Join me in Italy .....

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

First 2026 Trip announced:  
​The Dolomites & The Cinque Terre

(A February cultural trip to Sardinia experiencing the festivities and rituals of Carnival season will be announced soon.)

** UPDATE June 11, 2025:
This spring did not turn out as I'd anticipated.  A week before I was set to head to Italy for 7 weeks I had a horrible fall & broke my elbow.  Surgery followed by regular e-rays & PT made my Italy plans impossible.  2 friends stepped in and led groups for me, following my detailed instructions .... and the trips went out without a hitch!

I'm healing and eager to get back this September when I return with three fall trips.  

Today I am announcing the first of two trips I am planning for 2026.  I'll fill these trips and one more I am planning for friends.  Then see about others.  

Both of these trips are returning to places I have been and can't wait to return to.  The details for the Dolomites and Cinque Terre trip are here in the website .... and I am happy to email you the full schedule and booking form.  It'a an active trip.  Lots of hiking.  There are options for those who do not want to, but our plan is to hike to some spectacular vistas!  There will be an option to join a private guide for an e-bike tour or hike with me.  The Cinque Terre in autumn is dreamy.  Warm days and sea with few crowds.  Ahhhhhh......

Soon I will announce the second trip I will offer in 2026.  I can't wait to return to Sardinia and to spend a full week traveling throughout central Sardinia with my friends Claudio and Beata chasing down parades, puppets, masks, dance, horse races, ritual, drums, fire, music and food ... a celebration of Carnival in central Sardinia.  And yes ... we will visit the sea!
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** UPDATE December 10, 2024:
Well, 2024 is a wrap.  What an incredible year.  I am in the midst of confirming all of the details of next years' 6 SOLD OUT trips and will soon begin contemplating 2026.  A couple friends intend on putting together private trips with me.  Let me know if you are interested in jumping in on a group trip.  I definitely will be returning to Sardinia and the Dolomites.  I am also available to help curate a trip that you can take on your own.  Shoot me an email! [email protected]

** UPDATE July 7, 2024:
I have one last room to fill in 2025.  Puglia in September is pretty freaking dreamy!  The sea is warm, figs are in season, and there are far fewer tourists.  I've decided to hold off on booking anything in 2026 at this time.  An aging parent is making me re-think locking in another year so far in advance.  Once late 2025 comes along, I might be tempted to pull something together last minute, but for now this makes the most sense.  In the meantime, I am happy to consult with you.... offering the wealth of 6 years of experience and relationship-cultivating to create a fabulous trip for you, you and your friends, or you and your family!  


** UPDATE May 26, 2024:
I've recently returned from my three spring, 2024 trips to Italy.  Returning to stay with hosts I've known for years is always a treat.  I've been bringing guests to Due Papaveri in the hills south of Modena and Podere Cunina in the Tuscan countryside for years.  The friendships that I have created with these hosts are invaluable, and greatly enrich the experiences I am able to offer to my guests.  Each year I create trips which build on these relationships and also explore new places and experiences.  The combination suits me well!  Sardinia was new to me this year.... and I am a huge fan.  Of its stunning sea, for sure.... but its rugged interior, relatively untouched by tourism (especially visiting in April, which is decidedly the off-season) is fabulous.  Meeting and traveling with Claudio and Beata as our guides made it all the more intimate and meaningful. My 2025 trips are mapped out, but I will definitely include Sardinia in my 2026 itinerary.  I have just three rooms available in 2025.  Email me if you would like details and to snag these last spots:
[email protected]

** UPDATE December 6, 2023:
Well that was insane.
Three days ago I finalized the details for a Spring, 2025 trip to Bolzano, the Dolomites & Venice.  I mailed its description, as well as details for the few remaining spots on 2025 trips to my mailing list of interested travelers.  And posted on social media.
Within one day I sold 11 spots.  
The next day 6 more.
The Dolomites trip sold out in two days.
Wowza!
If you are interested in traveling with me in 2025, there are just 4 spot left:  

One or Two spots on my Spring Bolzano, Dolomites, Venice trip. I have one room available for either single or double-occupancy.  A visit to a winery, lots of hiking, beautiful mountains and Venice!

TWO spots on my September Puglia & Basilicata trip.  (sharing a room with one big bed.) The highlight is surely days with Georgio.  One of my favorite guides.  Swimming in warm waters without the crowds.  Figs are in season!  White washed hill towns and ancient olive trees.  Massarias with fabulous pools.  Ceramics.  Cheese.  Ancient bread.  Mountains and the warmest and friendliest locals!

Email me for all of the details:
[email protected]

UPDATE November 5, 2023:
I've recently returned from my fall trips.  I got to explore some new places doing research for future trips as well as return to some of my favorite places & people.  
I was in Bolzano once before.  
In 1987 I was studying in Switzerland and a friend and I took a train to Austria where we met my Dad and Step-Mom.  We drove through the mountains from Austria back to Switzerland, stopping for a couple of nights in Bolzano.  I remember a swanky hotel (compared to the hostels we had been staying in while traveling).  A bike race.  And a bar.  What a lovely spot.  Had a couple of great meals this time and took the gondola up above to hike in some beautiful countryside.  From here.... my first views of the Dolomites.  I'll be bringing groups to The Dolomites & Lake Garda in 2024 & 2025 and was eager to check out the hotels I'd chosen, hike & explore.  The natural beauty blew my mind!!!!!  I can't wait to get back.  These trips are sold out, but if you'd like to go Spring, 2025.... let me know!  I had a trip to Calabria and Sicily planned for late May but nobody signed up.  I've bagged it and will be offering a trip to Venice, the Dolomites & Bolzano instead.  
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Other than that.... there is very limited availability in 2025:

1 spot Tivoli/Tuscany/Umbria
3 spots Puglia/Basilicata
2 spots Western Sicily

 
UPDATE June 26,2023: 
2025 Trips Announced!!!!!
Email me for trip details
[email protected]

I know 2025 seems like eons and eons away.  But it will be here before you know it.  Several of you requested 2025 trip info, so I created them a bit earlier than I normally do.  I often book small accommodations with just enough room for my groups so it is imperative that I book my trips in advance.  If, like me, you are a planner and love having something to look forward to on the horizon... jump in!  If you don't like booking so far in advance, send me your email address.  I will add you to my list of folks to contact in the event of a cancellation.  I'll also reach out down the road if the spots do not fill up quickly.  Cin Cin!  Let's go to Italy!

UPDATE May, 2023:

I recently returned from 7 weeks in Italy.  I had three consecutive group trips and am went a little early to do some research on Calabria and eastern Sicily.  I am bringing a group there in the fall and always like to familiarize myself first if I have not yet been.

I'll return to Italy this fall with two groups.  I have 6 SOLD OUT trips scheduled for 2024.

It's exciting to be creating some new itineraries.  I have not done that in a couple of years.  In 2024 I will bring groups to Lake Garda & The Dolomites for the first time.  As well as Sardinia.  
Many years ago I read about a fabulous walking/bike path on Lake Garda.  Serendipitously, the path happens to start very close to the hotel I chose!  And the Dolomites.... I have wanted to go for such a long time.   The last time I was there was 1987!  I look forward to returning to & exploring these mountains!
I have been itching to get to Sardinia for years.  A couple of months ago, a friend who has joined me on two prior trips emailed me a link describing su filindeu, the "rarest pasta in Italy."  The specific origins of su filindeu are unknown. However, members of the Abraini family, who live in Sardinia, in the village of Lula, near the town of Nuoro, have made it for more than 300 years. The women of the family have passed down the recipe and techniques over the centuries, with each woman taking care not to share the secret to anyone else.
Paola Abraini is one of the remaining members of the family who still creates the labor-intensive dish. When the time comes for the Feast of San Francesco—the only time and place to serve the meal—Abraini works five-hour days for a month and creates 110 pounds of su filindeu pasta.The pasta is served twice a year to pilgrims who undertake an 8-hour overnight walk to a sanctuary in the hills of central Sardinia.  
My friend said, "you organize a trip, to go do this and I'll go!"  
So I did.  
I have already sold it out and I have yet to price it!  
After the overnight walk, we will arrive at the sanctuary.  All who undertake the pilgrimage will  receive a foot bath.  And a bowl of soup made from lamb broth, the pasta and pecorino cheese.

​Super, super cool.

Four groups of women have also asked me to create private trips just for them.  So fun.  I've also been busy creating itineraries for clients who prefer to travel to Italy on their own but want help hatching up a plan.

That's the news! 

--Karin 

Drop me a line if you'd like to be on my mailing list.  You will be the first to know when future trips are announced.
[email protected]

And as always, I invite you to gather a group of friends and we will create a private trip for you all!  I am absolutely open to suggestions.

Karin Mallory Presents
Intimate trips to Italy
[email protected]

Fall 2026
The Dolomites & Cinque Terre
September 19 - 30
​11 spots availabe

I love the Dolomites. And I love the Cinque Terre.  I'd be hard-pressed to choose a favorite between the two.  So let' go to both!   We will start in the Dolomites for a stay at the most wonderful hotel in Santa Cristina.  The views of my favorite mountain, Sassolungo, are insane.  Big comfortable beds.  Food.  Outdoor hot tub.  Sauna.  Steam bath. And best of all... everyone who works there!  
This hotel is tremendous.
I have included a couple of new-to-me adventures on this trip as well as favorite hikes I have discovered over the years.  The group hikes are geared towards folks who have hiked before ... and are looking forward to some epic scenery.  I will always offer an alternative (shorter) option for those who would prefer not to push every day.  And the hotel offers complimentary guided hikes.  There is always a choice perfect for you in the moment!

After 6 days in the Dolomites we will continue to the Cinque Terre for more hiking, swimming in the sea without the crowds, a private boat ride along the shore and biking on a bike path that 

Email me: [email protected] for all the deets on either trip.




 
                                                                                   

Fall 2025
Lake Garda/Dolomites/Benedello
September 4 -15 
** SOLD OUT **

Puglia/Basilicata 
September 15 - 26
** SOLD OUT **

Western Sicily
​October 2 - 12
* * SOLD OUT **

I LOVE Puglia and I LOVE Georgio our guide.  Returning is like coming home to spend time with family.  Puglia in September is the best.  Most of the tourists have gone.  The sea is as warm as it will get.  Figs are in season.  And I've made so many incredible connections over the years that I love returning to & sharing with guests.  We will also have a couple of nights in Castelmezzano, dubbed "the Dolomites of the south."  Absolutely magical!

Western Sicily will be a new trip for me.  One that I've been eager to seek out for some time now.  We will begin and end in Palermo which is one of my favorite cities in all of Italy.  It is the most ethnically diverse places I have ever visited.  Vibrant and alive!  Then we will have a big chunk of time hunkered down in a slice of paradise.  In a tiny town that is decidedly void of tourists.  Walking distance to the sea & surrounded on both sides by two nature preserves. We will day trip to fabulous places and have bikes at our disposal to go to town or the sea!  Pretty freaking dreamy!!!

​Email me: [email protected] for all the deets on either trip.





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Email for more information