Finale Ligure
Italy
Coming soon!
8 days/7 Nights
From $3950.00
“La vita è come fotografia: se sorridi, viene meglio - Life is like a picture: if you smile, it’s better.”
We don’t make a lot of promises, but we do promise you’re going to do a lot of smiling in Finale.
What do you get when you combine some of the best limestone sport climbing on the planet with a gorgeous Mediterranean coastline, out of this world cuisine, and more castles, cliffs and cappuccini than you can shake a stick at? Finale, more or less, except you also need to add in some Italian charm, the beach, a little gelato, short approaches, friendly people, great weather, a medieval city, and some world-class mountain biking to really get the picture. Either way, there are plenty of reasons why Finale is widely known as one of the best climbing vacation spots on Earth. Come join us for the perfect blend of relaxation, climbing and exploration on the hills and crags of the Italian Riviera’s quieter side, the Riviera di Ponente or “coast of the setting sun.”
Finale ticks every box for a dreamy European climbing vacation: Food, culture and immaculate stone, plus it’s drop-dead gorgeous.
Climbing
Whether you climb 5.4 or 5.14, the crags of Finale offer some of the most fun and accessible sport climbing in Europe. The area is famous for pocketed faces, but it also has tufas, steeps and slabs in abundance. And while Finale is better known for the gorgeous crags dotted about its many hills and valleys, it also boasts some fantastic sea cliffs right on the water. If you’ve never tried climbing above a crystal blue sea with the waves lapping below, it’s an unforgettable experience that we can’t recommend enough. You’ll have to take our word for it that vacation climbing really doesn’t get any better, and don’t be intimidated - the sea cliffs offer some of the most moderate grades in the area.
What’s more, most of the approaches in the area are short, and the variety of settings from mountains to coast never get old. If you feel comfortable climbing 5.8-5.10 (or harder) in the gym, you’ll love Finale as its style of climbing is just pure fun.
Each day we’ll head out in small groups of up to five climbers, and we’ll make sure you’re paired with climbers and climbs that match your ability so you don’t have to worry about being held back or pushed too far.
Like all of our sport climbing vacations, this trip is perfect for climbers of any skill level, and is a great opportunity to learn new skills, push your limits, work on your lead game, or just enjoy the ride.
Food & Accommodations
Italian food needs no introduction, and Ligurian cuisine is about as good as it gets. Renown for its olive oil even throughout Italy, the region is also famous for seafood dishes like burrida, its signature breads like farinata and focaccia, and perhaps its most famous export, pesto. The basil-laden classic we know and love is actually pesto alla genovese, as in from Genova, just a short drive up the coast, and that’s just the start. We’ve hand-picked our favorite restaurants, bakeries and snacks to give you a taste of it all.
We also know that waking up in the morning somewhere really special is hard to beat, so we’ve chosen our accommodations to make sure you feel it every time you get back to your room. After all, the climbing and the food are important, but this is meant to be vacation and we want it to feel like it.
In Milan we’ll be staying at the unbelievably gorgeous downtown gem of the Palazzo Segreti, a charming little slice of modern Italian style in the old city, and in Finale Ligure we’ll be making the Hotel San Pietro Palace our home for the week. We know you’re going to love them both.
Itinerary
Day 1: Benvenuti in Italia!
You get yourself to the Malpensa International Airport in Milan and we’ll meet you there. We’ll arrange your transport to the Palazzo Segreti hotel where you’ll be just a short walk from the famous Piazza Duomo with its cathedral and historic shopping galleria. You’ll be on your own for the evening to explore the historic city center where your only job will be to find something tasty for dinner and try to get some sleep.
Day 2: Off to Finale
We’ll start the day with breakfast at the hotel before we load up for the two and a half hour drive to Finale Ligure. We’ll stay at the beautiful and historic Hotel Pietro Palace, just a few minutes walk from the beach. You’ll have the afternoon to relax, take a swim, and explore a little before we head out to dinner to get our first taste of some of the dishes that make the region famous.
Day 3: Climbing Day #1
We’ll start the day right with some proper Italian coffees, another breakfast buffet, and packing a lunch full of goodies before we head out to climb. Most of our favorite cliffs are less than a half hour’s drive from town, and we’ll spend the day on the rock and come back to town for a little downtime before dinner and drinks.
Day 4: Climbing Day #2
We’ll repeat our routine again with breakfast and treats from the bakery before heading out to climb again. Destinations include the classic Monte Cucco, the sea cliffs of Capo Noli, and maybe even the neighboring valley of Val Pennavaire and Castelbianco.
Day 5: Rest Day, Mountain Biking, or Climbing Day #3
For folks who are keen on another day of climbing we’ll head out again. For those who want to give their arms a break, they’ll be free to explore town, lay on the beach (no rest day in Italy is complete without gelato), or head out with a local mountain bike guide. We’ll also be located a short walk from the medieval walled village of Finalborgo, the very definition of charming, and a perfect place to get lost. Luckily whatever you choose, the climbing, riding, eating and lounging are all top notch. We’re also going to give you the night off with no group dinner just so you don’t get tired of us.
Day 6: Climbing Day #4
We’ll once again start with breakfast, and this will be our last full climbing day of the trip. It will also be our last dinner in Finale, and we’ll make it a special one.
Day 7: Half-Day Climbing
and Back to Milan
We’ll get an early start for a half-day of climbing before we have to pack up and get ourselves back to Milan. We’ll spend another night at the Palazzo Segreti, and go out for one last farewell dinner.
Day 8: Heading Home
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and you’ll have to go home. A short ride from hotel to airport should have you on your way.
What’s Included
Airport transfers from Milan Malpensa International Airport upon arrival
Transportation to and from all climbing and cultural outings
Seven nights’ accommodation in luxury hotels
Daily breakfasts, lunches, and snacks
Fantastic dinners of our favorite local foods
Delicious local wine, beer or spirits with every meal
Gratuities for hotel and restaurant services
Instruction and guiding
Complimentary Now!Climbing and She Moves Mountains hats and t-shirts
What’s Not Included
Airfare
Transportation to Milan Malpensa International Airport upon departure (the hotel concierge can do a better job than us in arranging this one for you)
Dinner upon arrival in Milan (as folks will be getting in at different times, we’ll officially start the trip with breakfast the next morning)
Dinner on your rest day in Finale Ligure
Gratuities for your guides
Guides
Chris Wright
IFMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Chris has climbed, guided, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the 2020 Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he is always hunting for the perfect rock climbing vacation to provide sun and fun to offset cold nights in snowy mountains. His hardest send so far is 7c+ (5.13a), but he’s just as excited about getting back to a morning cappuccino and the Osteria Ai Cuattru Canti as he is about finding the perfect 8a.
Giulia Monego
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Italian Superwoman
Our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMGA certification in Italy. Giulia lives in Chamonix, and works, skis and climbs full time. These days she even loves warm rock almost as much as cold snow, and can’t wait to bring her local knowledge to our programs in Sicily and Finale.
Dylan Taylor
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
An honorary Italian himself, Dylan loves to surprise the locals as the rare American who speaks the language. Originally from Colorado, Dylan grew up with an obsession for climbing and skiing. His love for the mountains led not only to exploring, but also a Masters Degree in geology. Dylan lives in Chamonix, is an avid photographer and paraglider, and between guiding adventures finds time for his own expeditions and visiting as many Mediterranean climbing hotspots as he can.
Lizzy VanPatten
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor / Apprentice Rock Guide
In only six short years of climbing, Lizzy has managed to amass an impressive resume. In addition to being the founder and owner of She Moves Mountains, America’s leader in climbing instruction for women, she’s also found time to make the first ascent of the hardest trad route put up by a woman in Oregon, a fearsome 5.13. When she’s not climbing cracks or helping others achieve their dreams, she’s likely dreaming of limestone and gelato.
This trip is offered in collaboration with our friends at She Moves Mountains. We figured they’re great at getting women into the outdoors, so why not collaborate for some trips where everyone’s invited? Read more about She Moves Mountains here.
