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Testimonials
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Holiday: WC06 - LEVANTE RIVIERA WALKS All the arrangements worked out very well. No problems with the train journeys and the hotel was in a very good location, and the room was great. Your choice of walks were very good. First one was easy and very enjoyable. Second one we went up with the cable car and walked back. There was a section of the path that was very overgrown and we reversed our steps twice before we decided to continue and it eventually brought us to the shrine [ This can sometimes happen after heavy rain in summer with prolific growth in the following few weeks ]. The rest of the walk was very nice and easy going. There is one section where the directions arenąt very clear when you enter Rapallo. When you get to the t-junction at the end of the steep downward path, you donąt know which street youąre coming up against, so you donąt know if you should turn left or right. Unfortunately I donąt have the walk directions with me and canąt give you the exact wording. So I hope you can figure out what Iąm trying to say [ We have now updated the walking notes to clarify this]. The markings were very clear on all the paths. The third walk we didnąt do. We took the ferry to Portofino and just had a relaxing time. Thanks again Mike, for organising everything. We found your company pleasant to deal with and very professional, and will most certainly make use of your services again in the near future. Kind regards Linda. Linda Lubbe, London, England

Holiday: NP008 - SULZANO LAKESIDE HOLIDAY Dan and I had a really great time in Sulzano. The hotel was fantastic, great location and incredibly friendly and helpful staff. It was only a 40min drive from Milan Bergamo airport so transfer time was perfect. The location was ideal as it was far less crowded than neighbouring Lake Garda which meant site seeing, driving and eating out were a pleasure without the droves of tourists. Our experience of dealing with Xtrallusion has been fantastic with a very personal touch. The whole process of booking the holiday was very smooth and any questions we had were answered quickly. We also liked the information you provided us with before departing such as the itinerary suggestion. We would definately consider booking with Xtrallusion again and would certainly recommend to friends and family. many thanks Jessica Murray Jessica Murray, London, England

Holiday: WC01 - WALKING the CINQUE TERRE We enjoyed our walking holiday organized through Xtrallusion. The arrangements were first class and everything worked like clockwork. The directions we were given were easy to read and to follow and the walks were enjoyable. The hotels were good and came up to expectations. John John Sudworth, Wakefield, England

Holiday: WC01 - WALKING the CINQUE TERRE We both had a fantastic time, no travel problems with either planes or trains. In fact all our apprehensions soon disappeared when we realised that train travel in Italy really wasn’t as bad as our imaginations had led us to believe. Thank you for arranging the lovely anniversary surprise for Carole, sadly my limited grasp of Italian would have prevented this and she probably would have ended up with a bouquet of seaweed and salt water instead, she was thrilled, Mille Grazie! Both hotels were very good, SESTRI LEVANTE – the room was pleasant, at the rear of the hotel, a little small maybe but clean and tidy, mini bar fridge and safe, and ample bathroom, what you would expect from a medium sized hotel. Excellent restaurant, with impeccable service! But make sure to reserve a table. MANAROLA – the room was lovely, overlooking the main street, large and well furnished, air conditioning, good bathroom, all in all a delightful small hotel. Now the important bit, the walking. - To the sanctuary at Montallegro and the Gulf of Tiggulio, suppose our biggest complaint, for which you were in no way to blame, the weather. Having hiked all the way up, and upon reaching the summit visibility was down to 10 metres no views at all! Also, but only minor, from the restaurant to the fork in the path is quite a bit farther than the ˝ kilometre stated in the route guide, but just keep walking it can’t be missed. The section of path to the shrine, where the trail crosses from west to east side of the ridge, is severely overgrown and proved a little hazardous in the wet conditions. - The Grand Traverse to Portofino, what else can be said but “spectacular!”, and the route description is the most accurate. Portofino, wow, and “oh” how the other half live. - Mountain trail from Monterosso to Vernazza, stiff ascent but worth it for the initial descent into Vernazza, along the narrow path with the most glorious views down to the sea over the terraced vineyards. Very remote, and as peaceful as described, no one but us on the trail. - Morning walk from Sestri, before our transfer to Manarola, to Punta Manara. There is a terraced view point, about two thirds the way up, with a clear view back down to Sestri, which don’t come any better. (I have the very scene saved on my computer desk top). Great circular walk, well described. The 5 villages of the Cinque Terre, fabulous! Luckily for us we had already spent some time in both Monterosso and Vernazza earlier in the week, and being based in Manarola we had also sampled it’s delights, allowing more spare time in Corniglia and Riomaggiore, route well described, impossible to go wrong. Earlier that week, while taking lunch in Vernazza, we were chatting to a charming lady, from New Zealand, who was adamant that we would not be able to walk the trail between the 5 villages in just one day. Although the climbs out of Monterosso and Vernazza were steep, walking between Monterosso and Riomaggore is easily achievable in a day. In fact not only did we accomplish the walk, including a stop for a welcome swim along the way, but we spent a very enjoyable afternoon in Pisa (such was, by now, my expertise and confidence with Italian trains) with some lovely photos of the Leaning Tower. - Bay of Poets and Portovenere, yet another truly spectacular walk. The scenery was simply stunning. Again the route description was accurate, but having negotiated the “Difficult” section, where the path finally emerges at the hairpin bend, there is a little path just visible on the right that descends to a road, which takes out a good stretch of the road walking, that is in my mind more preferable. We would be extremely hard pushed to pick a favourite walk, they were all splendid. We would have no hesitation in recommending your services and company to likeminded walkers, and will regularly check the web site for new itineraries. Once again, mille grazie. Ciao, Steve & Carole Gardner. Steve & Carole Gardner, Shropshire, England

Holiday: SB002 - SESTRI LEVANTE SEASIDE BREAK Hi Mike Thanks for your email. Brian and I had a really great time at Sestri. For us it was the perfect combination of walking, rest and exploration for that time of year. So some feedback. TRAIN TRAVEL Well organised and well informed. HOTEL Directions to the hotel were excellent. The staff were wonderful and the mix of several generations of the same family was lovely. Being the only brits there was also good! WALKS The choice of walks was good and in the right order. We got lost a few times on walk 1 & 3 but it was easy enough to find our way again. I enjoyed the extra challenge. The Cinque Terre was touristy but it did not spoil the experience. Would love to see it in winter. I rate the holiday 9/10. We had a lovely time, met some great people and the scenery was wonderful. Thank you. Sylvia Sylvia Burgess, Wimbledon, England

Holiday: EC001 - WESTERN LIGURIA HINTERLANDS Our trip was so great ........ Carle went back to work raving about Italy etc. and everyone laughed, seems Brian was back from Italy the day before and was complaining ... never go back etc. so many people etc. ha ha guess he was in Rome! Anyway probably have a booking for you next year - think Loretta wants to book soon while Ken is caught up in our enthusiasm!! Sadness of the trip though - I lost my camera card of the first half! I've been phoning and emailing ........... England to Triora is missing and that means Cinque Terre - ouch! Guess we'll have to come again! I've got to say that a great part of visiting Italy is embracing the food and the wine (I appreciated your suggestions) the Italians have great pride in these and we had such a special time 'cause we requested 'locale' - that last dinner in Arezano was unbelievable - I went to the kitchen, bowed and had someone translate that that was the dinner I wanted to have the night before I died! Pasta with scampi, zucchini in a creamy sauce .... yummy! Dianna Dianna and Carle, Vancouver, Canada

Holiday: SB113 - MANAROLA SEASIDE BREAK Hi I had a great time thanks :). Difficult to be back at work now! So loved the walking - wow, just amazing!! And for all the help, much appreciated - I have fallen in love with Cinque Terre!! Caroline Caroline Stewart, London, England

Holiday: ET001 - 3-CITY BREAK: PISA, GENOA & MILAN Hello Mike Arrived back in England safely and on time. Weather here has matched Italy over Easter which has been great. We enjoyed our holiday break very much and thanks for all what you did for us. As suggested by yourself it would have been better perhaps if we had the last night stay in Pisa to cut down on train travel, but we made that decision. Otherwise all was fine. Hotel good. We enjoyed staying at a seaside town rather than in the cities. You never know I might be able to persuade our friends to come over walking with me & Ian to make a change from Plaus. Will keep your webb page to check out your holidays. thanks again Pat Pat & Helen, Leighton Buzzard, England

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Enjoy relaxed, independent walking holidays in Italy along the Italian Rivieras using self-guided itineraries. Explore the beautiful mediterranean countryside and coastal mountains by foot taking in some of the regions most famous and magnificent towns and coast - the Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genova (Genoa), Santa Margherita, Rapallo, San Fruttuoso, Camogli, Chiavari, Sestri Levante, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, Portovenere, Savona, Spotorno, Noli, Finale, Alassio, Imperia, San Remo and it's national parks to name but a few.

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www.xtrallusion.com Xtrallusion Holidays info@xtrallusion.com UK 0845 0944 669 ...with local knowledge 'in the bag' World +44 1212 886044 Holidays & Adventures in Italy and on the Italian Rivieras Xtrallusion offers a selection of self-guided & escorted walking holidays in Italy.