Backpacking Italy's Tuscan Countryside and Ligurian Coast - Alumni

Photo by: Lynda Pillage

Join a group of NOLS grads and instructors for a week of hiking in Tuscany and along Italy’s Ligurian Coast as we connect comfortable inns by foot, shuttle and train.

Photo by: Lynda Pillage

Linking together a string of small hotels and inns gives us the chance to savor Italian cuisine and culture while mixing with other, mostly European travelers. Anticipate sightseeing and exploring the region’s iconic landmarks, villages, and rural areas.

Photo by: Adrianne Eager

Sleeping and dining at country inns allows us to considerably lighten our loads on our daily hikes along the coasts and hills of Tuscan Italy. We organize a luggage shuttle that will keep your load to a small daypack when hiking between destinations.

Photo by: Lynda Pillage

The trip starts and ends in the city of Turin and participants should consider staying extra days on either end of the trip to explore the sights of Italy.

Photo by: Lynda Pillage

It may be helpful to think of this trip as divided into three sections. There’s some urban, self-guided adventuring in Pisa, Lucca, and Siena in addition to the beginning and end in Turin. There is a coastal exploration element, including day hiking along the trails and fishing villages of the Portofino Peninsula and Cinque Terre National Park.

Photo by: Lynda Pillage

Finally, there are days of hiking and sightseeing in Chianti and Panzano, enjoying the villages and vineyards of the classic Tuscan countryside. These sections are connected by foot, shuttle, or train.

Photo by: Kellsie Forbes

This trip will re-acquaint you with the NOLS community in a convivial, relaxing and visually stunning location. Instruction is geared to your interests, with optional walk-up peaks, Italian “word(s) of the day,” time for journal-writing, photography, and more.

Photo by: Adrianne Eager

Of course, non-alumni adult friends and family members are also invited- this is a great way to introduce them to NOLS.

Photo by: Kellsie Forbes

Overall Difficulty*:

*Inn lodging means cultural interaction, comfortable rooms, cooked meals. A luggage shuttle will keep day packs  light.