Reviews

"Our trip to the Amalifi coast in June was spectacular! A bucket list dream come true. Under Francesca's expertise, we enjoyed truy immersive and authentic experiences -- hands-on cooking classes, lemon grove and winery visits, a privately chartered boat trip to Capri, tour of stunning Ravello, a genuine Italian Farmer's Market, plentiful and delectable daily lunches and 2 memorable dinners, all including lots of wine! Francesca was mindful of the group's need for ample down-time, so we could savor morning coffee/breakfasts and late-day cocktails on our lovely hotel terrace, as well as swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea and strolling the Piazza Duomo in the evening for delectable pizza, pastries, gelato, and shopping for Amalfi souvenirs." We shared our week with a wonderful group of people and left Italy feeling as if we had been with family! Francesca herself is a true delight! She took care of ALL the details, something we would not have been able to orchestrate on our own. The extra touches she provided were so appreciated -- tote bags, Sunday morning pastries, goodie bags with Italian treats and mementoes, etc. She also resolved a room issue for us, for which we were very grateful. Francesca is not a "typical" tour guide. She is a master at providing exceptional experiences for travelers! Passionate, Attentive, Responsive, Available 24/7. It is a testament to her that we booked another trip for 2025 with Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures, just a few weeks after returning home to the US. We are already looking forward to next year and joining Francesca for our second journey!

"We have traveled to parts of Italy before, but this was our first trip with Francesca. It was without a doubt a spectacular trip, far beyond our expectations! Francesca is a beautiful person, a true professional, so well organized, leaving no stone unturned, yet she treats you as though you are part of her family. The itinerary is so well planned, taking in all the highlights, but leaving us plenty of time to explore, shop, swim, and get our evening gelato on our own!! From the time we arrived, we didn’t have to think of anything, it was totally relaxing and stress free! We visited so many beautiful places, had two extraordinary cooking experiences, and ate such delicious food! The small group of 18, created a very warm and intimate setting. It was by far the trip of a lifetime. We enjoyed it so much, that we have already signed up for The Italian Riviera trip next May. Thank you Francesca for all your efforts!"

Francesca deftly manages travel logistics—selecting hotels, arranging transportation, scheduling activities, and curating unique experiences—allowing us to focus on exploration, delicious meals, and the relaxing benefits of vacation. The small group size fostered personalized adventures for each of us. Choosing a favorite moment isn’t easy, whether it be the cooking classes, our day in Capri and Anacapri, or the Naples food tour. The lovely accommodations and attentive hotel staff further enhanced our experience. Francesca's knowledge, language proficiency, and personal connections within the local hospitality scene elevated our Amalfi Coast journey, offering us special experiences not easily discovered independently. For an insider's experience of Italy's beauty, Francesca is the unmatched choice.

I traveled with Francesca last September on the Puglia adventure. I am a solo traveler. Usually I make all my own arrangements and shy away from tour groups. However, the laid back approach taken by Francesca in planning events and sites to visit transforms her trips into intimate group happenings. There are no hidden costs or charges along the way. All details, from hotels to meals are meticulously thought out, and arrangements made, so that all you have to worry about is not drinking too much wine, and waking up on time for the next day's excursion! You will see and experience real-life Italy. I was thrilled to visit the church in which my grandmother was baptized when we were in Bari. Learning to make orecchiette in our home-base of Lecce (a lovely city, and place where eggplant parmigiana was invented), was a fun morning. I have since taught that skill to friends who wanted to make a different type of pasta. Francesca herself is a treat. Always upbeat, she never stops. I had such a good time, that soon after I got home I booked the Amalfi (June) and Sicily (September) tours. I am looking forward to these trips this year, and most likely more to come. Ciao!

My husband and I had our first experience with Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures when we booked our trip to Puglia in 2023. We absolutely had the best time. Every aspect of the trip from the food, transportation, lodging, tours as well as the knowledge that Francesca had about Italy were truly amazing. Each detail was well planned and exceeded our expectations. Francesca was very personable and her love for the Italian culture was truly evident. We enjoyed the wine, cheese and every lunch and dinner was absolutely delicious. Our favorite part of the trip was strolling through the streets of Puglia, making orecchiette, and visiting all the Gothic churches. We are looking forward to joining Francesca in September 2024 to explore the Italian Rivera.

"I have gone on two culinary adventures with Francesca, to Calabria and Sicily. The trips were outstanding! On both tours, we ate so much delicious food and drank great wine. Our restaurant meals that Francesca arranged included generous portions, many courses, and really good quality and variety. We also had several food and market tours, and everything was just as good then. And you can walk off the eating! The charming hotels for both tours were centrally located and comfortable. It was nice to be able to go to a coffee bar or gelato shop just down the street. I know Francesca actively seeks guides, instructors and experiences for her tours, and everyone we met was extremely personable and knowledgeable. Choose one of her trips, you will have an unforgettable experience."