2024 Celebrates Roots Tourism ▾
For those of you with Italian heritage, Philítaly will guide you on an emotional journey tracing your origins. Roots Tourism 2024 is an Italian State Department/Foreign Affairs (Ministero degli Affari Esteri) funded initiative promoting the search for one's roots in Italy. It encourages you and members of your party to explore your Italian cultural origins. Philítaly brings you on a customized travel experience bridging you to the past, exploring life traditions and stories, enjoying authentic food and wine, and retracing the footsteps of your ancestors, through a guided and curated cultural journey. Find the already prepared viaggio that's right for you or create one of your own with Philítaly.
Click here for upcoming US events ▾
DC
February 18, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/816023868357?aff=oddtdtcreator
Toledo
February 26, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/810169096577?aff=oddtdtcreator
Cleveland
March 3, 2024
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HEALTHCARE, WELL-BEING & HR EXECUTIVES IN ITALY
TBD 2025 and 2026
Starts in Sardegna (Sardinia) and also visit Olbia, San Teodoro, Berchidda, La Maddalena, Barbagia and Cagliari.
Join a group of 20-25 fellow professionals who share a passion to discover Italy’s treasures (in particular Sardinia and its famous Blue Zone), and who desire to view it from the lens of “a day in the life” of peer professionals in Italy. You will indeed see the iconic sites, and you will meet Italians living and working in government, legislatures, private and public companies, and advocacy groups in this important sector of people management, healthcare, and well-being services. They, like you, are innovating for what is 9% of the Italian GDP and 20% of that in America. What can we learn from each other?
The itinerary covers 6 days and 6 nights of turn-key (just show up and enjoy for this period) activity and exploration. Explore the famous Emerald Coast and the remote mountain villages of Barbagia in the heart of the Blue Zone, and get a taste of the simple-yet-rich lifestyle of Sardinia.
Three organizational and informational zoom calls are conducted by Philítaly with the designated group of travelers.
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.
6 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
TBD 2025 and 2026
Price for Full Land Package All Inclusive $4,000 Per Person
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.
HEALTHCARE, WELL-BEING & HR EXECUTIVES IN ITALY
EXPLORE THE BLUE ISLAND: 6 Days and 5 Nights on Sardegna:
You will explore a different and surprising aspect of the island, from its prehistoric monuments to fashionable beaches, and every day you will be immersed in the local culture. You will visit the Emerald Coast towns and beaches, enjoy wine and olive oil tastings, mountain towns, cultural and historic sites, and lots of delicious Sardegnan cuisine.
Most recently, of course, Sardegna has come to our attention as one of the world’s Blue Zones, where many people live healthy, productive lives well past 100 years of age. The idea of “Blue Zones” was first introduced by Dan Buettner, who noted a high concentration of centenarians specifically in the region of Gallura where our tour resides. Why the longevity? We don’t really know, but you will be struck by the social, hospitable nature of the Sardi, their unique culinary offerings, and a sense of place, of belonging. On this tour, we will dive into the Blue Zones to learn what makes them special.
Click here to learn more about Sardegna ▾
The Italian region of Sardegna” (Sar-den-ya), “Sardinia” in English, sits in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and ranks among the most culturally diverse regions of Italy. Sardegna offers visitors beautiful beaches, famously clear water, and seaside resorts. Just inland from the coast lie rich, fertile valleys and soaring granite-peaked mountains, where vineyards, olive groves and a vast diversity of crops grow, including entire forests of cork oak.
The irregular coastline is dotted with natural bays and coves, providing many protected ports. Sardegna, features prominently in the history of western civilization. Phoenicians, Cartheginians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Moors all used Sardegna for its rich natural resources and strategic location. Every culture left its mark on the island, through art, architecture, language, culture and cuisine.
Sardegna offers visitors unrivaled natural beauty and seaside resorts. Since the 1960’s, thanks to Prince Aga Khan, the Emerald Coast of Sardegna has been the summer playground for wealthy Europeans. From July through August seaside towns such as Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo are filled with yachts and the resort hotels are sold out, as people gather for the vibrant nightlife, boutique shopping and to see and be seen.
The island is dotted with small towns and villages which preserve and celebrate their traditions and culture. Sardinians (they refer to themselves as “Sardi” pl., “Sarda” fem.,“Sardo” masc.), are famous throughout Italy for being among the most generous and welcoming people.
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Learn more about the secrets of the blue zone.
See how Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores traditions in Italy.
Day 0
Travel overnight from US or early morning from a European city.
Day 1
LAY OF THE LAND
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Arrive in Olbia, (OLB) the Emerald Coast Airport with direct flights to over 50 European destinations, including Amsterdam. Meet your private driver outside baggage claim.
- You will be escorted to a seaside resort near the town of San Teodoro.
- You are welcome to get settled, enjoy some time poolside or on the beach, or…
- Guided tour of San Teodoro and the surrounding environs, including the wetlands to view the pink flamingos.
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WELCOME RECEPTION: We gather in the evening for a traditional dinner.
Click here to learn about the cuisine fo Gallura ▾
Sardegna depends on equal parts of fresh Mediterranean seafood and the wealth of produce from forests and farms, but always uses ingredients that are fresh and natural. In small town life, locals rely on one another. If one family doesn’t produce/grow/hunt it themselves, their neighbor does. From the sea- mussels, clams, calamari, scampi, as well as bream, swordfish, tuna and mullet. From the larder– wild boar, lamb, beef, are abundant, and usually cooked whole or in large cuts in a fireplace, (which you will find in every Sardegna kitchen). Fruits and vegetables from local producers, olive oil and wine locally produced. It’s all local!
TAKE NOTE: When dining in a restaurant, you will generally find “cavallo” (horse) and asinello (donkey) on the menu. Just so you know.
Dolci Sardi (desserts) lean heavily on citrus, almonds, figs, pistachios, and are never too sweet. Saffron is a preferred local spice, as well as the aromatic leaves of the ‘mirto’ bush (Myrtus Communis)
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Day 2
LIVE LIKE A LOCAL - WINE, OLIVE OIL, CHEESE AND CULTURE IN BERCHIDDA
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We travel to the mountain town of Berchidda in the heart of Gallura, where you will get to experience a day in the life…
- Visit the farmers market in the main piazza where we shop for ingredients for our evening meal.
- Olive Oil Consortium- a production facility– for olive oil tasting/tour.
- Wine Museum (Museo dei Vini) Visitor Center for Regional History. You will enjoy a wine tasting and attend a lecture about the region, its history, people and customs.
• Here we will meet with our academic, industry and government faculty to discuss the trends of healthcare and human resource management to give us an overview of our learning curriculum.
- Visit and wine tasting at a local family-run winery set in their beautiful vineyard.
- We will forage for wild mushrooms to eat at dinner. (Depending on availability and weather),
• Join us at the Belvedere for an aperitif and dinner on the terrace at Maman Ludi, a family owned restaurant, where Lucca, Mariella, and their daughter Chef Anastasia will treat you to traditional dishes with a modern flair. Anastasia will use our produce (and foraged mushrooms) in preparation of our evening meal.
Click here to learn about Berchidda ▾
Located in north-central Sardegna, Berchidda, population of 2,772, lies in the foothills of the Limbara Mountains, 950 feet above sea level. Berchidda is in the heart of Gallura, backed onto Monte Acuto and overlooking a sweeping valley of rich farmland. Like most small Italian towns, it embraces modernity in its own way, even as it works to preserve millennia of local customs and culture.
The locals, “Berchiddesi,” are used to visitors. It is the epicenter and founding city of Time in Jazz, an international festival attracting 35,000 visitors to the region each year. Besides that, there are local festivals and celebrations throughout the year, especially in the fall. It is a community and region that loves gatherings and loves visitors.
Berchidda is an official “Cittá del Vino (Wine City), with 250+ local producers. It is internationally recognized for producing fine Vermentino (DOCG- “die origine controllata garantita” the highest official Italian grape ranking), as well as many other red and white wines.
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Day 3
SEA & SAND - A DAY AT THE COAST
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We explore the stunning archipelago La Maddalena at the northern tip of the island. The archipelago is short-listed to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a designated wildlife preserve. We’ll explore the coastline, private beaches and dine on
the main island, La Maddalena, known for its beautiful waters and, of course, excellent shopping.
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Dinner on your own.
Day 4
MEET THE EXPERTS
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A day dedicated to the classroom inside and outside with Italian officials in:
- policy
- government
- employer
- patient advocacy, investor
- human resource management
- and clinical (hospital and practitioner
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Engage in productive and best practice sharing with your peers. Take home what you learn can be useful for your reality, and leave your wisdom for Italian officials to ponder and appreciate.
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Lunch and dinner with our group and our Italian faculty.
Day 5
FINDING THE BLUE ZONE
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We pack our bags and head deep into the mountainous region known as Barbagia– the heart of our so-called Blue Zone, with the highest concentration of centenarians. There are several mountain villages that make up the region, and we’ll explore a few.
Click here to learn more about Barbagia ▾
Barbagia is the least populated area in Europe, known for its resistance to foreign invaders, described as “unconquerable” by the Romans, In fact, the name derives from the Latin word for ‘Barbarian’, which was used to describe the inhabitants by the 1st century Roman philosopher-general Cicero. At least one town, Orgosolo, is infamous historically as a hideout for thieves and kidnappers.
Today it is a safe place to visit. The inhabitants are welcoming, and during the annual fall festival regularly open their homes to visitors. We will explore the area and search for the secret of their longevity (hint: the major occupations here are leather work, wood carving, sheep husbandry, and the manufacture of famous copper pots.)
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Arrive in Cagliari with hotel accommodations in the centro storico. Dining at the port at a typical seafood restaurant.
Day 6
VISIT TO CAGLIARI
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Tour the city, visit hospitals, and attend meetings with experts in healthcare and people management as follows:
- Politicians who participate in national, regional and city legislatures
- Government officials in executive branch
- Clinical leaders of the community and the country
- Hospital Administrators
- CHROs of large and small employers
- Cocktails at Palazzo D’Oglio
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Dinner at a traditional pizzeria in Cagliari.
Day 7
DEPART - FLIGHT DEPARTURES FROM CAGLIARI IN EARLY MORNING SO NO OTHER PROGRAM
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We’ll take you to the airport, or help you get to wherever you’re headed next. Maybe you’ll stay a few more days on your own or rent a car to explore the rest of the island. Maybe spend another week on the beach or maybe you’ve made some great friends in Sardegna and will just want to stay indefinitely.
On the ground tour operator partner is Black Walnut Travel
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Customized experience for a private group.
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.
For Rick, not knowing anything about Parma and not speaking a word of Italian, a series of adventures ensue bringing with it a few surprises.
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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.
PAST TRIPS
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.
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.
Open to the public, a group of professionals in healthcare management and human resource management exploring the very healthy Blue Zone of Sardinia.