Active & Cultural Tours
in Southern Europe and Beyond
WILD SAGE
What Makes Us Special
LOCAL EXPERT GUIDES
Our experienced guides are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and love what they do.
HANDPICKED ADVENTURES
We research all of our tours thoroughly to assure you get the best out of every holiday.
EXCITING DESTINATIONS
From the big names to the coolest destinations you’ve never heard of, we’ve got it all!
TRAVEL WITH US
Discover Our Tours
Walking & Hiking
We can design tours for almost any walking level (depending on the terrain, of course!), and have tours that go from easy outings to the challenging Alpine hiking of the Dolomites mountains The activity level on our scheduled tours is clearly defined so you know…
Cycling & E-Biking
Some of our guides are also cyclists, and they’d be happy to show you around on two wheels. We can usually find road bikes for rent in most destinations, or try an e-bike, which allows all of the fun with a fraction of the effort (though don’t be fooled…
“Light Active” Tours
You don’t have to go on a “hike” to get your steps in, and sometimes a full day out in a city or exploring an archaeological site can be just as “active” as an organized walk. We’re also aware that we’re not as young as we once were, so we’re happy to offer tours that are…
What Our Customers Say
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Athens & the Greek Islands
We just completed this amazing trip with Claire and her local tour expert in Greece and the Islands. We LOVE putting ourselves in Claire's hands because we know (having enjoyed an amazing tour in Italy with her years ago) that she scouts all the best untouristed hotels and restaurants for amazing beach locations with easy access to towns and the most amazing culinary experiences (indulging us in a dessert specialty and bakery treat every so often). Her hiking, kayaking, and sailing excursions are nothing short of spectacular fun. Claire's hunt for historical and scenic adventure (not to mention her professionalism and ongoing friendship) is what is going to set the Wild Sage experience above other travel companies. I can't wait to schedule our next trip--THANK YOU!
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Dolomites Hike: Val di Funes & Val Rendena
What a wonderful week with Wild Sage in the Dolomites! This itinerary takes in a less-touristed but undeniably spectacular section of the Dolomites: plenty of craggy peaks, lush alpine valleys, bubbling streams, and quaint towns. The meals and accommodations were excellent, and the hiking varied and challenging. But it is the guides that make this trip special. They were engaged, knowledgeable, upbeat and supportive. Their daily plans were flexible and accommodated people with varied needs and interests. They kept the group lively and organized while dealing with a few unexpected events (like a rail strike on our last day of travel). You can find other companies to take you hiking, but none can offer you the expertise, dedication and joy that Manu, Claire and Melissa bring to the trails. Don't miss this experience!
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Sicily Coast-to-Coast
Our trip to Sicily with Wild Sage in mid-October (perfect time of year) could not have been better. With Claire as our guide/interpreter and Giuseppe as our intrepid driver, we spent 10 days exploring the island from modern cities to Baroque towns to ancient temples, from the coast to the interior. All we had to do was soak in the amazing environment and enjoy ourselves – everything else was taken care of for us. The food, wine, and cannoli were delightful, the hotels and country inns lovely. We had any number of experiences (visiting a cheese maker, a cart-making shop, an ancient ritual bath deep under a church, a Roman villa with spectacular mosaics) that we undoubtedly would have missed had we not been with Claire. She not only planned a great itinerary but was also attuned to our group’s interests and differing energy levels. This was our first trip with a personal guide, and we’re sold on the concept – especially with Claire and Wild Sage.
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Piedmont Gourmet Walking Tour
Manu is a bundle of sunshine and enthusiasm in a truly wonderful package. We were invited to a customized tour (so not exactly what you see here) in the Piedmont area with friends who had traveled with her before. They insist they will never travel in Italy without her, and we soon learned why. Manu is incredibly knowledgeable, and what she doesn’t know she is quick to learn. She goes out of her way to accommodate the wishes (and sometimes quirks) of her clients and seems more like one of the gang than a guide in her willingness to engage and adapt. Her knowledge of the history and culture, and her language skills and attention to detail make her the clear leader of said gang! From hiking (partially in the Maritime Alps) and a stay at a truly lovely, and remote hotel, to visiting the wine caves, to eating in fabulous restaurants, this trip really gave us a grand overview of the area – thanks to Manu’s early planning and excellent execution. She never hesitated to make ‘one more stop’ to be sure we got the most from our time with her. She was always on the lookout for things to add to our tour and to future tours. Those of you who take future tours will benefit from her efforts. Manu even has a magic pack with cures for blisters and other hiking maladies. Manu and Wild Sage exceeded our loftiest hopes for a wonderful trip and we look forward to traveling with her again someday.
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Tuscany Classic Walk
While our time with Manu and Claire was part of a private departure, our travel included Florence, San Gimignano, Siena and Pienza. Traveling with Manu and Claire is, for us, traveling with trusted friends. This is our highest possible praise. Manu and Claire tend to all the details, provide the transportation, speak your language and Italian (along with other languages), share their knowledge of the places, the people, the food and the wine, expose you to new experiences, and accommodate your interests. They do all of this with efficiency and a smile. With guides like these, you are free to enjoy each moment and truly relax. The Wild Sage itineraries work perfectly for us. They include exercise, sightseeing, unique experiences, and time for relaxation and reflection. We found that every day included something memorable and special. Often these elements were part of Manu and Claire’s plan. At times they were unexpected and magical. Manu and Claire also worked with us to shape the travel itinerary we wanted for a private departure. With their help we were able to have exactly the trip we were hoping for, enhanced by their scouting, knowledge, and suggestions. We could ask for nothing more. We are already daydreaming about and planning our next adventure with Manu and Claire.