Slowtourist, an Italian tour operator organizing trekking holidays in Italy and France
The era we are living in is ruled by speed, everything must act and interact more and more quickly, immediately: internet connections, high speed trains, fast-food meals…
In this perspective, the need to slow down and dedicate some time to oneself becomes increasingly important. We are witnessing a re-evaluation of slowness and a diffusion of tourist and leisure-time activities based on the rediscovery of natural rhythms and of lost qualities such as the possibility to watch and observe.
Our tour operator was created with the goal of meeting the requirements of those who seek a new concept of a vacation: the culture of slow travelling, discovering places through living, not consuming.
Slowtourist offers tours on foot or by bike, whose aim is to let you discover new lands, nature and local culture.
We organize holidays in contact with nature, far away from the noise and the frenzy of daily life. Our holidays help to regenerate the body and the mind. It is an aware relax, ideal for everybody. The discovery of new lands, full of enchanting places and breathless landscapes: this is what Slowtourist offers you!
Our trips are planned by a professional staff and they lead you to discover new lands, in guided or self guided holidays.
Our staff, thanks to our direct experience, efficiency and courtesy, works out personalized proposals for your journeys and your stays, organized in such a way as to let you be the protagonist of your free time.
The continual research of high quality itineraries, the professionalism of our staff in preparing your tour, the guide’s ability during the tour itself, the clarity of the price and of the services offered, as well as the on-going support to our clients are our top priorities.
Slowtourist offers you different proposals for your holidays, trekking and many more: discover our destinations, between France and Italy, from the Alps to the Pyrenees, from Langhe to Provence, between mountain and sea, in the very uncontaminated nature!
Fascinating trekking holidays living the places, not consuming…
What are you waiting for? Let’s start now surfing among our proposals!
Click here for a quick research:
- trekking holidays
- way of travel
- booking terms and conditions
- levels of difficulty
- discount and special offers
Trekking holidays in Italy and France: fresh proposals for your walking holidays, from the sea to the mountains, for beginners and experts.
An active holiday is the best approach to discover new lands. In order to fully enjoy these vacations, you must forget about the worries of daily life.
A slow rhythm that allows you to enjoy the attractions that every land offers.
Our staff is at your disposal also for tailor-made offers and personalized proposals.
TREKKING HOLIDAYS - ITALY
To discover the delightful Italian hills, valleys and mountains…
Slowtourist suggests you many unforgettable trekking tours among magnificent landscapes and an uncontaminated nature.
In this section you can find our proposal for guided or self guided trekking tours directed to families with children or groups of friends.
Slowtourist suggests also you a new idea of sea destination: an active holiday where the relax in the beach is the right conclusion of a walking day in the nature.
Trekking holidays among the nuances of the sky and the sea, in authentic and uncontaminated places.
TREKKING HOLIDAYS - FRANCE
Trekking holidays in France: new destinations to discover, along “Occitania a pè” trail. From the Alps to the Pyrenees, among the gentle landscapes of Provence.
A walking holiday to discover a timeless and borderless culture and a different language.
A slow walking rhythm to enjoy the landscapes, the flavours, the sounds of a charming land.
TREKKING HOLIDAYS - WINTER
Winter trekking holidays: original proposals for your winter holidays with snowshoes, the best mean to enjoy the fascination of mountains in winter.
A healthy and relaxing sport which is lots of fun: ideal for families or groups of friends that love walking in the mountains in winter.
Self-guided holiday: there are no fixed dates for these proposals. Please look at the suggested period before deciding when you want to leave.
Guided holiday: these proposals are mainly for groups with a minimum and a maximum number of participants, in order to guarantee good service and professionalism.
First you choose your destination and date, after controlling that the trip fits you perfectly. We suggest you to phone or mail us in order to verify the availability. If you are interested in the holiday, Slowtourist can hold you an option for 3 working days. After 3 days the clients have to confirm or not the reservation. To confirm the reservation we require a down payment of 30% of the total amount. The full balance has to be paid 30 days prior to departure. In case of bookings made less than 30 days prior to departure, Slowtourist tour operator requires the payment of the full amount at the moment of the confirmation of reservation.
Slowtourist will not guarantee the availability after the deadline of the option.
PAYMENT AND CONFIRMATION
After the confirmation of the option, Slowtourist needs the payment to confirm the reservation. Usually you have 3 working days to do the payment.
Way of payment:
- Money transfer
Bank coordinates: Slowtourist srl - C/C 31169 BANCA REGIONALE EUROPEA Dronero
BIC BREUITM1 Abi 06906 Cab 46280
NUMERO IBAN IT 33 L 06906 46280 0000 0003 1169 - SWIFT O BIC BREUITM1
The amounts have to be clear from eventual banking commission.
Please write in the object the number of your reservation document.
After the payment, you have to send the document of done payment and the document of reservation filled in all of its parts (we need it for the issue of the invoice) to the number of fax 0039 0171 909924 or mail at info@slowtourist.com.
Please indicate also the International code TRN for money transfer.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The signature of the document of reservation involves the acceptance of the general conditions.
To read the general conditions, please
click here
BEFORE LEAVING
After the payment of the full balance, Slowtourist sends a voucher with the confirmation of the reservation.
Self guided holiday: Slowtourist sends the detailed itinerary program to the client by email, or the client will find them in the hotel at the arrival.
Guided holiday: The guide will give the detailed program at the client at their first meeting.
In any case Slowtourist will send the details (check in and out time, useful telephone numbers, times and places of the meetings with the guide, detailed program, …)by email before your leaving: please check your emails!
MORE SERVICES
If you want to stay more days (before or after the tour), we can help you building a personalized program.
In some of our tours it is possible to book a single room, with a daily extra charge. Please ask us for further information.
IF I CAN’T LEAVE
As written in the General Conditions of Travel Contracts, it is always possible to retreat from the trip, with application of penalities as indicated in the general conditions.
TREKKING
Levels of difficulty:
1 foot: easy
2 feet: easy – medium
3 feet: medium
4 feet: medium – advanced
5 feet: advanced
The classification of difficulties is mainly based on the disparity in altitude and length of each itinerary:
1) Easy beginner trekker
Accessible to everybody, short distances without difficulties and disparities in altitude; sporty attitude is the only thing you need! – about 2 hours a day, disparity in altitude about +200 m a day
2) Easy – Medium pre-intermediate trekker
Accessible to people who love walking, short distances without big difficulties and mild disparities in altitude; it’s important to have a little experience of trekking in the mountains – about 3 hours a day, disparity in altitude about +500 m a day
3) Medium intermediate trekker
For trekkers who normally practice trekking in their free time - Excursions between 4 and 5 hours a day, disparity in altitude about +800 m a day
4) Medium – Advanced upper-intermediate trekker
Excursions between 5 and 7 hours a day, more than 4 days of walking tour, disparity in altitude about +1000 m a day. Good physical preparation recommended.
5) Advanced advanced trekker
For expert trekkers. Difficult courses of more than 7 hours or along tracks which are not signposted, more than 4 days walking tour, with disparity in altitude between +800 and +1500 m. Very good physical preparation recommended.
For all excursionists, beginners and advanced, it is important to follow basic safety rules. Make sure that you have a good physical preparation and training, according to the level of the trip that you choose. If you haven’t got time to go to the gym before departure, just benefit from every occasion to be active; use the stairs instead of the elevator, the bike instead of the car and choose outdoor activities during the weekend.
EQUIPMENT
Boots are really important for trekkers and hikers; they have to fit properly and have to be high to protect the ankles, suitable on every type of terrain.
It is important to be fully equipped, making sure that you are not carrying too much weight. The back pack has to be comfortable, not too big, better with anatomic back. Make sure that you are always carrying a change of clothes, according to the trip. It is recommended to carry: rain coat, warm jacket, hat, sunglasses, sun screen, food and drinks. It is advisable to carry first aid kit, torch, multiuse knife, thermos, water bottle, compass, binoculars, maps of the area….Don’t forget to pack mobile phone, documents and emergency phone numbers
DURING THE EXCURSIONS
Always remember that mountain environment is fragile and you have to be respectful towards it. Respect the flora and fauna, the local inhabitants and the other tourists. In case of bad weather, it is better to postpone the excursion or interrupt it and go back. If you get lost because of bad weather, stay with the group, go back to the last known place and wait there for better visibility.
In case of accident, cover the injured person and call for help. Never leave an injured person alone.
WINTER
Mountains in winter are extremely fascinating, with their immaculate white caps and the snug comfort of the fireplace warming you up in the coldest of the night.
Trekking with Snow Shoes
Levels of difficulty:
1 foot: easy
2 feet: easy – medium
3 feet: medium
4 feet: medium – advanced
5 feet: advanced
The classification of difficulties is mainly based on the disparity in altitude and on the time of each itinerary:
1) Easy beginner trekker
Accessible to everybody, easy walks without technical difficulties. Sporty attitude is the only thing you need! – about 1hour a day, disparity in altitude about +100 m a day
Easy walks without technical difficulties. Basic training recommended.
2) Easy – Medium pre-intermediate trekker
Accessible to people who love walking, short distances without big difficulties and mild disparities in altitude; it’s important a little experience of trekking with snowshoes – about 2 hours a day, disparity in altitude about +300 m a day
3) Medium intermediate trekker
For trekkers who normally practice trekking with snowshoes in their free time - Excursions between 3 and 5 hours a day, also during 3 following days, with some steep stretches, average disparity in altitude +500 m a day
4) Medium – Advanced upper-intermediate trekker
Excursions between 4 and 6 hours a day, more than 3 days of walking tour, average disparity in altitude +800 m a day. Good training and technique recommended.
5) Advanced advanced trekker
Technical courses, walking with snow shoes and crampons. More than 6 hours a day, more than 4 days walking tour, with disparity in altitude between +800 and +1500 m.
Very good physical preparation recommended.
Excursions with the snow shoes are the natural prosecution of summer trekking. It is the ideal sport for mountain lovers and for those who want to enjoy silence and amazing views.
It is advisable to have a good preparation and training according to the excursion you choose.
EQUIPMENT
Snow shoes have been always used as a mean of transport in this area during the winter. Once they were made of wood, while nowadays, thanks to technology, they are resistant, light, very reliable and do not require major maintenance. The materials used are plastic and aluminium, with crampons under the binding. The prices vary according to the type and the use and before buying a pair, make sure you take into consideration your weight, how many times you will be using them and what kind of courses you will be following. It is advisable to use telescopic poles as well. As for footwear, it is enough to wear good quality waterproof walking boots. It is recommended to carry with you ARVA (Avalanche Beacon), shovel and probe.
DURING THE EXCURSIONS
For beginners, it is always advisable to be accompanied by a qualified guide. As a general safety rule for everybody, always check the weather forecast and the conditions of the snow before departure. It is better to postpone an excursion in case of bad weather.
BONUS SLOWFRIEND – SLOWTOURIST REWARDS YOUR LOYALTY
The bonus gives you the right to have a discount on your next booking with us.
Get your bonus after a booking of our catalogue products.
ADVANCE BOOKING
This formula allows you to make use of a discount of up to 20% on the catalogue prices of our packages, and to choose with great serenity the vacation that best corresponds to your needs.
The reservation must be done and confirmed 50 days before the departure.
SPECIAL OFFER OF THE MONTH AND SLOWTOURISTSPECIAL
Every month you will find two special offer packages, chosen by us in order to guarantee you a new holiday at reduced prices every time you travel.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The offers can’t be combined (where not indicated) and to use them you have first to verify the availability.
All offers are nominative and they can be used only by the person that makes the reservation.
For travel agencies Slowtourist has special offers, that cannot combine with the offers destinated to the final client.