Experience Italy and the Italians in small villages
Experience Italy and the Italians in Small Villages
Where do I start to entice you to experience Italy and the Italians in the small villages, away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities? If you’re looking for a relaxing, hassle-free getaway, where everything is arranged for you from pick-up at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in Rome to departure, look no further. We pamper you from start to finish! No cooking, no car renting, no GPS to find your way around because we take you to a different village every day.
Wake up to a gorgeous sunrise in Umbria
We take you to the nooks and crannies of the villages, where you will meet the local artisans who are so proud of what they offer. At the weekly outdoor market, you will find local honey, jams and jellies, homemade bread, fruits and vegetables, fresh-pressed local olive oil, pastries, and the list goes on and on.
Outdoor markets with local vendors.
The spring is the most beautiful time of year. Everywhere you look, you will see fields of green with crops popping up and brilliant red poppies; soon, sunflowers will cover the land with yellow. Village Vacations in Italy has openings for the week of April 6-13. www.VillageVacationsInItaly.com.
Picking Poppies
You will also learn about the process of wine making from one of my favorite local vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting while having lunch in the Umbria countryside, where I live. I want you to experience Italy like a local, not a tourist.
Experience Italy and the Italians in small villages where you will take a cooking lesson and then enjoy the fruits of your labor on a terrace drinking wine and the new friends you’ve made.
Cooking class in the hills of Umbria
Guided tours of Assisi and Perugia are also on the itinerary. The tours include fascinating facts about St. Frances and the Italians, including how they lived thousands of years ago. The underground city of Perugia
Paolo explains the trials and tribulations of the Italians thousands of years ago.
Deruta is known for its Maioilche Ceramics. You will see first-hand the process from beginning to end. Save room in your luggage to take a few of these magnificent pieces home. Their brilliant colors and designs are eye candy for sure. Artisan techniques are passed down from generation to generation.
You will see the process from beginning to end
We will visit Cortona, where Frances Mayes wrote the book “Under the Tuscan Sun,” which later became a movie starring Diane Lane. My “True Story”….I read the book and then saw the movie. My husband and I separated, and I had never been to a movie alone. I went to the matinee, and there weren’t many people in the theater. After the movie, I loudly announced, “That’s it! I’m moving to Italy”! The people clapped and wished me well. My dream came true, and I could not be happier about my decision to move here. My mission has been for people like you reading this to experience Italy and the Italians in small villages the way I do.
Sit back and relax in Piazza Signorelli in Cortona
My tours have been so successful that I’ve had guests return. Once you fall in love with Italy, she will also take hold of your heart, and Village Vacations in Italy makes this happen.
Aperitivo is a must
Our philosophy is to travel slowly, unpack once, and not rush so that you can enjoy your time in each village we take you to. A fantastic opportunity to spend time in Umbria and Tuscany in a beautiful villa with everything arranged for you to truly enjoy and live “La Dolce Vita” for the week you are with us.
For more in-depth information, read some of our previous articles:
https://slowtraveltours.com/blog/village-vacations-in-italy-memories/
https://slowtraveltours.com/blog/fields-of-green-in-the-green-heart-of-italy/
 Former flight attendant Nedra Bottieri made a life-changing trip to Italy twenty years ago to re-discover her family heritage. Now with dual citizenship, she has a second home in Umbria. Through her company, Village Vacations in Italy, she organizes and hosts small group tours based in small villages in Umbria and Tuscany, normally customized tours for private groups. Groups have included yoga workshops, writing workshops, and groups of family and friends. Nedra draws on her extensive experience and relationships to plan special accommodations and activities to meet each group’s needs and dreams. Experience “La Dolce Vita” in Italy! To learn more about her tours, see www.villagevacationsinitaly.com Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries. |
Great article and photos, Nedra. ?
Thank you, Margrit.
While major cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence get most of the attention, there’s something truly magical and authentic about visiting the hidden gems of the Italian countryside. This article really captures the essence of slow travel and the joy of immersing yourself in local culture.
I loved how the article highlighted the charm of small Italian villages, where you can experience traditional festivals, family-run trattorias, and the warmth of local hospitality. There’s something special about wandering through medieval streets, sipping espresso in a quiet piazza, or chatting with artisans who have been perfecting their craft for generations. The idea of staying in a small village rather than rushing from one tourist hotspot to another is such a refreshing approach to travel.
One thing I’d add is that learning a few basic Italian phrases can go a long way in small villages, where English isn’t as widely spoken. Also, visiting during the off-season can make the experience even more intimate and relaxed.