walking & adventure holidays

Italy's little incursion into the southern Roya...

The Roya valley runs North/South parallel to the Vésubie. Most of it in France, except for the southern 15 km - the difference is striking....
The quickest way to get to the valley is up and over the Col de Turini (famous for its rallies). At more than an hour and a half, for non rally drivers, it's just been too far for us to make daily trips to.
We've been looking for somewhere nice to base ourselves for some time now - we really like the slightly arty village feel to Airole - and are sure our guests will too.
There is a huge amount of diversity. Airole is just 13 kilometres inland from Ventimille - well known for its Friday market (if you must) and other attractions on the Riviera, such as the Hanbury Gardens.
The hills around Airole are dominated by olive groves, and a fine and recent wine estate, plus pretty little villages awash with history and blessed with jolly bars.
The Sentier Botanique between Sospel in France and Olivetta in Italy is a must for flora enthusiasts, who will also love the Alpine pastures in the Valmasque valley further north.
Culture lovers will be interested in the valley's Franco/Italian past, its strategic importance as the "salt route" between France and the Piedmont plain, the wealth of Baroque art, the mysterious Merveilles Valley and a fascinating museum in Tende, its wartime Maginot line role...need we go on...
The itinerary below is geared for early spring and late autumn, but can be tailored for winter, with a few changes due to the amount of snow in the higher reaches - unless of course you fancy some snow shoe work!

Season

Departures to date

Pricing

Standard weekly package : £780 - Full board

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.
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What's included

Accommodation - Seven nights - Airole

Airole is a dream location. It’s on the train line, convenient for the non-fliers, but don’t imagine Liverpool Street Station. The occasional rumbling of a train is a rather charming addition to life in a sleepy hamlet.
It is a hamlet where artists have chosen to come and base themselves to indulge their creativity.
This is reflected in the style of the studios that we have selected to accommodate our guests. Each will have their own kitchens, should you want to prepare a snack or hot drink, but evening meals are taken together, either in one of the larger studios or in local restaurants.
All meals are included in the price, and when we eat "in house", the catering will be done by Liz and Mel. All "in house" meals include apéritif and wine. During restaurant meals, table wine is included, but should you wish to choose your own bottle, then this will be at your own expense.
Activities : Five days guided walking in and around the lower Roya Valley. See detailed itinerary opposite.
Transport : All transfers to and from Nice airport, and all transport during the week. Please note - all our trips are land only, flights are not included.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Nice airport and transfer to Airole. Settle in, apéritif and meal out in the small "Ristorante u Veciu Defisiu", situated in the charming little square.
• Day 2 Drive the short distance across the valley to the tiny perched village of Olivetta, from where we follow the "Sentier Botanique" and the Bevera river, and then follow a little known circuit around Mont Grazian, taking a short detour to have a look at the small village of Piène Haute, before returning to Olivetta. Picnic lunch & dinner in house.
• Day 3 Today, we start from Airole, cross the Roya, and follow the path to the tiny hamlet of Collabassa. From there we follow the Sentiera Balcone that winds its way above the Bevera river to the commune of Torri Superiore, where we stop for a sit down lunch. We return along the same footpath to Airole. Light supper in house.
• Day 4 Drive up the Roya valley for about 1/2 hour, until we reach Lac des Mesches. From here we walk up the Minière valley, and if conditions allow, all the way up to the Vallée des Merveilles. If not, we complete a lower circuit of the delightful Minière valley. Picnic lunch and dinner in house.
• Day 5 An easy day to let your muscles recover. In the morning, we drive to Tende and visit the Merveilles Museum, and the village. You'll have time to stroll around the winding little streets above the main square, and take a coffee. Return to Airole for light lunch in house. The afternoon is yours to do as you want - siesta! Evening meal in the "Ristorante u Veciu Defisiu".
• Day 6 Drive to small village of la Brigue where we can stop to view its baroque churches, and then we continue on up the road for 3 km to Notre Dame des Fontaines. Here we start our circuit walk that takes back up to the Italian border ridge, with superb views of the Med to the south and the Mountains to the north. Picnic lunch and dinner in house.
• Day 7 Drive up to the Vallon de Cairos (40 mins), from where we follow forest tracks to gain the crest of a ridge overlooking Breil sur Roya, with wonderful views of the high peaks of the Mercantour National Park to the north. Once we have gained the crest, we follow it for some 2-3 kilometres, before we descend again to our start point. This takes us through very unfrequented country, and so there may be a good chance of spotting deer and chamois during the day. Picnic lunch and last evening dinner in house.
• Day 8 Return to Nice airport.

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