If you are looking to visit Italy in 2017 you may want to consider one of our new Italian itineraries, starting in the north of the country and heading southward we have added a range of new trips based around Italy's lakes, a classic Tuscan tour loaded with culture and a week of stunning views & indulgence on the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento Peninsula. 

The Italian Lakes

With their lakeside villas and Michelin-starred restaurants, the Italian Lakes could easily be summed up in three words: class, luxury and romance...

Riva Del Garda

1. The Dolomites to Lake Garda

Walk from the sky-scraping limestone peaks of the Brenta Dolomites to the shimmering shores of Lake Garda on a self-guided walking tour that combines classic hut-to-hut (rifugi) hikes in the Dolomites with relaxed walking at Lake Garda. During the Dolomites to Lake Garda tour you’ll spend 2 nights nestled amongst a natural amphitheatre of giant monoliths before descending via the Val d’Ampiez and walking to the thermal springs of Comano Terme where you can enjoy a well deserved rest. Having replenished your energy in your spa hotel, continue on, winding your way through wooded valleys to the spectacular Lake Garda, where you can choose to relax lake-side, enjoy loop walks or ferry-hop to picture-postcard villages. This tour, graded as moderate, is ideal for those who want to challenge themselves but enjoy the 'good-life' as challenging walks in the Dolomites lead to easy lakeside strolls around the trendy Garda.

The Brenta Dolomites

2. Lake Como Trails

Experience elegant Lake Como including the strolls along Bellagio’s chic promenade, visits to the exquisite and immaculately-kept Villas of Carlotta and Villa Balbianello on this week-long walking trip around Lake Como. Enjoy moderate graded walks, staying in authentic family-run hotels and a traditional 'agriturismo' farmstays in the mountains. The walking itinerary is designed to allow exploration of the elegant villages, towns and waterfront promenades that epitomise the über-stylish Lake Como.

Villa Carlotta on Lake Como.

3. Exploring the Italian Lakes

Picture yourself on a stylish road trip, with a choice of hand-picked rewarding walks to discover the secret gems of the Italian Lakes. On this drive & hike tour you will cruise around Lakes Como, Lugano, Maggiore and Orta taking in the impressive mountains, sparkling shorelines and famous sights that are synonymous with Italy's most famous lakes. Highlights include iconic locations such as the Bellagio and Villa del Balbianell - the latter straight out of a James Bond film - and the Borromean Islands with their lush gardens. This tour also makes great use of the excellent network of ferries and cable cars/funiculars around the lakes allowing you to get the most out of this drive & hike tour by getting off the beaten track and walk high above the lakes as well as along the waterside.

The view of Lake Lugano from Monte Bre

Tuscany

Discover the tastes and textures of Tuscany, enjoying the almost geometric landscape of hills, vineyards and olive trees by day and sampling delicious food and wine by night.

 Grapes rippening in Sant Antimo, Tuscany

4. Hilltop Towns of Tuscany

Treat yourself to a week under the Tuscan sun; slow down to take in the classic sights of Volterra, San Gimignano, Colle Val D’Elsa Monteriggioni and Siena on foot, surely this is the best way to immerse yourself in this culturally rich region? This self-guided walking tour begins in Volterra, the classic Etruscan town is one of our favourite Tuscan hill towns due to the quality of nearby walking routes and comparative lack of crowds! Follow relaxed trails between hilltop towns, set against an undulating patchwork of vineyards and villas. Lunches are filled with local organic gourmet goodies - matured pecorino, soft ricotta, homemade pasta, saffron treats, sweet vin santo and castagnaccio chestnut cake. This week-long trip includes 2 nights in each hill town; Volterra, San Gimignano and Siena where you can lose yourself in the medieval, Renaissance and Gothic architecture.

Cypress road near La Foce, Tuscany

The Amalfi Coast

Perched between the Lattari Mountains and the Tyrhennian Sea, the Amalfi Coast's unique environment was recognised by UNESCO as a prime example of a Mediterranean landscape. Explore the coastal towns and villages along the Amalfi Coast, discover the traditions and meet the people which make the area such an interesting destination.

The Isle of Capri

5. The Amalfi Coast & Sorrento Peninsula

Heavenly views await you on the world-famous 'Footpath of the Gods', as you walk on clifftop trails and through terraced groves of lemon trees (the best limoncello comes from the Amalfi Coast) high above the turquoise Mediterranean. The ever-popular Isle of Capri, the iconic Ravello and the chic town of Positano are just a few of the must see places visited on the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento Peninsula walking tour that also features lighthouses, fishing villages, ancient watch towers and Italian cuisine with plenty of fresh seafood and white wines on the menu. Travelling on foot means you can escape from the crowds in this popular stretch of Italian coastline and discover the area's true hidden gems.

Ravello along the Amalfi Coast.

If you like the idea of an Italian getaway have a look at our range of self-guided walking and cycling trips in Italy or to enquire about one of the Italian adventures mentioned above, contact our team on hello@macsadventure.com.