Italy

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 8 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 7 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

This is a 5-hour tour of the secret magic of beautiful Lake Orta. You'll discover the mystical and sacred Sacro Monte di San Francesco, celebrated for its spiritual heritage. and renowned for its life-size terracotta statues and extensive frescoes that narrate tales of spirituality and wonder. Following Nietzsche's footsteps in 1882, lose yourself in the contemplative beauty of these sacred grounds. Then wander through the cobbled streets of Orta, descend to the tranquil shores of its blue lake, and embark on a reflective boat trip to the mysterious island of San Giulio. Here, a monastery awaits, a haven of peace still inhabited by cloistered Benedictine nuns. Culminate your exploration with a delightful lunch at a lakeside trattoria, savoring local delicacies amidst breathtaking views. Experience the fusion of art, history, and spirituality that defines the Sacro Monte di San Francesco and the inspiring beauty of Lake Orta.

Drive from Milan or nearby regions to meet the guide at Sacro Monte di San Francesco. After making the booking, chat with Elena for exact location. 

Lake Orta is arguably one of the most beautiful and romantic spots in northern Italy with its inspiring and seductive atmosphere. This tour offers a rare blend of spiritual introspection and artistic admiration, set against the backdrop of Lake Orta's breathtaking views and silent nature. It is a celebration of Northern Italy's Sacri Monti's enigmatic allure, providing a deeply immersive experience that traces the footsteps of philosophers and poets, from Nietzsche’s transformative encounter to the literary legacy that colors the region. The car-free tranquility of Orta, combined with the mystic silence of San Giulio's island, provides a backdrop for a truly introspective experience, inviting you to lose yourself in the beauty and history that envelopes this hidden gem of Piedmont, culminating in a delightful lunch at a lakeside trattoria.

Begin your journey at the Sacro Monte di San Francesco, a spiritual sanctuary nestled on a promontory overlooking the enchanting Lake Orta. This sacred site is a harmonious blend of art, architecture, and nature, embodying the essence of Franciscan spirituality. A sequence of twenty chapels, immersed in the natural beauty of the landscape, unfolds along a hilltop path. Each chapel, through sculptures and paintings, vividly narrates episodes from the life of St. Francis, offering visitors a reflective journey complemented by breathtaking views of the lake and San Giulio Island.

Drive from Milan to meet your guide at Sacro Monte di San Francesco. After making the booking, chat with Elena for exact details. 

Sacro Monte di San Francesco is not merely a place of worship but a testament to the enduring allure of Franciscan teachings, captured through the meticulous craftsmanship of renowned artists and the site's stunning natural setting. The interplay of art, history, and spirituality along this picturesque route offers a profound exploration of faith, inviting visitors into a world where the serenity of nature elevates the soul.

Explore art-adorned chapels of Sacro Monte di San Francesco against a backdrop of stunning nature.

Sacro Monte di San Francesco 

After the serene exploration at Sacro Monte, embark on a tranquil boat trip across the magical and seductive crystal-clear waters of Lake Orta to its revered island. As you approach, the Mater Ecclesiae Benedictine Abbey, a sanctuary of peace and spiritual reflection, comes into view, promising a journey into the heart of silence and sanctity. The boat ride itself is a peaceful prelude, offering breathtaking views of the lake and its surroundings, setting a reflective tone for the visit. The resident nuns of the abbey welcome visitors into this sacred space, asking for silence as you explore the grounds and the ancient basilica, home to the remains of Saint Giulio, and witness the spiritual heritage that defines the island.

This segment of the tour provides a serene passage through Lake Orta's waters, enhancing the spiritual significance of your visit to the Mater Ecclesiae Benedictine Abbey. The quiet boat ride, coupled with the first glimpse of the basilica’s Romanesque facade against the mountainous backdrop, prepares the soul for a deep, reflective experience. The requested silence by the nuns adds to the mystical atmosphere, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the history and sanctity of the place. The abbey and the basilica, standing as a testament to Saint Giulio's missionary work, offer not just a historical visit but a step into a living tradition of faith and contemplation.

A serene boat trip to Orta’s Island, culminating in a reflective visit within the monastery.

 Boat Trip to Orta's Island

Conclude your Lake Orta Experience with a leisurely lunch at a lakeside trattoria in Orta, where the fusion of local cuisine and breathtaking views promises a memorable ending to your journey. This experience combines the pleasures of Italian gastronomy with the natural beauty of the lake, offering dishes that are as delightful to the palate as the scenery is to the eyes.

Get back by public boat with your guide. 

Dining in this lake region is a feast for the senses. The trattoria, selected for its authentic local cuisine and enchanting location, provides a setting where culinary tradition and natural splendor meet. It's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoying dishes that tell the story of the region while surrounded by picturesque landscape.

Relish a meal by Lake Orta at a picturesque trattoria, where local cuisine and stunning views meet.

Lakeside Trattoria Lunch

Boat Tour on peaceful Lake Orta, one hour from Milan, with a visit to Sacro Monte di San Francesco.

Meet atSacro Monte di San Francesco.
Guide to accompany guests through boat tour, visit to the island and lunch at a trattoria (lunch included in the price)

Applies when fewer than the minimum participants book.
This ensures the experience runs at its required minimum price.

A Lake Called Orta

5-hour tour on Lake Orta.

Guided tour of Sacro Monte.

Boat tickets to the island.

Monastery access.

Lunch at a lakeside trattoria.

This experience has a minimum fixed total price of € 1260 for 1–4 people.

Comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a spirit ready for contemplation and discovery are recommended for this ethereal journey through Orta San Giulio's sacred landscape.

Drive from Milan or nearby regions to meet the guide at Sacro Monte di San Francesco. After making the booking, chat with Elena for exact location.

Led by a local expert with deep insight about this picturesque and beautiful region - and knowledge of the Sacri Monti and the historical and spiritual significance.

Elena manages a small network of exceptional guides and will assign the right guide for your experience a few days before your arrival, reaching out to you directly to let you know who will be accompanying you.

Argentina

Buenos Aires

Tango tours in Buenos Aires explore milongas, live music, dance culture, and local traditions through performances and expert-led experiences.

Tango

Buenos Aires walking tours explore Recoleta, San Telmo, and La Boca through politics, architecture, street art, and local neighborhood history.

Walking

Buenos Aires wine tours exploring Argentine varietals, Malbec tastings, and sommelier-led experiences across urban cellars and curated wine bars.

Wine

Buenos Aires tours exploring tango culture, Peronist history, Recoleta Cemetery, and food traditions with historians, chefs, and private local guides.

Plan your Buenos Aires travel itinerary: tango traditions, mate rituals, neighborhood culture, and Argentina's icons, built from private experiences.

Mendoza Tours

Mendoza day trips exploring Uco Valley vineyards, Andean landscapes, mountain estates, and wine experiences shaped by high-altitude terroir.

Day Trip

Gaucho

Mendoza wine tours exploring high-altitude vineyards, Malbec tastings, Uco Valley estates, and Andean terroir with winemakers and local producers.

Mendoza tours exploring high-altitude vineyards, gaucho traditions, and Andean landscapes with wine tastings, mountain asados, and local producers.

Plan your Mendoza travel itinerary: cross-Andean road trips from Santiago, vineyard visits, and Argentine wine, built from private experiences.

Mendoza

Argentina tours exploring Buenos Aires culture, Mendoza’s vineyards, and Patagonia with private experiences led by historians and winemakers.

Plan your Argentina travel itinerary: Buenos Aires tango, mate rituals, Andean crossings, and Mendoza wine country, built from private experiences.

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Atacama

Atacama stargazing tours explore desert skies, constellations, and planets with astronomers through high-altitude observatories and night experiences.

Desert Stargazing

Atacama tours exploring salt lagoons, geysers, desert wetlands, and stargazing with photographers and field naturalists in the world’s driest desert.

Plan your Atacama travel itinerary: desert tours through clay formations, salt flats, flamingos, geysers, and stars, built from private experiences.

Santiago Tours

Santiago walking tours exploring street art in Yungay, historic neighborhoods, mosaics, and local life beneath the Andes with expert guides.

Santiago wine tours exploring Maipo Valley vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon tastings, boutique wineries, and Andean terroir with local winemakers.

Private Santiago tours exploring markets, architecture, Chilean cuisine, and neighborhood life beneath the Andes with historians and local creatives.

Plan your Santiago travel itinerary: city culture, neighborhoods, and cross-Andean road trips to Mendoza wine country, built from private experiences.

Santiago

Valparaiso

Valparaiso day trips exploring Viña del Mar coast, Casablanca Valley vineyards, Pacific landscapes, and cultural escapes beyond the port city.

Valparaiso walking tours explore cerros, murals, hidden passages, historic bars, and local life shaped by artists, food, and port history daily.

Valparaiso wine tours exploring Casablanca Valley vineyards, cool-climate wines, coastal terroir, and tastings shaped by Pacific Ocean influence.

Valparaíso tours exploring steep cerros, street art, artists’ studios, and Pacific views with photographers, architects, and local residents.

Plan your Valparaíso travel itinerary: street art, coastal craft, local studios, and hillside walks with local guides, built from private experiences.

Chile tours exploring Santiago’s life, Valparaíso’s artistic hills, and the Atacama Desert’s lagoons and night skies, with private guided experiences.

Plan your Chile travel itinerary: Atacama desert tours, Valparaíso street art, and Andean crossings into Argentina, built from private experiences.

Torres del Paine Chile

Chile

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik walking tours exploring Old Town streets, local history, culinary traditions, nearby Trsteno gardens, and views along the Adriatic coast.

Dubrovnik tours exploring the walled Adriatic city through coastal walks, food traditions, island landscapes, and encounters with local families.

Plan your Dubrovnik travel itinerary: Old Town walks, Fort Lovrijenac, Croatian food traditions, and Adriatic history, built from private experiences.

Istria

Istria day trips exploring Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun through truffle regions, coastal towns, vineyards, and hilltop villages across the peninsula.

Istria wine tours exploring Malvasia and Teran vineyards, hilltop wineries, truffle pairings, and Adriatic terroir across coastal and inland estates.

Istria tours exploring Rovinj, Pula, and Motovun through truffle hunts, Malvasia tastings, olive groves, and hilltop villages along the Adriatic coast

Plan your Istria travel itinerary: Rovinj's coastal streets, Istrian food traditions, olive groves, and local wine, built from private experiences.

Croatia tours exploring Dubrovnik’s Adriatic coast, Istrian vineyards and truffle forests, and historic towns, with private guided experiences.

Plan your Croatia travel itinerary: Dubrovnik's Old Town, Istrian coastlines, olive groves, and Adriatic culture, built from private experiences.

Croatia

France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux walking tours exploring historic center streets, Atlantic trade history, Chartrons wine district, and Garonne quays shaped by wine culture.

Bordeaux wine tours exploring Médoc and Saint-Émilion estates, classified growths, cellar tastings, and terroir shaped by the Garonne and Dordogne.

Bordeaux tours exploring vineyards, historic quays, and classified estates with historians, winemakers, and chefs interpreting the region’s wine.

Plan your Bordeaux travel itinerary: wine country, Atlantic coast, and a Basque road trip tracing art and culture, built from private experiences.

Paris

Paris walking tours explore Le Marais, Père Lachaise, revolutionary history, and political stories that shaped the city’s past and present forever.

Paris wine tours exploring curated tastings, sommelier-led cellars, French regions, and wine culture through intimate bars and private dégustations.

Paris tours exploring art, literature, gastronomy, and political history with historians, chefs, and writers, with private guided experiences.

Plan your Paris travel itinerary: Louvre masterpieces, Marais golden age, Père-Lachaise, and Saint-Ouen flea markets, built from private experiences.

Provence

Explore Provence tours through Roman history, Cézanne’s landscapes, and Mediterranean terrain. Discover private guided cultural experiences.

Plan your Provence travel itinerary: Cézanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire, Châteauneuf-du-Pape cellars, and Camargue, built from private experiences.

France tours exploring Parisian art and gastronomy, Bordeaux wine estates, and regional culture with private experiences led by local guides.

Plan your France travel itinerary: Basque Country culture, Atlantic coastlines, and Bordeaux wine country, built from private experiences.

Athens

Athens day trips exploring Delphi, Cape Sounion, and Peloponnesian sites through ancient ruins, coastal landscapes, and rich Greek heritage.

Athens walking tours exploring local markets, Greek cuisine, storytelling, and neighborhood life from Nea Smyrni to the city’s historic center.

Private Athens tours exploring the Acropolis, ancient markets, food traditions, and music culture with historians, archaeologists, and local experts.

Plan your Athens travel itinerary: the Acropolis, Greek food traditions, rebetiko, and the city's cultural layers, built from private experiences.

Nafplio

Nafplio day trips exploring Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Peloponnesian landscapes through ancient archaeological sites, rural villages, and coastal life.

Nafplio walking tours exploring Venetian fortresses, neoclassical streets, seaside promenades, and Peloponnesian culture along the Argolic Gulf.

Nafplio wine tours exploring Peloponnesian vineyards, indigenous Greek varietals, seaside estates, and tastings shaped by Argolic Gulf terroir.

Nafplio tours exploring Venetian fortresses, Peloponnesian food traditions, honey producers, and ancient sites with craftsmen and local guides.

Plan your Nafplio travel itinerary: Peloponnese road trips linking ancient sites, coastal roads, and wine regions, built from private experiences.

Santorini Tours

Santorini boat tours explore the caldera by sailboat, with volcanic beaches, hot springs, Thirassia, and sunset light across the Aegean Sea.

Boat

Santorini walking tours exploring Akrotiri ruins, volcanic landscapes, Megalochori village, vineyards, and local life shaped by the Aegean Sea.

Private Santorini tours exploring volcanic landscapes, vineyards, villages, and caldera while revealing the island beyond its most famous moments.

Plan your Santorini travel itinerary: Aegean coast swims, Greek cooking, winery visits, and a sunset boat tour, built from private experiences.

Santorini

Best things to do in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki boat tours explore the Thermaic Gulf, coastal sailing, and lagoon landscapes with swimming stops, wildlife, and city views from sea.

Thessaloniki walking tours exploring Jewish heritage, synagogues, historic neighborhoods, and Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman layers across the city.

Thessaloniki tours exploring Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman layers across historic neighborhoods, churches, and markets along the Thermaic Gulf.

Plan your Thessaloniki travel itinerary: Byzantine and Ottoman layers, Jewish heritage, and sailing the Thermaic Gulf, built from private experiences.

Thessaloniki

Greece tours exploring Athens’ ancient heritage, Santorini’s volcanic landscapes, and Peloponnesian traditions, with private guided experiences.

Plan your Greece travel itinerary: Athens, Santorini coastlines, and Peloponnese road trips through ancient sites, built from private experiences.

Greece

Florence Tours

Florence walking tours explore Medici history, Renaissance art, Dante’s city, Oltrarno artisans, and streets shaped by power, memory, and craft.

Florence tours exploring Renaissance art, Medici history, and Oltrarno workshops with historians and artisans, with private experiences available.

Plan your Florence travel itinerary: Medici history, Oltrarno craft workshops, Dante's Florence, and Chianti villages, built from private experiences.

Florence

Milan Cathedral 

Milan lake boat tours explore Lake Como and Lake Maggiore through private rides, lakeside towns, villas, gardens, and surrounding alpine landscapes.

Milan fashion tours explore design districts, ateliers, stylists, and Italian craftsmanship through experiences shaped by the city’s fashion culture.

Fashion

Italian Lakes tours from Milan explore Lake Como and Lake Maggiore through villas, gardens, boat rides, and landscapes shaped by northern Italy.

Lake

Milan walking tours exploring architecture, design, Navigli canals, Brera’s art scene, and historic sites across the city’s evolving neighborhoods.

Private Milan tours exploring fashion ateliers, architecture, design culture, and day trips to nearby lakes with local creatives and historians.

Plan your Milan travel itinerary: design landmarks, Brera art, Lake Como, truffle-laced food, and Italian culture, built from private experiences.

Milan

Napoli Walking Tours 

Naples walking tours exploring historic streets, local markets, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and daily life shaped by archaeology, and coastal views.

Naples tours exploring archaeology, markets, underground routes, and nearby Pompeii with historians, photographers, and private local guides.

Plan your Naples travel itinerary: ancient tunnels, Pompeii ruins, Vietri pottery, and the city's layered history, built from private experiences.

Naples

Rome Walking Tours

Running tours in Rome explore dawn routes, ancient landmarks, and hidden neighborhoods through guided runs shaped by history and city life daily.

Running

Rome walking tours explore the Colosseum, Testaccio, Pigneto, and historic streets through guided routes shaped by architecture, food, and art.

Rome wine tours exploring Lazio vineyards, Frascati wines, countryside estates, and tastings shaped by volcanic soils and Roman traditions heritage.

Private Rome tours exploring the Colosseum, Vatican treasures, ancient roads, and hidden palaces with historians, chefs, and local artisans.

Plan your Rome travel itinerary: architecture, historic landmarks, food walks, local wine, and the city's many layers, built from private experiences.

Rome

Sardinia Tours

Alghero tours explore Bosa, Castelsardo, and Sardinia’s highlands. Private guided experiences with photography, nature, festivals, and local experts.

Alghero

Sardinia Blue Zone tours explore Ogliastra, Barbagia, and Gallura through shepherd life, village traditions, food, and longevity practices.

Blue Zone

Cagliari tours explore coastal landscapes, Sinis wetlands, and ancient sites. Private guided experiences with artisan workshops and local experts.

Cagliari

Sardinia hiking tours explore Supramonte, Gorropu Canyon, and coastal cliffs. Private guided hikes with shepherds, botanists, and local experts.

Hiking

Olbia tours explore Gallura, Supramonte, and Blue Zone villages. Private guided experiences with e-bike, 4x4, crafts, and local experts.

Olbia

Sardinia tours exploring Blue Zone villages, mountain landscapes, ancient traditions, and rare crafts across the island’s rugged terrain.

Plan your Sardinia travel itinerary: Blue Zone villages, sea silk weaving, Supramonte caves, and Sardinian Carnevale, built from private experiences.

Sardinia

Valle dei Templi in Agrigento in Sicily Italy

Catania tours explore Baroque streets and Mount Etna hikes, craters, and vineyards. Private guided experiences with volcano, wine, and nature experts.

Catania

Mount Etna tours explore volcanic landscapes, lava trails, and high-altitude terrain through guided hikes shaped by geology and Sicilian culture.

Mount Etna

Palermo tours explore Arab-Norman architecture, street life, and Marsala vineyards. Private guided experiences with historians and food experts.

Palermo

Syracuse tours explore Ortigia, Greek ruins, and Val di Noto Baroque towns. Private guided experiences across Siracusa, Noto, Ragusa, and Modica.

Syracuse

Taormina tours explore the Greek Theater, Mount Etna, and coastal villages. Private guided experiences with volcano hikes and local experts.

Taormina

Private Sicily tours exploring Etna’s slopes, Arab-Norman Palermo, baroque towns, and local food traditions with historians, chefs, and artisans.

Plan your Sicily travel itinerary: Noto, Ortigia, Mount Etna, Taormina, and the island's southeastern coastlines, built from private experiences.

Sicily

Trieste

Trieste boat tours cross the gulf to Muggia, pairing sea views and maritime history with e-biking, vineyard visits, along the Adriatic coast.

Trieste day trips explore Karst landscapes, Muggia, vineyard routes, and heritage shaped by Adriatic views and traditions across the region.

Trieste tours exploring Habsburg architecture, coffee culture, and the Adriatic coastline where Latin, Slavic, and Central European traditions meet.

Plan your Trieste travel itinerary: Karst cycling, border vineyards, shepherd trails, and Habsburg maritime heritage, built from private experiences.

Carnival Experiences Fernwayer

Venice boat tours explore the lagoon through Murano, Burano, Torcello, and quiet waterways, revealing local craft, fishing, and island life.

Venice Carnival tours capture masks and costumes through photography-led experiences, with rare access, quiet locations, and atelier visits.

Carnival

Venice walking tours exploring Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, hidden canals, artisan workshops, and local life across the city’s quieter neighborhoods.

Private Venice tours exploring Murano glass studios, hidden islands, photography walks, and quiet routes beyond the city’s crowded canals.

Plan your Venice travel itinerary: canal routes, historic palaces, local food, and the city's quieter corners, built from private experiences.

Venice

Italy tours exploring Rome’s ancient monuments, Florence’s Renaissance art, Venice’s canals, and Sicily’s layered cultures, with private experiences.

Plan your Italy travel itinerary: Rome, Venice canals, Naples underground, Milan design, and Sicily's coastlines, built from private experiences.

Japan

Kanazawa

Kanazawa tours in Japan exploring samurai districts, Maeda clan heritage, and world-class craftsmanship shaped by Edo-era traditions.

Plan your Kanazawa travel itinerary: Shinto shrine rituals, Buddhist temple walks, and Edo-era samurai heritage, built from private experiences.

Kyoto

Private Kyoto tours exploring temples, tea rituals, sake culture, and traditional crafts with masters of calligraphy, kintsugi, and hospitality.

Plan your Kyoto travel itinerary: craft workshops, ancestral rituals, and food traditions practiced for centuries, built from private experiences.

Japan tours exploring Tokyo’s neighborhoods, Kyoto’s temples and crafts, and Osaka’s culinary traditions, with private cultural experiences.

Plan your Japan travel itinerary: Tokyo temples and neighborhoods, Kyoto traditions, and centuries of food culture, built from private experiences.