As you know spring is here and bursting with renewed energy from a not-too-long winter.  The trees have new growth and flowers are starting to bloom.  Everywhere I look, the Fields are Green in the “Green Heart of Italy”, and poppies line the roads in brilliant red. The weather has been gorgeous, and we are waiting for you with open arms.

I am looking forward to my 2024 La Dolce Vita Spring Tours and fall tours with Village Vacations in Italy. I have a new website www.VillageVacationsInItaly.com,  with a new logo, and new address since I moved to Piegaro, Italy full-time on January 27^th this year.  I sold my house, two motorcycles, furniture, and gifted or donated clothes, shoes, STUFF, etc. to make the big move across the pond and only for one reason, my love of the “Green Heart”

Being brought up in a very Italian family helped also.  I could not get enough of this beautiful country and now I won’t ever have to leave!

 What makes it even better?  I get to show you experiences that not every “tourist” gets to see.  I take you “off the beaten path” to places where you can truly enjoy the incredible Italian people.  Family and friends are the center of everything in our lives and I love my life here, with the relaxed pace, fresh fruits, vegetables, incredible meals, and excellent wines and culture.

Meet the Artisans

 Gorgeous treasures hand-painted by Valeria Tassi of Maioliche Artistiche Tassi

Handmade leather purses and shoes 

Feast your eyes on Handmade Jewelry while enjoying a “Prosecco  Party” 

Paolo Batoloni owner and winemaker of Le Cimate Vineyard 

Italy is one big tapestry and tiny bits of mosaics that have taken centuries to form this beautiful country and made it what it is today.  The Italians have carried on with their traditions for centuries as well.  There are festivals and sagras for everything they celebrate, even a Cheese Rolling Festival that has been going on since 1837!  They roll a huge round of Parmesan cheese down the streets to see who can roll the furthest, and it is very serious and competitive.

Here are a few interesting facts about the Italians:

Invention of the battery

The First University in Bologna was founded in 1088

First Public Library

Dictionary of the Italian language and synonyms by Nicole Tommaseo

Dante Alighieri

The Medici family founded the first bank in Firenze

The invention of the thermometer in 1654, Ferdinand II de Medici,

Galileo mapped the moon with a telescope he built himself.

The designers of clothes and shoes Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, the list goes on and on

The musicians and singers

The sculptures, painters, poets, and writers

The language dates to 753 BC and evolved into more than 250 dialects. So many dialects they had trouble communicating with each other. It always amazes me when I hear the different accents and my take,” their secret language”.

The “Nonna’s and their recipes….where would Italy be without them!

My beautiful Nonna

Domenica Maria Tomasi

Yes, that’s me in my Nonna’s kitchen and I still love to cook 

When you book with Village Vacations in Italy you won’t have to worry about anything except getting yourself to Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) Rome the day your tour begins.

 When you land in Rome you will be picked up by our driver and driven to your “Home Away From Home” for the week.  Breakfast and dinner, with wine, each day.  We believe in Slow Travel and let you plan your day when we visit the other villages. One-hour guided tours are included in Assisi and Perugia.

No need to rent a car, you will be driven by our driver and I will escort you each day.

You will also learn the secrets of Italian cooking during your hands-on cooking lesson and taste award-winning wine produced by local vineyards.  www.VillageVacationsInItaly.com

Enjoying the wonderful dishes they made in the cooking class on the terrace 

If you visit in late September you can experience “Grape Squishing, Lucille Ball style. Yes, you stomp grapes with your feet like they did many years ago. The only prerequisite is that you dress the part.

After the Squish

 We also offer Olive Harvest Tours in the fall. You will pick the olives with the locals in the morning and afterward have a bountiful lunch with them. Afterward, we take you to the “Frantoio”, processing plant, and you will learn how they turn the olives that you picked into “Liquid Gold”. They usually have the fire going and toasting fresh bread with fresh olive oil basted on each piece. My mouth waters just thinking about it!

Enjoy lunch with the locals 

Pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil….Your taste buds will thank you!

I want you to experience Italy the way I do….Like a Local

Unpack once and enjoy an amazing week with Village Vacations in Italy

making incredible memories and new friendships in Fields of Green in the Green Heart of Italy

Includes:

• Accommodations

• Breakfast and Dinner Each Day

• Roundtrip Airport Transfers

• Day Trip Transportation with Escort

• Assisi-Cortona-Perugia-Deruta

• Cooking Class -Vineyard Tour

• Everything listed on the tour is included except airfare

Available Dates:

• April 28-May 5 (Ask about our discounted rate for our spring tours)

• May 12-19

• September 7-14

• September 21-28 Grape Squishing

• October 5-12 Grape Squishing (Sold Out)

•  October 27-November 3

For more information contact 

Nedra@VillageVacationsInItaly.com

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.