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.
An amazing trip, seeing so many different sides of Italy, the main tourist centres, but the rural villages. Fantastically organised and supported when things went wrong (personal injury). Highly recommend this trip for adventurers.
Bicycle toursExplorer
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Turin, Piedmont & Valle d’
Rome, Turin, Piedmont & Valle d’Aosta, Aosta Valley, Aosta, Berceto, Aulla, Massa, Lucca, San Miniato Alto, San Gimignano, Siena, San Quirico d'Orcia, Radicofani, Bolsena, Saint Bernardo Pass, Viterbo, Sutri, Formello, Verres, Viverone, Vercelli, Vigevano, Pavia, Piacenza, Parma
Dive into the heart of southern Italy with the Beautiful Campania and Sicily tour, a 5-day easy-paced city sightseeing adventure perfect for seniors. Begin in Rome and journey through Salerno, Taormina, and Palermo, all while enjoying group camaraderie and guided exploration. With accommodations, transport, and meals provided, you’ll have more time to appreciate the history, cuisine, and warm hospitality of each stop. The highlight of this tour is its efficient yet comprehensive route, ensuring you witness the best of Campania and Sicily without feeling rushed.
Rome’s timeless grandeur forms the backdrop for the 'In the Heart of Italy and Campania' city sightseeing trip, an 11-day adventure circling the Eternal City. This guided group tour is crafted for seniors, offering hotel stays, transport, and meals for a worry-free experience. With an easy activity level, guests can enjoy historic landmarks and Italian hospitality at their own pace. The unique selling point is its deep dive into Campania’s treasures alongside Rome’s iconic sites, making it a perfect choice for those seeking both cultural immersion and leisure.
Discover the medieval town built during the Holy Roman Empire, enter the historical center from one of the ancient gates to the town and discover the architectural beauties of the churches of St. Blaise, St. Nicholas, Greek Church and the Cathedral of Altamura, the only church built by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen in the Middle Ages.
The lovely walk continues through the typical squares of the old town
and made to carry you smell good in the little streets of the old town in search of old wood-burning ovens where even today the cooking bread and focaccia.
Bread and Focaccia's final tasting.
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
Immense yourself on this captivating self-driven odyssey from Rome to Amalfi, traversing scenic routes, this journey unfolds amidst picturesque landscapes and historic marvels. Departing Rome's vibrant cityscape, the drive leads through charming villages and past ancient ruins, offering glimpses into Italy's rich heritage. As the road winds along the dramatic cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the azure expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea provides a breathtaking backdrop. Experience the charm and beauty of Amalfi, a coastal gem with colorful architecture, a storied cathedral and a relaxed atmosphere. Admire the stunning cliffs, azure waters and picturesque villages. Explore Iconic landmarks like Positano and Ravello which epitomize Mediterranean charm. This self-drive experience encapsulates the essence of Italy, blending cultural richness with natural beauty.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
The tour was expensive and we were in a mediocre hotel with flaky internet.
But the tour leader was exceptional in all areas. Her presentations were faultless, her interest beyond compare and nothing was ever too much trouble for her. An excellent part of the holiday
Would l travel with Explore again? Probably not they're too expensive. Without Lara's input l'd be asking for a refund.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Catania, Giardini Naxos, Mount E
Catania, Giardini Naxos, Mount Etna, Lipari, Taormina, Syracusa
Discover Otranto in a walking tour of 2 hours.
Gateway to the East , built on the sea .
The city tour will take you to discover the Norman Cathedral , consecrated in 1088, a work of Count Roger I adorned later (about 1163), by Bishop Jonathas , with a mosaic floor , It has a rose window and side portal of 1481. The interior , a basilica with ship and two aisles , contains columns said to come from a temple of Minerva and a fine mosaic pavement of 1166 , with interesting representations of the months , Old Testament subjects and others . Bones and relics of the Martyrs of Otranto , who perished in the 15th-century siege surround the high altar . The church Has a crypt supported by forty-two marble columns . The same Count Roger founded a Basilian monastery Also here , Which , under Abbot Nicetas , Became a place of study , the ITS library was nearly all bought by Bessarion .
After seeing the cathedral you will visit the Church of St. Peter and Castle , reinforced by Emperor Frederick II and rebuilt by Alphonso II of Naples in 1485-1498 . It has an irregular plan with five sides , with a moat running along the Entire perimeter . In origin it had a single entrance , reachable through a draw- bridge. Towers features three cylindrical ones and a bastion called Punta Diamante ( "Diamond 's Head "). The entrance sports the coat of arms of Emperor Charles V.
Leave the crowd behind and with your skip-the-line tickets visit the Colosseum and the Imperial Roman Forum. Explore the most monumental elements of the Eternal City with a private tour guide who will bring to life the spirit of the ancient Roman world.
Visit the Colosseum, one of the largest structures of the ancient world, where Romans once gathered to watch the gladiator games, battles with wild beasts, and according to legend, sea battles. Discover how the Colosseum, a massive stone amphitheater which seated an estimated 60,000 spectators, was built in only 8 years. Your guide will unlock fascinating stories of its design and construction, the political benefit, the fighters, and the eventual end of the games at the Colosseum.
At the Imperial Roman Forum, your guide will bring to life the mythology, the popular celebrations of the time, and the gods of ancient Rome, which are reflected in the star signs in contemporary astrology. Learn how the pagan holiday Saturnalia influenced the unfolding of Christmas on the 25th of December today. Listen to the story of the Lapis Niger (Latin for ‘black stone’), the most ancient Latin text ever discovered in the world - which is housed in the foundation of a column in the Forum.
Discover the Temple of the Vestal Virgins - six young women taken from aristocratic families to serve as virgin priests of Vesta. They worked in the temple for a period of 30 years under different emperors and were regarded almost as goddesses in status. Their foremost duty was maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta which represented the hearth of Rome. As legend had it - as long as the sacred flame burned, Rome would endure.
From the Forum you will take a pleasant stroll to Palatine Hill, where Rome is thought to have originated. Walk among its beautiful hills and gardens and explore the Domus Augustus - Villa of Augustus - the partially excavated palace of Augustus and successive emperors. Your guide will discuss the legendary cave of Palatine Hill where, as myth has it, Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf who nurtured them through infancy.