Classic Journeys Presents Top 10 Walking Tours For Fall

Autumn walking trips in Europe and Canada showcase nature at its colorful best

La Jolla, CA (July 2010) – Mid-summer may be peak travel season to some...but for certain savvy adventurers, it’s not quite time to pack their bags.

This fall, Classic Journeys caters to those who’d rather wait to make their move until September and October, when the tempo of life on the road begins to relax. The weather mellows, the crowds drift away, and regions where grapes and olives grow provide an extraordinary treat at harvest time.

Sounds lovely...yet is it all too last-minute? Absolutely not, with a limited number of spaces still available on the company's Top 10 fall walking tours, including nine regions in Europe and one very special trip to multicultural Quebec.

Quebec & Charlevoix

Departs Sept. 12 from Quebec City
6 days/5 nights

North America’s European heritage is on brilliant display from the cobblestone streets of Lower Town Quebec to the arts-and-crafts villages of Charlevoix. On foot, guests take in Montmorency Falls and a national park that’s home to peregrine falcons and caribou herds, plus a whale-watching cruise on Saguenay Fjord.

Prague to Budapest

Departs Sept. 5 from Prague
8 days/7 nights

Bookended by two imperial capitals, this time-traveling trip boasts castles and cathedral spires along with remarkably preserved medieval villages. In the rolling countryside of the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary, guests enjoy farmland walks and winery visits, capped by a delightful cruise on the Danube.

Bordeaux & the Dordogne Valley

Departs Sept. 5 & Oct. 10 from Bordeaux
7 days/6 nights

Vintage reds complement a week of scenic walking through river valleys, vineyards, and villages that double as world heritage sites. Following ancient footpaths, guests explore medieval castles, view prehistoric cave art and hunt for truffles with a leading expert. The company's most popular trip debut ever!

A Week in Provence

Departs Sept. 5 & Oct. 3 from Avignon
7 days/6 nights

Scented fields of lavender and thyme share the spotlight with a soaring Roman aqueduct and towering hilltowns. Together, guests walk the crest of the Dentelles de Montmirail, shop village markets, sip pastis under the plane trees, and savor al fresco piqueniques of local wine, baguettes and goat cheese.

Amalfi Coast & Capri

Departs Sept. 5 & Oct. 3 from Naples
7 days/6 nights

Skimming over the Bay of Naples by hydrofoil to Capri, guests enjoy two full days of coastal walks, ancient Roman villas and modern shopping. Back on the mainland, a morning rim walk on Mount Vesuvius precedes arrival in Positano, where guests enjoy a private tasting at a limoncello factory and a personal guided tour of nearby Pompeii.

Southern Tuscany to Rome

Departs Sept. 12 & Oct. 3 from Cortona
7 days/6 nights

Samplings of olive oil and local wines take center stage during a week that showcases medieval Siena, rustic Umbria and an insider’s glimpse of Rome. On rural walks, guests take in landmarks in the life of St. Francis of Assisi, photogenic hilltowns, and Etruscan tombs...accompanied by unforgettable meals, from cheese-tastings and impromptu picnics to unique ristorantes.

Italian Lake Retreats

Departs Sept. 5 & Oct. 3 from Bellagio
7 days/6 nights

A sparkling trio of lakes – Como, Maggiore and Orta – are the focus of a memorable week in the mountains of northern Italy. On shore, guests ramble country roads and bridle paths, pausing to sample local wines and cheeses along the way. Private motor launches carry guests over the water to explore an island monastery, jewel-like palaces and spectacular gardens.

Sicily - Island in the Sun

Departs Sept. 12 & Oct. 10 from Palermo
7 days/6 nights

Two nights in the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento place guests squarely in the center of Greek antiquity, including wildflower walks with views of the sea. A ferry ride to Lipari, largest of the Aeolian Islands, leads to memorable stops at vineyards and olive plantations. From Taormina, clinging to the cliffs above the Ionian Sea, guests head out for a one-of-a-kind picnic on the slopes of Mt. Etna.

Taste of Tuscany Culinary Tour

Departs Oct. 10 from Florence
7 days/6 nights

Lovers of Italian cuisine never had it so good! In professional kitchens and private cucinas, guests pick up countless tips on preparing Tuscan classics. Outdoors, they enjoy countryside walks, winetastings, and samplings of the region’s legendary olive oil...with plenty of time to explore the Renaissance splendors of Florence and the streets of Cortona made famous by Francis Mayes.

Southern Spain's Andalucia

Departs Sept. 12 & Oct. 17 from Seville
7 days/6 nights

It’s all about the Moors on this weeklong visit to the cultural centers of Seville and Ronda, Granada and Jaen, where guests soak up the art, architecture and antiquities they left behind. On scenic nature walks, guests explore one of Los Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) and amble among the pillars of El Torcal National Park, with time carved out for olive mills and vineyard visits.

For full details about the Top 10 trips departing in autumn, including pricing and daily agendas, click on www.classicjourneys.com/fall, or contact a Guest Services Coordinator directly at (800) 200-3887.


About Classic Journeys:

Classic Journeys offers cultural walking adventures, culinary tours and family journeys in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. Guests enjoy luxury accommodations and gourmet meals that reflect the best of each region, coupled with soft adventure activities, daily interactions with locals, and native guides who make countries and cultures come alive. Tours are six to 12 days long with two to four hours of easy-going walking per day. Land-only tour prices range from $2495 to $7995 per person (with discounts for small groups and children traveling with parents). Average tour size is 10, limited to a maximum of 18 guests per departure. Full details and links to itineraries are available at www.ClassicJourneys.com.

Sign up for E-News

Get updates on the latest travel