Bella Italia - Escorted group & Solo Holidays
You may have visited “Beautiful Italy” before or never reached this “bellisimo angolo d’Europa” (beautiful corner of europe). Either way with my own adventures taking me back to Italy this summer for a fourth visit, this time to explore the stunning Amalfi Coast (practising my Italian as you can see !), I wanted to share with you the abundance of fulfilling experiences Italy offers aswell as explaining why it is the perfect destination for an escorted touring holiday.
As I write this, I have clients coming to the end of a short break in Rome, now sipping an Aperol Spritz in the sunshine after soaking up the historic legacy of the Colosseum, plus others packing for their imminent Amalfi coast adventure where they will also be touring - taking a boat trip over to the enchanting island of Capri, where past the bustling quayside they will find terraced vineyards , lemon groves and fragrant pines, alongside spectacular views. They will also be taking in the roman town frozen in time, known to us as Pompeii, with more adventures including bustling Sorrento, pretty Amalfi, the hilltops of Ravello and not forgetting Positano, they can shop in the chic boutiques or simply tickle those taste buds with traditional Italian home made pizza, pasta or gelato, washed down with a glass of Italian Wine I am sure. There will also be time to relax and just simply appreciate this area and how it overlooks the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean so beautifully, oh my goodness I am counting down the days until I go !
WHAT MAKES A HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR YOU ?
ACTIVE :
You may enjoy walking or hiking opportunities, a walking tour with an experienced local guide has many benefits, you will see places and gain unique local knowledge you just wouldn't achieve on your own. Leaving the city walks, your feet may prefer a walk to the summit of Vesuvius. Hiking opportunities can take you along the rugged paths in Cinque Terre or around the stunning lakes of Garda, Como or Maggiore with mountain backdrops to die for. You could even be more adventurous and take a Jeep in Sicily to get up close and personal with Mount Etna !
CULTURE :
The choice is endless, from the magical waterways of Venice with St Marks Square, its Basilica, the Doges palace with its paintings, frescoes and gold leaf to Verona the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, grasp the opportunity to take in an open air Opera Festival or simply enjoy exploring between its century's old walls. Florence, Italy's “art city” is blessed with dozens of stunning structures and galleries, The eternal city of Rome , watch cascades of water fall over the Trevi fountain, take a stroll down the 18th century Spanish steps and of course lets not forget the Colosseum and The Vatican. Sicily, the Mediterranean's largest island, offers historic ruins with fine examples of architecture at the magnificent Cathedral in Palermo, and a lot more on this must go to island – one very high on my bucket list.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES:
Include something different in your plans. Add a scenic rail journey across to Switzerland from an Italian lakes tour, or a private Borromean islands cruise in the lakes, walk to the summit of Vesuvius, add a night at the Montecatini Opera Festival in Pisa, or simply add a visit to see the unique and traditional Trulli houses in the Puglia region. You could just take a Christmas break on the Sorrento coast.
LOCAL FLAVOURS:
For those foodies out there this is heaven, as well as the delicious home-made pasta dishes, tradition Italian pizza and seafood offerings, make your mouth water more by enjoying a local farmhouse lunch in Masseria the Puglia region, or a farmhouse dinner on the Secret Lakes of Italy tour. Let us not forget the abundance of vineyards and wineries, I may just take in a combined lunch and winery visit in the Amalfi Hills myself!
TRAVELLING SOLO:
JUST YOU are the UK’s Best Singles Holiday company, the solution for those of you who are passionate about travelling and would love to experience this with the security of a plan and others around you to share it with. Your own room and NO Single supplement ! You could even experience a unique opportunity to spend Christmas with the Countess of Luppis, with a stay at the now Boutique Hotel Villa Luppis once a Benedictine monastery, now the residence of the actual Countess of Luppis.
THE BENEFITS OF AN ESCORTED HOLIDAY :
Italy, as you will have soaked up by now, is a perfect destination for touring, and whether you are a solo traveller , couple, family or group there is something for everyone. It can be hard to know where to start when planning a trip to Italy, so whilst I can arrange an independent tailormade plan for you. Our amazing partners TRAVELSPHERE, who have over 60 years experience in escorted touring, and JUST YOU for the Solo traveller come into their own, with itinerary options that take away all of that planning !
1 - Classic Touring - Where you will most definitely see so much more.
2 - Relax & Discover style Touring – The perfect mix of your own time plus the benefits of a tour.
3 - Travel with and meet likeminded people.
4 - Experienced local holiday directors – Adding knowledge you would never have been able to gain travelling on your own.
5 - JUST YOU for Solo Travellers offers a solution to “travelling Solo but never alone”.
6 - Options that include everything from short breaks, right up to the 15 day "Grand Tour of Italy", not forgetting the rest of the world on offer if Italy is not at the top of your bucket list !
7 - Travelsphere & Just You “ Care” about supporting the local community – Encouraging you to eat out locally, and also working in local partnerships that address long term solutions for communities and the environment.
Hopefully this has sparked a new plan or return visit to Italy, and an interest in Escorted Touring/Solo holidays.
Please just get in touch, I would love to answer any questions you have.
We can chat through the amazing itineraries available and help you secure your own slice of BELLA ITALIA !