Example: ROME
Note: Each Divora tour is unique. Below is an example a typical week-long stay in Rome with us, but your tour will be tailor made, of course
Step 1
Flights
Flights: Flights are plentiful. My personal favourite airline is Delta. I have traveled internationally with Delta non-stop since 2009 and highly recommend it. Living in Portland Oregon, I always choose one of two flights: Portland > Atlanta > Rome or Portland > Amsterdam > Rome. As long as you get to Rome, by all means, use any airline you prefer. I highly recommend just one layover though, as it makes your trip that much more comfortable and short. You may be tempted to save a few $$ by picking a flight that is longer with more stops, but don’t. Trust me, I want you to arrive in Rome as well rested as possible! ;)
One of the benefits of choosing (and sticking to) one airline, is the miles and points you accumulate as you fly with them. You get even more benefits if you use their dedicated credit card to make purchases. I have my trusty Delta Airlines American Express Card that, upon signing up, gives you enough points for an upgrade (or a free USA flight) and one Companion Ticket each year (for 2 people to fly within the USA for the price of one), among other fabulous benefits. This referral link will take you to the card’s application page which, upon approval, will gift you with a bunch of extra miles (and will gift them to me too) ;) Delta Airlines American Express Card
I will help you navigate through the myriad flights available to Rome, so that it is as brainless as possible for you to reach me in Rome. I am a Travel Advisor after all! It is part of what I offer with all of my tours. Most flights to Rome land around 11am (which is the PERFECT time to land - please make sure of this time).
PART 2
Pre trip DINNER
Part of what I offer you as a Divora traveler, is the pre-trip planning sessions in person (or over the phone, Zoom or email, for travelers who are not in my immediate Portland Oregon area). The main get together with the whole group, happens about one month before our tour date. It will fully prepare you for the trip. We will always be in touch throughout the months of waiting for our trip, but when we meet in person as a group, I provide a gift tote bag for each of you containing maps, travel information about our area, helpful phone numbers and addresses, the full itinerary showing our activities for the week, as well as a personalized travel journal for you to enjoy during our week together and our Divora apron (which will come in handy during our cooking classes in Rome and again when you return home). This is the perfect opportunity for all of us to bond and get excited about our adventure in Rome! We will dine at my favourite local Roman restaurant, enjoy some Roman wine, and will talk about our plans. One months later, we’ll all meet again in Rome!
Part 3
Arriving in Rome
Once you land in Rome (FCO is the airport code) you will be able to take an official taxi (they are officially lined up outside in the taxi stand - do not accept any ride offer from random people offering them to you as you walk in the airport) into the center of the city. If you need help, I can organize a private driver to pick you up to personally take you to our apartment (this is an extra expense but it is well worth it if you don’t want to venture into a taxi situation as soon as you arrive in Rome - you may be tired and may just want to get to your bed asap).
As a reminder, please choose a flight that has you land in Rome in the early afternoon. This allows us to check into the apartment at a reasonable time, and to have plenty to afternoon time for you to rest, unpack, shower, and nap. At the apartment, I will greet you and let you in. You will be received by a generous spread of meats, cheeses, fruits, breads, water and wine, so you can settle into your home-away-from-home, and recharge a bit. I will tour the apartment with you and will then leave you to it. You’ll need this time to relax and rest up before our week is to begin. We won’t do much on this first evening, to allow for plenty of rest. depending on how you feel, we may have a simple dinner in Rome or you may want to just sleep… we’ll play this first da by ear! ;)
Part 4
Culinary FUN
Living like the locals, immersed in the culture, is one of the key elements of my Divora adventures! You'll feel like you're part of the local culture and people in no time, as you explore it alongside myself and your traveling companions. You will have your own private bedroom and bathroom and full access to the entire space: gourmet kitchen, sitting room, and sometimes a terrace (if available). Fur sure though, your apartment is located in the center of Rome, walking distance from all of the beautiful streets and piazza, museums and sites, restaurants and shopping.
Throughout our week, you will experience the culinary world Rome (and the countryside) is famous for, by touring known and off-the-beaten-path eateries both, alongside myself, native Roman and your personal guide. Be prepared to experience hands-on cooking classes taught by myself and my trusted local Roman chefs, as well as deliciously prepared dining experiences in local restaurants and enoteche (wine tasting rooms). We will also visit one or two countryside locations (outside of Rome) in order to creak up the city life, with the peace and tranquillity of the wine country rolling hills surrounding Rome. All transportation within our week together is included in your tour, of course (this includes trains, metro, busses and drivers).
Part 5
MUSEUM & SITES
Rome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as such, is an "open air museum" and offers thousands of famous and less known archaeological and historical sites (and world-class museums). We will take the time to visit some of these special sites, guided by knowledgeable and licensed local history experts. Have you wanted to enter the Colosseum and see its basement trenches at night by the light of the full moon? You can! How about touring the little known (and newly opened Domus Aurea (Nero's Golden Palace) only visitable with archaeologists working on site, with hard hats and special permits? You can! I'll organize it all for you, as your personal Italian-speaking concierge, and you'll leave Rome ewe-struck (and wanting more) - that's good! Any cultural/site/museum tour is an extra option not included in my culinary tour, however, I will leave plenty of free time during our itinerary, for you to visit these places on your own time. As stated above, I will ask you about your interests in these sites, and will organize the tours for you via my associate tour companies (I will bill you separately for the face-value cost of these tours).
PART 6
GETTING HOME
The sad end of our adventure together comes on the 7th day. Sad because I never want it to end! After one full week of cooking, eating, enjoying wine and sites and each other’s company is over, you may have decided to move onto a new location in Italy on your own, or to fly back home to the USA. Regardless, I will ask you if you need a taxi or private car to take you to the airport or train station (an added cost but well worth the peace of mind). If you decided to continue the Divora experience with me, in another region in Italy (like Sicily or Puglia or Umbria for example), you and I will travel together to our new location (all included in the package- whether by train or plane).
Check out from your apartment is always at 11am. Most flights back to Portland Oregon fly out of FCO at 11am but there are some that fly out in the afternoon, it all depends on which airline you choose. Due to this 11am checkout, we will only have time for one last breakfast together, as you pack up your luggage and await the taxi/car to take you to the airport. We say out goodbyes at the apartment and we bid to see each other again soon in another part of the Mediterranean! :)