Luxury Travel Blog

Ideas to inspire your world: luxury, culture, food, travel, style

Destination: Italy

Our list of articles tagged with "Italy."

February 17, 2024

Favorite Thermal Baths, Hot Springs & Spa Experiences Around the World

We love experiencing hot springs and thermal baths around the world—such as serene Japanese onsen and open-air baths at spas in cities such as Budapest and Reykjavik—in spectacular settings.

Artisans of Leisure can incorporate local thermal bath experiences and bathing traditions in all of our private international tours.

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November 21, 2023

The Best of Italy: An Interview with Ashley Ganz

Many of our travelers return to Italy again and again, drawn by the enduring appeal of the country’s culture, food, wine, landscapes and people. Ashley Ganz, the Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO, travels to Italy frequently to relish her favorite places and scout the latest in luxury hotels and insider experiences. Read more about some of her favorite places and experiences throughout the country.

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November 12, 2023

Must Stay: Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy

One of the most legendary resorts in Italy is Villa d’Este, an exclusive property on the shores of Lake Como known for its majestic Renaissance architecture, beautiful gardens, spectacular lakeside setting and sophisticated Old-World style.

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December 10, 2022

Our Favorite Luxury Train Journeys Around the World

Synonymous with the Golden Age of travel, luxury train journeys evoke the romance of a bygone era in a way that few other experiences do. Read more about our favorite luxury train journeys that we can incorporate into our customized private tours around the world.

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November 22, 2022

The Best of Sicily: Interview

Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz recently spent time in Sicily to enjoy its incredible food and wine, history, culture, landscapes and wonderful luxury hotels. Read more about some of her favorite places and experiences.

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June 22, 2022

Just Back: Art, Wine, History & Interiors in Florence, Tuscany & Rome, Italy

Artisans of Leisure travel specialist Claire Munn just returned from a private Italy tour, where she enjoyed time in Florence, Tuscany and Rome that included private tours of iconic highlights and off-the-beaten-path gems. Read more about Claire’s trip and her favorite experiences and places that can be incorporated into any Artisans of Leisure private Italy tours.

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November 23, 2021

Exploring the Roman Forum in Rome

The Roman Forum is a sprawling archaeological complex in Rome, Italy and one of the city’s most iconic sites. Once the center of the Roman Empire, the Forum contains the ruins of some of ancient Rome’s most important temples, monuments and government buildings. A privately guided tour is a must for travelers interested in history, archaeology and architecture.

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August 10, 2021

Touring & Climbing the Duomo in Florence

Artisans of Leisure arranges private Italy tours filled with insider experiences. Upon request we can arrange exclusive access to the Duomo Terraces, private meals in private palazzos overlooking the Duomo, and more.

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June 15, 2021

Private Yacht Charters in the Mediterranean

Artisans of Leisure can arrange private, full-day and half-day luxury yacht and catamaran excursions in favorite destinations such as the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Cote d’Azur in France, the Greek Islands and the coasts of Turkey, Croatia and Spain.

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April 27, 2021

Iconic Image: Positano

Positano’s spectacular setting enchants visitors from around the world who come for the iconic views and authentic la dolce vita on the Amalfi Coast.

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March 5, 2021

Trulli in Puglia, Italy

Trulli–the distinctive limestone cottages of Alberobello in Puglia, Italy–create an enchanting scene of whitewashed walls and conical stone roofs.

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November 18, 2019

Wine and Truffles in Piedmont, Italy

We just returned from a food and wine immersion tour in Piedmont, Italy’s northwest region famous for white truffles, the Alba Truffle Festival, Barolo and Barbaresco wine, and the Slow Food movement.

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April 12, 2019

Iconic Tuscany

Artisans of Leisure’s bespoke private tours of Tuscany feature highlights of this iconic region, including ancient hill top towns, incredible art, renowned food and wine, and luxurious countryside resorts.

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March 15, 2018

A Private Day Tour to Capri

The idyllic island of Capri makes for an ideal day trip from the Amalfi Coast, with the chance to enjoy beautiful scenery, tour the historic highlights, savor local cuisine, shop for specialty goods and more.

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August 30, 2017

Postcard from Sicily

Few images evoke a sense of summer like a shot of the breathtaking blue waters off the Italian coast. In Sicily, short hikes along the coast–through beautiful nature preserves–lead to secluded beaches where locals and visitors flock to enjoy the sun. Our private Italy tours feature the best of the country’s gorgeous coastal regions, including […]

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April 23, 2017

A Day Tour to Mount Etna in Sicily

A short drive from the Sicilian town of Taormina brings you to the base of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. A day trip to Mount Etna is a great option for travelers wanting to explore the active volcano’s diverse landscapes, learn about its natural history, and see how frequent eruptions continue to […]

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January 6, 2017

Oplontis: An Undiscovered Archaeological Gem in Southern Italy

Close to Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Oplontis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the most interesting yet least known ruins in southern Italy. Oplontis was once a cluster of villas on the outskirts of Pompeii and was also buried under ash after the infamous 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Though […]

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December 12, 2016

Must Experience: Truffle Hunting in Italy

Italy abounds in gastronomic treasures, but perhaps none is more highly prized than white truffles. Travelers visiting the Piedmont region in October and November—prime white truffle season— can see and taste the best of the best at the Alba International White Truffle Fair. We arrange for our travelers to visit the fair, and we also […]

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May 24, 2016

The Rich Culinary Heritage of Genoa, Italy

Genoa, a port town in the Liguria region of northern Italy, may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of culinary destinations in Italy, but that means fewer tourists and lots of hidden gems. Genoa’s culinary tradition is rich and vibrant. The city is best-known as the birthplace of pesto, but […]

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September 9, 2015

Just Back: Expo Milan 2015 – A Must For Architecture Lovers

Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz just returned from a trip to Italy that included a stop at Expo Milan 2015, an ambitious World’s Fair focused on food. While the many international delicacies on offer were a highlight, the stunning architecture of the national pavilions left the biggest impression. At the top, geometric […]

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June 23, 2015

Just Back: Sicily

Sicily is an enchanting region of Italy and an ideal destination for travelers interested in history, food, art and design, culture, adventure and luxury.

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June 5, 2015

An Interview with the Duchess of Palma di Montechiaro, a Cooking Instructor in Palermo, Sicily

A great way to get to know the delicious and fascinating cuisine of Sicily is through a hands-on cooking class. One of our favorite cooking instructors is Nicoletta Polo Lanza Tomasi, the Duchess of Palma di Montechiaro, who conducts lessons at her beautiful 18th-century palazzo by the sea in Palermo. (The palazzo was once the home of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of the classic Sicilian novel The Leopard and the adoptive father of Tomasi’s husband, Gioacchino.)

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February 19, 2015

Private Cooking Classes in Puglia

We love Puglia for its excellent local cuisine, whitewashed villages, outdoor activities, sandy beaches, luxurious hotels, and interesting culture and history. A highlight of our private tours in Puglia is a private cooking class. Puglian cooking is distinct from other Italian regional cuisines in its simplicity and fascinating Greek, Middle Eastern and North African influences.

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February 13, 2015

Beautiful Lake Como, Italy

We love returning year after year to Lake Como, one of our favorite destinations in Italy. Villa d’Este is our preferred lakeside hotel. A classic grand hotel in the European tradition, it’s perfect for both families and seekers of Old World romance. We love its immaculately manicured gardens, excellent restaurants, clay tennis courts and the […]

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November 9, 2014

Must Visit: Milan Expo 2015 (A World’s Fair in Italy)

Italy is adding another must-see destination to its already long list with the Milan Expo, which runs May 1–Oct 31, 2015. This World’s Fair explores the theme of “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life” in individual country pavilions, as well as group pavilions with displays related to cacao, coffee, rice, spices and other foods. In […]

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February 20, 2014

Exclusive New Sicily Tours for Foodies, Culture Lovers and More

Lunch with a duchess in her seaside palazzo. A private cooking lesson with a renowned Sicilian cookbook author. Meeting a member of the Italian royalty and touring her exquisite Mediterranean garden. These are a few of the exclusive culinary and cultural experiences included in our all-new 2014 private Sicily tours. The tours define the best of […]

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November 29, 2012

Sicilian Food and Wine: A Delicious History

One of our favorite ways to experience Sicily’s unusually complex history is through its delicious food and wine. The beautiful Mediterranean island has been colonized, invaded and controlled by many different groups over the centuries, including the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Arabs and Spanish. Each wave of people brought its own ingredients and culinary traditions. The […]

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May 24, 2011

Private Shore Excursions the Artisans of Leisure Way

When taking a luxury cruise, a great way to make the most of your time in ports of call is with private shore excursions and private overland tours. Artisans of Leisure has a vast network of expert guides and drivers in cruise destinations around the world, and we work with sophisticated travelers to customize private […]

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January 14, 2011

A Tour of Tivoli: incredible gardens, ruins and food near Rome, Italy

We always encourage travelers on our Italy tours to visit Tivoli, either as a private day tour from Rome or during their private transfer from Florence or Tuscany to Rome. Tivoli is home to Villa d’Este, a Renaissance palace with one of the most famous, influential and delightful gardens in the world. Built in the […]

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October 12, 2010

Touring the Highlights of Sicily

On our recent journey around Sicily, we explored the highlights of Palermo and the Baroque cities, dined on delicious Sicilian cuisine and relaxed at the top resorts around the beautiful Italian island. Architecture in and around Palermo displays Sicily’s diverse cultural influences. Our local guides help travelers understand the meaning of the forms and symbols. […]

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December 22, 2009

Luxury Family Tours of Italy

Italy is one of our most popular family destinations for many reasons. Food is easy: nearly everyone loves Italian specialties such as pasta, pizza, antipasti, fried vegetables, cheese and gelato. Culture is everywhere: older children are fascinated by places where history is so tangible (and beautiful), and younger children are wowed by iconic places such […]

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October 9, 2009

An interview with one of our Sicily insiders

Sicily has become a favorite destination for many of our clients who have already traveled extensively in Italy and for those interested in tracing their family heritage. Sicily is also great for first-time visitors to Italy who are attracted to the fascinating Mediterranean island for its complex history, abundant culture and delicious food.  We recently chatted […]

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October 6, 2009

Top 5: Quick getaways over the Christmas and New Year holidays

Looking for great options for a short international trip over the Christmas and New Year holidays? Our luxury travel experts have selected five of their favorite destinations. 1.) Marrakesh A week in Marrakesh promises over-the-top luxury, thriving traditional culture, great shopping and dining, and plenty of outdoor options. We recommend using Marrakesh as base for five or […]

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September 25, 2009

Porticos of Bologna

Porticos are as essential to Bologna as gourmet food and university students. The distinctive covered walkways course 38 kilometers (more than 23 miles) through this attractive and very walkable city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, sheltering pedestrians and window-shoppers from the elements while providing access to daylight and fresh air. Porticos typically flow […]

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June 10, 2009

Just Back: Italy

Highlights from our recent trip through Italy, including Lake Como, Bologna, Florence, Tuscany and Rome.

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June 2, 2009

Top 5: the most romantic travel destinations

Our travel experts have created a list of our Top 5 favorite romantic destinations–these locations are perfect for honeymooners or anyone seeking a special romantic getaway. 1.) Morocco Our favorite way to experience the most luxurious and romantic side of Morocco is to stay in Marrakesh for several days at luxury resort such as the […]

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March 24, 2009

Private Jewish Heritage Tours

Many travelers ask us to incorporate people, places and activities of Jewish significance when they are traveling internationally with us. We can incorporate Jewish touring into any of our tours around the world, from Sydney to Shanghai and most places in between. Many travelers simply want us to incorporate some Jewish-related sightseeing in Europe, Asia, […]

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February 27, 2009

The perfect dramatic opening to Venice

Cruising by private boat from Marco Polo airport to your palace hotel is a quintessential Venice experience and the best, and most romantic, way to arrive in this city of islands. As you depart the airport and glide through the lagoon, watch as the views of rural islands and sparkling water slowly give way to […]

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February 24, 2009

An Interview with One of Our Art and Architecture Travel Experts

John is one of the travel experts based in our New York City office. He’s passionate about art and architecture, and helps design our tours around the world. Q: What are your favorite travel destinations? A: Each destination is fascinating in its own way, and I love exploring new places and discovering what’s distinctive about them—local […]

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February 18, 2009

Top 5: Best food markets in Europe

We feel that food is a window into culture, history and traditions, and we always encourage our travelers to visit local food markets as part of the private tours we arrange. It’s a great opportunity for people-watching and to sample the tastes and flavors of each destination. Here are a few of our favorite food […]

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February 13, 2009

Padua: a perfect day trip from Venice

Known as the City of Frescoes, Padua is a compact historic town less than an hour from Venice. It has a lively university atmosphere, great outdoor cafes and a wealth of cultural treasures well worth seeing. In fact, fitting all of them into one day can be a challenge! For our travelers, we take care […]

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