• Archives
  • Mar30

    Our travelers tell us that some of the most spectacular sights they see in their small group travel to Italy are her volcanoes. Their majesty awes, and their power amazes. We thought you’d like to know a little more about these incredible wonders of nature so we’re profiling the three most recognized volcanoes of Italy.

    Mount Vesuvius

    Located just a few miles from Naples, Mount Vesuvius is well known for the immense eruption in the year 79 that buried the city of Pompeii. What many people don’t know about that eruption is that it also altered the course of the Sarno River. Vesuvius is still an active volcano, and it is regarded as one of the most dangerous worldwide because its eruptions tend to be massive—and millions of people live nearby.

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  • Mar23

    When you’re in Italy, you want to eat the authentic cuisine the locals do so you can discover their local traditions, culture, and history through food. Here are some tips to help you find the true Italian cuisine you crave—and the authentic cultural adventure that goes along with it.

    Watch where the locals go.

    In every city and town, there are restaurants that visitors frequent, and there are eateries that the locals flock to. Watch who goes where, and you’ll know which restaurants to try and which ones to avoid.

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  • Sep14

    You’re probably well familiar with Italy’s top destinations such as Venice and Rome, but what about those off the beaten path destinations? It’s often those types of cities that offer the most authentic travel experiences. Whether this is food, landmarks, or interesting history, it can often be the smaller cities that provide experiences that you don’t get from the larger cities of a country. Below, we feature some of Italy’s best off the beaten path destinations and highlight what they have to offer.

    1. Parma: Cheese. That grated cheese you sprinkle on your pasta and pizza had to come from somewhere. A visit to Parma introduces travelers to some of the world’s best cheese. While Parma is bigger than most of what are considered Italy’s small cities, it’s often overlooked by the likes of Rome and Venice. Located in the region that some might call the cheese capital of Italy, Parma features some of Italy’s best food and wine festivals throughout the year.

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  • Jul13

    seychelles

    Seychelles

    As significant as it can be to plan that summer vacation, there’s one getaway that’s even more important: your anniversary. With each passing year it can become more challenging to choose where to go for that romantic getaway for your anniversary. Mountains or beach, adventure or foodie destination, spa package or candlelight dinnerthere are so many choices. We’ve taken away some of the stress by highlighting the world’s best romantic getaways as part one of this two-part series.

    1. Seychelles. If the Seychelles Islands (depicted in the image above) are good enough for the royal couple, then they are good enough for you! Many people haven’t even heard of this chain of islands that are off the coast of Africa. The conundrum for many is which of the 100+ islands to make home for your romantic getaway. However, there are three primary islands that make the decision a little easier. Praslin, La Digue, and Mahé are your best option for finding the best in accommodations, nightlife, and restaurants.

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  • Jul11

    french cuisineImage to the left taken from FoodNetwork.com.

    You really can’t travel without food as a major part of your experiences. For many it’s tasting new foods, savoring international classics, and finding those hole-in-the-wall places that only locals know about that makes travel fun. It’s those experiences at restaurants, street festivals, cafes, and farms that travelers wish they could take home with them. No matter where you’re traveling, there’s often that one dish that stands above all others. We’ve highlighted some of the best foodie destinations in the world and spotlighted the best dishes in each city.

    1. Paris, France. French cuisine is one of the most renowned in the world. Whether it’s breakfast danishes, fresh deli meat, or chocolate crepes, Paris has so much to offer. The thing about France is that it features fresh courses that you can’t experience elsewhere, whether it’s appetizers, bread, meat, or dessert. With so many famous dishes, it’s hard to just choose one, but you won’t find too many restaurants that don’t serve bouillabaisse (depicted in the image above). The traditional French dish is a seafood stew that features various seafood and vegetables. It’s a good starter before your main entree.

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  • Jul6

    florenceWhen you think of Florence, one of the first things that comes to mind is the architecture. One of Europe’s most predominant cities, Florence is a melting pot of European architecture. Whether it’s churches, homes, restaurants, or monuments, you’ll find beautifully crafted architecture throughout the city. Below, we’ve spotlighted some of the best places for viewing Florence’s elaborate architecture.

    Ponte Vecchio. Ponte Vecchio is one of the oldest bridges in the world. The original bridge is said to have dated back to the late 900s, until a flood swept it away and it had to be reconstructed. Some of the most unique parts of the bridge are the many stores that are built along it. For those photographer-travelers, plan your visit early in the evening, when the bridge is all lit up by the store lights.

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  • Sep3

    Portofino image by Comune di Portofino site

    Picture yourself in a seaside village along the shore in the Mediterranean. Today you tour the castle atop the hill overlooking the village then head to a culinary demonstration and lunch.  Afterwards, you stroll along the pastel houses, shops, luxury hotels, and waterfront restaurants until you stop at a cafe for a cappuccino then soon you lose yourself in people watching of the rich and famous.

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  • Aug20

    Consigli di vini Italian WineRed or white for your inspiration? While viewing the movie, Eat, Pray, Love I was transported back to Italy.  MSNBC says, “Julia Roberts plays a woman who leaves her safe life behind to go on a journey of self-discovery by embarking on a round-the-world trip.” However, for me Italy is the true inspiration in the movie.  Italy is all about the food, sights, and wine all the while enjoying them with friends and family.

    Consigli di…vini says… Italy is famous for many reasons, but perhaps it is mostly famous for its exclusive quality of wine. The wines of Italy are full of varieties. Wine is very common item in Italy, as tea and coffee are common in the other parts of the world. There are many different varieties of wine. The two most distinct and prominent classifications are red and white wine. There is a lot more varieties suitable for different activities.

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