The Bassa Via is the Italian "low route" and is NOLS' least strenuous offering in Italy. This outstanding trip is a walking tour of the history and culture of northern Italy. Still an active trip, you will walk along the Via delle Gallie (original Roman road between Rome and Lyon), explore our favorite castles, visit a vineyard, and tap your toes into Switzerland over the famous San Bernadino pass.
This comfortable trip will rely on a network of public transport and private shuttles to move you and your gear around so that you are only carrying a light day-pack during daily excursions. Lodging is comfortable and largely in hotels with a taste of the Italian backcountry life at a gondola accessed rifugio one night. Meals will be standard for Italy, but luxurious from an American standard, multi-course outings of exceptional quality.
The trip will string together a route into the Aosta region north of Turin where all valleys lead to either France or Switzerland. This storied region is the bridge between these three countries, the people and food of the region reflect a long history of blended mountain culture that has thrived for thousands of years.
The trip starts and ends in the ancient, cobble-stoned central section of Turin. Participants can fly in and out of Turin, Milan or other area cities— consider staying extra days on either end of the trip to explore the sights of northern Italy.
As a group from Turin, we will travel north beginning our adventures in Pont St Martin, a small town along the Dora Baltea River famous for a 2000 year old Roman bridge. This is our true entrance into the region and an outstanding launching point.
The trip spends 7-nights in the "field" at comfortable accommodations mostly in paired rooms. A lodging highlight will certainly be the Hospice du Grand St Bernard, high atop the San Bernadino pass just over the border into Switzerland. This is the original hospice that was built by Saint Bernard in the mid 1600's and still houses the bloodline of St Bernard dogs, bred as rescue dogs for this very area.
Photo Credit: Travis Welch
Daily hikes on this trip will oscillate between 4 and 8 miles with only mild elevation gains. This is an active trip, but not designed as exceptionally strenuous.
We believe that the best part about NOLS Alumni Trips is the group that you are with. Connecting with fellow NOLS Alumni, friends, and family is consistently the highlight for folks while exploring a stunning new area of the world.
ActivityRating*:
*Enjoy variable hikes, light packs, and upscale lodging.