Most Inspirational Moment
The dramatic views throughout the trip, especially on Day 3 when we hiked Monte Sumbra (Tuscany’s Half Dome), reaching the top and being gifted with those incredible 360° views of the Garfagnana, the Apennines, the Apuan Alps and the Versilia coastline was honestly a gift for my eyes and I just couldn’t stop looking around and taking it all in! And then there was the feeling of reaching the peak every day. Thanks to our Tour Leader, Sara, we were encouraged to push ourselves and believe that we could do it, so being able to challenge ourselves, reach those peaks and realise what we were capable of was incredibly inspiring too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara Bull was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. She went above and beyond from the moment we met, was incredibly attentive, encouraging and created such a great sense of community. She shared so much knowledge, history and fun facts along the way. I genuinely feel like I came back a slightly different person because of her :) I’ll always be grateful I met her. And a big shout-out to Pierluigi too, who shared his passion for the history and culture of his hometown.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Trust the Trip Notes and bring everything they recommend! The Garfagnana has microclimates, so layers and good waterproofs are essential, especially in September and October. Bring proper hiking boots, a supportive day pack, and hiking poles if you have them. Gloves are also a good idea for rainy days (I wish I’d had some!) I know it’s annoying to carry all this, but it will make your holiday so much better.