We had a spectacular trip. We did a self-guided trip in Piemonte and Tuscany/Umbria. The hotels were much nicer than we expected. Very comfortable and the owners/proprietors were so helpful. The transfer of luggage each day was seamless!
The routes were generally well marked and the app was very good. We didn't need anything more than the app. Only got lost twice which I'd say is pretty good. The routes were a bit more challenging than we expected. We choose two hikes which were marked as 'Introductory - Moderate' which were tougher than we expected. So just pay attention to this. At home, we would consider ourselves quite capable of moderate+ trails, but the classification in Italy is a bit more demanding.
Glad we wore hiking pants as we went through a lot of grasses so never had a concern about tics. Also were very happy we had hiking sticks with us. Invaluable on many of the trails.
I would definitely recommend them to anyone considering a hiking trip. And absolutely no problem doing the self-guided version.
Thank you!!
Griffy and Marg
Great itinerary and tour director. Suggest: a slightly slower pace - limiting yourself to 1 optional experience/ day to avoid too/ long days -exhaustion, provide more suggestions for authentic food / restaurants on ‘free’ days.
Start and end in Istanbul on this unique 11-day in-depth cultural tour of Istanbul, Cappadocia, and 8 other destinations in eastern Turkey. The tour includes accommodation, domestic flights, an expert guide, insurance, meals, transport, and more.
Enjoy a two-day tour of Istanbul before flying to Cappadoccia for another two-day tour of this stunning region. We’ve made sure you have enough time to see the best highlights of both places. Then, head by road to eastern Turkey, to the heart of ancient Mesopotamia to discover the heritage of eastern civilization.
Eastern Turkey is a region in eastern Anatolia (Asia Minor) that borders Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It is a fascinating part of Turkey with an impressive history. The southeastern corner of this region, where the mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow, is where Mesopotamia rose and is now known as the cradle of modern civilization. Eastern Turkey also has some of the country’s most outstanding scenery, with its impressive snow-capped mountains, massive lakes, gushing rivers, and immense fields of wildflowers.
Three of us girlfriends decided it was time for an Italian cultural recharge, and we picked the rail tour to hit the highlights with ease.
We explored Rome and saw the Coloseum as we opted for an optional tour. Florence was also beautiful.
Venice was pure magic. Our shared gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs (with just six in the gondola) felt cozy and unforgettable . We spent afternoons discovering boutique shops and colorful squares.
For us, this tour struck the perfect balance. Relaxed evenings with wine and laughter. The train travel was a breeze, everything was well-coordinated.
The Via Degli Dei is a fantastic walk - 2 great Italian cities and stunning landscapes every day which made the tough climbs worthwhile. They dealt with everything once we arrived, the accommodation was good and varied which added to the appeal of the trip. It's helpful to have some basic Italian as a couple of places did not speak English but everyone was so friendly. Will use them again - we are already planning next year's trip!
Are you looking for something unique out of Istanbul? This seven-day West Black Sea Tour offers an amazing route, which will take you away from the stressful city environment.
Starting from amazing Sile, we head to Agva to discover its pure natural beauty. Then, we will drive east along the West Black Sea toward Akcakoca, enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way. We will visit the old city of Akcakoca and other local attractions, including Genoese Castle.
Next up in our destinations are Bolu, home to the beautiful Lake Abant, and then the town of Safranbolu, famed for Ottoman architecture. The last stop of our tour is Amasra, a beautiful Black Sea port town, where we will tour its local attractions before returning to Istanbul to end our trip.
Santorini and Naxos are two of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades but here is where the similarity ends. Santorini feels like no other place on earth: an ancient island that endured one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. Here everything is bright like the whitewashed cube-shaped houses, the lapis lazuli sea and the sunsets that light up the caldera. Whilst the towns and beaches are understandably popular, the walking opportunities on the island are numerous, through volcanic landscapes and along spectacular cliffs along a series of mule tracks. Naxos on the other hand is the largest of the Cyclade islands with some of Greece's best white sand beaches, a smattering of ancient ruins and a lively town. Away from the coast, life has changed little in the last century. Traditional farming practices abound in a landscape of fertile valleys home to 1000 year old olive groves and impressive mountains beckoning to be climbed. One day is spent ascending the highest mountain of the area: Mt Zas. From its summit enjoy breathtaking views of olive-orchards set in sharp contrast with the deep blue Aegean Sea. The pace of the holiday is dictated by you, with plenty of opportunity after the walks to swim in the sea or hotel pool, wander through markets in the small towns and relax at a taverna to watch the sunset.
We were looking for a customized, small group tour. We just returned from our trip and are more than highly pleased and satisfied of our experience. They planned an amazing itinerary, booked amazing hotels and transfers and tour guides went above and beyond to please us. We are already planning another trip next year and will be using these guys.
Visit some of the key locations in Turkey on this 9-day private tour that starts and ends in Istanbul. The tour takes you through Istanbul, Bursa, Ephesus, Cappadocia, and more destinations in Turkey. See the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, the ancient city of Ephesus, the most important mosques in the region, and more. Because it’s a private tour, you’re also able to customize the tour as you wish!
This is a land route tour, so you’ll have a chance to see more of the landscapes, cities, and villages while on a road trip. The tour package includes accommodation, transportation, an expert guide, most meals, and insurance. We arrange everything, you just enjoy it.
We very much enjoyed the walk through the interesting and beautiful landscape of Galicia on the way to Santiago de Compostela. The combination of hiking and overnight stays in very pleasant and high Standard Hotels and Paradors left excellent memories on the Camino in our memories.
This solo tour will guide you through the ancient temples and World Wonders of Egypt. Begin your adventure in Cairo, the Arab World's cultural centre. Fly to Luxor and embark on a four-night Nile River cruise. You will see the ancient temples of Luxor and Karnak, the world's oldest temple complex. Explore Kom Ombo's intriguing historical sites, including the graves of Theban monarchs, ancient kings, and queens from several dynasties. Continue your journey to the Temple of Edfu, Egypt's best-preserved and second-largest ancient temple. Visit Aswan and marvel at the Phile Temple, which was erected to honour the Goddess Isis. Your journey ends in Cairo, where you can marvel at the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx.