What a fantastic week! It didn't start off without a struggle otherwise.... Tuesday morning, bags filled, donkey saddled, hiking boots on, sunscreen applied.... 500m far and then she stopped.... After 1.5 hours of pulling out all the tricks in our bag, 2 children who were more weeping than laughing, ourselves wet with sweat and trying to hide a little despair, we called for help. Thanks to Maurizio and his pickup truck, we were able to continue on our own on foot after about 1 km. Whew!
4 day hikes in beautiful countryside, hardly encountered anyone along the way, physically challenging, but achievable for our kids (6 and 8y, with the youngest regularly on the donkey), great agriturismos (especially Incante del fiume and La landoucia!.... so hospitable, such good food, such beautiful locations). The donkey makes it extra adventurous, you have to be with it, you have help with it, the kids help take care of it, carry some responsibility.
The combination of the fun of hiking, the fatigue towards the end of the day, the ease and difficulty of the donkey, the satisfaction after a day and the pampering you experience in the agriturismos made it an unforgettable week for us!