Private Tours

In my ongoing quest to design private tours that exceed expectations, I have just returned from a 5 week research trip in Europe.  Having already spent 3 weeks in Turkey in early Summer,  and because my clients who have now visited Turkey are asking about other destinations, I wanted to refresh my awareness of my other favourites:  Italy, Spain and Portugal.  Well, actually, the latter is a new destination for me, but one that I have wanted to explore forever (and I’m so glad I did!)

Incidentally, my travels took me to many very special places, but since I am particularly interested in cultural tourism, I am emphasizing those elements in this posting.

First stop:  Italy

So … I visited Italy for two weeks – Venice, Florence, Rome as well as  San Gemignano in beautiful Siena, and Adriana’s Villa in Tivoli.  There are wonderful museums, concerts and galleries in all the cities (not to mention divine shopping), as well as colourful street markets in Siena.  The Agritourism business is flourishing in Tuscany and to really experience a core element of rural life in Italy, you might want to include a couple of nights in a fattoria, or farmhouse.  We visited a small family-run farm that grows and produces its own fruit, vegetables, wines and olive oil.  Lunch was delicious, with the best rustic bread I have ever eaten, complete with deliciously fresh olive oil, home-grown and cured olives, house-wine and cheeses and other foods supplied by other local farms.  Everything on the table came from within a 10 mile radius.   This ranks as a must-do for the traveller interested in culinary adventure.

Rooms for Rent in this beautiful farmhouse in Siena

At the end of a long day of exploring, the comfort and amenities of your accommodation are critical to your overall experience.  It’s not enough to see beautiful photographs on a web site or to read the flowery marketing text that often accompanies those photographs.  I visited a range of properties in Italy.  There was considerable variation between the quality of offerings and amenities in the 3* category, including charming rooms in ancient, beautifully maintained  farmhouses.   In the luxury category, 5* the quality was consistent … and divine!   With Virtuoso properties you will never be disappointed!

Some of the best restaurants are the most simple, family-run establishments.  If the people eating in the restaurants are Italians, your chances are pretty good that the food is authentic and not tourist-menu food!  Somebody had recommended a restaurant that turned out to be full of tourists, loud due to the deafening flat notes of an accordian player forcing everybody to shout, and olive oil that was obviously of the lowest quality – it was a blue green colour!  Also, the menu touted “mozzarella di bufala” which is, of course, fresh buffalo milk mozzarella, rich and creamy.  When the plate arrived, yours truly identified the product as “fior di latte” an inferior – and significantly cheaper – version of the former that is made from cow milk and definitely a few notches down in the taste and texture scales.  The waiter insisted it was buffalo, but when another waiter came by, she confirmed that it was indeed “fior di latte.”   You might not be able to tell the difference.  My point here is:  eat where the locals eat – prices are better and you will get real food, for they will tolerate neither inferior olive oil nor “imposter” mozzarella!

Also visited

In Venice:  La Fenice Opera House, Murano Island, Piazza San Marco, Doges Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Accademia Museum, The Grand Canal, via gondola, Frari Church, Jewish Ghetto, Harry’s Bar, Hotel Danieli … and so much more.

In Florence:  Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David), Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, etc.

In Rome:  St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Forum, Siena.

Next stop: Portugal!

Portugal.  We experienced - and loved - Porto, Obidos, Sintra, Faro, The Algarve and Lisbon.  I won’t detail our two week journey here, but since we drove from the top right to the bottom of the country, we experienced a tremendous variety – food, architecture, wines, topography etc.  For instance, we stayed in a couple of Pousadas – one a restored baroque palace and the other an 11th century castle!  We stayed in other hotels that ranged from super-contemporary to tradidtional and we at many delicious seafood meals.  We didn’t care as much for the cuisine of Northern Portugal as that of further south, but I can honestly say I have never tasted such delicious, tasty and extremely fresh seafood …EVER!

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is built on seven hills (like Rome.)  We stayed in a lovely restored 18th Century manor house in the city centure, where we felt like we were in a warm and welcoming home.  The breakfasts were divine and plentiful, and coffee delicious!

After a couple of days R&R in The Algarve, the riviera of Portugal, we drove across the imaginary border to Seville, Spain and stayed in a charming hotel in the old Jewish quarters of the town.  Even with a map, we could not find this little gem, so we paid a taxi-driver to lead the way!  The streets in this part of town will take just one vehicle, barely, with no room for pedestrians (who stand in doorways to let cars pass!)  Our hotel was super-contemporary, small with excellent service and delicious breakfast, and provided a laptop in each room (with free Internet access. ) Some rooms even have exercise equipment!  The Cathedral in Seville is a site that has to be seen to be believed.  It is officially recognized as the largest church in the world and was a mosque until 1402.  This is the official burial site of Christopher Columbus - and just standing in front of the elaborate monument was a very special experience for me.

We wound up our trip in Madrid, where we spent a few days exploring the city with friends.  As part-time residents, they showed us places that no tour could ever include.   I had been to Madrid before, so had visited many of the museums and galleries, but this time I had to include at least one, so we opted for the Thyssen gallery for a special exhibit, “Tears of Eros.” After, we had a delicious lunch in the gallery restaurant and resumed our discovery of this vibrant city.

A private tour

If you are a traveller rather than a tourist, you will appreciate that the best way to experience any country is  to participate.   With an itinerary that is professionally crafted according to YOUR interests, YOUR desires and YOUR budget, you are participating  in your experience.  Of course, there will be tourist sites that you want to include in your visit, so I will pull whatever strings I can to arrange your visit when others are elsewhere!

Your private tour will include everything you would expect, including professional drivers, guides, accommodation, meals, entrance fees etc. and – here’s the good news – need not cost any more than a packaged tour.

Contact me today and let’s work together to craft a private tour just for you!  I am just an email or phone call away!