Italy with Class - Bespoke Travel

31/10/2024

Welcome back, Grand Dame! We have been invited to the newly refurbished Starhotel Collezione Grand Hotel D'Inghilterra for a delicious lunch. Thank you Mariangela and Ivana for showing us around this masterpiece and for giving justice to the timeless beauty of this place. We love the location, tasteful decor, fabrics, and atmosphere in the real Italian Style!

Congratulations!

31/10/2024

Tomorrow, Friday November 1st, 2024 the Italy with Class office will be close for All Saints public bank holiday. We will be back from Monday, November 4th, 2024, fully operational.

We wish you a spooky and pleasant Halloween Weekend from the team at IWC 👻

30/10/2024

For day five and day six we stopped by Neive and Barbaresco to see the last two villages of Piedmont’s countryside. For this leg of the FAM trip we were hosted by Relais Sant'Uffizio for a fantastic local lunch and site inspection. We then embarked toward Turin!

Our time in this northern city started with enjoying a dinner downtown in the luxurious five-star hotel Principi di Piemonte. We then met with our guide to commence a very special Turin night tour.

The most surprising stop for our advisors was the Palazzo Reale, which is often dubbed as our very own Italian Buckingham Palace. It served as the residence of the House of Savoy, which was the ruling Italian family that had a vital part in unifying Italy in the 19th century. Hence, this family functioned similarly to the British monarchy. The custode opened the doors of the palace for the most exclusive experience of this FAM trip exclusively for Italy with Class; Marilena joined us for the experience! The interiors are an absolute masterpiece with their incredible frescoes, the Throne Room, Chinese Room, the ornate royal apartments and more. We made a toast outside on the terrace, and then had an exclusive opening of the Capella della Sindone, which is a shroud believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus.

The next morning we went to the Reggia di Venaria Reale, which is often called the Italian Versailles. Its glorious Baroque style galleria is its showstopper, with opulent frescoes and elaborate decorations that are tantalizing for the senses, all having recently been finely restored.

We ended our FAM with a Turin Food tour, for which we strolled along the historical cafes and tasted the city’s signature tramezzini street food, and sweet, globally famous Italian vermouth . We then went to a restaurant specifically booked for us, the Circolo dei Lettori which is a literary and cultural association in Turin, where we tasted a local pasta ravioli. We ended the food tour with Bicerin coffee, which is a decadent mix of espresso, hot chocolate and cream, and the classic Zabajone dessert made of egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine.

29/10/2024

For day three and day four of our FAM trip we took part in a contemporary tapestry weaving workshop at Arazzeria Scassa, one of the world’s most esteemed ateliers dedicated to the ancient craft. Given Piedmont’s significant contributions to the world of chocolate-particularly a sublime pairing with hazelnuts- a visit to a chocolate factory became obligatory! We had lunch at Castello di Guarene where our plates were laden with ravioles, which are a local type of gnocchi. These were paired with Piedmont’s prized Castelmagno and Toma cheeses. We went to visit the exclusive Wine Cathedral in Canelli where we embarked underground for a private tasting. Our glasses overflowed with wines of all sorts… sparkling, metodo classico and Italian champagne to name a few. We started our stay in Casa di Langa with a delicious dinner. The next morning we walked amidst crunching autumn leaves in fragrant woods to hunt for truffles, and had lunch in Relais San Maurizio. On the way back to the hotel we went to Barolo and La Morra, which are deeply connected to the wine culture of Italy. We visited the Giovanni Rosso winery where we tasted the product straight from the barrels to understand the different aging processes of Nebbiolo grapes. Our last night was spent being soothed by the tranquility of Casa di Langa before heading to Turin.

28/10/2024

This UNESCO-listed place of outstanding natural beauty, which borders France to the west and Liguria to the south, rivals the hills of Chianti as a poster child for the Italian good life. The manicured vineyards of Barolo and Barbaresco turn out some of Italy’s most highly prized red wines, as do the areas of Asti and Alba, which are known for Barbera.

The beauty of Turin is that it’s all about the niche. Yes, there are grand boulevards, ancient ruins, grand coffee shops festooned with chandeliers, world-leading museums and household brands that pierce Italy’s borders (hello Fiat and Lavazza) but look beyond the obvious and you’ll quickly realise there’s no other city in Italy quite like it.
At first glance, Piedmont’s capital looks more like a romanticised ode to Paris. Explore the ultra-moody streets, however, and you’ll get an authentic dose of Italy. Extraordinary royal palazzi, avant-garde galleries, bookstores, chiselled gardens, and miles upon miles of baroque architectural masterpieces – and then there are the restaurants. Slow food and top-notch wines are the real deal and every decent restaurant in the city is consistently booked up. In short, there’s not one palazzo, courtyard, street, shop, or institution left untouched by this city’s infectious drive for its epicurean, historic and deeply artistic personality.

Thank you to all our partners for promoting this fascinating destination and we are available to coordinate a tailor-made unique itinerary for your valued clients.

25/10/2024

Day one and two of our FAM trip were spent exploring the Gavi region and Monferrato hills in Piedmont, both known for their flagship wines that root back to centuries of local wine-making traditions. We were hosted by Locanda La Raia, a gorgeous property nestled amidst gold-palette chestnut trees and sublime rolling hills. We embarked on a wonderful tour of the charming town of Alba, through which we were able to visit truffle museums followed by a local truffle-based lunch, to highlight the global popularity of these locally sourced, prestigious delicacies. Afterward, we indulged in a picnic with more regional foods, overlooking the scenic landscapes of the Monferrato hills. We also had a wine tasting at La Raia, which has its own white wine production with worldly recognition for its flavors.

24/10/2024

Italy With Class CEO and founder, Salvatore Barberi, presenting our company to a group of travel agents in Chicago. It's always such an honor sharing our passion for luxury travel and meeting other like-minded industry pioneers.

22/10/2024

Italy With Class’ CEO and founder is making ways in Toronto! No one knows the luxury travel business quite like Salvatore Barberi. From Italy to Canada, he is committed to providing bespoke travel experiences to our partners from all around the world.

19/10/2024

Lovely feedback alert:

Dear Marilena,

Please see the note I received from my clients yesterday:

The trip has been wonderful, and we wanted especially thank you for the country lunch today and special the anniversary desert. We had a great time in Rome – great guides with wonderful food. Lots of fun.

Tomorrow we are off for the coast.

They are having a great time and especially the GUIDES – which to me is so very important.

Thank you for making me look so good!

18/10/2024

Open my heart and you will see, graved inside of it, Italy.

11/10/2024

We are honored to announce Italy with Class is now part of Virtuoso as preferred on-site.

About Italy With Class
Italy With Class is devoted to unveiling the soul of Italy by exposing its cultural heartbeat. Our mission is to weave the richest ‘tapestry’ of Italian lifestyle you are to ever come into contact with. We continuously foster a passionate commitment toward illuminating the geographies, sense-stirring ethos and various colors and emotions of Italy. Our approach to designing travel experiences is to deeply root into the practice of immersive storytelling. How do we tell the stories of the lands of Italy in such remarkable ways that they will linger with you forever, weaving fragrant notes and romantic anecdotes into your memory?
We are travel educators and curators, drawing on our unrivaled access and deep connections to individually craft luxury journeys in all regions of the country. Each journey is more than a trip—it’s an education in the life, flavor and spirit of this extraordinary country. Whether through our expertly curated FAM trips, which explore the intricacies of local culture, or our renowned culinary experiences that celebrate the gastronomic brilliance of Italy, we guide you on a sensory journey through time and tradition. From art and heritage tours to personalized itineraries that uncover the unseen magic of every region, we seek to enlighten every detail that makes Italy so distinct and timeless.

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with more than 20,000 travel advisors in 58 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with 2,300 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Normalized annual sales of (U.S.) $35 billion make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Virtuoso Travel
Marilena Barberi
Tara D'Agostino

19/09/2024

Please check out our recent article about the upcoming Jubilee and how this will not be of impact for luxury travellers and great alternatives in case St. Peter's Basilica will be not available for religious functions.

Ever since the year of 1300 it has witnessed the religious activity of Catholics from all over the world flocking toward it for a holy pilgrimage during this particular period

18/09/2024

Lovely Feedback Alert:

"Michele and Pietro, Each day of our trip so far has been absolutely AMAZING!!! I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it has been so far. We truly appreciate all of the care you both have put into every detail. All of our guides, our drivers, and the staff at each hotel have ALL been SO wonderful! We have enjoyed our time with all of them. Everywhere we go we are made to feel very special. And thank you both for all of the surprises we have received. It was so nice of you to gift us the box of ci**rs and the wonderful diffuser that were waiting for us when we arrived at Grand Tremezzo. There was also the big and beautiful bouquet of flowers at the hotel, and a few gifts from the hotel including a candle and chocolates. The Four seasons had a bottle of champagne, chocolate, and delicious fruit waiting for us when we arrived, and later brought a huge “35” balloon, macarons, and put rose petals in the shape of a heart on our bed! And thank you both for the flowers you arranged for me at lunch today!! All of the lunches and dinners have been so special, from dinner on our terrace the first night, dinner at Passalacqua, and dinner on the boat on Lake Como, and especially our dinner on the Ponte Vecchio last night. We have had such unbelievable experiences. This is an amazing trip. We had a very nice day touring the Tuscany countryside. It is so beautiful. We are back at the hotel now and are looking forward to just relaxing at the hotel this evening. Thank you again for everything. This is such a wonderful trip and we appreciate your attention to every detail!! THANK YOU!!!

FANTASTIC!! Unbelievably AMAZING experiences yesterday at the Basilica de San Pietro and the Vatican. It was SO special…. we will never forget the experiences. The dinner last night was extraordinary. SO wonderful! ! We also enjoyed today’s tour of the Parthenon, Trevi Fountain and watching the cannon go off at noon, along with the other sites we saw. Cecelia was very nice. All of the guides have been so knowledgeable, passionate, and very proud of their particular areas. Right now we are relaxing at the hotel. We are looking forward to cooking class with Nonna later!! I’m sure it is going to be a lot of fun! We have been enjoying all of the food so far! The entire trip has been amazing and perfectly planned!! Grazie!!"

17/09/2024

It has been an absolute pleasure PURE Life Experiences. Till next year, in gorgeous Marrakesh.

We are so proud that Italy with Class - Bespoke Travel it's in the stars of the best of the best luxury DMC's and Boutique Operator.

14/09/2024

Italy, I think I love you.

13/09/2024

We are thrilled to announce our participation to the 2024 Jetset World Travel Summit in Fort Worth from October 7th to October 9th, 2024.

We will take this occasion to spend some lovely time with our beloved Nancy Strong in Dallas.

12/09/2024

Lovely feedback alert:

"It was a true pleasure working with you on this trip! I love IWC – my favorites in the world – so I look forward to bringing the next clients and many, many more your way!"

Alessia Matteoli
Tim Marquette

09/09/2024

Our Special relationship with the Vatican grants exclusive access through a unique opening after the day’s crowds have dispersed. Touring the stars of the Vatican Museums, such as the Raphael Rooms, shrouded in silence and in the company of a licensed art historian. Finally, reap the rewards of the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being completely alone in the Sistine Chapel.

We were honored to be guided by our favourite mentor and Vatican Guide Marilena Barberi. An unique opportunity for our team to open the doors of the Vatican early in the morning.



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09/09/2024

Our Special relationship with the Vatican grants exclusive access through a unique opening after the day's crowds have dispersed. Touring the stars of the Vatican Museums, such as the Raphael Rooms, shrouded in silence and in the company of a licensed art historian. Finally, reap the rewards of the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being completely alone in the Sistine Chapel.

We were honored to be guided by our favourite mentor and Vatican Guide Marilena Barberi. An unique opportunity for our team to open the doors of the Vatican early in the morning.

05/09/2024

Check out this episode in co-operation with Jeanie Colclough from Riveting Trips with our beloved Marilena Barberi for Family-Friendly Travel Tips in Florence and Tuscany countryside.

Marilena's knowledge about Family-Friendly tours dates back to her early career, when she was a school teacher. This was the time when she has decided to become a tour guide and a travel educator herself, 35 years ago.

Join us for an engaging episode of "Riveting Trips with Jeanie Colclough," featuring Marilena Barberi, founder of Italy With Class, as we delve into the wond...

03/09/2024

Lovely feedback alert:

"Hi Marco,
I just wanted to thank you for all your help with my cleints itinerary. They gave rave reviews to the Italy with Class team and it was truly a pleasure working with you on this trip! They loved their driver guide and both boat charters.
I am looking forward to many more bookings with Italy with Class and a long-term partnership!
Hope you have a great week and thank you again, Marco!"

02/09/2024

Golden hour casting a warm glow over Ponte Vecchio, where history meets the serene beauty of twilight.

Pure beauty.

24/08/2024

We are delighted to see you in Marrakesh from September 8th to September 12th 2024 on the occasion of Pure Life Experiences Event.

Looking forward to new exciting partnerships and splendid time together.

24/08/2024

Indulge in an unforgettable night of elegance and culinary excellence at our private luxury dining event. Where every detail is crafted to perfection.

About last night private event.