Welcome back to our monthly “rendez-vous” with event tips and hidden gems identified by the experts of a territory: the locals! For us at Italian Special Occasions DMC, the locals are a constant source of inspiration in the creation of authentic activities and in...
One of the things that we love doing at Italian Special Occasions DMC, is to get lost in the small roads of Italy and discover new hidden destinations: magnificent hilltop villages, awe-inspiring landscapes, homemade cuisine and cultural attractions. Another thing we...
The Via Francigena (or Via Romea) is an ancient pilgrims’ route that goes from Canterbury to Rome. This, at least, is the official and traditional concept of the path. But actually, apart from visiting the city of the martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul, during...
Kings and princesses strolled through them, famous architects and gardeners worked between their flowerbeds, painters and poets were inspired by and praised them, weddings and wars were decided in-between the tree-lined boulevards: historic Italian gardens have...
Italian museums treasure innumerable, awe-inspiring works of ancient and modern art. While visiting them is certainly an enriching and recommended experience, it is also fun and delighting to explore bizarre exhibitions. Let’s find out about some unusual museums in...
Paradise on Earth is never too far, you just have to know where to look for it. Italy is full of hidden gems that bewitch visitors, and today we would like to focus on little known, Eden-like islands. While most people have heard of or seen the beauty of Sicily,...
With its thousands of ancient ruins, historic buildings, picturesque piazze, idyllic parks and soothing fountains, Italy is a giant al fresco museum. Among these wonders, there are actual outdoor areas that have been officially designated as open-air museums. In...
Lombardy, the mountainous region of northern Italy is best known for its capital Milan, the city of fashion, a center of history, the heart of finance and business. The team at Italian Special Occasions DMC are also fans of Lombardy’s stunning northern alpine...
Many of you might have heard the whispers about a rugged Sicilian island less than forty miles or so from the North African coast. With black volcanic rocks, hidden caves and thermal springs, you could be forgiven for confusing it with a mythical place described in...
Turin, the first capital of a united Italy, offers great cuisine and surprising cultural gems. Current headlines feature it for the Exhibition of the Holy Shroud from 19 April to 24 June 2015, and for reopening its Egyptian Museum after a pharaonic €50 million revamp....
The Molise region in southern Italy borders Abruzzo to the north and Campania to the south and is one of Italy’s newest regions, being part Abruzzo-Molise until 1963. We decided to share our top tips for visiting this little-known region. Coastal and compact… Lying on...
Calabria is a great destination for special occasions off the beaten path. Its beautiful hamlets offer the ideal venue where to celebrate a family reunion, an alumni & friends gathering, a destination wedding, a corporate event or teambuilding experience. To add...
Set along the southern banks of the Alps between Lombardy and Piedmont, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second-largest lake and, according to Travel + Leisure Magazine, “is the busiest and most untamed”. Its beautiful scenery has been a source of inspiration for a number of...
It might be a difficult name to pronounce, but it is one to be remembered for its famous product of the highest quality, as well as its idyllic landscape and charming hamlets. Conegliano Valdobbiadene is a small hilly area between Venice and the Dolomites in Veneto,...
Off to the eastern side of northern Italy, Veneto is not all about Venice and Verona. The town of Vicenza is generally considered the cultural capital of this region, and this is largely because of its extremely rich architectural heritage endowed by 16th-century...
The Itria Valley is located in Italy’s heel, Apulia. Despite the name, it is not an actual valley but rather an extensive karst depression shaped by gentle ups and downs. The area is not only a feast for the eyes with its beautiful landscape, but also rich of history...
Abruzzo is not one of those regions that immediately pop to mind when thinking about travel destinations in Italy… yet, it is a striking land full of historic and artistic riches, and features a pristine, breathtaking nature. At Italian Special Occasions DMC we...
The Cinque Terre (literally, “five lands”) is an enchanting destination that stretches for 18 km along the rocky coast of Liguria, in northwestern Italy. The five ‘borghi’ (villages or hamlets) after which the area is named, are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza,...
“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything”. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe German writer, philosopher and statesman von Goethe had got right already in...
Located in the heart of central Italy, Umbria features picturesque rolling hills with poplars and cypresses, and mountains that alternate narrow valleys and dense forests. The region is dotted with medieval hamlets and vineyards, which can be explored with...
Have you ever watched Hollywood’s movie Roman Holiday (1953)? If you have, and even if you have not, you probably associate it with the iconic image of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck exploring the Italian Capital while riding a Vespa. The Vespa is an Italian brand of...
The region of Basilicata in southern Italy is ideal for bicycle tourism and for team building activities on two wheels and not only, as we will discover in this post! Due to the low population density in Basilicata, local roads do not have many vehicles, which is...
Spring time is the perfect time to visit Sicily, and a group of friends from the United States took advantage of this wonderful season to organize a fun trip and meet up in the Mediterranean island. And who did they contact to plan and follow their unique experience?...
For some reason it is not one of Italy’s most famous regions, but the Marche (or Marches) surely deserves a top spot among the most rewarding areas to visit in the boot! Here are just a couple of jaw-dropping and interesting facts about the Marche: its historic towns...
Is Rome all about ancient ruins, Baroque churches and Renaissance palaces? This is what many people who have never seen the city expect, and it is what numerous tourists come to believe when they hurriedly visit the beautiful capital. But all you have to do is keep...
Seasonality allows you to enjoy a number of authentic and unforgettable activities, and we at Italian Special Occasions DMC have decided to create a unique suggestion for spring, conceived particularly for those of you who love golf, culture and wine. Tuscany is the...
Are you planning a special occasion with Family and Friends to celebrate the end of the year with a unique event in Italy? Our Destination Management Company specializes in Small Group Travel experiences and proposes 10 places that you should consider for private...
Many people traveling to Italy often make the mistake of forgetting to venture out of the more famous cities of Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. While all four of these cities are marvelous to visit, they’re located in regions – respectively Lazio, Tuscany, Lombardy...
The name ‘Campania’ is probably not as famous as other regions of Italy, such as Tuscany. But millions of travelers are in love with it, thanks to Hollywood movies filmed in different, irresistibly picturesque locations in this sunny region. Some of these film...
The beautiful island of Sicily, like most of Italy’s regions, features different wine routes with idyllic landscapes and hidden gems that you can discover with the authentic knowledge of the locals. Today we will share some of this wisdom with you, as we travel...