Italy Unlocked

02/09/2024

Immersed in a tranquil setting on a high plain overlooking the cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea and the golden sandy beaches of the western coast of Sicily, the ruins of the one-time bustling city of Selinunte are a truly moving and impressive sight.

Historians believe the settlement was founded by Greek colonists some time between 650 and 630 BC. Selinunte’s population, commercial power and financial prosperity grew rapidly, leading it to become one of Sicily’s most affluent and influential cities.

Despite ferocious pillage and plunder, a violent earthquake that shook the area in the Middle Ages and the inevitable assaults of time, a remarkable portion of Selinunte has miraculously survived, frozen for almost 2,500 years.

As you walk past the ruins of temples, ancient residential quarters and workshops your Italy Unlocked guide will explain how this archaeological site continues to provide us with valuable knowledge about the customs, traditions and beliefs of a bygone civilization.

Contact us at [email protected] and start planning your next Sicilian vacation.

24/07/2024

Discover two of Italy’s best-known automotive brands and two of Emilia Romagna’s celebrated delicacies on this full-day excursion to the food and motor valley.

Gourmands and sports car lovers will see how fine Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar are produced, visit a surprising collection of vintage cars and experience the thrill of driving a Ferrari.

Savour Emilia Romagna’s finest flavours on visits to an organic cheese farm and a balsamic vinegar house Explore the Umberto Panini collection of vintage cars and motorcycles, featuring a fleet…

19/07/2024

Don’t miss a visit to the Pantheon, one of Rome’s best-preserved and most spectacular ancient monuments, on your next visit to Rome. Built by Emperor Hadrian in around 125 AD, on the site of Marcus Agrippa’s earlier 27 BC construction, it was originally a temple devoted to many gods. With its vast bronze doors and awe-inspiring dome - one of the largest unreinforced concrete domes in existence - it still fascinates visitors today, almost two thousand years after its completion.

Gaze up to the sky through the opening directly above your head, an eye onto the heavens. According to a medieval legend, the central oculus was created by the explosive crash of pagan demons fleeing the building at the moment of its conversion into a church in 609 AD. Each year at Pentecost a cascade of rose petals falls through the oculus, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Today the Pantheon is a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to all the martyrs of Rome and also the burial place of kings and illustrious artists, including Raphael.

01/07/2024

Planning your next trip to Puglia? Don’t miss a visit to the region’s most striking and enigmatic castle.

Standing isolated in the countryside, on a hilltop 540 metres above sea level, Castel del Monte is an awe-inspiring sight. The castle was built in the 13th century at the request of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. Its unusual layout and particular position, along with the lack of defence structures, have fuelled countless theories about its purpose and underlying symbolism.

The castle is octagonal in shape with eight octagonal corner towers and eight rooms on each floor, surrounding a central octagonal courtyard. Despite having been despoiled of its marble decorations, sculptures and furnishings, Castel del Monte’s interior is equally impressive, with its high vaulted ceilings, elegant columns, elaborately carved capitals and corbels.

Historians agree this might have been Frederick’s private hunting lodge or a retreat for his enlightened meditations on mathematics and astronomy. However, the real function of this castle and its perplexing design are still shrouded in mystery…

Enjoy unravelling possible solutions with your Italy Unlocked guide on a private tour.

27/06/2024

Nestled half-way between the divine and human realms lies the Path of the Gods. Take in one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular panoramic views on an exciting mountain ridge hike, high above the Bay of Sirens.

The Path of the Gods is an 8-kilometre-long scenic walking trail that runs along the towering cliffs of the Lattari Mountains, linking the tiny hilltop town of Agerola with Nocelle, a district of Positano huddled on the slopes of Monte Pertuso. Once a mule track, the route has certainly existed since ancient Roman times, as it was the only road that connected the towns of the Amalfi Coast before the coastal road was built during the reign of the Bourbons. Throughout history communities that had settled along the shore depended on this inland route for commerce and communication.

Today the Path of the Gods offers hikers a feel for the difficulties of living in what was once an isolated stretch of land as well as a chance to delve into the region’s mythical past.

14/06/2024

Soak up Sicily’s incomparable seascapes on a full-day cruise to the Aegadian archipelago. Aboard your private speedboat you will set sail for Favignana and Levanzo, two sleepy fishing islands, set in crystal-clear waters and blessed with idyllic coastlines, where time seems to stand still.

Take a one day cruise to the Aegadian archipelago, an idyllic cluster of islands untouched by time Refresh and unwind with a dip in the crystal-clear waters of a protected…

12/06/2024

Don’t stop at the marvels that grace Italy’s surface. Dive deeper. Hidden beneath the ground lies an underwater realm of ancient wonders. Enjoy an exciting immersion into medieval Abruzzo and unveil its fascinating submerged heritage.

Discover Abruzzo’s fascinating submerged heritage on an exciting scuba diving lake exploration Plunge into the Middle Ages while swimming among the underwater remains of 13th century mills and streets Soak…

30/05/2024

Raise your glass to the delights of Piedmont on a full-day grape escape to the Langhe region, realm of the King of Italian Wines, His Majesty Barolo.

Wine lovers will learn all about this prized wine on visits to three highly esteemed cantine, expressions of the different visions and approaches to wine making.

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Pay your respects to the King of Italian Wines on a full-day excursion to the realm of Barolo Discover the different visions and approaches to wine-making adopted by three highly-esteemed…

27/05/2024

Find out how Venetians lived in the 18th century on this educational, family-friendly activity. You will have the opportunity to explore Palazzo Mocenigo, where original clothing and furniture are displayed, and enjoy an exhilarating walk along Venice’s canals dressed up as noble lords and ladies.

Your guide will bring history to life for young tourists and enrich their experience with curiosities and anecdotes about yesteryear’s aristocracy. Time-travellers will learn all about life in Venice in the 1700s, visit a noble residence, discover what nobles wore, uncover their habits and secrets and have the best fun they can imagine as they step into blue-blooded boots.

Visit a former noble palazzo and learn all about life in Venice in the 18th century See original garments, textiles and furniture and discover the fundamental role played by Venice…

23/05/2024

Step back in time and relive the astonishing feats and glories of the Roman Empire on a private walking tour of the capital’s ancient wonders.

Accompanied by your expert guide, you will travel down the centuries and find out how this small city-state - by dint of perfectly planned military campaigns, outstanding organisation and technological genius - conquered lands far and wide and spread its influence over vast swathes of the globe, rightfully gaining the title of Caput Mundi - Capital of the World.

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20/05/2024

Season your Apulian vacation with a fun, hands-on cooking class. In the enchanting setting of a beautifully restored masseria, oozing old-world charm and character, you will discover the tricks of the trade and learn how to prepare a delicious meal, featuring classic regional specialities.

Contact us at [email protected] and start planning your next gourmet trip to Puglia.

Enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson inside a beautifully restored masseria, once the property of noble lords Savour the genuine flavours of Apulian cuisine as you feast on a delicious meal…

09/05/2024

Are you fans of a particular art genre or period? Glittering mosaics, fabulous frescoes, finely carved sculptures, portrait painting, religious artefacts? In addition to offering guided tours of world-class museums (including after-hours visits), we can set up special appointments to access private art galleries or encounters with art collectors.

In Florence you can also meet and speak with the experts who are working on the restoration of the cathedral’s sculptures. Venice, home to the world-famous Biennale, has a lively contemporary art scene and we can arrange tours of the latest exhibitions of 21st century art.

As art enthusiasts, we love nothing better than setting up theme-based tours for our guests. You can find out more about the leading light of the Renaissance on a Michelangelo-focused walk through Florence or venture into Rome’s suburbs and working-class neighbourhoods on a quest for street art murals and graffiti.

Get in touch with us and start planning your tailor-made trip to Italy’s art capitals.

07/05/2024

Seven millennia have passed since man first decided to settle here, on the site of this sun-blessed coastal town in southern Sardinia. Plunge into the history and legends of Cagliari and soak up its age-old charm on a private guided tour.

Sitting strategically at the heart of the Mediterranean and the crossroads of civilizations, Cagliari is known to have been inhabited as far back as the Neolithic era. The city boasts a remarkable artistic and cultural legacy reflecting traces of the passage of a succession of invaders, all eager to leave their indelible mark on the city. Everywhere you look, you come across evidence of the city’s rich and riveting past: ancient Roman ruins, medieval towers, Baroque churches, Neoclassical palazzi all merge in an unbroken parade of wonders stretching back thousands of years.

Cagliari today is also a hive of activity with its busy trading port, bustling marina filled with restaurants and shops and vibrant piazze where crowds of youngsters gather in the evenings for a ritual aperitivo. Add a backdrop of picture-perfect stretches of coastline and idyllic beaches and the reason for Cagliari’s enduring success is immediately clear.

Visit Sardinia’s most cherished religious complex and enjoy unravelling the fascinating legend of its founding Soak up unforgettable seascapes whose beauty triggered a battle between angels and demons Gaze up…

22/04/2024

From ancient Roman celebrities to contemporary Hollywood stars, no one has been able to resist the allure of Lake Como. A timeless tourist destination, after 2,000 years this heavenly spot keeps luring prominent guests to its shores with a one-of-a-kind combination of architectural marvels, artistic treasures, gastronomic specialities and, above all, fabulous landscapes.

Set at the foot of the Rhaetian Alps, Lake Como is the third largest Italian lake, the deepest and unarguably the most spectacular. Its shoreline is studded with a succession of charming sights: dark green forested slopes rising against a backdrop of majestic snow-covered peaks, lush terraced gardens cascading right down to the waters, pretty towns sprinkled with pastel-hued buildings, lakeshore restaurants shaded by blooming pergolas.

Soak up the beauties of Lake Como on your next Italian holiday. We can arrange private tours of its famous villas, gardens and lakeside towns, boat rides, hikes, bike rides and cooking classes. Get in touch to find out more!

18/04/2024

Retrace the steps of Vito and Michael Corleone, the protagonists of the hugely influential, record-breaking blockbuster, The Godfather. With an expert guide to lead the way, you will see the famous filming locations in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, as well as its lesser-known backdrops.

Contact us at [email protected] and start planning your next Sicilian vacation.

Explore the iconic film locations featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s cult trilogy Quench your thirst inside the famous Bar Vitelli where Michael threatened Apollonia’s father and asked for her hand…

15/04/2024

If you’ve only seen the Eternal City from above the ground you may have missed half of its treasures. Follow your guide on a trail through its subterranean sites and gain insight into Rome’s origins and development over the centuries.

Nestled beneath the hustle and bustle of this modern-day metropolis lies its silent, eerie underground twin city of ancient streets, domus, necropolises and temples. You will be led on an underground journey back in time past some of the capital’s most fascinating locations.

As you dig deeper into Rome’s hidden layers, your private guide will animate your journey with historical curiosities and explanations. Ancient ruins, mysterious wall decorations and exciting discoveries will be pointed out along the way.

Contact us at [email protected] and start planning your underground tour of Rome.

Feel the thrill of stepping back 2,000 years on an exciting descent into Rome’s most fascinating hidden locations See how successive layers of history have built up over the centuries…

02/04/2024

Planning your next Tuscan escape? This is arguably Italy’s most exquisite destination. Over the years we’ve hand-picked and built personal relationships with all the wineries and estates we recommend in our itineraries. If you’re wine enthusiasts or collectors we can arrange private vineyard tours, tastings with professional sommeliers or encounters with the owners. We have connections with a boutique Chianti winery where you can actually make your own wine, assisted by a professional winemaker.

We also know where to find the most delicious pecorino cheese you’ll ever taste. Foodies will enjoy sitting down to a mouth-watering lunch at a farm famous for its olive oil and Cinta Senese meat products. Accompanied by a truffle seeker and his dogs, you can also nose your way through the trees in search of Tuscany’s most tempting treat! While here you ought not miss a cooking class and we have just the right chef for the job.

Tuscany is famous for its scenic landscape and there are endless ways to explore its timeless beauty: think Vespa rides, vintage spider cars, hikes, horseback rides, hot air balloon flights…

Get in touch to find out more!

30/03/2024

Happy Easter! Hope you're having a cracking time. Here in Italy we celebrate with traditional Colomba cake, Neapolitan Pastiera, Apulian Scarcelle, Umbrian Ciaramicola, Sicilian marzipan… So, if you're in the mood for more chocolate and a whole host of other sweet surprises, an Italian holiday could be just the thing.

Contact us at [email protected] and start planning your next trip.

28/03/2024

Every Italian destination has its own unique delights and flavours. An intimate knowledge of the territory allows us to inspire clients’ choices, opening doors to a host of enchanting discoveries. We are keen to unveil the lesser-known routes, treasures and secret spots across every region and corner of Italy, as well as providing expert advice and support for visits to the major Italian attractions.

Wherever they go our guests sample the very best of what’s on offer. Our ample portfolio of experiences includes entertainment for all the family such as a scavenger hunt through Rome’s ancient streets, a hot-air balloon ride over the idyllic hills of Chianti for honeymooners or a fine Amarone sipping spree in the grounds of a Renaissance villa for the delight of wine-lovers.

15/03/2024

There is no better way to visit the capital than aboard a Vespa sidecar: in addition to admiring the well-known monuments, you’ll have the chance to venture through neighbourhoods that you might have missed or never found time to explore on foot and lap up the most amazing panoramas of Rome from the top of one of its highest hills. Click below to find out more!

Enjoy the kick of riding through the Eternal City aboard a stylish, custom-made Vespa sidecar See how 2,000 years of history have transformed Rome into a spectacular open-air museum as…

13/03/2024

Visiting Sardinia this summer? The island’s coast is truly enchanting: picture perfect coves, turquoise waters, rugged cliffs and unspoilt vegetation… You can spend the days relaxing on its dream beaches or soak up the region’s marvellous seascapes on a private boat ride.

Inland Sardinia offers much to explore and discover too: you can try solving the island’s greatest mystery as you explore the puzzling nuraghi, enjoy an excursion to Barbagia, once known as the region’s bandit kingdom, venture into the heart of the island on a stimulating trek or take a trip to see where Europe’s last herd of wild horses still graze freely.

01/03/2024

In need of suggestions for your Umbrian getaway? We can arrange guided tours of quaint hilltop towns, unforgettable horseback rides through the countryside, truffle hunts in the woods, an organic cooking class at a country farmhouse and so much more!

You’ll learn all about the life and miracles of the most popular Christian saint on a tour of the enchanting town of Assisi. Visiting Perugia, Spoleto and Spello will feel like stepping into a picture postcard of medieval Umbria. Not to be missed is also Orvieto and its fascinating underground twin town.

Contact us at [email protected] and start planning your next trip to Umbria.

27/02/2024

With its enchanting landscapes and romantic vibes, Italy is a tip top destination for those celebrating a special occasion. We’ll treat you to luxurious hotel stays, invite you to exquisite meals at cosy restaurants and enrich your stay with dream-come-true experiences.

A gondola ride followed by a candle-lit dinner is just the thing to set your honeymoon escape in motion. We can offer love-themed tours of all major cities, which include the iconic sites linked to Italy’s legendary lovers. You might want to wander freely through the idyllic hills of Chianti aboard your vintage spider car or take in a bird’s-eye view of the Tuscan landscape from your hot air balloon. Mid-day chic-nics and evening horseback rides can also be arranged. But nothing beats watching the sun set over the Amalfi Coast on a late afternoon boat cruise.

22/02/2024

Enjoy an exclusive after-hours tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. Our special reservation guarantees VIP access, allowing privileged visitors to relish the dazzling array of marvels on display after doors have closed to the public.

You will have the once-in-a-life-time opportunity to admire the church’s splendidly decorated interior like Venetian doges did centuries ago - in comfort and privacy.

The sight of the glimmering mosaics, covering 8,000 square metres of vaults and domes and representing scenes from the Old and New Testament, is the highlight of your tour. As you stand at the heart of Christian Venice gazing up at the golden ceiling, you will be amazed by the exquisite craftsmanship and artistry of this precious sparkling Bible, conceived as a materialization of the Divine Light. The peace and silence of the evening will contribute to making this experience a truly memorable one.

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21/02/2024

Did you know that an incredible array of animal species hide within Rome’s streets and squares? Wild predators, domestic pets, insects, reptiles, fish and fanciful creatures built their nests here centuries ago. Follow your guide on an urban safari through this city of marble and stone and see how many beasts you can spot!

Families and young children will enjoy this fun experience charting Rome’s history down the ages, from its legendary roots in 753 BC, starring a she-wolf as protagonist, through to its full bloom as a Baroque gem in the seventeenth century - and beyond.

What a multitude of lions, horses, snakes and mythological beings populate this stone jungle! There is so much to see and endless possibilities to explore. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and tailor-make the best possible itinerary, setting the pace and route to suit the needs of the young and very young and combining an eclectic mix of well-known treasures and hidden, secret spots.

Enjoy spotting wild beasts and fanciful creatures on an exciting safari through Rome’s jungle of stone Learn about the capital’s legendary origins which date back to a miraculous rescue by…

20/02/2024

During two glorious hours, usually between 7:00 and 9:00 PM, Milanesi gather and unwind after a day of work, indulging in pre-dinner cocktails and snacks. Experience life like a local and learn all about the well-established tradition of aperitivi on a sunset meeting with your guide. This welcome drink offers visitors the chance to sn**ch a sneak preview of Italian culture and lifestyle and explore the city’s favourite foodie haunts.

After a long journey and the hassle of unpacking, what better way to begin your stay in Milan than with a welcome toast and a friendly tête-à-tête with a local? Your guide will meet you at your hotel and spend two hours with you enjoying an aperitivo and showing you where to soak up the city’s movida. Depending on your hotel location and the day of the week, your guide will select the best area for an evening drink and chat allowing you to gain a glimpse of the Milanese way of life.

Enjoy a welcome aperitivo in true Milanese style and sit down for a friendly chat with a local Map out places of interest including iconic landmarks, museums and eateries Get…

13/02/2024

Discover one of Italy’s most spectacular destinations on a guided hiking tour. The Cinque Terre, meaning five lands, is a rugged, scenic portion of coastline on the Ligurian Riviera, stretching for eighteen kilometres to the west of the city of La Spezia that comprises five enchanting seaside resorts.

Tucked away on the sharply rising cliffs, these fishing and farming villages were shaped by their secluded location. Today, ferries, trains and a few paved roads connect the towns but just imagine how different life must have been here before the late 1800s when the railway was first built. For centuries the Cinque Terre were almost completely isolated and linked exclusively by coastal and hillside trails.

Some of the original paths are still in use allowing visitors splendid views of the jagged coastline and a feel for the difficulties and challenges of living in this still unspoiled, once remote pocket of land. Indeed, many believe the best way to appreciate the timeless appeal and breathtaking beauty of the Cinque Terre is to hike along its network of trails.

Get in touch with us at [email protected] and start planning your visit to the Fabulous Five.

06/02/2024

Perched on the tip of a peninsula jutting out over Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello is one of the area’s most stunning estates. Built in 1787 at the request of pleasure-seeking Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, on the site of an earlier 13th century Franciscan monastery, today the premises host magnificent gardens and a house museum dedicated to the villa’s last owner, Count Guido Monzino. Collector, entrepreneur, insatiable traveller and also the first Italian ever to climb Mount Everest, Count Monzino bequeathed the villa to the Italian National Trust so that memories of his thrilling adventures could live on for posterity.

Here you may enjoy a guided tour of the mansion, which is exactly how the owner left it on his death in 1988. On display are 18th and 19th century furniture, French boiseries, Beauvais tapestries and oriental carpets as well as maps, books, collections of prehistoric artefacts and relics of Count Monzino’s travels, including a dog sleigh from his 1971 expedition to the North Pole.

The gardens surrounding the villa are a true masterpiece of landscaping and design. Follow the paths that meander across carefully manicured lawns, bordered with hedges of laurel, magnolias and cypress trees, leading to the lakefront loggia where one of the most fabulous views awaits guests.

For more advice on what to see and do on your next trip to Lake Como contact us at [email protected].

02/02/2024

Turn back the wheels of time and relive the extraordinary feats of Sicily’s early inhabitants on a private tour of one of the island’s most enthralling archaeological sites.

The impressive remains of Akragas still stand at the summit of a rocky plateau in Agrigento, remarkable evidence of a once thriving, innovative Mediterranean civilization. You will discover the history of this age-old settlement, from its founding by Greek colonists as far back as 580 BC, to its rise and expansion under the reigns of tyrants Phalaris and Theron. It was then that Akragas became a formidable martial power and grandiose monuments were erected within its mighty twelve-kilometre-long walls.

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29/01/2024

When lemons first arrived in Italy from Asia over a thousand years ago they knew what they were doing. The sunny slopes of the Amalfi Coast and the tang of the sea breeze, plus a little help from the locals, was all they needed to grow bigger, juicier and yellower than ever before. Which just goes to show that a lemon is no fool!

Come and take a look for yourself @ italyunlocked.com.