Give us a call, send us an email or go to the Book a Trip and get your questions answered and reserve a space in our program. Class size is limited to a small group so let us know as soon as possible. Call  us toll free at 877-576-0975.

Since we are not a travel agency, we are unable to do any of the above. We are happy to help you with the train schedules, give you advice about hotels in other cities, and what to see before of after your trip with us.

It’s not necessary to be fluent since you’ll be there with an English speaking guide to translate for you. But it is nice to master a few basic courtesies such as "Please," "Thank you “and” Good morning" . Any phrasebook can give you the basics and there are links on the language section of our Travel Info page.

You will definitely want to pack light. Your welcome package will include tips for packing light and include a packing list. Also see the packing section on our Travel Info page for more information.

Our tour prices do not include airfare. Because many of our Tour Members prefer to spend some extra time in Europe before or after our tours, or use their frequent flier miles we leave the airfare arrangements completely up to you. We do have links on our Tour Info page to help you find airfares online or use your local travel agent. After you sign up for your tour, a few weeks prior to your tour departure, we'll send you easy directions on how to get from the airport to the first tour hotel, where you'll meet your guide and the rest of your group.

We started our first tours in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. But now we’re also in Tuscany, Provence, Sicily and Paris. Our passion for discovering new places is taking us to Spain and Asia. Look for future trips to these regions.

Every trip is a special occasion but if you are celebrating a special anniversary, birthday, retirement, or something special then let us know so we can help to create something memorable.

We believe the best way to get to know any place is to meet the local people. So we’ll introduce you to our local friends: sommeliers, artists, bakers, fishermen, vineyard owners, chefs and grandmothers.

Of course --- here’s the plan. Pick a region you’d like to visit in two or three years from now. Go there and spend several months. Get to know the locals so they share their secret recipe with you or invite you to their grape harvest. Visit dozens of hotels to find the best places to stay. Discover all the best things to see in the region. Learn the language. Now just get 10 to 12 of your friends to synchronize their schedules and then help each of them with all their travel arrangements. Come back to the region to fine tune the trip every few months and Ecco! (there you are).

We are happy to work with you to design the perfect trip. You choose the destination, your interest (culinary, adventure, wine, history, etc.) and then you pick the right time for you to go. We have many other destinations not listed in our regular tour schedule. You can find more information on our Custom Tours page.

There is a WYWH trip for you, no matter what. From hiking the cliffs of the Cinque Terre to the private driver that takes you through Provence. On most tours we do include a lot of walking so you should try to be active in the weeks before the trip. But if you run out of steam we have plenty of guides with us to take you to the nearest café for a drink or take you back to the hotel.

No two trips are ever the same. We are always updating our trips to be sure that our travelers see the very best the region has to offer during the time they are there. As the tour owners we are there on every tour to be sure that we are flexible and take advantage of season events and special interests.

We include everything that makes sense to include. We cover all the basics like accommodations and meals, including wine. But we also include private tours, tastings, cooking lessons, boat rides, and more depending on which trip you choose.

Our guides are locals who speak the language, can tell you about the history and help you to appreciate the local food and wine. But most of all they are part of the community and can be your bridge to experiencing the true local culture. In addition to the guides, as the tour owners we are there on every tour to buy that extra bottle of wine, encouraging the driver to take the scenic route and introducing you to our local friends.

We love food too. Our original trips were all culinary tours so we make sure to find the best food experiences. From reservations at a private club for dinner, to learning to make bread with a famous Provencal baker, to a private wine tasting in a Chianti vineyard. The food and wine are always in season, authentic and a window into the culture of the region.

From a small B&B near the sea, to a Florentine palazzo to a private Provencal villa. They all have welcoming owners and staff, a central location, and an authenticity that gives you a truly local experience.

We go when it’s best. When the porcini mushrooms are in season, the lavender is in bloom, or the grapes are ready to be harvested. We take into consideration the weather, crowds, and special events.

We'll show you places and introduce you to people that you would never discover on your own.  We use what we call the WOW factor for choosing locations and events for our trips. The views are breathtaking, the people are like family, the food and wine are out of this world. Often we find our guests saying WOW.

Neither are we. You won't find us with 50 people on a bus. Our groups are about 10 -14 people making your trip feel more like traveling with friends.