What’s New for 2012 ?

We plan trips that we feel are the most interesting independent adventures in Italy.

Rome, Florence and Venice are the cities that you continue to visit most frequently, but as ever, we plan your days there with meticulous care to keep you away as much as possible from crowds and areas of unsustainable tourism.

We make excellent use of docents in each of these cities, and work into your itineraries sights and neighborhoods of exceptional interest that are off the beaten path.

With our Ultimo service we undertake all restaurant bookings with a special focus, if you wish, on smaller, family-run osterie and trattorie that provide a Slow Food philosophy.

In Venice we coordinate a half or full day’s private adventure on an historic, flat-bottomed Venetian boat that will take you to locations in the Lagoon and archipelago where no ferry or water boat can ever go.

Ten delightful California clients this summer swam from a little island within sight of Venice in clear and beautiful waters, this after a magnificent, entirely seasonal lunch served on board (seafood fished that morning.)

In Florence we lead you to Renaissance gardens not in guidebooks.

… to the Vasari Corridor (not usually open), up scaffolding to inspect 15th century frescoes that are under meticulous restoration, to processions in historic costume..

…and to the stores, markets and pastry shops that Florentines love and patronize.

In Florence for children we integrate special children’s workshops (fresco making, dressing up in Renaissance costumes, exploring Palazzo Vecchio in the company of actors who play the role of historic Renaissance figures.)

We include workshops in which you will taste new artisan gelato flavors and learn what makes a great Italian ice cream.

How many travelers know about the top floor of the Museum of the Florentine House ?   It is very difficult to see, but every Ultimo or Completo client who would like to visit it can do so easily through Insider’s Italy.

In Umbria you learn to hunt a truffle and how to make Renaissance paper.

You pick olives and make extra virgin oil in Tuscany.

On the Amalfi coast and Campania, you discover how to make the best mozzarella on earth.

Our youngest clients – and sometimes their parents too –  dance through wild flowers.

Insider’s Italy travelers visit towns most have never heard of.  These destinations are often called the highlight of their trips.

When San Gimignano (population 7000) receives close to 50,000 visitors a year, why add to the onslaught when there are towns of equivalent interest elsewhere that we shall guide you to — and where you will not see anyone who is not Italian ?

Rome is my home, and the most exciting and overwhelming of all Italian cities.  I try to show it to you through my eyes, combining an intelligent way of visiting the essential, better known sites with a special entree into those magical places that you will not find on your own.

How to begin planning for 2012 ? Start with our no-obligation survey.  We will be back in touch very quickly with our preliminary ideas, ready for your review.

Here’s to joyful travels ahead in Italy this year.