully fit and alive!

We’ll have three group meetings at Claudio’s Caffespresso restaurant between November 1, 2019 and our departure date on June 20, 2020 to finalize plans for specific outings, learn useful Italian phrases and get aligned on all trip details.

Payments for this trip are due in installments as follows: * $500 deposit is due upon booking (refundable through October 1, 2019). * 1/2 of the remaining trip cost is due December 1, 2019. * The remaining balance of the trip cost is due on February 1, 2020. The online booking system will ask for your credit card information. We will store that information securely and use it to manually process your deposit and installments.

** Solo travelers will incur an extra total cost of $600 for single-occupancy hotel accommodations.

Refunds: * Your $500 deposit is refundable up through October 1, 2019. * The 1/2 of the remaining trip cost that is due December 1st is refundable through January 30, 2020. * After January 30, 2020 there are no refunds available.

Riverside Outfitters owner Matt Perry and Claudio would be happy to discuss this incredible adventure in greater detail either over the phone or a cup of coffee. Call (804-560-0068) or email us at riversideoutfitters@gmail.com. Ciao!

Trip Minimum: 16 people

Trip Maximum: 22 people

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrange your flight to arrive in Verona International Airport (we can help with this) and shuttle to the hotel by 5 p.m. local time. We’ll meet Claudio, our private guide, for cocktails and dinner at our hotel -- a "superior-rated" property in the heart of beautiful old-town Verona.

Day 2 - Acclimate

Get a good night's sleep, and enjoy a delicious Italian buffet breakfast at the hotel. Acclimate to local time and get your adventure juices flowing with a self-guided day of wandering the cobblestone streets of Verona - shop, sight-see, and of course eat and drink merrily! Claudio will arrange a traditional family-style dinner for us in one of Verona’s off-the-beaten-path restaurants for those looking to eat as a group. You are welcome to make your own dinner arrangements as well.

Day 3 - The Mountains

Buffet breakfast at the hotel, then we'll depart for Val di Sole in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. After breakfast, we’ll board our private coach with Claudio and make the three-hour scenic drive through the Trentino region north of Verona. We’ll stop for a roadside lunch on our way and arrive in the village of Dimaro to check into a family-owned, “superior-rated" eco-lodge, situated 2,300’ above sea-level. We’ll stretch our legs and breathe in the fresh mountain air with a choice of a bike ride along the Noce River or a hike right from the hotel up onto the scenic trails through the Val di Sole in the Dolomiti di Brenta mountain range -- home to the famous World Cup Downhill Ski venue at Madonna di Campiglio. We’ll meet back at the hotel for a traditional Italian dinner, and then feel free to stroll from the hotel through the village for music, drinks and relaxation!

Day 4 - Whitewater Rafting

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to the local rafting center. During the pre-trip planning, we will each choose between two options: "The Extreme" for maximum thrills- A class IV-V whitewater trip lasting about 4 hours (all equipment, including splash apparel, is included-- gratuity also included). Or, "The Classic"- A more tame class II-III whitewater trip (like Richmond in the summer), about 2.5 hrs. in duration (all equipment, including splash apparel, is included-- gratuity also included) Both trips end back at the outfitter around 1 p.m., leaving you just a short walk to the cafe of your choice for lunch in the village center. Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel. The rest of the night is yours to do with as you please.

Day 5 - Alpine Trek or Mountain Bike

Buffet breakfast at the hotel, then we'll take off for either a mountain biking or trekking adventure: Guided Mountain Biking -- After breakfast, our guide will transport us up to the start for a ride along the foothills that sit roughly 2,500’ above the valley floor. You can expect a moderately technical mountain bike trip, riding from near Campiglio (above the village) to a neighboring village. We will enjoy a light, alpine lunch at a baita- small alpine cafe - in the Dimaro area, remount our bikes and then make the return ride to Campiglio. The total distance will be about 21 miles. Guided Trekking -- Trekkers will walk into the village to catch a mountain train to a cable car that will transport us to the Madonna di Campiglio area. From there, we’ll set out on a guided ridgeline hike along the Val di Sole toward the Trentino di Dimaro region. We’ll stop for a light lunch at one of the several alpine baitas we pass on the slopes of these amazing foothills. We’ll all enjoy a family-style dinner at our hotel and compare adventure stories from our day.

Day 6 - Depart for the Italian Riviera

Buffet breakfast at the hotel, then we'll board our private coach with Claudio and head west to a village town on the Italian Riviera. We’ll travel about 7 hours through the gorgeous Po valley and across the Alpi Apuane coastal mountain range. A roadside cafe lunch will break up the trip, and we'll arrive in the Italian Riviera in time for a refreshing afternoon swim in the azure waters of the Mediterranean sea or stretch your legs strolling around the stunning grounds of our “Superior” rated hotel. Dinner will be provided by the hotel, and then it’s time for a walk into the historic town center for entertainment and libations!

Day 7 - The Famous Cinque Terre Trail

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we'll depart to hike the Cinque Terre trail, which ribbons the cliffs connecting five villages along the coast. We’ll board the train just a short jaunt from our hotel and ride it out to the farthest of the five villages. The first village we'll hike to, Riomaggiore, is a 30-minute trek along a cliff-top terrace, punctuated by a wonderful cafe with stunning views. Everyone can proceed at their own pace down the trail through the next three villages -- shopping, eating, and drinking at will. Arriving at the last of the five villages, Monterosso al Mare, will conclude a full day of hiking and put us back near our hotel. The train is easily accessible in all of the villages we’ll be hiking through, so feel free to cut your walk short in any village and catch the train back to the hotel. Claudio will arrange a dinner for us as a group, or you are of course free to make your own dinner arrangements.

Day 8 - Private Boat Excursion

After a buffet breakfast, we’ll board a private power boat chartered to take us on a full day island-and-port-hopping adventure on the Mediterranean Sea to the town of Portofino. We’ll snorkel, swim, sunbathe- with stops along the coast at historic treasures like Abbazia di San Fruttuoso. Wine, fresh water and fruit will be included, lunch will be on our own in one of the coastal towns. Claudio will again arrange a group dinner for us once we get back to our village and there will be plenty of time to relax after the trip.

Day 9 - Off to Tuscany

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we’ll board our private motor coach and head off to San Gimignano, Tuscany (approx. 4 hour drive). We’ll stop for lunch along the way and arrive at our destination, Mormoraia Vineyard, by mid-afternoon. We’ll check-in, and everyone is free to stroll the vineyard (with a goblet of wine in hand of course), swim, or relax on sprawling patios taking in the stunning views. Dinner will be at the vineyard inn, our Tuscan basecamp. It's a one-mile stroll into town for a nightcap.

Day 10 - Tuscan Bike Tour

We’ll gather for a buffet breakfast, then grab high-end road bikes for a guided cycling trip from the vineyard (e-hybrid bikes available for an extra charge). From Mormoraia, we’ll cycle through the Tuscan countryside, through sunflower fields, cypress groves, medieval keeps and breathtaking landscapes. We’ll break for lunch and gelato on our trip, then it’s back to the vineyard for dinner and a pleasant evening doing whatever you please.

Day 11 - Tuscan Mountain Biking

After a buffet breakfast at the inn, we’ll leave from the vineyard for a guided mountain biking excursion (light technical ride). We’ll bomb through olive tree groves and vineyards on our way to a countryside lunch and a wine tasting. A gourmet, family-style dinner will be served back at Mormoraia, then your time is your own to do with as you please.

Day 12 - Back the airport

After a buffet breakfast, it’s time to load up on the private coach and head to Florence international airport. Please make your own shuttle arrangements if you plan not to travel to the airport with the group.

Italian Adventure