Do you prefer to work with an agent that has read about Italy and visited it as a tourist? Or do you prefer to work with someone who was born and raised in Italy?
There is no better way to experience a country that through the eyes of the locals right? Then if Italy is your next destination, I am the travel agent you were dreaming of and I can make your dream vacation to Italy come true! In addition to the traditional itineraries, check out below some of my favorite places and experiences in Italy for more. inspiration. Italy is truly a traveler's dream, a complete destination offering incomparable opportunities for history buff, art lovers, foodies and beer/wine enthusiasts, as well as amazing beach destinations and fun outdoor experiences.
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Italy will simply be the very best trip you will ever take, especially if you let me help you design it and custom tailor it to your own interests and budget!
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Contact me today for a free consultation to start planning your own dream vacation to Italy!
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Sciacca
my favorite LITTLE town in Sicily
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Sciacca is off the beaten path yet not too far from many of the landmarks I want you to see in Sicily. It's a charming small sea village packed with delicious authentic restaurants that buy seafood right off the boats. It's one of the Sicilians capitals for ceramics, where I can have you visit a ceramic laboratory to purchase something made right for you. Plus its enchanted castle is something so unique, I cannot wait for you to see it.
VALLE D'ORCIA
Although other parts of Tuscany might be more popular with international tourism, reality is if you envision in your mind the Tuscan landscape, it is actually Valle D'Orcia that you are dreaming of. Spectacular landscapes, amazing vineyards (check out below two of my favorite wine spots in the region) and farms, superb breweries, quaint medieval hilltop villages, archeological ruins, thermal water spas. Drive or be driven around, and you will be truly experiencing the Tuscan dream you wanted!
SCENt OF CAPri
In Capri, you will be seduced by the smells in the air, the flowers, the trees, the plants, the sea salt, and I promise to send you home with a bit of that as a special way to remember your time on the island. Let me arrange for you to visit at a perfume laboratory that traces back its tradition to the 1300s, and where the flowers and plants found in Capri become the ingredients of fragrances, lotions, soaps, candles. and other decorative housewares.
SCALA DEI TURCHI
If you are in Sicily, chances are you will be in the Agrigento area to visit the temples. This magnificent location is located not far from Agrigento, and it gives you a 'beach' experience like no other. It is one of the local nature’s great masterpieces, a blinding white limestone formation formed by the weather and backed up by a stunning beach. The name literally translates as the ‘Turkish Stairs’ after the Arab pirates that found refuge under its limestone cliffs.
MY UMBRIA
Another region that international tourism has to still fully spotlight, so it means more authentic and less crowded experiences. Half of me is from this region, so I design itineraries in Umbria truly out of my heart. Think medieval hillside villages, small Deruta ceramics factories, rolling farmland and glorious farm-to-table food. And did you know that lentils crops can be so beautiful when in bloom?
Umbria is this and much more!
MAGIC PUGLIA
Where vibrant culture, rich history and spectacular landscape meet! A combination of crystal clear water, quaint seaports villages, Baroque art capitals, important olive farms and wine production, antique stone dwellings, regional craft, rustic to luxurious unique lodging, and much more.
MATERA
Matera. Oh Matera!
Matera holds the record as the oldest human settlement in history, continuously inhabited for 20.000 years. Its historic center, known as Sassi, is built on a dense net of overlapping caves and burrows, totally drawn from the limestone hillside of a natural canyon. Your visit to this impressive Unesco world heritage site will leave you in awe, and I guarantee it will be one of the highlights of your trip. Plus, so much more to do in the Basilicata region!
I have arranged cooking classes in many places of Italy. Some of my favorite experiences are with Benedetta in his cooking school facing the bay of Sorrento, or Cinzia a chef with expertise in medieval cuisine who will greet you in her apartment in Florence. What about learning how to make real Roman style pizza in one of the oldest pizzerias in Rome? Or learn the secrets of freshly made pasta in a farmhouse dating back to the 1500s?
Or would you rather simply have dinner with an Italian family and learn from their home traditions? I can arrange a cooking experience according to your own preferences.
CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO
Popularly name " the dying village" this is one of my childhood memories locations, a place that is so unique that every time I see it I still remain in awe. A citadel of Etruscan origin, the first settlements date back to 2,500 years ago. It is suspended (literally) in time and space, located on top of a tuff hill that can only be reached by crossing a narrow pedestrian bridge. The whole town is pedestrian only. and it continues to shrink in population and size because of the constant erosion of the tuff rocks. During the Holidays time, it is the site of one of the best living nativity performances that I have ever witnessed!
One of my favorite all times restaurants is also here :)
TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE
Hiking the Dolomites is among one of the main childhood memories I have. Spectacular views, unique mouthwatering regional food, spa hotels, lovely towns with such a unique architecture. Then in the winter, it all gets filled with Holiday magic. Did you know in fact of the charming Italian Christmas Markets? And what about the superb ski resorts?
reggia di caserta
Of easy reach from both Rome and Naples, it is the world’s largest royal palace by volume and a UNESCO World Heritage site, part of which is today dedicated to an outstanding museum. Commissioned by the King of Naples in 1751 and completed a century later in 1845, the palace extends over an internal area of over 500,000 square feet, with about 1,200 rooms, a Royal Chapel, and a 450-seat theater, spaces that are luxuriously decorated with =paintings, tapestries, and sculptures by both Italian and international artists. The external 300-acres garden space is rich You will also visit the 300-acres luxurious large park divided into an Italian-style garden and an English style garden, enriched by statues, fountains, ponds, and rare botanical species. If you loved Versailles in Paris, you will LOVE the Reggia di Caserta, trust me!
Intro Tour to Venice
Venice never quite seems real, but rather an ornate film set suspended on the water. -Frida Giannini
Did you know that many worldwide famous cocktails were invented in Venice?! For my clients arriving directly in Venice from the US, I usually like to arrange a first evening of relax defeating the jet lag while still having a fantastic and fun first introduction to the city. Joined by a certified Italian sommelier, they enjoy a unique private Aperitif and Food Tour strolling along the heart of the city as well as stepping into the Venice of Venetians. Along the way, they have the opportunity to sample authentic Venetian street foods at typical alleyway taverns and scenic canal view eateries, and to taste and learn about world renown Venetian cocktails and the history and traditions behind aperitifs, cicchetti foods and bacari eateries in the contemporary Venetian culinary landscape.
trabocchi valley in abruzzo
The Trabocchi Coast is found on the Adriatic coastline of Abruzzo. "Trabocco" is a wooden structure built directly suspended over the sea, with a long boardwalk and nets that extend out at sea. For centuries trabocchi have been the center of life for many generations of fishermen, who wanted to fish but didn't know how to sail, so they created these dwellings to fish without being in open sea. Many trabocchi are are still in use today, some other have been renovated and have become restaurants providing some of the most unique experience.
Garda lake
Less than two hours away from Lake Como, I find Lake Garda less crowded and giving I think more opportunities for authentic local experiences surrounded by Italians. Visit the enchanting town of Sirmione with its Scaligero Castle of the 13th century. Explore the restaurant scene, rent a kayak or take a small cruise. Hike the mountains of the northern side for spectacular views over the lake. Bike all around the lake on the newly built bike trail.
CLIMB AN ACTIVE VULCANO AT
MT. ETNA
How many can say to have been on the top crater of an active volcano? So many tour options to choose from according your level of comfort and physical activity desired: you can trek around the rugged lava fields and volcanic craters, then strap on a head torch and venture underground to explore a natural lava cave. Or you can have a van comfortably drive you up to the summit for a much shorter walk that still enables you to circle the crater. All of the tours also stop at local wineries....yes, this is Italy...we grow wine even on a volcano, and this experience allows to taste and learn of the Etna wine region and the grapes that can be grown in fertile volcanic soils.
SARDegna
Sardinia is the ultimate beach paradise of your dream, with secluded long white sand beaches and emerald clear waters, which will make you feel you are in the Caribbean or in a Polynesian island. YET, you are in Italy, with the perks of a tropical island that is absolutely rich with archeological sites, local arts and crafts, quaint towns and the unique local regional cuisine that each Italian region spoils us with.
MY FAVORITE CELLAR IN
tuscany
Considered by many Italian critics as one of the most beautiful cellars in the world and producing an award winning Montepulciano variety, this historic location will make your jaw touch the ground. It is absolutely stunning, an incredibly impressing underground cellar with gothic cathedral ceilings as it used to be a underground church.
MY FAVORITE WINEYARD IN TUSCANY
Housed in a an ancient medieval farm dating from the 11th century, this vineyard is known to be producing one of the best Brunello di Montalcino. Perhaps the secret is in the beneficial effects of musical frequencies, a research-based method that brings the producers to entertain the vines (you read correctly) with the melodies of of Mozart music, which is played through hundred of speakers.
FOOD TOUR IN EMILIA ROMAGNA
Explore the farms and factories where Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto are made, and the historical productions of Balsamic Vinegar from Modena. But Emilia Romagna is so much more! Did you know for example that in the Parma Province alone there are 32 of the most beautiful castles of Italy? And that the Ferrari headquarter is located near Modena, where not only you can learn a bit more about this symbolic car but can even
give it a test drive?
Artisans and Street Artists
Florence is made of art, not only the arts that you admire in the majestic monuments and important collections. Allow me to introduce you to the Florence of contemporary artists in the Oltrarno district; meet the artisans in their shops and the street artists in their own studios.
Learn about their crafts, their creativity and inspirations. Private or small group tour available.
MURANO
Murano is a small island off the coast of Venice, and it is sometimes referred to as the “Island of Glass”, where you
have the opportunity to stroll along the colorful houses and visit one of its famous glass
factories to witness the art of glass blowing, an artifact that makes the Venice region famous around the world.
BURANO
Burano is the other small island off of Venice famous for its hand crafted lace work. You can visit the lace museum to admire precious laces from XVI and XVII century, or stroll around along its streets and canals feeling the island vibe. Don't miss the famous bakey I will recommend for the
typical yellow island cookies known as zaeti or buranei!
SIENA
CINQUE TERRE
Cinque Terre National Park is a world heritage protected by UNESCO famous for its panorama, its particular production of sweet wine rarely found outside of this region, its typical regional cuisines and local ingredients, surely its beautiful sea, and the five colorful fishing villages of of Rio Maggiore , Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, which are built on rock clinging down to the sea. You can move from one town to the other with local train shuttle, hop and off of boats or choose to hike along one of the many trails. You can also visit the region as a day tour from Florence.
