Liz Picurro, Author at Shared Adventures

A Winter Getaway to Southern Spain

April 5, 2022 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

What is it like to travel to Southern Spain right now? A delight! With COVID restrictions lifting and case numbers declining, many of our clients are considering a big European Adventure for 2022, and we are more than thrilled to help them plan! Damien and Sarah have a love of history and exploring new cities, so we knew southern Spain would fit them perfectly for their February getaway.

Spain is a perfect destination for history buffs, foodies, architecture fans, and anyone ready to slow down and soak in some sunshine. It’s quite a big country, with seventeen regions each with its sense of culture, tradition, and history. And the southern region of Andalusia has a lot to offer!

map of Seville, Grenada and Cordba the Southern Spain adventure

Damien and Sarah visited Seville, Granada, and Cordoba on their 10-day Spanish adventure. There were beautiful landmarks, UNESCO sites, and unique history with a Moorish and Islamic influence. It’s the only European region with both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, so Andalusia has the most varied terrain in all of Spain — making it an ideal spot to explore.

Hi Ann,

I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to send a note to touch base now that we’re back and settled in 🙂

We had such a wonderful time in Spain! We really loved all of the hotels you chose for us. And we were particularly fond of Hotel Casa 1800 Seville and Casas de la Juderia in Cordoba since they had such a perfect location and a unique local character to them.

view from the roof top hotel in Seville Southern Spain

Plus the view from the rooftop pool at Hotel Casa 1800 Seville was pretty unbeatable!

There were too many highlights to name but a couple of our favorite moments included:

SEVILLE

Roman ruins in Italica

These ruins just outside of Seville include remarkable mosaics and an impressive amphitheater. Italica was one of the earliest Roman settlements in Spain. Today you can visit the amphitheater and a wide main avenue with five large houses. Wander through well-preserved mosaics, aqueducts, temples, and thermal baths as you get a taste of Italy on your Spanish adventure

Royal Alcazar of Seville

a long pool leading to impressive architecture at the Royal Alcazar Palace in Seville

This Royal Compound has been Seville’s center of power from the early-Middle Ages to today. Because it was repeatedly altered over time, it gives you a fascinating lesson on the history of architecture. The compound combines elements typical of Muslim, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic styles. This is a perfect place for history and architecture buffs to spend an afternoon!

CORDOBA

Mezquita of Cordoba

The mosque of Cordoba is a temple and a monument. Originally built in 784 A.D. as a Mosque, when the Christians took Cordoba in 1236 they converted it into a cathedral. However, they built their cathedral inside the original Mosque. Thus, creating a unique blend of different cultures and styles.

Medina Azahara

travel couple and the ancient ruins of Medina Azahara in Cordoba

Visiting the ruins of this ancient city is the perfect complement to the Mezquita of Cordoba! Originally a mid-10th century palace-city it was destroyed and mostly forgotten only 70 years after it was built, leaving it largely preserved. Once again, you get a chance to step back into time and expand your understanding of the Hispanic-Muslim legacy of southern Spain.

GRENADA

Alhambra

A palace and fortress for the Moorish monarchs of ancient Grenada. Constructed on a plateau that overlooks the city, this is a worthwhile stop for everyone simply because of the stunning views. The interior decorations are fit for a king and the grounds exhibit the natural beauty of the area. It has been built and rebuilt over the centuries offering stunning stonework to admire.

Needless to say, the food and wine were amazing…we particularly loved the tapas tour we booked through Project Expedition – we’d highly recommend it!

The tradition of eating tapas varies by region but wherever you visit in Spain, trying these delectable bites is a must! Seen as a light snack before your big meal, in Grenada tapas are often served free when you order a drink. It’s all about the Spanish culture of sharing food and conversation at a table.

Top Spanish Foods to Try
Paella
Gazpacho
Tortilla Espanola
Gambas al Ajillo
Patatas Bravas

From a logistics standpoint, everything was a breeze and was really easy to navigate. The only thing that didn’t go perfectly smoothly (though it was still totally fine) was our early morning transfer back to the Seville airport. The driver was great and was on time but we actually got to the airport too early…we got picked up around 3:30 AM but apparently the airport itself didn’t open until 5 AM. It was totally fine since the driver was nice enough to let us wait in the car until it opened but just thought I’d let you know!

While the COVID rules are always changing, adhering to them doesn’t have to greatly affect your trip! We recommend staying up-to-date but we’re always here to help walk you through any major changes!

Thanks so much for your help in planning this! We’ve definitely got the travel bug again and booked flights to Iceland for July. We’re hoping to get your help with that trip too!

-Damien

The Best Honeymoon Destinations (by Month)

March 15, 2022 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Honeymoons by Month Pin — *Pin it for later!*

The majority of couples still take their honeymoons shortly after the wedding. Which means that honeymooners have to consider seasonality and find a destination that works well for their specific travel dates. But how do you know which places are the best at different times of year? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered, with our handy guide to the best honeymoon destinations by month!

The Weather

Before we get to the months, there are a few criteria to keep in mind. First is, of course, the weather.

Beachy and tropical islands often have just two seasons: Dry and Rainy. These seasons tend to be the opposite on different sides of the world. So no matter what month you travel in, you can find a beautiful beachy location somewhere.

[Photo Credit: Katey & Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rica Honeymoon here!]

The Crowds

a piazza in Rome full of tourists, ideal for Honeymoons

The other important factor to consider is crowds. Certain months see high crowds for a reason. Everyone is excited to experience the best weather the destination has to offer! Think about whether it’s more important to you to have the best weather possible (despite the crowds). Or would you prefer to risk some less-than-ideal days in exchange for having a sense of seclusion?

[Photo credit: Ann via Shared Adventures]

With these answers in mind, have a look at our monthly guide! We’ve split the destinations into two categories: “High-season” is the best weather with potentially the biggest crowds. “Best balance” has decent weather balanced with smaller crowds.

January

St. Lucia– high-season
Costa Rica- high-season
Aruba – high-season

Norway– high-season
Swiss Alps- best balance

Beachy Honeymoons: For the best weather, look to the equator. Destinations in the Central America region ( including the Caribbean) will be beautiful. They will also be in peak season. January offers clear blue skies, warm seas, and a perfectly idyllic beach vacation. It’s just a bonus that you can escape from the cold!

Snowy Honeymoons: Consider just how cold you truly want it to be. The further north you go, the darker and colder it gets, which gives you the brilliant opportunity to see the Northern Lights. January also tends to be less busy than February in top ski destinations due to the shorter days.

February

Mexico– high-season
New Zealand- high-season
Hawai’i – best balance

Swiss Alps- high-season
Norway- best balance
California- best balance

Beachy Honeymoons: February is a peak month for tropical travel. The Caribbean, and Mexico are popular with everyone trying to escape the winter cold, including families on school vacation breaks. Hawaii can be a good option, because the weather is temperate year round and spreads the crowds out. And French Polynesia might work, as long as you’re okay with some passing rain showers.

Snowy Honeymoons: How important is skiing? How cold is too cold? If you want to hit the slopes every day of your honeymoon, then February is prime ski season in many winter destinations! If you’re looking for other winter activities, you’ll find the extra cold temps mean a lot of opportunities to snuggle up, fewer crowds, and more daylight hours for adventuring!

March

The Maldives– best balance
New Zealand- best balance

Iceland- best balance (for snow)
Japan- high-season (mid-March)

Beachy Honeymoons: March is a great honeymoon month to avoid crowds if you don’t mind a little unpredictability. It’s the last month of the dry season in many places. So look more closely at the weather reports and consider spots where a few small showers and cooler nights will enhance your trip.

Snowy Honeymoons: This is the last opportunity of the year to enjoy a snowy destination! Consider what winter activities you’re most excited to experience. Because you start to get longer hours of daylight in March, find a destination that has a lot of outdoor adventures.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures – read about her April in Paris trip here!]

April

The Caribbean– best balance
Seychelles- best balance
South Africa- best for combining different regions

Australia- best balance
France- high-season
Napa, California- best balance

Beachy Honeymoons: April is the bridge between the dry and wet seasons. For the best weather, look into heading a bit further towards the southern hemisphere. If you’d rather stay closer to home, the Caribbean will have some unpredictability, but overall beautiful days and lower crowds.

City Breaks: April is the beginning of perfectly romantic city breaks. Consider locations that you dream of strolling around, admiring the architecture and the flowers in bloom. Look to Europe and Japan for the most beautiful displays of spring blooms.

May

Portugal– best balance
Malta- best balance
Costa Rica- best balance
Hawai’i- best balance

Fiji- best balance
Scotland- best balance
Ireland- best balance

Beachy Honeymoons: A perfect shoulder month. If you’re looking to stay closer to home, the Caribbean and Central America will have lower crowds without (yet) the summer rains. Otherwise, you can beat the summer crowds but enjoy the rising temperature on the other side of the globe. Southern Europe and the South Pacific are entering their dry season. Warm weather, low humidity, and the islands practically to yourselves — It makes the long plane trip worth it!

Sightseeing and Exploring: If you’re not a sunseeker, look into northern Europe. A perfect combination of warm days, cool nights, green countryside, lower crowds, and maybe still a little snow on the utmost mountain peaks.

[Photo credit: Ann via Shared Adventures Travel]

June

Hawai’i– high-season
Antigua- best balance
St. Lucia- best balance

Fiji- high-season
Greece- best balance
Alaska- best balance

Beachy Honeymoons: June is the beginning of hurricane season in the Caribbean, but it’s still too early for major risk. This is a good month for sun-seekers. Look for spots where you can sneak in before the storm risk increases in late summer.

City Breaks: June is an excellent month for city breaks. Everything is open and waiting, but the true heat of summer hasn’t settled into the cobblestones yet. Look for cities that allow you to get out into nature a bit for a cool breeze.

July

French Polynesia– high-season
Malta- high-season
Italy- high-season

Ireland- high-season
Canada- high-season
Iceland-high-season

Beachy Honeymoons: French Polynesia and southern Europe swell to their peak popularity. Honeymooners in July will almost certainly have to share the beaches with plenty of other travelers.

Outdoorsy Honeymoons: July is the peak month for many cooler-weather destinations that are just coming into their own at this time of year. Look to the north to find green fields, hiking trails, cool mountain lakes, fresh breezes, and unending hours of daylight.

August

Kenya & Tanzania– high-season
Mozambique- high-season
Bali- high-season
Vietnam- high-season

Croatia- high-season
France-high-season

The sweltering temps are reaching their peak and everyone is looking for a beach. August is difficult to avoid crowds, especially in Europe where many countries have their summer vacations. Look to the islands in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa for the peak of the dry season. Beautiful beaches and beautiful clear skies await you there.

[Photo credit: Liz via Shared Adventures Travel – read about a New England Roatrip here!]

September

Hawai’i – best balance
French Polynesia- best balance
Bali- best balance
Greece- best balance

Croatia- best balance
Italy- best balance
Japan-best balance
The UK– best balance

Beachy Honeymoons: This is the perfect moment to swoop in and enjoy the last warm days without all the crowds. Look to the most popular summer beach destinations. You’ll find amazing weather, still-warm seas, and fewer people.

City Breaks: Like April, September is a perfect month for city breaks. The sweltering heat dissipates and the nights start to cool. Everything is still open and buzzing from summer, but the temperatures and crowd levels are much more pleasant. This is the time to visit Italy, Greece and Croatia!

October

Mauritius-high-season
Vietnam- best balance
Dubai- best balance
Zambia- high-season

France- best balance
Amsterdam- best balance
Canada-best balance
New England- high-season

Beachy Honeymoons: This is the best time to visit those destinations that are almost unbearably hot in summer. While October brings unpredictability, it also brings good opportunities to explore beyond the beach.

Cool Honeymoons: Stunning fall foliage is the main focus of an October honeymoon in North America and Europe. While you may have a mixture of sun and rain, October’s quiet crispness in the cities will only add to the romantic atmosphere.

November

Thailand-best balance
The Maldives- high-season
Jamaica- best balance

Australia- high-season
Argentina- best balance
Chile- best balance

November is all about the Southern Hemisphere. While the north experiences rain and cloudy skies, the south is right at the beginning of summer. The weather isn’t too hot yet and the crowds aren’t too big, so overall you want to consider the bottom half of the world. It’s also a good time for the Caribbean, as the hurricane risk is nearly past, and crowds ten to be lower.

December

The Caribbean-high-season
Mexico– high-season
Thailand– high-season
Bali- high-season

Copenhagen- best holiday markets
Austria- best holiday markets
Prague- best holiday markets

Beachy Honeymoons: The holiday season sees everyone in the north escaping the cold for beautiful beaches. Consider places near to the equator on both sides of the world- South East Asia, The Caribbean, and Mexico are all in their stride.

Snowy Honeymoons: The beginning of snow, cold temperatures, and beautiful holiday markets! While snow is a little unpredictable, consider those cold-weather cities with booming holiday markets as the perfect cozy romantic destinations.

Florence vs Rome

March 1, 2022 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Rome vs Florence Pin — *Pin it for Later!*

These two famous Italian cities are incredible, unforgettable destinations that everyone should visit at least once. But sometimes, depending on what else you’re hoping to do and see in Italy, you have to choose between Rome and Florence, and can’t do both in one trip. Whichever one you choose, you’ll find incredible food, plenty of history, and some famous sites paired with classic Italian dolce vita. But how do you decide? If you can only fit one into your trip here’s a little guide to help you find the perfect fit.

LENGTH OF STAY

Let’s face it, neither of these cities can be fully experienced in just one day. You could spend weeks or even months in them and keep finding new amazing discoveries. But what is the minimum amount of time you need to enjoy the city and see the most famous sites?

Depending on how long you have to dedicate to your city, it may determine which one you visit.

Rome
In such a big city, it’s best to spend 4-5 days. Ideally, you’ll have 3 full days dedicated to Rome in addition to your arrival & departure half days.

Florence
To see the top tourist sites you need a minimum of 2 days, though 3 days is more ideal. Florence is a much smaller and more walkable city so if you’re short on time you’re more likely to “see it all” in Florence.

Best Time of Year

Another external factor is seasonality. What time of year are you planning on going? Depending on the weather, you may want to skew your trip further south or north.

Rome:

Best Time: Late Spring
Winter: Average: 47°F – cold winds and occasional rains
Spring: Average: 67°F – warmer, a mixture of sunny & rainy
Summer: Average: 87°F- very hot and dry, lots of sun.
Fall: Average: 70°F – the wettest season, starting in Mid-October.

Florence

Best Time: Early-Mid Fall
Winter: Average: 45°F- cold & cloudy with high humidity
Spring: Average: 59° F – sunny with chilly evenings
Summer: Average: 80°F- sunny, hot and humid
Fall: Average: 66°F – brisk and cool until November when the chill starts to set in and the rainfall increases.

Overall Vibes

Rome– The capital and largest city in Italy, it is a sprawling megalopolis. Even with its ancient ruins, impressive architecture, and historical sites on every corner, it feels like a city. You’ll have to use the metro, bus, or taxi to make your way around. But it’s still a city with a clear Italian feel. Rome is famous for street food, slow espresso mornings, and late evenings. Rome has a vibrant nightlife and because of its size, there’s a huge variety. If you’re traveling with a group, you are sure to find a little something for everyone, from top fashion, to tourism, cuisine, and cinema. You’ll find everything a modern city has to offer, in addition to the ancient ruins.

[Photo Credit: Caleb Miller via Unsplash]

Florence- The cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is a large but very walkable city that has managed to keep its medieval and Renaissance feel. With winding streets, elegant palaces, and lots of beautiful Renaissance architecture, it’s a very cultural city with some of the most famous artworks in the world. Every corner of Florence oozes that old-world charm and you won’t have to worry about taking public transport. Florence gives you the quintessential Italian city feel, plus those Under the Tuscan Sun vibes. You won’t find as much variety in the nightlife or activities, but whichever corner you turn down, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a romantic Italian film.

[Photo Credit: Herr Bohn via Unsplash]

Amazing Foods

If you’re a foodie, deciding between Rome and Florence is entirely down to personal preference. Both of these cities have incredible local/regional food, quality ingredients, and innovative chefs. Rome will have a bit more variety and more street food. You’ll find simple but delicious dishes like cacio e pepe, pizza, pastas, and stews. Florence has embraced the slow food movement, with tiny cafes and earthy restaurants. You’ll find pappardelle with wild boar sauce, tripe, gelato, and of course Bistecca Fiorentina!

Must-try Dishes in Rome

Suppli- rice croquettes
Trapizzino- stuffed pizzas
Jewish-style fried artichokes
Cacio e pepe- pasta with a creamy cheese sauce
Carbonara
Allesso di bollito – simmered beef
Saltimbocca –veal wrapped in prosciutto and marinated in wine
Maritozzi –candied buns filled with lightly sweetened whipped cream
Torta Ricotta e Visciole –sour cherry cheesecake

Must-try Dishes in Florence

Pappardelle al cinghiale- pasta with wild boar
Tagliatelle Porcini e Tartufo- porcini and truffle pasta
Pici- dense hand-rolled pasta
Ribollita- vegetable soup
Coniglio con umido- rabbit stew
Bistecca Fiorentina
Lampredotto- a street food sandwich made with thinly sliced tripe.
Schiacciata Fiorentina- a soft sponge cake covered with powdered sugar
Panforte- a thick florentine containing fruits and nuts

Rome is Perfect for…

History Buffs

a couple in front of ancient roman ruins in italy

Both cities have deep historical roots on display around every corner. But for history buffs, Rome comes out ahead. Florence’s history is undeniably concentrated in the Renaissance. In Rome, you’ll find everything from ancient Roman ruins to the Medieval period, the Renaissance, and a modern city. Rome is full of ruins, churches, and museums from every era that might interest. It’s also just a day trip away from archaeological wonders like Pompeii.

[Photo Credit: Dana via Shared Adventures Travel – read all about her anniversary trip to Rome here! ]

Top Historical Sites in Rome:

Colosseum
Roman Forum
St. Peter’s Basilica
Castel Sant’Angelo

Baths of Diocletian
Palazzo Venezia
Galleria Borghese
The Appian Way

Fashionistas & Shopaholics

Being a big city, Rome offers numerous shopping opportunities. With huge brands, big fashion centers, and lots of shops this is a shopaholic’s paradise. While Florence is known for some key shopping opportunities (leather, hand-made paper), Rome offers everything from top luxury designers to incredible vintage shops to stunning antique markets. Some of the famous shopping streets are like an art gallery of fashion – perfect for a day of window shopping!

Top Shopping Spots

Campo de’Fiori
Via dei Coronari
Chez Dede
L’Archivio di Monserrato

Artisanal Cornucopia
Masion Halaby
La Gallinelle
Palazzo della Civilta Italiana
Via dei Condotti

Bucket-listers & First Timers

Florence does boast some incredibly famous sites, like Michelangelo’s David and the impressively huge Duomo. But if you’re the type of person who likes to see the most famous and well-known sites in a destination, or it’s your first time in Italy, Rome has more bang for your buck. So many of the most famous Italian sites are located in and around Rome. You can see the places that spring to everyone’s mind when they picture an Italian vacation.

[Photo Credit: Dana via Shared Adventures Travel – read all about her anniversary trip to Rome here! ]

Top Bucket-List Sites:

Sistine Chapel
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
Colosseum

Pantheon
Piazza del Popolo
The Mouth of Truth
Vatican Museums

Florence is Best for…

Art Lovers

a panel of the Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery in Florence Italy

Being the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is the best place for art lovers. With famous works from Michelangelo, Donatello, Boticelli, and Leonardo Da Vinci, Florence has incredible galleries and art museums! You could easily spend entire days taking in all the amazing works of art around the city. While Rome has plenty of galleries, Florence can’t be beaten in this respect.

[Photo Credit: Liz via Shared Adventures Travel – read about her trip to Florence here!]

Top Sites for Art Lovers:

Michaelangelo’s David at Galleria Academia
The Uffizi Gallery
Boticelli’s Birth of Venus
Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise

Donatello’s David
Museo degli Argenti
Nazionale del Bargello
Palazzo Strozzi
Medici Chapels

Taking it Slow

If you only have three days to see all of Florence, you will have some very full days fitting everything in. But once you pass the three-day mark there’s a feeling of being able to slow down. From hidden side streets and gelaterias to the extremely popular slow flood movement, Florence encourages taking your time to enjoy its wonders. Because the city is so walkable, the more time you have to spend here the more you feel like you can relax into enjoying the city at a slow and mindful pace. You get a chance to enjoy the little details without feeling like you’re missing out on the “big sites”. Taste your way through the Mercato Centrale, wander through the Boboli Gardens, and catch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Top Hidden Gems:

San Marco Museum
Todo Modo Bookstore
Oltrarno Neighborhood
T orrigiani Gardens

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy
Via Toscanella Street Art
Fiesole
Orsanmichele

Day Trips

a smiling honeymooner on a wall with beautiful rolling Italian hills

If you like to get out of the city or are keen to spend some time in the incredible Italian countryside, Florence is the best city for you. With the beautiful Tuscan rolling hills just outside the city, taking day trips is extremely easy. Visit nearby towns like Siena, Pisa, and Lucca; hop on a train to Bologna; book a cooking class in Chianti; or you can even head to a country villa or farmhouse to see how they make wine and olive oil!

[Photo Credit: Jamie & Matt via Shared Adventures — read about their Italian adventure here!]

So which city is perfect for you? The best part of custom travel planning is being able to pick the perfect experiences for your interest and your style of travel. Inspired to visit Florence or Rome? Or do you have time to see both? Let us know and we can start planning!

Favorite Destination: Italy

February 17, 2022 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Why Italy?

Italy is one of our favorite European destinations because of its versatility and warmth. Italy truly has something for everyone. From historic winding streets, golden rolling hills, and imposing mountains, to stunning beaches and a wealth of history and culture. It can amp up the romance for couples on their honeymoon. Or offer a variety of adventures for multi-generational families with varying interests. And, it is a foodies paradise! There’s a reason Italy is on everyone’s bucket list.

Favorite Italian Spots

a map of Italy with favorite cities highlighted

Tuscany – Classic rolling hills, fabulous food, and the city of Florence! You can stay in the Stunning countryside to enjoy the vineyards, famous wines, and small towns. Or, you can head into the city for museums and stunning churches.

Bologna- Often called the slow-food capital of Italy, Bologna is a lovely hidden gem! It boasts incredible architecture, unique vibes, and unforgettable food. If you’re a foodie traveler, Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region are perfect for you. Additionally, it features UNESCO heritage foods like parmigiano reggiano, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar.

Rome– The capital city is jam-packed with historic, artistic, and culinary attractions! There’s so much more than just the Vatican and the Colosseum; this is a big city with tons of sightseeing and amazing food. Plus, it’s a great home base for day trips to nearby towns.

Amalfi Coast & Positano – Stunning. Simply breathtaking. The Amalfi Coast ignites romance. Sip limoncello and soak up the sun by the seaside in these luxurious cliff-top towns.

Sicily – Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and incredibly fresh seafood greet you on this southern Isle. Plus, it’s easy on the budget and perfect for those who want to simply enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean.

Lake District- Situated in the far north, you’ll find the famous Lake Como, Lago di Braies and Lake Garda. Because these beautiful alpine lakes take your breath away, they are the perfect combination of luxury and nature. And, they are a great jumping-off point for a side-trip into Switzerland.

Top Tips

– Use your concierge! The hotel concierge is a great wealth of knowledge, from the best local restaurants and boutiques to fun upcoming events.

– Remember to validate your train tickets before boarding or you could incur a fine.

– Keep your ‘antennae’ up when at train stations, especially in the big cities. Con artists will try to load your bag onto the train for you and then demand a tip. Consequently, stay vigilant and don’t let anyone near your bags.

-Always carry some cash, because some smaller local shops don’t accept credit cards. Additionally, it can sometimes cost a euro or two to use the public toilet.

-Bring a couple of shawls or scarfs to cover bare shoulders and legs when entering churches.

– Ask for the check. In Italy they want you to take your time and enjoy your food. So, they won’t bring you the bill until you ask for it.

Top 5 Activities

Food Tours

No matter where you go in Italy, we recommend a food tour. Follow a knowledgeable local guide to different restaurants and food markets, enjoy a glass of wine, and sample some delicious bites. You’ll learn the history and cultural significance behind the local flavors – and this is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore a destination. Combine it with a cooking class to learn how to make your favorite dish!

After Hours in the Colosseum

There’s certainly something magical about seeing such a famous ancient site without hundreds of other tourists. And, the after-hours tour gives you special access to some of the restricted areas and a tour of the underground dungeons. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of a nighttime visit!

Walking Tour (or golf cart tour)

Particularly in the big cities like Rome or Florence, you’ll find there’s history on literally every corner. But, without the help of a local guide, you might never recognize it! Taking a walking (or golf cart) tour on your first day will give you a fabulous overview.

Boat Tour to Capri

The Amalfi Coast should be seen from the water! You can enjoy a cool swim in the stunning Mediterranean and marvel at the dramatic cliff and rock formations hidden from the shore. Plus, you’ll have some free time to explore the island of Capri, and it’ll give you a whole new perspective on the coast.

Ferrari Tour– Who hasn’t wanted to try driving a Ferrari? The Ferrari tour takes you to the home and museum of the famous car company and even lets you take one for a spin! However, it’s not all fast cars. You can combine this with an introduction to the important foods of the Modena/Parma area.

Perks Our Clients Can Enjoy

A Shared Adventures team member is based in Italy and can provide pre-travel concierge services.
We have long standing relationships with excellent private drivers in Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
Access to special Signature Travel amenities in over 75 luxury hotels throughout the country. Including daily breakfast, resort & spa credits, upgrades, and more.

Inspiration & Trip Reports