New Experiences: Original Tours in Italy
Though the past year brought travel to a standstill, we kept busy! We were able to discover and organize spectacular new experiences for our clients. One of the many benefits of working with a bespoke travel company like Bella Vita are the people we work with. We use experts and local guides in each of our destinations. They are close colleagues and friends, people we trust and know to be the absolute best. Hence, allowing us to provide the only highest standard of quality and service.
With them, we have been able to develop exciting new experiences for our clients across the Mediterranean. Whether you’re looking for a family trip, a romantic escape, or simply just to explore a new destination, we can help. Over the next month, we will be sharing some of these new experiences. This week, we start with Italy – you’ll find a few of our newest trips listed below.
There are many more that we have organized and that our partners have thought up, so we are sharing just a few of these unique new experiences. The ideas for your perfect vacation do not stop here! To conclude, any special experience that you are dreaming of we can organize for you as well.
Valtellina wine experience and Bernina Express
An amazing wine tasting in the Valtellina area coupled with the world famous Bernina Express is a great addition to a Northern Italian itinerary. This tour is great day for clients based in Lake Como!
First, the tour starts in a small, intimate family villa turned winery. You will taste 3 wines made by the winemaker Paolo and his sons Luca and Matteo. They respect as much as possible the tradition of wine making in the region, and this intimate tasting makes sure you learn and appreciate their family passion.
After, your driver will escort you to lunch in a Michelin listed restaurant. This spot is renowned for highlighting the flavors of the land in its traditional dishes. We recommend the pizzoccheri, a local pasta made with buckwheat flour. The dish is topped with Casera cheese and sautéed potatoes and cabbage. You should also try the sciatt – delicious cheese-filled buckwheat fritters.
Continuing, your driver will bring you to the Tirano train station after lunch. Here you can easily to hop on the Bernina Express train. This famous train ride is on the “bucket list” for so many. It’s one of the most scenic in the world. Here, you will experience an amazing 2 hour trip up the mountains to admire the glacier. After, you will reach chic and spectacular Saint Moritz. Then, your private driver will pick you up upon arrival to take you to the historic old town. Saint Moritz is famous for its shopping and you will have some free time to explore. Their chocolate is worth bringing home! Finally, your driver will bring you back to your base Lake Como in the evening.
Ferrari test drive through the castles of Parma
This tour is a short but incredible treat for car-lovers in the Parma area! What’s more iconically Italian than a F430 Coupè classic red Ferrari? Today, its yours for a bit!
First, we can arrange a short 15 minute test drive. It’s enough to give you a little taste of the car and experience the thrill of sport driving. Then, you will drive in a tour around the land of Prosciutto di Parma and the Castles of the Duchy of Parma. Finally, this experience allows you to feel the power of the car while exploring through the side roads a bit.
Alternatively, we can arrange a 30 minute test drive. A longer tour allows a fascinating journey through the lands of Prosciutto di Parma. Through the old historic village of Torrechiara you can admire its castle and arrive on a long and fast straight road.
Parma and the surrounding area is one of the most famous food areas in Italy, and this gives you a chance to explore the backroads – quickly and in style. It’s a can’t miss experience for car lovers!
Cheese and wine tasting in Piedmont
The most natural pairing in the world is wine and cheese. This new tour offers guests in the Piedmont area to experience two of the regions most famous products!
Your private, english speaking driver will pick you up in the morning to start your day!
First, you will be welcomed at an old farmhouse in the Langhe area. This place is owned by a family of cheese makers that made artisanal sheep’s milk cheeses. Their production is almost 30 years old. The family owns about 40 sheep and produces different types of cheese in their own dairy. It’s a true family operation and you will meet the father and son who produce everything. To start, we will meet the animals and see the stable where they are kept. After, we will see their “cheese laboratory” where cheese is made out of raw milk using family recipes. Finally, we will finish the experience by tasting some different products in the family cottage. It’s a very intimate setting and provides a fascinating look into the process of production.
To finish the day, visit either a Barolo or a Barbaresco producing winery with final wine-tasting. We are happy to work with your preferences of wine or location to pick the perfect place to sample the famous wines of the region.
After a taste or two (or more, you aren’t driving!), your driver will bring you back in comfort to your accommodations. This tour can also be arranged for clients as far as Turin.
Full Day tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Pope’s Summer Residence plus Cooking Class & Lunch!
This is a truly one-of-a-kind experience for our clients based in Rome. This full day tour combines a VIP private tour of the Vatican and a trip outside of the magical chaos of Rome into the countryside. You will have a private guided tour of the awe-inspiring art and architecture of St. Peter’s basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Your VIP tour includes exclusive early access tickets to the Vatican Museums and its collection. This means you’ll be able to enter almost two hours before the Vatican opens to the general public. You and your private guide will be free to roam the Vatican’s vast collection, tailoring your tour around your interests in the peace and quiet of the early morning. Though this tour would be enough to render your day spectacular, it doesn’t stop here!
Castel Gandolfo Cooking Class
Following the Vatican, your private driver will bring you and your guide to the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo for a special culinary experience. This has been a summer home for the popes since the 16th century. The privacy, comfort and stunning views over Rome and the sea are all reasons why the popes still call this their summer home. As you visit the town and soak up the scenery and beautiful waters of nearby Lake Albano, you too will see why!
From the Apostolic Palace, you’ll be escorted to the cooking school located on the papal estate. Your private English-speaking chef will welcome you with a wine and antipasti reception. You’ll learn and cook side by side with your private, english speaking chef-instructor, choosing what you want to learn to cook, and what is seasonal and fresh. All your produces will be sourced from the papal estate. Then, you will be able to sample your creations in this spectacular setting paried with regional wines. This is a wonderful, unique experience that shows you a special part of Rome and the Vatican, and lets you walk in the footsteps of the Papacy.
This incredible full day experience ends in the charming town of Castel Gandolfo, where a medieval stone piazza overlooks the sapphire waters of lake below. You can explore or linger over an espresso before your private driver accompanies you back to Rome in the late afternoon.
New experiences, always tailor made
If any of these tours look like the perfect addition to your future bespoke Italian holiday, please contact us to learn more. These tours are just a few of the many new and creative ideas that we and our partners have come up with. There are so many options to add on to an Italian vacation, and we are happy and eager to help make your travel dreams come true.
