Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about our tours, how active they are, what’s included, or how to create your own adventure? You’re in the right place.

At Wild Sage, we believe that travel should feel personal. We specialize in small-group active and cultural tours with itineraries designed by experienced guides who know and love the places we visit. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for below, just ask us!

About Wild Sage

What kind of tours does Wild Sage offer?

We offer fully-guided active and cultural tours for small groups that combine nature, culture, history, food, and plenty of local experiences. Some tours have no active or “fitness” component while others have daily outdoor activities. Our active trips range from easy walks and gentle hikes to more challenging mountain trekking. Depending on the destination, our tours can also include cycling, e-biking, kayaking, water sports, or other adventures. For travelers who prefer a more relaxed pace, we offer cultural and “light active” tours without any notable physical activity beyond walking through cities, archaeological sites, etc. Our goal is simple: to help you experience a destination rather than simply visit it.

Who are Wild Sage tours designed for?

Our tours are designed for curious, adventurous travelers who enjoy discovering a place through its landscapes, history, culture, food, and people. We offer different activity levels and clearly describe what you can expect on each scheduled tour. There is no age limit, and we have run tours for families traveling with infants as well as for “well-seasoned” travelers in their 80s. We can even accommodate some mobility challenges, depending on the tour.

Who are the guides?

Wild Sage was founded by Manu and Claire, two friends and professional guides who have worked in the travel industry for more than 25 years. We work with friends and colleagues who have years of experience and love what they do. Our guides are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and genuinely passionate about the places we visit. We also work with trusted local guides and specialists when their expertise adds something special to a trip.

Choosing a Tour

How active are your tours?

Not all of our tours have an “active” component like hiking, but they all involve a certain amount of walking through towns, archaeological sites, etc. Among our active tours, we offer everything from easy walks and sightseeing to challenging Alpine hikes. Cycling and e-biking tours are also available, as well as trips that include kayaking and other activities. Every tour has an activity level so you can choose an experience that feels right for you. Note that we can run any of our walking tours as “culture only” with reduced physical activity, and you don’t have to do every activity. If something is too strenuous—or you simply don’t feel like doing it—you can usually opt out. If you’re unsure which tour is right for you, contact us and we’ll be happy to talk it through.

What does “light active” mean?

“Light active” is our way of saying that you can be active without spending your entire vacation hiking up a mountain! A day exploring a city, walking through an archaeological site, wandering through a hilltop village, or strolling along the coast can all add up to plenty of steps. These tours are a great choice if you enjoy being out and about but don’t want a demanding hiking itinerary.

Do I need to be fit to join one of your active tours?

It depends on the tour. Some trips are suitable for travelers who simply enjoy walking and exploring, while others require a good level of fitness and hiking experience. We describe the activity level of our tours as clearly as possible, but we’re also happy to have a conversation with you before you book. Tell us what you normally enjoy doing, and we’ll help you find the right fit.

What happens if I can’t—or don’t want to—do an activity?

We understand that everyone’s energy levels, interests, and abilities are different. On many tours, you can choose to skip an activity or take a more relaxed option. However, this depends on the itinerary, so please talk to us before booking if you have concerns about a particular activity.

Private & Custom Tours

Can I create my own Wild Sage tour?

Absolutely! Custom trips are our specialty. Choose your destination, dates, group of friends or family, and preferred travel style, and we’ll work with you to create an itinerary. Want hiking and great food? Tuscany and the coast? History and wine? A little cycling mixed with cultural sightseeing? Tell us what you’re dreaming about and we’ll see what we can create.

How many people do I need for a private tour?

We ideally recommend a minimum of 6 people, as smaller groups can be more expensive to operate. That said, we have created trips for groups of four—and even for just two travelers.
The maximum size for most Wild Sage groups is around 14 people, although in some circumstances we can accommodate up to 16.

Can you organize a tour for my family or group of friends?

Yes. Private tours are perfect for families, groups of friends, clubs, and other small groups who want to travel together. You can start with one of our existing itineraries or ask us to create something completely new.

Do you organize self-guided tours or make bookings for independent travel?

No, not usually. We mainly offer guided multi-day tours, so there are a number of things that we do NOT (usually) do: we don’t offer day-trips unless they’re part of a larger tour; we don’t make bookings (hotels, transport, museum tickets) if you’re not traveling on a tour with us; and we don’t set up itineraries for independent travel. We’re happy to help you arrange travel before and after one of our tours, and we can help you organize your extended itinerary, so don’t hesitate to ask us if you need help.

Open Tours

Can I join a Wild Sage tour if I don’t have my own group?

Yes! Although we specialize in private and custom tours, we also offer a selection of open tours that individual travelers can join. You can find our current departures on the Open Tours page. Because dates and availability can change, we recommend contacting us directly if you see a tour you’re interested in.

Where do your tours go?

We specialize in Italy and Southern Europe, but our adventures go much further. Our destinations include various regions in Italy (Tuscany, Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia, the Dolomites, the Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Piedmont, and Umbria), as well as in Greece, Portugal, France, Croatia & Slovenia, Morocco, Cuba, Turkey, and Mexico, with more destinations in development. We love returning to places we know well—and discovering new ones.

Booking Your Trip

How do I book a Wild Sage tour?

We don’t have an automated online booking system. When you’re ready to join a tour, contact us by email. We’ll confirm availability, answer any final questions, and send you the necessary booking information and contract. Once the contract is signed, we require a deposit to confirm your place.

How much is the deposit?

The deposit is usually around €500 per person, although the exact amount can vary depending on the trip. The deposit is non-refundable because we incur costs and make non-refundable arrangements when we confirm your booking.

When is the final payment due?

Final payment is generally due 90–100 days before the start of the tour, depending on the specific trip. Your booking documents will include the exact payment schedule for your tour.

How can I pay?

We currently accept payment by credit card or bank transfer. We’ll provide the payment details when your booking is confirmed.

Do I have to pay in € Euros? 

Yes. Our company is 100% Italian, as are our banks, so we only accept euros. We’re happy to talk through the process of sending money from other currencies.

Cancellations

What is your cancellation policy?

Because we make reservations and incur expenses well in advance of your trip, our cancellation policy becomes progressively more restrictive as the departure date approaches. Generally, cancellation fees increase from approximately 33% to 50%, 75%, and ultimately 100% as the tour date gets closer. The deposit payment is almost always non-refundable, as stated above. Your specific booking contract will contain the cancellation terms that apply to your trip.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

Yes, we strongly recommend it. Travel insurance can help protect you against unexpected circumstances such as illness, injury, trip interruption, baggage problems, or other covered events. We particularly recommend checking that your policy includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage appropriate for the value and nature of your trip.

What to Expect

What is included on a Wild Sage tour?

All of our tours are fully-guided, multi-day tours, so they include lodging, guide services, transport, entrances, and most meals. We always include a “free night” or two, so you can take a night off from group dinners, and lunches are often “on your own” so you can eat where you like or order what you like if we’re eating together. If you organize a private tour, we go over the meal plan with you beforehand (some tours have NO meals included, for example). Every tour includes a section that clearly states what is included and not included. We do NOT include transportation to and from the start and end of the tour and we are not a travel agency, so we don’t take care of flights and airline tickets.

What are the accommodations like?

We carefully select accommodations based on the destination and style of the trip. We prefer small hotels with lots of character that complement the experience rather than generic chain hotels whenever possible. The exact accommodation style varies from destination to destination, so check the individual tour itinerary for details.

What about food?

Food is a big part of the Wild Sage experience! We love introducing travelers to local specialties, regional wines, family-run restaurants, markets, and other memorable food experiences. We’re happy to discuss dietary requirements with you before your trip so we can plan accordingly.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. We do our best to accommodate dietary needs and restrictions.

Are your tours suitable for solo travelers?

Absolutely. Solo travelers are welcome on our tours, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet other travelers while exploring with a small group. There is usually a single supplement that reflects charges imposed by the hotels, not by us (we don’t add anything from our part).

Before You Book

How do I know which tour is right for me?

Start by thinking about four things:

Where do you want to go?
Is there one particular country or region that interests you? Or a combination of places? We can design departures based on your wishes.

What do you want to experience?
Food and wine, history, nature, art, beaches, mountains—or a little bit of everything?

How active do you want to be?
Easy walks, light activity, challenging hiking, a day on e-bikes or kayaks?

How do you like to travel?
A scheduled small-group departure or a private trip designed around your group?

Still not sure? Email us. Tell us what you like to do when you travel, and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

Can I talk to someone before booking?

Of course! One of the things that makes Wild Sage different is that you can actually talk to the people who design and lead the trips. Send us an email or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

How do I contact Wild Sage?

Email:
General information: info@wildsage.it
Manu (co-owner and tour leader): manu@wildsage.it
Claire (co-owner and tour leader): claire@wildsage.it

WhatsApp:
+39 339 874 9238 — Claire
+39 338 124 8167 — Manu

Still Have Questions?

We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re wondering which shoes to bring, trying to decide between Sicily and Sardinia, or dreaming up a completely custom adventure, get in touch and let’s talk travel!