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L&B Italian Tours - Search results for: Asti

Duration: 6 Hours

Type of Service:  Private Tuscan Castle and Ancient Cellars Visit with Cooking Class and Wine Tasting Experience near Florence - small group tour/cooking class

The day will begin with your private, English-speaking chauffeur picking you up in a Mercedes at your hotel. From there you will head up into the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills to a castle in the countryside. Once at the castle, a staff member will lead you on a private tour of the enchanting castle which includes its wine cellars and vineyards.

The castle has an incredibly rich history and was built by the Pazzi family in 1184 AD. At the height of Florence Renaissance in 1478, the Pazzi  family masterminded in these castle halls the now infamous plot to kill two outstanding representatives of  Florence ruling family, the Medici. With the “Pazzi Conspiracy,” the family - long rivals of the Medici - intended to eliminate Lorenzo de' Medici and so dethrone Florence ruler. Today, in the Castle nucleus,  the magnificent “Conspiracy Room” can be admired.

After the tour, you will have a cooking class with three courses which include learning to make handmade pasta, sauces, and dessert. Once you have finished cooking, it’s time to try your masterpieces along with three wines produced at the vineyards of the castle in the castle dining room. Then, you will meet your driver who will take you back to your hotel.  A beautiful and intriguing castle, great food, and delicious wines are awaiting your arrival.

Things to Know:

  • In a 4 hour experience, you get to visit a still inhabited 900-year-old castle and wine cellars, you cook 2 different type of handmade pasta and 2 sauces, dessert and taste 3 wines during the light lunch with the self-cooked food
  • Private castle tour and wine tasting at a historic estate located 45 minutes from Florence
  • The castle tour and wine cellar visit last about 55 minutes and includes the historical part in the castle's courtyard, the family history in one of the private rooms
  • The Pazzi family’s crest still adorns our courtyard today and was created by one of the true Renaissance masters, Donatello.
  • Learn about wine and olive oil in the ancient cellars and enjoy a typical Tuscan snack of crostini, olive oil, salami, and cheese
  • Cooking class with personal chef
  • You will have the opportunity to purchase farm products like pure saffron, honey, cheese and natural cosmetics, wine and olive oil, available in the farm gift shop - at the end of the tour, you can walk in the vineyards, olive groves and take pictures in the countryside
  • Florence hotel pickup and drop-off in luxury vehicle with English-speaking driver
  • No more than 12 people in small group tour and cooking class
  • Private Castle and Cellar Visit is available for groups 4 or more.
 

Additional Info

  • Region Tuscany
  • City Florence
  • Duration 6 Hours
  • Highlights

    Visit a Castle and Wine Cellar outside of Florence in the Tuscan Countryside with a cooking class and wine tasting!  You’ll experience the Castle’s historic milestones first hand - the history is interwoven with that of Florence and its historic noble banking family the De’ Pazzi, the castle original owners from the 12th century. The Pazzi family’s crest still adorns the courtyard today and was created by one of the true Renaissance masters, Donatello.

  • Pricing & Booking

     To book this tour, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Please note: L&B Italian Tours have an on-call operator in Italy, in the event that anything changes or you have problems in Italy, you can contact us easily. 

Duration: 4.5 - 5 hours

Type of Service: Truffle Hunt with Lunch and Wine Tasting - day tour from Florence to San Gimignano

Visit a unique Winery located outside the medieval town of San Gimignano, in the province of Siena. The Giachi Family has been producing wines since 1720. You will spend an amazing time as your host teaches you to taste all the wines produced at this estate and hunt for truffles with dogs who are trained to seek black and white truffles.

Located at the entrance of the Valley of Chianti, in Tuscany, about 45 minutes from Florence. This winery, is a place of relaxation and fun with food and wine. It’s the ideal place to enjoy wonderful wines and Italian specialties. A most precious delicacy of the region is the exquisite, world famous black and white Truffles. You will partake in a truffle hunt with dogs for 60 minutes and then enjoy a Tuscan lunch that includes appetizers: Tuscan salami and cheeses, Bruschetta (Bread with Olive Oil). First Course: Truffle lasagna with meat sauce. Second Course: Roasted meat with potatoes and vegetables. Dessert: Cantuccini with Dessert Wine and the tasting of over 12 wines.

Things to Know:

  • You will enjoy a truly authentic "truffle hunting", accompanied by an expert truffle hunter with dogs, through the flat Tuscan woods
  • In the private truffle land in Tenuta Torciano, you will find precious white and black truffles
  • Learn to identify the different species of trees and the ideal habitat for the growth of truffles
  • Enjoy a 4-course lunch with dessert and wine tasting
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from Florence Hotel
  • Luxury Vehicle with English-speaking driver/guide
  • Tour offered Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (March - November)
  • Tour begins with hotel pickup at 9:30am
  • Wear comfortable clothing and walking or tennis shoes

Additional Info

  • Region Tuscany
  • City Florence
  • Duration 4.5 Hours
  • Highlights

    Enjoy a private one-hour Truffle hunt with a professional guide that will teach you the technical information about white and black truffles, followed by an authentic lunch and wine tasting at a wine estate in San Gimignano.

     

  • Pricing & Booking

    Price varies according to the number of people in your party. The tour includes round trip transportation from Florence with an English-speaking driver, truffle hunting with trained dogs, wine tasting fees and lunch. 

    To book this tour, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Please note: L&B Italian Tours have an on-call operator in Italy, in the event that anything changes or you have problems in Italy, you can contact us easily. 

Published in Other Cities

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
 

Additional Info

  • Region Piedmont
  • City TurinAsti
  • Duration 8 days, 7 nights
  • Highlights

    Enjoy the amazing wine Piedmont has to offer, explore its architectural masterpieces in Turin and Asti, play in a gorgeous golf course, experience a truffle hunt!

  • Note

    This tour does not include total transportation, this is ideal for people who are ok driving and renting a car. This tour is designed for a minimum of 8 people, however we are happy to organize on request for smaller parties.

  • Detailed Itinerary

    Day 1: Arrival Day

    -The day will begin by meeting your driver at Milan airport (MXP or LIN) inside the arrival hall, after baggage claim. Drive to Asti and check-in at your accommodation, a golf resort surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage countryside of the Monferrato hills. 

    -This afternoon relax and maybe take a first walk in the countryside. Tonight dinner is served at the resort's restaurant.

    Meals Included: Dinner

    asti

     

    Day 2: Truffle hunting and brunch with a wine producer
    - Drive to the heart of the Monferrato hills where seashells and tropical fossils left five millions of years ago are still visible on the ground. Meet the truffle hunter and engage in a traditional "hunt" for these delicious culinary masterpieces. The guide will help you to translate with the hunter understanding the strong connection between him and the truffle dogs he uses to hunt.
    - Today for lunch we meet a local family that for generations have been producing the typical red wine "Barbera Nizza." After touring the estate, the family will sit down at the table to partake in a traditional farmer's brunch made of local salami, cheese, frittata, homemade pasta and other local specialties. Sample home-cooking delights with four different wines and relax with the views of the UNESCO Monferrato hills.
    - Drive back to the resort and relax before dinner.
    - tonight we will drive few miles to get to a local trattoria and savour another traditional Piedmontese meal.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, brunch and dinner

    monferrato

     

    Day 3: Playing Golf and Michelin starred dinner
    - Today is yours to play golf or to relax or to hike in the countryside. Take advantage of the green and play golf in this beautiful course designed by the international designer Graham Cooke as a “British links course.” He has designed this 18 holes par 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). Please note cart and equipment/gear are not included in the green fee and they are available for an extra charge
    - Lunch on your own
    - Meet in the lobby of your hotel with your driver who will take you to a Michelin starred restaurant for an unforgettable fine dining experience.
    - Drive back to your hotel

    Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

    golf

     

    Day 4: Cooking class in Asti
    - Drive to Asti and meet your English-speaking chef who will take you for a walk to the produce market to buy some of the ingredients for your cooking class.
    - After a short walk, you'll be wearing aprons and chef's hat in the cooking school located behind one of the main churches and piazza of Asti. Learn how to prepare three traditional recipes in this full hands-on cooking class.
    - Lunch is following to taste what you have made!
    - Meet the local guide at the cooking school and start a walking tour to explore the city center of Asti, founded by the Romans and turned into a powerful medieval town. You will step inside the largest Gothic Cathedral of Piemonte, built in 1326 and boasting precious paintings from the XVI century. The walking tour of Asti will include the medieval towers, the Jewish ghetto and the square where the oldest horse race of Italy (Palio) is run every year.
    - Enjoy some free time in Asti, maybe for some shopping or for some artisanal gelato!
    - Drive back to the hotel. Tonight dinner is on your own.

    Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

    asti2

     

    Day 5: Barolo and Alba
    - Transfer to the area of production of the famous Barolo wine. Visit a traditional Barolo producer that ages the Nebbiolo grapes in old oak barrels and tasting at least three wines. Later the guide will take you on a panoramic drive, over the Langhe hills with photo stops opportunities and a walk around the medieval fortress of Serralunga d'Alba. End with some free time in the town of Barolo for some souvenir shopping.
    - Lunch on your own in the town of La Morra, the highest within this area.
    - This afternoon discover Alba, homemade of the worldwide famous Nutella! Discover the old Cathedral, the Roman ruins and indulge in a tasting of truffle-based products such as spreads, olive oil, cheese
    - Another exclusive dinner is served tonight in the town of Neive, located in the area of production of the Barbaresco wine.
    - Drive back to your hotel.

    Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

    barolo

     

    Day 6: Torino

    - Drive to Turin and meet your local guide 

    - Start a two hours walking tour of Torino, first capital of Italy. As you explore the elegant and baroque squares and Palaces, get some orientation and ideas for your free afternoon. The guide will show you the outside of the Royal Palace, of the first Italian Parliament and the Cathedral boasting the Holy Shroud (not displayed at this time). Sit down in one of the historical coffee bar of the city to savor the famous local "bicerin," a delicious combination of espresso coffee and hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. 

    - Free time and lunch on your own. Before leaving, the local guide will provide several suggestions on what to do in the afternoon: for example the second largest Egyptian Museum of the World, the panoramic glass elevator of the Cinema Museum, the Royal apartments and armory and of course shopping! 

    - Return to your hotel.

    - Tonight dinner is served in a restaurant near the hotel.

    Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

    torino

     

    Day 7: Golf outside Bra and Pollenzo, the cradle of Slowfood

    - Drive to Cherasco to play golf in another scenic 18 holes course, designed by Marco Croze, surrounded by water and green vegetation. Cart and equipment/gear are not included in the green fee and they are available for an extra charge. If you don’t feel to play, the town of Cherasco is few minutes away boasting Baroque Architecture and artisanal chocolate workshops. Lunch on your own.
    - Later in the afternoon meet your local guide to explore the nearby town of Pollenzo, once a Roman city, then rebuilt by the King Carlo Alberto as a neo-gothic 1800s town and today home of the Slow Food University. Transfer to Bra, where Slow Food was founded in 1986, and after admiring the Baroque jewel of the church of S. Claire, sit to enjoy the farewell dinner.
    - Drive back to the hotel

    Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

    golf2

     

    Day 8: Arrivederci

    -Transfer to Milan Airport

    Meals Included: Breakfast

     

  • Lat/Long 45.071346, 7.685046
  • Pricing & Booking

    $1964USD per person with a minimum of eights. Group discounts available for twelve of more. 

    GROUP SIZE DISCOUNT % $ DISCOUNT FINAL PRICE
    12 - 15 5.00 % $ 98.20 $ 1865.80
    16 - 19 14.00 % $ 274.96 $ 1689.04

    The prices listed above are an estimate based on the daily exchange rate with the Euro. Due to the fluctuation in the Euro, the prices are subject to vary by up to 5% (usually a decrease, occasionally an increase). The precise price is confirmed upon booking following the procedures below. Please be sure to review the pricing upon booking.

    Booking Procedures and details: Upon hitting the “book now” button, you can choose your date and time, and look over the cancellation policy (terms and conditions), and preview the precise pricing. Once you have entered your details, L&B Italian tours will request your credit card number. We will not charge your credit card until we have confirmed the details for your reservations, this usually happens within 24-48 hours for tours and up to 4 days for trip packages. Once the card is charged your reservation is confirmed. Along with the confirmation you will get a complete recap of your booking that includes maps, meeting places, times and contact numbers.

    Please note: L&B Italian Tours has an on-call operator in Italy, in the event that anything changes or you have problems in Italy, you can contact us easily. 

     

     
Published in Things To Do
Friday, 04 December 2015 19:08

Wine Tastings

We partner with incredible wineries in every region in Italy. Enjoy excursions from Florence to the countryside, where our private chauffeurs will whisk you away through the rolling hills to a breathtaking winery with a panoramic view. There enjoy 5 premiums reds, the owner himself will walk you through their process while his wife will cook you homemade pasta. Or, enjoy a crisp bottle of prosecco in a castle a little north of Venice. If you prefer the south, perhaps a bottle of Grillo on the side of Mt. Etna? That’s just the tip of the ice burg, the options are limitless.

Published in General Pages
Thursday, 12 November 2015 19:26

Regions in Italy

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!

Published in Tips & Tricks
Thursday, 12 November 2015 19:26

Packing for Italy

Unless you are coming to Italy with a butler, packing light is essential. Part of Italy’s charm is its old-worldliness, but that comes with some uncomfortable compromises to your comfort sometimes. Many hotels do not have elevators, and if they do they are extremely slow and small, so cramming a suitcase in isn’t always an option. That being said, try to pack things that are multi-use, and only bring clothes that you know you will want to wear to avoid adding bulk to your luggage.

The next thing to keep in mind is that you will be walking, a lot! Even if you’ve hired a private driver to take you from town to town, many small beautiful towns and cities are not accessible via private car unless you live in them. Which means your driver will have to park. And you will have to walk. That being said, Italy is not the place to wear your stilettos from morning to night. It’s nice to dress up and go out, but flats and comfortable walking shoes are crucial. Asics makes nice, lightweight slip-on sneakers, and Toms are great too. Sandals are tempting but be sure you will be able to rinse your feet off after a day out walking around because city-walking can be quite dirty!

Voltage in Italy is significantly higher than it is in the United States, so plugging your American hairdryer in an Italian socket will most likely result in disaster and melted plastic. Power comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at 50 cycles per second. In the US, the power is 110 volts, 60 cycles per second. So if you do want to use your laptop, battery charger, or other electrical appliances in Italy you will definitely need plug adaptors, and possible a step-down power converter or transformer. Plug adaptors are good for many of today’s small electronic devices and laptops, but you will need a converter if you plan on using your hair dryer or curling iron. If you buy a power converter, make sure its power rating meets or exceeds the power rating of the single device you will use with it. This information is usually found on the body of the device near the power cord.

It is also worth mentioning that Italian power sockets come in two different sizes. There are normal power sockets, and Schuko Grounded sockets for larger appliances. An adaptor plug will work in either socket, but if you are using a product purchased elsewhere in Europe, you may need a larger plug adaptor to make use of the larger plug sockets.

A corkscrew may be helpful if you plan on buying wine and picnicking! Save the 20 Euro you would have to spend on a junky opener in the small hill-town local grocery store (which may or may not even exist!) and pack a good metal corkscrew in your carry on for when you find yourself with a beautiful view, a nice bottle of wine, and nobody to open it for you. Most wines in Italy are not equipped with screw-tops, like they are in the United States. So embrace the old world and pop some corks!

For women visiting Italy in the summer, you will need to bring some kind of cover-up or shawl in case you plan on visiting any churches. Most churches won’t allow women in with very short shorts, or their shoulders exposed. Some churches may provide you with some kind of cover-up, but having your own balled up in your bag is much more hygienic and you can pick one that matches your outfit!

Be sure to bring some photocopies of your passport. Italy is a very safe country, but there is a lot of poverty and a lot of pick-pocketing going on, especially during the summer months near bus or train stations. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times, and be sure to leave your passport in a secure place while you are out sightseeing. A copy of your passport should be sufficient in most situations where an Italian authority may ask for official identification. So make a copy, stick it in your wallet, and leave your passport at the hotel!

Be sure to check up on the different weather conditions where you will be traveling. With its temperate Mediterranean climate, variations are frequent and despite being reputed as “sunny Italy” there do tend to be heavy downpours at certain times of year. Packing an umbrella however is not essential, as you will soon notice that they are for sale on every street corner if drops start falling!

On that note, please read on to the Seasons and Weather in Italy. We’ve already done a lot of the research for you!

Published in Tips & Tricks
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 19:47

Missy & Mark

In May of 2014, my husband and I experienced the trip of a lifetime to Italy. L&B Italian Tours arranged the entire trip and we just showed up.

It was fantastic! We experienced fabulous food, scenery straight out of a storybook, and wine. Oh, the wine!

One of the best parts of the trip was our tour guide – Silvia. She showed us Florence, Greve, the beaches at Viareggio and various vineyards in the Tuscan and Chianti regions that we would never have found on our own.

The trip was first-class in every way and we can’t wait to return!

Published in Testimonials
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 19:47

Robert and Susan

Our L&B tour guide Silvia provided us a wonderfully unique walking tour of Florence. Her vast knowledge of the city and her fun, personable nature made our day an incredible experience.

Silvia knows the places to go, whether it is visiting the major sights, enjoying local foods, or shopping for quality Italian clothing, leather goods, or perfume. Our boat trip on the Arno River floating under the Ponte Vecchio at sunset created a magical addition to our already awesome day!Since we had been to Florence previously, we wanted to explore the city from the perspective of a local.

Silvia tailored the tour specific to our requests and provided us an outstanding experience that made the day uniquely different from any of our previous trips. Absolutely fantastic way to explore Florence!

Published in Testimonials
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 19:47

Steve & Sheree

We wanted to let you know that our L&B tour guide Silvia was fantastic and that everything you provided for us was timely and awesome!It could not have been any better.

Our customized itineraries took into account every aspect of Italy that we were hoping to see and experience and the cooking classes you recommended were top notch. We loved the wine tastings and excursions as well. Thank you for everything!!

Published in Testimonials
Wednesday, 04 November 2015 19:46

Sharon B.

We loved your tours - Wonderful - meraviglioso / Fantastic - fantastico

 My family and I had an amazing time while in Italy. We visited Venice, Florence, Rome - Thank you L&B Italian Tours!

Your tours, tour guides, and customer service were excellent.  I will highly recommend you to all my family and friends.

We will be ready to go back in 2 years and I look forward to using your services again.  

Published in Testimonials

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