Village Vacations in Italy Fall Tours

Falling for Italy…I know I am!

The temperatures have dropped and sleeping with my windows wide open, enjoying the cool breeze, is beyond blissful.  I love the fall especially here in Italy.  There are festivals everywhere, every weekend.  This weekend there is a festival celebrating corn, of all things, in the next village over.  I’m sure the wine will be flowing; the scents of food and corn will be floating in the air and lots of feet dancing in the streets.

I am looking forward to our Village Vacations in Italy Fall Tours which will include “Grape Squishing Lucille Ball Style.” The women will dress in costume and recreate the famous stomping scene, at a Le Cimate Vineyard in Montefalco. They will experience a vineyard tour, stomp until their hearts are content, and have a fabulous lunch served with the vineyard’s wine of course.  More celebrations toward the end of September for the harvesting of grapes. Since everyone loves their wine, this celebration is HUGE, but I must admit the Italians love to celebrate many things and the list is very long.

Assisi

Assisi The majestic town of immense beauty and spiritual significance where St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182. You will enjoy a guided tour with time to explore and shop afterward.

The Basilica of Saint Frances

Cortona

Cortona in Tuscany where Frances Mayes wrote the book “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Great for strolling, shopping, museums, and boutique shops. Cortona is one of my favorite hilltop villages. I’ll tell you where to meet me for a Prosecco Party before we head back to the villa.

Cortona’s main piazza

Castiglione Del Lago & The Hills of Piegaro

Market Day in Castiglione Del Lago & Cooking class in the hills of Piegaro, where I live. You will learn the secrets of Italian cooking. Afterward, enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine on a terrace while the birds are chirping & glasses of wine are flowing. Another great day with Village Vacations in Italy.

The basket maker

You are in for another treat “Porchetta” and cheese

Deruta Pottery

Deruta is our first stop Maioliche Artistiche Tassi where you will see the process from beginning to end of gorgeous hand-painted pottery. The colors and patterns are treasures speaking to you to take them home.

The patterns and colors of hand-painted pottery

This group joined the clean plate club on these gorgeous hand-painted dishes

Perugia

Perugia, the capital of Umbria has so much to offer. The medieval Priori Palace exhibits regional art from the 13^th century onward. Looking onto Piazza IV Novembre, the Gothic cathedral houses Renaissance paintings and frescoes. In the square’s center, Fontana Maggiore is a marble fountain with carvings of biblical scenes and zodiac signs. Guided tour so you don’t miss a thing.

A guided tour of Perugia with Paolo

Grape Squishing

Grape Squishing is offered during the weeks of September 21—28 & October 5—12 at Le Cimate Vineyard. You will squish grapes like Lucy! Bring your costumes! You will also enjoy a vineyard tour to learn all about the process of making wine and enjoy lunch with wine tasting. After we will head up to Centro Storico Montefalco*

Olive Harvest

Olive Harvest the week of October 27—November 2. You will experience picking olives with the locals and have a “Harvest Lunch” with everyone.  I love helping the locals pick their olives. Afterward, we will visit a Frantoio, olive pressing plant, where you will see the process from beginning to end.  Your taste buds will thank you. Another great day meeting the locals.

Olive Harvest with Nonno

Picking olives with the locals

Lunch after picking olives then off to watch the process of olives turned to “Liquid Gold”

Village Vacations in Italy Travel Philosophy

Our philosophy is Slow Travel, Unpack Once, and No Rush to enjoy your time in each village we take you to. A wonderful 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.

A Few Reviews:

“I can only say good things about my group tour with Nedra and Village Vacations in Italy! She is first of all warm and friendly and makes everyone feel special and appreciated!  She thinks of everything and goes out of her way to book events we wanted to attend, and reservations required. She is extremely thorough! You will know what she is planning and can feel confident that no detail will be overlooked! The Villa is amazing! The beautiful building itself and the lovely grounds were relaxing and inspiring! The food we shared every morning and evening in the large dining room was lovingly prepared by the two “nonnas” who made us feel like family. Transportation was comfortable and efficient — and what a driver! I would wholeheartedly recommend Nedra for your tour of Umbria. She knows this area like the back of her hand and speaks the language. She also has developed relationships with the restaurants and vendors we visited so we felt secure in our purchases and choices of places to have lunch. Everything was perfect!”

— Rosemary Connelly

“My name is Lee Maloney.  I am going to Italy for the third time this year to join Nedra’s tour.
I have taken friends and they all agree it is a great trip!  It is a wonderful experience. From the moment you are met at the airport your every need is taken care of.  It’s like being on a cruise.  You unpack once and all you must do after that is be on time. The food is delicious, and the tours are great. Nedra goes above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect. You get to completely enjoy Italy.” VillageVacationsInItaly.com

— Lee

“I have taken two of Nedra’s Village Vacations in Italy tours, two years in a row. I am happy to share with you my enthusiasm for Nedra, her tour, and the overall experience in Italy.

You will be in wonderful hands with Village Vacations and Nedra.  Her attention is personalized and detailed.  You’ll truly be able to relax and enjoy the experience.

Being based out of the beautiful villa setting and to tour around Umbria and Tuscany daily is delightful. Returning to the villa at the end of the day to relax, and then look forward to delicious dinners and local wines is a treasured experience for me. The itinerary will be diverse, and you truly get to experience Italy and its amazing destinations.

Assisi, Cortona, an Italian cooking class, the artists’ village of Deruta where you experience the art of gorgeous Italian pottery…all wonderfully planned, and comfortable transportation to all of these treats.

You will not be disappointed, the Village Vacations in Italy are fantastic, the villa is comfortable, and the staff is like vacationing with family. They are amazing!

Wishing you wonderful travels!

— Keith Kollar

For more information contact

Nedra Marie Bottieri

Nedra@VillageVacationsInItaly.com

+1.954.661.4622 or +39.335.160.4880

Both numbers can be reached on WhatsApp

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.