Active Tours in Italy

The Dolomites: Located in Northeastern Italy.

• Epic and challenging Southern Alps hiking featuring unique jagged limestone peaks, mountain huts, turquoise lakes and meadows. Home to one of Europe's iconic high route trails, the Alta Via 1
• Best time to visit is July through mid-September
• Closest major cities are Venice & Milan

The Italian Alps - Located in Northwest Italy.

• The foothills and valley of the Southern Alps. The Aosta Valley is a hiker's paradise, with an abundance of less challenging trails, and charming alpine villages
• Best time to travel is April to October
• Closest cities are Venice & Milan

The Italian Lakes - Located in Northern Italy. Nestled at the foot of the Alps.

• Best for hiking, and lake swimming, but some cycling is possible. Known for lush landscapes, elegant and bustling towns and smaller more serene lakeside villages
• Best time to visit is April to October
• Closest cities are Milan or Venice

Cinque Terre - Located in Northwestern Italy in Liguria, part of the Italian Riveria.

• Best for coastal hiking linking five beautiful villages and beaches. A local express train and ferries provide access to trails and other sights
• Best time to visit is March to October
• Closest major cities are Florence & Milan

Tuscany - Located in Northwest & Central Italy.

• Hiking or biking through picturesque hills lined with cypress trees, historic towns, and aromatic vineyards. Highlights are historical and religious architecture, vineyards and wineries, ruins, culture and art
• Best time to visit is April to October
• Closest cities are Florence and Pisa

Umbria - Located in Central Italy.  

• Hike or bike through forests, along lakes, over rolling countryside and through hilltop towns. Famous for the white city of Assisi. Quieter and less crowded than Tuscany
• Best time to visit is April to October
• Closest cities are Florence and Rome to the South

The Amalfi Coast - Located in Southwestern Italy. 

• Ideal coastal, forest, and mountain hiking with Mediterranean Sea views and dramatic cliffs. Enjoy delightful and bustling villages, natural and serviced beaches and historical villas and churches
• Best time to visit is April through October, into November
• Closest major cities are Rome or Naples

Sicily - Southern Italian Island.  Located at the tip of Italy's 'boot'.

• Best for cycling or hiking through ancient foothills, archaeological sites, stunning vistas and impregnable hilltop towns
• Best time to visit is March/April to October
• Closest island cities are Palermo & Catania, or Rome & Naples on the mainland

Puglia - Located in Southeastern Italy. Encompasses the heel of Italy's boot.

• Great for cycling or hiking past turquoise sea views and white cities. Beautiful beaches and ancient olive groves are also a highlight. Less crowded than Amalfi
• Best time to visit is March to July & September through October (very hot in July & August)
• Closest cities are Bari, Naples & Rome

Italy's cuisine is world-renowned and for good reason - it's delicious! Dig down beneath the surface of regional differences and it won't be long before you encounter an undercurrent of the country's turbulent political history. Unified in the 1870s Italy, as we know it today, and the food that has come to define it benefits from the influence of many European and Mediterranean neighbors. No trip to Italy is complete without indulging in the delicious variety of food and world class wines! Some foods have become synonymous with Italy as a whole, such as pizza, pasta, olive oil, cheeses and gelato, and while we recommend sampling these on your trip we have also listed some other regional highlights below. 

Tuscany - Home to traditional peasant dishes, Tuscany's magnificent natural larder allows its simple cuisine to shine. Sample hearty bean and vegetable stews and pasta dishes, or try the local game - wild boar is especially popular - with a topping of truffle in the autumnal months.  And of course, Steak Florentine is not to be missed!

Puglia - This southernmost part of Italy is a productive growing region and produces all manner of Mediterranean vegetables, olives, chickpeas and lentils. With a large proportion of coastline seafood is popular is a key element of the local diet. Orecchiette pasta, translating literally as 'little ear', is the region's most well-known pasta, it's often served with fresh vegetables and mussels. You may follow a plate of orecchiette with zeppola, small doughnut-like pastries with cream or jam toppings.  Street food in Puglia is also a treat, be sure to try Panzerotti, small pockets of deep fried dough stuffed with various fillings.

Campania - This region, encompassing the gulf of Naples, consumes the greatest amount of pasta in Italy and is of course renowned for the Neapolitan pizza (the modern pizza was invented in Naples towards the end of the 18th century)! And on the Amalfi Coast, seafood also features heavily on most menus, and locally grown lemons flavor everything from desserts to pasta sauces to liquers.  

Veneto - The area between Venice and Lake Garda is famous for its silky risottos, and the iconic Italian dessert tiramisu. While cycling here you'll pass many Prosecco producing vineyards - sip a glass (or two) beside the Venetian canals to celebrate your trip.  Popularized by busy on-the-go Venetian gondoliers, 'cicchetti' are similar to tapas and heavily feature local seafood and produce.  They can be enjoyed in local 'bacaris' alongside canals for a quick meal while exploring.

Sicily - Adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily's focus is largely on simply cooked, super-fresh seafood, straight from the sea to your plate in as little time as possible. Arancini are also a popular street-food on the island, these deep-fried parcels of risotto-style rice are delightful - and are easily portable so they'd make an excellent picnic food. The island is also renowned for a dessert called cannoli - a ricotta filled tube of fried pastry dough often adorned with candied orange, chocolate chips or crushed pistachios (delicious!).