Bumping the thread to say thanks for advice etc and also that we are back from our break.
The travel company did provide a map as I thought they would - it was a local free map showing all the leisure routes and MTB trails. It was adequate but not great - no grid system, very blurry contours and lack of features. What I found better was a map I bought from Stanfords - an IGA 1:25,000 of the area which had a grid system, clearer features and was a bit easier too follow. I realise how lucky we are with OS and the standard of detail.
Hubby also treated himself to a GPS before going and downloaded a map of the area (or maybe even of Italy). This tallied with the grid system on my paper map which was good. And we had the GPX traces/routes of most of th explained walks from the company - although they were not always entirely accurate!!!
We loved the area. It provided such contrasts - at one moment you were in a shady track with beech, oak, hawthorn etc - the next out in parched dusty rocky terrain with juniper bushes and hundreds of crickets.
Much more wooded than the Lake District - possibly what Cumbria would be like without Herdwicks/being grazed. So instead of those big views where you can spot your route for the day - it was more peeps through the trees - quick snapshots.
As recommended by Mananddog, we went to Lozzole - an easy walk from the village. A great location - not quit like an Alpine refuge hut, but approaching that kind of feeling.
In general the walks were good - Lake District Light - nothing too steep or strenuous but long enough to give you a workout and to make us glad of a short day's walking too. The heat was pretty fierce for the first few days - this added to the tired feeling.
We'd definitely go back to the area and explore more - developing our own routes now that we know the area a bit - and the maps.
In the whole week we met only one party of walkers - an Italian group. The chap reckoned that most Italian walkers don't bother with the hills we were in - they prefer the Dolomites. Our gain indeed!
The only negatives were the dogs at the remote farms - they kick up a real noise as you approach and the odd one or two that got out (and 'nudged' my backside) certainly sent the adrenalin coursing through my body...
All in all a good trip and if anyone wants the routes for GPS or more specific routes, I'm happy to oblige.
Just got a zillion photos to sort out now