Non-Camino walk with short, easy stages?

[trecile]

I've already posted in the Fisherman's Trail forum, but I think that all the beach/sand walking might be a no-go for my husband.

My husband will accompany me to Europe next year for a vacation before I start my Camino (probably the Portuguese from Lisbon). We haven't made any plans yet, but think that we want to go to Italy. It's really a long shot, but I'd like to convince him to do a short supported walk - about 5 days, with stages around 10 miles/16 km or less.

Some background - my husband is in decent shape, and we generally like to travel to places where we can walk instead of taking taxis. But, he has no interest in walking a Camino - at least not in the manner that I like to walk, which is carrying my pack and averaging 20 - 25 km per day, which sounds like drudgery to him. However, I thought that I might be able to entice him to do a short inn to inn style walking tour

What are some easy, but scenic walks where we could have luggage transport and stay in inns or hotels?

 

[CTLawGal]

I did some lovely walks in western Sicily - Zingaro, Monte Cofino, Erice to Trapani and around the island of Levanzo off the coast of Trapani. I flew into Palermo and discovered the amazing Palazzo de Butera. I booked it through an Italy based company that specialized in walking tours (car transfers, hotels, gps maps, no guide). I likely could track down the gps maps if you’re interested. I can also provide name and contact of company. There really wasn’t enough that could be done without a car and I didn’t want to drive. They also had options for eastern Sicily (they offer other Italian locations - I also did a lake region tour with them - might be too much elevation gain for the spouse, Sicily was very manageable). I walked in October. Weather was incredible. So was having the sea at my shoulder. Their website might be useful just for ideas on where walks are possible.

 

[Vacajoe]

my wife and I have walked 10 or so routes and generally enjoy hiking/walking daily. But my god, the Fisherman’s Trail?!!?!? That was by far the hardest route of all. I understand that it seems so simple - costal, relatively flat, nice villages - but it was definitely challenging and NOT for a beginner!!!

 

[Robo]

Given the need for daily luggage transfers, would an option be a not too busy Camino route, that has baggage services (I know they kind of play against each other there). And pre book accomodation in some nice Casa Rurals and the like. With the right route it need not feel too Camino like.

But there again, when I look at Correos. They are all fairly busy routes.

As of Easter 2024, the Paq Mochila is available until October 31 at on the Frech Way from Roncesvalles, on the Portuguese Way from Tui, on the Coastal Portuguese Way from A Guarda, on the Variante Espiritual of Portuguese Way; on the Primitive Way from Oviedo, on the Northern Way from Irún, on the English Way from Ferrol, on the Sanabria Way from Ourense and on the Way to Fisterra and Muxía. Paq Mochila is also available on the French Way from Somport and on the Winter Way on request at paqmochila@correos.com.

So maybe that idea was a non starter, sorry. It's hard not to think about taking advantage of the Camino infrastructure.

What about an 'organised' walking tour in Italy?

There seem to be loads! Nice accomodation too. (I won't let Pat see these links!)

Walk About Italy

Guided Walking Tours in Italy: Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Umbria-Assisi-Le Marche region. Local guides, great food and wine, family owned farm visits.

www.walkaboutitaly.com

Early Bird Sale: Save On Europe Walking Tours 2025 | UTracks

Save money on your next walking holiday in Europe with the 2025 UTracks Early Bird Sale. Explore Europe's hiking trails on a discounted walking tour.

www.utracks.com

Hidden Italy - Italy Walking Tour Specialists | Guided Tours and Self-Guided Walks

https://www.sloways.eu/destinations/europe/holidays-in-italy

Italy Walking & Hiking Tours

Explore the best walking & hiking tours to Italy. Choose from 36 unique tour itineraries with 11 past traveller reviews from 4 leading tour operators. September is the most popular month to join a walking & hiking tour to Italy with 828 departures starting between October 2024 and November 2026.

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Search - Explore

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www.exploreworldwide.com.au

Of course you could save loads of money and plan it all yourself!!
Heard that somewhere before

This might be a case though where a 'package' makes a lot of sense.

 

[Robo]

but I'd like to convince him to do a short supported walk - about 5 days, with stages around 10 miles/16 km or less.

What does your husband like to do? I'd be tailoring the walk to match stuff he likes. Walks near the sea, old cities, natural beauty, historic sites....... build a walk around that, so it's not about the walk at all really.

For example. Pat my dearly beloved is not exactly "champing at the bit" to walk 400 kms next year. Though she does kind of want to get the exercise and some motivation to get fitter.

The greater motivation is the snippets I'm finding about places to eat along the way.
It looks like some really great 'memorable' meals will help
We've even found a couple of Michelin places with great menus and reviews........

It's all about the right motivational 'bait'

 

[Sirage]

Sorry not to be helpful, but the Cinque Terra 20 years ago.

But it depends on your budget I guess which for 2 of you might be 5 or 6 times your long-conditioned Camino life, and as Robo said some sort of seductive bait.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

If I were going to Italy and had never been before, I suggest a two week bus tour that included all the famous tourist stops that encompasses a huge swath of the country in all its beauty. Definitely not a camino, but there is plenty of daily walking to be done. It has been one of my favorite vacations and very little planning to be done.
Btw, your hubby sounds similar to mine regarding "Caminos".

 

[Roland49]

If you want to experience Italy, walk the part of the VF from Lucca to Siena.
Amazing tuscan landscape, friendly people, great food and wine.
Maybe shorten it to your needs. Public transport is available.

Or you stay in Montalcino and do day walks to Pienza, to the Val d'Orcia, Petriolo, Monte Amiata, etc.
So much to see!

Have fun!

 

[BarbaraW]

There are a number of UK based companies which offer guided and self guided walking tours in Italy. The ones I've used (though mostly not in Italy) are Exodus, Explore, Ramblers Worldwide and HF holidays. I think these are less expensive than the US based tour companies that I've seen. Routes include the Cinque Terra and the "Path of the Gods" on the coast south of Naples. Also plenty in Tuscany, though I think these tend to be circular day walks rather than point to point. I'm currently touring Italy independently and averaging under 100 euros per day for food and lodging. Plenty of walking in the normal course of touring here!

 

[Anhalter]

I would imagine that finding a short staged and supported tour thats no camino will be a bit of a challenge. I think there might be such services for certain tours in the alps, but from the sound of yoyur post it seems that might not be the thing. Then there might be organized walking trips, as others mentioned. That might be something.
One more option, maybe not perfect as well, is booking some accomodation for a certain period and go hiking from there. But that obviously has not the same feeling as walking toward some destination and getting closer every day.
If the latter sounds like an option, i had a very good time in the town of Castellina in Chianti, which is located on the trail of "Via Romea del Chianti", an old way that connects Florence with Siena and leads on the VF there. Also has the full force Tuscany wibe and excellent food and wine.

 

[Kathar1na]

@trecile, I agree with @BarbaraW and @Robo: Look for self-guided holiday offers.

There is a large choice for all of Europe. Have a look at what Explore and Exodus offer; Terdav is also a good recommendation with a broad offer but you'd have to be comfortable with French to explore their catalogue. There are many other reliable companies of course.

While you can organise such trips yourself, I think it might be the luggage transport where you'd often might lack the know-how to have it organised efficiently and not too costly.

https://www.exodus.co.uk/
https://www.exploreworldwide.eu/
https://www.terdav.com

 

[TravellingMan22]

If I were going to Italy and had never been before, I suggest a two week bus tour that included all the famous tourist stops that encompasses a huge swath of the country in all its beauty. Definitely not a camino, but there is plenty of daily walking to be done. It has been one of my favorite vacations and very little planning to be done.
Btw, your hubby sounds similar to mine regarding "Caminos".

I know it’s not what you asked for, but I agree with this. Not sure if you have seen much of Italy but I would offer the thought of visiting a number of great cities they have and walk 20km a day round them. At least 20 fantastic cities to choose from. The ‘inter city’ railway system their great, good fares often available close to departure, and the ‘long and thin’ nature of the country means you can work your way ‘north or south’ or vice versa - not like Spain where so much hubs through Madrid.