Uncover Italy's scenery, culture, culinary delights by kayak

PRIME January 2013 SALEM, Ore. – Tofino Expeditions, a company that has been offering commercial sea kayaking tours since 1988, is announcing a brand new sea kayaking tour of Italy for 2013. This exclusive new tour introduces paddlers to the turquoise waters, spectacular scenery, and delectable cuisine of the Mediterranean. Traveling by sea kayak gives guests a unique perspective on Italy's most beautiful panoramas as well as offering an intimate experience of the Mediterranean's authentic marineria culture – or "life of the sea." "We have guests from [ages] 14 to 75 but the main body of our clientele are in their 40s and 50s, mostly professionals and well traveled," Tofino owner and guide Grant Thompson said. Starting in Genoa, the birthplace of Columbus, this trip takes paddlers along the coast of the Italian Riviera to the singular beauty of Cinque Terre National Park, where guests explore the dramatic coastline of the five villages, stopping to sample local cuisine such as warm focaccia bread with pesto and, of course, vino delle Cinque Terre. Short hikes take participants through vineyards and olive groves scented with wild oregano, where they will visit local food producers and enjoy farm-cooked meals. Other highlights of the tour include exploring the crystalline waters of Sardinia and the Maddelena Archipelago, a national park and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site, one of three on this tour. The trip also include hiking to ancient ruins that date back to the time of the Phoenicians, visiting small farms to sample locally produced wines and cheeses, discovering Genoa's labyrinthine old quarter that dates back to the Middle Ages, and more. "Interestingly, while many of [our guests] own their own kayaks, they tend to be people with diverse interests and kayaking is only part of the appeal of any given trip," Thompson noted. "They value cultural authenticity and [Tofino] addresses that by guide selection and ensuring that there is meaningful interaction with local residents on every trip we operate. We're big fans of food as a window into both culture and history and have found this really resonates with our clientele." This tour of Italy is appropriate for kayakers of all skill levels. Every day ends in a gorgeous boutique hotel or guesthouse, where paddlers can sit and enjoy the sunset with a glass of fine wine and a meal of the finest local Mediterranean cuisine. The dates for Tofino's Italian Riviera Sea Kayaking trip are June 3 to 13 or Sept. 16 to 26. The cost of the 11-day trip is $4,495 per person. Founded by Thompson, Tofino Expeditions has guided commercial sea kayaking tours since 1988, making them one of the most experienced companies in the business. The company was the very first to provide guided paddling tours of Vancouver Island's west coast, which is now a destination on the life list of paddlers around the world. The company guides trips along the world's finest coasts in Baja, British Columbia, Croatia, Brazil, Vietnam, Norway, Italy, and the Galapagos Islands. For more information, visit Tofino's website at www.tofino.com.