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CLE Italy (SOLD OUT)
March 14-22, 2024

Starts in Rome and also visit Campobasso, Agnone, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Pompei, Vico Equense and Battipaglia.

Cleveland connected friends take an excursion to Central-South Italy.  We will cover three regions in Central-South Italy: Lazio, Molise, and Campania (we may sneak into Abruzzo).  We will spend 8 days, 8 nights together before Easter, Passover and Graduation 2024.  We will beat the crowds, have mild weather, and we will hit iconic places in Rome (Lazio) and Naples including Amalfi Coast and Campania, while taking two days and two nights to explore the country-side near Campobasso.  Tour a cheese factory and bell foundry and visit the town from which the Cleveland Guardians stonemasons emigrated, and more.

You will be guided by an Italian insider, Phil of Philítaly.  He will leverage his Italian language, access to family and friends to show you the real Italian “day in the life”, and take you to places off the beaten path.

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8 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
March 14-22, 2024

Purchase your flight on your own to have more control over possible changes.  Choose a flight from the closest airport with non-stop flights to the Italian hub city where the group meets.  If you are not close to a city with non-stop service to the hub in Italy, we suggest you take a domestic flight to the US city that offers non-stop service to Italy hub or fly to a European city with layover to the hub city in Italy where the group meets. ​

Consider travel insurance for peace of mind to protect land, air and trip cancellation as well as medical service and evacuation insurance.  Click here to view options for comprehensive insurance, not just for flight cost, like most airlines sell. 

Day O, Wednesday March 13, 2024
Travel overnight from US or early morning from a European city

Day 1, Thursday March 14, 2024
AM: Arrive Rome. Meet your private driver outside baggage claim.
PM: Opening reception and dinner following at hotel
Sleep at Hotel Shangri La, Via Algeri
a, 141, Roma, 00144


Day 2, Friday March 15, 2024
AM: Roma Antica (Antique Rome)
PM: Tour Religious Rome (The Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and their Museums)
Sleep at Hotel Shangri La, Via Algeria, 141, Roma, 00144


Day 3, Saturday March 16, 2024
AM: Walking tour of Rome’s Piazza and the Pantheon
PM: Tour the Galleria Borghese Dinner in Center of Rome Sleep at Hotel Shangri La, Via Algeria, 141, Roma, 00144


Day 4, Sunday March 17, 2024
AM: Travel from Rome to Campobasso by private motor coach
PM: Truffle hunting with Phil’s cousins

Click here to learn more about truffle hunting ▾

One of the most precious fruits that nature gives us is hidden beneath our feet in the undergrowth of the woods, shrouded by silence and darkness: it is the truffle, an underground mushroom considered a true jewel of the earth.

This tuber grows among the tree roots and, unlike mushrooms, truffles don’t use air currents to spread their spores; they have evolved a strong aroma that attracts insects and mammals who, by feeding on them, contribute to their spread.

Traditionally, pigs were the undisputed champions in truffle hunting.  These animals have an incredibly keen sense of smell and can easily detect the pungent aroma of truffles buried underground.  However, there was one major drawback to using pigs: their insatiable passion for truffles.  Once a pig detected a truffle, they would do anything to eat it, making collecting it a race against time!

To overcome this problem, the choice has shifted towards a faithful companion of ours: the dog.  Dogs, when properly trained, are invaluable allies in truffle hunting and, although any trained dog is suitable to find truffles, the only breed recognized for truffle hunting is the Lagotto Romagnolo.

In parallel with hunting, truffle farming has become more scientific.  Instead of relying exclusively on luck, farmers have begun to create the ideal conditions for the growth of truffles, planting oak and hazelnut trees; the trees with which truffles form a natural symbiosis.  Modern techniques offer more stable and predictable production, making truffles accessible to an even wider audience.

However, truffle farming remains an art as much as a science.  Soil conditions, temperature, humidity and many other factors must align perfectly to produce high-quality truffles.  In fact, truffles are environmental sentinels that grow only in uncontaminated areas; the particular nature of the woodlands of the Italian region of Molise guarantees all the conditions necessary for their diffusion and survival.

There are around one hundred different species of truffles in the world; among these, only nine are edible and concentrated mainly in the Italian peninsula. Each truffle has its seasonality listed as follows:

1- Tuber magnatum Pico, commonly known as the white truffle, from October to December

2- Tuber melanosporum Vitt., commonly known as the prized black truffle, from November to March

3- Tuber moscatum, known as the Moscato truffle, from December to March

4- Tuber aestivum, called the summer truffle or scorzone, from May to August

5- Tuber uncinatum, known as the hooked truffle, from October to December

6- Tuber brumale, called the black winter truffle, from January to March

7- Tuber borchii, called the biancatto, from January to March

8- Tuber mascosporum, called the smooth black truffle, from October to December

9- Tuber mesentericum, called the ordinary black truffle, from October to January

 

Hunting and digging up truffles in Italy has become part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity protected by UNESCO, one more reason to respect and safeguard the knowledge and traditions of this precious and delicious product!

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Angelo and Paolo Nardolillo, brothers with their well trained dogs, Maybe and Ziggy

Dinner in Agriturismo
Sleep at Hotel Centrum Place, Campobasso


Day 5, Monday March 18, 2024
AM: Travel from Campobasso to Agnone by private motor coach
Visit Agnone where we will tour a cheese factory, a bell foundry and a copper museum

PM:  Lunch in the Cheese factory 
Return from Agnone to Campobasso
Sleep at Hotel Centrum Place, Campobasso


Day 6, Tuesday March 19, 2024
AM: Travel from Campobasso to Naples
Lunch at famous Naples Pizzeria Napoli Pranzo 
PM: Walking tour of Naples
Dinner in Hotel in Vico Equense, Sorrento Coast
Sleep at Hotel Sporting, Vico Equense


Day 7, Wednesday March 20, 2024
AM: Travel from Naples to Amalfi Coast, then Mt. Vesuvius
PM: Stop in town of Amalfi on C
oastal Drive
Lunch at Winery at Mt. Vesuvius then Tour Pompeii archeological site
Dinner at Vico Equense Ristorante
Sleep at Hotel Sporting, Vico Equense


Day 8, Thursday March 21, 2024
AM: Tour Paestum Archeological site
Lunch in Battipaglia at buffalo farm; bike ride along coast 
PM: Transport from Battipaglia to Rome 
Final Group Dinner in Center of Rome
Sleep at Hotel Shangri La, Via Algeri
a, 141, Roma, 00144

Day 9, Friday March 22, 2024
AM: Breakfast in hotel then depart from the group

Choose another Philìtaly Adventure to explore below

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THE SPLENDORS OF CENTRAL AND
NORTHERN ITALY
June 25-July 4, 2024
This is a suggested itinerary for one or more people traveling. It can be modified by the travelers and price modified accordingly.

Starts in Rome and also

visit Ravenna, Ferrara, Bologna, Florence, Assisi and Farfa.

Customized experience for a private group.

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Learn more about Playing for Pizza ▾

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 


Playing for Pizza: A Novel by John Grisham Published in 2012

American National Football League third string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Rick Dockery becomes a national laughing-stock after what is considered the worst performance in NFL history. No other NFL team wants him after he is cut by the Browns.

 

Against all odds he lands a job as the starting quarterback for the Parma, Italy Mighty Panthers. The Parma Panthers are happy to have Rick, wanting an NFL player and not being selective about which former American NFL player they choose.

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EXPLORE CENTRAL SOUTH ITALY
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Starts in Rome and also

visit Vico Equense, Amalfi, Ravello, Paestum, Battipaglia, Pompei, Campobasso, Oratino and Agnone.

A group of curious travelers interested in places off the beaten path and not known to tourists, where the culture, food, wine and music are regionally preserved.

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ITALY IN ARGENTINA
October 17-26, 2024
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Starts in Buenos Aires and

also visit Tigre, San Isidro and Mendoza.

Open to the public for those who want to see how Italy influences the culture of Argentina, and vice versa.

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EXPLORE CENTRAL SOUTH ITALY
November 7-15, 2024

Starts in Rome and also

visit Vico Equense, Amalfi, Ravello, Paestum, Battipaglia, Pompei, Campobasso, Oratino and Agnone.

A group of curious travelers interested in places off the beaten path and not known to tourists, where the culture, food, wine and music are regionally preserved.

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EXPLORE CENTRAL SOUTH ITALY
March 20-28, 2025

Starts in Rome and also

visit Vico Equense, Amalfi, Ravello, Paestum, Battipaglia, Pompei, Campobasso, Oratino and Agnone.

A group of curious travelers interested in places off the beaten path and not known to tourists, where the culture, food, wine and music are regionally preserved.

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EXPLORE CENTRAL SOUTH ITALY
May 1-9, 2025

Starts in Rome and also

visit Vico Equense, Amalfi, Ravello, Paestum, Battipaglia, Pompei, Campobasso, Oratino and Agnone.

A group of curious travelers interested in places off the beaten path and not known to tourists, where the culture, food, wine and music are regionally preserved.

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TRULLI OF PUGLIA AND MATERA OF BASILICATA
May 14-22, 2025

Starts in Brindisi and also

visit Lecce, Oria, Cisternino, Ostuni, Matera, Martina Franca, Foggia, San Vito, Mesagne, Gillipolo and Taranto.

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ITALY IN MONTREAL
Summer 2025

Starts in Montreal and also

visit New York, Quebec City and Toronto.

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EXPLORE CENTRAL SOUTH ITALY
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Starts in Rome and also

visit Vico Equense, Amalfi, Ravello, Paestum, Battipaglia, Pompei, Campobasso, Oratino and Agnone.

A group of curious travelers interested in places off the beaten path and not known to tourists, where the culture, food, wine and music are regionally preserved.

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LGBTQIA+ AND FRIENDS IN ITALY
Fall 2025

Starts in

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UnDISCOVERED SARDINIA (THE BLUE ISLAND)
TBD 2025 and 2026

Starts in Berchidda (Olbia),

Sardinia and also visit La Maddalena, Tempio Pausania, San Pantaleo, Azarchena, Golfo Aranci and Alghero.

Open to the public, and ready for you to join.

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HEALTHCARE, WELL-BEING & HR EXECUTIVES IN ITALY
TBD 2025 and 2026

Starts in Berchidda (Olbia),

Sardinia and also visit San Teodoro, Berchidda, La Maddalena, Barbagia and Cagliari.

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THEATER, FILM AND VISUAL ARTISTS
Fall 2025

Starts in Rome, Cinecittà

Open to the public, creative and administrative professionals in performing arts.

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DISCOVERING GREECE
Early Spring 2026

Starts in Athens and also

visiSounion, Epidauros, Nauplion, Nemea and Delphi.

Open to the public, a group of curious travelers who want to discover the strong connection between the two nations.

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ENERGY INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES
TBD 2026

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Open to the public, a group of professionals working in the Energy sector.

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DESTINATION WEDDINGS IN ITALY
Dates selected by client

Town of your choice

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CLUB AND CLASS REUNIONS
Dates selected by client

Starts in town of your choice

Customized experience for a private group.

Ice Cream Date
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FAMILY HERITAGE REUNIONS
Dates selected by client

Starts in your ancestry town

Customized experience for a private group.

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O SOLO MIO - For solo or small group traveler(s)
Dates selected by client

Open to the public, an experience you define for yourself or a small group of travelers.

PAST TRIPS

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March 14-22, 2024

Starts in Rome and also

visit Campobasso, Agnone, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Pompei, Vico Equense and Battipaglia.

A private Ohio-based group of friends exploring Italy.

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CLE SICILY (SOLD OUT)
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visit Alimena, Cefalù, Taormina and Agrigento.

A private Ohio-based group of friends exploring Sicily.

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SIGMA NU AND FRIENDS IN SICILY (SOLD OUT)
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Starts in Palermo and also

visit Monreale, Agrigento, Catania, Taormina, Siracusa, Ortigia, Trapani, Montalbano Elicona and Cefalù.

A group of 25 travelers (including you?) with Sicily on bucket list.

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