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You want it to be absolutely perfect. You want it to be beyond special. Our custom trips are an exciting blend of cultural, culinary and active adventures designed to capture the essence of La Dolce Vita. We're experts in affordable, luxury, tailor-made travel to Italy. Our job is to make your Italian dream trip come true.We make it easy. We make it special. Pairing credible insider knowledge, str
ong local connections and a highly personalized approach to planning our clients' special trips, we succeed in creating outstanding custom travel experiences featuring local culture, wine & food, or walking, hiking or biking adventures. Whether you're trying to plan the best itinerary for kids or teens, ski the Alps, learn the secrets of great Neapolitan pizza, find the perfect villa for a large group, or you're looking to travel sustainably to off-the-beaten path locations, we can assist you in creating an off-the-charts experience. Contact us now to discuss how we can help with your next trip.
Stay Under the Tuscan Sun here at il Falconiere. A beautiful base from which to explore Cortona, Arezzo, the property also produces some of the region's top wines (several are Wine Spectator's Top 100 of the World). Enjoy several different cooking classes (a hands-on cheesemaking class!), Michelin-starred dining and also simple, regional cooking.
Rome's Fiumicino airport has launched three new direct high-speed trains between Naples and Florence to link rail and air travel for passengers in Italy.
Set aside any preconceived notions you may have of "Italy" when you step foot on Sicilian soil.
The largest island in the Mediterranean has been a crossroads of cultures for centuries.
The confluence of Arab, Greek, Byzantine, Norman, and Spanish influences blend to form a unique and fascinating destination that feels both instantly accessible and adventurously off the beaten path.
Experience a history shaped by long-held cultural traditions, folklore, food, and wine during our week-long deep-dive into this enchanting island.
Contact Prima Italy for a custom trip that will take you on a deep-dive into Sicilian food, wine and culture.
DM us for more info!
I took part in a very fun tour of Florence this winter--a Fashion Tour of Florence!
While I love great design and good style, I would hardly say I dress the part. My fashion accessories for my walking tour were a pair of beat-up Hokas, a puffy jacket, jeans which I thought were cool, but clearly were not, and a well-worn surgical mask.
To say I'm intimidated by the idea of stepping foot into a famous house of fashion would be an understatement. Doing so in that outfit was mortifying.
Nonetheless, supported by my guide, we entered the House of Ferragamo.
The sales staff didn’t give me the disapproving once-over that I’d feared. On the contrary: for at least a few moments, Ferragamo made me feel much more like a J.Lo than a Jenny from the Block.
There were plush sofas. Beautiful scarves. Buttery leather shoes. A discreet sales staff. The shop oozed fashion history and importance. Then I was a coffee service. (Had I asked for a martini, I’m sure it would have appeared.) Then measurements. And finally the shoes. ❤️Swoon! ❤️
The sales staff urged me to try on the exact model shoe Salvatore Ferragamo made for Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like it Hot.” How do you say no to that?
After wobbling around on glittery 12cm stilettos (actually Ferragamo dropped the heel to 11cm for Monroe), we had a look around the small but beautifully curated Ferragamo Museum with its spectacular shoe, fashion and art collection.
Next stop: the Gucci Museum.
This really is a must-see museum in Florence, even if you're not *into* fashion, and especially if you have teens who will love this place.
The museum is a fun extension of Gucci’s ad campaigns that appeal to a young, hip, irreverent audience, and gives a peak into the evolution of Italian fashion.
It houses edgy installations of immersive artwork based on the fashion house’s advertisements and collections, with displays of an insane collection of Gucci sneakers, cuckoo clocks, stuffed animals, quirky vignettes, and beautiful large-scale video walls.
Add this tour to your next visit to Florence. DM me for more info!
It’s rare to still find any well-kept secrets in travel.
But the newly opened Villa Nai 3.3 is surely a place most have never been.
Villa Nai is a uniquely magnificent olive oil estate on an island in the middle of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea.
This architectural gem is built directly into the hillside, in complete harmony with the undulating olive oil estate on which it sits.
The hotel literally is formed out of the island, with every stone used in construction sustainably taken directly from the land.
Just 8 sumptuous rooms await you or your small group of friends who can have the whole place to yourselves.
A full service staff serves a daily feast of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus you’ll have highly personalized olive oil classes and tastings of the estate's award-winning oil (every olive used in production is handpicked!).
Scuba or snorkel around the island to catch stunning marine life, hike the wild interior to catch sight of eagles and wildlife, or day trip by private boat to the nearby Kornati Islands National Park.
Villa Nai makes a perfect ending to a visit of Croatia.
DM me for questions on Villa Nai or how to plan an
incredible trip to Croatia in 2022!
It’s rare that there are many well-kept secrets in travel. But the newly opened Villa Nai 3.3 is surely a place most have never been.
Villa Nai 3.3 is a uniquely magnificent olive oil estate on an island in the middle of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea.
This architectural gem is built directly into the hillside, in complete harmony with the undulating olive oil estate on which it sits. The hotel literally is formed out of the island, with every stone used in construction sustainably taken directly from the land.
Just 8 sumptuous rooms await you or your small group of friends who can have the whole place to yourselves. A full service staff serves a daily feast of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus you’ll have highly personalized olive oil classes and tastings of the estate's award-winning oil (every olive used in production is handpicked!).
Scuba or snorkel around the island to catch stunning marine life, hike the wild interior to catch sight of eagles and wildlife, or day trip by private boat to the nearby Kornati Islands National Park.
Villa Nai makes a perfect ending to a visit of Croatia.
DM me for questions on Villa Nai or how to plan an
incredible trip to Croatia in 2022!
Hazelnuts, coffee, vermouth, chocolate, white truffles, black truffles, Barolo and Barbaresco wines, cheese (even buffalo mozzarella!).
How can one region offer so much goodness???🧀🍷
If you travel for the love of great food experiences, then you may want to pack your bags to Piemonte.
And if you do, the boutique Relais Villa d'Amelia would be a perfect place to base yourself.
Just a short distance from foodie meccas like Bra, Asti, and Alba, the property is surrounded by local food producers of all kinds that you can easily visit for tastings either on foot, by bike, or by car.
Plus their 28-year old chef who has apprenticed under a Michelin-starred chef for 10 years (!) creates both exquisite haute cuisine menus as well as traditional grandmother-ly recipes that are truly sublime.
We have so much more to share with you! Questions? Ideas? Want to host a small group trip to Piemonte?
Chat with us. Send us a DM!
Just wanting to give my handmade gf pasta her moment of glory on the IG. Just 2 ingredients-- Caputo GF flour and eggs from my back yard hens, and a cavalfiore that was gardening perfection. Practically a "km zero" meal, all thanks to .nice.garden.cart.
Among many delectable food and wine experiences in Italy, most definitely can assist with celiac and GF travel, giving you our personal recommendations and peace of mind.
Is Croatia on your bucket list?
When I told folks that I was heading here, nearly everyone said it was high on their list of travel destinations.
Split makes a great base for getting to a number of spectacular destinations that are just an hour or two away.
Here are just a few suggestions:
✔️ Krka National Park. Hike the lush green national park, or boat up the river for an up-close view of incredible waterfalls.
✔️Trogir. Renaissance, Baroque, Romanesque architecture, Venetian symbolism, cobblestone alleyways. If you love Italy, you'll love tiny Trogir.
✔️ The Blue Lagoon. The lagoon’s insanely crystal clear waters invite you to spend the full day here.
✔️ The Blue Cave. This luminescent cave on Bisevo Island is outstanding.
✔️ Hvar Island. Once famous for its fields of lavender now famous for excellent wines, crystal-clear waters, great diving, and good nightlife.
✔️ Brač: The one spot you won’t want to miss here is Zlatni Rat. Winds and waves change the shape of the beach during the day. Gorgeous!
✔️ Vis: Furthest from Split, former home to Venetians, here you can dive among war ship wrecks.
✔️ The Cetina River Spring. Yes, you can swim in the chilly waters of this amazing spring (take your drone if you want this photo).
Thanks for teaching me so much about your beautiful country!
Is Croatia on your bucket list? When I told folks that I was heading here, nearly everyone said it was high on their list of travel destinations.
Split makes a great base for getting to a number of spectacular destinations that are just an hour or two away.
Here are just a few suggestions:
* Krka National Park. Hike the lush green national park, or boat up the river for an up-close view of incredible waterfalls.
* Trogir. Renaissance, Baroque, Romanesque architecture, Venetian symbolism, cobblestone alleyways. If you love Italy, tiny Trogir is delightful.
* The Blue Lagoon. The lagoon’s insanely crystal clear waters invite you to spend the full day here.
* The Blue Cave. This luminescent cave on Bisevo Island is outstanding.
* Hvar Island. Once famous for its fields of lavender now famous for excellent wines, crystal-clear waters, great diving, and good nightlife.
* Brač: The one spot you won’t want to miss here is Zlatni Rat. Winds and waves change the shape of the beach during the day. Gorgeous!
* Vis: Furthest from Split, former home to Venetians, here you can dive among war ship wrecks.
* The Cetina River Spring. Yes, you can swim in the chilly waters of this amazing spring (take your drone if you want this photo).
Traveling through Croatia this past week on an educational travel advisor trip has been phenomenal. While the weather didn't hold out as we'd hoped, it was every bit as good.
There's a lot to love about the Dalmatian Coast, especially if you love the sea, islands, boats, history, diving, beaches, sea food, nature. (I think that covers 85% of us, right?)
I invite you to reach out to me for help planning a trip, and I'll set you up for a truly wonderful experience in Croatia.
Moving on from Zagreb to the Dalmatian Coast by way of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Croatia is full of natural beauty, and this forest, preserved by UNESCO, is just one of a number of incredible places to visit.
One tip: On a sunny day, the water is unimaginably clear and blue. The waterfalls are out of a fairy tale. It's a popular place, and you have to walk along wooden boardwalks, making for a slow walk if there are a lot of people. You can enjoy it in the off-season, like I did, on an overcast day (not recommended) or you can go to Entrance #2 to try to avoid most of the crowds.
It's" Doviđenja" (goodbye) to Zagreb 👋🏻, and "Bok" (hello) to Plitvice Lakes and the beautiful Croatian Coastline!
I didn't know what to expect of Zagreb when I arrived. I was pleasantly surprised by this charming little Central European city infused with a taste of the Mediterranean.
The city's elegant and colorful art-deco and neo-baroque architecture, its cafe scene, and its historic center are pleasant for strolling around and people watching.
Eating štrukli at La Struk in the old town - a rich, lasagne-like dish of cottage cheese, eggs, and sour cream -- then enjoying several coffees at a cafe, is a recipe for a delightful afternoon, and a very full stomach.
It's" Doviđenja" (goodbye) to Zagreb 👋🏻, and "Bok" (hello) to Plitvice Lakes and the beautiful Croatian Coastline!
I didn't know what to expect of Zagreb when I arrived. I was pleasantly surprised by this charming little Central European city infused with a taste of the Mediterranean.
The city's elegant and colorful art-deco and neo-baroque architecture, its cafe scene, and its historic center are pleasant for strolling around and people watching.
Eating štrukli at La Struk in the old town - a rich, lasagne-like dish of cottage cheese, eggs, and sour cream -- then enjoying several coffees at a cafe, is a recipe for a delightful afternoon, and a very full stomach.
Italy is still open to Americans (despite the headlines you may have read)
Yesterday the EU recommended that all nonessential travel from the US be halted due to the high case rate of Covid on our shores. (Much of Europe has far lower cases rates than we do. Italy is one of the lowest case rates.)
The EU's order was later softened a bit and was intended for *non-vaccinated* US travelers only.
But most EU countries report they are not closing to US travelers, at least not yet.
Today the Wall Street Journal reported this:
"Many European countries appear to be in no hurry to close the door to American tourists, with major tourist destinations Spain and Greece saying on Tuesday they would stay open for American visitors for the coming weeks at least. Other countries, including France and Italy, said they have no immediate plans to change their rules for travel from the U.S."
If you're fully vaxxed (both doses), here's what you need to enter Italy as of today:
✔️A digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF)
✔️A Certificate of Vaccination showing both doses (that'd be your CDC vaccination card -- which you'll need to get into restaurants, museums, bars, clubs...everything good.)
✔️Evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test 72h before you arrive in Italy.
Let me know in the comments if I can help answer questions about entry to Italy right now.
I know the Delta variant is alive and kicking, and wreaking havoc with our vacation plans, but there's still a chance for you!
In my post this week I'm highlighting ski safaris in the Italian Alps--a very special way to experience Italy in the winter.
Check out the article here:
https://primaitaly.com/quick-reads/2021/8/13/a-different-kind-of-safari-in-the-italian-alps
If you enjoy storybook scenery, Christmas markets, cozy mountain chalets, gourmet dining, and playing in the snow you’ll want to put the Dolomite Mountains at the very top of your bucket list.
It's been a long time, but we didn't forget. And now Italy is open to all travelers!
Your cappuccino and cornetto await you at your local bar in Rome. ☕
Your boat is ready for your cruise along the Amalfi Coast. 🛥️
A hand-crafted leather bag has your name on it in Florence. 👜
The Sistine Chapel beckons with record-low crowds. 💗
As long as you can show vaccinated status, a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to your flight, or you have fully recovered from covid, you can travel to Italy today.
No quarantine! No covid-tested flight! And still practically no crowds!
I'm pinching myself, but it's true! It's possibly one of the most amazing times to be in Italy.
If you're ready to dive into an authentic, creamy, steaming bowl of pasta carbonara, visit https://primaitaly.com/contact-us to get in touch! ✈️
Put this Sicily itinerary on your bucket list and immerse yourself in one of southern Italy’s most fascinating destinations! 👇🏼
🔹 Head to glamorous Taormina and its beautifully preserved Greek theatre. Take a small boat along explore the craggy coastline, swim in blue grottoes, and have lunch at a local trattoria for lunch.
🔹 Hop in a 4x4 to traverse the slopes of explosive Mount Etna with a local geologist, followed by a vineyard visit and an epic multi-course lunch while sipping Etna reds alongside the winemaker.
🔹 Explore the fascinating fish market of Catania, where fishmongers sell the morning’s catch, attracting buyers in their singsong Sicilian dialect
🔹 Stroll the ancient Jewish quarter of Siracusa and take a step back in time. Built on a former Greek settlement, its narrow lanes will lead you to the old synagogue and the oldest mikveh found in Europe.
🔹 Admire the decorative town of Noto, famed for its beautiful Baroque facades, learn how a Sicilian grower makes world-famous tomato sauce, and dine on on fresh seafood and pasta in Marzamemi, a striking fishing village.
🔹 In Modica, a pastry chef reveals how to make perfect Sicilian pastries, chocolates, and cannoli in a delectable cooking class.
👉www.primaitaly.com/quick-reads
Are you ready to dip your toe back into travel? ✈️
Now that Italy has re-opened to US visitors, allow me to whet your appetite for travel with some of Italy's dreamiest hotel pools. https://primaitaly.com/quick-reads/2021/5/10/dive-into-italys-most-spectacular-hotel-pools
Sifting through one hotel pool after another, trying to whittle down hundreds, if not thousands of piscine into a list of just ten was an excruciating exercise, if not a fool's errand.
So tell me: how did I do? What do you think of my selections?
Are you ready to dive in and book your next trip?
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Do you know about Siena's Palio?
Siena is one of Tuscany's most beautiful hill towns. And the Palio is one of the most passionate cultural spectacles you can witness in Tuscany, or perhaps in Italy, should you be lucky to have the chance.
Rooted in Medieval tradition, with complex rules, and steeped in symbolism--from the dirt that is placed in the piazza to the headpieces attached to the racehorses' bridles--10 of the 17 neighborhoods of the city vie to win the coveted Palio banner.
Everything is in play during the Palio, devotion, betrayal, love, respect, revenge, power, bravery, social structure, status, identity, heritage, Christianity, secularity.
It may feel like a lot to take in, but for the Senese, the Palio is part of everyday life. The Palio is not just a tourist spectacle. It's very personal, and emotions run high.
Let me help you dive deeper. From simple visits with local historians to extraordinary experiences participating in the event itself, I can help you experience , and all of , like an insider.
DM me any time for more info.
Travel brings joy in dreaming, the excitement of the experience, and a lifetime of memories that grown more valuable each day. Keep dreaming. We'll be ready when you are.
How much do you know about wild, mysterious Sardinia?
Sardinia, or Sardegna in Italian, may be a part of Italy, but it is made up of its own unique culture, history, architecture, and cuisine, all of which set it apart from the rest of the country.
Visitors are usually lured by the island's pristine seaside and mild climate. But... this is Europe, after all, so Sardegna—while undoubtedly a great destination for beach-goers—is also packed with plenty of sites for art vultures and history buffs to inspire your cultural cravings.
It's also an undeniable hot spot for those who like to get active while traveling, with plenty of opportunities to adventure outdoors in the natural landscape of Sardinia.
Check out our blog for 5 fabulous reasons to put Sardinia on your post-pandemic bucket list. https://bit.ly/39YIas2
If you'd like help planning an Italian island getaway for 2022, get in touch! We'd love to help you craft a custom luxury trip to Sardinia, Italy or beyond!
It's a little unfair that Greece has sooo many amazing destinations. Add this one to the list: Melissani Lake in Kefalonia.
A great trek with stunning views awaits you on the Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Pathway). It's pinned along the steep walls of a gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in Spain. Up for a different kind of social distancing?
Reach for the stars. ⭐⭐ (You just might be able to touch them here.)
Let us book you one incredible night in the Starlight Room. This luxury cottage resides on a mountaintop above Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy's Dolomite Mountains. www.primaitaly.com
Arrive in the evening (via Land Rover or ski mobile) to a table set for a 3-course dinner for two, complete with wines and a roaring fire. The hut is surrounded on all sides and can rotate on itself, giving you 360° views and the ability to gaze in any direction at the night sky.
In the morning, awaken to the sun cresting over the majestic pink peaks, making for one of the most spectacular and unusual lodgings in the Veneto region.
Would you stay here? Let me know in the comments.
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photocredit: Rifugio Col Gallina
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Set aside any preconceived notions you may have of "Italy" when you step foot on Sicilian soil. The largest island in the Mediterranean has been a crossroads of cultures for centuries. The confluence of Arab, Greek, Byzantine, Norman, and Spanish influences blend to form a unique and fascinating destination that feels both instantly accessible and adventurously off the beaten path. Experience a history shaped by long-held cultural traditions, folklore, food, and wine during our week-long deep-dive into this enchanting island. Contact Prima Italy for a custom trip that will take you on a deep-dive into Sicilian food, wine and culture. DM us for more info!
I took part in a very fun tour of Florence this winter--a Fashion Tour of Florence! While I love great design and good style, I would hardly say I dress the part. My fashion accessories for my walking tour were a pair of beat-up Hokas, a puffy jacket, jeans which I thought were cool, but clearly were not, and a well-worn surgical mask. To say I'm intimidated by the idea of stepping foot into a famous house of fashion would be an understatement. Doing so in that outfit was mortifying. Nonetheless, supported by my guide, we entered the House of Ferragamo. The sales staff didn’t give me the disapproving once-over that I’d feared. On the contrary: for at least a few moments, Ferragamo made me feel much more like a J.Lo than a Jenny from the Block. There were plush sofas. Beautiful scarves. Buttery leather shoes. A discreet sales staff. The shop oozed fashion history and importance. Then I was a coffee service. (Had I asked for a martini, I’m sure it would have appeared.) Then measurements. And finally the shoes. ❤️Swoon! ❤️ The sales staff urged me to try on the exact model shoe Salvatore Ferragamo made for Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like it Hot.” How do you say no to that? After wobbling around on glittery 12cm stilettos (actually Ferragamo dropped the heel to 11cm for Monroe), we had a look around the small but beautifully curated Ferragamo Museum with its spectacular shoe, fashion and art collection. Next stop: the Gucci Museum. This really is a must-see museum in Florence, even if you're not *into* fashion, and especially if you have teens who will love this place. The museum is a fun extension of Gucci’s ad campaigns that appeal to a young, hip, irreverent audience, and gives a peak into the evolution of Italian fashion. It houses edgy installations of immersive artwork based on the fashion house’s advertisements and collections, with displays of an insane collection of Gucci sneakers, cuckoo clocks, stuffed animals,
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