Grand Tour Experience

05/11/2024

Ready for World Travel Market 2024
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We reconfirm our presence at the WTM in London again.

This year the agenda is full of meetings, good work always pays off!

Waiting for international buyers 💪🏼
World Travel Market (WTM) Londonn

02/11/2024

The Park of the Monsters of Bomarzo👹 .dei.mostri
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Also called Sacro Bosco or Villa delle Meraviglie, it’s an Italian monumental complex in the province of Viterbo (Lazio).
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In the park there are numerous sculptures dating back to the 16th century and portraying mythological animals, deities and monsters.
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A very suggestive experience!!

29/10/2024

It’s foliage season in Italy 🇮🇹
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What better way to celebrate it than by visiting the largest national park in Italy?!
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We are in the Pollino National Park, a geopark UNESCO between Basilicata and Calabria, precisely at the Piani di Masistro.
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An easy path also suitable for beginners, closed to many authentic villages to discover.
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22/10/2024

Autumn vibes at Foundation 🍂
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The Villa dei Capolavori is located in a beautiful centuries-old park populated by animals which makes the place an extremely pleasant destination as well as of considerable cultural interest for visitors.

With an extension of twelve hectares, the Parco Romantico follows the English model, characterized by an irregular distribution of plant masses, often alternating with large grassy spaces.

17/10/2024

Beauty is everywhere in Italy 🇮🇹
We are in the province of Parma at the Foundation, a private collection of ancient and modern art founded in 1978 by Luigi Magnani, art critic and collector.
It is located inside the very elegant Villa Magnani, a neo-Baroque style building surrounded by 12 hectares of English gardens.
Definitely a place to visit 😍

15/08/2024

Buon Ferragosto a tutti! 🏖☀️🐬
Also today the Grand Tour Experience Team is operating to make you have the best vacation of your Italian summer!

08/08/2024

Between the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro in Calabria lies the Sila National Park, Italy’s oldest national park and among the first to be established in the country. The park was established in 1997, replacing, along with Aspromonte National Park, the old Calabria National Park. Its symbol is the Sila Wolf, an animal that survived extinction and inhabits these forests. This park represents one of the places with the richest biodiversity in the Meditteranean area and covers an area of 73,965 hectares. The oldest traces of human presence date back even to at least 3,500 B.C., that is, to the Neolithic village whose archaeological remains were found a few years ago on the southern shore of Lake Cecita. The tree-covered Sila is not by chance nicknamed the “Great Forest of Italy,” in fact it has been exploited since the time of Magna Graecia for its timber later used in the construction of ships, houses, and churches. Perhaps the best known tree species is the Calabrian black pine, which grows in these forests and in very few other places in the world. If you are a nature lover, you cannot miss the opportunity to get to know this incredible place!

03/08/2024

If you are in Apulia and you are an archaeology lover, a short distance from the towns of Barletta, Canosa di Puglia and Andria is the archaeological site of Canne della Battaglia, whose memory is linked to the famous clash between the Romans and Carthaginians in 216 BC. The war event was one of the most important concerning the Second Punic War and marked a bitter defeat for the Romans at the hands of Hannibal’s army. It is possible to visit the antiquarium, where the entire life of the city is traced from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, and after the museum one goes up to the citadel, which offers the possibility of walking among the remains of the medieval city. In the area in front of the antiquarium there is a scenic walkway that goes up to the area of the Apulian village and burial ground. The Apulian village is very extensive and, based on the findings, is supposed to have reached the peak of its importance from the 6th to the 3rd century BC. Did you already know this spot? If not, mark it on your wish list!

27/07/2024

The Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi is located in Nichelino, 10 kilometers from Turin, and is one of the most prestigious Savoy residences in Piedmont. It was the architect Filippo Juvarra who, at the behest of Victor Amadeus II, began construction of the mansion in 1729, but the first member of the Piedmontese lineage to enjoy the marvelous finished mansion was only Victor Amadeus III. it is now owned by the Ordine Mauriziano Foundation. The Palazzina is preceded by the 18th-century farmhouses and stables arranged in a hemicycle along the avenue that connects it with Turin. For a time, the stables were home not only to horses but also to an elephant. The Palazzina also preserves the original furnishings. The interior, which includes 137 rooms and 17 galleries, has walls and vaults that are a riot of Rococo-style frescoes; the dome depicts the triumph of Diana, goddess of the hunt. Throughout its history it was also Napoleon’s chosen residence in the early 1800s, while in the early 20th century it was chosen as the residence of Queen Margaret and since 1919 it has also been home to the Furniture Museum. Since 1997 the Palazzina di Caccia Stupinigi has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

18/07/2024

There is a beautiful town in the Lazio Region that has a fantastic medieval castle. We are talking about Itri, in the province of Latina. The Medieval Castle of Itri was built for defensive needs in several stages, starting in 882 when the pentagonal tower - commissioned by Docibile I, Byzantine hypate of the Duchy of Gaeta - was built to sight the Saracens and other Arab populations that threatened the coasts at that time. In 950 Marino I, nephew of Docibile, further strengthened the site by having a second taller and more imposing tower erected, the square one known as the “male.” Itri served Gaeta as a defense against the Lombards attacking from inland. Hence the idea of building a military fort on the highest part of the Sant'Angelo hill for two reasons: because Itri is located on the Via Appia, a fundamental junction and obligatory passage, and because, precisely, it allows direct visual communication with Gaeta Castle. The cylindrical tower connected to the square one is called the Crocodile Tower because of a legend about the presence of water inside with one of these reptiles inside. Those sentenced to death were thrown down and fed to the crocodile. Discover the beauty of Italy and enjoy a fantastic summer with us. Contact us at [email protected]

We thank our friend Cristina from Malaga (Spain) for the beautiful photos taken during her vacation in Itri.

16/07/2024

The Uffizi Gallery is an art lover’s paradise. Today we are telling you about one of the most emblematic works in the history of Italian art, namely the “Venus of Urbino,” an oil painting on canvas by Titian dated 1538. The protagonist is a young bride about to be adorned to take part in the celebration of the rite known in Venice as “the toccamano.” This was a ceremony of a domestic nature during which the young women requested in marriage, by touching the groom’s hand, expressed their consent to the wedding. In the background are two handmaids, one rummaging through the historiated chest, a piece of furniture traditionally associated with weddings, and the other holding a sumptuous gold-and-blue dress ready to be worn. With his work Titian modernized the figure of Venus, moving her away from myth and pruning her into a more modern and earthly dimension. It was probably commissioned by Guidobaldo II della Rovere, scion of the Duke of Urbino and Montefeltro, and the work was not born with the title Venus, later assigned to her by Giorgio Vasari. Guidobaldo in fact simply asked Titian for a “naked woman.” In this work Titian, thanks to the skillful use of color and its contrasts, as well as the subtle play of meanings and allusions, arrives at the perfect representation of the Renaissance woman who, like Venus, becomes a symbol of love, beauty and fertility.

02/07/2024

Have you ever been to the Molise Region? Termoli is home to the Swabian Castle, built in Norman times around the 11th century on the site of a pre-existing tower from the Longobard era. It is the most representative defensive building on the entire Molise coast. Renovated in 1247 by Frederick II, the castle consists of two building bodies in the shape of a truncated pyramid, and the entrance had a drawbridge that is now partially visible. The lower part of the castle had a warehouse and storage function, while the upper part was used for storage and living quarters, but had mainly a defensive role. If you are in the area this summer, be aware that on August 15 there is the castle burning event, a historical re-enactment of the assault suffered by the Turks with lots of fireworks. In 1885 the Swabian Castle was declared a national monument and qualified as a regional history museum. Visit Italy with us this summer and discover the most picturesque places in the Bel Paese!

26/06/2024

Today we tell you a beautiful story made up of family, memories and travels into the past.
Ms. Barbara’s grandparents emigrated to the United States, but they were originally from San Felice a Cancello, Italy.
She contacted us because we offer the tour aimed precisely at rediscovering the family origins of our guests.
It was an exciting moment; Raffaele did a beautiful job of research, finding family documents, talking to the mayor of the city of origin of the lady’s grandparents. It was a journey of discovering one’s identity and history. If you too are interested in discovering your past and that of your ancestors, contact us and have a unique experience that you will remember for a lifetime!

22/06/2024

Have you ever been to the Abbey of Montecassino? It stands halfway between Rome and Naples, overlooking the Via Latina (now Casilina) and the valley that connects Latium and Campania. It was founded in 529 by St. Benedict of Norcia. In the entrance cloister stood the temple dedicated to Apollo; St. Benedict readapted it as an oratory for the community prayer of the monks, dedicating it to St. Martin, bishop of Tours.At Montecassino, toward the end of his life, Benedict drew up the rules to which the monks had to adhere, namely the Benedictine Rule. This Abbey is certainly the most majestic in Italy. It consists of a huge monolithic structure with an almost rectangular plan, inside of which are incorporated three cloisters, the Abbey Church, the Monumental Library, the Refectory, the monks’ quarters and other structures serving the complex. During World War II, it was a crucial part of the Gustav Line. On February 15, 1944, the abbey was bombed by the Allies, who mistakenly believed it was being used as a German observation point. When the war ended, the abbey was rebuilt exactly as it was before the conflict and was reconsecrated in 1964 by Pope Paul VI. Looking to the right, one notices the Cemetery of the more than Polish soldiers who lost their lives in the fighting prior to the liberation of Monte Cassino on May 18, 1944. This is a place of pleasantness and silence, where a long history reigns. Come and get to know it too!

21/06/2024

📣📣STAI CERCANDO LAVORO? Questa è la tua occasione!
Se pensi che l’offerta che proponiamo faccia al caso tuo, Inviaci la tua candidatura a [email protected] ed entra a far parte del mondo Naples Grand Tour e Grand Tour Experience.

14/06/2024

Have you ever been to Sardinia? Surely you know that it is famous for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear sea...but did you also know that in the privincia of Oristano, precisely in the municipality of Cabras is located the archaeological park of Tharros? Located in a unique and breathtaking environmental context as it overlooks the Gulf of Oristano, set in the nature of the Sinis Peninsula and lapped by the crystal clear waters that caress the Capo San Marco Promontory.
Tharros was founded in the late 8th century B.C. and was abandoned around the year 1050 A.D. to give rise to Aristiane, present-day Oristano. What is visible of the city dates from its Roman imperial phase, but monuments from the Punic period also remain. Among the various finds are the two necropolises - southern and northern - from which come examples of grave goods with ceramics, jewelry and amulets. There is also the so-called Temple of Demeter, which owes its name to a terracotta statuette depicting the goddess; the Tetrastyle Temple, which still retains some of its majestic columns; the K Temple; and the Baths complex. The area is now a veritable open-air museum from which important remains dating mostly to the Roman and early Christian periods are continually being unearthed. Mark this important archaeological site on your list of places to visit, too, if you love ancient history as much as we do!

06/06/2024

One of the most iconic places in Italian tourism is Venice with its Grand Canal, although in reality the Giudecca Canal is slightly longer and more than twice as wide. The Grand Canal with its shape of the letter “S”, however, is the most famous one and is known by Venetians as the “Canalasso”. On average, it is 5 meters deep and its width varies from place to place, where it can reach a maximum of 70 meters. On the banks of the canal stand stupendous historic buildings mostly built between the 12th and 18th centuries. In fact, one of the problems of the Grand Canal is the wave motion generated by the transit of motor boats, which corrodes the banks of the palaces that face it. For this reason, only emergency vehicles such as hydro ambulances and firefighters can travel its waters at high speeds. Did you know that the Grand Canal is crossed by four bridges? the oldest is the Rialto Bridge and dates back to 1591. The other three are the Scalzi, Accademia and finally the Constitution Bridge. The Canal divides the historic center into two parts and was fundamental for the transportation of goods, which is why the Venetian Republic was always so efficient and competitive throughout its history, so much so that galleys and ships of up to 400 tons passed through here. The Grand Canal ends at St. Mark’s, where the eponymous Basin opens spectacularly in front of you. It can be said that the Grand Canal reflects the 2 souls of Venice: a splendid course lined with opulent mansions and at the same time a port and home to warehouses, fondachi, and markets. Come discover Venice with us by writing to [email protected]

30/05/2024

29/05/2024

If you plan to visit Italy, you absolutely must stop at Alberobello in Apulia to admire its characteristic Trulli. The term derives from the Latin turris, trulla, or the Greek tholos, or the Greek-Byzantine torullosa, all meaning ‘dome’.
The architectural expression resulting from the Apulian peasant activity and the geological structure of the land are the factors that made the construction of these buildings possible. They are dry stone constructions, i.e. built without the aid of binders, a technique dating back to prehistoric times. Traditionally, they served as a temporary shelter or permanent home for small landowners or agricultural workers. Since 1996, they have also been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you look closely at the roofs, you will see that there are symbols. Some are of religious origin, such as the cross and the sun, representing the divine nature of Christ. Others, on the other hand, can be traced back to the pagan world, such as the ox signifying the witchcraft, or even magical symbols such as the signs of the zodiac. Today, with the advent of mass tourism, one of the attractions for visitors is the possibility of sleeping inside a Trullo. As far as Alberobello is concerned, a curiosity is that the origins of its name can be traced back to a document from 1272, which speaks of a Sylva aut nemus ‘arboris belli’ (Forest or forest of the tree of war). It was not a built-up area, but a forest, specifically an oak forest that once covered the area. Italy has so much to offer, come and discover it too!

15/05/2024

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, it is a masterpiece of the Italian garden: we are talking about the Villa d’Este in Tivoli. Here wonder takes shape with the impressive concentration of fountains, nymphaea and grottoes. Created at the behest of Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, it is the work of the ingenious architect Pirro Logorio who, around 1550 kicked off the work that lasted roughly 20 years. Disappointed that he had not been elected pontiff, the cardinal took inspiration from another historic villa in Tivoli, Villa Adriana, and revived in this Renaissance villa the splendors of the Ferrarese, Roman, and French courts. There have been many renovations and restorations during its history, but the greatest restoration in Villa d’Este’s contemporary history came after World War II, to remedy the damage caused by the bombings of 1944.Villa d’Este features a garden with a mixed style: Italian-style, with hedges and shrubs trimmed to form labyrinths and geometric figures, and French-style with a fountain and water features. The villa is developed with a terraced structure recalling the style of ancient Roman villas, but at the same time becoming the architectural benchmark for royal villas of later centuries, such as the famous Villa of Versailles in France and the Royal Palace of Caserta. The number of fountains present is fed by the principle of communicating vessels using the Estense Canal, a detour of the Aniene River that feeds the fountains with 300 liters of water per second. To be precise, the total number of fountains and water features at Villa d’Este includes 50 fountains, 255 waterfalls, 250 gushes and 60 water pools, developed over a total area of 35,000 square meters. Truly impressive, don’t you think? Mark this destination on your wish list on your next trip to Italy!

05/05/2024

Friendship is a gift, and it is good to share it as friends and alumni of San Francisco university who have been meeting to plan a trip together for more than 30 years do. This year they chose Naples and we thank Mariangela for making herself available and giving us the opportunity to organize this beautiful event. Our Francesca coordinated everything down to the last detail to make yesterday’s day unforgettable and of course Raffaele shared his knowledge and love for our land by being their guide. The day ended with an excellent tasting at the Giardino Torre, which is a Royal site, where they offered us a private corner by having us taste products from the ancient citrus grove of the Royal House of Bourbon and and then we ate near the first oven where Neapolitan pizza was born.It is a truly enchanting place and accessible to few, but if you contact us we will be able to give you a unique and exclusive experience in one of the most fascinating places in Naples

02/05/2024

Today we take you virtually to Palermo, in beautiful Sicily. Here stands the Palace of the Normans, rigorously conceived by the Norman emperors as a fortress, it soon became not only a royal residence but also a symbol of unparalleled sumptuousness and refinement. The fusion of Muslim and Norman influences gave rise to an elegant artistic form known as “Arab-Norman art. The structure of the Palace of the Normans is truly distinctive, consisting of tower-shaped buildings connected by porticoes and gardens. To the first towers existing in the Arab fortress and the first palace of Roger II were later added the Pisan, Ioaria, Chirimbi, and Greek towers: the first two are believed to have housed the apartments of the Norman rulers and Frederick II of Swabia. The real feather in the Palace’s cap is the Palatine Chapel, the highest expression of Arab-Norman art. The church, built in 1132 at the behest of Roger II, was the private chapel of the royal family. Construction lasted 13 years until, in 1143, the private chapel of the royal family was consecrated and dedicated to St. Peter. The most striking image is the blessing Pantocrator, featured in the dome. Because of its beauty and uniqueness, the Chapel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. “The most beautiful church in the world, the most astonishing religious jewel dreamed up by human thought” said Guy de Maupassant, during his trip to Italy on the Grand Tour in 1885.

25/04/2024

The Latium region is rich in an invaluable archaeological heritage with, of course, Rome as its flagship. Today we want to introduce you to the Necropolis of Tarquinia, also known as Monterozzi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Here you can visit an underground picture gallery datable from the Orientalizing Age (late 7th century BC) until the end of the Roman Republican Age (mid 1st century BC). Here is a rich testimony of how a prolific painting tradition existed in this city, representing an insight into the daily life of the Etruscans. Between the 9th century B.C. and the 6th century B.C, the Etruscan civilization, the only pre-Roman in Italy, lived in the territories of present-day Tuscany and Latium. Inside the necropolis there are about six thousand tombs, of which at least two hundred are decorated with frescoes and paintings, but unfortunately only about twenty can be visited. The burial chambers dug into the tufa, have walls decorated with frescoes on a light layer of plaster, with scenes of a magical-religious character whose purpose was to revive the scenes of their earthly life to the deceased and to make the farewell to family members less bitter. If you also love archaeology and ancient history, you must add this place to your wish list