Routes and ideas that begin at our favourite houses and hotels. Some are gentle, some climb and none are meant to be completed like a checklist.
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A good direction may begin right outside the door · our photographLago di Garda · our photograph
01 · Lago di Garda
A lake that cannot be understood in one lap.
Begin gently from Arco and leave another shore for another day. The north is sporting and enclosed by mountains; the south is softer and more urban. The worst plan is trying to finish it all at once.
Bicycle · easy
Arco · Sarca · Riva · Torbole
A flat network beside the river and lake. Perfect for the first day and a city bike; turn around precisely when gelato begins to sound right.
Palms below. Ridges above. A bicycle between them.
Bolzano and Merano are more than city stops. From either centre, vines, river paths or a cable car can change the temperature and perspective within minutes.
Bicycle · easy
Bolzano beside the Isarco and Adige
A flat day on valley cycle paths that easily includes the city, coffee and a wine stop.
Follonico sits among places that look close on a map yet deserve their own day. Montepulciano, Pienza, Val d’Orcia and distant Argentario work best without chasing kilometres.
Car · full day
Montepulciano · Pienza
Two towns, views over Val d’Orcia and enough room for a long lunch. Park beneath the historic centres and walk the rest.
Architecture, ridges and a dinner worth returning on time for.
Čeladná is a base from which every day can take a different direction: Jurkovič architecture, bicycles, or simply a slow walk. The Beskydy are not a competition.
Walking · classic
Pustevny · Radhošť
Libušín, Maměnka and a view-rich ridge. Arrive in the morning; architecture and mountains both deserve a moment without crowds.
Germany in the morning, France after lunch, wine beside the pool at night.
Le Rossignol sits in a landscape where borders are not the end of the road but a choice of direction. Basel, Colmar and Strasbourg are completely different; the vineyards around Blansingen tie them to a slower rhythm.
Bicycle · vineyards
Markgräflerland by bicycle
Small roads between villages and vines. Build a profile to taste and leave the car parked for the evening.
Walk from the tower to Montone. Then further into Umbria.
Moravola stands apart, but never outside the world. Montone is the loveliest first destination, the Carpini Valley invites slow walking, and Perugia, Assisi and Gubbio give every following day a completely different rhythm.
Walking · hilly
Moravola · Montone
A journey from the tower’s stillness into a stone town. Ask Moravola to confirm the precise route and conditions; leave early in summer and carry water.
From forest to vineyards. With no reason to hurry.
Zikmundov stands alone among the meadows and Chřiby woods, yet South Moravia is pleasantly close. Give one day to the hills around Buchlov, another to riding among vines, and allow a third to have no plan at all.
Walking · to taste
Zikmundov and the Chřiby woods
Step straight from the house into pasture and forest. Ask for a route suited to the weather and current paths — a local recommendation is worth more than the longest line in an app.
Small roads and forest tracks around Buchlov can make anything from a short outing to a proper ride. Check the surface and elevation before setting out.
Bořetice, vines and South Moravia’s rolling landscape. Follow the light rather than a checklist — and save any tasting until the bicycle is safely parked.
Two seas, white towns and roads through olive groves.
Puglia is not a single outing but a long, slender region. Salento in the south and Valle d’Itria further north should not become one day’s race; each deserves its own base, slower roads and time for both swimming and the table.
Car / bicycle · coast
Gagliano · Ciolo · Santa Maria di Leuca
Descend from Gagliano to the Ciolo gorge and cove, then continue along the coast to the southern point. By bicycle, respect heat, wind and climbing; an early start is the greatest luxury.
The region publishes a network of coastal and inland routes. Choose by surface, wind and temperature; in summer leave early and carry more water than you expect to need.
From Barolo to La Morra — with exactly as many hills as you expect.
The Langhe looks intimate on a map, but every road rises and falls. Give one day to villages and wine, another to the bicycle; the loveliest views often arrive where no stop was planned.
Car / bicycle · hilly
Barolo · La Morra · Monforte
Three different views of Nebbiolo country. They fit into one day by car; by bicycle take the elevation seriously and save any tasting until after a safe return.
Alba brings markets, towers and urban rhythm; Neive stone and a more intimate pace. During truffle season, book tables early and check parking options before arriving.
The vineyards are beautiful, but the hills deserve respect. La Ruota e lo Scarpone offers guided e-bike rides around Barolo, the Alta Langa and Roero. Confirm distance, difficulty and conditions with the operator before booking.
Roncolo near Quattro Castella for your stay, Modena for a full day, Bianello or Reggio for another. Add Parma on a longer trip; keep wine tasting for a day without driving.
Walking · a full day
Modena
Piazza Grande, cathedral and market, then one selected interior. The full guide separates visit bookings and restaurant choices.
