This tour was so much fun. Learnt a lot, met a lot of new friends, and had a ton of fun. Would highly recommend this tour, and to travel through Europe in general.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Resort
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin
Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Krakow, Budapest, Ljubljana, Venice, Rome, Florence, Swiss Alps
Discover the Tuscan countryside and culture on this 8-day self-guided walking tour. Through the extensive footpath network of the area, roughly following the traces of the Via Francigena, one of Europe’s most important ‘highways’ in medieval times, you walk from village to village and experience a full immersion in the world-famous Tuscan landscape. The tour is perfect as an introduction to the region and a great choice for people who love museums, galleries and Gothic and Romanesque architecture. You have plenty of time to visit attractions on most of the days.
You will also have time to visit all the beautiful medieval villages and historic towns along the Via Francigena: starting from beautiful Lucca, you’ll pass through Fucecchio, San Miniato, Gambassi Terme, the stunning San Gimignano with its medieval skyscrapers and Monteriggioni, admired by Dante in his Divine Comedy. An optional detour can bring you to beautiful Colle Val d’Elsa and the tour ends in Siena, arguably the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Tuscany. This tour threads together some of the most attractive towns and villages in Tuscany in an eloquent procession.
However, the emphasis of the tour is to enjoy the countryside, the rolling vineyards, the poppies in spring and the wild cyclamen in autumn. The area north of Siena is an amazing landscape of rolling hills, alternating vineyards and forests, while cypresses line the way leading to the distant farmhouses. Walking here is an unforgettable experience and many of the views have barely changed for hundreds of years.
Accommodation and some meals are included. You spend a night in one of the best agriturismos in Tuscany, and the final night in the heart of Siena, in one of the most characteristic little hotels.
This is a moderately easy tour which is suitable for those who have some experience of walking and a good general physical condition.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Siena, Tuscany, Lucca, Altopasci
Siena, Tuscany, Lucca, Altopascio, San Miniato Alto, Gambassi Terme, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni
Join us on this three-day tour of Liguria, one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Europe, is a popular destination for gourmets and active visitors. This region is well known for its wide variety of landscapes within its territory. Its sea and mountains, its gently shaped bays, quiet villages and fine cuisine, as well as the right climate for a peculiar vegetation, are all traits envied by the rest of Italy.
In just a few days, you will be able to explore this region, its history, culture and culinary highlights, by always taking your time and doing everything at your own pace along the route, which has been accurately selected for you.
Explore the beautiful, culturally-rich but lesser-known and uncrowded area of the Cilento National Park by bicycle on this self-guided 9-day cycling tour.
The region of Campania has been known as a paradise on earth since ancient times. The Greeks built some of their most impressive temples here and under the Romans it became known as ‘Campania Felix’, or the Happy Land. When travelling through this region it is easy to be overwhelmed by the wealth of cultural and natural attractions, from the great city of Naples to the well-known Costiera Amalfitana, with its towering cliffs and picturesque coves.
But Campania’s real secret is located south of Salerno. Here, the coastline bulges out into an expanse of mountainous landmass known as the Cilento, now one of Italy’s biggest National Parks, with World Heritage listing.
This tour brings you into the real ‘Heart of the Cilento’, from ancient Paestum up to Monte Stella, and along the pristine Cilento coast towards the impressive Alburni Mountains. Inland, the Cilento is largely undisturbed by the 21st century and you will encounter few other tourists along your way. You will cycle past world-famous cultural sites, through pristine natural areas and dreamy coastal scenery. Your trip will take you on small country roads passing through rough mountain scenery, as well as attractive countryside, with vineyards and olive groves.
The first few days you will stay close to the coast, only occasionally reaching some small hamlets on the foothills further inland. You will go past the archaeological site of Paestum on your way to a genuine mozzarella farm and climb up to some nice viewpoints on the coastal plain. Further on you will cycle around Monte Stella, dotted with several typical medieval hamlets, and continue along the coast towards the tiny fishing villages of Acciaroli and Pioppi to the Greek site of Velia.
You then turn inland and discover the rolling foothills around lovely Ceraso before climbing up along the Calore River to the hamlet of Piaggine, located in the very heart of the Cilento National Park. Here you’ll visit some of the nicest medieval villages in the area, where the traditional way of life is still evident. And you’ll enjoy visiting some of the Cilento’s greatest (but unknown) cultural treasures, like St. Michael’s cave church in Sant’Angelo a Fasanella, the ruins of Roscigno Vecchia and the castle of Laurino. All connected by great well-paved and quiet roads, ideal for cycling.
Your route back to Paestum takes you along great panoramic roads on the slopes of the Alburni Mountains.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Amalfi Coast & Campania, Paestum
Amalfi Coast & Campania, Paestum, San Marco, La Petrosa, Piaggine
Join this tour to explore the famous Amalfi Coast and visit its charming surroundings. A coastline of indescribable beauty, this region of Italy features Ravello with its elegant buildings, and pastel-colored Positano, one of the most beautiful villages in the world.
Start with a stop in the charming town of Sorrento, which features fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Make a photo stop and admire the sea village Positano from the top of a hill, before continuing with a visit to the historical town of Amalfi.
Experience southern Italy - its romance, fashion, and laid-back lifestyle. A land of beauty, passion, and myths that inspires poets and artists from around the whole world, southern Italy awaits you.
Discover Barletta starting with a visit to the medieval castle of the eleventh century, founded by the Normans and expanded by the Spanish in the sixteenth century.
Among the sculptures preserved in the castle, you can visit the bust of Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia limestone, dating from the thirteenth century.
Next, visit a historic winery, called the "House of Poison", is the building now known as the "Winery of the Challenge".
It was here that was launched the challenge to a duel from 13 italian knights vs 13 French knights, fought in the countryside of the neighboring town of Trani.
After the winery, you will discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore of the twelfth century, the most important church in Barletta.
The cathedral is divided into two parts, the front is typically Romanesque architectural style of the twelfth century, while the final part is of Gothic architectural style of the fourteenth century.
The tour will end with a visit outside the palace of baroque architecture called "Della Marra" with paintings of the painter Giuseppe De Nittis and the visit of the bronze giant named Heraclius next to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
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
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.
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.
The discovery of Lecce starts from the beginning pre-Roman and Roman, to the great period of the Baroque, a walk to the historic center that will take you to discover the wonders of Lecce, one of the most beautiful cities of southern Italy.
The route starts from Porta Napoli to Piazza Duomo (Cathedral, Bell Tower, Bishop's Seminar), the baroque heart of Lecce.
Continue walking to the Church of St. Irene, Sant'Oronzo square, where you can see the ruins of the Roman amphitheater, the church of San Marco and the Sedile.
Walking through the streets of the old town, we will visit the Church of Santa Chiara and Roman Theatre, other important particulars of the story of Lecce.
The tour ends at the Basilica of Santa Croce, a jewel of Lecce Baroque and Celestine Convent.
The guided tour make you discover the typical Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The itinerary begins in the square Pascoli, with a wonderful view of the Sasso Caveoso and the hill called Murgia. You will pass by the Palazzo Lanfranchi, houses the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata, and the nearby church of the Carmine.
The tour continues through the heart of the old buildings to the church of San Pietro Caveoso.
Visit to a typical "Casa Grotta (Cave House)" excavated in the rock with furniture of rural culture to the beginning of 1900.
You will pass near the cave church of Saint Lucia delle Malve, will visit some of the most important frescoes.
The tour continues to the Sasso Barisano following the ancient ravine.
Return to the center of town and walk around the baroque area with a visit to the most important churches in this style: St. Clare and St. Francesco di Assisi.
End of the tour with the discovery of the Romanesque cathedral.
In the heart of Puglia is hidden the most important monument of the Middle Ages in Italy, a treasure of beauty and mystery to explore.
Castel del Monte was built on top of a hill where you can see a good part of the Puglia Region and the cities of the coast with a beautiful landscape.
Castel del Monte is certainly the most important building that has left the Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia, full of mysteries not fully revealed.
At the base of its construction there is always the number 8.
After many years of neglect, during which the castle was stripped of furniture and decorations of marble, has become a refuge for shepherds, brigands and political refugees.
In 1876 the castle was bought and restored by the Italian state.
In 1996 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage for the perfection of its shape and the harmonious union of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Islamic world and classical antiquity and because it represented the personality of its creator Frederick II Hohenstaufen.
The tour you will discover the exteriors and interiors of the 'castle' and describe the secrets of the historical context in which it was built.
