WHY TRAVEL WITH ITALIAOUTDOORS?

Why travel with us? "This is not about a lifestyle, it is about a life, style is just an option." °Step into Liquid° Simple and Off the Beaten path, Fitness, Outdoor Sports, or Travel is our passion, weather it is cycling scenic rolling hills in wine country, skiing in the Alps, or rock climbing on a small Greek Island. Nothing gives us greater pleasure than to inspire other individuals to travel by bike, foot, or other human powered means, while along the way taking the challenge to learn more about ourselves, the world, and fellow persons. For us it a true joy to share our adventures and life with other travelers.   What Are Italiaoutdoors Tour Like? We don’t offer vacations to every destination or pretend to be the perfect program for every level: we understand that when it comes to active lifestyle vacations one size does not fit all. We are a small company ran by individuals that feel life must be balanced, and therefore place just as much weight on riding, hiking, or climbing as we do on our end-of-the day wine, good food, and sharing our adventure. Our tours are small, 2-8 persons, allowing flexibility and spontaneous fun, plus personal service. Our typical day starts on the saddle or with packs ready around 9:30, and ends when it ends: it could be 10 to 100 kilometers, perhaps a couple of climbs and several medieval towns later. That’s the beauty of an outdoor trip; spinning or hiking to explore until your heart is content. We ride/hike in groups, we pedal with partners, we spin solo, you ride/hike anyway you want. You ride or hike where the locals ride, and you are guided by a local. Lots of fun is the primary objective in an Italiaoutdoors adventure, which usually involves education of the mind, plenty of adventure, good food and wine, and some sweat and healthy fatigue in the body at the end of the day.   Is this the right program for you? If you like to learn about a culture, its history, local food and wine, and perhaps about your inner self, these programs will offer you the perfect platform to launch your adventure. We give you 5 star services so that you can enjoy a 5 star experience without stress or worry. Our program tours are designed to meet individual needs, and we are flexible and knowledgeable enough in the activity and geographical region to make daily adjustments as needed. Our guests enjoy relaxing evenings, lively discussion, good food and a few glasses of good of wine!   Eating is about healthy selection, local variety, and well made, not just presentation and latest fad! Weather you have a relaxing jaunt or you want challenge and push yourself all day, travel and adventure ignites a thirst and craving for food! Fortunately, fresh food and fine dining is as easily found in Italy as are outdoor activities and churches. When it comes to unforgettable meals we go for fresh local specialties, locations frequented by locals, whose personalities add as much to the experience as the food itself. We look for smaller, family owned places where you eat freshly made traditional Italian foods for the region.  We provide several options so you can decide what you feel like on a given day.    Accommodations, Where Do We Stay? We promise comfortable, charming, and even luxurious homes, chateaus or rural inns that we’ve came across during our explorations and travels. We program the week to be best located for the type of riding, walking, hiking, or outdoor activity you will be doing. We first choose routes and attractions, then make the hotel selection suggestion. We do not think a guest will want to spend all day in a hotel room, but if you choose to do so you will be in comfortable surroundings.  

PLANNING AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AND NEED SOME PLANNING, TRAINING, OR GENERAL QUESTIONS CONTACT US AT mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Vernon

Vernon McClure has been a Professional Outdoor Educator, Instructor, Guide, and Recreation Programmer for almost 30 years. He has spent the past 20+ living in Northern Italy and specializing in one day or multi day, private and fully guided bicycle, hiking, climbing, Cultural Interactive programs (food and wine tasting), and city walking tours throughout the northern regions of Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Piedmont, and Tuscany. With years of experience and a unique skill set, Vernon can inter-mix program styles and activities to meet individual or group skill level, fitness, budget, and cultural interest. These are not packaged programs, these are programs designed with your specific input.

Italiaoutdoors | Italy Vacation and Travel Planner

How to Sign Up For A Trip Or Start A Custom Vacation Planner

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A TOUR WITH ITALIAOUTDOORS Select the type of program you wish to attend Pivate or Custom Tours in Italy - If you are interested in organizing a custom tour, contact us via email with a general description of where you want to travel, dates you want to travel, how many are in your group. If you are selecting a scheduled trip from the web site contact us via email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure there is trip space.  We will respond within 24 hours that there is space and then you can confirm your Reservation. PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR SCHEDULED TOURS CONFIRMING YOUR RESERVATION - To confirm you place on a trip requires a deposit of 25% trip cost per person. Most secure method: Payment by bank transfer. For individuals outside the US payment can be made with International bank transfer utilizing SWIFT number, send us an email and we will provide all the necessary information. Payment can be made by mailing a check to USA BANKS: Italiaoutdoors di Vernon McClure, PO Box 442, Salem Ky 42078, guests within the EU can send to Italiaoutdoors di Vernon McClure, via Tormeno 143, 36100 Vicenza Italy. Credit Card payment can be made via PAYPAL.  We will send you a pay request via email. For more information send an email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call us at 0039-334971654 or contact us at SKYPE at Italiaoutdoors. Please note that the balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before the trip departure date. Any reservations being made less than 90 days of trip departure date require full payment on reservation. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS - All requests for refunds or changes must be sent to Italiaoutdoors in writing. If you must cancel your reservation, your payments will be returned, subject to the following cancellation fee: 120 to 91 days prior to trip start date - Full refund minus - $150 per person administration fee. 90 to 61 days prior to trip start date - 75% refund of trip cost. Guests can elect to move program fees paid to alternate trip date minus administration fee of $150 and any booking cancellation fees incurred by the program: example hotel room fees. Less than 60 days of trip start date - No refund for cancellations. We have a rainy day policy for each program where we may be able to move fees to a future program.

Travel Planning Services

General Conditions of Program If unforeseen circumstances require a change in the itinerary, Italiaoutdoors will make every effort to select alternate hotels and restaurants of the same high quality and keep the route modifications to a minimum. On the rare occasions when we must cancel a trip, we will notify you as soon as possible before departure. In this event, if you would like to choose another trip, no transfer fee will apply. However, we reserve the right to cancel any trip for any reason at any time before departure. In such a case, refund of any payments received will constitute full settlement with the guest. Italiaoutdoors is not responsible for any other travel costs you may have incurred and does not recommend the purchase of non-refundable or uninsured advance purchase airline tickets. Guests who fail to provide signed Italiaoutdoors" Release of Liability and Assumption of All Risks" and personal information forms 30 days prior to departure will not be allowed to participate on the trip and the cancellation policy applies. RATING OUR PROGRAMS - Each program is designed to allow varied fitness level and interest levels to participate, we have a menu of routes that can be selected. Fitness, amount of effort, and how much you push yourself is up to you. Italiaoutdoors has two specific styles of travel and program design. Classic style - on these trips we use a base hotel during our stay. The hotel base can change during the week based on the area we are exploring. These programs may involve a vehicle transfer to a start point or transfer from a finish point, and most routes are looped. Gran Tour style - these are trek or stage tours. This is the grand adventure and our preferred style. The idea is to cover as much ground as possible and change our settings. We will change hotels every night expect on our rest day, (mid way through the program we offer one easy or rest day). If you are not sure which style fits you just drop us a line.  We do not have more than 8 persons on a trip unless it is a private group or special program then group size depends on the organizer.  

Before Making A Deposit And Signing Up

please read all the following before signing up for your trip ACCOMMODATIONS - Hotels listed in each trip itinerary are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. If the published hotel has insufficient accommodations, we will use another lodging that meets our same exacting standards and character. With some trip's more historic lodging, requested double or twin bed combinations might not be available due to the dimensions and character of each available room. Lodging upgrades are available. For suites or other upgraded rooms including the use of different preferred hotels, please call our office. Inns identified in our trip lodging list as "Secret Site" are listed as such to protect the exclusivity of these properties. Our reservations office would be happy to discuss the identity of these inns once room reservations are assured. Our trip prices are calculated on a per person basis and are based on standard double occupancy rooms with private amenities. Personal expenses and hotel charges such as phone use, bar service, spa services, laundry, etc. are not included in the trip price. As a benefit to our solo guests, those requesting a private room will receive a full sized room with a large bed and the Single Room Charge will apply. Where a solo guest requests to share a room, we will pair the guest with another of the same sex. If no room mate is available, the guest will get the room without the Single Room Charge. If a solo guest signs up after 60 days prior to the trip, the Single Room Charge will apply if a room mate does not become available. TRAVEL PROTECTION - Italiaoutdoors strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation, baggage and health & accident insurance. TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE TRIP - Airfare and other costs to arrive at the trip rendezvous and depart from the trip finish are not included in the trip prices. The starting point for each trip has been conveniently located at the nearest major city, national airport or transportation center. We will provide explicit instructions on how to reach each starting point in your pre-departure packet. Our trips are designed so that there is no need for you to arrive early; the 1st day of each program is to fit equipment, review program information. All trips finish at the final evening's lodging. We will ensure you have appropriate transportation source (e.g. taxis, train station, etc.) to get you to your next travel connection and offer one transfer for the group to the location listed on the trip program. If provided transfer does not meet your travel plans you are responsible for any additional transportation cost. PASSPORTS AND VISAS - Guests traveling to the European Community from the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand require a valid passport. Guests from other countries should contact their closest Italian or E.C. consulate to determine which documents you require entering the European Community. GUEST RESPONSIBILITY - Guests are responsible for choosing a trip that matches their cycling or walking & hiking abilities, level of fitness and state of health, providing a signed release and assumption of risk form including medical information prior to trip departure, arriving at the trip start at the time and location specified in your trip confirmation package, having the recommended clothing and gear specified in your trip confirmation package, respecting European laws and customs, following environment guidelines and regulations in accordance with the trip leader and respecting the rights and privacy of other trip participants. An individual may be requested to leave the trip if the leader feels that the person's continuing participation may prove detrimental to the individual or to the safety, well being, and enjoyment of the other guests. Biking travelers are provided with a high quality combination lock and instructions on the safe handling and parking of your trip bicycle. Trip participants are responsible for any damage (non-normal wear and tear) or loss (at authorized shop time and list prices) to their bicycle and its components or any other equipment provided by Italiaoutdoors regardless of reason. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY - Italiaoutdoors is not liable for bodily injury or property damage as a result of (but not limited to): physical exertion for which a guest is not prepared; forces of nature; travel by plane, train, auto, boat or other conveyance, or by bicycle, ski, horseback, foot or other form of active or adventure travel; consumption of alcoholic beverages; civil unrest; terrorism; breakdown of equipment; high altitude; lack of or limited access to medical attention in remote locations; and the adequacy of medical attention once provided. Italiaoutdoors is also not liable for expenses (e.g. meals, transportation or hotel costs) that are not specified or included in the trip cost but may be required to get you to or from a trip start or finish. Italiaoutdoors reserves the right to make route and hotel modifications as necessary to improve the quality of a trip or to accommodate the comfort and well being of guests. Italiaoutdoors reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of its trips for possible promotional and / or commercial use. FAMILY TRIPS - We strongly recommend families to request private trips designated exclusively for parents traveling with children. All minors (less than 16 years of age) must be accompanied by at least one adult. When sharing a room (subject to availability) with two adults, youths would receive a 10% discount. Italiaoutdoors has trips designed specifically with families in mind. 24" bikes are available for younger riders. For guests wishing to travel with children under 8 years of age, please contact our office to see if your preferred trip is suitable for your children. Please note that children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent while traveling in the trip vehicle. HELMETS and BICYCLES - Guest must bring their own helmet on Italiaoutdoors trips, and it is strongly recommended they use at all times on all our biking trips. Guest must bring their own bicycle pedals if they use clipped shoes. Italiaoutdoors only has standard flat pedals on all bicycles. If you prefer to bring your own bicycle, we will provide information on how to safely pack and transport it to and from the cycling trip. OTHER EQUIPMENT - If participation in other type of Outdoor Activity equipment will be made available based upon ability level of individual participant. Climbing equipment, Diving Equipment, Wind surfers, camping gear, and other recreation items can be coordinated and have the same policies as bicycles. There is a detailed list of suggested items to bring Italiaoutdoors must be notified upon final payment date what equipment will be required. Equipment is not guaranteed upon arrival if not pre coordinated.

FOOD AND WINE PROGRAMS IN ITALY

For Food and Wine programs check out our partner at Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine. Get a Chef's knowledge and plan a great vacation.

Travel After COVID Custom Trip Planning

Small Group and Family Private Tour Planning

With the 2021 New Year and the COVID crisis seeming to be coming under control, it is time to consider planning your adventure to Italy. Once everything clears there are going to be many changes in the way we travel and where we will are able to visit. Italiaoutdoors has been specializing in small group and off the beaten path travel in Italy for 20 plus years. We have also have been some of the idustry leaders in risk management and client safety since we started. Since the start of the terriorist wars and unrest in the early 2000's, Force Protection and enviornment awareness has be foremost in our planning stragety. Now with COVID many of the same considerations and protocols are important to consider so if you are looking at reducing your risk, increasing your travel value, and exploring off the main tourist trek contact us.

Escape the Crowd

You leisurely explore the spectacularly beautiful countryside, with only a few locals to greet along the way. Or challenge yourself on mountainous routes selected just for you. Afternoon and evening activities are tailored for your interests, and you enjoy world-class food and wine each day, discovering the regional specialties and the stories behind them that make Italian cuisine so unique. You feel as though you're visiting friends in Italy, not on a tour with a fixed itinerary. Sound perfect? Let us plan your ideal adventure in Italy.

Small Group Travel Specialist

Vernon have over 20 years experience designing small group custom private tours in Italy. Our typical groups are 4 to 8 guests, which allows us access to unique venues that tours designed for larger groups pass by - small, boutique hotels; intimate private tours at family producers; visits to authentic small towns that have not yet been affected by mass tourism. Our small groups allow us to adapt our flow throughout our week, creating a perfect combination of careful planning and spontaneous finds.

Design Your Perfect Trip

From your first contact, you will work directly with your guide and tour creator. In the weeks before your adventure, we 'll work together to learn your abilities, your interests, your preferences on accommodations and travel style, and create a tour tailor made for you. As you prepare, we'll provide a constant flow of information to help you get the most out of your tour. When you arrive in Italy, we are there to greet you, to ensure your trip unfolds as planned. All private tours are lead by us and e don't outsource your trip to hired guides - your trip deserves our personal attention. For Self Guided tours some daily tour guides can be arranged, each being individuals we have worked with in the past and feel meet a quality standard verus cost.

Italiaoutdoors Difference

Does your group have a range of abilities? Not a problem, most of our groups do! We provide many options each day to keep everyone happy. Check out our Tours Section to see sample programs and types of activities. Are you organizing a tour for a group of 4 or more? We offer discounts for organizers, and develop private tours for small groups without breaking the bank. Contact Vernon, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to learn the exciting possibilities for your customized Italian adventure! Your money: Private trips don't need to be more expensive than group trips. We can work with you to create a trip that fits your budget. Your experience: We can modify to adapt to the weather, your desires, or to be spontaneous should we want to take advantage of an opportunity we discover along the way! How do you start designing your custom tour? Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or fill out our Design Your Own Tour form to begin the trip of a lifetime!