Jetsettersblog

Experience Sardinia with Just Sardinia….the island specialist

With the most comprehensive guide to holidays in Sardinia, Just Sardinia offer hotels and beach resorts, villas, apartments, farms and yacht charter throughout the island with inspirations and recommendations for the best accommodation and location for family holidays, spa breaks, luxury hotels, honeymoons and weddings, tours and multicentre holidays and combinations with Corsica and mainland Italy.

Sardinia Sophistication at Affordable Prices

Sardinia doesn’t have to be expensive - Just Sardinia has an exclusive collection of holidays with 7 night accommodation only prices for apartments from £54pp (Buganvillea Apartments opposite the beach in Alghero), villas from £100pp (Villa L’Arco in the beautiful countryside), hotels from £116pp (Hotel Oasis with large swimming pools), agriturismi from £210pp (Tenuta Pilastru near the Costa Smeralda) and yacht charter (strategic base in the north to visit the islands and Corsica) from £199pp. And fantastic Early Booking Offers! Holidays can be tailor made with flexible durations, low cost flights from regional UK airports, car hire or airport transfers.

Why feature Sardinia?

2 hour flight from the UK

Not a mainstream Mediterranean destination but a sophisticated Italian island
Caribbean-like coastline with wonderful beaches, great diving and snorkelling
Diverse island with mountainous interior and beautiful countryside
Vibrant towns with local traditions, colourful festivals and warm friendly people
Great restaurants, pizzerias and gelaterias with Sardinian specialities and excellent local wines

Activities including watersports, cycling, golf, tennis and horseriding
Excursions including boat trips, scenic train journeys, 4 wheel drive safaris, trekking and climbing, wine tasting, archaeology sites and Roman ruins
Accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets

Why feature Just Sardinia?

*Financially protected holidays * Personally chosen properties * Flexible durations * Prices based on accommodation only or tailor made packages * Regional UK flights, airport transfers/car hire priced separately * Online booking * 5% Loyalty discount * Local Resort Staff

British Travel Awards 2008 Silver Winner

Just Sardinia are delighted to be a Silver Placed Finalist at this year’s British Travel Awards in our nominated category of Best Health & Beauty Holiday Operator. To celebrate we have some great Spa Hotel Special Offers for 2009.

AITO Responsible Tourism 4 Star Award
Just Sardinia are very proud to have been awarded the AITO 4 star RT award, for our commitment to the environment with special commendation for initiating the Just Sardinia Green Award to help encourage our suppliers to get involved.

Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa and Conde Nast
Villa Las Tronas, our best selling 5 star hotel in Alghero, has been nominated by Conde Nast Johansens readers for the ‘Most Excellent Romantic Hotel’ award and the new Spa was officially opened on 29th November. Watch out for special offers for the New Year.

15 Trophy-winning Properties, 4 New Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux

In exclusive partnership with prestigious brands, Relais & Châteaux has just revealed the list of the winners of the Relais & Châteaux Trophies which are awarded every year in recognition of expertise and excellence in the art of hospitality and fine dining.

Welcome Trophy with Moët & Chandon
The art of receiving is one of the fundamental virtues of Relais & Châteaux; ensuring your stay is unforgettable is always the priority in these properties.

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany

Grand Chef Trophy with Taittinger
Amongst the Relais & Châteaux members, the contemporary elite of fine dining are grouped within the family of the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. Passion, creativity, experience and expertise are the essential criteria for admission to the highly select circle of these Grands Chefs.

Firmin & Philippe Arrambide
Les Pyrénées - France

Jonathan Gushue
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa - Canada

Christopher Brooks
Blantyre – United States

Jason Robinson
The Inn at Dos Brisas – United States

Rising Chef Trophy with All-Clad
We single out young chefs whose creativity, imagination and commitment earmark them as the future grand masters of fine dining in the world.

Davy Tissot
Villa Florentine - France

Art de la Table Trophy with San Pellegrino
The arts of the table, atmosphere and decoration are all part of our philosophy of “receiving well”. They reflect the soul of our properties and express their personality.

Ristorante Le Calandre - Italy

Spa Trophy with Laurent Perrier
There are 5 categories of spa: Spas de Charme, Spas de Rêve, Thalassotherapy, Thermalism and Beauty.

Georges Blanc & Spa - France

Woman of the Year Trophy with Pommery
A disciplined approach to work organisation, exacting standards, the giving of themselves and a sense of welcome and detail make these women the flagship ambassadresses of our family.

Johanna Maier
Hotel Hubertus - Austria

Passion Trophy with Hennessy
Launched in 2004, the Passion Trophy is awarded to Relais & Châteaux owners who know how to make your stay truly unique: harmonious setting, perfect service, remarkable style.

Sam Beall
Blackberry Farm – United States

Corporate Trophy with Glenmorangie
Relais & Châteaux launched this trophy in 2005 to single out property owners who have distinguished themselves through their high-performance meeting facilities and the quality of the welcome afforded to business meetings or residential seminars.

Sheen Falls Lodge – Ireland

Lounge Trophy with Grand Marnier
With the Lounge Trophy, Relais & Châteaux pays tribute to the expertise of these friendly settings, a real invitation to tasting.

Eden Rock - St Barthélémy - France

Environment Trophy with Orlane
This award pays tribute to properties which have shown tenacity, commitment, impressive initiatives and respect for the environment and the natural setting.

Longueville Manor – United Kingdom

Garden Trophy with Rozes
This pays tribute to properties which have succeeded in reconciling abundant nature, expertise in enhancing the horticultural heritage and respect for the original beauty of the landscapes.

Las Mañanitas Hotel Garden Restaurant & Spa - Mexico

Innovation Trophy with Nespresso
To guarantee unique experiences and intense moments of discovery, each Relais & Châteaux member must know how to reinvent itself and be innovative.

Thierry Marx
Cordeillan-Bages - France

About Relais & Châteaux

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association’s mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

Two-for-One Offers on the High Seas of Luxury

Hong Kong - Start the New Year with a holiday that takes travellers for a complete tour of the sites and sounds of the Mediterranean while relaxing in luxury and enjoying the highest standards of service aboard MSC¡¦s newest and largest ship, MSC Fantasia, or alternatively, on one of the long-standing favourites of many guests, MSC Poesia. Now MSC makes the opportunity even sweeter by offering a New Year ¡§Two-for-One¡¨ promotion, enabling international adventurers to see the best of the Mediterranean on several breathtaking routes, all at two for the price of one.

After its maiden voyage this December, the MSC Fantasia¡¦s grandeur is on display during the Western Mediterranean 11-night journey, departing and returning to Genoa, Italy. The itinerary includes some of the most exciting and intriguing ports of call in Europe. Explore the magical cities of Barcelona and Gibraltar, the historic town of Funchal, Portugual, then enjoy the beauty of Tenerife and Arrecife in the Canary Islands. Continue on to the quintessentially Spanish city of Malaga before docking in Civitavecchia, Italy for some incredible Italian fare before returning back to Genoa.

Departing Friday, January 16, or Tuesday January 27, 2009, there is no better way to celebrate the beginning of the New Year than to enjoy a journey on the high seas with the one you love ¡V both guests for the price of just one traveller.

On another luxury cruise ship, in the company¡¦s true Italian style, the MSC Poesia is poised to provide those intrigued by the heritage and history of Greece and Egypt with a stunning way to explore these cultures for 12 days and 11 blissful nights. Departing on January 20 from Genoa, Italy, guests will discover Ajaccio, the capital city of Corsica and Napoleon Bonaparte¡¦s home town. Messina will surprise with its lively culture, while the picturesque Isle of Rhodes is stunning in its beauty. Next, visit the famed site of Egyptian archaeology in Alexandria, followed by art and culture from over the ages in La Valletta. The beachside town of La Goulette ¡V the port of Tunis ¡V is a breathtaking site, and the Italian cities of Naples and the final port of call, Genoa, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences not to be missed.

MSC Cruises¡¦ sophisticated on-board activities and facilities offer everything a guest could desire for a relaxing holiday, including mini golf course, fitness centre, spa and massage facilities, sauna rooms, jogging areas, swimming pools, Jacuzzi, video games centre, theatre, salon, internet cafes, restaurants, disco, casino, shopping arcade, children¡¦s club and Wi-Fi facilities. And, the newest addition ¡V MSC Fantasia ¡V adds panache and exclusivity to the experience with the Yacht Club, an ultra-deluxe private section of the ship with personalised service and one-of-a-kind offerings that represent all that luxury travel should be.

¡¥Two-for-One¡¦ New Year Luxury Cruise
MSC Fantasia (12 days/11 nights)
Ports of Call: Genoa„³ Barcelona „³ Gibraltar „³ Funchal „³ Tenerife „³ Arrecife „³ Malaga „³ Civitavecchia „³ Genoa
Embarkation: Genoa
ľ Departs: 16/01/2009 (Fri) and 27/01/2009 (Tue)
Price: HKD8,572 up*

MSC Poesia (12 days/11 nights)
Ports of Call: Genoa „³ Ajaccio „³ Messina „³ Rhodes „³ Alexandria „³ La Valletta „³ La Goulette „³ Naples „³ Genoa
Embarkation: Genoa
ľ Departs: 20/01/2009 (Tue)
Price: HKD8,183 up*

* The above prices exclude air-ticket, tips, port charges, fuel surcharges, government taxes and all applicable taxes.
* The above prices are applicable for 2 persons travel together only.

‘European Boating Holidays’ announce fixed Euro to Pound exchange rate for 2009 bookings With brochure prices currently in Euros, EBH will offer existing and new travellers a fixed rate of 1.30 to 1 for holidays booked to any destination by the end of January 2009.

European Boating Holidays is the 1st independent inland water cruise company in Europe operating two brands Locaboat with the classical P nichettes and Cardinal with its modern fleet of Europas Call 0845 450 5229 or visit Locaboat.com or cardinalboating.com

LONDON, UK - ‘European Boating Holidays’ announce fixed Euro to Pound exchange rate for 2009 bookings

This week, EBH will freeze the Euro to Pound exchange rate in order to pass significant savings onto customers for 2009 holidays. With brochure prices currently in Euros, EBH will offer existing and new travellers a fixed rate of 1.30 to 1 for holidays booked to any destination by the end of January 2009.

‘We are determined that our existing and new clients are able to continue enjoying boating holidays across Europe in the New Year despite the economic downturn. This fixed exchange rate, will save a family of four more than 225* for a week in April onboard a P nichette 1020FB in Ireland or France,’ says Matthieu Glasson, Sales and Marketing Manager at EBH.

EBH can be contacted on 0845 450 5229 or enquiries made online at
http://www.locaboat.com or http://www.cardinalboating.com.

Notes to Editors:
* Based on today’s rate of 1, 09 to 1

About EBH
With Locaboat and Cardinal EBH has 450 boats, traditional or modern, for 2 to 12 people, with no need for a boat licence, spread across 28 bases through France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Holland and Ireland. Whether you’re a couple, family or group of friends the differing models are designed to suit any sailor.

During your cruise, an abundance of activities are available, from discovering gastronomic delights, historical sites, biking along the tow paths, fishing for catch of the day or simply relaxing on deck with a glass of the regions finest wine.

Example Pricing based on fixed exchange rate: ( 1.30 to 1)

Prices for the 4th May bank holiday weekend onboard a Locaboat Penichette in France, Italy or Holland, start at 184 per person based on four sharing.

Prices for the 25th May Bank Holiday weekend onboard a Locaboat Penichette (P1400FB) in Ireland start at 1182 - so 148 per person based on 8 people sharing.

Prices for a week in April onboard a Cardinal Europa in Germany start at 1292, so 646 per couple based on two couples sharing.

Prices for a week in June onboard a Locaboat Penichette (P935R) in Ireland start at 759, so 253 per person based on 2/3 sharing.

Prices for a week in June onboard a Locaboat Penichette (P935R) start at 985, so 328 per person based on 3 sharing.

New features provide online services and put ski holidaymakers directly in touch with holiday providers.

The Chalets Direct Solutions Room has recently had an upgrade to provide a better service for both holidaymakers and those providing the holidays. First launched in 1999, the Solutions Room is a bulletin board where people can state their requirements and Chalets Direct advertisers can come back to them with proposals and “solutions”. This feature is unique to Chalets Direct and has become popular amongst both skiers and snowboarders, trying to organise their holidays, and with ski holiday companies with available beds to sell.

The Solutions Room allows people to post up their requirements and to let the solutions come back to them. Their ski holiday can be tailor-made to suit their needs.

The visitor has to fill in a simple form to post his or her request, which asks for key details such as dates required and number of beds. Once the request has been posted it is then sent to the owners/operators of matching properties in the extensive Chalets Direct database. The owners can then respond to the request in the Solutions Room. With the improved matching process skiers can get better, more targeted responses to their requests.

Launched earlier this month the new Solutions Room has shown that there is a still a lot of demand for ski holidays, with the number of requests growing each day.

Replies will usually be posted within the hour, and someone searching for a holiday will have several propositions to look through.

The Solutions Room is part of the Chalets Direct Interactive area which also features a reviews area, and the Ski Blog.

There are also other ways to find ski holiday accommodation, including chalets, apartments and hotels using the Chalets Direct search or the Promotions area.

Rail Europe, a distributor of European rail products in North America, announced the launch of Trenitalia’s new Milan to Rome high-speed rail link. The new line shaves an hour off the route, connecting Italy’s political and financial capitals in 3 hours and 30 minutes. The new route establishes Milan as Italy’s main point of connection with Europe’s high-speed larger rail network for the benefit of business and leisure travelers alike. Milan is currently served by Artesia trains from Paris, Cisalpino from Basel, Bern and Geneva, Riviera from Nice and Elipsos overnight trains from Barcelona.

Trenitalia’s ETR500 AV Red Arrow Train, which will service the new route and will be available for reservations on www.agent.raileurope.com in January, was designed by Italian automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Giugiaro was recently named Automotive Designer of the Century for his achievements in designing for Audi, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, Volkswagen and others. The Red Arrow reaches a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, offering rail travelers in Italy an equivalent level of speed, service and convenience as other European countries.
Passengers can order from a menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections from the restaurant car, as well as snacks and beverages from the bar car. TrenItalia’s InterCity Plus and Eurostar Italia trains, offer speedy connections between Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna and Naples and convenient access to many smaller Italian towns. Rail Europe offers a full range of TrenItalia tickets that can be tailored toward each traveler’s individual needs.

To book any of Rail Europe’s wide range of economical railpasses and point-to-point tickets on trains throughout Europe, call 888-382-7245 or visit Rail Europe’s website at the banner at the right.

World Expeditions’ Top 10 Active Adventure Trips for 2009

Make it your 2009 New Year resolution to get fit and healthy on an active adventure holiday with World Expeditions, the trekking and adventure holidays specialists.

From our Classic Mont Blanc Ascent to Alaskan trekking and kayaking, cycling the Glens of Scotland, or trekking the remote wilderness of Bhutan with Rebecca Stevens - the first female to ascend Everest; with World Expeditions’ unbeatable 2009 prices you’ll find our Top 10 New Year Active Adventure Trips for 2009 hard to resist.

You don’t need to be a top-class athlete to join our fun and affordable, all-inclusive holidays. At World Expeditions we have tailored a wide selection of active adventures to suit nearly every level of fitness. Whether you’re looking for an active family adventure or relaxing vineyard amble, a moderately active walk or cycle journey, or a challenging mountain trek or summit ascent, our experienced travel advisors will ensure you plan the right Active Adventure Trip for 2009.

World Expeditions’ Top 10 Active Adventure Trips 2009

1.Experience the highest peak in the European Alps by yourself, or with your family. Join the Classic Ascent of Mont Blanc on a 7-day guided trip. Price from £1,275 pp. Or, a Mont Blanc 7-day Family Adventure from £560 per adult; £430 per child.

2.Trek the un-trodden trails of China’s Yunnan Province and experience Zhongdian, the real Shangri-la, on our 15-day Yunnan Meili trip . Price from £1,350 per person.

3.Not all great adventures have to be a flight away! Cycle the Great Glens of Scotland on an 8-day self guided cycle trip. Price from £670 per person.

4.Looking for a new Himalayan trail? Trek the remote paths of the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal, on a 25-day guided trip. Price from £1,440 per person.

5.Climb the ‘Mountain in the Sea’ on our Crossing Corsica, 7-day self guided walk. Price from £685 per person.

6.Trek the Bhutan Circuit with Rebecca Stevens; the first British woman to ascend Everest (14 days, 9-day trek) Price from £2,495 per person.

7.Discover Italy’s 15th century walking trails high above the sea in Cinque Terre, on an 8-day self guided walk. Price from £455 per person.

8.Spoil your Valentine with a Wine Lovers Burgundy, 8-day self guided cycle trip in France. Price from £995 per person.

9.Trek and kayak the pristine and rugged Wilderness of Alaska, on a 12-day guided trip this summer. Price from £2,190 per person.

10.Climb to the roof of Africa. Experience Kilimanjaro by the remote Shira Route, on a challenging 10-day trip. Price from £1,420 per person. All inclusions.

For more information on our Top 10 Active Adventure Trips for 2009, please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk  or call our experienced travel team on 0800 074 4135

Cadogan Holidays is delighted to announce the launch of its all-new summer 2009 portfolio. With a new company logo, new look, style, pricing guide and layout for the brochure, as well as a wealth of new content in terms of product offering, this launch signals exciting times for the luxury tour operator.

The Cadogan product team has been busy this year, visiting and carefully reviewing all of their hotels, cutting out mid-market product and adding hand-picked premium hotels, experiences and tours. The new Cadogan focus is on the best of the best; on offering properties with a “wow” factor in unique destinations.

The streamlining of the summer 2009 collection has meant that the Cadogan offering as a whole is now more exclusive than it has ever been - only 60% of the original product has remained and 85% of the featured properties are now five star. Furthermore, Cadogan has considerably developed its boutique hotel portfolio with the inclusion of a number of unique, stylish and off-the-beaten track accommodation options for the discerning traveller seeking a more intimate holiday experience.

Doug Mathieson, Head of Product at Cadogan, comments: “Fewer hotels means better contractual relationships with partners and in-resort support. This way, we are also looking after suppliers by providing more volume of business and in return, properties offer better value, more special offers and make sure that all Cadogan’s guests’ needs are looked after in-resort”.

Another significant change in the new brochure is Cadogan’s pricing guide. In order to be as transparent as possible, Cadogan has shied away from using indicative pricing and now quotes package rates including everything but flights. This new “unpackaged package” approach means that up to date flight prices will be available at the time of booking, providing more flexibility for clients.

“We don’t know of any other tour operators offering package prices without flights” says Doug, “I think this is the best way forward in the current climate, ensuring that the customer is given all possible options and that we are always in a position to offer them the best prices and even savings at the time of booking”.

Also new is a quick reference accommodation guide in the opening pages to help clients find the perfect destination for their needs, whether looking for the best hotel for their honeymoon, gourmet dining options, historic or caracter hotels, wellness & spa destinations, quiet retreats, or best properties for city or golfing breaks.

New properties for Cadogan featured in the Summer 09 brochure would be too many to list; however, Cadogan is delighted to announce its expansion into a number of exciting destinations:

• Italy is one of the largest expansion areas this summer with new featured properties in the Italian Lakes (Como, Maggiore and Orta), Liguria (Portofino), Tuscany, The Aeolian Islands (Vulcano) and a city programme including Rome, Florence and Venice.

• Equally amplified is the product in Turkey, which sees the addition of Kemer, Tekirova, Belek, Lara, Side and Antalia, all on the Turkish Riviera, as well as Dalaman and Ölü Deniz on the Aegean coastline.

• The Cadogan Croatia portfolio has also grown considerably for 2009, with the incorporation of the Dubrovnik Riviera (Cavtat) and Split and Hvar on the Dalmatia coast.

• New product in Portugal includes properties in the Estoril Coast, north of Lisbon.

• And new destinations in Greece include the Peloponnese on the mainland and the volcanic island of Santorini, in the Cyclades.

Each destination chapter of the brochure is introduced with expert tips and suggestions on what delicacies to try, what sites to explore or what day trips to take and are followed by a directory of “not to be missed” experiences, ranging from rafting, luxury cruises or jeep safaris, to guided mountain walks or escorted tours of ancient cities - all pre-bookable through the Cadogan Concierge. Before leading into the accommodation listings, Cadogan also details more comprehensive tours and inspiring itineraries for those with a desire to learn, explore, discover and experience more when they travel.

Reservations: 0845 615 6793
www.cadoganholidays.com

About Cadogan Holidays:

Established nearly 60 years ago and part of the prestigious Bland Group, established in 1810, Cadogan Holidays is one of the UK’s leading luxury tour operators offering tailor-made holidays across the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East and the Canary Islands. Cadogan Holidays offers a diverse selection of inspirational experiences, activities, itineraries and tours that help holidaymakers really get under the skin of the destinations they visit. Whether looking for chilled out luxury, a romantic escape, or island hopping, Cadogan will assist travellers in finding the ideal holiday experience in the best four and five-star hotels, riads, pousadas and quintas in over 30 destinations.

Cadogan Holidays has an intimate knowledge of every destination they visit, and carefully handpick the finest hotels. With a focus on providing the best service, Cadogan offers experienced travel advisors, who look after all the details so that the customer can relax from start to finish. Above all Cadogan offers flexibility and choice for the luxury traveller with expert advice. With Cadogan, customers can travel from any departure airport, for any duration and all scheduled flights include lounge access at the departure airport. Private transfers are automatically included to make clients’ arrivals and departures as smooth as possible.

Opening hours for agents are from Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 20:00, and Saturday, 09:00 – 17:30.

a growing request from customers to offer weddings in Italy has led Citalia, the Italian specialist, to relaunch this part of their programme with their expert knowledge.

Citalia has been organizing holidays to Italy for over 80 years, and is now firmly established as the UK’s Leading Italian Specialist with a unique level of experience and passion for this beautiful country. Italy is the perfect honeymoon destination and remains one of the hottest choices for weddings. Citalia is the perfect specialist for your wedding and honeymoon - Now you can plan your wedding or honeymoon in Italy with the knowledge and confidence that Citalia will take care of all the finer details.

Citalia offer civil weddings in Rome and Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast and packages to suit your every need. Let Citalia take away the stress of organising abroad. Sit back and relax while Citalia take care of everything from the services of a personal wedding co-ordinator to the detail of the posy for the bride, the cake, wedding car and even mini buses for the guests. The bridal couple will be allocated a dedicated wedding co-ordinator who will take care of every need.

Wedding packages cost from £1119 for the basic Sorrento wedding package.

For further information or booking, please call Citalia on 0871 664 0253 or visit the website at www.citalia.com

The demand for walking tours in Italy has increased dramatically in recent years, and why not asks Simon Tancred of Hidden Italy, a boutique travel company based in Sydney. What could be better than wandering through some of the most spectacular and peaceful areas of Europe, going back in time to places far removed from the push and shove (and expense) of the classic destinations like Rome, Florence and Venice, with the added bonus of finishing the day with a real sense of achievement and a clear conscience, ready to enjoy the best of Italian regional wine and cooking: fresh, seasonal and local?

“….. We are happy to be able to tell friends that we went to places and saw things that few tourists get to see. The views of the coast that we were privileged to experience were eye-popping. We feel we had the best of both worlds on this trip. With time off the beaten path in the green quiet and beauty of the hillsides and time at some of Italy’s best bustling resort towns, we consider this the trip of a lifetime.” BC, Amalfi Coast 2008

Hidden Italy was one of the pioneers of this style of travel and has been organising walking tours in Italy for over 15 years. “Fortunately,” says Tancred, “the local Italian authorities have become much more aware of the heritage and tourist value of preserving these ancient paths. Many of these that might have been lost in the past under road works or rural expansion, have now been saved.”

Hidden Italy incorporates sections of these paths into its seven self-guided walking itineraries in Italy, like the dizzy stairways carved from living rock by Etruscan slaves 2500 years ago in southern Tuscany; stone paths leading out of Assisi that date from the time of St Francis; and medieval pilgrim paths that run between San Gimignano and Siena.

“I still feel the thrill I experienced as I walked down the steep hill on stones that the Romans had gathered and walked on centuries ago with the walls and turrets of Orvieto suddenly coming into view – a once in a life time experience.” AL, La Tuscia 2007
Each 6 to 8 day itinerary is a continuous walk going from one village to another and covering from 10 to 18 kilometres a day. The walkers’ bags are moved every morning and their hotels and evening meals are waiting at the end of the walk. Each walker is given a set of detailed maps and walking notes and, just in case, there is 24-hour back up from the local tour managers. “A few people have taken wrong turns along the way, but fortunately we haven’t lost anyone yet.”

The walks go from the easiest, from Montalcino to Montepulciano walking through the rolling hills of southern Tuscany, to the more demanding Amalfi Coast, which includes the famous ‘Walk of the Gods’ into Positano on the last day. The most popular walk in recent years has been to the Cinque Terre in northern Italy, with its breath-taking coastal views and picture perfect fishing villages.

“We loved every moment of our walking trip. The organisation, instructions and service were all excellent. The food in the restaurants was quite delicious and very generous… We adored Vernazza and the superb accommodation you arranged there. We loved all the walks through forests and along the coast and the extra special bonus of having our luggage looked after and not having to worry about it.” SW, Cinque Terre 2008

“These are walks, not hikes,” explains Tancred, “but you still need a good level of fitness and a sense of adventure. Most of our self-guided tour clients are aged between 35 and 55 but we get plenty of older people doing the walks as well. In fact some of our most enthusiastic walkers are well into their 60’s and beyond.”

“…… PS. As if the tour wasn’t good enough, my one off hot romantic date with the New York journalist in Lipari has turned into something else entirely… All I can say is molto grazie!” KM Sicily 2008

The self-guided walks can be scheduled to suit the client’s dates. Hidden Italy also runs guided walking tours to Italy (Sicily in May and Venice and the Lakes in September/October).

For more information and bookings go to www.hiddenitaly.com.au or contact Simon Tancred on 0416 439795.