 If you read my previous blog post, you know I just got back from my favorite place, Italy! I led three great weeks filled with food, wine, fun and friends! I’ve only been back a few weeks, and I am already thinking about the next trip in September! In addition to gaining a pound or two, with every trip I always also gain so much insight. I learn more about myself as a person, but also as a business owner, and the steps I must take to continue on this path. After thinking more and more about the future of my business, I have decided that I need to implement the following changes. Some were easier to decide than others, some were beyond my control, and some changes were more evident and easier to make. Read on and let me know what you think. 1. Increases in price: Let’s get the biggest change out of the way first. Everyone in Italy is asking for more from us, a lot more. Hotels, restaurants, instructors, guides, drivers, van rentals – you name it, we use it, and it’s going to cost more to hire these services, a lot more. This saddens me because I truly believe everyone should experience Italy at least once in their life, and preferably with me, and by having to increase my adventure costs, it means that perhaps someone might not be able to join me, and yes, that really does sadden me. But if I want to be able to offer the great adventures that I offer, I have no choice. The increase is not enough to cover the cost increases happening in Italy, so that brings on the second change, below. 2. Increase in maximum number of participants: As my business grows, and as I lead more trips to my native land, my confidence in being an exceptional group leader, escort and organizer grows along with it. As such, I am raising the number of maximin participants per week to 16 travelers. Please note that this is still substantially smaller than what many other agencies consider “small groups,” as that number can be anywhere from 24 and above. This being said, I am a small business and anticipate that most groups will still be around 10 – 12. But I want to reserve the right to allow up to 16 travelers to join us. This will also allow me to not have to raise tour prices any higher than I was forced to do for 2023. 3. Limited number of single supplements: Because hotels will only allow for a certain number of rooms to be reserved, and the villas and agriturismos we use are only so big, we’re limiting the number of singles to 4 – 5 per tour, some weeks may have less availability for single travelers. The single supplement per tour will be $1,000. 4. Attestation of Medical Conditions & Ability to Travel: Because I don't want you be disappointed in your week with me, I realize I need to set better exceptions for activity level. While we're not into active tourism, we do a fair amount of walking, standing, and getting in and out of vehicles. If you have traveled with me before you know everyone is required to sign a travel contract. The travel contract has been revised to reflect that you have been cleared for travel, and do not have any physical challenges or limitations that prevent you from traveling or partaking in our activities during the week. By signing the contract, you are also attesting that you can comfortably walk for at least several miles a day on ground that is uneven, hilly or cobblestoned. During the week, you will have the opportunity to relax or sit back as as needed, but I also don't want you to be disappointed when you realize, we're really not that lazy of a tour after all. 😂 5. Travel Insurance: Starting 2023, all travelers will be required to carry some form of basic traveler’s insurance. I do not sell traveler’s insurance, nor earn a commission by you taking on insurance. As I have to enforce a strict “no refund” policy, obtaining traveler's insurance protects only you and your investment in travel. While I will not ask for “proof” of your insurance, we’re all adults here, by signing the required travel contract, you are attesting that you have, or will have, some form of basic insurance by the time we travel. Visit this site for more info on where I usually refer folks to: click here. 6. Travel concierge program: This is an exciting new addition to my business. I have partnered with a trusted and very capable travel agent to assist you in your air travel needs. Our partner, Amy, will find the best route at the best rate for you, should you choose to work with her. Because I generally get a lot of questions about air travel, I found it best to refer you to an expert in the area, as I am not a travel agent. Of course, it’s completely up to you if you decide to work with her. You may continue with your own agent, or shop directly on line for your flight. I do not earn a commission by referring you to Amy, this is strictly a benefit to you, should you wish to use it. 7. Unescorted adventures: This is new for 2023 and beyond, and such an exciting new offering! Unescorted adventures are exactly what they sound like. You’ll have the opportunity to sign up for any of my signature weeks in Italy, all planned and ready to go, but on your own timeframe and with the travel companions of your choosing, without me being your full time in-person escort. You’ll still have access to my local guides, drivers and instructors, but you will not have an escort, or 24/7 access to me while you travel. While I hope you’re able to join me in person, having this option allows you for more flexibility in scheduling your trip. These adventures may also be priced lower than the escorted ones, but cost is dependent on number or travelers, time of year and other variables. Things that will stay the same for 2023 and beyond: 1. Full-time escort: As always, I will be the full time Chief Travel Planner and Escort for LICA’s guided weeks in Italy. I do not outsource any of the planning for the tours, and all Italian vendors that I hire are personally vetted by me. As your full-time escort, you will have in-person access to me 24/7 throughout your time in Italy. I work for you while we’re in Italy together, and you alone. 2. Same home base for the entire duration of the tour: The set-up of the adventures will continue to be the same, which based on feedback, is what you all enjoy the most. We will continue to have one home base for the entire duration of the trip, with lots of day trips, excursions and activities organized during the week, and you’ll have to unpack and pack just once! 3. Private escorted adventures: As years past, I will be available to lead a limited number of private trips to Italy!! In the past, I have had a minimum of 6 participants in order to run a private week, for 2023 and beyond, that number will be lowered to 4! For private escorted adventures, you will have in-person access to me 24/7 throughout the trip in Italy. You can sign up for any of my signature tours, or a completely customized adventure. Ideally, private trips will be scheduled at a minimum 6 months before departure for proper professional planning. 4. Custom travel planning: For 2023 and beyond, I’ll still continue to take on a limited number of custom travel planning clients. Not much different than unescorted tours, anyone wishing to travel on their own will have the opportunity to work with me on custom travel planning services. I’ll handle every aspect of your trip, make all your reservations, hire your guides, drivers and instructors, and all you’ll have to do is buy your airline ticket and pack! I can also enhance your already scheduled time in Italy by offering just day trips or day activities to an already planned week! 5. Food, fun and friends: If you have traveled with me before, or if my images on social media have inspired you to do so, you know we’re all about food, fun and friends, and that will remain!! We take ourselves very lightly while we’re in Italy. You’ll often hear me say: “We’re all family here,” and I mean it! You’ll share food and break bread with strangers who will become dear friends and future travel buddies. Traveling with me is like traveling with your long-lost cousin who knows the ins and outs of Italy. I’ll tell you where to shop, where to eat, how to haggle for a discount at the market, and may suggest you don’t order that decaf cappuccino after lunch! Fun is always guaranteed! Change is hard, and so are the growing pains of a small business. But I believe these changes will benefit you as the traveler, allow me to continue doing what I believe I was born to do, and allow me to still deliver an exceptional services to you. See pictures below of some past trips and evidence of our food, fun and friends philosophy! I hope we get to travel together soon!
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I have just returned to Boston after spending the month of May in Italy. After more than two and half years, perhaps my longest absence, it was glorious to be back on home turf, leading tours and doing what I love the most: showcasing my Italy to eager and hungry travelers.
I am not going to make light of the situation, I had my anxieties about returning to leading tours. I had three sold-out groups, each group was 12 – 14 travelers. The tours included a week in Tuscany and two back-to-back weeks on the Amalfi Coast. I had my usual anxieties that come with doing what I do such as making sure everything is confirmed, and double confirmed, and triple confirmed. I work only with vetted professionals, but that’s not say that we can’t have a miscommunication along the way. Other concerns always include safety, food allergies, random trips or falls, the weather, illness and my biggest concern with every tour, will the group members get along? Well, after 2 plus years spent in planning, none of these were a concern at all once we arrived in Italy! The logistics worked out perfectly, and all the groups got along magically. I really couldn’t have asked for better groups! Covid was a non-issue at all during our tours. Masks are no longer required in most places, so most travelers opted to not wear one. We spent a lot of time together, a lot of time outside, and a lot of time in restaurants, and while I managed to catch a nasty cold myself, we were all kept safe and healthy. We all had to test before returning to the USA, and I am happy to report, everyone tested negative! So how did the tours go, you ask?
TUSCANY
Our week in the Chianti area of Tuscany started on May 7th. This is an all-inclusive week, so the group enjoyed every meal together, lots of excursions, day trips, activities and cooking classes. We visited towns such as San Gimignano, Siena, Pienza, Greve, Montefioralle, Cortona, Certaldo and other small hamlets. We stayed in a small private villa, all reserved for our use. We enjoyed daily breakfast at the villa, and a number of homecooked dinners were also enjoyed here when not dining out. We visited a cashmere goat farm, hunted for truffles and enjoyed lunch at the truffle hunting cottage afterwards, made our own cheese, which we can have shipped to us after it matures, and we visited wineries. We had the best picnic lunch at the home of an olive oil producer, and we ate lots of local food. Boy did we eat! The weather was picture perfect, our drivers, guides and instructors were top notch. A number of participants were world travelers, and many had been to Italy numerous times before, they all commented on how this had been their best trip, not only to Italy, but perhaps anywhere they had been. I had no words.
Browse the photo album below for some images of our week in Chianti.
If you feel like you missed out, I'm happy to report that I will be running this tour again from May 6 – 13, 2023, consider joining us next year to enjoy experiences just like the ones pictured. Email me for more info.
AMALFI
Next, I moved on to Amalfi, and five participants from the Tuscany tour also joined me for back-to-back tours. I actually had two week-long tours here. I don’t usually run two tours in the same location one after the other, but last year, it became apparent that this is what my followers wanted, so I decided to offer this option. I was actually planning on leading a tour in Bologna, and that has been moved to May 2023. Amalfi is as different as Tuscany as it can get. The tour itself is a bit more physical thanks to all the hills! The weather was much warmer, long gone are the rolling hills and greenery of Tuscany, and the Chianti wine, replaced by the Mediterranean, curvy and hilly roads and limoncello! While our base was the town of Amalfi, we visited Ravello, Positano, Sorrento and enjoyed a day at sea, stopping in Capri for a short visit and lunch. We visited a winery at the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, we had several cooking classes, learned to prepare ravioli Caprese, eggplant parmigiana, and a delicious gluten free lemon caprese cake, along with homemade pasta and potato croquettes. We had lunch under a lemon grove, toured the facilities, ate a lemon themed lunch, and drank our share of the yellow elixir beloved of this area. Our tummy and hearts were full.
Browse the photo album below for some images of the first tour on the Amalfi Coast.
See images below of our second tour in Amalfi with a second group!
I will be running this tour again from April 28 - May 5, 2023. I decided to move it a bit earlier in the season as the weather during these last tours was far warmer than expected! Join us for some fun in Amalfi in 2023! Email me for more info. I don't anticipate running a second Amalfi tour next spring, but perhaps fall?
Every trip to Italy teaches me so much about so many things, both personally and professionally. After two plus years of living life somewhat in self-imposed seclusion due to the virus, it was great to be back around people, and obviously to be back in Italy. It felt great to be surround by not only my travel companions and clients, but our guides, drivers and instructors, who were hit very hard during Covid. It felt great to have conversations with people! An art I thought I had lost. I had a number of repeat clients, lots of new clients and a great mix of couples and singles. The groups were husbands and wives, sisters, mothers and daughters, cousins, solo men and solo women. When I say group travel is great for everyone, no matter your personal situation, I really mean it! I remain humbled with every trip.
As my business continues to grow, there will be some changes for the 2023 tours. I’ll expend more on that later on another blog post, but we have some exciting plans and changes, and offerings coming next year! As I am fully and only devoted to Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures for years to come, my plan is to grow my business and expand the offerings to better serve you! Don't worry, I will still be leading awesome tours, offering small groups only, and selecting unique destinations and experiences! So what’s next for tours? I’ll be spending most of the summer home, returning to Italy in late August for tours in Calabria and Sicily. Calabria is my native region, so I’m especially excited to be leading a tour here. I’ll also be returning to Sicily for another tour of the eastern side of the island. While Calabria is completely sold out, I have 2 double rooms left for Sicily, consider joining me!! The week is from September 9 – 16 and we have so many great activities planned. We stay the entire week on the island of Ortigia, and from there we visit Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Catania and several wineries by Etna. We will take cooking classes, enjoy market visits and eat and drink the best the island has to offer. Email me for more info on the Sicily tour and to sign up! See images below of our past Sicily adventure!
If you have any specific questions about our offerings, tours and travels, please do not hesitate to reach out! I am here to respond to any inquiry! Email me at: francesca@thelazyitalian.com at any time!
Ciao for now!  It’s a cross between a baked pudding, a custard and a pie, or a crustless custard pie, if you will, but whatever you might want to call it, this creamy concoction is delicious, as it is easy to prepare. My mom used to make this pie/pudding on a weekly basis when my sister and I were kids and we lived in Italy. Mostly, she made it because my sister hated milk, and it was a way of getting some milk in her, despite it being in a pie form!
The preparation couldn’t be easier, mix sugar and eggs, add some sifter flour, and the milk, and add to a prepared pie plate and bake. For flavoring, you could use a teaspoon of vanilla, or the zest of one lemon, or even an orange. I like to serve it simply with some whipped cream on the side, and a dusting of powdered sugar. For the one pictured, I added a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, which is completely optional. I think it adds a fall flavor to it, but you can skip it if you want, or even add a tiny bit of grated nutmeg, for that fall flavor, again. It’s a kids favorite, but I’ve yet to meet an adult who would turn a slice of this away! Italian Milk Pie Yields One 9-inch pie Ingredients 3 large eggs 2/3 cups granulated sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 1¾ cups whole milk Flavoring (Choose one) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 orange Optional Cinnamon sugar Grated nutmeg Powdered sugar Whipped cream Instructions
Is a trip to Italy in the cards for you in 2022? I know it is for a lot of people, especially after a few years on non-travel! And if you’re ready to return to travel, what better place to start than Italy?
As a leader of food and wine tours, I can attest that one main aspect of traveling to Italy is for the food and wine! And their espresso isn’t so bad either! But as in any location, there are a few spots worth skipping, and many more worth your visit. Espresso is nothing to take lightly in Italy. Every Italian has a favorite spot where they prepare their espresso just right, and going elsewhere would be sacrilege! Let’s start with the first meal of the day and break it down with a list of the best coffee bars to visit for an espresso, cappuccino and breakfast cornetto. We will start with the main cities of Rome, Florence and Venice as these are a few of the most visited cities in Italy, and the likely destination of your future travels. In the future, we will provide you with the best cafes, pastry shops, gelato shops, restaurants and other favorites in other cities such as Verona, Naples, Milan, Palermo and more! ROME Antico Caffe Greco 86 Via dei Condotti Located near Piazza di Spagna, on elegant Via dei Condotti, Antico Caffe Greco, or simply Caffe Greco to the locals, is the oldest bar in Rome and the second oldest in all of Italy, second to Caffe Florian in Venice. A historical café established in 1760 and named after its Greek owner, Nicola della Maddalena, this spot was a favorite of the likes of Hans Christian Anderson, Buffolo Bill, Casanova and Mark Twain. The bar also doubles as a museum or art gallery, as the walls are adorned with paintings of its famous clientele. To this day, it remains a favorite spot for writers, politicians and the ‘who’s who’ of Rome. Roscioli Caffe 16 Piazza Benedetto Cairoli You’ll have to squeeze your way in, and if you’re a speed walker, you might just miss the small entrance, but Roscioli Caffe & Pasticceria is worth the effort it takes to make your way in, and the wait at the bar. Located just a few doors down from its famous restaurant, which you should also try, this relatively new bar, just a few years old, offers one of the best cups in town, and the morning cornetti, or maritozzi, cream filled Roman pastries, are equally as good and some of the best in all of Rome. Sit at the community table to mingle with the locals. Giolitti 40 Via Degli Uffici del Vicario Close to the Pantheon, so very centrally located, Giolitti offers not just a delicious cup of espresso, but equally great gelato. In fact, it’s perhaps more popular for its gelato, but the espresso is also worth trip, as are the hot chocolate and morning pastries. Opened in 1890 by dairy farmers Giuseppe and Bernadina Giolitti, the shop offers marble floors, chandeliers and typical fancy café décor. For a small fee, ask to be seated to take in the atmosphere, or enjoy your morning java at the bar. La Casa del Caffe Tazza d’Oro 84 Via degli Orfani Known to the locals simply as Tazza d’Oro, this shop offers in-house roasting and blending. While the morning espresso is delicious, and has made the list of many “best coffee in Rome” their specialty, granita al caffe topped with whipped cream, is definitely worth trying, especially after a hot day of sightseeing. Located around the corner from the Pantheon, it is often filled with tourists stopping in either before or after their guided Pantheon tour. FLORENCE Caffe Gilli Via Roma 1/R One of Florence’s most recognized names, Caffe Gilli is a staple for locals and visitors alike. As the oldest café in the city, what was once just a pastry shop opened by a Swiss family, it has since evolved into a café, gelateria and restaurant. With a large selection of cocktails, it’s as busy during after work hours as it is during the morning rush. Centrally located in Piazza della Repubblica, you do pay for the convenient location, but the view of locals and tourists alike is worth it. Sit outside, enjoy a Negroni, another specialty of Gilli, and take in all that the city of Renaissance has to offer. Ditta Artigianale 30 R Via dei Neri A relatively new café, considering some others that have been around for hundreds of years, Ditta Artiginale has been calling Florence home since 2014. A great place to linger over a strong brew, not only is the espresso excellent, but so it the cappuccino. The shop is cozy, welcoming and a favorite of the locals, especially the young crowd willing to give newcomers a chance. Be sure to grab some of their beans to take home on your return trip! Caffe Concerto Paszkowski 35 Piazza della Repubblica Declared a national monument in 1991, Caffe Concerto Paszkowski is a staple in Florence. Having recently reopened after substantial renovation to bring it up to code, what was once a brewery, it now offers some of the best coffee in town, along with great pastries, chocolates and cocktails. Not to be missed is also the live piano music. The elegant atmosphere and aura allows for ultimate enjoyment of that coveted breakfast pastry, the cornetto. As it once did in the 1900s, it still remains a popular places for writers to get creative. Rivoire Piazza della Signoria A beloved of locals and visitors alike, Café Rivoire will be celebrating 150 years in 2022. The creation of Enrico Rivoire, a chocolatier from Piedmont, it’s not surprising that in addition to a delectable espresso, you will also find all sorts of chocolate concoctions, including a hot chocolate that will undoubtably be the best you have ever had. With some of the best views in the city, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David, Café Rivoire is a favorite of not only tourists, but also the locals. Be sure to grab a box of chocolates to take back home. VENICE Caffe Florian Piazza San Marco This café needs little introduction, but to visit Venice, and not visit Café Florian would be a real shame. The oldest café in Italy, it almost closed its doors due to COVID. A favorite of Charles Dickens and Lord Byron, or the likes of current stars like Brad Pitt, the marble tables and impeccably dressed waiters make the cost of visiting such a historical location worth it. Outside seating in the summer is plentiful, but indoor seating is limited. While the food may not be the best in town, the coffee and drinks are very good. Torrefazione Cannaregio 2804 Fondamenta dei Ormesini Sit outside on warm days to enjoy the breeze, or enjoy the comfy table in the inside of this hip café located in the northern section of Venice. The last coffee shops in Venice to have a roasting license, Torrefazione Cannaregiooffers beans that are toasted and ground up in front of you, to result in the most perfect cup of espresso or cappuccino. If you’re staying in Venice for a few days, invest in a membership card for 10 cups of espresso, and a fraction of the price if you were to buy them individually. The artisanal pastries are also worth the calories. Buy a few pounds of beans to bring back home. Caffe del Doge Calle dei Cinque, Rialto Located a few minutes from the Rialto Bridge, in a tiny narrow street, Caffe del Doge was one of the first few roasters in Venice. The location makes it the perfect spot for locals to rest after a few hours spent at the Rialto market. While the roasting component of the business has moved to Padova, the café is located in what was once the roastery. There are tables both inside and out, just remember that if you want to enjoy the full experience of a sit-down coffee, you will pay a bit extra than if you were to enjoy it at the bar. This is true for all cafes on our list. Put this place on your list of places to visit while in Venice, you will not be disappointed. Marchini Time 4589 Campo San Luca Every Venetian favorite spot for coffee and pastry, Marchini Time is located in Campo San Luca, and a busy retail area between the Rialto and St. Mark’s Square, making it a hot spot for local workers, as well as visiting tourists to visit and grab an espresso. There are no tables to sit, and it does get very crowded, so gingerly and politely make your way in, order what you want at the cashier, pay, and bring that receipt to the counter to claim your purchase 
The window display outside Caffe Gilli in Florence.
Outside Caffe Florian in Venice
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