Category Archives: amalfi coast

8 Supremo Tours in Italy with Walks of Italy

Walk this way. Talk this way. Just give me an Italian kiss!

I was so so fortunate so spend time last November in the beautiful country of Italy. It was my third visit there but I was no less enamored than my very first. Touring cities I had visited previous times, I felt, afforded me the opportunity to be less of a tourist and just enjoy Italy at a pace that they operate anyhow…SLOW! I was also incredibly lucky to partner with the very best tour company I’ve ever encountered – Walks of Italy. Walks of Italy offers small groups (no more than 12 people) everything from guided walks to full-day excursions that are designed to engage and inspire you. As a repeat traveler to Italy, I can assure you, I learned more in my time on my Walks of Italy tours than all other visits combined. Take a look see…

TOSCANA

Tuscan Farmhouse

UNO – My first tour started with a journey to a Tuscan Farmhouse located on the border between Tuscany and Umbria. A 2 hour train ride from Florence, I was going to be spending the day there learning to cook Italian style. SI, you read that correctly, Lola COOK! I wasn’t so sure about the “cooking” part but I’d actually never been to this part of Italy so I was looking forward to the scenery at least. The organic farm is a 40 acre estate with rolling hills, olive groves, vegetable gardens and vineyards. It’s exactly like you picture Tuscany/Umbria to look like. My eyes were completely sated.

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From this 6 hour full Tuscan experience you can expect to tour the estate, learn how olive oil and wine are made and turn their fresh home-grown produce into a meal, all guided by the farmhouse chefs and owners. You might recall, this was my favorite day on my 30 day Eurotour! So, in the end, I enjoyed far more than the scenery. I loved learning how to cook Tuscan Italian food and most of all making new friends!

ROMA

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DUE – My next Walks of Italy experiences were to take place in Rome. So, off I went by train 2 hours in a different direction from the farmhouse to Rome. Once in Rome, I was being treated to a “behind the ropes” tour of the Vatican. VIP…SAY. NO. MORE. I’d been to the Vatican twice before this tour and really felt no need to return, yet again, BUT getting into private rooms and seeing secret treasures without the wait or the crowds made me appreciate the Vatican so much more. As always, I’m surprised I made it out alive. I swear, I think a nun was chasing me out of there 😉

rome food tour

TRE – On Walks of Italy tour number 3 I got to partake in a food tour. I’ve never done a food tour before and I gotta say, “what took me so long?” I mean, how else to better get to the bottom of one’s culture than through its food? This FAB tour kicked off in the famous food market of Rome, Campo dei Fiori. Talk about a visual delight and, of course, a culinary one as well! Expect to have olive oil and vinegar tastings at the market stalls while learning about their aging processes and differences in taste. Go to a famous meat market on the square to try local meats and cheeses. MMMM. Make your own Roman pizza from scratch. SO FUN! And finish off with none other than Italian coffee and gelato. This was tour that was both educational and delicious. It was a full meal and an authentic way to experience Rome just like a local.

ORVIETO

orvieto

QUATTRO – During this Walks of Italy tour, I took a 45 minute train ride out to the countryside to the medieval town of Orvieto. Orvieto is full of history that dates back to its Etruscan origins and is breathtakingly beautiful. While this day trip tour offers insight into the 3,000 year old underground city with its hidden cellars and caverns, my tour also included searching out some of the freshest local foods. I was escorted to a fabulous cheese factory as well as an olive oil factory, where I was able to see how these items are made, processed and prepared for sale PLUS sample them! And I cannot forget to mention the incredible lunch I had at a traditional Umbrian restaurant. I’m not sure I’ve ever had better tasting pasta (and I should’ve prefaced this by stating I ate pasta every day in Italy)!

POMPEII/NAPOLI

pompeii

CINQUE & SEI – My Walks of Italy tours numbers 5 & 6 took me to the ancient city of Pompeii and to the Naples Archeological Museum.  These two tours are quite necessary with one another as you have to see Pompeii to gain an understanding of how life was but visit the Naples Archeological Museum to actually see what was unearthed in more depth. To be sure, Pompeii was fascinating, eery and beautiful, touring the Temple of Apollo, their Roman Forum, a typical house where their outdoor space was in the center of the home and the thermal baths. BUT all the real treasures found in the excavations are housed at the Naples Archeological Museum and, to me, this really drove home how similar we were even 2000 years ago. Found there are intricate mosaic columns, intact rooms from homes, pottery & jewelry and important works of Pompeian art. All retelling the story of this lost city and its inhabitants.

AMALFI/VESUVIO

positano

SETTE & OTTO – Seven found me exploring the Amalfi Coast. Although I’ve been to the gorgeous island of Capri, I desperately wanted to take a drive along that famous coastline. So, I took a Walks of Italy private car tour, because is there really any better way to see the Amalfi Coast?! Even though it was November and most things were closed in the little village towns, it was still pretty and you could just imagine what it’s like in the height of the season. All the towns nestled into the cliffs rolling down to the Mediterranean Sea, it was thrilling to drive the winding roads and walk up and down the small paths in the seaside towns. Stopping for lunch at a spot that had an incredible vista, I felt like I was in a movie.

mount vesuvius

My eighth and final tour with Walks of Italy found me hiking the upper crater of Mt. Vesuvius. I wouldn’t have thought it was all that important to visit Mt. Vesuvius but, after the fact, it was possibly my favorite part of all the tours.  Talk about exhilarating, the VIP access to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius with a volcano expert was quite something. This part of the tour might not be for those with a fear of heights but IT IS for you if you like a bit more action and adventure. I probably loved it because I didn’t know what to expect and OH MY the views of the Bay of Naples from the highest point of the crater are spectacular.

GRAZIE Walks of Italy for treating me to some of the best of Italy I’ve ever experienced. Your guides were passionate, professional and personable and I loved every single thing I was privileged to do with you. My Walks of Italy tours were in the late fall, but I imagine they are outstanding in all seasons. The subject matter is Italy, after all, and the guides are top-notch ECCELLENTE and completely ‘Lola Approved’ lola_blackpink

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Filed under amalfi coast, italy, naples, pompeii, rome, travel, tuscany, umbria

Travel Style – a #FriFotos Special Edition

Stylin’ & Profilin’

Lola's #Style is #lolafied

Lola’s #STYLE is #lolafied

I’m excited to share that I’ll be co-hosting #FriFotos on Twitter this Friday, April 26. In case you aren’t clear what #FriFotos is exactly, it’s a 24-hour chat that trends internationally. People worldwide share their photos that match the week’s theme and you can play along if you’re on Twitter or Instagram by following the #FriFotos hashtag and including it in your Tweets with your photos.

The usual hosts will be there: @FriFotos who can also be tweeted to as @TravelDesigned, @EpsteinTravels & @CharlesYap. I’m sharing co-hosting with ooo lala @purplepassport AND you can find me @LolaDiMarco. NOW onto this week’s theme. After a little discussion we decided on #STYLE. I think this is a fantastic topic for #FriFotos because it can apply to lots of things with regard to travel. Like is your #STYLE solo travel, backpacker or luxe? Is your accommodation #STYLE swanky, hip or budget? What’s your travel food #STYLE or even libations #STYLE? You get my point, right?! #STYLE is about the LIFESTYLE of travel too. Of course, I think the more creative the better and to help inspire you I’ve put together some ideas to show you LOLA’S TRAVEL #STYLE.

LOLAPINK

LOLAPINK

Theres no doubt about it. My travel #STYLE involves lots and lots of PINK wherever I can pull it off!

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Lola’s drink #STYLE of choice is COCKTAILS

Seen here are a Dark & Stormy at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Ultimate Gin & Tonic at SLS Beverly Hills, CA, 3 different versions of Negronis at Four Seasons Florence, Italy & the delicious Eastern Standard at Soho Beach House, Miami.

my travel #Style most certainly includes luxury hotel stays

my travel #STYLE most certainly includes LUXURY hotel stays

Don’t know what your #STYLE is for accommodations but mine’s definitely one where I’m looking for something special! These properties absolutely fit the special #STYLE bill. Seen here are two Four Seasons properties: Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, CA and Four Seasons Milan in Milan, Italy. AND two Relais & Chateaux properties: Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, Italy and Villa Galicci in Aix en Provence, France. I can assure you that I have never stayed in any Relais & Chateaux or Four Seasons property that didn’t meet every expectation in GREAT #STYLE.

Lola #Style also goes with HIP hotels

Lola’s #STYLE also goes with HIP hotels

My travel #STYLE enjoys finding the new hot spots too. These hotels certainly exude a HIP #STYLE. We’ve got Mondrian SoHo in NYC, W Barcelona in Spain, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas & The James Royal Palm in Miami. All very HIP. All very COOL.

FACT: Lola hearts the #Style of a beach vacay

FACT: Lola hearts the #STYLE of a beach vacay

It’s gotta be NO surprise that my travel #STYLE is definitely one that leans toward beach vacations. Sun, sand & the sea make me so happy! Here are a few of my favorite beachy spots: Miami Beach in Florida, Gouverneur Beach in St. Barts, Lucy Vincent Beach in Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Cas Abao Beach in Curacao.

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very important in my world…minibar #STYLE

One thing that I’ve found that really sets some properties apart is a beautiful, well-appointed minibar! First up is the BEST up so far – Soho Beach House, Miami. To the right is Mondrian SoHo, NYC. Below is Four Seasons Florence, Italy. To the left is W Barcelona, Spain. If you love a cocktail to start your evening off right or to have a night cap at days end, a minibar with serious #STYLE is essential! Just sayin’

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Lola’s #STYLE is definitely all about a FAB hotel pool

I don’t care if it’s not even warm enough to sun yourself, there’s something amazing about the #STYLE of great swimming pool. Granted, I prefer the sunshine & warmth option in my travel plans. Found here are Delano South Beach in Miami, W Barcelona in Spain, Petit Palace in Santorini, Greece and Soho Beach House in Miami. I ask you what’s not to LOVE about these pool’s #STYLE?

I hope these examples of #STYLE has got your creative juices flowing. It will be so FUN if you come PLAY along on Friday on Twitter with #FriFotos. Don’t forget to tweet to me @LolaDiMarco and add the hashtags #STYLE and #FriFotos to your photos. I look forward to seeing you & your travel #STYLE there!

xo – LOLA

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Filed under amalfi coast, barcelona, california, caribbean, cocktails, curacao, europe, florence, florida, france, greece, hipster hotels, italy, martha's vineyard, miami, milan, new york, spain, st. barts, swanky luxe stays, travel, USA, vegas