Get Active in Italia
Now that Italy is reopened to American travelers, we have some fabulous excursions you’ll want to know about to break a sweat (in a good way!) during your Italian adventure.
While any good trip to Italy will include plenty of time to sip a glass of excellent Italian wine and indulge in freshly-made pastas, it can be good to balance all that out with a bit of physical activity. Lucky for you, Italy is full of outstanding natural beauty, and hiking or biking your way around can be the perfect way to take in the scenery.
We’ve sussed out some fabulous days of adventure in some of Italy’s most beautiful locations. Sprinkled all around the country, these days are full of adventure and signature Italian charm, providing an excellent way for you to get to know this country in a way that your average tourist would probably miss out on.
1. Hike The Path of the Gods
Amalfi Coast
The Path of the Gods offers unrivalled views of the Amalfi Coast and its charming villages. Set out with a private driver for the town of Bomerano, where you’ll meet your local guide and begin your four-hour hike high above the coast, spotting the island of Capri in the distance (full-day excursions can be customized for the most avid of hikers).
As you walk along the steep mountainside paths, you’ll pass fragrant lemon groves as well as vineyards delicately clinging to the mountainside beneath your path. You’ll find goats grazing in the once-cultivated grassy terraces and travel through woods rich with the scent of rosemary, heather, and other colorful wildflowers.
Pass through the small towns of Nocelle and Montepertuso, where you begin your descent to finish the tour. You private driver will return you back to your hotel for some well-earned relaxation, leaving you feeling connected with nature and pleasantly exerted.
2. Cycle through the Tuscan Countryside
Tuscany, from Florence
Your expert biking guide will meet you in Florence and lead you on a leisurely ride through the Florence Oltrarno area up to the much-storied Tuscan hills, taking you by the neighborhoods of Florentine nobility. Pedal your way past scenic views of the countryside on your way to a famous Tuscan Renaissance villa, where you’ll stop for a break with a wine and olive oil tasting accompanied by a light Tuscan snack of local cheeses and prosciutto. Your return ride back to Florence will take you past a neighborhood where Galileo once lived and to the Piazzle Michelangelo with stunning views over the historic city.
You’ll cycle nine miles today, and the ride is classed as “moderate.” Basic bike riding skills are necessary, as well as a moderate fitness level. There are e-bikes available for anyone who is not an advanced rider, which can make the day a little less rigorous. Take an e-bike and thank us later after you’ve had your wine and olive oil tastings.
3. Hike like a Smuggler
Lake Como
The hills surrounding Como contain centuries of secrets, including stories about the adventures of rebels and smugglers who crossed into nearby Switzerland carrying supplies and contraband while stealthily seeking to escape the roaming police patrols.
Today, your expert guide will take you along their path, a fairly easy walk with moderate gradients that usually lasts around five to six hours. Discover secret routes and make stops in the rebels’ hideouts, which included trenches and fortresses. Your guide will regale you with stories of these daring characters, and you’ll be awed by unmatched views of the famous Lake Como from high above.
Mid-tour, stop for a break and a “smuggler’s bag” of local products including freshly baked bread, cheese, and cold cuts—a picnic fit for a smuggler. After your lunch, continue the hike to touch a foot into Switzerland before calling it a day and heading back down to lake-level.
4. Hike a Vineyard and Sample the Vino
Chianti, Tuscany
The Chianti region is celebrated for its wines, and this excursion is a perfect way to enjoy the beautiful Chianti countryside with a little exercise but also indulge the wine aficionado in you. Meet up with your expert hiking guide at a fabulous winery for a trek among the vines. Get to know the grounds of the vineyard, admiring the way that the estate stretches into the rolling hills of Tuscany. On the hike, which will be tailored to your ability and energy levels, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of Tuscan woods, natural lakes, and country houses made of stone.
When you get back to the winery, your reward will be one to delight you: a multi-course Tuscan lunch paired with the best wines from the vineyard, which you’ll be dying to sample after you’ve gotten acquainted with the grounds. Yes, please!
5. Camp at a Florentine Farm
Florence
Journey to an organic farm in the hills above Florence for either a day-trip or an overnight stay, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. A fabulous excursion for families with little ones (though a wonderful experience for those without children as well), this allows you to spend family time together while taking in the marvels of nature.
When you arrive, you’ll have a tour of the farm with some hands-on activities in the organic vegetable garden, a visit to the olive oil mill with tastings, and a tasty farm-to-table picnic lunch. Children will especially love seeing the horses, sheep, and other farm animals who live here, and no matter your age, you will not be able to resist the gorgeous views of olive trees and a variety of luscious flowers.
If you want to get to know the flora and fauna of the area, hop into a Jeep for a safari tour. We bet you didn’t think you’d find a safari in the hills of Tuscany, and you were wrong! Discover wild animals like boars and native plants, followed by a visit to the botanic garden to learn about the various plant species and spontaneous herbs that grow nearby.
If you want to REALLY immerse yourself in nature, enjoy a sunset walk with your expert guide along paths of the farm, through the botanic garden. Take in the magical nocturnal atmosphere, including sounds of the woods at night and the wild animals who call them home. You’ll be able to take in a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence from afar before enjoying a farm-fresh picnic dinner. Finally, bed down for the night in your own tent to enjoy a night under the Florentine stars, waking to enjoy a breakfast at camp before you depart feeling very at one with nature indeed.
Are you ready to pack up your hiking shoes and delve into the incredible natural world on display in Italy yet? Seriously, though, anything that allows us to sip wine AND enjoy breathtaking views all at once? Yeah, we’re in.
If you would like to get away to Italy (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us, and we will set you on your way.