The Benefits of a Luxury Group Tour

By Halie Taylor

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights. It is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Miriam Beard

Travel is all about the experience, so make your travel experience better by considering a vacation with a luxury tour group.

If you’re being honest, you’re probably a little hesitant to take sign up for a luxury group tour because you just don’t know if there are any benefits. Right? In actuality, luxury group tours are meant to provide a plethora of benefits for travelers with a single goal of helping the traveler to have an amazing and enjoyable experience.

Less Planning, More Enjoying

When traveling with a luxury tour group, you’re sure to spend less time worrying about what you should do for the day and more time actually experiencing the destination. Less planning also means that you won’t be worrying about where you’re staying. Your luxury tour planner will not only have an excellent place for you to catch up on some sleep, but will also make sure that your needed accommodations are met. Oh, and don’t worry about losing your hotel room or villa suite because of some booking confusions (which I’m sure frequent travelers are all too familiar with). Your luxury travel planner will not only confirm, re-confirm and then confirm again, but will also make sure any booking problems once you’ve arrived are all taken care of. Can I get a, heck yes?

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL ITALIAN STYLE'S TUSCANY TOUR ACCOMODATIONS

 

Special Opportunities

Your luxury group tour guide probably knows the in’s and out’s of your destination like the back of their hand. This also means they probably have connections to things like unique places to stay, activities not many people get to do and access to authentic local restaurants or vineyards. Your luxury group tour guide will also have most likely experienced much of your destination first hand giving them an uncanny ability to point you towards things like the best gelato in the city or the small village with the best pizza.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL ITALIAN STYLE'S SICILY TOUR

 

Safety In Numbers

You’re single and you want to travel, but you’re afraid you can’t do it on your own. You’re left asking yourself questions like what if something happens to me while I’m traveling? If I get sick how will I take care of myself? Once I get to my destination, how will I be able deal with the language barrier? Signing up for a luxury tour group can help you get over all of those fears. No need to put off travel just because you have no one who shares your same traveling desires, a luxury tour group will be filled with people you can relate to and get to know (maybe you’ll even meet your new best friend or a great traveling partner for future trips!). And when it comes to a language barrier, you won’t be dealing with it alone. Not only will your luxury tour group leader be able to help, you’ll also be surrounded by others who may be able to help.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL ITALIAN STYLE'S WOMEN'S TUSCANY TOUR

 

The Added Benefit of a Picture Taker (No, you won't be forced to take selfies the entire trip)

Okay, okay. Maybe this isn’t a super important benefit of a luxury tour group, but if we’re being honest travel pictures are the best. So having someone there to snap that pic of you by the waterfall or that pic of you and your significant other cuddling under the Eiffel Tower, is an added bonus, right?

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL ITALIAN STYLE'S AMALFI COAST TOUR

What do you think are some benefits of traveling with a luxury group tour? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Meet Halie

Halie is the Travel Marketing Trends Coordinator for Travel Italian Style and is currently a senior at College of Charleston in Charleston, SC where she is majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Living in Charleston, Halie developed a love for beautiful scenery and unique culture. This love led her to her passion for travel which allows her to discover beautiful scenery and unique cultures in places all over the world. When she is not daydreaming about her next traveling adventure she can be found redoing warn out furniture found on the side of the road, writing fiction and attempting Pinterest crafts.

How Italian Culture Changed Me For the Better

By Leora Kahn

A trip to Italy can change your life.

Don't be scared to let travel change you for the better.

In the spring of 2015, I was accepted to study business at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. To say I was excited was an understatement, but more than anything I was nervous. Nervous to leave the comfort and familiarity of my friends, nervous to miss out on memories being made without me, and nervous to be thousands of miles away with strangers. At that point I wished someone had told me that I had absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Those strangers quickly turned into family, and the whereabouts and activities of my friends back at school took a back seat. I was off visiting a new country each weekend, accumulating hundreds of priceless memories. When I returned home, the most frequent question I was asked was, “What was your favorite part?” To me, this is an impossible question. Everything I saw was incredible. Each weekend a new culture full of new foods, people, architecture, and customs. Favorite experience? St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland. But favorite country? Hands down, no questions asked, Italy.

"You may have the universe if I may have Italy." -Guiseppe Verdi

Towards the end of our program, a few of us took advantage of a long weekend and flew into Milan. From there we caught a train to Levanto, a beautiful city on the outskirts of Cinque Terre. For those of you that don’t know, Cinque Terre literally translates to the five cities, made up of Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterossa al Mare, and Corniglia. Levanto in itself was breathtaking. We stayed at an apartment rented out by a family owned bed and breakfast. Our view from our balcony was beautiful and quaint and everything I could’ve possibly asked for. The first few hours set the stage for the rest of the trip. All of the locals I encountered wore their values on their sleeves. There were caring and gentle and familiar with us, complete strangers.

The first town we ventured to was Monterrosso, my personal favorite. We were determined to find a wine tasting, and what we found was more than we could have imagined. We climbed up a muddy pathway to the top of a hill, only to find an old woman baking and serving wine.

PHOTO BY LEORA KAHN

We ordered the best white and red wine I’ve ever tasted. Next was the famous Sciacchetra, which they prided themselves on because Obama himself tasted it at their vineyard (they immediately brought us his personal framed thank you once they found out we were from around DC). And finally, Limoncino which is crazy strong and delicious. Not to mention the never ending supply of bruschetta and pastries. So to answer the longing question, the view, wine, food, and company, made this without a doubt, my favorite part of Europe.

PHOTO BY LEORA KAHN

The next day we hiked from Monterosso to Vernazza for lunch. Later we visited Manarola and climbed to the top to see an incredible view and sip on phenomenal sangria and pina coladas. The moment I looked out over the beautiful town, I knew that I had been changed for the better. Never in my life had I been so relaxed, so at peace with myself. Traveling can be a pain with the details and planning, but the reward in the culture and the memories is beyond worth it. Whenever I feel stressed or anxious, I know to go to my happy places. Which are the beautiful vineyard in Monterosso, and the top of Manarola, with a sangria in my hand, surrounded by the beautiful Italian culture.

PHOTO BY LEORA KAHN

"Travel, not to find yourself, but to remember who you've been all along."

Take a trip with Travel Italian Style and experience the life changing Italy for yourself.

How has traveling changed your life? I would love to hear your comments below!

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Meet Leora Kahn

Leora is the Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Travel Italian Style and is a Marketing student at James Madison University. In the spring of 2015, she was accepted to study business in Antwerp, Belgium, which allowed her to explore Europe and open her eyes to new opportunities and experiences. Needless to say, she is now consumed with a passion to travel! Leora loves to document her travel stories through all types of social media in order to share with everyone the happiness that accompanies exploration.  Leora spent time travelling through 11 countries during her time abroad, while Italy was hands down her favorite due to the blissful culture, beautiful scenery, and tasty food. She cannot wait to visit again soon!

Top 8 Travel Myths

Common travel myths that need to be addressed.

Don't let travel myths spoil your travel plans.

1. “Traveling is too Expensive”

People are constantly making excuses when it comes down to travelling and this myth tends to be the most popular one. Traveling is all about the journey, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot along the way. There are so many ways to avoid the high expenses and still travel the way you want to! Flights will always be one of the biggest expenses when it comes to travelling overseas, but still does not have to be the biggest burden. There are many deals, tricks, and hints about flying that can save you a lot of money. We are a fan of Nomadic Matt's suggestions. He has done some research of his own that can help you out here: http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-tips/how-to-find-a-cheap-flight/. To see our flight finding hacks, join our mailing list!

In Europe, especially in Italy, eating does not have to be expensive either! There are many local markets that contain some of the tastiest meats and produce for a very low cost. You don’t have to sacrifice your idea of luxury to lower your cost of accommodation. There are many different lodging options that are cheaper, more fun, and give off a local and authentic feel. You can look into AirBnbs, and Bed and Breakfast which leads us to our next myth…

2. “Airbnbs and B&Bs are not luxury travel”

Luxury travel does not have to be all 5 Star hotels with a plethora of pools, restaurants, and spas. Luxury travel can also be authentic and simple. Www.Airbnb.com is a website that rents out apartments or rooms by local families who simply want to share their homes in order for you to have an experience of a lifetime in their own town! These comfy apartments and rooms can range from a studio apartment to a 5 room villa…nothing short of a luxurious accommodation. Did you happen to catch the Super Bowl 50 half time show?! Queen B herself stayed at an Airbnb in California during her stay for the Super Bowl! Tell me that doesn’t say luxurious!

Bed and Breakfasts are also a way to be able to better embrace Italy and have an authentic and luxurious stay in the hills of Tuscany, the coast of Positano, or the city center of Sicily. On www.bedandbreakfasts.com you can search through pictures of specific B&Bs in a destination of your choosing. All of the B&Bs that Travel Italian Style uses as accommodations for their travelers, are luxurious. For example, the new Travel Italian Style trip to Puglia has chosen a 1500s farmhouse in the country side of Ostuni. http://www.travelitalianstyle.com/puglia/ . This Bed and Breakfast style farmhouse is a prime example of a luxury B&B…it might finally change your perspective of luxury accommodations!

PHOTOS FROM TRAVEL ITALIAN STYLE PUGLIA ACCOMMODATIONS

3. “Travelling in Italy can be too cliché”

Many people have Italy on their bucket list, but some may say that it is too cliché of a country to travel to because they want a ‘more unique’ traveling experience. I can tell you right away that Italy is the furthest thing from cliché. It is a country that is full of hidden gems and has more unique cities to dive into and explore than ‘cliché’ ones. Even the most popular ones, like Rome, Naples, Florence, and Milan have secret spots that you will never fully be able to conquer. Traveling like a local is an adventure that can never seize to excite its travelers. Keeping an open mind to any city is the key to finding its treasures. Some city suggestions to keep it less ‘cliché’:

• Verona (Find love and send your own letter to Juliet)

• Alberobello (Located in Puglia, the boot of Italy, and is home to the ‘trulli’, which are the famous white limestone houses)

• Bologna (This foodie city gives off a medieval and uniqe vibe)

• Noto (Sicily’s historical gem full of wine, olive oil and culture)

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEY GIBSON

4. “If I cannot walk far, I cannot travel Italy”

If you are not fond of walking a lot, or physically cannot, and think that in order to see Italy you have to be extremely fit and active, that’s not the case! Yes, there is a lot of walking done in and around Italy because it tends to be convenient. However, there are so many more ways to get around than by walking. There are busses, shuttles, bike tours, and the best…VESPA tours! Who wouldn’t want to see Italy like a local on one of those cool rides? You also can choose smaller cities to do walking tours in like Verona. Some areas, like Cinque Terre, are seen as hiking areas but it is not necessary to hike from city to city. There are trains and ferries to get from one to the other! Italy also has so many different beach towns that you could relax on, or wine tours and olive oil tastings that have planned transportation for you!

5. “If I have a food allergy, I can’t eat Italian food”

Pizza, Pasta, Parmesan, and wine! These are a few things that come to mind when I think of true Italian food! Even though these are popular Italian dishes, there is so much more to their cuisine that these! If you are a celiac (need to be gluten free), there are amazing alternatives that are also authentically Italian, like the Florentine steak! Also, they have some of the best organic produce and make most items from scratch, unlike the processed food in the United States, so they have an easier time of customizing almost any item. No matter if you actually have an allergy or are just health conscious, you will still be able to be in awe of the impeccable Italian cuisine

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEY GIBSON

6. “I can’t speak Italian, so I can’t travel through Italy”

Speaking another language is always a plus with jobs, traveling, and life in general. However, it is never a necessity when traveling through Italy. Most European cities, and many other nations around the world, speak English fluently. It is important to be able to speak English for many businesses due to the amount of English speaking tourists; therefore, you do not need to know how to speak Italian fluently. The Italians are also proud of their language and appreciate if you attempt to learn and use their language. The respect many local businesses have towards travelers who try to speak Italian can be the difference in a discount off a meal or a new local friendship! So don’t hold back!

7. "Too much planning, not enough time”

To search for a place to stay, restaurants to eat at, sights to see, and how to get to each can take a lot of your time. But there is one great solution that fixes all of these problems: using a travel company, or tour operator, like Travel Italian Style! Travel Italian Style will not only find you accommodations, transportations, and planned activities, but they will also go above and beyond to find authentic tours filled with artisan shops, local cuisines, and unique places that will turn your dreadful trip planning to a stress-free adventure!

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEY GIBSON

8. “I only have a small window open for vacation, so I don’t have time to embrace Italy”

We all get busy with life whether it’s a career, family, or certain time crunching hobbies, but nothing should stop you from taking your adventure of a lifetime! Many people view traveling as a long and time consuming event that only results in being more tired than you were when you left. With Travel Italian Style, you can choose one of many set 7 day excursions. These trips are only a week but filled with plethora of different activities. Anything from a relaxing day on the beach with meditation and taking in the sun to a walking tour around the city filled with wine and olive oil tastings. If you want something different or are more time crunched, there are even more options with a customizable tour! These tours can range in a certain amount of days and work around your schedule. While embracing the Italian culture, you will also be able to learn more about yourself and come back with a new perspective!

Don't let travel myths keep you from traveling to Italy!

Let Travel Italian Style show you that it's possible to have a unique and authentic Italian travel experience!

What are some travel myths that have kept you from traveling?

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Meet Kelsey Gibson

Kelsey is the Part Time Assistant Travel Consultant for Travel Italian Style and a student at the University of Mississippi studying Hospitality Management with a minor in Spanish and Business Administration. Kelsey took part in an exchange program in Argentina in high school, which created a flourishing passion for travel and learning about other cultures. From then on, she took every advantage to study abroad and backpack around Europe. This past summer, Kelsey interned for a local restaurant, Touch, in Florence, Italy and fell in love with the Italian culture. She was able to have a real local experience by making friends with coworkers and locals. She wants to make it possible for everyone who travels to be completely immersed into the culture in order to gain another perspective and to be able to enjoy life even more!