My frst trip with Explore and it didn’t disappoint. Massimo our guide was very good and all the events were excellent. I particularly loved the farm visit to see Mozzarella being made and the olive oil & wine tasting. I also loved the walks! The accomodation was ok but not always comfortable and I personally would have liked just a bit more time between activities as it seemed very rushed! I will certainly look at booking Explore again in the future!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Wonderful trip. It was amazing to be able to travel from one hill town to another, each one so different from the others.
Highlights of our trip included an art exhibit in Perugia on how medieval artists perceived nature - absolutely beautiful and we had the place to ourselves, quite a contrast to the crowds at the Uffizi; staying in a 14th century pilgrim guest house in Assisi; walking out to the aqueduct bridge in Spoleto; hearing all the bells in Narni suddenly start ringing when the new Pope was elected and running outside along with everyone else to find out what had happened; and, my husband would say, the wild boar stew he ate that evening at a restaurant in the square.
Logistics were well organized and the routes well planned. It was a challenging route, however, with many steep climbs. We were glad we reserved e-bikes. There were also a number of places with poorly maintained roads, quite a bit of springtime road construction, and some areas where the route took roads with heavy traffic. Italian drivers were quite considerate, though.
We had a great time and were sad to go home. We could have stayed in each town longer, and will hopefully return to Italy soon.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Florence, Trasimeno Lake
Rome, Florence, Trasimeno Lake, Perugia, Assisi, Clitunno, Narni
Explore the rolling hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this eight-day cycling adventure from Florence to Pisa. Cycle through small, traditional villages backdropped by mountain views in Barga, then ride the pulsing streets of Pisa to the famed lopsided tower. Visit one of the oldest bakeries in Italy, operating since 1885, for a taste of their delicious biscotti (and maybe an espresso, too) and soak up some of the stunning views of Garfagnana – Tuscany's mountainous escape – with a bike ride through the town. With stops in Vinci and Lucca, too, you’re bound to fall in love with provincial Italy (even more than you were before).
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
14-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Florence, Pisa, Vinci, Barga, Ca
Florence, Pisa, Vinci, Barga, Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Lucca
Sicily and Eolic Islands invites mature travelers to discover the wonders of Palermo, Agrigento, Taormina, and Milazzo over 8 relaxed days. This guided city sightseeing tour provides all the comforts—accommodation, transport, and meals—so you can focus on sampling local delicacies and admiring ancient sites. For those seeking a serene Mediterranean getaway, the tour’s unique appeal lies in its combination of Sicily’s history with the tranquil beauty of the Eolic Islands.
This was a great holiday. The hotel was in a perfect location at the quieter northern end of Lake Como with beautiful views of the lake and the Alps. Walks were varied. Tour leader Kristians was excellent and the group all got on well.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
My first cycling trip was a great experience ! All the accommodations were top notch. The sites visited and routes taken were fantastic. Riding level was challenging but never excessive... enough coffee and strudel breaks to keep you energized ! The tour leader made this trip so good, as did the diverse group of cyclists all sharing this common interest!
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Venice, Mestre, Merano, Bolzano
Venice, Mestre, Merano, Bolzano, Lake Caldaro, Lake Garda, Verona
Excellent from start to finish. Everything was so well organised, each day flowed seamlessly. Met a great bunch of people who I soon felt at home with and our tour leader, Fabio, went the extra mile to ensure everyone was happy and well catered for. As for the cycling, it's quite hilly in places so don't expect an easy ride (apart from the last day) but with the encouragement of Fabio and the rest of the group, I managed to get up most of them! Well done Explore for providing such a great trip!
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
We had a wonderful time on this cycling trip in Sardinia!
It was a great route with lots to places to stop along the way. So much good food, and all the accommodation was wonderful. Some of the roads were a bit busy for my liking, not sure if I would be comfortable taking children on those roads but for adults it was fine. A very enjoyable week- a highlight of our month in Italy!
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Sardinia, Pula, Sant'Antioco, Sa
Sardinia, Pula, Sant'Antioco, Sant Anna Arresi, Chia
The trip was fabulous -beautiful places , lovely hotel and friendly warm staff , excellent food wine and our leader Veriano was so kind engaging fun and made the trip even more enjoyable and our group was fabulous. Would go back tomorrow! Highly recommend it!
Trekking and HikingBeach
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Amalfi Coast & Campania, Bomeran
Amalfi Coast & Campania, Bomerano, Atrani, Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius, Conca Dei Marini, Naples, Amalfi
Follow old trails through ancient hamlets and past impressive castles on the Francigena Way, the Italian Camino, between Ivrea and Pavia. From Canterbury in England to Rome in Italy, the 1900km "Francigena Way" dates back to the 11th century when pilgrims travelled across Europe on foot to visit the site of Martyrdom of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. With the modernisation of Europe and the shifting of borders the route became obsolete, until a recent revival of the pilgrimage making it one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe today. This section travels through the plains of Piedmont. From March to May the rice fields are flooded and treat you to a wonderful view of the "chequered sea". At other times of the year you will spot herons and egrets. The trail continues into the Lombardy region before ending in Pavia. Here you can enjoy the artistic wealth of Pavia's old town, while reveling in the vivacity of the student quarters.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lombardy & the Lakes, Pavia, Ivr
Lombardy & the Lakes, Pavia, Ivrea, Viverone, Santhia, Vercelli, Mortara
Journey by foot through the little-known region of Tuscany between Pontremoli and the walled town of Lucca along the Via Francigena, the Italian Camino. The Via Francigena has experienced a recent revival and is now one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe. This section of the trail takes you through a little-known region of Tuscany. Starting in Pontremoli, in the heart of the Lunigiana region where the green hills are dotted with fine castles, you will descend to the sea in Versilia. Enjoy the coastal scenery as you walk along the sandy beaches and during the warmer months you can happily stop for a swim en route. Leaving the coast behind, you will head back toward the Tuscan hills. You can visit the fascinating artists' workshops in Pietrasanta, known as the Italian Athens, which rests at the foot of the Apuan Alps. The highlights continue as you reach the walled town of Lucca, one of the most captivating old town centres of Tuscany.
Explore Tuscan gems on a specially crafted cycle trip for all ages. There are no steep Tuscan hills on this beautifully designed self guided cycle taking in some of Tuscany's most famous towns. Pedal effortlessly along the meandering Arno river cycle paths that take you from one classic Tuscan city to the next. From the leaning tower of Pisa to the elegant Piazza Anfiteatro in Lucca and the famous Duomo of Florence, there are no shortage of sites to engage the whole family. Delve further into the countryside to visit lesser known corners such as Calci, where a famous Natural History Museum is housed and Vinci, where Leonardo da Vinci was born. Cycle through a quintessential Tuscan landscape, taste the many local specialties and stay in three comfortable family run hotels generally with swimming pools and gardens, perfect for relaxing after the cycling day is over.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tuscany, Pisa, Empoli, San Giuli
Tuscany, Pisa, Empoli, San Giuliano Terme, Lucca, Vinci, Florence