Duration:  6 hours

Type of Service: Tuscany Vespa Tour - The Tuscan landscapes on board of an Italian icon - small group tour and private tours offered

We designed this trip for those who want a quick and fun adventure. A private van transfer takes you into the countryside to meet your guide and your scooter, away from the busy and hustling city. The tour is led by our experienced guide. Every person will have his or her own scooter to ride if they wish. After an orientation, your English-speaking escort will lead you out for an engaging and enjoyable ride, along quiet and scenic country roads offering splendid views of the rolling hillside and visiting different small medieval villages, cruising along Chianti’s quiet roads, gliding past vineyards and villas.

No need to worry about where to go and what to see because your guide will lead the way! They know the most scenic roads, the loveliest places, and the best food and wine in Tuscany. We will then stop for some lunch savoring Tuscan specialties with a little tasting of Chianti wines, featuring sweeping views over the romantic Tuscan landscape. Touring by scooter is a wonderful way of exploring Tuscany. You can stop when and wherever you want and parking is never a problem. Furthermore, you and your Italian Vespa become a part of the scenery rather than being sealed off from it. Combine the freedom and exhilaration of touring by scooter with the amazing food, wine, and beauty of Tuscany.

A valid driver’s license is required and you must be at least 18 years of age. Guests do not need a motorcycle license. The Vespa experience offers an original take on touring Tuscany, while we take care of each and every detail.

Things to Know:

• Discover Tuscany on board an ITALIAN ICON - a VESPA!
• RIDE on country roads through olive groves and vineyards
• Visit a winery and learn about wine and olive-oil production
• Roundtrip transportation by minivan to/from the departure point
• Original PIAGGIO scooter with fuel and helmets
• Tuscan lunch accompanied by regional wines
• Professional Tour Escort - minivan support during the whole tour
• Full insurance included
• Tour is offered during the months of March - November; 7 days a week based on availability
• Tour is offered at 9:00am and concludes at 3:00pm 
• Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes
• Tour Cost is $525.00 per person (private tour)

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• Small group Vespa Tours offered
• Tour offered March - November
• Group Size - 15 passengers or less
• Ride on country roads through olive groves and vineyards
• Visit two wineries and learn about wine and olive-oil production
• Enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch
• Tour is offered 7 days a week at 9:30am and concludes at 3:30pm
• 19 miles round trip/average speed 25 km/mostly paved roads with little traffic
• Small group Vespa tour cost $148.00 per person

Duration: 3 Hours

Type of Service: Discover Florence Walking Tour - private tour

Explore the most important sites in Florence with your very own privately guided walking tour. Your English-speaking guide will meet you inside your hotel lobby, and then you will embark on an adventure and learn what it’s like to live as a local in the Renaissance city. With your guide, they will bring you around to the most important sites including the following:

• Piazza Signoria, with the gorgeous outdoor sculpture gallery – the Logia dei Lanzi
• The Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most gorgeous bridge in Florence, dotted with little artisanal gold jewelry shops
• Via del Corso, the famous shopping street
• The Duomo, the famous church of monumental proportions, featuring Brunelleschi’s famous dome
• The Accademia, where you can see the David by Michelangelo, we will provide skip-the-line tickets
• Church of Orsanmichele, with its gorgeous architecture and outdoor sculptures
• Admire the Palazzo Vecchio on one side of the square, once the Medici family home, and the many sculptures that surround the piazza, including a replica of Michelangelo's 'David' where the original once stood
• Piazza Santa Croce, an important piazza and church in Florence in which many famous Florentines are buried, including Michelangelo and Galileo

Things to know:

• 3 hour central Florence walking tour, led by an expert local guide
• Explore the San Lorenzo neighborhood and learn about the Medici family
• See the Medici Chapels and the Basilica of San Lorenzo
• Walk around the Duomo Complex
• Stroll through Piazza della Signoria
• Visit Florence Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’ Accademia) 
• Skip the line tickets for Accademia Gallery - tickets must be bought 10 days in advance
• Choose morning or afternoon tour time frame (3 hours)
• Most Popular and Highly Rated tour
• The Accademia Gallery is closed on Mondays, therefore the tour will visit an alternate museum 
• Tour offered 7 days a week, based on availability / no tour dates available December 24 - January 2)
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Tour can be customized around your preferences to include shopping and fun food stops along the way
• Tour does not operate the last week in August and the first week of September

Duration: 8 Day/ 7 night

Type of package: Private trip package

Piedmont, has it all: gorgeous golf courses, deep red wine and some of the most delicious foods in all of Italy. This trip highlights the most gorgeous golf greens, while still making time to enjoy the best culinary and scenic aspects of the region. Come with us, relax on the greens. Enjoy sipping world-class Barbaresco, overlooking the rolling hills of the wineries. After learning how to cook traditional Italian cuisine, heighten your taste-buds by feasting at a Michelin starred restaurant. Allow yourself to be dazzled by the gorgeous city of Turin, the life-blood of the contemporary art movement in Italy. This is truly the height of relaxation.

Trip at a glance:

(Day 1): Transfer from airport in Milan. Check in – relax at your luxury golf resort, enjoy dinner

(Day 2): Truffle Hunt, wine tasting and dinner

(Day 3): Golf at an 18 holes par 70 course along the gentle slopes of the surrounding hills, in an area of 75 hectares (185 acres) with an overall length of 5,320 m (3,29 miles). Dinner at Michelin starred restaurant

(Day 4): Market tour and cooking class in Asti, then guided tour of Asti

(Day 5): Wine tasting at a Barolo winery. Guided tour of Alba, dinner in Nieve.

(Day 6): Guided tour of Turin + dinner

(Day 7): Drive to Cherasco to play golf in another scenic 18 holes course, designed by Marco Croze, surrounded by water and green vegetation. After, guided tour of Pollenzo. Farewell dinner.

(Day 8): Transfer to the airport (Milan)

Things to know:

• Private Trip
• Minimum of 8
• Maximum of 16
• Meeting Place: Driver will pick up from Airport
• Must be booked twenty days in advance
• Transportation will be provided when visiting wineries and for 5 dinners. Airport transfers are included
• A rental car is required for this trip

Included:

• 7 Breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 brunch with wine tasting
• 6 dinners (including one Michelin starred dinner)
• 1 wine tasting at a Barolo producer
• 1 cooking class
• 2 full days of guided tours
• Transportations on minibus or van as per program (including transfers for 5 dinners)
• 2 hours of guided tours (days 4,6,7)
• Food tasting in Alba
• Chocolate drink in Turin
• Truffle Hunting

Not included:

• Golf cart, equipment and gear
• Any meal or entrance fee expenses
• Transportation outside of program

So you’ve decided you are GOING TO ITALY! How Exciting! Many people dream of visiting Italy and experiencing la bella vita, and while you certainly can’t avoid it anywhere in the country, there are some things to think about before you take off that will make your time that much more enjoyable.

First, Italy is a large, and very diverse country. Traveling across regions is almost like traveling across countries themselves. The Italian people are very attached to their City, Region, and Country, in that order, so be sure to talk to locals wherever you go to get to know the intricacies of the very different regions of Italy.

Planning your trip’s itinerary won’t be easy since there is SO much to see and do, but a little background on the country’s layout is helpful when decided what it is you want to get out of your time: are you looking for sports? history? art? food? beaches? mountains? fashion? design? Italy has it all, but some places have it better than others!

Italy can best be divided into three geographical areas: north, middle and south, although again across those areas culture, food and tradition varies greatly.

Northern Italy: Alta Italia

Northern Italy is made up of the Aosta Valley, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino Alto-Adige. It boasts such famous cities as Milan, Venice, Turin, Genoa and Bologna. The weather is cooler than the rest of the country due to the northern location and proximity to the Apennines and Alps. This area is traditionally the more wealthy part of Italy, and houses most of the country’s industry. Cities like Milan and Venice can be slightly more expensive than some cities in the central or southern parts of Italy. However, public transportation and tourism services are much more developed and functional than in other parts of the country!

The major airport for the northern region is Milan’s Linate International Airport. There are many other airports in the region however, including Bologna, Venice and Genoa, so do some price comparisons before booking your ticket. The climate in this region varies considerably, both depending on time of year and location. Venice gets extremely hot in the summer, while Turin and the Lake District (Cuomo) stay much cooler and tend to be flocked by Italians trying to beat the heat during the summer months. The Italian Alps begin their ski season as early as November in some places.

Northern Italy has many attractions and offers activities for everyone. Those who enjoy sport and the outdoors may want to visit the lakes for water sports, or go hiking in the Italian Dolomites. Everyone should see Venice at least for a day while they still can! Milan is great for anyone interested in design or fashion, and also has a wide selection of galleries and museums for those interested in both Renaissance and contemporary art. One can also visit the Italian Riviera for some great beaches.

The cuisine of this region is also quite variable, but generally tends to be no the heavier side of some of the traditional Italian specialties we normally think of. This is where Italians eat risotto with saffron, polenta, LOTS of parmigiano reggiano (from the Emilia Romagna province – an area that all foodies must visit), heavy meat dishes and stews, etc. Closer north near the Austrian border we see a lot of Austrian or Slovenian influence in the cuisine, as well as the wines. Prosecco is from the Veneto, and Gewürztraminer is from Trentino Alto-Adige. Think lots of nice white wines, and a LOT of grappa!

Central Italy: Tuscany and Rome

Central Italy is made up of the regions Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Umbria. Geographically it also contains Abruzzo and Molise, but they are traditional grouped with Southern Italy due to cultural similiarities. This is where the rolling hills of Unbria and Tuscany call to mind Napa Valley. This is wine country. Central Italy is home to cities like Florence, Siena, Perugia, and of course Roma. Still quite wealthy, but more varied wealth across regions, central Italy is also extremely easy to explore via bus or train, so you can visit some little hill towns in the Val D’Orcia, or take a train and ride up and down the coast. This section of Italy is full of tiny medieval towns, and if you do your research ahead of time, you could get to participate in one of their on-going traditional medieval festivals!

Rome and Florence both have international airports, as does Pisa. Flying into Bologna is also an easy way to get to Florence as they are connected via both fast and regional trains. The weather in the region is quite temperate, with clearly distinct seasons similar to the weather on the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. The winters are cold, and although snow is uncommon it is not unheard of. The summers get quite hot, going up to one hundred degrees, and the air tends to be humid, especially inland.

Florence and Rome are the dominating destinations in Central Italy, and rightfully so. Rome as the capital and Florence as the birthplace of the Renaissance are not to be missed if possible. I would argue each city really deserves its own trip to truly get the most out of what they have to offer. Rome is a massive metropolitan center, filled with tourists all year round. The Vatican is a major destination, its museums housing some of the most beautiful and famous Renaissance artwork, as well as the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The City of Rome of course has many ancient Roman ruins that would excite anyone remotely interested in human history: the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Catacombs, just to name a few. Florence on the other hand is the must-visit for anyone interested in Renaissance art or history, and is also a good base to explore some of the smaller towns in the region that will have you thinking of Under the Tuscan Sun. The Chianti region is full of tiny gems to visit and have an amazing meal at, as is the area between Siena and Rome. You’ll have to get to know the regional bus lines though!

Again, each region has its own traditional cuisine, but Central Italy has some of the healthiest, heartiest, what traditionally would have been peasant food but has now been elevated to an incredible level of International renown. Bistecca alla Fiorentina can only be truly enjoyed in Tuscany, just as Rome is the place to eat Saltimbocca or Osso Buco. Siena is famous for its sweets, traditionally eaten at Christmastime, and the Umbrian town of Norcia, in the Appennine foothills is where the best black truffles can be found, as well as some of the best pork products like prosciutto and salame. The hills are home to wild boar, which is cooked into many traditional stews or sauces. This is also wine country, so look out for Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I could write a whole article about Tuscan cuisine, and I probably will, so check our blog frequently!

Southern Italy: Untouched

Southern Italy is where many Italian Americans origins are. It is the poorest part of the country, and encompasses the “foot” part of the boot of Italy, as well as the island of Sicily and some other Islands off the coast of Naples. It is made up of the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Molise and Sicily. Due to traditional poverty and well-known corruption, transportation to many less-frequented yet extremely beautiful areas is difficult without a car of your own. The trains are regional and buses connecting cities are infrequent. We’ll talk more about renting cars in Italy later, but this may be the area to do so if you are up for the challenge!

The nearest major international airport is Rome, but there are two smaller airports on the east coast: Bari and Brindisi, both in Apulia. Naples has an international airport, and the island of Sicily may be reached via Palermo in the north or Catania in the south. The climate in the South is Mediterranean, so again variable across seasons but markedly warmer than the north or center of the country. The area is frequently overlooked as a tourist destination, so it is a nice respite from the throngs of Florence or Venice if you have the chance to visit. The beaches are spectacular, overlooking truly crystalline water. On clear days you can even see Africa from certain points along the coast.

While Sorrento, the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri are all beautiful places to visit, they are also the most famous tourist destinations in this area. If you are looking for beautiful vistas and country club style and treatment, these resort towns are a perfect place to pamper yourself or take a boat out. If you are more on the adventurous side, continue south and explore the towns of Calabria, famous for its spicy peppers and warm inhabitants. From Naples you can climb Mount Vesuvius and eat a traditional Neapolitan pizza. Matera, in the Basilicata region, is slated to be the European Capitol of Culture in 2019, and boasts what are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in Italy carved out of the rocks that make up its ancient city center. Those interested in architecture will enjoy the cities along the southern coast of Sicily, where due to volcanic and seismic damage, many buildings were rebuilt in a new Sicilian Baroque style.

Southern Italian cuisine is what most Americans think of as Italian cuisine: eggplant parmigiana, pizza, calzone, spaghetti, maccheroni, and the list goes on. The region is big on short, dry pasta, as opposed to the soft egg pastas of the northern, wealthier regions. Mozzarella is from this area, as is ricotta, made light and fresh. San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the volcanic soil under mount Vesuvius, and are used ubiquitously. Many of the dishes served in the south have Italian-American counterparts due to generations of Italians emigrating to the US from these regions due to extreme poverty. This part of Italy also of course produces much of its own wine, but the wine tends to be drunk young and domestically, rather than bring preserved and shipped. So come here if you are okay with some chilled red table wine or a beer with your pizza!

This has just been an EXTREMELY brief overview of what you might expect as you plan your trip to Italy. Every part of the country has its own secrets, cuisines, and traditions, but if you can’t move there, these generalized descriptions should help you tailor where you want to start and end your visit to the big boot. Once you determine your itinerary, be sure to check seasonal weather charts so you can pack accordingly to where you will be visiting. Read on for more about the items that you will need to bring with you to get the most out of your Italian vacation!