The number one question to ask yourself when planning a trip is, “What are my goals?” If you want an outdoor adventure with hikes and most of your time spent outdoors, then these are the areas that you should potentially build your itinerary around.

Of course, in order to make sure your trip does match your goals, we recommend you schedule a travel consultation with one of our destination experts so we can learn about your travel style and if we recommend this route for you! That way, we can also give you insider hotel, restaurant, transportation, and activities recommendations.

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Lombardy

Lombardy, Italy offers a variety of exciting outdoor activities. You can explore the shores of Lake Como and engage in water sports like sailing and kayaking. We also recommend finding a local guide to lead you on hikes through the Italian Alps. Some of the more popular trails include Valmasino and Valchiavenna. After spending all day hiking, sailing, or kayaking, spend the evening cycling through the Franciacorta wine region and indulging in wine tastings. Lombardy is also known for its extensive cycling paths, including the renowned Ciclovia del Garda, which makes it easy to explore the entire area on bikes.

Trentino

Trentino, Italy, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites, which is a favorite location for hikes, rock climbing, and mountaineering expeditions. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also paraglide, mountain bike, and go canyoning. In winter, many of Trentino’s visitors can be found skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Some of its most renowned resorts are the Madonna di Campiglio and Val di Fassa. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing but still enjoying the outdoors, explore the serene lakes of Garda, Molveno, and Caldonazzo.

Veneto

Veneto, Italy, is another great location for accessing the Dolomite Mountains. While hiking through the Dolomites we recommend you try your hand at a Via Ferrata. Very similar to Trentino, Veneto is a great place for paragliding, mountain biking, and canyoning. You can also kayak or paddleboard on the Venice Lagoon. If you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor activity, exploring the Prosecco Hills, famous for its vineyards and charming villages, is a great option. You can access it on foot or by bike. You can forget the Venetian Riviera, which is a nice place for lounging or water sports.

Aosta Valley

Aosta Valley, Italy, provides access to the Italian Alps, including the iconic Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Some of the most common outdoor activities include paragliding, canyoning, and white-water rafting. In winter, many visitors come to Aosta Valley for the world-class skiing and snowboarding in renowned resorts such as Courmayeur and Cervinia. There are lots of hiking and biking trails for exploring the valley.

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.

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No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - which offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy.

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