Hello travelers!

* 2 to 10 travelers | 7+ days | Services only, Semi inclusive, All inclusive options *
* 2 to 4 hour food & wine pairing experience with our Sommelier in Rome *

Your adventure is tailored to YOU, so you will receive detailed and specific directions according to the tour you chose. Our culinary adventures begin in major cities (or in an easy to find location when we explore more off-beat villages). Don’t worry! Part of what we are proud to offer you, is how we cater to you from the moment your plane lands… Private transportation is available (upon request, we have several private drivers at the ready) to take you to your apartment or villa (always included, safe clean and comfortable… your home away from home!) where you will be greeted by a collection of happy hour libations for you to enjoy while you unpack your luggage and settle into your new home for the week. Our week of culinary and cultural experiences begin the same evening of your arrival, though it will be very much relaxed and easy (you will need to rest from your flight after all!). The next morning, we begin our true adventure for the week and, based on the itinerary I will have created for your specific tours, we will have a blast together. Let’s go experience the true culture of Italy, Greece and Romania together!

~ Alice

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! :)

SITES IN ROME

Some of the sites listed here should be visited with the help of an expert guide. You learn so much more about each place with a certified archaeologist or historian leading the way! Simply let me know which site you are interested in, so I may reserve the perfect tour for you (I can easily be reimbursed via Venmo).

Alice@DivoraDestinations.com | (503) 989-8968 (SMS or WhatsApp) | Or message here

 
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Ancient Rome

(Guided by an expert)

I recommend the tour of all three locations at once for an in-depth walk through the very beginning history or Rome. You are certainly welcome to split the locations into three separate tours, fo course, but they do go hand in hand historically, so touring them on the same day may be more interesting. There are daytime tours of all three, as well as night tours of the Colosseum:

  • Colosseum

  • Roman Forum

  • Palatine Hill

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Borghese Gallery

(Guided by an expert)

This is usually a 3 hour tour of the important works of art that I am sure you’ve seen in books at some point in your life. Works of art by Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael to name a few. So incredibly beautiful and informative with a guide:

  • Borghese Gallery

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Vatican

(Guided by an expert)

There are various tours that take you into the Vatican. Some are early in the morning (to avoid the massive afternoon crowds), some include just about all important areas at once, while others are quick tours of just the essentials:

  • Vatican Museums

  • Sistine Chapel

  • St Peter’s Basilica (this is accessible for free and anytime as well, since it is a church, but a guide will show you secrets you may not notice otherwise)

  • Spiral staircase to the very top of the dome in the Chapel

  • St Peter’s tomb underground, underneath the altar in the Chapel

 
Catacombs of San Callisto, Rome

Catacombs

(Guided by an expert)

This is a bit macabre and not to everyone’s liking, but touring the underground catacombs (of which Rome is full of) might interest you as well. There are crypts that contain bones of ancient capuchin monks. There are daytime and night time tours as well:

  • Catacombs of San Callisto (Ancient Christian burial tunnels containing 3rd-century frescoes & the crypts of martyrs & popes)

  • Catacombs of Santa Priscilla (A 13km network of tombs & chapel dug into volcanic rock richly decorated with stucco & artwork)

  • Catacombs of Domitilla (Tours through 15km of catacombs with a sunken church & 2nd-century fresco of the Last Supper)

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Castel Sant’ Angelo

This site is SO prominent and important to the Roman empire and the Catholic Church in Rome, yet it is one of the least visited. Consider touring this beauty at some point too, the tour usually is coupled with one or two of the ancient Roman bridges around the site:

  • Castel Sant’ Angelo (Hadrian’s Mausoleum) (Circular, 2nd-century castle housing furniture & paintings in Renaissance apartments)

Pompeii

Day Trips

(Some guided by an expert, some solo)

Day trips north or south or Rome are usually a full day experience since it involves a van or a train ride there and back. So incredibly worth it. The Florence day trip is via high-speed train:

  • Pompeii / Herculaneum

  • Amalfi / Positano / Sorrento

  • Florence (Uffizzi Gallery and more)

  • Orvieto (ancient hilltop town with delicious wine and an imposing Duomo)

 

Walking around Rome and visiting nearby sites

Many of the sites listed here are free and open to the public. These are piazze, churches, certain monuments and courtyards of palazzi that we will simply walk through when exploring the various Rioni (neighborhoods) or Rome.

Basic knowledge of the statues, the fountains, the buildings and the churches is something I am happy to provide to you, though I am not a formally licensed tour guide in Rome... I simply know my way around my city! :) These are places we will be walking through during out week in Roma (all or most of them, anyway).

Others in this list have a minimal entry fee that can be paid at the time of the visit. All are well worth considering, when you’re walking around Roma. So much to see in this gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage City!

Pantheon, Rome, DivoraDestinations, DivoraRoma
Capitoline Hill, Capitoline Museum, Rome, DivoraDestinations, DivoraRoma

FREE to visit:

• Pantheon (Iconic temple built circa 118 to 125 A.D. with a dome & Renaissance tombs, including Raphael’s) (Rome may charge €3 soon)• Piazza Della Minerva (Elephant sculpture and obelisk so loved by Romans)

• Trevi Fountain (Aqueduct-fed rococo fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi & completed in 1762, with sculpted figures)

• Piazza Navona (Elegant square dating from the 1st century A.D., with a classical fountain, street artists & bars)

• Largo Argentina (Archaeological site close to where Julius Caesar was killed, also home to a colony of cats)

• Circo Massimo (Green space & remains of a stone & marble arena that could seat 250,000 Romans for chariot races)• Giardino Degli Aranci (on the Aventine Hill)

• Piazza Di Spagna and the Spanish Steps

• Isola Tiberina

• Gianuculum Hill (This historic, well-known hilltop terrace offers panoramic views of Rome)• Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere (the oldest Church in Rome)

• Fontanone Dell’Acqua Paola

• Piazza Del Popolo

• Il Pincio

• The staircase of Ara Coeli and the Basilica or Ara Coeli at the top

• Campidolgio (Hilltop square designed by Michelangelo, lined with museums & offering views of the Roman forum)

• Via Appia Antica (3,400-acre park along 16km of the Roman road preserving important ancient Roman tombs & villas)

With an ENTRANCE FEE:

• Capitoline Hill Museums

• Baths of Caracalla (Ruins of a vast rectangular-shaped Roman thermal bath complex used from around 216 A.D. to 537 A.D)

• Aurelian Walls Museum (Well-preserved sections of the walls built 271–275AD under Roman emperors Aurelian & Probus)

• Bocca Della Verita’ (The Mouth Of Truth) (Carving of man's face on ancient manhole cover, a popular attraction due to the myth)• National Museum of the Etruscans (Villa Giulia)

• Villa Doria Pamphilj (the stunning format gardens are open to the public)

• Ara Pacis

• Villa D’Este (a short drive away)

• Villa Adriana (a short drive away)

 

Our LODGINGS

Your homes away from home are beautiful. They are clean, stylish apartments and villas (depending on the tour location), all with private king bedrooms, private bathrooms, stocked kitchen and, whenever possible, a beautiful terrace or balcony. The lodgings we use have all been vetted and tried. We return to the locally owned apartments and villas because we love to maintain a wonderful and personal relationship with our vendors. The three examples below are three of my favorites: two in Rome and one in Naxos Island, Greece. Remember, your lodgings are included in any Divora package! :) Join us!

 
 
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Via Giulia, ROME
Apartment

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
humongous terrace facing west
gourmet kitchen
elevator (top floor)
Via Giulia in Rome

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Spanish Steps, ROME
Apartment

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
sweet balcony onto the walking street below
rustic kitchen
elevator (first floor)
Via Della Croce (Spanish Steps) in Rome

Naxos ISLAND, Greece
Villa

multi family villa complex
at least 2 bedrooms in each villa
at least 1 bathroom in each villa
1 swimming pool for each villa
perfect for large groups in Naxos, Greece

 

More images of our lodgings:

 

Via Giulia, ROME
Apartment

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
humongous terrace facing west
gourmet kitchen
elevator (top floor)
Via Giulia in Rome


Spanish Steps, ROME
Apartment

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
sweet balcony onto the walking street below
rustic kitchen
elevator (first floor)
Via Della Croce (Spanish Steps) in Rome


Naxos ISLAND, Greece
Villa

multi family villa complex
at least 2 bedrooms in each villa
at least 1 bathroom in each villa
1 swimming pool for each villa
perfect for large groups in Naxos, Greece

 

JOIN US ON OUR ADVENTURES!

2024 dates are open and flexible for the month of OCTOBER.
When and where will you be in Italy?
Let’s plan food and wine activities together!
Contact me and let’s eat!

Below are the upcoming culinary tours available in 2025, with many more being added as time passes. Make sure to return to this page often for updates or send us a message for a completely custom destination you would like us to fully create and curate for you and yours. See you in Italy!

 
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ADVENTURE DETAILS

Some of the adventures in the calendar above are listed in detail below
Custom dates and locations are always available as well, of course

 

Glass Hostaria, Rome

* Michelin Star ROME + Surroundings *

MICHELIN STAR ROME

Special Culinary Tour of Michelin Starred Cuisine of Rome. With casual Roman meals as well, of course. This is a delicious comparison study of classic dishes I grew up eating with friends and family, and their artful interpretations by brilliant modern chefs.

INCLUDED:

  • You select your own lodgings in Rome (we will assist in selecting the perfect area of the city to make sure you are in a walkable, safe and easily accessible location)

  • Transportation in private car, train, taxi to and from FCO (airport) and during all of our Divora activities (we will visit nearby vineyards and sites during out adventure together; some of our dining experiences are just outside of Rome)

  • 8 dining experiences during our 7 days together:

    • 3 dinners and 3 lunches in the city and/or surroundings

    • 1 cooking class with lunch

    • 1 vineyard wine tasting with lunch

  • 1 archaeological/museum tour of your choice within Rome

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing


Casale Delle Querce, Giove, Umbria

* Southern Umbria *

UMBRIA SMALL HILLTOP TOWNS

Special Culinary Tour of the peaceful and picture perfect hilltop villages in the region of Umbria. Umbria is considered the “Green Heart of Italy”. Filled with beautiful Etruscan and Medieval villages on top of hills with a delicious meat/truffle food culture. Wines are delicious too! Join us for our Umbria adventure and feel at home in your own 16th century stone farmhouse villa with pool (CasaleDelleQuerce.com)

INCLUDED:

  • Lodging for all nights in a beautiful private 1700s farmhouse with pool in lush greenery (3 private bedrooms with private on-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, olive grove, acres of land, large terraces for outdoor dining, fully equipment kitchen for cooking, and more!)

  • Transportation to and from our local train station called Attigliano/Bomarzo (we will assist you with this, of course) to our lodging, and during all our Divora activities while in Umbria

  • 9 dining experiences during our 7 days together:

    • 3 restaurant dinners and 3 restaurant lunches in the villages

    • 1 cooking class with lunch

    • 1 vineyard wine tasting with lunch

    • 1 in-villa chef’s dinner with professional sommelier wine pairing

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing


Private cooking class in Palermo, Sicily

* Sicily *

SICILY

Special Culinary Tour of the sunny and otherworldly island of Sicily (specifically in the Palermo area). A complete experience of this beautiful island that is dear to my heart (and from which I have ancestors). Discover fishing villages, ancient Greek temples and delicious olive oil (not to mention its wine culture!). June is a wonderful tine to visit sunny and warm Sicily… join us!

INCLUDED:

  • Lodging for all nights in a beautiful apartment in the center of Palermo (or in a typical farmhouse outside of the city - depending on needs)

  • Transportation from Palermo’s airport to your lodging in Palermo and during all our Divora activities

  • 9 dining experiences during our 7 days together:

    • 3 dinners and 4 lunches in the city

    • 1 walking tour of the famous open air markets and history of Palermo (with various tastings of foods for lunch)

    • 1 vineyard wine tasting or olive oil tasting with lunch

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing


Capri

* 3 Italian Island Hopping *
(Elba, Ponza & Capri)

ITALIAN ISLAND HOPPING

12 days in early summer, when the temperatures are high during the day and pleasant during the evenings, making our beach & island experiences absolutely perfect for basking in the bright sun, swimming in the clear waters, and enjoying local vino enveloped in the warm sunset light. Pack light and be ready to experience our beautiful Italian early July summer days and nights, in some of the most beautiful Mediterranean islands! Be prepared to ride on trains, ferries, sail boats, cars, but also to walk around in each island… the best way to explore and immerse into the culture. Islands will be mostly concentrated on a fish/crustacean/mollusk diet (it would be rather difficult to avoid it if allergic)

INCLUDED:

  • All transportation (from when you arrive in Piombino (Tuscany) on July 1st, until we end in Naples July 12th)

  • All but 3 lunches and all but 3 dinners (to give you time to explore on your own in each island)

  • All hotel/villa/apartment rentals for each of the 12 days / 11 nights on our adventure

  • All beach lounge chairs/boat rentals/guided excursions/cooking classes/wine tastings scheduled by Divora during our 12 days

  • Alice as your personal guide and travel companion, translator and deal maker, photographer and friend


Forte Dei Marmi, Tuscany

* Coastal Tuscany *

COASTAL TUSCANY

Special Culinary Tour of the luxurious and beautiful Coastal Tuscany ending with two nights in Florence. Forte Dei Marmi is near and dear yo my heart as it is a place for cruiser bike riding along the long coast, delicious Michelin dinners and fresh seafood in beautiful settings, high end shopping for those among us who love high fashion, as well as lots of history regarding Carrara Marble and it’s quarries (still active today after 600+ years of being in use). “Marmi” means marbles. W3 will end our coastal Tuscany adventure with two nights in Florence for a little taste off the Renaissance. Click on the Coastal Tuscany link above to see the details!

INCLUDED:

  • Elegant and private lodging in Forte dei Marmi (Tuscan Coast)

  • Elegant and private lodging in the center of Florence (the last 2 nights)

  • Transportation during our Divora activities

  • 8 dining experiences during our 7 days together:

    • 3 dinners and 2 lunches on the Tuscan Coast

    • 1 dinner and 1 lunch in Florence

    • 1 vineyard wine tasting with lunch

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for high end shopping (Dolce, Armani, Fendi, etc!), sightseeing and relaxing


Roman Forum, Rome

* Rome *

COMPLETE ROME

Discover the true Rome, as I know it. I was born here, grew up here and have my entire family here to this day, ready to greet you and show you far beyond the tourist spots. You will experience the true Roman culture of dining out, cooking at home, and daily life with casual walks in the city center, afternoon gelato and aperitivi, and much more, including a wonderful day trip to the “castles” outside of Rome to enjoy local hand made wine and country scenery.

INCLUDED:

  • Lodging for all nights in a beautiful apartment for all of us together in the center of Rome

  • Transportation from FCO (airport) to your lodging and during our Divora activities

  • 7 dining experiences during our 7 days together:

    • 3 restaurant dinners and 2 restaurant lunches

    • 1 cooking class with lunch

    • 1 vineyard wine tasting with lunch

  • 1 archaeological/museum tour of your choice within Rome

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing


* Puglia *

PUGLIA

INCLUDED:

  • Lodging for all nights in a beautiful masseria (traditional farmhouse)

  • Transportation from Bari or Brindisi airport (we will direct you to the best airport to land in when we begin to plan our adventure) to your lodging and during all our Divora activities

  • 7 dining experiences during our 7 days together:

    • 3 restaurant dinners and 2 restaurant lunches

    • 1 cooking class with lunch

    • 1 vineyard wine tasting with lunch

    • 1 olive oil tasting

  • Sightseeing throughout our stay in private car

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing


Bucharest, Romania

* Romania *
Dates & Details coming soon. Check back!

Majestic castles perched on high mountains, the meandering Danube river emptying in the Caspian Sea as it has for millennia, a modern culture filled with ancient traditions originating from their rich history of of empires coming and going. The language and the culinary traditions are a combination of Mediterranean, Baltic, Northern and Arabian, making their foods not only delicious, but unique as well. Join my guest host Alexandru (a native Romanian) and myself as we explore his beautiful and off the beaten path country.

INCLUDED:

  • Lodging for all nights ranging from private homes to quaint hotels along our way

  • Transportation from (OTP) Bucharest’s main airport to your lodging and during our Divora activities

  • 6 (restaurant) dinners and 6 lunches

  • 1 cooking class or cooking demonstration

  • 1 Danube river tour with local guide

  • 1 walking tour with local guide

  • Ample time for you to roam around freely for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing


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Food & Wine pairing experience with our Sommelier in Rome

Are you looking for a simple 2-hour Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Rome and/or surrounding countryside while you are in Italy on your own? We can certainly do this for you, too. Divora’s in-house Sommelier, Alex, is a full-time resident of Rome and is eager to show you how to pair specific foods to specific Italian wines. Wines you may recognize as well as small producer wines that are as delicious, albeit not internationally exported. Learn about our local wine culture and our delicious foods on this one-on-one educational and fun food & wine experience! Wine and foods and necessary transportation included, of course. Gratuity not included.

 

* Meet Alex in central Rome and explore one local wine emporium and eatery for wine tasting and food pairing ($120 per person)
* Meet Alex in your rental apartment for a private wine and food pairing experience in the comfort of your own space ($190 per person)
* Meet Alex in central Rome and be whisked away in a private car to a nearby vineyard for wine tasting and food pairing ($270 per person)

Contact us for details!

Alice@DivoraDestinations.com
+1 503 989 8968
+39 333 7678 522