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!  

​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!