Customized Italy

You won't find the real Tuscany by the Leaning Tower.  The true Tuscany thrives away from the tourist track. In this Tuscany, you won't just see the sights--you'll savor the soul of Italy: baking focaccia at a chef's hilltop villa, slumbering inside a medieval castle, sipping Chianti in a winery's stone cellar, biking atop Lucca's historic walls. Tempted by Tuscany yet? 

Tempt your taste buds with Chef Marcello on a 10 day journey through Southern Italy. We will unearth together the soul of this land - from eating street food in Naples to sipping wine on the slopes of Mt Vesuvius. You'll taste the Italy that tourists never experience. Trip highlights include: mozzarella-making, cruising around Capri, viewing Pompeii's ruins, and limoncello tasting!

Plunge into Puglia at the Grotta della Poesia.

This limestone grotto shelters calm, clear waters. Locals and visitors alike dive here into a shimmering blue cove. Protected from wind by the nearby cliffs, the grotto pampers swimmers with still Mediterranean water. Located between the exquisite towns of Lecce and Otranto, it's haven is where Puglia becomes visual poetry.
This salt water swimming hole is a favorite among locals. As an unmarked spot, it lures mostly visitors in-the-know – guaranteeing an authentic, uncrowded day by the sea. Pack a picnic of local favorites, like focaccia or burrata cheese.

SCALA DEI TURCHI, SICILY

Picking one beach in Sicily is like picking a favorite Italian dish. How do you choose just one? As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily teems with inviting coastline. Just a half hour’s drive from ancient Greek ruins, the Scala dei Turchi is unlike any beach in Italy. Wind-carved cliffs, baked white in the sun, bleed into a sea the color of the sky. Sunbathers bask on the bleached rocks, dipping in warm, transparent seas.
The Scala dei Turchi sea cliffs attract luxury travelers from Italy, the U.S. and N. Europe. Up-scale accommodations can be found in the nearby town of Agrigento -- also home to the spectacular Greek ruins of the Valley of the Temples.

MARINA DI CAMEROTA, CILENTO

Found in the southernmost part of Campania, Marina di Camerota is part of the Cilento National Park. Since 2000, it’s won awards each year for its pristine waters. Built into the rugged hills, Marina di Camerota is home to soft, sandy shores. Visitors might swim in the light blue sea, cruise the coast with a ship captain, or learn to make pizza with a local nonna. As part of a national park, beaches here are unspoiled – immersing you in natural, timeless beauty.
The Cilento region is home to over 700 square miles of protected land and sea -- ensuring that its waters and villages will stay untouched for years to come. This area also makes the best mozzarella in Italy -- you can tour a mozzarella farm here, tasting hand-shaped cheese.

OTRANTO, PUGLIA

Otranto, on Puglia’s east coast, is one of Italy’s loveliest seaside towns. Otranto is famous for light blue water, stone cliffs and charming whitewashed homes. Strolling Otranto’s promenade, you’ll spot fishermen hauling in the day’s catch and sailboats bobbing in the bay. Otranto also boasts one of Puglia’s sandier beaches, Spiaggia Azzurra – appropriately named for its clear blue cove. It’s the perfect spot to laze the day away by the sea. 

Some of the best swimming near Otranto is reachable only by boat. Travelers can enjoy a small-group or private boat excursions from Otranto's port, dropping anchor at remote beaches for a refreshing swim.