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Testimonials
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Holiday: AP02 - ITALIAN RIVIERA SOARING We would just like to thank Mike for a fantastic few days, with superb accommodation, great para gliding guidance, and all set in the most spectacular surroundings. This would be a great holiday for flyers of all levels of experience, and as we were fairly low air time pilots, we appreciated Mike's advice and patience. On non flyable days there is still lots to do, i.e. hill walking, quad biking, cycling, and a number of water sports.. or just lazing on the beach. We will definitely be back!!! Dave & Kim Harris, Northampton, England.

Holiday: SB026 - PISA CITY BREAK Hello, Mike, Just got home last night, having spent a couple of nights in Edinburgh en route. Yes, thanks, we got the airport transport sorted out with no problems- were just worried that it might have to be ordered in advance, being such an early start. The hotel location was brilliant - just glad it was on that side to the tower, and not the direction of the 'lean', in case the tower finally gave in to gravity! Seriously, it was the closest hotel to the tower - less than 100 metres, I think, and we got the whole view, tower + duomo, from our window. Particularly magical at night. Our rooms were all small (although I did see into the room next door to us, which was quite spacious) - this wasn't a problem, as we were out and about all the time anyway. The beds and pillows were very comfortable, the shower had a good head of water, air con was efficient, and the whole place was immaculately clean. Breakfast was basic but plentiful. The only criticism we would have of the hotel is the staff/family who all seem to have had a humour/hospitality bypass. Apart from one man who appeared twice at breakfast time, we got not a single smile out of any of them, the entire week we were there! Breakfast was generally slammed down with a scowl, and without even a muttered 'prego', and keys were handed over wordlessly. At first, this was really off-putting, but they were all SO dour, that it actually got to the stage that we found it hilarious - Fawlty Towers meets the Leaning Tower! Maybe they do understand English, as you were told, but they sure don't want to let you know it - although I don't think that Italian guests were faring any better, and I noticed a lot of similar comments on Tripadvisor. We would happily use the hotel again, because of its location and comfort, but a re-think on staff attitude would just make all the difference to the holiday. It seems weird to go to all that trouble to make the place so comfortable, and not to at least make some attempt to appear welcoming? Re trips or walks. Before our son and daughter arrived, we went to Lucca, which my husband and I had visited on previous trips to Tuscany - just wandered round, enjoyed lunch, walked round part of the walls. On the Sunday, we went to Viareggio, had lunch ( you can see a theme developing here, can't you!) walked along the beach, paddled in the Med, etc.. We also went to Florence, enjoyed the bus tour ( and lunch!) but found the crowds and humidity a bit uncomfortable, so were glad to return to Pisa. We used the railways throughout - as on our previous trip, we found this a good way to get around, and amazingly inexpensive for those of us used to British Rail prices. The rest of the time, we just wandered around, enjoying the atmosphere - especially early morning and evening, when the day-trippers had gone, and it was easier to imagine the Field of Miracles of 600 years ago. One must-see for anyone interested in the history of art is the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo on Lungarno Mediceo - the most amazing collection of 12th & 13th century paintings, and not all that well-publicised. Thanks again for all your efforts to get this set up for us, Mike - I know that we gave you a very complicated remit, with all the different lengths of stay, etc., and without too much notice. You came up trumps again, and I expect we'll be in touch with you again in the not-too-distant future. Thank you to all at Xtrallusions for another great trip! All the best, Janice. Janice Menzies, Scotland.

Holiday: WC06 - LEVANTE RIVIERA WALKS Dear Mike, Thank you we had a wonderful time. The weather was sensational and the area quite beautiful. We found the walks strenuous but manageable. Our only complaint was that the breakfasts at our hotel were rather unexciting, something cooked other than cold hard boiled eggs would have been welcome. We will recommend your company to our friends, thanks again. Regards Maxine Long Maxine Long, Surrey, England

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

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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.