There's a particular kind of excitement that comes with deciding to walk somewhere. The route is chosen, the idea is forming, and then comes the practical question: how does this actually work?
It's a question we love answering. We've helped many travellers go from "I'd love to do something like this" to setting off with the practical details taken care of. The process is simpler than most people expect, and we're with you at every stage of it.
Here's how booking a trip with us works, from first contact to departure day.
One thing worth knowing upfront: we always recommend getting in touch at least two months before your planned departure. As the departure date gets closer, accommodation availability can become more limited, especially on popular itineraries in peak season.
Start by browsing the routes on sloways.eu and reading through the trip pages that catch your eye. Each one gives you a real picture of what to expect: daily distances, terrain, the style of accommodation, what's included, and the difficulty level.
If you're not sure which route is right for you, that's completely normal, and it's exactly where we can help. Some travellers arrive knowing they want the Via Francigena through Tuscany. Others have a general idea ("something in Italy, not too hard, maybe a week") and need a conversation before anything else. Either way, we're happy to talk it through.
A couple of things worth reading before you get in touch:
How to read walking holiday difficulty levels to understand whether a route suits your current fitness
What self-guided travel actually means so there are no surprises about the kind of trip this is
When you're ready, reach out by email, phone, or WhatsApp. Tell us which route interests you, your preferred dates, how many people are travelling, and anything else that matters: whether you're travelling solo, whether you're bringing a dog, whether you need easier stages. The more context you give us, the better we can tailor the trip to you.
You can generate a provisional quote directly on the trip page using our online calculator, or request one by email. The quote gives you an initial price for the trip you are considering, before we check accommodation availability for your specific dates. Think of it as a solid estimate, not a final price.
To confirm your booking and allow us to start securing accommodations, we ask for a deposit of 30% of the total trip price. If you're booking last-minute (less than one month before departure), full payment is required upfront.
Why book early? Popular routes like the Via Francigena or the Via degli Dei fill up quickly at peak times. Booking at least two months ahead gives you the widest choice of dates and accommodations, and may also give you access to our current Early Booking offer.
Once we've heard back from all the accommodations along your route and confirmed availability, we send you your official booking confirmation. This is the moment the trip becomes real.
The confirmation includes the names and locations of every place you'll be staying, a summary of the services booked (luggage transfers, any extras you requested), the final price, and the deadline for the balance payment, which falls one month before departure.
In some cases, the final price may differ slightly from the provisional quote, depending on which hotels were available on your specific dates. If that happens, we'll let you know clearly: you can confirm the updated price, or receive a full refund of your deposit.
Payments can be made by bank transfer or by credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Satispay.
A few weeks before your departure, we send your travel documents to your inbox in digital format. This includes your official booking confirmation, a summary of all booked services, and your medical and baggage insurance card with the emergency contact number.
You'll also receive a pre-departure pack with navigation tools and route materials tailored to the specific trip you've booked. The details vary depending on whether you're walking a classic pilgrimage route or a more off-the-beaten-track itinerary, and we'll walk you through exactly what to expect when you book.
This is the part you've been building towards. You set off, you follow your route at your own pace, and the days take on a rhythm that's hard to find anywhere else.
We design our trips so that the practical arrangements are already in place when you set off. But if something unexpected comes up, a question about the route, a transfer that needs adjusting, anything at all, our support line is available 24/7. You'll have the number in your documentation, and there's always someone on the other end.
Our guests consistently share their SloWays experiences on Feefo, where you can read verified reviews from previous travellers.
Every SloWays package automatically includes medical and baggage insurance. Here's what it covers:
Medical expenses in Italy: up to €1,000
Medical expenses in Europe and the Mediterranean: up to €7,000
Medical expenses worldwide: up to €10,000
Baggage loss or damage: up to €1,000
To make a claim, report the incident to the toll-free number 02 58286532. Full details are included in the insurance card sent with your documentation.
Insurance conditions and coverage may change; please refer to the policy documentation provided at the time of booking for the terms applicable to your trip.
You can also add a trip cancellation policy at the time of booking. The cost is 5.1% of your total trip price. This covers you if you need to cancel due to:
Health issues affecting you or a close family member (including Covid-19)
Material damage from a natural disaster
Impossibility to travel due to new job hiring or being summoned to appear in court
If plans change, our Book with Confidence page explains the cancellation options available to you, including the possibility to postpone or convert your booking to a voucher.
The process is straightforward. The trip, we hope, is something you'll still be talking about long after you've returned.
Whether you're drawn to the Via Francigena through Tuscany, the Via degli Dei between Bologna and Florence, or something further afield, we'll take care of the logistics we've arranged in the background, so that once you're on the trail, you can concentrate on the walking.
Get in touch with us when you're ready. We'll start from wherever you are.
Written by the SloWays Team
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2026
