Italy Dreams

Tag: Rome Italy

  • Discover Your Italy Helps You Get Off-the-Beaten Path

    Steps seen in the Umbria region of Italy, a lesser known destination you may get to know on a tour with Discover Your Italy. Photo shared by Aurelio V.

    Want to watch art restoration in progress behind the scenes in Florence? How about trying freshly pressed olive oil in southern Italy? Or taking a trek on top of the expansive Dolomites with a mountain guide?

    If you’re looking to discover Italy beyond the tourism check-off list like these activities, then get in touch with Discover Your Italy: Fuori Itinerario.

    Their name says it all. “Fuori Itinerario” means off-the-beaten path in Italian, and that says a lot about the types of travel that they offer.

    Discover Your Italy is based in Umbria, which itself is a region of Italy off-the-beaten path and less touristy than many other areas of the country. The tourism company also has an office in Milan, says Sara Caligiuri, a marketing specialist with the firm.

    The company was started by Matteo Della Grazia and Daniella Mencarelli, a husband-and-wife team who are passionate travelers and want to share the authentic beauty of Italy.

    A quiet view of Italy’s Lake Como, in northern Italy.

    Going Off-the-Beaten Path

    Discover Your Italy works with clients to find out their preferences so they can craft a custom itinerary for them, Caligiuri says.

    “It’s not just about the beautiful landmarks that everyone knows, but also the hidden gems,” Caligiuri says. “We are experts in Italy. Having a lot of connections is key for us. It’s important to know the suppliers and to have contacts with artisans and locals so we can craft authentic experiences.”

    The company specializes only in Italy so the knowledge of their country is deep.

    “Every itinerary is designed by the people who live in Italy, and everything that we recommend is because we personally know it. We don’t sell pre-packaged tours; everything that we sell is tailor -made and completely customized to the precise needs of the client,” Caligiuri explains.

    Discover Your Italy has many English-speaking/American clients, including many multigenerational travelers. What they’re looking for is comfort and expertise. “They don’t want to have a complication, they just want to enjoy their experience,” she says.

    Some, but not all, may have already seen the big cities like Florence or Rome or Venice and want something more in-depth. “We’ll combine cultural highlights with hands-on local experiences,” Caligiuri says.

    The famous Galleria in Milan.

    Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

    Just where will a travel itinerary with Discover Your Italy take you? You can go where your heart desires, but here are a few examples of regions you might visit with the company’s assistance:

    • Umbria, located right in the heart of Italy and close to Tuscany. Although it’s similar to Tuscany, it doesn’t have the crowds or fame. In fact, Umbria has many hidden gems. Perugia, the Umbria-based hometown for Discover Your italy, is famous for its Eurochocolate Festival in November (yum).
    • Abruzzo, about 2 hours from Rome and filled with national parks and coastline.
    • Basilicata, which is home to Matera, the oldest city in Europe.
    • Le Marche, famous for mountains, beaches, history, and art but lesser known than other regions.

    Yet if you’re looking to visit one of Italy’s more famous cities or regions, you’re still in luck when you work with Discover Your Italy. A private guide can take you and your travel companion through highlights in Florence, Rome, Venice, Sicily, the Dolomites, and lots more.

    Rome’s famous Colloseum. Picture shared by Jessica Caceres.

    In addition to customizable travel plans, other advantages of traveling with Discover Your Italy include:

    • Stays in boutique hotels
    • A private meet-and-greet when you arrive in Italy
    • Restaurant suggestions
    • Exclusive amenities
    • Pre-departure tips
    A restaurant view in Florence, Italy.

    Tips for Planning Your Trip to Italy

    Ready to buy that flight ticket to Italia now? Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your Italy trip and once you’re onsite, as shared by Caligiuri:

    • Consider working with a tour company like Discover Your Italy to plan your trip. Italy has so much to offer, it can be overwhelming to plan. It also can be time-consuming. Planning on your own could cost you more and put you in danger of falling for tourist traps. Even planning transportation to different cities can get complex at times. “It’s important to know the behind the scenes, where the real Italian experiences are,” she explains.
    • Add less, not more. Tours to Europe/Italy often involve packing in many cities in just 10 to 14 days. Yet traveling at this rhythm can make it harder to really get to know each place. That’s why Discover Your Italy advocates for taking your time in just a handful of regions per trip, or even remaining in just one region. “You can really get to see a lot without getting stressed,” Caligiuri says.
    • Book six or seven months in advance. As you likely know, Italy is a popular travel destination. Booking in advance within a six- or seven-month timeframe helps you find the accomodations and travel plans you want.
    • Focus on understanding the culture from a local perspective. This will broaden your experience of Italy and help you appreciate how much the country differs even region by region.
    • Stay curious and stay open. “Italy has a lot of layers. We have history, art, food, nature, and landscapes. We have a lot of offerings for different kinds of people and interests,” Caligiuri says. By staying curious and open, you can experience the country’s different layers.
    • If you decide to work with Discover Your Italy for your Italy trip, let them know if you have any niche interests. Those special interests may become a part of your visit. If you or someone in your group enjoys fishing, for example, you may find yourself fishing while on your trip.

    For more information on Discover Your Italy, visit their website.

    You also can discover more about Discover Your Italy’s travel expertise in our article “Here’s Why to Visit Italy in the Winter and Off-Season.”

    Happy travels/buon viaggio!

  • Byways of Italy Brings You Closer to the Good Life in Italy

    Enjoy views of the Coliseum in Rome or any other sights you wish with a Byways of Italy tour. Picture shared by Jessica Caceres.

    If you’ve ever dreamed of getting to know Italy up close and personal but you’re not sure where to start, then the Rome-based company Byways of Italy is a great place to start.

    Byways of Italy is a tour operator and destination marketing company (DMC) that creates customized travel itineraries and provides experiences at Italy’s iconic destinations as well as lesser-known gems, says founder Manuela Mocci.

    The company began in 2021 in response to a growing demand from travelers looking to rediscover Italy after the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses most frequently on cultural and food and wine experiences along with a commitment to conscious, responsible travel, Mocci says.

    Florence, Italy.

    What Makes Byways of Italy Different?

    Byways of Italy’s travel advisors work closely with clients to create a customized travel experience.

    “I would say that clients choose us because of the balanced mix in our proposals, combining the most well-known spots with off-the-radar day trips offered at the right pace, and the dedication we bring from the start,” Mocci says.

    The company’s typical client will be a couple or family that’s from Australia, the U.S., Canada, or Latin America. Although Byways doesn’t usually work with large groups, they make an exception for multigenerational families.

    “Our correspondence with clients sometimes lasts months or even over a year, allowing us to get to know their preferences, build trust, and carefully curate every detail of their journey,” Mocci explains.

    A view of Lake Como in northern Italy.

    Although travel options abound online, many people still want the value of working with local experts.

    “Younger travelers often want unique experiences that are hard to find online, and they don’t have much time to dedicate to planning,” Mocci says. “Older travelers can feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available on the web and are looking for someone they can trust to provide guidance and support when needed.”

    A classic view of Venice, Italy. Picture shared by Jessica Caceres.

    Where Can You Go With Byways of Italy?

    Instead of asking, “Where can you go with Byways of Italy?”, perhaps the better question to ask is, “Where do you want to go?”

    Do you want to take a relaxing bike ride along Lake Garda? Live the luxe life on a yacht cruise on Sardinia’s coastline and enjoy an onboard fish lunch? Or, do you just want to meander in the countryside of the region of Marche and sample authentic food and wine while you stay at a local agriturismo (a farm-based home that usually offers activities like tours or cooking classes)?

    All of this and more are possible with the help of Byways of Italy. That’s because it specializes in customized tours.

    “We add special touches to make each trip one-of-a-kind, especially for occasions such as honeymoons and anniversaries,” Mocci says.

    Mercato Centrale in Florence, italy.

    However, Byways also offers classic tours to help you get to know Italy better. Here are a few popular highlights:

    ––The 10-Day Italy Tour features Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. Activities you can enjoy include a guided tour of Milan’s Duomo (cathedral), a private boat tour on famous Lake Como, a sightseeing tour of Venice with a Venetian apertif, a visit to a glass factory in Murano, a guided tour of Florence’s famous art museums, and a walking tour of Rome’s main monuments. Of course, no classic Italy tour is complete without wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside!

    ––A Journey of Self-Discovering in Tuscia. Get off the beaten path for this 7-night/8-day tour in Tuscia, located in the Lazio region near the border with Umbria and Tuscany. This remote area helps you enjoy less crowded ancient Italian towns and connect with yourself and your loved ones. Take a guided tour of Tuscania, relish in the thermal baths in the town of Viterbo, spend a day at a family-run winery, and visit the Palazzo Farnese to take in its awe-inspiring frescoes.

    —Northwest Sardinia. For something truly different, book yourself a Byways of Italy tour to Northwest Sardinia. Sardinia is an island off of Italy’s western coast and is one of Italy’s 20 regions. It has famous beaches but still has many parts that are less discovered compared with Italy’s bigger cites. This 10-day/9-night tour includes a visit to Alghero, which has a strong Catalan influence; a panoramic road trip to the colorful and historica town of Bosa, featuring the area’s vineyards; and a visit to the small village of Castelsardo.

    Some of the other tours via Byways of Italy include:

    –Milan and the lakes of North Italy

    –Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

    –3 Days in the Tuscany Countryside

    –Procida, a fishing island in the Gulf of Naples

    Rome’s Coliseum. Picture shared by Jessica Caceres.

    Tips for Planning Your Trip to Italy

    As you plan your trip to Italy, there are some general travel tips you should follow, Mocci recommends:

    —Begin to plan your trip 6 to 8 months in advance so you have more options and better prices.

    —Keep a running list of useful information and points of interest about your destination, such as attractions, museums, bars/restaurants, streets, etc.

    —Buy those museum tickets ahead of time. “During high season, tickets for the most famous museums sell out quickly and need
    to be booked in advance. This will help you save some time,” Mocci says.

    —Double check schedules in advance. Some museums and cultural sites may be closed when you least expect it, especially in small towns or outside of peak season.

    —Don’t overplan. “Leave space for unexpected discoveries and improvisation, and make sure to leave time to rest, enjoy a coffee in a nice bar, or take a leisurely walk through the center,” Mocci says.

    Mocci shares some final wise thoughts: “Travel isn’t about ticking
    boxes, it’s about finding experiences that feel meaningful to you,” Mocci says. “What one traveler enjoys might not suit another, and that’s what makes every trip personal.”

    To contact Byways of Italy about your Italian trip, find them online at BywaysofItaly.com. You can also message them through the following contact form on their website.

    Beautiful Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy.