Roxana Lewis, CTC
My Italian friends tease me that I know Italy better than they do. I have traveled around Italy every year since 1985. (That is longer than the average American marriage.) I have been to almost every hill town, gone kayaking in the Venetian lagoon, and have a well-rounded perspective on all kinds of special ways to experience all things Italian.
I have hiked and have led hiking tours all over Italy, so if that is something you enjoy, I can put you in a five-star hotel and chart out day hikes with amazing scenery tailored to your desired exertion level. One that I often recommend is an easy hike between Positano and Priaino with stunning views of Amalfi coast.
Most clients want to see all the places they have heard of but I always try to add in something a bit different--something not on the typical tourist list. That is almost always the highlight that they come back talking about.
For example, there is a fabulous hill town just 45 minutes outside Rome with one of the ten most beautiful cathedrals in Europe, and few Americans get here. The town, Orieta, is built along a corniche overlooking several valleys. The streets are tiled in ceramic and you can visit ceramic and wood-carvers shops, have a nice lunch with the crisp, dry, white wine the area is known for, and then return to Rome. It makes for a magical interlude because you are not seeing 200 tourists at every turn.
Venice is truly unique, and there are ways to make it even more special. Carnival is a big part of the culture and one way to understand it is to go to a Venetian mask-making workshop, where you’ll learn the roots of the tradition. Similarly, you can learn all about gondolas as you watch one being handcrafted. Lovers of great craftsmanship also can ferry to nearby islands to watch the lacemakers on Burano, and see Murano glass-blowers create pieces that can be worth thousands of dollars.
All over Italy, there are also opportunities to create your own take-home works of art. In Ravenna, known for its amazing mosaic works, you can join a beginner workshop. And there’s probably no better skill to take home than learning to cook some of Italy’s renowned cuisines. There are cooking classes in everything from pizza-making to creating the perfect pasta dishes.
A fun way to explore is to hop on a Vespa with a guide who will take you along country roads to quaint towns and wineries. For many, it is the highlight of their trip. As one client put it, “I had more in me than I thought I did!”
People often ask me my favorite part of Italy. My answer is always the same: the region with the least amount of tee shirt shops. Puglia was my favorite and I still love it, but it is getting increasingly trendy. Just to the south, the Basilicata region is still fairly undiscovered and there is a great hotel, Palazzo Margherita, Frances Ford Coppola’s former home, now a five-star resort.
Italy is like my second home; I would love to open its doors for you!