Ciao Bella Tours, LLC

05/11/2024

It’s impossible to put into words how truly stunning the Piemonte region of Northern Italy is, so I’ll let the photos from the last few days do the talking. I’m so happy to be back, scouting new locations for our clients and working my way down the list of amazing wines and local dishes. There are some fabulous experiences to be had here, truffle hunts, monasteries and castles, hiking, biking, cooking classes and wineries..... this area is rich in so many ways!!

01/09/2024

A fantastic start 2024 with an intimate tasting of Portugal's best espumante 🍾 paired with a local corn broa and limited edition olive oil. Each vintage has a heartfelt story behind it, told by a most enthusiastic producer who clearly loves what he’s doing. I can’t wait to send our private clients his way!!

Wishing everone a Happy New Year! Let's see where 2024 can take us!! 🥂

10/03/2023

R A B ISLAND 🏖
Oh how you’ve stolen my heart! Nicknamed the “Happy Island”, Rab has nearly 100 kilometers of sandy beaches, wooded areas to hike through and secluded coves to swim in along with a super charming historic center, making this one of my favorite islands in Kvarner Bay! 🇭🇷

09/30/2023

“THIS IS……I N C R E D I B L E!” I keep saying out loud as I drive down the coast to catch my ferry over to Rab. The coastline heading towards Senj and further south is out of this world AMAZING. You’re going to think I doctored up these photos- this is what it really looks like! A stop to at Nehaj Castle is a major highlight, I'm just blown away- literally, the wind is so powerful I’m surprised they let us up on the roof!! 🌬 An absolutely gorgeous journey, I keep pulling the car over to take photos at the cliff’s edge, I can not believe what I am seeing! 🚗🇭🇷🤯

09/29/2023

The island of Cres has been a wild surprise-the nature here is outstanding, a hikers/ bikers paradise! Gorgeous stone roads, olive groves, tiny villages and hidden coves to explore without any other people. Exactly what you want when you're looking to get away from it all! 🇭🇷

09/28/2023

The Good, the Bad and the Lederhosen

Today on the island of Krk, I was able to visit the Baška stone, known as the “golden tablet” of the Croatian language thought to be from 1100 AD. While visiting the church, I could hear the sweet call of what sounded like a tuba and full horn section in the distance, echoing throughout the canyon. So I hopped in my car and drove down a tiny village road, stumbling into what I can only describe as the Oktoberfest of Baška. Men in full Lederhosen, women sporting stylish Dirndl dresses. Beer was flowing, people were dancing to the live band and having a great time. You’d never know you were in Croatia except for the waves crashing along the coastline. So the day was fun, not what I was expecting and humorous to boot!🇭🇷🍺🇩🇪

09/27/2023

As much as I love Istria, it's time to move on! So let's hit the road and say "Dobar dan" to somewhere new..... KVARNER BAY! ! 🇭🇷

Sometimes on these research trips, not everything always goes to plan. When I’m lucky, some surprises are a welcome detour to find somewhere different, whether I recommend it to clients or not. This brings me to the town of Opatija. I’d planned to stay the night before heading over by ferry to the islands in Kvarner Bay, so I used my points and booked an extraordinary place, the Hotel Miramar. It was positively stunning in every way. But let’s just say I was one of the youngest guests there….. by about 40 years! But what really stood out is that almost every single person there was speaking German. The guests, the hotel staff, any information in print, magazines, television, everything in German. Even my Prosecco was German! Was this the Twilight Zone? Not exactly. This area of Croatia has a long and fascinating history of Austrian & German Emperors, Kings and other royalty from Romania, Greece, Luxembourg. And now it’s a holiday destination for many Germans being only 4.5 hrs from the border. While it wasn’t exactly I expected, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself!

09/24/2023

Sundays are the perfect excuse to slow down and recharge. This morning I found myself at a family run winery known for making some of the best Malvazija whites since 1904. A tasting terrace with views of a hilltop castle, what’s not to love?!? Then on to a nearby 5-star hotel for visit and lunch at their restaurant. There is no doubt that Istria is truly a magical place!

09/22/2023

As the end of summer approaches, the coastal towns of Rovinj, Novigrad, Umag, Poreč and Vrsar have been a true delight. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I loved my after work swim each day before heading to dinner. I could really get used to this! 🇭🇷

09/21/2023

Having trouble deciding between a trip to Italy 🇮🇹 or Croatia 🇭🇷 but you can’t bear the thought of a vacation without pasta, wine and truffles? Then I have a perfect solution for you- I S T R I A!

An incredible region of Northern Croatia, Istria is full of jaw-dropping landscapes, vineyards, coastal villages and mouth-watering cuisine. While the locals understandably don’t like being labeled as the "New Tuscany”, there are some similarities…..can you spot them?? 😉

09/18/2023

It's so great being back in Croatia for another epic research trip! I'll be here for the next few weeks getting the inside scoop on some exciting new locations, excursions and activities to enhance your next trip with us. So stay tuned for updates and be sure to check us out on Instagram ! 🇭🇷https://www.instagram.com/ciaobellatours/

07/08/2023

One of the MANY reasons I love visiting Barcelona is the stunning architecture, and Palau de la Música is no exception! A true Catalan treasure 😍

07/03/2023

With the summer comes a stream of amazing festivals in Portugal 🇵🇹 and there is no other in the North like Festival de São João. 🎊The origin of St. John's dates back to the 14th century and at the beginning, it was a pagan feast, where the people worshipped the Sun god and celebrated the abundant crops. Then it was made into a Christian celebration, in honour of St. John the Baptist. While many head to the city of Porto, this year I enjoyed a smaller scale celebration in my neighboring town of Afife. A lovely evening had by all! 😍

06/06/2023

I'm always super excited when clients send me photos while on their trip with us! Here we have two lovely couples exploring Switzerland on the GoldenPass Express train to Montreux. Talk about a great view! 🤯

05/26/2023

A travelers LOVE of ITALY knows no limits!! 😍
I have some very special clients here at the moment- a lovely couple who have toured with us nearly every year since 2008!! They keep going back, which pushes me to find new areas for them to discover. Today they are in the town of Porto Ercole with local guide and historian. "This area is spectacular!!"... he writes to me from his sea view terrace. "We will be coming back next year!"

They have a few more days exploring the Etruscan Sites of Pitigliano, village of Sorano, thermal pools, vineyards and the "little Athens" of Capalbio. An exciting few days before meeting their daughter and grandchildren in Rome. Such a pleasure to be part of their Italian adventure!

05/13/2023

I’ve been home a week and still dreaming of my days in Alentejo.
There is something exciting happening there at the moment. A true "Renaissance" of traditional food, wine and culture that has lost its way over the years. I could sense a determination from the locals to bring these traditions back to life. Many innovative entrepreneurs are showing signs of great success. For example, a young chef from Évora prepared a 16th century dish for me that was inspired by the first chef of the Portuguese Royal Family, or the 24 year old wine maker who within a few years, has transformed the estate into one of the best wineries in the area, using traditional methods in clay pots but with a sustainable and modern approach.

The trip was full of surprises, but one spot that really stood out was the town of Castelo de Vide in Alto Alentejo. With a castle on the hill and wild, wonderful vistas, this town has one of the best preserved Jewish Quarters in all of Portugal. Every corner held something new. The surrounding countryside and visit to Marvão literally took my breath away. It was hard to leave and head home to the North , but I know I’ll be back again soon!

05/01/2023

The Alentejo is a wondrous place. Last week, I found myself at a medieval palace where vineyards have been planted continuously since the 14th century. I'm doing my part to keep that tradition alive 🍷 This sustainable winery with sophisticated tasting room and in-house Chapel is yet another excellent reason to put this incredible region on your next itinerary with us!! 🇵🇹

04/25/2023

The last 10 days in the Algarve have been surprising. I came to see if I could go beyond the mass tourism this region is famous for and boy did it deliver!! I met some amazing people on this trip: local guides, sun-kissed skippers, innovative young chefs, passionate wine and olive oil producers. I loved watching the fisherman tidying their nets at sundown and eating my fish grilled street side. So many wonderful meals, in secret gardens or local hangs I would normally have just driven past. Little towns and wineries hidden in the hills just 15 min from the coast were a true highlight. And that coast, how magnificent! I was out on the water a lot more this visit, and the jagged coastline still takes my breath away. I discovered that sometimes off the beaten path really does pay off, but sometimes the popular attractions are popular for a very good reason. I'm a big supporter of off season travel, not only for crowd control but also because the pace feels less frenetic. The locals have more time to spend with you and share their stories over a cool drink. No matter what season, I now have a soft spot for the Algarve and can’t wait to come back!

As I start driving home to Northern Portugal, my next stop is......Alto Alentejo! Stay tuned! 🍷

04/14/2023

Today I found myself in Paradise. Where the mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean, amongst the Algarve's orange groves and olive orchards. This family run estate opened its home to us for an intimate lunch on the patio overlooking their vineyards. Soaking in the sunshine, we enjoyed an incredible multi-course meal together, perfectly paired with their limited selection of wines. Exactly the type of Portuguese experience I’ve been dreaming of!

04/13/2023

I’m back in the Algarve this week, and while it can be easy to dismiss this region as “just for tourists”, there really are some amazing sites to be seen! I was reminded this morning, that even touristy places can be awe-inspiring! I'm determined to find some hidden gems for our clients…so stay tuned!!

10/06/2022

I've had such a fantastic day doing hotel visits in Sorrento! 😍 How on earth can we choose the "best place" when there are so many amazing options for our clients?? And it's not just about where to stay, the city of Sorrento offers some outstanding activities like cooking classes, limoncello workshops, wine & foodie tours, Pompeii & Herculaneum excursions, island hopping to Capri and Ischia with day trips to Positano and Amalfi. You'll find Sorrento a truly fabulous base to explore this incredible area!

10/06/2022

It's impossible not to fall in love with Ischia. Stunning coastline, thermal pools, castles, mountain trekking, small local wineries, private boat excursions, foodie tours and so much more....it has a little bit of something for everyone. For our Ciao Bella clients considering making Ischia part of their 2023 travel plans, here are some highlights to peak your interest!

08/09/2022

Dreaming of my return to the Amalfi Coast in a few weeks. I can’t wait to see this view again & discover more hidden gems to share with my clients!!

Kay, this one’s for you!! 🥰✈️2023

04/01/2022

02/09/2022

“If you believe they put a man on the moon…” My last night in Alentejo finally let me see the wonders of what lies above us each night. Here is the moon as I saw it from Portugal. Thank you Jeff for an eye-opening experience!

02/07/2022

Let's just say my "re-entry" into Portuguese society after a month in Southern Spain was pretty painless 😉 Starting with a tour and tasting at one of Alentejo's finest, Herdade do Esporão, followed by a 7-course tasting lunch, I was really stunned by the personal attention and welcoming atmosphere from such a large producer. Many of you know I like visiting the smaller wineries when I travel, but I was curious about Esporão since I use their wine and olive oil at home all the time. Well today did not disappoint. Probably the most beautiful food I have ever eaten and certainly a contender for the best meal in Portugal 🇵🇹

02/05/2022

Zahara de la Sierra: A breathtaking village in Andalusia, and quite possibly one of the most stunning of the pueblos blancos I’ve seen thus far. The walk up to the castle was worth the sore legs the next day! Once you’re at the top, looking out over the green valley and turquoise lake below, you feel like the only person in the world. Truly a memorable moment.

01/25/2022

Food for Thought.....Ham Shaped Coins??🧐
Did you know that during the Roman Empire, trading was so important that, during the period of emperors Augustus and Marcus Vipsanio Agripa, coins were minted in the shape of a ham?

As I eat my way through Southern Spain, it got me thinking, "why is ham so important to the Spanish?" I found a fascinating blog by the ham maestros "La Estrella de Jamón" also known as the Gómez family from Zaragoza. They go into great detail on the History of Ham in Spain. Food for thought!
https://laestrelladeljamon.com/blog/en/history-of-ham-in-spain/

01/24/2022

💃☀️🍷 Adventures in Andalucia

What a week it's been exploring the Province of Cádiz and all the incredible towns, markets and beaches. It's impossible to pick a favorite!

Coming Up: This week the road takes us east to the Province of Málaga! Follow our discoveries in Southern Spain 🇪🇸 on Instagram

12/16/2021

Living in Northern Portugal on the Spanish border with is really a dream come true. I feel so fortunate to be able to cross over the river for an afternoon of hiking & tapas on a clear sunny December day. There are so many amazing corners to discover in the region, so be sure to add it to your 2022 travel wish list!!