Disclaimer: This is a Guest Post that will make part of a Series about Italy.
When people think of Italy, various images come to mind. The canals of Venice, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and The Vatican. All these icons are synonymous with this country and are considered by many visitors as must see attractions. Each day, tour companies take hundreds of excited visitors from all parts of the world to visit these landmarks and many of these tour companies brand themselves with promises to their guests such as ‘travel through Italy in luxury’ or ‘an exclusive Italy experience’. But are their guests really experiencing true luxury or an exclusive Italian experience? A La Carte Italy tours doesn’t think so. A La Carte Italy tours are an Italian based, tour company who have been running private, guided tours for the past twenty years and have taken it upon themselves to redefine the concept of a luxury Italy tour. They believe that travellers to Italy are missing out on seeing the true attractions of the country and are not being treated to real, exclusive luxury on their tours.
So how does this company differ? Surely all tour companies are the same? Well, not in this case. Imagine, never having to lift a finger on your overseas trip. Forget customs hassles, choosing your hotels, thinking about where to eat, being lost in translation, or even carrying your own bags. The first notable difference of A La Carte Italy tour is that they really are all inclusive. “If we think about royalty or celebrities when they travel, says the company director, we see that they literally do not do anything for themselves. When they go on holiday they are on holiday from the demands of everyday life, and this is an experience we at A La Carte Italy tours wish to provide for our customers. Being on a luxury holiday shouldn’t mean lugging your own baggage onto a crowded tour bus, deciphering street names or puzzling over local menus. Luxury should mean your tour is exclusive and provides you with a unique experience where you do not need to lift a finger”. This certainly does sound like an appealing experience; who doesn’t want to feel like a celebrity?
In addition to be all inclusive, A La Carte Italy tours prides themselves on showing visitors the less seen sights of Italy with a private guide. Whilst the mainstream attractions are included, these are visited during non-peak times and a private guide accompanies you every step of the way to answer all your questions, carry your bags and even help you negotiate stairs should this be required. The other destinations visited are however what makes A La Carte Italy tours different and the difference begins with how guests travel to the sights. Forget coaches or self-drive tours, A La Carte Italy tours clients travel everywhere by private, chauffeured, air conditioned, luxury late model vehicles. They then ensure their clients see sights that they believe show the true beauty of Italy, many that other tour companies do not visit due to the size of their groups or vehicle inaccessibility. Notable attractions on an A La Carte Italy tour include: the Greek ruins of Syracuse, a private boat cruise to the island of Ischia, private, wine tasting in the Chianti Hills, guided walks through the historic Etruscan and Roman town of Tivoli, the Grotta Azzurra sea cave in Capri, and the Castelcivita caves, to name just a few.
Another truly luxurious feature of an A La Carte Italy tour is the accommodation offered. Forget faceless chain hotels which claim to offer ‘luxury’ rooms, an A La Carte Italy tour allows you to stay in real luxury of only the finest quality and often a once in a lifetime experience. Imagine staying in a boutique manor, a UNESCO listed heritage church or a luxurious private lodge off the beaten track. These are just some of the options offered by this unique company and they assert that they will “go out of our way to find only the best and most exclusive accommodation for our guests”.
Needless to say, an experience like this doesn’t come without a price, so is it really worth it? Walt Dougherty, 67 a business executive from Louisville, Kentucky thinks it is. I have travelled to Italy on many occasions as well as many other destinations throughout the world and I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert when it comes to international travel. I’ve done the bus tour thing, I’ve done it on my own, I’ve even backpacked in my younger days, and I can honestly say the tours offered by A La Carte Italy tours are the best. I’ve never travelled in this way before; I really didn’t have to do anything for myself and as I’m not getting any younger, this was ideal!”
So if you are the kind of person who likes to travel in style, comfort, and exclusive luxury, it certainly sounds like a trip with a La Carte Italy tours is something to consider if you are thinking about Italy for your next holiday. Bellissimo!
Thanks to Mark Wolk for this message on A La Carte Italy!
Bernard Tan says
April 21, 2016 at 6:53 amThat looks like an awesome tour, to be able to head to areas of less seen! Thats the way I love to travel!
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Lala says
April 22, 2016 at 5:36 amWow! Seems like an unreal way to travel. Visiting the sites without the crowds would be enough of an incentive for me.
Marta says
May 18, 2016 at 2:47 pmThis is great to know, thank you! I am Italian and often find myself at a loss when asked for a good tour company as I can never give a recommendation based on experience – I will definitely keep this company in mind, they seem to have a great concept
Marge Gavan says
May 21, 2016 at 12:58 amI don’t really take guided tours that much when I travel, but I do it when I know that it’s a better option than going off on my own. I like the part that they would take their guests to lesser known places, it’s one of my goals when traveling, discovering places that not many tourists know, for this alone I’d consider A La Carte Italy if ever I go there someday.