Make the most of free time on tour

We pack plenty of things to see and do on a Just You tour, but we also think it’s important to enjoy a little time to yourself too. Whether that’s to relax at your hotel, or set off and discover the local area on your own or with some of your fellow travelers - the choice is yours. 

And of course, there’s optional excursions too if you just want to see and do it all and have us take care of everything – simply visit the tour pages to view optional excursions you can add on to your trip.

Here’s some of our favourite tours with generous amounts of free time built in, and the perfect option for you to add your own experiences to create your best adventure yet.

Pompeii, Sorrento and The Bay of Naples

With four days of free time in Minori, we have four ideas of things to see and do during your time here. To continue your historical adventures pay a visit to the Roman Ruins in the centre of the village, where beautiful mosaics and a fascinating coin collection make it worth the visit alone.

Next up, the local basilica is not only a fantastic place for quiet contemplation, but the frescoes here are beautiful. You can also learn more about Saint Trofimena, the female saint who is memorialised here and discover how she came to rest at the Basilica as ‘the saint who came from the sea’ – it’s an interesting story and an opportunity for you to draw your own conclusions.

If you love nothing more than getting out on foot to explore, we recommend the Path of the Lemons, a hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast and somewhat easier than the iconic Path of the Gods. This hike is approximately 3 kilometres and will take up to two hours. As you walk along fragrant lemon groves and stop to enjoy the seascapes, this moderate walking adventure is an excellent way to get out and experience nature at its best. You can read more here about this trail.

Another day you may wish to relax and enjoy the sights around the central Piazza. Previous visitors have held the bakeries and pizzerias in high regard as to offering some of the best sweet treats and pizzas in the whole of Italy, so a good opportunity to take on the challenge and see if you agree.

Sun-kissed Sardinia

You’ll be based in one hotel for the duration of this relax and discover tour, and based in Palau. The hotel itself rests above the village and affords great views of the Mediterranean and nearby islands. So if you can bear to tear yourself away from your hotel, we have a few ideas of some things to see and do during your four days of free time.

Palau is Catalan for ‘palace’ and the commune was founded in 1875 by local shepherds who wished to relocate to the seaside to escape the heat further inland. The town is close to the Emerald Coast which is a gateway to the La Maddelena Islands which you may wish to visit as part of an optional visit on Day Three of your tour.

History fans should waste no time in visiting the Tombs of Giants, home to prehistoric tombs and representing a world of history, legends and mysticism. There is still debate as to the use of these megalithic works, some claiming they were altars, and others believing they’re burial sites.

The most mysterious of them all is the Li Mizzani site, which rests halfway between Arzachena and Palau – and believed to be a pilgrim site for those seeking a cure from muscular and rheumatic diseases that traditional medicine has not been able to remedy. Past visitors have leaned on the large stele and experienced a feeling of wellbeing . Regardless of your current beliefs and stance on whether it is fact or merely fiction, it’s worth a visit to decide for yourself!

Make a beeline for Monte Altura Fortress, which offers panoramic views of the emerald waters and imposing mountains of Corsica. Open between April to October, despite the fabulous backdrop, the fortress itself has borne witness to some compelling and tragic historical events which you can delve into during your time here.

And for stunning views and something a little left of field, nearby Bear Rock is a very famous antiquity in the area, once used by ancient navigators as a reference point. A granite hill of over 120 metres, it’s bear shape is considered an emblem of the town.    

Secret Slovenia

It’s safe to say your free time in Slovenia will be very well spent merely enjoying the glorious valley and mountain views from your base in the Kranjska Gora. After your walk in the area on Day Two, be sure to keep a note of any scenic spots you’d like to explore further during free time. You’re right on the doorstep of Triglav National Park – Slovenia’s largest protected area so there is no fear of being short of incredible viewpoints across the almost 84,000 hectares of open space blessed with glorious birdsong, babbling brooks and so much more besides.            

Back at your hotel, make the most of the facilities which include a swimming pool, sauna and wellness treatments are available – a perfect finish to a morning of hiking. And of course, you’ll have worked up an appetite so the hotel’s restaurant Florijana is highly recommended for hearty home-made dishes.

Highlights of Tuscany

Montecatini Terme is a charming spa town and a wonderful place to spend your free time. Well known for its art noveau Parco delle Terme spa complex, which features 700 years of history.

There are four sets of waters here which are packed with minerals and precious elements, a great location to enjoy a thermal or mud spa treatment or simply admire the stunning architecture and artworks that grace the walls and ceilings. There’s also the opportunity to walk around the tranquil gardens. Visit this link for details of opening hours and pricing.

During free time, or one evening after dinner why not take the funicular railway up to the town’s fortress, Montecatini Alto – the views of the twinkling lights below offer a fantastic backdrop as a farewell to your Tuscan adventures.

The town’s station is also easily accessible and perfect if you want to head off for a day out to explore more of Florence or Pisa following your included trips there, or there’s always Lucca or Bologna. These destinations are all under 2 hours away by train. Alternatively, you can book one of our optional excursions to Lucca or Siena.

Northern Cyprus Hidden History

With year-round sunshine you couldn’t pick a better place to make the most of your three days of free time if you’re a bit of a fair weather traveler.

Spend some time around the delightful harbor, and to learn more about the local history, visit the Shipwreck Museum which is home to one of the world’s oldest trade ships – a 4^th century Greek merchant vessel. Discovered in 1965 by a sponge diver, it’s thought that the ship sailed the Mediterranean waters during the time of Alexander the Great, but evidence of spear points stuck in the hull suggests that around 300 BC, the ship was attacked by pirates. As you observe the artefacts and ship remnants during your visit, it’s incredible to think that its last voyage was over 2,000 years ago!

Around the harbor, you will find Cyprus House, an old carob warehouse which displays ethnographic exhibits of clothing, furniture and textiles from ancient times. You’ll also find exhibits detailing the history of trading carob to Europe. A charming place to visit in between your further explorations around the harbor.

Elsewhere on the sightseeing trail in Kyrenia, you’ll find a 16^th-century mosque, Ağa Cafer Paşa, named after the Ottoman Governor of Cyprus who donated the land on which it was built. Meanwhile the roofless ruins of Chysopolitissa Church is the town’s oldest church, dating back to the 1500s. Look out for the two intricately carved wooden beams inside and marvel at the incredible workmanship that remains for us to see today.

You won’t have to wander far to trace the area’s history, and you’ll be captivated by what you discover.

Lake Garda and Hidden Gems of the Veneto

With such a stunning location, we don’t think you’ll be scrambling around for things to see and do around Lake Garda and with Gardone ferry port close to your hotel, you can expand your explorations during your free time. You can book a ferry to Garda which is less than 30 minutes away and perfect if you feel like you haven’t quite ticked off everything during your discoveries on Day Two of your tour.

Malcesine is 40 minutes by ferry and is the northernmost town on the lake. You may wish to visit Palazzo dei Capitani (Captain’s Palace ), built in the 14^th century by the Della Scala family who ruled over Lake Garda at the time. The ground floor and gardens are open to the public free of charge and it’s a wonderful place to while away an hour pre or post lunch.

There’s plenty of other places to visit around Lake Garda too, so speak to your Holiday Director for tips on places to go.

During warmer months we recommend a visit to Heller Botanical Garden, featuring botanical species from all over the world including New Zealand, Japan, Canada and Africa. As you move between collections it feels totally spontaneous, with waterfalls, ponds brimming with Koi carp, cacti and even sculptures made by greats including Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring.

The gardens were originally build between 1912 and 1914, are today are named after André Heller, an Austrian poet-artist, who has been the custodian of the gardens since 1989.