Montegrotto, the Euganean Hills, and Florence

The date and time registration opens and closes are the same. This has been done on purpose so that you cannot register for the event directly: you must place yourself on the waiting list first. You may place yourself on the waiting list at any time after 5 pm on February 1. See registration requirements under "Additional Notes" below. If you jump the line and manage to register for the event I will move you back to the waiting list.

Outline: Montegrotto Terme is a spa resort in the Veneto, 7 miles from Padua. It is adjacent to a large regional park that has more than 20 different trails. It is within one hour by train from several cities, such as Venice, Verona, and Modena. We will stay in a hotel in Montegrotto and hike the trails on May 11, 13 and 15, and visit Bologna, Venice, and Florence on other days. Since we will hike in the mornings, we will be able to soak in the spa in the afternoons. You will have to book your own accomodations but I can help you with that.

Day 1 (5/9): Leave Atlanta in the evening.

Day 2: Arrive in Milan, Italy, in the morning and take a train to Padua. From Padua take a local train for a 12 to 15 minutes ride to Terme Euganee train station. From the train station take a cab for a 1 mile ride to the hotel and spa. Settle in. Dinner in the hotel. Note: I will be arriving in Milan the previous evening and may be able to meet you at the airport.

Day 3: In the morning go on an easy hike in the adjoining Euganean Hills Natural Park and admire Villa Borghese; in the afternoon visit the town.  Breakfast and dinner in the hotel.

Day 4: Visit Bologna. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5: In the morning go on another hike in the park; in the afternoon soak in the spa. Breakfast and dinner in the hotel.

Day 6: Visit Venice. 

Day 7 (5/15): In the morning hike in the park and check out from the hotel. In the afternoon take a train to Florence, changing trains in Ferrara; the train ride from Montegrotto to Ferrara takes 45 minutes, and from Ferrara to Florence 70 minutes. Sleep in Florence. We can all have dinner together and I can tell you a little bit about the fascinating story of Brunelleschi and the Duomo. 

Day 8: Visit Florence.

Day 9 (5/17) Return home (or you can stay longer).

This schedule may be modified in case of adverse weather conditions or other force majeure events.

Comments on the itinerary:

1. After I move you to the list of participants I will share information about recommended hotels.

2. May is arguably the best month for outdoor activities in Montegrotto: it is warm but not too much; the average maximum temperature is 77 F.

3. It is better to fly to Milan than to Rome, since it is much closer to Montegrotto.

4. Recommended hotel in Montegrotto: I have been going to Montegrotto for several years, always to the same hotel; it was recommended by a friend who has been going to that same hotel for over 10 years; I cannot vouch for any other accomodation in Montegrotto since I never stayed anywhere else. The cost is reasonable, the food and service are excellent, and the staff is multilingual and very friendly. The hotel is conveniently located near one of the park trails. The cost per room per night, all inclusive, with double occupancy, starts at approximately 242 euros. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and access to the spa for two. In addition you will have to pay (probably in cash) an occupancy tax of $2.50 euros per night per person.

4. In Montegrotto, we will meet every day at 8 or 9 am in the hotel lobby. If you do not stay at the recommended hotel you must be aware of the time it will take you to get to it by 9am.

5. Recommended hotel in Florence: Last summer in Florence we stayed in a modest hotel conveniently located within walking distance from the train station and close to downtown. If you stay elswhere it should be as close as possible to this hotel. The hotel has only 18 rooms, so we need to book early. It will cost around 260 euros per night with double occupancy, plus occupancy tax.

Additional info:

https://www.italia.it/en/veneto/padova/parco-naturale-colli-euganei

https://www.visitabanomontegrotto.com/en/  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montegrotto_Terme

Registration Requirements: This event is intended for active AOC members.  You must be either an AOC trip leader or be recommended by an AOC trip leader that I know well. This requirement is in place to verify that you have the necessary level of fitness and, most important, that you are a sociable person that will get along with the rest of the group and will not engage in disruptive behavior. You must satisfy the registration requirements at the time of registration. Please put yourself on the waiting list. If you have never hiked with me please ask an AOC trip leader to send me a recommendation by February 9.  People that put themselves on the waiting list before you will have precedence. After I move you to the list of participants please send me the $25.00 user fee no later than April 12, I will transfer the money to AOC. Payment must be sent to Richard Zalik by PayPal to zalikri@me.com . Bear in mind that this is not a commercial transaction, so to avoid paying fees when using PayPal, select the option "send money to friends and family".

Your registration is not complete until I receive your $25.00 registration fee. If I don't receive it by April 12 I will remove you from the list of participants.

You must send me evidence that you bought a plane ticket to Italy by April 12, otherwise I may remove you from the list of participants.

After I move you to the list of participants I will share with you the recommended hotel information and, if you request it, help you with your bookings. Although there are restaurants in Montegrotto none is within walking distance, so when you book your accomodations select the dinner option. It is far cheaper to eat in the hotel than in a restaurant, the fare is excellent, healthy and varied, and the service is outstanding. Breakfast is buffet style. The hotel has a wide selection of local wines, some of which are very good and very cheap. You can also buy more expensive wines.

Please book your plane and train tickets and make your hotel reservations as soon as possible.

DISCLAIMER: The Trip Leader for this event has elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event, except for the $25.00 user fee. Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

The AOC $25.00 nonrefundable user fee, which I will collect and forward to the club.

You are responsible for all other expenses, including bus, cab, air, and train fares, as well as meals and incidentals.