La Spiga Restaurant in Seattle has partnered with Italy 4 Real; the leading provider of boutique travel to Italy for a journey through the food, history and culture of Italy. The program was personally designed by co-owner Pietro Borghesi to bring you to the ancient places of his family to experience first hand the recipes, towns and people that made La Spiga famous. Experience Parma, Rimini, San Marino, Bologna, just to name a few; and enjoy cooking lessons, wine tastings and the finest foods Italy has to offer.
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When: September 28 - October 9, 2010 |
Where: Central Italy - Parma, Rimini, San Marino, Bologna, just to name a few |
Cost: From $2,992 per person/double occupancy |
Questions: 1-800-554-5170 or info@italy4real.com |
The Program |
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| September 28, 2010 - Arrival to Italy - Milan Airport to Parma |
| Included today: airport transfer, 4 star hotel, welcome drink, multi course welcome dinner. |
| Today's Events: Day 1 Arrival of the group in Milan. Pick up by private bus driver and departure for Parma. Arrival and check in at the 4 -Star Hotel Farnese in the centre of Parma. Accomodation and welcome drink. Time for you to relax and get familiar with this lovely art town. Welcome dinner in a traditional Trattoria and overnight stay.
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| September 29, 2010 - Giuseppe's Home & The King of Cheeses |
| Included today: minibus transfer, private cheese factory visit and private tasting, multi course lunch, private guided tour of Parma city centre, 4 star hotel. |
After breakfast, departure by private minibus to visit an amazing cheese factory of Parmigiano Reggiano. The visit will be extremely interesting: from the delivering of milk to the working and transformation of the traditional forms, to the salting and aging phase. This visit will last almost the entire morning and will conclude with a taste of this delicious cheese, famous in the whole world. Back to Parma where you will have lunch in one of the ancient “SALSAMENTERIE” in the town center. After lunch, meet with your guide for a walking tour of this elegant city, little known by tourists, but loved for its excellent food. You will visit the Palazzo Ducale, the Palazzo della Pilotta, the Teatro Regio and Teatro Farnese, the enchanting Cathedral and Baptistery, etc. The itinerary led by the guide will explain artistic highlights, as well as eno-gastronomic details. Rest of the afternoon free for individual activities and dinner. |
| September 30, 2010 - The Culatello Experience! |
| Included today: minibus transfer, ham factory visit and private tasting, tasting lunch, private guided tour of Busseto, Balsamic Vinegar tour and tasting, multi course tasting dinner, 4 star hotel. |
Enjoy a lovely breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to a local ham factory producing the famous “culatello”. You will enjoy a private tasting and educational tour of Culatello making. During the visit to the maturing factory the visitors will learn that winter mist and humid cellars are essential elements for a good maturing process After the visit and the tasting competition, you will have the opportunity to taste all kinds of salted meats produced by the factory during your pleasant tasting lunch that will complete your visit.
Later in the afternoon departure for the area of Modena. The excursion will continue with the visit the ancient “Acetaia Pedroni” www.acetaiapedroni.it producing the renowned Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP – There you will meet the owner who will introduce you to the world of balsmic vinegar and its secrets. The day will end with a delicious early tasting dinner based on Aceto balsamico matched with traditional dishes. Back to Parma and overnight stay. |
| October 1, 2010 - Cervia & Milano Marttima |
| Included today: minibus transfer, tour of La Rocca di Fontanellato, 4 star hotel. |
Today's Events Day 4 The piazza still retains the charm of the Po Valley village, and from the ‘Camera Ottica’ it is still possible to secretly observe life there, as the fortress governors once did, thanks to an ingenious system of lenses and prisms. Lunch in a local nice trattoria. At the end of the visit departure for Cervia. Accomodation in your GRAND HOTEL GALLIA - in Milano Marittima. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
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| October 2, 2010 - Ravenna |
| Included today: minibus transfer, guided winery visit and tasting, light lunch, private guided tour of Ravenna, optional dinner, 4 star hotel. |
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| Today's Events: Day 5 Buffet breakfast at your hotel. In the morning departure for your adventure. First stop at a local winery in the area of Bertinoro (province of Ravenna) where you will have a guided visit and tasting of the local wines. Lunch time will be spent at a local eatery that will host you for a light tasting lunch. After the visit depart for Ravenna for a guided visit of the town. After the tour enjoy some free time before going back to your hotel. This evening you can find your own dinner spot have a dinner at Pietro's favorite spot; the Restaurant la Frasca or Il Caminetto in Milano Marittina. Overnight stay. |
| October 3, 2010 - Repubblica di San Marino! |
| Included today: minibus transfer, free time in Rimini, multi-course lunch, private tour of San Marino, 4 star hotel. |
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| Today's Events Day 6 Buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning will be spent in Rimini, hometown of the great film maker Fellini. Free time to look around the town centre than departure Santarcangelo di Romagna. This beautiful village is as small gem in the territory of Romagna. According to the legend, this would be the town where the tragedy of Paolo and Francesca (the 2 lovers described into the Divine Comedy by Dante) took place. The village is surrounded by an atmosphere out of time and you will be surprised by the visit of the ancient grottos located under the soil of the village. This will be an unique experience that will remain in your memory. Lunch at a famous Osteria - where the flavours of the “Cucina Romagnola” reach their highligh with fresh homemade pasta, piadine, rich sauces and delicious roast meat. After lunch, a nice walk in the centre is suggested than departure for S. Marino. Guided walking tour of the centre with time on your own to take picture from the top of the mountain, with an amazing view of the valley and the coast. Time for a nice shopping along the narrow streets. Arrival at your hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight stay. |
| October 4, 2010 - Faenza |
| Included today: minibus transfer, private guided tour of Faenza, visit to ceramics workshop, winery and cellar visit, tasting lunch, multi-course seafood dinner, 4 star hotel. |
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| Today's Events Day 7: Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Departure by private minibus to Faenza and guided visit of the town with a stop in a local workshop of ceramics where you can discover this ancient art that made Faenza famous around the world. At the end of the visit, departure for the coutryside to a local wine farm where you will have the chance to visit the wine cellars and have a delicious light tasting lunch of local delicacies. In the afternoon return to Cervia and free time for visiting and relax along the seaside. Dinner with seafood menu and overnight stay. |
| October 5, 2010 - Crossing the Apennies to the Spa! |
| Included today: minibus transfer, multi-course dinner, 4 star hotel. |
Today's Events Day 8:
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| October 6, 2010 - Becoming a Chef! |
Included today: minibus transfer, cooking course in Michelin Star restaurant, multi-course lunch, multi course candlelight dinner,4 star hotel. |
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning will be devoted to the cooking class inside 1 Michelin star restaurant of Paolo Teverini with the pleasure to prepare a 3 course meal that you will enjoy for lunch. Rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy spa treatments, relax and enjoy all the plus of this lovely hotel in the silence of the nature. Candlelight dinner and overnight stay. |
| October 7, 2010 - Bologna |
| Included today: minibus transfer, guided tour of Bologna, tasting of area meats/cheeses, chocolate factory tour, visit of medieval market, multi course dinner, 4 star hotel. |
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Today's Events Day 10: Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Departure for Bologna. Arrival and meeting with your guide for a panoramic walking tour of the centre. Accommodation at the centrally located Hotel TRE VECCHI . Time on your own for lunch. In the afternoon with your guide, you will continue the tour of the town visiting the historical “botteghe” (food shops) of the centre, where you can taste many traditional delicacies and have some sopping: the “drogheria “ (the spice shop), the “salsamentario” (sauces shop), the “sfogline” (the ladies who makes hand made pasta), the chocolate factory and final the fully coloured medieval market. Dinner in centre to have the first close encounter with the “Fat Bologna” through a traditional dinner . Overnight stay.
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| October 8, 2010 - Tortellini's Passion! |
| Included today: minibus transfer, guided tour of oldest cooking school of Bologna, hands on cooking course, 3 course lunch, farewell dinner, 4 star hotel. |
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Today you are going to prepare the true “Tortellini” in one of the oldest school of Bologna. So, after a nice welcome coffee break where you will be introduced to the “operations” and to the history of the school, you will take your place and start to prepare your handmade tortellini from the making of the dough, use of the roll, preparation of the filling and final creation of the so called “Venus’ navel” (3 hours class), followed by a delicious tasting of your masterpiece. Afternoon on your own for your last visits and shopping and farewell dinner in centre. Overnight stay. |
| October 9, 2010 - Arrivederci Italia! |
| Today's Events: Buffet Breakfast at our Hotel. Check out and departure for Milan by private coach. Transfer to Malpensa Airport and end of your trip. |
20 Passengers: $2,992.00 (Euro 2217) per person 18 Passengers: $3137.00 (Euro 2324) per person 15 Passengers: $3341.00 (Euro 2475) per person 13 Passengers: $3594.00 (Euro 2662) per person based on 1.35 Euro exchange. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: € 300 |
This Program Includes:
About your stay at the Casa Paolo Teverini - The stay also includes:
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The quote does not include:
THE SELECTED HOTELS:
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A journey to Italy with La Spiga 2010
Travel 4 Real Radio Show May 10th, 2010
The French Hate Americans
WRONG – Absolutely wrong. I travel for a living all over the world; scouting new locations for my travel business. Before my most recent trip to Paris I was actually gearing up for the extra rude service, short fuses and maybe a physical attack. I bought a passport cover so when I pulled it out people could not see I was an American… how stupid.
Not only was my paranoia an over reaction, but it was a complete waste of energy and time. The French people were polite, gracious, respectful and at times went out of there way to make me feel at home.
You may be thinking “He travels for a living, he probably dresses like the locals and speaks French” Wrong again; I hardly speak a lick of French and when out and about I look like your average American.
While strolling near the Boulevard Saint-Germain taking pictures, a local noticed I was alone and offered to take a photo of me with my camera. How nice.. how darn nice; I was thrown.
In a restaurant on the Champs-Elysées which is a touristy area, I really expected rude waiters, long stairs and poor service. I got the exact opposite. A friendly waiter who tried his best to accommodate my needs in English and great service despite the fact I was dressed in cargo pants, sandals and a t-shirt from walking around all day.
I began looking for the famous “rude Frenchman” I began sitting in cafes observing tourists, hoping to see something to tell me my good experiences were a fluke. The closest thing I found was a mildly annoyed metro employee… big deal.
I was eager to speak with a French person to get the scoop on the whole “American thing” Later that afternoon one of my scheduled business meetings began at my hotel. I asked the rep I was meeting if we he could take me to a café for coffee to discuss business. This would be my opportunity to corner a local and get the goods. He said “I know of a great café that just opened” so we began to walk the narrow streets of Paris. We arrived to the café and to my astonishment I was taken to Starbucks! Yes, Starbucks. I was thrown into an American institution of the coffee world, smack in the middle of Paris. What better setting to discuss how the French think toward Americans.
After two café lattes, I was enlightened. It all made sense now. The French and many Europeans in general see the people of America separately from their government. They realize that it’s the powers that be that are to blame, not the American people. It really makes sense if you think about it. Europeans have seen themselves separated and in some cases alienated by their own governments for centuries. They see Americans in the same light.
As I walk thought out the city of Paris I am amazed at the number of monuments and institutions dedicated to America. Many people know that there is a smaller copy of the statue of Liberty in Paris, but did you know there are three? Did you know there is an American church or an entire district of the city dedicated to the USA? The 16th district in the heart of the city is the American area of town where more than 25,000 Americans live and are considered a welcome part of the city.
The French people are flabbergasted that Americans may feel they are not welcome. There is a major factor which the current trend has not taken into consideration. The French would not be on the planet if it were not for the Americans and British. This fact its engrained in every French person. America was the savior of their world. During my visit; there was a celebration of the liberation of Paris on August 26, 1944. The city was plastered with photos of American, British and French people celebrating the victory from the tyranny of Hitler.
We must realize that what the US did for Europe and France during the second world war greatly outweighs any adverse statements or disagreements made by the past administrations of both countries.
America the great melting pot, the great hero of Europe needs to rise above the rhetoric, the fear the media throws at us, the negative light and understand they are welcome, wanted and embraced by a society who is still greatly indebted to the good old USA.
If you are a traveler or will be to Europe, please, please let down your guard and you will experience nothing but the crisp air, good food, a bottle of wine, and smile from an old friend from across the world.
Pleasant surprise at a road side inn
Being in the tour operating business; I have seen many hotels, motels, inns, B&B’s, villas and rentals. I think the last time I counted; I may have seen several thousand.
The Coachman Inn in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island was a pleasant surprise for a road side inn. Road side inns gained their popularity in the 1950’s when the route 66 generation hit the roads to explore America. Hundreds upon hundreds of two and three story outside access motels spouted up along roads like dandelions.
These properties are several decades old so many of them can be stricken with “drab from the past syndrome” where flower drapes, old carpet and out of date bed covers abound; but not the Coachman Inn.
When you enter your room; you notice the tasteful upgrades the moment you key in. The double bed presentation was superb with a setup you would find in the Four Seasons with great pillows, textured white linens with a touch of color from a well done throw.
Flat screen TV’s in many rooms, nicely finished loveseat, chair and wood coffee table cluster make the room feel homey. A tiled backsplash kitchenette stocked with all you need to create meal put a nice finishing touch on the room.
The bathroom while dated was done very well and added a retro feel to the updated overall appearance.
Some of the things you don’t expect to see in a road side inn which you do at the Coachman are full toiletries including shoe shine cloth, good quality shampoos, lotions and very nice heavy towels.
The lobby is well done with high quality furniture and an amazing lobby bathroom (the kind you wish you had in your room) several flat screens and a few gas fireplaces; again not what you would expect to see in a road side inn. Elizabeth, the weekend front desk person was friendly, very organized and gave us great suggestions for family walks, outside adventures, shopping and dining recommendations.
The breakfast is more than you would expect with eggs, good coffee selection, cereals, English muffins and their own homemade biscuits and gravy. The breakfast room is quite small so try to go early or late so you aren’t bumping elbows with your fellow “inners”
During our visit in February the pool was closed but the Jacuzzi was open, clean and welcoming.
Another impressive element of this road side inn was the usually barren spaces in the parking lot. Those “islands” of parking barriers and grass strips were all well groomed landscapes with lovely planters, well manicured flowers, plants and what seemed to be Bonsai’s.
The Coachman Inn is located just down the road from Deception Pass State Park which is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. The park is outstanding for breath-taking views, old-growth forests and abundant wildlife; the inn makes a great base location to see this amazing park.
Don’t expect any views, business centers or room service but what you can expect is a great road side inn that delivers way more than expected and one that is located on a great island near amazing outdoor activities.
The Coachman Inn can be booked with special Travel 4 Real pricing by contacting us at info@travel4real.com or by calling 425-355-3711
Amazing Cooking Tour in Abruzzo Region Italy
Days/Nights: 7days - 6 nights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
So you like cooking? Want to experience the real Italy in a way that explores the foods, ingredients and flavors of the local area while participating in hands on cooking classes with local professionals? Well Italy 4 Real’s cooking courses are custom designed and hand selected for their quality, experience and support local growers, markets and producers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Florence, Italy Apartment Rental. 22 New Flats in City Center
Travel 4 Real Radio Show March 1st, 2010
2010 BIT Trade Fair in Milan with Italy 4 Real
Italy is impressively represented with nearly all known tourist products, regions, provinces, municipalities and operators; each having impressive and sometimes massive displays.
Craftsman and artisans from throughout Italy come to promote their regions historic past with live demonstrations throughout the venue.
While Italy is the main focus of the BIT; the fair is also an international presentation of tourism worldwide with over 150 countries represented. Each country presents it best products for buyers from around the world.
Travel 4 Real Selected as Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Washington State
Travel 4 Real owner; Deborah de Maio has distinguished herself as one of the top entrepreneurs in the country and are most deserving of this award and recognition.
Over 650,000 businesses in the United Sates had the opportunity to participate in the 10th annual business survey. The awards are based on annual gross revenue and the business profile.
This award is the basis of the annual "Top Business List" which is seen by over 15 million people and is used by Fortune 500 companies and large buying organizations to find new business partners.
The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the United States economy - America's privately held companies. This esteemed, elite list is coveted by the most successful companies in the U.S. The list has become the most recognized and respected compilation of companies that truly differentiate themselves in the market place in a time when doing so has never been more important.
As an award winner Travel 4 Real will be honored at the "10th Annual National Business Awards Ceremony and Conference". The event on April 27 - April 29, 2010 brings together America 's "Top Business Owners" and the "Top Fortune 500" companies for promoting business opportunities. Attendance is expected to top 1200. The ceremony and conference will be held at Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center in Washington, D.C.
About Travel 4 Real
Travel 4 Real is DMC (Destination Management Company) and tour operator committed to providing you with the highest quality and most unique travel experience available. Travel 4 Real LLC is the parent company of some of the most unique travel brands available such as: Italy 4 Real, France 4 Real,
Greece 4 Real and Brazil 4 Real just to name a few.
Each travel resource is a dedicated treasure trove of information, services and solutions for any travel need. Each brand offers completely customizable travel solutions, escorted tours and detailed information to research the perfect trip.
Travel 4 Real corporate philosophy is to provide the public and corporate sectors with destination management, event planning and travel resources through our network of travel brands.
Travel 4 Real practices and promotes the Global Code of Ethics of Tourism which has official recognition by the UN General Assembly through its resolution A/RES/56/212.
Travel 4 Real’s dedicated tourism resources are committed to the sustainable development of tourism for all. It is our obligation to provide tourists with objective and honest information on our places of destination and on the conditions of travel, hospitality and stays and that we ensure that the contractual clauses proposed to our customers are readily understandable as to the nature, price and quality of the services we provide - this is what "real" travel is all about.
Owned by mother and son; Deborah de Maio & Rem Malloy with headquarters in Everett, Washington and satellite offices in Italy, France and Greece.
Download the latest Travel 4 Real Radio Show Feb 8th, 2010
http://www.travel4realradio.com/Download/Travel4realradio_Feb_08_10.mp3
Download the latest Travel 4 Real Radio broadcast Feb 1, 2010
http://www.travel4realradio.com/Download/travel4realradio_feb_1_2010.mp3
Travel 4 Real – Your Ticket to Ride the World radio show is one of the most entertaining, informative and funny radio broadcasts about travel and life. Hosted by a mother and son travel team who are professional guides, lecturers and founders of Travel 4 Real LLC; Deborah de Maio
& Rem Malloy.
Broadcast by KLAY 1180am and part of the USA Radio Network; Travel 4 Real Radio offers a new prospective on the travel industry with commentary on current events, destination reviews, the latest travel deals, local events, international travel, and suggestions for planning your own vacation. The show gives our listeners the practical information not found in guide books to help them plan any trip across the world or in their own back yard.
Visit the show website: http://www.travel4realradio.com/
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ITALY4REAL.COM http://www.italy4real.com is the premier source for information and travel services to Italy. Featuring over 100 pages of info to research your trip, fantastic escorted tours, unique sightseeing and the ability to connect LIVE online to an Italy travel planning expert for FREE
GREECE4REAL.COM http://www.greece4real.com Athens or Santorini, Ios or Rhodes? Greece 4 Real offers a select group of escorted tours and custom trip planning options to spark your imagination and help you plan the perfect trip and live life as a Greek!
Travel 4 Real Radio Show Jan 25th Listen Now
The Travel 4 Real Radio show on KLAY 1180 in the Seattle radio market show number 001 can be heard at http://www.travel4realradio.com/Download/travel4realradio_CL_interview.mp3
Travel 4 Real – Your Ticket to Ride the World radio show is one of the most entertaining, informative and funny radio broadcasts about travel and life. Hosted by a mother and son travel team who are professional guides, lecturers and founders of Travel 4 Real LLC; Deborah de Maio
& Rem Malloy.
Broadcast by KLAY 1180am and part of the USA Radio Network; Travel 4 Real Radio offers a new prospective on the travel industry with commentary on current events, destination reviews, the latest travel deals, local events, international travel, and suggestions for planning your own vacation. The show gives our listeners the practical information not found in guide books to help them plan any trip across the world or in their own back yard.
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