FAQs

Do I have to hike? No. You don't have to do anything you want to. This is a vacation. I’m guessing most people will want to do some walking. After all, that’s what Cinque Terre is famous for, but it’s not a requirement. In fact, there are no requirements. There is a rail system that connects all the towns, and your rail pass is included in your fee. You should have whatever kind of trip experience you want. You do you.
How long are the hikes? You will have a range of 1-3 miles to 4-8 miles for each day.
How hard are the hikes? That depends on your fitness level and the hikes you choose, but nothing we are doing is in the advanced category. A moderate level of fitness (you can comfortably walk for 2 hours on a flat surface without needing to stop) is probably what we are looking for. And if you can't do that, there's a train.
Do I need to get hiking boots? No. You will want something more than flip flops or Crocs, but Keen closed-toe sandals, trainers, trail shoes, or hiking boots all work. You should pick the footwear that works best for you. I actually wrote a book about this.
Do I have to be in great shape? No. Cinque Terre has a few million visitors a year. Most of them are not in great shape. You should be ambulatory, even if you don’t want to do the hikes because there are a lot of stairs.
Do I have to be a scholar? No. Your hosts are scholars who are skilled at relaying information to those that are interested. Being curious is the quality we are looking for in prospective guests.
Do I have to read the whole book? Heck - you don’t have to read ANY of the book if you don’t want to. You can participate as much or as little as you like. All I ask is that if your travel companion is into it and you are not, that you don’t distract the others in the group when we have our classes. Either listen, or plug in some headphones, or read, or take a walk.
Will the class portion have quizzes or exams? Oh my goodness. No. Absolutely not. This is supposed to be fun. You will not be assessed. You will not be called on or put on the spot. Not ever. You will have two experienced instructors who are great storytellers. There will be wine. You will wish your educational experience were this much fun.
Is wine included? Si! Beverages will be included with dinner, including beer and house wines, juice, sparkling water, and sodas. The wines in Italy are fantastic, and we will order the house wines. If you want to get a special vintage or order a bottle of champagne or cocktails, those are not included.
But I don't drink alcohol. Is that a problem? Not one bit.
Do I need a passport? Yes. To travel to Italy, you do need a passport that doesn’t expire for at least 6 months.
What should I pack? Keep it light. I think travel is more fun if you aren’t hauling a bunch of stuff around, but if you want to change your clothes three times a day, you do you. I will have two outfits. One for day time, one for evening, and I’ll wash it every night. “If it doesn’t stow, it doesn’t go,” is a favorite quote from a traveler friend who never checks a suitcase. Here’s a link to a packing article for Cinque Terre.
What about Wifi? All of our hotels will have wifi included.
Should I get traveler insurance? Yes, I highly recommend it. I recommend checking out policies at Squaremouth, Allianz, and Nationwide for starters, but there are many companies that offer travel insurance. I have used all 3, and Squaremouth is my favorite, but it's good to check them all out and see what works for you. Talk to your insurance agent, too, and see what they recommend.
What if I get hurt on the trip? Is Off Road Scholars responsible? No, this is why you should have an insurance policy to protect you from the unexpected. Look at #14.
Can I bring my kids? This is going to be a university-level literary seminar, and that's probably not something a little kid wants to sit through, but if you have teenagers that are mature and like to read, this might be something they really enjoy. Caveat: the books I pick are likely not to be allowed in Florida school libraries.
Will my electronics work? Do I need an adapter? Yes, the plugs are different in Europe, so you will want to bring an adapter for that, and for some electronics, you will need an energy converter, too. Most newer electronics (and everything made my Apple) do not require converters - just adapters.