CHOOSE YOUR TRIP

• Tranzalpine - Walking in the Swiss, Austrian & Italian Alps
  Ride a traditional paddle steamer on Lake Luzern, wander the alleys and glide through the waterways of Venice, sample a real Swiss fondue, hike with the locals off the beaten track in Austria and Italy and much more...

• Italian Walking Holidays in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast
  Discover enchanting Tuscany combining the pleasure of walking through fascinating paths with the sensual pleasures of Tuscany: sunshine, food & wine. Explore the timeless countryside along pleasant  walks, perfumed olive groves, fields of luminous sunflowers and ochre-tinted farmhouses framed by rows of green cypress.

  Your Amalfi tour welcomes to the intriguing city of Naples and the world most famous Vesuvius volcano. Your walking adventure takes place in Agerola: a rural village situated on an high plan surrounded by striking landscapes, nestled between spectacular cliffs and easy access to superb walks.

ABOUT SWITZERLAND

Switzerland has an area of 41,285 square kilometres (15,940 square miles). The productive area - that is, the area without the lakes, rivers, unproductive vegetation and no vegetation at all - covers 30,753 square km (11,870 square miles). It  measures 220 kilometers (137 miles) from north to south and 350 km (217 miles) from east to west. The Jura, the Plateau and the Alps form the three main geographic regions of the country. 

It’s existence as a modern federal state dates back to 1848. The government is made up of seven members, elected by the Federal Assembly. The government members take it in turns to act as president. The Swiss people can influence political affairs through the highly developed system of direct democracy.

Switzerland’s position as a neutral state allows it to play an important humanitarian role in world affairs and to act as a mediator between conflicting parties. The currency is the Swiss Franc.

The economy is based on a highly qualified labour force performing highly skilled work. The main areas include microtechnology, hitech, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as banking and insurance know-how. The service sector now employs the greatest number of people.

ABOUT AUSTRIA

The German name for Austria is Osterreich which means "Eastern Empire". This refers to the time when Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Of the total area of Austria (84 000 km² or 32,000 sq. mi), only about a quarter can be considered low lying.

Austria is one of the 10 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a very high standard of living. Until the 1980s, many of Austria's largest industry firms were nationalised; in recent years, however, privatisation has reduced state holdings to a level comparable to other European economies. Labour movements are particularly strong in Austria and have large influence on labour politics. Next to a highly-developed industry, international tourism is the most important part of the national economy.

ABOUT ITALY

Italy's natural environment varies from the Alpine regions of the north to the generally rocky and arid south. Mountain flora and fauna are found in the north and along the Apennines. The fertile plains of the River Po are the most productive agricultural land and the river ends in a marshy delta which is one of Europe's major Centres for waterfowl and for migrating birds.

Traditionally an agricultural country with relatively poor supplies of the raw materials of industry. This held Italy back for years, but the government's policy of industrialization after the Second World War has made Italy into one of the major industrial nations of the world.

One natural resource for which Italy is particularly famous is marble. Italian marble is exported all over the world for use in many types of buildings. The main agricultural products are grains, soybeans, potatoes, sugar beets, olives, grapes, nuts, citrus fruits, peaches and figs. Large numbers of livestock: cattle, sheep, chickens are raised. Fishing provides anchovies, sardines, tuna, octopus and shellfish.

Tourism is also a major earner, with visitors drawn by Italy's cultural heritage and its wide range of holiday opportunities - from winter sports to lakes, mountains and beaches.