Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Lovely Lakes, Majestic Mountains and Sparkling Seas
A Luxury Mediterranean Sabbatical

Albania,Epirus & Meteora,Lake Bled & the Triglav National Park,Istria,Ljubljana,St Moritz,Montenegro,The Dolomites,Italian Lakes ,Paris,Dubrovnik

Starting from between £24,385 to £38,940 per person for 77 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Hike in the Albanian Alps
  • Indulge in wine tasting, truffle hunting and hilltop towns in idyllic Istria
  • Ride the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps
  • Float downstream on a luxury barge in Champagne
Stunning lakes, majestic mountains and sparkling seas are the cornerstones of this 11-week luxury Mediterranean sabbatical. Whether travelling solo or with the whole family in tow, we can tailor-make this sensational itinerary that passes through some of Europe's most beautiful regions to ensure you have the sabbatical of a lifetime.



The adventure begins in the mountains in north-western Greece with a few days relaxing and exploring the intriguing local history, before hopping aboard a luxury yacht around the Greek islands. Spend a week learning to sail before handing back over to the skipper so you can enjoy a drink while the sun sets. The next week or so of your adventure will be spent in the Albanian Alps getting reconnected with nature as you hike, explore and find incredible view spots. From here you will head to Montenegro for some sailing, speed boating, hiking and rafting in the area’s famously wild landscape, before heading to Croatia for a cross-country adventure, working your way from Dubrovnik up to Istria. Your next stops are Slovenia for breath-taking lakes, the Dolomites for some hiking and the Swiss Alps for a stunning train journey before your penultimate stop, a luxury barge in Champagne. The final stint is a few days in Paris exploring its iconic sites from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, before heading home.
Canyon in Albania © Droits reservés
Canyon in Albania © Droits reservés
Goriska Brda - Slovenia © Droits reservés
Goriska Brda - Slovenia © Droits reservés
Roussanou Monastery - Meteora - Greece © Droits reservés
Roussanou Monastery - Meteora - Greece © Droits reservés
Meteora - Albania © saiko3p/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Meteora - Albania © saiko3p/Getty Images/iStockphoto
River and mountains - Slovenia © Bepsimages/Getty Images/iStockphoto
River and mountains - Slovenia © Bepsimages/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Moutain and Sea - Albania © Droits reservés
Moutain and Sea - Albania © Droits reservés
Fountain - Albania © Droits reservés
Fountain - Albania © Droits reservés
Perast - Montenegro © Olena Znakk/stock.adobe.com
Perast - Montenegro © Olena Znakk/stock.adobe.com
Eiffel Tower - Paris, France © Droits reservés
Eiffel Tower - Paris, France © Droits reservés
Plitvice Lakes Nationa Park - Croatia © micheyk/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Plitvice Lakes Nationa Park - Croatia © micheyk/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Lovcen National Park - Montenegro © Droits reservés
Lovcen National Park - Montenegro © Droits reservés
Villa Monastero - Lake Como - Italy © Lotharingia/stock.adobe.com
Villa Monastero - Lake Como - Italy © Lotharingia/stock.adobe.com
Moutains - Italy © Droits reservés
Moutains - Italy © Droits reservés
Albanian coast - Albania © Vladimirs Gorelovs/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Albanian coast - Albania © Vladimirs Gorelovs/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Road in Albania © Maciej Kwiatkowski/aureliano1704/Fotolia
Road in Albania © Maciej Kwiatkowski/aureliano1704/Fotolia

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Fly into Preveza and begin your luxury Mediterranean sabbatical in the mountainous Epirus region of north-western Greece where you will stay for the next five days. Spend your time exploring this intriguing historical area, including a visit to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can marvel at the monasteries perched precipitously on immense natural pillars.

Hop aboard a luxury private yacht and spend the next seven days of your nature sabbatical exploring the idyllic Greek islands. You'll have the opportunity to learn how to sail for yourself, with the luxury of handing back over to the skipper when you're ready for a sundowner come evening. Take this part of your sabbatical at your own pace; you could stop off at every little cove you come across, moor up each day and explore the islands, or spend the whole time on and in the beautiful azure waters.

It's time for a change of scenery as you cross the border into Albania and spend the next seven days of your nature sabbatical walking in the magnificent Albanian Alps. You'll have the opportunity to feel truly reconnected with nature and you hike and explore, enjoying the fresh mountain air and drinking in some of the most incredible views in the region.

Continue your luxury sabbatical around the Mediterranean with a journey up north into Montenegro. It's a change of pace on this leg of your journey as you spend the next seven days immersed in a range of memorable activities, from sailing and speed boating to hiking and rafting. Montenegro's landscape is famously wild, with a beautiful balance of 200 miles of beachy coastline alongside the dramatic backdrop of mountains, lakes and forests ripe for exploring.

Hop across the border into Croatia and spend the next ten days of your luxury Mediterranean sabbatical working your way from Dubrovnik in the south through Plitvice Lakes National Park and up to Istria. This country has a bit of something for everyone, from lazy beach days paired with city exploration, to the northern region with its Italian influence still strongly felt. Indulge in wine tasting, truffle hunting and exploring dreamy hilltop towns.

Slovenia, land of majestic mountains and bright blue lakes, is the next stop on your grand tour. One of the greenest and most sustainable countries in the world, Slovenia is a playground for those who want to get back to nature. Immerse yourself in culture in the country's capital, Ljubljana, enjoy the stunning lakes in Bled and Bohinj, travel through Soca Valley and taste the delicious wines in Gorsika Brda. With over 60% of the country covered in lush forests, and with more than 40 nature parks and reserves, you'll have plenty of opportunity to get outside, get walking, and get acquainted with the local flora and fauna.

Head west into Italy and enjoy hiking and biking in the beautiful Dolomites. Although known for its skiing, head to this UNESCO World Heritage site in summer to enjoy long, warm days and dreamy starry nights. This iconic and dramatic landscape, and the mountain towns that dot around it, will transport you back in time and make you feel far, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Sample local cuisine - a delightfully delicious mixture of Austrian and Italian - and get stuck into the slow pace of life in this northern Italian region.

After you've soaked up the beauty of the mountains, it's time to experience Italy's stunning lakes. Popular with poets of old and celebrities of new, Italy's Lakes region is a peaceful paradise where you can spend the next four days of your Mediterranean sabbatical enjoying picturesque boat trips and lazy afternoons by the water.

Switzerland is the next stop on your sabbatical itinerary and you'll be spending the next five days here. Beginning in the luxury resort town of Saint Moritz, you'll then enjoy a stunning train journey through the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express to Andermatt. Next, you'll swap solid ground for the water of the Swiss Lakes to enjoy a sailing lesson.

From Switzerland you'll hop across the border into France and enjoy the next week of your luxury Mediterranean sabbatical in Champagne. Float down gentle rivers in a beautiful barge (with plenty of champagne, of course!) and enjoy the leisurely pace of life that allows you to take in the incredible natural surroundings. Come evening, retire to your spa resort for pampering, peace and panoramic views of the whimsical rolling hills.

After enjoying getting back to nature for the last ten weeks, your luxury Mediterranean sabbatical ends with a four-day city break in Paris. Spend your time exploring the city and its iconic sites, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, and indulge in plenty of buttery croissants from local patisseries.

Why visit Italy with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Italy

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The cost for this trip starts from £24,385 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £31,150 per person.

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All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges