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.
This is your ticket to explore the best of Italy in just 15 days. From the ancient sites of Rome and visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Colosseum – to staying in the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to visiting the site of Pompeii with a local guide, this trip encompasses some of Italy's must-do experiences. You’ll visit ancient monuments, lively cities and sprawling vineyards, indulging in delicious traditional cuisine. Kick back on sparkling coastal beaches, get to know the locals and visit lesser-known spots with your knowledgeable local leader – what more could you ask for?
We booked a 7 day trip with U-Tracks, with the ultimate goal of summiting Gran Paradiso. We were a group of 11 work colleagues who annually take on a charity event with this being the selected even this year. I must admit the trip was spectacular. the 6 day 'approach' to gran paradiso was varied in the way of physical challenge and then scenery. our guide - max was first class. he was able to assess the group and maintained a superb pace to keep us all moving. this was the first time we had taken on something as demanding as this (the final day in particular). The last day summit of gran paradiso was physically challenging but not technically (the very final summit section becomes technical but very well managed). the whole trip was fantastic from start to finish. I would 100% recommend and use again.
Explore Sicily and see how much this island in the heart of the Mediterranean has to offer. Join an expert local leader on a fully immersive 10-day Premium journey – with a sprinkling of Arab, Norman, Greek and Roman influence, this region is a hive of history and culture. See intricate mosaics, towering palaces, crumbling ruins and marble-lined laneways. Head out of the main hubs to discover Mount Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano. Taste Genovesi, arancini, local dishes like caponata and cannoli, and take a traditional cooking class to get the most out of Sicily’s celebrated cuisine. With Exclusive Experiences and a gorgeous Feature Stay in the countryside, what are you waiting for?