Wandelretraite Bolsena lake
“Walking Retreat Bolsena lake. Discover the enchanting beauty of Bolsena during our walking retreat around Lake Bolsena. Immerse yourself in the magic of Bolsena as you walk around the lake and through its charming villages. This retreat offers the opportunity to walk at your own pace and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the Italian countryside. My Red Shoes ensure a superb experience.
Do you enjoy beautiful new encounters, impressions, and insights to cherish forever? Would you like to join a group of friendly, like-minded people of all ages with the same interest for a walking holiday in a relaxed atmosphere? Then, join us for a stroll around Bolsena along ancient pilgrimage paths and through a beautiful volcanic landscape. Abundant remnants of Etruscan and Roman culture await. Together, you will experience your most beautiful walking retreat ever.
Step out of the daily grind by experiencing, through walking, what life is truly about. It’s time to recharge your batteries instead of your smartphone’s. Enjoy and let yourself be inspired.”
Data 2024:
May 18th to May 25th
August 31st to September 7th
September 21st to September 28th
November 9th to November 16th
Wandelretraite Bolsena lake
- Clearing the mind & filling the heart
- Encounters with others along the way
- Adventurous journey with a personal hiking guide
- Focus on local life in authentic villages along the route
- Time to recharge your batteries instead of your smartphone
- Opportunity to participate in meditation and breathwork sessions
- Swimming and sunbathing during walks by Lake Bolsena.”
Mariët Bloemendal personal hiking guide
Ciao, I am Mariët Bloemendal the creative jack-of-all-trades and passionate Italy expert of Follow the Red Shoes.
Follow the Red Shoes specializes in special experience and discovery vacations in Italy.
My mission during this special retreat is to let you enjoy authentic central Italy in a special way. Far away from mass tourism I take care of, organize and create a base in which you, will discover and experience a real Italian vacation.
All walking retreats and vacations of Follow the Red Shoes I guide myself. I look forward to experiencing “Il Passegato dell’amore” with you. A milestone in your life.
I myself traveled to Rome in 2015 along the ancient pilgrimage route with my dog Djazzy and shuffleboard. A milestone in my life. Taking another trip back to Italy. A new path after a tumultuous time in my life. Article Libelle.
In 2020, with Follow the Red Shoes, I won the Benelux Award for Best Specialist Italian Holiday Agent 2020.
Since January 2021, I have been heard monthly as
Correspondent Italy program “de Wereld” BNNVARA NPO1.
I am super proud to have won the LUXlife Hospitality Award 2023 in 2023.
Probably you are very curious who I am? I cordially invite you to read more about me through my blog.
Wandering Retreat around Lake Bolsena Practical
Information: Level: The walks mostly cover off-the-beaten-path trails. Walking experience and good fitness are desirable (level 3). Climate: Typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers. June is a delightful month for walking.
Terrain: Through beautiful Mediterranean nature and along remnants of a rich history. Diverse landscape with olive and pine trees, cypresses, vineyards, fields, and meadows with numerous wildflowers. Volcanic hilly landscape with green valleys and remnants of the Etruscan civilization.
Guidance: The walking guidance is provided by Mariët Bloemendal of Volg de Rode Schoentjes. She knows the area like the back of her hand.
Group Size: We walk in a small group, up to a maximum of 8 people. This allows for personalized attention to individual preferences. All mentioned times are average walking times. There will also be time allocated for rest breaks, taking photos, and observing the surroundings and landmarks. During our walks, you won’t have to overcome significant altitude differences, and there’s no need for special equipment. Ensure you wear sturdy walking shoes, preferably well-worn. Adequate sun protection is essential, and consider bringing lightweight rain gear as well.
Accommodation around Lake Bolsena
Each evening, you return to the picturesque Bolsena for a stay in an agriturismo or accommodation of your preference, a beautiful house in Bolsena, or an agriturismo with a pool.
Day to Day Program
P.S. There is an opportunity for early morning meditation and breathwork sessions every day.
Day 1: Welcome Dinner in Bolsena Arrive in Bolsena and enjoy a welcome dinner in this charming town.
Day 2: City Walk in Bolsena Explore the winding streets and old squares of Bolsena in the morning. Learn about the rich history of the Etruscans, visit artisan shops, and savor the warm atmosphere. After the walk, experience the tranquility of the Quattro Fratelli olive grove with a delightful Italian lunch prepared with local ingredients. In the afternoon, visit Aquapendente for the Festa della Madonna dei Fiore* (May) and have dinner at home in Bolsena.
Day 3: Walk from Bolsena to Montefiascone (15 km) Follow the ancient footpath of the Franciscans, Via Fracigena, from Bolsena to Montefiascone, walking through hills with light climbs and descents. Explore Montefiascone, known for its papal history, pilgrims, and the famous white wine Est! Est!! Est!!!. Enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and its islands. Bring swimwear and a towel. Dinner in Bolsena.
Day 4: Walk from Montefiascone to Marta (15 km) Start the day in Montefiascone with a fresh coffee. Walk through hills towards the lake, enjoy magical views, and take a lunch break at one of the many beaches. If possible, swim in the lake. Continue along the lake to the picturesque fishing village Marta. Taste the local red wine Cannaiola. Dine on the waterfront in Marta.
Day 5: Walk from Marta to Gradoli (16 km) Pass through Capodimonte and head towards Gradoli, located high on the north side of the lake. Walk through vineyards and olive groves, and lunch at Monte Bizensio, a sacred Etruscan site, with stunning lake views. Visit Palazzo Farnese and taste the famous local sweet wine Aleatico in Gradoli. Dinner in Bolsena.
Day 6: Walk from Gradoli to San Lorenzo Nuovo (14 km) Experience enchanting nature as you walk from Gradoli to San Lorenzo Nuovo, a path leading through breathtaking landscapes. Explore San Lorenzo Nuovo, a relatively new town with a neoclassical style. Dine in a restaurant along the lake.
Day 7: Walk from San Lorenzo Nuovo to Bolsena (11 km) Return to Bolsena along the Via Francigena, enjoying the serene environment and Mediterranean sun. Take in panoramic views of Lake Bolsena. Follow a pleasant route through olive groves, meadows, and forests. Bid farewell at Roberta’s in Bolsena.
*The May retreat coincides with the beautiful Madonna del Fiore festival in Acquapendente on Sunday, adding an extra layer of experience to our journey.
Best price
- Five days of walking, including:
- City walk in Bolsena, including lunch in our Quattro Fratelli olive grove
- Transportation on walking days
- Lunches during the walking days
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Two dinners during the journey
- Not included:
- Personal drinks and other consumptions outside the program
- Travel to and from our location
- I offer you this inspiring walking retreat for €995
Most chozen
- Included:
- 7 nights in a double room
- Daily breakfast
- Guided 5 walks
- City walk in Bolsena, including lunch in our Quattro Fratelli olive grove
- 7 dinners
- Packed lunches
- Organization of the trip
- The continuous presence of a travel guide and guide.
- Transfer to and from the walks
- Group transfer to and from Orvieto train station
- Welcome drink in Bolsena
- Price: €1950
- Not included:
- Personal drinks and other consumptions outside the program
- Travel expenses to and from the destination.
All inclusive
- Included:
- 7 nights with breakfast
- Single room in an agriturismo with a pool
- Guided 5 walks
- 7 dinners
- City walk in Bolsena, including lunch in our Quattro Fratelli olive grove
- Packed lunches
- Organization of the trip
- Continuous presence of a travel guide and guide
- Introductory phone call
- Transfer to and from the walks
- Transfer to and from Rome airport
- Welcome drink in Bolsena.
- Price: €2275
- Not included:
- Personal drinks and other consumptions outside the program
- Travel expenses to and from the destination
Experiences hiking retreat
Margret Leferink
You are yourself: spontaneous, open, genuinely interested in and curious about people and their needs. You take that into account when putting together your vacations (customized). With your great love for Italy and Italians and in particular the Bolsena area as an overarching passion. You don’t play a role, so you don’t fall out, and people feel that.
Hilda Ruinemans
I had a wonderful hiking vacation. We walked a route from Orvieto to Rome along and through beautiful villages and towns. It was very rewarding and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Mariet thank you for your wonderful , funny and good guidance. You showed me a beautiful part of Italy.
Nikki Schuurmans
A wonderful hiking vacation. Under the guidance of Mariët, follow the red shoes, in 10 days to foot from Orvieto to Rome. The nature, the beautiful varied landscape, the delicious food, the beautiful little villages and towns and the places where we stayed overnight made this vacation an experience to remember! TOP! This way of traveling allows you to get to places you normally don’t easily see and shows you the real Italy. Going out with someone who knows the language, culture and area well is an addition. Mariët makes sure everything is well arranged, such as the rest day in Calcata (never had such beautiful views from a vacation accommodation before), and knows how to find the nicer trails that lie between Orvieto and Rome. Under the warm Italian sun, it is much more pleasant to walk through the forest and among the hazelnut trees than along the paved roads. All in all we had a fantastic two weeks, thank you!
yes I will go
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