CIU Travel - Concierge in Umbria

21/01/2025

Yesterday was National Cheese Lovers' Day! It is not too late to celebrate! We recommend ordering from cantinadirect.com !!! 🧀

Congratulations, you’re the proud owner of a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano, one of the most iconic cheeses in the world! 

20/01/2025

As excavation continues in Pompeii, archeologists continue to make discoveries about possible lifestyles!

Hot, warm and cold baths in a recently uncovered villa offer a new glimpse of life in the city before it was smothered by tons of volcanic fragments.

17/01/2025

Some of our travelers (and also one of our own) are adding hiking to their adventures in Italy and Switzerland!

16/01/2025

If you've gone wine tasting in popular spots in the US, you have probably been offered breadsticks or oyster crackers in between tastes. I Balzini Winery does things a bit differently and we are happy to add a stop there to your CIU Travel itinerary! 🍷

15/01/2025

What was originally designed as a way of safely serving wine is now a trendy attraction where you can order anything from cocktails to gelato!

In Italy, an historic method of getting wine through a small window found new life during the pandemic, and now wine windows are popular once more.

14/01/2025

As we make our way through January, it's a perfect time start planning a spring vacation to Italy!!

Winter is a wonderful season to explore Italy's cities, when crowds disappear and the weather is conducive to leisurely afternoons in the shelter of museums

13/01/2025

Coffee Culture continues to thrive in the US, but you may want to incorporate a few Italian secrets to fully indulge! ☕

In Italy, coffee is a form of art. We're unveiling secrets of Italian coffee culture, including what to order and what to expect.

11/01/2025

Whether you're Team Negroni or Team Spritz (or perhaps both!), we wish you a beautiful and relaxing weekend! Cin Cin!

09/01/2025

On Tuesday, January 7th, we lost Linda Dore, the matriarch of our family both personally and for our company. Linda was with CIU Travel since the beginning, literally. She is Brian’s mom. She was an essential part of the team when Brian and Maria lived full-time in Germany. Linda was a pediatric nurse who loved to travel and in retirement, not only pursued that love, but "triple checked" things for CIU in the background. You may never have known or seen her, but if you traveled with us, she knew you through printing and mailing your itineraries. If you did have the pleasure of meeting her, you know that she was a loving, smart, compassionate, and witty woman who cared deeply for her family and friends and was committed to the success of CIU Travel. Happily, she and her husband Mike were also able to travel with us. In honor of Linda, we give you her dream trip. Thank you, Brian, for sharing your incredible mom with all of us. We cherish her memory and will miss her profoundly.

Last week, we capped off our series of dream trips through Italy and Switzerland to inform and inspire future jaunts to Europe with Maria Gabriella’s trip

07/01/2025

How did Italian food become so popular in the US? It is largely because of this woman...

That would be Marcella Hazan, who demystified one of the world’s major cuisines for Americans trapped in a Wonder Bread world.

06/01/2025

One of the most beautiful views of Florence is from the Piazzale Michelangelo. The pedestrian pathway leading there from the city has been closed for renovations for several years; but the project is complete and pedestrians can once again make the trek up to this incredible site!

Via Monti alle Croci stairway links the San Niccolò area and the hill. This via Crucis has had much significance for Florence and a rich history.

03/01/2025

If you believe in a bit of magic, the "three coins in a fountain" that you toss over your shoulder in Rome may be making your dreams come true, but they are also benefitting many in need!⛲️

Who gets to spend the millions of euros in change tossed into the Roman landmark?

02/01/2025

The start of the new year is a perfect time to begin planning your next adventure! While Switzerland is a popular winter getaway, spring is also a perfect time to see this incredible country!

Switzerland may be known for its winter-wonderland mountainscapes and world-class skiing from November through March, but this Alpine paradise is a

01/01/2025

Posts from Postcard – CIU Travel for 01/01/2025 -

31/12/2024

Warm Thanks and New Year's Greetings from CIU Travel -

As we bid farewell to the previous year, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and trust in CIU Travel. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to have led you on journeys of discovery in Italy and Switzerland.

31/12/2024

Wishing you all happiness, peace, good health, wonderful food, and of course, Italian and Swiss adventures in the New Year!! ⭐️

As we bid farewell to the previous year, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and trust in CIU Travel. We are truly

30/12/2024

Still making last minute plans for tomorrow? There are some Italian traditions...

Italians are a superstitious people, and everything from the mundane (handshakes) to the extraordinary (weddings) are imbued with rigid rituals to ward off

24/12/2024

On this Christmas Eve, for all who celebrate, we at CIU wish you a most beautiful Christmas!

Italy is home to so much art (over half the world’s artistic treasures can be found in this relatively small country, according to UNESCO estimates) that it