Our Small Group Italy Tour, Same but Different
Italy is one the World’s top bucket list destinations. Everyone from honeymoon couples to special birthday and anniversary travelers request an Italian vacation. One of the biggest challenges we face when talking with couples is their desire to see it all in a short window of time. We encourage slowing things down as much as possible, really for any destination, but definitely when we discuss Italy. I do not recommend travelers pack up and move on every day if at all possible. I love to suggest the last destination be a place where guests can stay and enjoy a beautiful view and be still for a few days. European travel can be very busy. It is important to take the time to sip, nibble and enjoy the view so that you can come home feeling excited and recharged because of your travel experience.
That is why I was so excited to build a small group experience with our supplier partner, Gianni Vanni of Undiscovered Tuscany LLC. Gianni focuses on small group touring of Tuscany, typically less than 14 people. For seven nights, a wonderful villa, surrounded by vineyards in the rolling hills of Tuscany is your home. Each day is a relaxed departure and then a visit to a new location within an hour or so of your villa. We booked two weeks in late September 2023 and had 2 sets of travelers come and celebrate the late summer sun, less travelers, amazing food (don’t ask me how much gelato I ate), plentiful wine and curated, once in a lifetime experiences.
Our time touring Tuscany with Gianni and his team felt as if we were staying at the home of our best friend. We started and ended each day dining on the villa terrace, prepared lovingly by members of Gianni’s staff, who were so friendly and fun you never wanted to leave. Gianni and his drivers would pick us up for each day’s activities, such as Volterra, Pisa, Luca, San Gimignano, Florence, Greve, Chianti wine region and Cinque Terre. A private guide led us on a city tour of Florence and of the Accademia to see the famous David. We enjoyed a special day at the estate of the Count of Tuscany, Conti Capponi, the owner of Villa Calcinaia winery for a private tour and tasting complete with prosciutto, salami, cheeses, and oil. One of our surprise stops in Chianti region was to the beautiful Florence American Cemetery and Memorial for the American fallen in the liberation of Italy 1944-45. Our group’s favorite experience was dinner on a boutique farm and vineyard located in San Miniato, complete with a truffle hunting demonstration by the owner and his beloved pup, Brina.
Many of our group also wanted to visit Rome. The first set of travelers spent 3 nights in Rome before meeting up with Gianni. The second set of travelers saw Rome after the Tuscany tour dates. In both situations we worked with a private guide, Alessandra, who was so well loved among all other guides that they often called her out, gave her hugs, and many times told us we were with the best. And they were right. Alessandra was an expert storyteller. Her style of narration crafted a vision of history that was interesting, enlightening and very understandable, especially about the Sistine Chapel. Alessandra painted an image so vivid that I felt as if I knew Michelangelo personally.
There are many ways to travel, but I believe small group touring is one of the best. Our experience visiting Gianni’s Italian homeland was special, personal, emotional, and fun. We loved it. While we did not see all of Italy, we were able to slow down and fully experience what we did see. You can visit Italy on your own, or with larger escorted tour operators. We did the same, but different.
MORE INFORMATION:
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Gianni in person. Enjoy light bites and beverages and a quick presentation of Gianni’s touring style at the home of agency owner, Sarah Krafty.
The event is this Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 7p. Click for more details and registration HERE.
Tour dates with Undiscovered Tuscany are almost sold out for 2024. Click to find out what is available, or reach out for 2025.
