“ Visiting this less-traveled region made for an authentic experience, with less crowding and more interaction with local people”
AnnaMaria’s “Off the Beaten Path” 2019 tour in Basilicata was my first trip abroad. I could not have asked for a better introduction to Italy. We began our trip in Venosa, a village rich in archeology, and ended in Maratea, a beautiful village overlooking the sea. Our circuitous path around the region took us to other villages, wine cellars, UNESCO World Heritage sites, a stunning 8th century rock church, and many other places of interest. Visiting this less-traveled region made for an authentic experience, with less crowding and more interaction with local people.
Our group consisted of about 10 people who were very compatible and engaging, with a range of backgrounds and interests, making the trip even more enjoyable.
Our itinerary was well organized and thought-out, with ample time to explore on our own or relax. AnnaMaria and our local guides and hosts did a wonderful job of attending to our comfort and safety (including special dietary needs). The trip went very smoothly, thanks to their careful planning, and skillful handling of small glitches and unforeseen circumstances.
Libby - Charlottesville, VA
“A delightful surprise”
I’ve taken 2 trips to Italy with Anna, exploring off-the-beaten-path locations away from the typical tourist crowds. We visited Pescara and Abruzzo, staying at a unique hotel with rooms dedicated to international artists like Van Gogh and Toulouse Lautrec. Our guide showed us fascinating sites, including caves housing B&Bs and craft shops. A memorable lunch on a Trabocco, a stilted restaurant over the water reached by a wooden pier, was a delightful surprise. The charm of Anna’s tours lies in discovering sites rarely visited by tourists and traveling in a small group.
In Le Marche, we started in Ascoli Piceno, a town with a history predating Rome, featuring a city center built of travertine. We enjoyed stuffed olives, visited an olive farm, found beautiful leather bags, and bought chocolate goodies from local vendors at the chocolate festival held in the main piazza. A highlight was visiting a truffle farm, where we hiked with dogs to search for truffles.
Jill – Charlottesville, VA
“Such good memories”
We love to explore Italy and three tours with AnnaMaria have been delightful. She has found extremely knowledgeable native guides to expose us to interesting historical sites, local businesses, and wonderful dining experiences. We have such good memories of seeing different areas in Italy that are distinctly unique. AnnaMaria is an outstanding tour hostess - organized, helpful, and calming.
Nancy H. – Charlottesville, VA
“The most memorable for me was truffle hunting”
I found them less hectic and less rushed because we were visiting small hill towns and villages. I went to Abruzzo, Basilicata and Marche. Our quite small group was easily acquainted with our Italian hosts who showed us their estates, restaurants and crafts, and of course vineyards and olive groves. Anna's Italian guides who traveled with us were friendly and proficient in taking us to out of the way places. The most memorable for me was truffle hunting with the owner of some wonderfully eager dogs.
Anna's personal concern for her group is easily seen in all the details of her tours and you will always feel at home during your travel adventures.
Jeanette – Gordonsville, VA
My Favorite Way to See Italy
I have been very fortunate to travel to Italy on three different adventures with AnnaMaria. I love being “off the beaten path”. I feel I am seeing and experiencing the real Italy. Her tours are very well organized, relaxing and fun. She has a way of finding the most knowledgeable and friendly local tour guides which makes the trip even more enjoyable. I love the small group size. It’s fun to meet new people and with a small group you actually have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers. There’s usually some free time in each day’s itinerary to do some exploring on your own or a bit of shopping or to just relax. The food, the people, the places … everything is wonderful.
Sylvia - Culpeper, VA
“ My little side excursion”
I was thoroughly impressed by the tour you built through and around Bologna in October, 2024. Every day presented new and different aspects of the ancient architecture and customs of the various occupying forces. The restaurants were all fabulous. The tours of the Prosciutto processing and the Balsamic Vinegar were very enjoyable, and the private performance at Pavarotti’s home was fabulous and so emotional. I particularly enjoyed my little side excursion to the Enzo Ferrari museum in Modena during the lunch break. Thanks for allowing me that pleasure. Of all the sights we enjoyed, I was most impressed and awed by the Byzantine mosaic artwork in the churches. Fantastic. I will treasure this trip always. Thank you for organizing it.
Bill - Culpeper, VA
“Visiting a former coal mine in a small town… so interesting.”
I had the pleasure of traveling with AnnaMaria in a very small group (family size) to Sardinia in the spring of 2024. It was a great trip that included so many off the beaten path experiences that I never would have visited if it were not for AnnaMaria’s excellent guidance and local tour guides and drivers. Besides seeing all the worthwhile and important cultural monuments, it was the lesser-known sites and interaction with locals that made this trip so memorable. The cultural monuments of Sardinia are amazing, the town of Nora, Roman ruins originally settled by the Phoenicians, Su Nuraxi, dating back to the 15th Century BC and many other sites were on the program. Who would have thought though that visiting a former coal mine in a small town with a lovely lunch in a local restaurant would have been so interesting. And a visit to a volcanic plateau where a small breed of wild horses potentially dating back to Nuraghic age roam freely in a protected area where cork trees can be spotted everywhere. And who knew that sounds are locked up in stones but can create lovely music when cut and strummed as demonstrated in the Sound Garden in San Sperate, a town famous for its murals and the local artist Pinuccio Sciola. Excellent guides, fantastic food and wine and lots of personal attention awaits you on a trip with AnnaMaria.
Ineke – Charlottesville, VA
“She took me shopping”
We thought the trip to Bologna and environs was wonderful. Anna Maria is an expert teacher and guide, and she chose an accomplished local guide for us as well. When my shoes were inadequate, she took me shopping for a reasonable replacement pair. We could depend on her knowledge of the culture and her suggestions for future travel.
Ann - Charlottesville, VA
“Ah, bella Italia”
AnnaMaria’s tour is a package that includes the hotel, a daily meal at a select restaurant, tours with a local guide, and, most of all, camaraderie with a small group of like-minded travelers. You’ll be free to make your own travel arrangements to Italy, so if you want to get there before the tour or stay on afterwards, you’ll have that added freedom. We wanted to go to the opera, and AnnaMaria made arrangements with the hotel to extend the booking, and she even pointed us in the right direction of finding the schedule of performances to choose from. She’s also there to help on site whatever needs come up whether it’s an unplanned trip to the farmacia or another shop. The pre-arranged meals are among the best one can find while on holiday, small, off-the-beaten path restaurants that cater to locals. On one excursion, we were even treated to a special surprise recital, so we experienced memorable sights, tastes, and sounds. Ah, bella Italia.
Richard – Charlottesville, VA
“Each day brought a new adventure”
AnnaMaria’s tour of Le Marche was an outstanding and memorable experience. I was already a seasoned traveler in Italy, having been there on 7 or 8 previous trips, but Le Marche was unknown to me. And what a marvelous discovery! AnnaMaria sought out beautiful, fascinating, and historic small towns, always with a local guide. We had experiences that I doubt I’d ever have discovered on my own: a visit to a bobbin-lace maker shop in Offida ; a paper factory in Fabriano where watermarks were invented (in the 13th century!), breathtakingly beautiful caverns in Frasassi, a truffle ground in Acqualagna, complete with trainer and truffle hounds, the exquisite ducal palace in Urbino . . . Each day brought a new adventure. Accommodations were comfortable and spacious, all arranged so that we only had to change hotels once. Several of our included lunches were so opulent — and delicious — that some of our group elected to skip dinner that evening. The small group of 6 was infinitely preferable to a big tour bus. And I loved the opportunities to speak Italian - though the language was not necessary. If the calendar and circumstances fell into place, I would definitely go on another of AnnaMaria’s thoughtfully curated trips.
Laurie - Charlottesville, VA
“We had many unique activities and experiences on each trip”
We have been on 3 trips with AnnaMaria…to Basilicata in 2019, Marche in 2022, and Bologna in 2024…and have loved every one of them! The off the beaten path way of traveling is the absolute best way of seeing the beautiful towns and villages of Italy and experiencing the local culture. The small group size of 6-12 is ideal for sightseeing and tours in the towns. AnnaMaria has amazing local guides in Italy who are so knowledgeable, informative and personable. We had many unique activities and experiences on each trip and absolutely felt like we got to know the real Italy. The days were full of interesting sights and activities, lunches with wonderful food and wine, and some free time to wander, shop and explore. In the evenings, we were on our own to go to some of the many great restaurants in the various towns. AnnaMaria plans her trips so well and is so engaged with everyone in the group that it guarantees a superb experience. We cannot recommend a trip to Italy with AnnaMaria highly enough…she is the best! We are looking forward to our upcoming trip with her to Sardinia!
Pat & Tom G. - Alexandria, VA
“The perfect way to finally get to see the incredible Byzantine mosaics there”
Last fall in 2024 was my first experience travelling with AnnaMaria and Off the Beaten Path. It was also my first group trip ever! When I learned that the next OTBP destination would be Bologna, I was intrigued. The itinerary included eating the world's best ham and cheese, Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiana Reggiano, in Parma; tasting balsamic vinegar (with gelato!) and visiting Pavarotti's home in Modena; and visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites like charming Ferrara. But the destination I most wanted to see, ever since I studied art in college, was Ravenna! It's a town that is hard to get to on your own, so this group trip was the perfect way to finally get to see the incredible Byzantine mosaics there. The trip was an unforgettable, educational experience with a very amiable group of fellowtravellers. We ate together every day at an arranged lunch, with dinner on our own. Lunch was always excellent, and a very welcome respite from our rigorous pace! I mean, except for lunch (and espresso breaks), we didn't stop! We made our daily excursions in a comfortable mini-bus with a skillful (and funny) driver, Davide. Our tour guide for the week was sprightly, academic, and thorough. Our hotel was located in the heart of Bologna, near the University, an easy walk to cultural sites, stores, and restaurants. AnnaMaria was always available and helpful, making recommendations, and, of course, interpreting! Yes, I have taken a lot of Italian classes, but there's nothing better than having an Italian-speaking native by your side when visiting Italy. Being with AnnaMaria made the whole trip fun, and truly special.
Mary Joy - Charlottesville, VA