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Historical Cities

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Day Tours

Weekend Tours

Weekly and tailor made Tours

Enogastronomic Tours

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Florence
Siena
San Gimignano
Volterra
Cortona
Monteriggioni
Assisi
Perugia
Lucca
Pisa
Roma
Trieste
Verona
Venezia & The Laguna

Historical Cities

Italy is today, home to one of the prime concentrations of most beautiful and unspoiled historical cities in Europe, home to great painters, writers, scientists, philosophers, here you can find all the well preserved arts and treasures from ancient times, towns, cathedrals, manor houses, villas, sculptures and paintings, all together make of Italy an open air museum waiting to be discovered...

Let yourself be driven away through the breathtaking beauties of these towns. Depending on the time you will have available to yourself we can include more than one destination to complete your day.

Florence

Florence is known as the “cradle of Renaissance” (la culla del Rinascimento) for its monuments, churces and buildings.
The Arno river, which cuts through the old part of the city, is as much a character in Florentine history as many of the men who lived there. Historically, the locals have had a love-hate relationship with the Arno — which alternated from nourishing the city with commerce, and destroying it by flood.
In 1982, the historic centre of Florence (ita. il centro storico di Firenze) was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO for the importance of its cultural heritages. The centre of the city is contained in medieval walls that were built in XIV century to defend the city after it began famous and important for its economic growth. Cuisine. Crostini toscani served at an osteria in Florence. Florentine food grows out of a tradition of peasant eating rather than rarefied high cooking. The vast majority of dishes are based on meat. The whole animal was traditionally eaten; various kinds of tripe, (trippa) and (lampredotto) were once regularly on the menu and still are sold at the remaining food carts stationed throughout the city. Antipasti include crostini toscani, sliced bread rounds topped with a chicken liver-based pâté, and sliced meats (mainly prosciutto and salami, often served with melon when in season). The typically saltless Tuscan bread, obtained with natural levain frequently features in Florentine courses, especially in its famous soups, ribollita and pappa al pomodoro, or in the salad of bread and fresh vegetables called panzanella that is served in summer. The most famous main course is the bistecca alla fiorentina, a large (the customary size should weigh around 600 grams) T-bone steak of Chianina beef cooked over hot charcoal and served very rare with its more recently derived version, the tagliata, sliced rare beef served on a bed of arugula, often with slices of Parmesan cheese on top. Most of these courses are generally served with local olive oil, also a prime product enjoying a worldwide reputation.

Siena

Siena was a proud, wealthy, and warlike independent state during the Middle Ages, until its final defeat by Florence. Medieval Sienese art (painting, sculpture, architecture, etc.) is unique and of historical importance. One of the most famous Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the town square, which houses the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, is an architectural treasure, and is famous for hosting the Palio horse race. The Palio is a traditional medieval horse race is run around the Piazza del Campo each year. This event is attended by large crowds, and is widely televised.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, central Italy. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometers outside the town.
While in other cities, such as Bologna or Florence, most or all of their towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes, or urban renewal, San Gimignano has managed to conserve fourteen towers of varying height which have become its international symbol. the town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, grown in the area.

Volterra

When the Florentian Republic fell in 1530, Volterra came under the control of the Medici family and later followed the history of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Outside the city, in direction of Lajatico, is the Medici Villa di Spedaletto. Also in the neighborhood, in the Valle Bona area, are excavations of Etruscan tombs.

Cortona

It is one of the twelve cities of the Etruscan League. Located at the altitude of 600 metres, it has magnificent panoramas to every point of the compass. The town was the set of the film "Life is beautiful" by Roberto Benigni, and becoming increasingly popular in the recent years thanks to the book "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes and the film with the same title based loosely on the book.

Monteriggioni

Sitting on a small natural hillock, this completely walled medieval town in the Siena Province of Tuscany was built in the 13th century. Monteriggioni's walls and the buildings that make up the town within are the best preserved example of their kind in all of Italy.

Assisi

Is a town in Italy in province of Perugia, Italy, in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Mt. Subasio. Assisi is linked in legend with its native son, St. Francis. The gentle saint founded the Franciscan order. Today the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St. Francis) is a World Heritage Site.

Perugia

Perugia is a notable artistic center of Italy.
Perugia has today become famous for chocolate, mostly because of a single firm, Perugina, whose Baci (kisses) are widely exported Perugian chocolate is very popular in Italy, and the city hosts a chocolate festival every October.

Lucca

The walls around the old town remained intact as the city expanded and modernized, unusual for cities in the region. They are still fully intact today; each of the four principal sides is lined with a different tree species.The rectangular grid of its historical center preserves the Roman street plan, and the Piazza San Michele occupies the site of the ancient forum.

Pisa

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the Arno River on the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. The city is known worldwide for its famous bell tower. While the Leaning Tower is the most famous image of the city, it is one of many works of art and architecture in the city's Piazza dei Miracoli or "Square of Miracles", to the north of the old town center. The Piazza dei Miracoli also houses the Duomo (the Cathedral), the Baptistry and the Camposanto (the monumental cemetery).

Roma

Rome stands on top of more than two and a half thousand years of history, was once the largest city in the world and the centre of Western civilisation. Rome is still the heart of Christianity, being seat of the Roman Catholic Church which controls the Vatican City as its sovereign territory, an enclave of Rome. Today, Rome is a modern, cosmopolitan city, and the third most-visited tourist destination in the European Union. Due to its influence in politics, media, the arts and culture, Rome has been described as a global city. The historic centre of Rome is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
One of the symbols of Rome is the Colosseum (70–80 AD), the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. Originally capable of seating 60,000 spectators, it was used for gladiatorial combat. The list of the very important monuments of ancient Rome includes the Roman Forum, the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon, Trajan's Column, Trajan's Market, the Catacombs, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Ara Pacis, the Arch of Constantine, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the Bocca della Verità.
Rome is also famous for her huge and majestic squares (often adorned with obelisks), many of which were built in the 17th century. The principal squares are Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Farnese and Piazza della Minerva. One of the most emblematic examples of the baroque art is the Fontana di Trevi by Nicola Salvi. Other notable baroque palaces of 17th century are the Palazzo Madama, now seat of the Italian Senate and the Palazzo Montecitorio, now seat of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy.
This is a magical place, an ancient powerful kingdom, one you can’t miss on your visit to Italy.

Trieste

Trieste is located at the head of the Gulf of Trieste on the Adriatic Sea. Today, Trieste is a border town. The population is an ethnic mix of the neighbouring regions; The dominant local Venetian dialect of Trieste is called Triestine ("Triestin" - pronounced [tri?s?tin], in Italian "Triestino"). This dialect and the official Italian language are spoken in the city centre, while Slovene is spoken in several of the immediate suburbs. The Venetian and the Slovene languages are considered autochthonous of the area. There are also small numbers of German and Hungarian speakers.

Places of touristic interest in Trieste include numerous examples of Art Nouveau and neoclassical architecture from its Austrian past, the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, the International School for Advanced Studies and Trieste University.

Verona

Verona is a city and provincial capital in Veneto, Northern Italy about three hours distance from Florence.Verona is the setting of the story of Romeo and Juliet, made famous by William Shakespeare. Although the earliest version of the story is set in Siena, not Verona — the move was made in Luigi da Porto's Istoria novellamente ritrovata di due Nobili Amanti — a balcony claiming historical connection to the fictional lovers has become a tourist attraction for lovers; the short passageway leading to the balcony is covered with slips of paper carrying their graffiti, and a bronze statue of Juliet stands under the balcony, one breast polished by those touching it for luck.

Venezia & The Laguna

The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po (south) and the Piave (north) Rivers.
Venice is world-famous for its canals. It is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges. In the old center, the canals serve the function of roads, and every form of transport is on water or on foot. St Mark's Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica in Venice, located in the square (piazza) of the same name. It is a recognizable symbol of the city.
The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto) is one of the three bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and probably the most famous in the city.

Spa Days

Indulge and treat yourself to a day at the best spas Tuscany has to offer, at the end of your holiday or even half way trough you have the opportunity to relax among natural grouts with natural sourced thermal waters, have natural ingredients beauty treatments and body massages that will change you forever.

Montecatini Terme

Montecatini Terme is a spa town in Tuscany, Italy. It is able to accommodate every year at least 2,000,000 tourists many of whom register with the renowned health spas It recovered starting from the 18th century, when the first bath resorts were built. In the 20th century it became one of the most renowned spa in Italy: people who took rest in Montecatini include Giuseppe Verdi, Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Trilussa, Beniamino Gigli and Luigi Pirandello.

Monsummano

Monsummano, besides being still today an important city for the manufacture of shoes, is also an important Thermal center with two main natural grouts “Grotta Parlanti & Grotta Giusti, this last one is hidden among the carbonic rocks of the mountain that houses it. It extends for 200 meters below ground, creating labyrinths wonderfully decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. At the end the visitor is surprised by a crystalline mirror of warm thermal waters where one can relax.

Saturnia

Saturnia takes its name from the god Saturn. Legend has it that he grew tired of the constant wars of humans, and sent a thunderbolt to earth that created a magic spring of warm sulphurous water which would pacify mankind. Saturnia was rediscovered in the late 1800s when the land around the spring was drained and a spa built. Thousands of visitors come to bathe in the waters to this day.

Day Tours

A day out enjoying the best Italy has to offer, may that be a seaside resort, a Historical “Borgo” or a guided visit to one of the famous, Italian car makers factories or even a wine tasting with the best Chianti or Brunello wines. You can choose the destination that best suits you and your family, we will drive you all the way and make sure you get the best of each experience…

Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre are five coastal villages in the province of La Spezia in the Liguria region of Italy. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all encapsulated in the Cinque Terra national park. The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The five villages are, from west to east (i.e., from Genoa towards La Spezia):
Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore
Given its location on the Mediterranean, seafood is plentiful in the local cuisine. Anchovies of Monterosso are a local specialty designated with a Protected Designation of Origin status from the European Union. This area, and the region of Liguria, as a whole, is known for pesto — a sauce made from basil leaves, garlic, salt, olive oil, pine nuts and pecorino cheese. Focaccia is a particularly common local baked product. Farinata is also a typical snack found in bakeries and pizzerias- essentially it is a savoury and crunchy pancake made from a base of chick-pea flour.
The grapes of the Cinque Terre are used to produce two locally made wines. The eponymous Cinque Terre and the Sciachetrà are both made using Bosco, Albarola, and Vermentino grapes. Both wines are produced by the Cooperative Agricoltura di Cinque Terre (“Cinque Terre Agricultural Cooperative”), located between Manarola and Volastra. Other DOC producers are Forlini-Capellini, Walter de Batté, Buranco, Arrigoni. In addition to wines, other popular local drinks include grappa, a brandy made with the pomace left from winemaking, and limoncello, a sweet liqueur flavored with lemons.

Portofino

Portofino (Ligurian: Portofin) is a small Italian fishing village, and tourist resort located in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. The town crowded round its small harbour is considered to be among the most beautiful Mediterranean ports.
Portofino has even been recreated in detail around the harbor at Tokyo DisneySea in Chiba, Japan, and to a much lesser extent, the Portofino Bay Resort at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, USA and the Gulf Harbour development on the Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand.

Chianti Tours

Tuscany is known for its landscapes and its artistic legacy. An unforgettable wine experience, accompanied with a traditional meal and mixed with breathtaking landscapes, the perfect trip to get to know this unspoiled area.
Nowadays is common to name Chianti all the central part of Toscana although It initially described the area near the villages of Gaiole in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti and Radda in Chianti; the so-called Lega del Chianti and later Provincia del Chianti (Chianti province).
Greve In Chianti, In the piazza there is a monument to the discoverer of New York harbor, Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485-1528), who was born nearby. The castle of Verrazzano sits on a 348 m-high hill at 2 km from the centre of Greve and is still today a major wine producer in this area.
Gaiole in Chianti where you can find the famous Abbey of Coltibuono where still today you can witness to the Gregorian Monk Chantings.
The Val d’Orcia, or Valdorcia, is a region of Tuscany, central Italy, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. It is characterised by gentle, carefully-cultivated hills occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza (rebuilt as an “ideal town” in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II), Radicofani (home to the notorious brigand-hero Ghino di Tacco) and Montalcino (the Brunello di Montalcino is counted among the most prestigious of Italian wines). It is a landscape which has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from the Renaissance painting to the modern photograph.
In 2004 the Val d’Orcia was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites under these criteria:
Criterion (iv): The Val d’Orcia is an exceptional reflection of the way the landscape was re-written in Renaissance times to reflect the ideals of good governance and to create an aesthetically pleasing pictures.
Criterion (vi): The landscape of the Val d’Orcia was celebrated by painters from the Siennese School, which flourished during the Renaissance. Images of the Val d’Orcia, and particularly depictions of landscapes where people are depicted as living in harmony with nature, have come to be seen as icons of the Renaissance and have profoundly influenced the development of landscape thinking.
Small curiosity, In the film The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter mentions that he once ate the liver of a census taker "with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Medici Villas

The Medici villas are a series of rural building complexes near Florence which were owned by members of the Medici family between the 15th century and the 17th century. The villas served several functions: they were the country palaces of the Medici, scattered over the territory that they ruled, demonstrating their power and wealth. They were also recreational resorts for the leisure and pleasure of their owners; and, more prosaically, they were the centre of agricultural activities on the surrounding estates.
The later villas are outstanding examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and were often accompanied by gardens. The garden at the Villa di Castello, created for Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, was the first in Italy by Niccolò Tribolo, who later designed the Boboli Gardens for Cosimo's Florentine new residence, the Palazzo Pitti.
Each significant member of the Medici family owned an estate. The Duke moved from one house to house. When in residence, the villa became a microcosm of the Medici court. For hunting, he could visit the Villa del Trebbio, Villa di Cafaggiolo or Villa di Pratolino; reside at the Villa dell'Ambrogiana in the spring; and move to the Villa di Artimino, to while away the summer in its cooler elevated position. After the death of Gian Gastone de' Medici in 1738, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Medici's assets, including their villas, were acquired by Francis, Duke of Lorraine (later Holy Roman Emperor).
Today, some of the Medici villas are museums; others are occupied by institutions, and a few are owned privately, and often hired privately or used to stage public events. In 2006, the Italian government submitted the Medici villas for designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Factories on wheels

Modena is today best known as "the capital of engines", since the factories of the famous Italian sports car makers Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati are located here and all, except Lamborghini, have headquarters in the city or nearby. Lamborghini is headquartered not far away in a small village (Sant'Agata Bolognese) in the adjacent Province of Bologna.

Weekend Tours

We will accompany you and your friends & Family for the weekend to the places that most suit your taste, historical cities for the unspoiled art, the most famous seaside towns for breathtaking coastlines, The “Lakes District”, Treeking routes or if you prefer, the Italian Alps, for a ski retreat, whatever are your tastes and desires, we will efficiently drive you to an unforgettable weekend.

Amalfi coast

The Amalfi Coast, or Costiera Amalfitana in Italian, is a stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy (Province of Salerno), extending from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east. The towns lying on the Amalfi Coast are Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Ravello, Scala, Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore,Praiano and Positano. Renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, picturesque towns and diversity, the Amalfi Coast is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The Lakes region

Lake Como

Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. At over 400 m deep it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe and the bottom of the lake is more than 200 metres (656 ft) below sea-level.

The lake is well-known for the attractive villas which have been built here since Pliny the Younger constructed the Comedia and the Tragedia. Many have admirable gardens which benefit from the mild climate induced by the stabilising presence of 22.5 km³ of lake water and are able to include tropical as well as temperate plants.

The Villa Carlotta was built for the Milanese marchese Giorgio Clerici in 1690 and occupies a site of over 70,000 m² at Tremezzo, facing the Bellagio peninsula. An Italian garden, with steps, fountains and sculpture was laid out at the same time. The villa was later sold to the banker and Napoleonic politician Giambattista Sommariva. Stendhal was his guest in 1818, and his visit is recalled at the start of La Chartreuse de Parme. In 1843 it was purchased by Princess Marianne of Nassau as a wedding present for her daughter Carlotta, after whom the villa is now named. The latter, together with her husband, Georg II of Saxen-Meiningen laid out the wooded park in the Romantic style. The villa today includes a museum of agricultural implements as well as important works of sculpture by Sommariva’s friend Antonio Canova and by Luigi Acquisti.

The Villa d'Este, at Cernobbio, was built in 1568 by Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, a native of the town. In 1816–17 the villa was home to Caroline of Brunswick, estranged wife of the Prince of Wales and shortly to become Queen Consort of King George IV of the United Kingdom. The landscaped gardens in the English style are a product of this period. Later in the century it was turned into a luxury hotel. Today the Villa d’Este is known for attracting celebrity guests.

The Villa del Balbianello, famous for its elaborate terraced gardens, lies on a promontory of the western shore of the lake near Isola Comacina. Built in 1787 on the site of a Franciscan monastery, it was the final home of the explorer Guido Monzino and today houses a museum devoted to his work.

The Villa Melzi, at Bellagio was built in the neo-classical style by the architect Giocondo Albertolli in 1808–10 as the summer residence of Francesco Melzi who had been vice-president of the Napoleonic Italian Republic. The park includes an orangery, a chapel, statues and a Japanese garden, and is planted, as often on lake Como, with huge rhododendrons.

The Villa Serbelloni, also at Bellagio, houses the Bellagio Study and Conference Center, a residential center set up and managed by the Rockefeller Foundation since 1959, which operates a 'scholar-in-residence' program for scholars from around the world. This is believed to have been the site of Pliny the Younger’s villa ‘Tragedia’. Its well-known park was created at the end of the eighteenth century by Alessandro Serbelloni.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda (Italian Lago di Garda or Benaco) is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Venice and Milan. It is in an alpine region. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the south-east), Brescia (south-west), and Trento (north). Being easily accessible from the north via the Brenner pass, the lake is a major tourist destination, including a number of exclusive hotels and resorts along its shore.

The ancient fortified town of Sirmione, located on the south of the lake, is one particularly popular destination, home to the Virgilio & Catullo Spa Complexes, as well as numerous restaurants, bars, hotels, fashion stores and a market. The picturesque Scaliger castle dates from the 13th century. The Roman poet Catullus had a villa here, and visitors can see a ruined Roman spa named the Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus) although there is no evidence linking him to this particular building. The sulfur springs at the tip of the peninsula have a reputation for the healing of catarrhal conditions, particularly those involving the ear. Nearby, there is Gardaland, one of the most famous parks in Italy.

Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore (in Italian: Lago Maggiore or Verbano) is the most westerly of the three large prealpine lakes of Italy and the second largest after Lake Garda.

The lake’s jagged banks are surrounded by the Prealps of Piedmont and Lombardy. The western bank is in Piedmont (provinces of Novara and Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola) and the eastern in Lombardy (province of Varese), whereas the most northerly section extends thirteen kilometres into Switzerland, where it constitutes the lowest point above sea-level in that entire country.

The climate is mild in both summer and winter, producing Mediterranean vegetation, with beautiful gardens growing rare and exotic plants. Well-known gardens include those of the Isola Madre, Isola Bella and the Isole di Brissago, that of the Villa Taranto in Verbania, and the Alpinia botanical garden above Stresa.

The Alps

The Alps are popular both in summer and in winter as a destination for sightseeing and sports. Winter sports (alpine and Nordic skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, ski tours) can be practised in most regions from December to April, while in summer the Alps are popular with hikers, mountain bikers, paragliders, mountaineers, while many lakes attract swimmers, sailors and surfers. The lower regions and larger towns of the Alps are well accessed by motorways and main roads, but higher passes and by-roads can be treacherous even in summer. Many passes are closed in winter. A multitude of airports around the Alps (and some within), as well as long-distance rail links from all neighbouring countries, afford large numbers of travellers easy access from abroad.

Bormio is a town located in the province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Italian Alps.The village hosted the Alpine World Skiing Championships in 1985, and again in 2005. There are 50 km of marked ski runs, 14 lifts and several ski schools. The longest run is 6 km. Bormio regularly hosts various World Cup skiing events. The Pista Stelvio is one of the most challenging downhills on the World Cup.

Italian Riviera

The Riviera is centred on the port of Genoa, which divides it into two main sections: the Riviera di Ponente, extending westwards from Genoa to the French border; and the Riviera di Levante between Genoa and Capo Corva.

It is famous for its particularly mild climate which, together with the charm of its old fishing ports and the beauty of its landscape, has made it a popular destination for travellers and tourists since the time of Byron and Shelley.

Many villages and towns in the area are internationally known, such as Portofino, Bordighera, Lerici, and the Cinque Terre.

The part of the Riviera di Ponente centered on Savona, is called the "Riviera delle Palme" (the Riviera of palms); the part centered on Sanremo, is called the "Riviera dei Fiori", after the long-established flower growing industry.

French Riviera

The French Riviera is one of the most famous resort areas in the world, extending along the Mediterranean Sea west from Menton near the Italian border, including the cities and towns of Monaco, Nice, Antibes, and Cannes. Other sources extend the Côte d'Azur further west to include Saint-Raphaël, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, Hyères, Toulon, and Cassis.

Nice has an average of 2694 hours of sunshine, about 61% of the annual possible sunshine. The average maximum daily temperature in Nice in August is 28°C, while the average minimum daily temperature in January is 6°C.

Toulon and the département of the Var (which includes St. Tropez and Hyères) have a climate slightly warmer, dryer and sunnier than Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes, but less sheltered from the wind.

Events and festivals, Several major events take place:

Monaco; Circus Festival, January 27 to February 3.
Nice; Carnival, February 10-27.
Menton; Lemon Festival, February 12-27.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup; Violet Festival, March 13.
Monaco; Grand Prix Formula One race, May 12-15.
Grasse; Rose Festival, May 12-16.
Cannes; International Film Festival, May 12-23.
Nice; Jazz Festival, July 8-19.
Juan-les-Pins; Jazz Festival, end of July.
Grasse; Jasmine Festival, August 4-7.

Weekly and tailor made Tours

Italy is vast and complete with all kinds of landscape and destinations to suit anyone’s taste. From the Mountain Alpine areas, to the seaside resorts, the unspoiled Historical cities passing through the “wine countries” and finally the relax of the best Natural Thermal Towns. A journey to Italy shows you glorious reminders of a civilization whose gifts are still being shared with the world.

For a week a professional English speaking driver, will accompany you during your stay here in Italy for the best destinations, we can design the trip that best suits your tastes and we can also adapt to your own pre designed routes, all in all we will drive you to the best holiday in Italy. Please contact us with enough time in advance, to allow us to assist you in the best possible way.

Recommended destinations

Liguria, Tuscany & Umbria for Genoa, The Cinque Terre, Florence, Chiantishire, Pienza, Montepulciano, Perugia and Cortona

Lombardy, Veneto & Emilia Romagna for Milan, Como, Venice, Verona, Treviso, Bologna & Parma

The South for Rome, Naples, Capri and Sicily

And many other

Enogastronomic Tours

A drive through the best Italy has to offer on its gastronomic side, you will experience regional delicacies, authentic menus, exclusive tastings, one-of-a kind cheeses, Prosciutto Toscano, olive oil and wine producers to experience the intricacies and traditions of true Italian food.

1. Truffle Land Alba & San Miniato

A truffle is the valuable and highly sought-after, edible fruiting body of a group subterranean ascomycete fungi of the genus Tuber. All truffles are ectomycorrhizal and are therefore found in close association with trees. Strictly speaking, these are the only "true" truffles.

The ascoma (fruiting body) of truffles is highly prized as a food, their smell has been described as similar to deep-fried sunflower seeds or walnuts, although it has also been described as "a foul aroma." Not all people are able to smell the odor of this fungus. Brillat-Savarin called the truffle "the diamond of the kitchen" and praised its aphrodisiacal powers. While their aphrodisiac properties may be unproven, truffles are nevertheless held in high esteem in northern Italian cooking, as well as in international haute cuisine.

The cities of Alba and San Miniato, are transformed during the truffle season, an hectic place to be for the best trading and tasting of the season’s, tartufo is a fine ingredient which mixed together with certain local foods exalts all their best flavours, you can find the best tartufo cheeses, pork sausages, dried and fresh homemade pasta among many other tasty conbinations. Tartufo is the main reason to have travelled from all corners of the world.

2. Wine tasting & Food

CHIANTI

Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti

towns in the province of Florence, Tuscany, Italy. located c. 31 km south of Florence.

With the enlargement of the Chianti wine district in 1932, Greve, Radda and Castellina suddenly found themselves in a noble wine area. The Chianti region supports a variety of agricultural activities, most especially the growing of the grapes that go into the world-famous Chianti and "Super Tuscan" wines. Olive oil production is another staple of the local economy. Extra virgin Tuscan olive oil is highly prized for its delicate flavor, as opposed to the stronger, thicker olive oils of the south. Truffle harvesting is a distinguishing feature of local food production. Both black and white truffles are hunted in Chianti. The region is also noted for its meat. The Cinta Senese pig is unique to this region and produces pork of superior quality. Wild game is a common feature on local menus, including rabbit, pigeon, venison, and, especially, cinghiale (wild boar). Greve is home to one of Italy's oldest and most renowned butcher shops, the Macelleria Falorni.

Due largely to this intense agricultural activity, and the wine and food production industries that have been built on top of it, since early medieval times, Greve evolved as the principal market town at the center of an (increasingly) densely populated area with an abundance of villages, parish churches, villas and castles. The latter were built mostly by the rich merchants and noble classes of Florence who enjoyed the country life, and developed their estates to earn additional income and also to supply their in-town tables.

The town of Greve's busy quaintness and the lushness and diversity of the undulating landscape which surrounds it, have long attracted tourists and travelers. The current flow of tourism to the area and the purchase of homes by both Italians and foreigners, is fully integrated with viniculture, wine-making and various related enterprises to form a highly integrated and highly productive local economy.

MONTEPULCIANO

Montepulciano is a city in Tuscany famous for its wines, especially the classic red wine Vino Nobile di Montepulcian.
oThree varieties of wine are available (all are mostly from the sangiovese grape), Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva, in increasing order of subtlety and price. The wines tend to be full-bodied, the kind that goes well with a picture of generations of Tuscan peasants, sitting in the fields, eating cinghiale (boar) while swigging the good stuff!

MONTALCINO

Montalcino is a hilltown and comune in Tuscany, Italy. It is famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine. Montalcino sits in the middle of one of Italy's most important grape-growing areas. The famed Brunello vines for which the region is famous produce the grapes which are used for the production of a number of DOC vintages and a couple of DOCG, Super Tuscan wines. Brunello di Montalcino wines are required to be aged for at least four years prior to being released, with riserva wines needing five years. Brunellos tend to be very tight and tannic in their youth, needing at least a decade or two before they start to soften with wines from excellent vintages having the potential to do well past 50 years. In 1984, the Montalcino region was granted the DOC designation of Rosso di Montalcino. Often called "Baby Brunellos", these wines are typically made from the same grapes, vineyards and style as the regular Brunello di Montalcino but are not aged as long. While similar to Brunellos in flavor and aromas, these wines are often lighter in body and more approachable in their youth.

BOLGHERI & MAREMMA

Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia is an Italian winery in the DOC Bolgheri in Toscana, known as a producer of Super Tuscan wine. Ornellaia is considered one of Italy's top Bordeaux-style red wines. The estate also produces a second wine, Le Serre Nuove, the blend Le Volte, the Merlot varietal wine Masseto, in addition to estate production of grappa and olive oil.
Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia was established by Marchese Lodovico Antinori of the Antoniori family, behind one of Italy's most historic negociant firms, with the help of winemaker Tibor Gál. The property is adjacent to Tenuta San Guido. producer of Sassicaia and considered the seminal Super Tuscan, and Ornellaia was suggested to be Lodovico Antinori’s competitive answer to his cousin Nicolò Incisa’s Sassicaia and his older brother Piero Antinori’s Solaia.

The Maremma is an area in Italy, consisting of part of southern Tuscany (and partly coincident with province of Grosseto area) and some part of northern Lazio (a bordering region of the province of Viterbo). Provided with significant natural and environmental resources, Maremma is today one of the best tourist destinations in Italy, where ancient traditions have survived and Tuscan culture is preserved. It is being promoted as a destination for agritourism.
The village Scansano lies within Maremma and is noted for Morellino di Scansano wine, which is vinted from Morellino grapes grown locally.
Montecucco and Monteregio are two other very popular D.O.C. wines produced in the Maremma.

PIEMONTE

Piemonte wine is the range of Italian wines made in the province of Piedmont in the northwestern corner of Italy. The most well known wines from the region include the Barolo, Barbaresco made from the Nebbiolo grape and Asti Spumante-the sparkling wine made from the Moscato grape. The majority of the area's winemaking take places near the provinces of Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria. While Turin is the capital of the Piedmont, the commune of Alba is at the heart of the region's wine industry. The wine making industry of the Piedmont played a significant role in the early stages of the Risorgimento with some of the era's most prominent figures-like Camillo Benso, conte di Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi owning vineyards in Piedmont region and making significant contributions to the development of Piedmontese wines. The winemaking regions of the Piedmont and Bordeaux are very close in latitude and share many climate characteristics, especially in regards to summertime temperatures and rainfall. The area of the Piedmont is affected by its subalpine location with the some of the best winemaking sites being found among the Langhe foothills in Cuneo. Vineyards are typically planted on hillsides altitudes between 490-1150 ft (150-400 metre). The warmer south facing slopes are mainly used for Nebbiolo or Barbera while the cooler sites are planted with Dolcetto or Moscato.

COOKING CLASSES

Instructed by a top professional Italian chef, we propose full hands-on training classes, professional tasting techniques and instruction, authentic menus with specialty recipes and English-Italian translation in modern, state-of-the art facilities.
We have designed cooking and wine classes to expose you to an intimate side of that Italian lifestyle that is so appealing to all. The menus vary according to the seasonal cuisine. The goal is to expose you to all of the Good Tastes of Tuscany to guarantee an unforgettable experience.
Whether you care to devote an entire weekend to honing your kitchen skills or simply an afternoon, we will adapt around your personal itinerary. Menu selections may be arranged according to dietary restrictions, and a wide variety of vegetarian options is available.

ITALY’S “DINING” EXPERIENCE

Each area of Italy has its own proud specialties primarily at regional level, but also even at provincial level all famously known around the world. These regional variances can come from the influence of a bordering country (such as France or Austria), vicinity to the sea or mountains as well as economic progress. Italian cuisine is not only highly regional, but is also distinguished by being very seasonal with high priority placed on the use of fresh, seasonal produce.

We propose a handfull of carefully chosen Restaurants and Trattorias where we guarentee you will find exquisite and simply true tastes each a great regional testimonial of the best in Italian cuisine. Combine this with the best wine, can that be simply a Chianti or a Sassicaia and finish it with the warmest local service for a truly unforgetable gastronomic experience.

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CHIANTI

Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti

PIEMONTE

COOKING CLASSES

ITALY’S “DINING” EXPERIENCE

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