Ciao amici,
How are you? We are just back from a very quick overnight trip to Florence (more on that soon) and gearing up for a very busy few months.
It has been unseasonably warm in Rome (literally 10 degrees higher than average temperatures) so if you are planning to travel to Italy this year, expect it to be warm and remember to plan accordingly. We like to go out first thing in the mornings while it’s still fresh, be home or at the hotel in the middle of the day (the hottest part) and then venture out again in the evenings.
Next week, I’m heading to Sicily for a few days with my friend and colleague Giulia - the host of some of our Untold Italy Tours. We can’t wait to put the final finishing touches on this year’s Eastern Sicily tours. They’re fully sold out for 2024 but we do have spots available if you’d like to join us in 2025.
Are you an Italian Wine Lover?
My partner Andrea and I have a blog all about Italian wine. We’re trying to demystify the often snooty wine world and act as your 101 guide to Italian wine. We’ll help you order wine in Italy with confidence and pick out the very best wine tours you should book on your next trip. Not heading to Italy anytime soon but still love wine? We write about bottles to purchase that you can find in the States and Australia as well as wine clubs to join.
3 Magical Days in Venice
Last month, we had our Untold Italy team bonding retreat in Venice. Every year we go somewhere fabulous (last year was Rome with Vespa Tours, food tours and the Domus Aurea tour) and I was thrilled when La Serenissima was chosen as this year’s location!
We tried so many wonderful activities, ate in delicious restaurants and stayed at a marvellous hotel, so I thought I’d also share some of the highlights with you in case you’re planning a trip there soon.
Day 1
Stay at Hotel American Dinesan
Get lost in the maze-like calle - my favorite sites during this trip were the incredible hospital building and the church next door where the Doges are buried!
Pop into the Museo Palazzo Grimani
Do eat delicious local food on a food tour - learn all about cicchetti
Day 2
Breakfast at Rosa Salva
Forget the gondola and book a George Clooney-style boat tour on the canals!
Cichetti style lunch at Osteria Al Squero - you can watch the goings on at the gondola repair workshop across the canal!
Enjoy a special meal at Al Covo
Day 3
Head out to the islands on a special winery tour. You’ll get to visit Burano and Murano plus a secret winery.
Get lunch at Da Romano on the island Burano.
Feeling inspired by some of these ideas? It was wonderful to be back in Venice and I can’t wait to return sometime soon (admittedly, hopefully when the weather is slightly warmer).
Next time, I’ll share with you some exciting new tours I tried in Florence this week and a wine bar we return to every trip. If you’d like to see what we get up to in Sicily, keep an eye out on my Instagram stories.
Ciao,
Liv x
You really captured the magic!