ABOUT THIS TRIP
For those who seek to live the culture instead of snapping pictures, this journey will satisfy daydreams of wandering untouched medieval villages, connecting with the land, and learning from locals along the way. This Fall adventure will have you hunting for truffles, helping with the olive harvest, & experiencing a local chestnut festival, all while surrendering to the magic of the unexpected!
HIGHLIGHTS
IMMERSE
yourself in rural farm life, away from the crowds.
EXPERIENCE
a fall chestnut festival with locally-produced food & crafts.
PARTICIPATE
in the olive harvest and truffle hunting.
CONNECT
with locals and learn about history through their family stories.
LEARN
mouth-watering recipes in a villa inhabited by the same family for 500 years.
Step into Italy as if you're a Local.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
PERKS
Slower-paced & stress-free travel
Unique experiences crafted directly with locals to highlight the authentic culture.
Exclusive group of just 7 like-minded travelers.
Plenty of free time to do your own thing.
Explore places that tourists have never heard of.
Thoughtfully crafted with extensive research in the area for genuine & meaningful connection with locals.
INCLUDED
7 nights' accommodation in a private room (2 nights in Marradi, 5 nights in the countryside)
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners including wine, and 5 tastings/aperitivi
Carbon Footprint Offset: A donation will be made to fund projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve daily life in impoverished areas.
Transportation + Private Driver
Flight Expert to research and book flights
Arrival Transfer from center of Florence, Departure Transfer to Florence Airport
Trip Leader fluent in English and Italian
Tips for the driver & guides
Pre-Trip Prep: Cultural and Italian language guidance, packing tips, and additional resources to fully connect you with what you'll experience! Local recommendations in each location.
All Activities
Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
Olive Harvest
Truffle Hunting
Pizza-Making Class
Cheese Farm Visit & Tasting
Visit Historic Palazzo dei Vicari
Winery Visit, Tasting, & Lunch
Visits to Lesser-Known Villages
Gelato Tasting
Truffle Hunting
Homemade Truffle Lunch
Nature Walk
Evening with Women's Handicrafts
Private Palazzo Tour
Sunset Aperitivo
Cooking Class
Local Chestnut Festival
Free Time for Your Own Discoveries!
EXCLUDED
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Flights: We'll help you find the best flights for your dates, free of charge!
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Some Meals: Meals not described in the itinerary. (We believe scoping out your own hole-in-the-wall is part of the experience and we leave room for that!) Our included meals are so abundant that guests usually stick to gelato or something light when a meal is not included.
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Incidental Expenses: A/C or Heat may cost extra at some locations, but it is unlikely that it will be needed.
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Mandatory Travel Insurance: Click here for more info and resources.
From $3,650 USD per person
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Active travelers who want to access authentic
Italy without the logistics.
Who is this trip for?
Our travelers want to leave the crowded tourist paths behind, without spending weeks researching. They want to connect with locals, but don't have years to perfect a new language. And while they love back roads and hidden villages, they're not up for the hassle and risk of driving a rental.
Our travelers are warm. They’re curious. And they want to see Italy with open hearts, open minds, and without the growl of a giant tour bus announcing their arrival. They are immersion seekers who want to step into the everyday life of authentic Italy!
Sound like you?
Our travelers are generally 35 - 55 years old but we also get adventurers into their 70's or 80's! We welcome everyone 18+!
The Important Details
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This trip involves walking on uneven ground for multiple hours, and a 1.5 hour hike (each way) without bathrooms (lots of bushes though!).
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Please note that you'll need to carry your own luggage up and down stairs at hotels and across cobblestone.
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The longest drive will be a little over 3 hours, with breaks.
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Wifi is available in all locations but connection may be weak.
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Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if you let us know well in advance.
NEXT CHANCE TO GO:
October 17 - 24, 2022
Starting from $3,650 USD per person
Click Here to Pre-Book for 2023!
Reviews
I was lucky enough to take part in Sierra's Secrets of Southern Italy tour. It was a magical experience from start to finish. She is an expert planner and things flowed perfectly from beginning to end. This was true even when we experienced inclement weather. She always had backup plans. The professional driver was a great touch and made things so easy. There is no better way to have an authentic experience and to enjoy the wonderful food and people of Puglia than by joining Sierra on one of her amazing tours. A+++
-David Yaugo, Secrets of Southern Italy
At Creative Edge Travel, we believe every journey should be meaningful. It should teach you about the authentic local culture and a bit about yourself, too. That's why we push the boundaries of the typical Italian tour and add our own creative edge. We design our experiences with individual locals in off-the-beaten-path places to give you a culturally-immersive adventure.
Each activity is an opportunity to learn about both the beauty and the challenges of everyday life in Italy. Whether it's exploring a village with a local grandpa as he shares his stories growing up there, or learning traditional music and dance at a historic masseria, expect a deeper travel experience.
This also means that sometimes reasonable flexibility is required on your part. There's no science to getting a 90 year old Italian grandpa to show up on time, you just take what you get and roll with it! If you're the type of traveler who can stay flexible and relaxed knowing no matter WHAT you do, it's going to be awesome, then you're a great fit for this trip!