Active & Cultural Tours
in Southern Europe and Beyond
WILD SAGE
What Makes Us Special
LOCAL EXPERT GUIDES
Our experienced guides are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and love what they do.
HANDPICKED ADVENTURES
We research all of our tours thoroughly to assure you get the best out of every holiday.
EXCITING DESTINATIONS
From the big names to the coolest destinations you’ve never heard of, we’ve got it all!
TRAVEL WITH US
Discover Our Tours
Walking & Hiking
We can design tours for almost any walking level (depending on the terrain, of course!), and have tours that go from easy outings to the challenging Alpine hiking of the Dolomites mountains The activity level on our scheduled tours is clearly defined so you know…
Cycling & E-Biking
Some of our guides are also cyclists, and they’d be happy to show you around on two wheels. We can usually find road bikes for rent in most destinations, or try an e-bike, which allows all of the fun with a fraction of the effort (though don’t be fooled…
“Light Active” Tours
You don’t have to go on a “hike” to get your steps in, and sometimes a full day out in a city or exploring an archaeological site can be just as “active” as an organized walk. We’re also aware that we’re not as young as we once were, so we’re happy to offer tours that are…
What Our Customers Say
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Sicily Coast-to-Coast
Our trip to Sicily with Wild Sage in mid-October (perfect time of year) could not have been better. With Claire as our guide/interpreter and Giuseppe as our intrepid driver, we spent 10 days exploring the island from modern cities to Baroque towns to ancient temples, from the coast to the interior. All we had to do was soak in the amazing environment and enjoy ourselves – everything else was taken care of for us. The food, wine, and cannoli were delightful, the hotels and country inns lovely. We had any number of experiences (visiting a cheese maker, a cart-making shop, an ancient ritual bath deep under a church, a Roman villa with spectacular mosaics) that we undoubtedly would have missed had we not been with Claire. She not only planned a great itinerary but was also attuned to our group’s interests and differing energy levels. This was our first trip with a personal guide, and we’re sold on the concept – especially with Claire and Wild Sage.
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Athens & the Greek Islands
We just completed this amazing trip with Claire and her local tour expert in Greece and the Islands. We LOVE putting ourselves in Claire's hands because we know (having enjoyed an amazing tour in Italy with her years ago) that she scouts all the best untouristed hotels and restaurants for amazing beach locations with easy access to towns and the most amazing culinary experiences (indulging us in a dessert specialty and bakery treat every so often). Her hiking, kayaking, and sailing excursions are nothing short of spectacular fun. Claire's hunt for historical and scenic adventure (not to mention her professionalism and ongoing friendship) is what is going to set the Wild Sage experience above other travel companies. I can't wait to schedule our next trip--THANK YOU!
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Piedmont Gourmet Walking Tour
Manu is a bundle of sunshine and enthusiasm in a truly wonderful package. We were invited to a customized tour (so not exactly what you see here) in the Piedmont area with friends who had traveled with her before. They insist they will never travel in Italy without her, and we soon learned why. Manu is incredibly knowledgeable, and what she doesn’t know she is quick to learn. She goes out of her way to accommodate the wishes (and sometimes quirks) of her clients and seems more like one of the gang than a guide in her willingness to engage and adapt. Her knowledge of the history and culture, and her language skills and attention to detail make her the clear leader of said gang! From hiking (partially in the Maritime Alps) and a stay at a truly lovely, and remote hotel, to visiting the wine caves, to eating in fabulous restaurants, this trip really gave us a grand overview of the area – thanks to Manu’s early planning and excellent execution. She never hesitated to make ‘one more stop’ to be sure we got the most from our time with her. She was always on the lookout for things to add to our tour and to future tours. Those of you who take future tours will benefit from her efforts. Manu even has a magic pack with cures for blisters and other hiking maladies. Manu and Wild Sage exceeded our loftiest hopes for a wonderful trip and we look forward to traveling with her again someday.
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Dolomites Val Gardena & Ampezzo
What an amazing tour! Full of challenging hikes, incredible postcard views, unusual upland flowers, pretty alpine towns, delicious Tyrolean-Italian foods, and fascinating geological and human history, all to a soundtrack of cow bells, marmot chirping, and waterfalls. Manu is a kind and patient guide, whose love of the Dolomites is evident. Her enthusiasm for the place was definitely instilled in us, and we’d love to go back.
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Dolomites Hike: Val di Funes & Val Rendena
We were lucky enough to travel with Manu and Melissa, along with three other couples, to the stunning Dolomites in September 2024. From the moment I met them, I sensed this would be a remarkable adventure. Their warm demeanor added to the experience, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment. Each day was carefully planned, showcasing their extensive knowledge of the region, the locals, the food, and the wines. They aim to guide you through the most scenic and less-traveled hikes. The accommodations were delightful and comfortable and featured delicious meals. We enjoyed an evening of wine tasting and dined at a five-star restaurant. The Dolomites was the most beautiful place I have ever seen! When the trains in Italy unexpectedly went on a planned strike on our departure day, Manu and Melissa dedicated hours to securing alternative travel arrangements for each of us. Our final day was a bittersweet farewell as we all felt we were saying goodbye to dear friends. This was indeed the best travel experience my husband and I have ever had, and it's not a question of if but when we will travel with Manu again!