Massage Services

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We Offer Private Massages at Your Villa!

Relax in your chosen villa with a private massage therapist.

We can offer you a list of top massage therapist with expertise in one of the many specialties: Holistic Massage, Relaxing Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Sport Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, and Reiki.

Tuscany – Lucia Calo,  Massage Therapist

Lucia, born in Rome, has travelled around the world in search of inspiration and techniques, with the aim of using massage to attain well being for the body, the mind, and the spirit.

She arrived in Val d’Orcia, four years ago and fell in love with the landscape, the people, the way of life.  Since then, this valley has become her home.

Lucia brings all her knowledge and expertise from her travels, from India to Australia, Bali, and Thailand.  She shares the secrets of these age-old civilizations and their massage techniques.

Lucia also offers beauty salon services: manicures, pedicures, waxing, and make-up.

Wine glasses held in hands being touched together

Wine Excursions

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We would be happy to arrange half, or full day wine tours, but as you can read from the article below, there are numerous regions and choices.  Please give us your preferences, time frame, and budget, and we will make a recommendation for you.

Wine Folly 

Getting into Italian wine is a never-ending adventure of new wines to taste. The book Wine Grapes identifies 377 unique indigenous wine grapes in Italy. With the existence of biotypes or sub varieties (genetically the same but with morphological and physiological differences), many believe this number is much higher. Add on to this 408 D.O.P. (Denominazioni di Origine Protetta) or regional wine quality denominations (DOC + DOCG), many of which have multiple styles, and you have an even larger number. To put it into perspective, if you tasted a new Italian wine each week, it would take you 20 years to taste your way through Italy.

If you tasted a new Italian wine each week, it would take you 20 years to taste your way through Italy.

Fortunately, each of Italy’s 20 regions specializes in just a few primary wines and this is where you can start. Below you’ll find a list of Italy’s 20 major regions (see link below) their vineyard plantings (from 2010), and their major varieties or wine blends along with a few tasting notes to describe them. There are 51 wines listed below and if you’ve tried them all, you’ll gain a profound understanding of Italian wine.

Full article-  http://winefolly.com/review/italian-wine-exploration-map/

 

Culinary Experiences

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Every corner of Italy has its own unique cuisine, and we are here to help you find the best experience.  Whether you want a full week of cooking, or just a cooking class for half of a day, or no cooking, we offer a variety of food-related outings. Our food and wine tours in Italy give just about any foodie a vacation they’ve dreamed about.

If you enjoy spending time with like-minded people who are passionate about food and wine, we recommend one of our All-Inclusive Villa Tours.  These are limited to 14 to 16 guests and cater to people who want some exclusive behind the scene food and wine-related experiences. For more information: https://dreamitalianvillastours.com/tours/

Walking Tours in Historic Centers

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One of the most memorable experiences you will have in your travels is a guided tour of the historical centers.  Nothing will ever compare to a private guide who can bring the rich history alive through their storytelling.

You can always take your guide books, rent headphones, or go with a tour group and follow the leader with their colored flag.  Do you want to be in a large group of 20+ as you stand around trying to hear your guide? We didn’t think so.

With us, a private guide will be spending 3-4 hours being responsive to what interests you; while you are taken back in time. In most instances, our Italy guided tour packages will cost 350 euros for 3- 4 hours.  If you are a group of up to 12, the same price applies. You will also be able to enter in through a separate door and not stand in line.

Entrance tickets are extra but are nominal.  Museums are not open 7-days a week, and hours vary.

You will want to book your private guide in advance, especially during peak season.

Do not delay, please contact us for your own Italy guided tour package!

 

Transfers & Private Driver Guides

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Often your best vacation is experiencing the destination, instead of stressing on how to get somewhere.  May we recommend private drivers for either your transfers from point to point, or private drivers for tours.

We offer private transfers from the airport/hotel, or pier throughout Italy.  Rome Airport to the city center is around 65 euro.  Yes, you can take a taxi, but after hours of travel, there is nothing better than having someone waiting outside of customs with your name on a sign.

Another reason for hiring drivers for your tours, is due to limited parking in many Italian cities/towns. Even when you can find parking it can be quirky, and not often, are there consistent means to pay for parking.  In the U.S. we take for granted that there are machines that allow you to use your credit card, or an attendant to take your payment.  Not true when traveling throughout Italy.

Sampling of tours

Florence a walking city; you cannot have a car in the historic center without a permit.  They are only issued daily by the police station.  May we suggest a guided walking tour, based on your interest.  You will want a full 3 days to scratch the surface of Florence, or opt for a driver for one of those days, to visit the Tuscan Countryside.

Tuscany Half Day Tours from Florence: Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Sangimignano and the Chianti wine region.  Full day excursions are available to Cinque Terre, Pisa/Lucca and Montepulciano/Montalcino; the Brunello Wine Region

Rome may we suggest a 3-hour city tour with a  driver, who will take you to all of the sites to give you a broad perspective. A walking guided tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican, a must!

Amalfi Coast:  Sorrento, Naples, Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, Pompeii.   The Amalfi Coast is a 30 mile stretch of arguably the most scenic coastline in the world.  We highly recommend drivers and guides due to traffic & limited parking.  We also suggest water taxis that travel up and down the coast.

Venice a city with no cars made up of 113 islands.  We suggest a guided walking tour of Venice and water taxis to take you to the outer islands of Murano and Burano.

 

Apartment Rentals

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Apartment Rentals are on the rise, and for good reason; they often offer a more affordable alternative to hotels.

Often you can have a 3-Star budget and book a 4-Star experience, or you can take your 4-Star budget and receive a 5-Star experience.

Most apartments range in size from a studio, 1 bedroom, 2-3 bedrooms.  There are limited options for 4, or 5 bedroom apartments.

Hotels

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With our network of hotels throughout Italy, with the Signature Network, we know it will be good!

We feature 4 & 5 Star Hotels and whenever possible, we would suggest a boutique hotel (under 30 rooms).  We prefer charm, over business hotels with oversized lobbies and lots of people.  There is nothing wrong with big hotels, but we just prefer a boutique hotel’s ambiance.  Sometimes location, price, and availability will lead to offering you something larger, and that is OK, too!

Depending on the city & the season, the rate starts around $200 to $1000, per night.  4-Star Hotels peak season, on average, will begin around $450 a night. The city, their availability, etc., will always vary, so this is an example.

If your plans allow you to stay a minimum of 3 nights, we suggest an apartment rental.  Often you will have a more affordable option.  If your budget is 3-Stars, you most likely will be able to buy up to a 4-Star, and likewise, you can upgrade to a 5-Star property with a 4-Star budget.

We do not book hotels asking for 100% payment in advance with a 100% penalty if you cancel.  If you prefer to shave a few dollars (maybe 100 euro for the week), we recommend that you book directly. If you’re looking for a new experience altogether, try staying in an Italian Villa.