Category: Italy
Authentic Tuscany in a Day with Km Zero
Authentic Tuscany…Before I read this guest post, I thought exploring Tuscany was, by definition, a multi-day event. However, I now realize I thought that because I’ve always driven around on my own and not really known where to go. In contrast, the author of this post toured Tuscany with two very connected locals. They knew […]
Ancestry Travel – Fixing Your Family Tree
Ancestry travel – think of it as authentic travel on steroids. You wander off the beaten path looking for “missing” family members and, in the process, you make connections with local people and learn about your cultural DNA. It doesn’t get more authentic than that. My trip to Italy to research my roots took me […]
Florence Italy – Grand Hotels and Palaces
Florence Italy is a favorite destination of reader Art Moldavia, so it isn’t surprising that this is the third Firenze guest post he has contributed to Authentic Luxury Travel. In case you missed the others, take a moment to go back and read Florence Cooking Lessons and a Recipe and Authentic Florence – Places to […]
Florence Cooking Lessons and a Recipe
Florence Cooking Lessons was contributed by reader Art Moldavia from San Diego. If Florence is on your bucket list, you’ll also want to read his earlier trip report: “Authentic Florence – Places to Eat.” In 1979, Sharon Oddson and her artist husband, Giuliano “Il Garga” Gargani, opened the fine Italian restaurant Trattoria Garga on Via […]
Authentic Florence – Places To Eat
Authentic Florence was contributed by Art Moldavia, a frequent visitor to Florence. In a note with this trip report, he reminded me that “Florence, once the capital of Italy, is recognized as the ‘Art Capital of the World.’ According to UNESCO, 30 percent of the world’s finest masterpieces can be found in Florence, where the Renaissance began.” […]
Tuscany Cooking School Trip Report
Remember the Tuscany cooking school contest? Last year Authentic Luxury Travel offered subscribers a chance to win a week at Il Campo Cucina, a unique cooking school in tiny Radicondoli. Andrea Cafarelle was the lucky winner. Did she have a good time at the Tuscany cooking school? Read her trip report: In June last year, […]
Best Romantic Hotel in Tuscany
“We’ve found an exquisite romantic hotel in Tuscany,” readers Deb and Tom Tucker wrote recently. “It’s Borgo Santo Pietro, located about 35 minutes from Siena and one hour from Florence. They offer 15 rooms and suites – all elegantly furnished. It’s the perfect place for Authentic Luxury Travelers. “There is a main building with suites […]
6 Historic Luxury Villas in Italy
This guest post about luxury villas in Italy was contributed by Clara Sibilla. Italy is universally known for its countless art works, for its history, culture, architecture and, of course, for its food and wine specialties. For those who have high expectations and always want maximum comfort and high-level services, my country will not be […]
The Dolomites – Hiking Italy Inn-to-Inn
This Dolomites trip report was contributed by Hermann Gucinski from North Carolina in the U.S. “Oh my God,” came out of my mouth when I reached the top of the pass Forcella Rondoi at 7,200 feet. My wife, a few steps behind me, knew immediately what it meant. “Let’s get on with it,” she said, starting […]
How To Find Authentic Venice
This guest post was contributed by Claudia Coppola who lives in Verona, Italy. “This was Venice, the flattering and suspect beauty—this city, half fairy tale and half tourist trap, in whose insalubrious air the arts once rankly and voluptuously blossomed, where composers have been inspired to lulling tones of somniferous eroticism.” Thomas Mann (1875–1955), […]
Tuscany – Look Who’s Cooking at Il Campo Cucina
The Tuscan Cooking School Getaway contest on this site drew 450 entries last summer - and Andrea Cafarelle was the lucky winner. She’s at Il Campo Cucina in Tuscany right now and Marlane Miriello just sent me this great photo of Andrea stirring the sauce. I bet the folks back home in Boston wish they could trade places. Congratulations […]
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is the most northeastern region of Italy. It lies on the Adriatic Sea and is bordered by Austria and Slovenia. My young friend Marta Cossettini lives in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, which she refers to as “Nel Dolce Nord Est” or “The Sweet Northeast.” Marta is very proud of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, especially the agriturismi – […]