Avanti Italy have put together our very own 4 night package of the stunning Amalfi Coast, incorporating all of the highlights of the region.  This package is available for travel between now until 31st October 2012.

Inclusions;
- Four nights’ accommodation in 4 star hotel in Amalfi
- Buffet breakfast daily, 1 dinner
- Half day private excursion to Pompeii (entrance fee included) with English speaking guide and private car transfers from/to your hotel
- Full day boat excursion to Capri
- 2 hour walking and tasting tour of Positano with English speaking guide
- Local ferry return tickets from Amalfi to Positano
- Private car transfer from Naples to Amalfi
- Return private car transfer from Amalfi to Naples

Hotels Amalfi:  Hotel Marina Riviera – 4 star or; 
                        Hotel Luna Convento – 4 star

Price per person/twin share from;
$1975.00*
*Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Prices start from that shown, based on low season rates. Additional nights available upon request.

For full package details/itinerary, email info@avantiitaly.com

Stefano de Pieri along with Avanti Italy are pleased to annouce new date for Italy with Stefano tour - TUSCANY AND THE AMALFI COAST

29th September - 13th October 2012



Exclusive to Avanti Italy, celebrity cook Stefano de Pieri will be hosting a 2 week food and culture tour to Italy in 2012. This two week Food and Culture tour will take place from 29th September - 13th October 2012 and includes one week in both Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. This once in a lifetime opportunity is available to only 10 people.

 

After demand and feedback for a tour to be held later in the year, it was decided to release a September/October tour.  Bookings have already been made and

Stefano de Pieri and his co-host (and partner) Donata Carrazza are excited about hosting the tour in Italy. “Come and join me on an unforgettable journey through two different, but equally emotional parts of Italy - Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. Come with me and share in the history, the arts, the food and the wine of these regions, and above all, to relax with a laugh or two.” - Stefano de Pieri

FEATURES AND INCLUSIONS:
• Celebrity cook, Stefano de Pieri as your personal host throughout the tour
• Local, professional guides for all excursions
• Private transfers throughout the tour
• 7 nights accommodation at Villa Castellare de’ Sernigi in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Tuscany
• 7 nights accommodation at Villa Affresco in Positano, Amalfi Coast
• All meals as outlined in the itinerary including 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 12 dinners
• 4 dinners, 1 lunch and 1 breakfast prepared by Stefano
• Culinary lessons with Stefano and Tuscan ‘Mammas’ at Tutti-a-tavola
• Private boat tour to the stunning Isle of Capri
• 2 Italian language lessons with Stefano’s partner and co-host, Donata Carrazza
• Group transfers;
• Florence to villa in Tuscany on arrival
• Positano to Rome on departure

COST:
$10,900 per person, twin share (land only)

CONTACT AVANTI ITALY FOR FULL ITINERARY OR TO BOOK;
info@avantiitaly.com

Approximately 70 people attended Avanti Italy’s ‘A Taste of Italy’ event at Stefano’s Café Bakery in Mildura, Victoria on Thursday 9th February.

Emily Tassone, Director of Avanti Italy hosted the event to inform locals of her newly established business which specialises in creating tailored itineraries for those travelling to the stunning regions of the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany in Italy.

Attendees enjoyed music from Vince Leonardis on Piano accordion, Italian-themed food and music as well as a few laughs thanks to Mildura Photo booths.

Attendees got to walk away with goodie bags filled with local food and beverage products as well as a $100 voucher off Avanti Italy consult fee and Italian recipes cards for them to try at home.

 

A big thank you to all those involved on putting together the fun and informative evening including; Stefano's Cafe Bakery (especially chef Ryan Casey for the amazing food), Peta Cooper, Adam Hobbs from ADMEDIA, Audisound, Mildura Photobooths, Lyndall's Preserves, Mildura Brewery, Varapodio Estate, Murray River Salt, Mourquong Ridge, The Art Vault, Darren Seiler from AFOTO and Mr Leonardis for the music on the piano accordian. 

Of course a big thank you to all that attended, Emily is looking forward to meeting with you soon to discuss your Italian getaway!

Please note that 'A Taste of Italy' events will be planned for early next year in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide - so keep an eye out for information on these events later on in the year.

Avanti Italy's food and culture tour, Italy with Stefano with celebrity cook, Stefano de Pieri, includes so many wonderful experiences in both Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast for the exclusive group.

One highlight of the tour will be a day trip to a Buffalo Mozzarella farm and the famous Greek Temples in Paestum where the oldest, fully intact standing Greek Temples in the world lay.

Here is some more details of what the group will experience on day 11 of their tour;

Full Day Tour - MOZZARELLA PRODUCTION & PAESTUM
Visit one of the Campania Region’s most famous mozzarella farms, considered industry leaders in buffalo mozzarella production (the only area in Italy where its wellknown buffalo mozzarella is produced). Participants will follow the production of this world-famous cheese, from the milking of the water buffaloes to the salting and packing of the final product. This wonderful visit includes the possibility to enjoy the world’s best and most fresh mozzarella & ricotta cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, and various other buffalo milk products indigenous to the area and produced on this farm.

Your excursion continues with a visit to the famous Greek Temples in Paestum where the oldest, fully intact standing Greek Temples in the world lay in one of Italy’s most enchanting archaeological  areas. Enjoy a private guided tour of Paestum, discovered around 600 B.C. by Greek colonists who chose the area for its central location to the sea. Your tour will take you through the impressive Greek temples, Roman buildings, and amphitheatre.


 
After your tour, enjoy a marvellous lunch at Tenuta Seliano – a local estate with great atmosphere – for lunch prepared with ingredients produced and cultivated on the estate.

Interested in finding out more about the Italy with Stefano tour?  Want to include this day trip to your own tailored itinerary whilst on the Amalfi Coast?  Contact Avanti Italy info@avantiitaly.com

TUSCANY AND THE AMALFI COAST
28th April - 12th May 2012

Exclusive to Avanti Italy, celebrity cook Stefano de Pieri will be hosting a 2 week food and culture tour to Italy in 2012. This two week Food and Culture tour will take place from 28th April - 12th May 2012 and includes one week in both Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. This once in a lifetime opportunity is available to only 10 people.

Stefano de Pieri and his co-host (and partner) Donata Carrazza are excited about hosting their first tour in Italy.  “Come and join me on an unforgettable journey through two different, but equally emotional parts of Italy - Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. Come with me and share in the history, the arts, the food and the wine of these regions, and above all, to relax with a laugh or two.” - Stefano de Pieri

FEATURES AND INCLUSIONS:
• Celebrity cook, Stefano de Pieri as your personal host throughout the tour
• Local, professional guides for all excursions
• Private transfers throughout the tour
• 7 nights accommodation at Villa Castellare de’ Sernigi in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Tuscany
• 7 nights accommodation at Villa Affresco in Positano, Amalfi Coast
• All meals as outlined in the itinerary including 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 12 dinners
• 4 dinners, 1 lunch and 1 breakfast prepared by Stefano
• Culinary lessons with Stefano and Tuscan ‘Mammas’ at Tutti-a-tavola
• Private boat tour to the stunning Isle of Capri
• 2 Italian language lessons with Stefano’s partner and co-host, Donata Carrazza
• Group transfers;
• Florence to villa in Tuscany on arrival
• Positano to Rome on departure

COST:
$12,900 per person, twin share (land only)

CONTACT AVANTI ITALY FOR FULL ITINERARY OR TO BOOK;
info@avantiitaly.com

There are so many ways to experience the stunning Amalfi Coast, and this package is one of my favourites.

Spend a wonderful week's stay in a beautiful Country House surrounded by Amalfi Coast green hills, with an elegant "Alfa Romeo Spider" available during your stay .
Enjoy;

- A tasting of typical products to taste the flavours of local cuisine.
- A trip to the "Path of the Gods".
- An entrance to Beach Club.
- A horse-riding lesson.
- An entrance to the ruins of Pompeii.
- An entrance to the Emerald Grotto. 
- Dinner at a typical restaurant.

The rate includes:
7 Nights in a villa in a BB per room.
8 Days classic car hire
All tours and tastings in the program for two people.

For a low 1800 euros for 2 people, this is one of the best value holidays on the Amalfi Coast I have ever seen.  While ideally this package is to be enjoyed in the summer months, it is available all year round.

Contact Avanti Italy for further information or to book.

 

How does 10 nights on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world sound? How does a private dinner for two with your own special menu overlooking the sea sound? Imagine yourself and your loved one enjoying the beautiful Amalfi Coast in a luxury suite of a 5 star hotel.



Maybe you want to head to a spa on the Island of Ischia or charter a private boat to the luxurious Isle of Capri for some shopping and a visit to the Blue Grotto. How about swimming in grottos and dream-like blue water before heading to a beach-side restaurant for a glass of champagne and lunch while relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Coast? You could throw in a local traditional cooking class, pizza making lesson or limoncello tasting. How about a day fishing at sea or for those with a bit more energy, kayaking along the Coast stopping at secluded beaches to rest and swim? Or perhaps you prefer just to lounge in your hotel and enjoy the services offered there, being pampered in one of the most beautiful coast lines in the world.

These are some of the tough choices you’ll have to make if you decide to honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast. Towns such as Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, and Ravello provide the perfect backdrop for you to enjoy each other’s company. Avanti Italy works with you to create your ideal honeymoon experience in what many refer to as ‘Paradise on Earth.’



Choose from our private villas, luxury hotels or an intimate bed and breakfast for a captivating stay that resonates with your personal style. Let us take care of everything from accommodation selection and booking, private transfers (boat, car or helicopter), tour suggestions and bookings, to restaurant recommendations and reservations. We provide support and assistance whilst on vacation, acting as your personal concierge throughout your stay in paradise.

So if you are planning a honeymoon in 2012, now is the time to contact Avanti Italy to commence compiling your ideal honeymoon escape, suited to your personal taste and budget.

Tutti a tavola literally means 'everybody to the table' - and the kitchen is the heart and soul of every Italian household. 

In the heart of the Chianti region of Tuscany, there are four ladies (known as the Mamma's), all fabulous friends with years of cooking experience, who are sharing their passion for good food, excellent wine, the perfect extra virgin olive oil, and lots of fun and friendship by offering 1-3 day culinary programs.

The 'Mamma's' of Tutti a Tavola

The Mamma's of Tutti a Tavola, invite you to join in to discover the flavour of life in Tuscany. The kitchen in Tuscany is called “casa”, the centre of the house and family, where the fireplace is always lit and everybody shares not only meals but social life. They would like to invite you to cook with them, not only Tuscan food but the sum of years of traditional family cooking. Wine and olive oil tastings together with a guided visit to a lively market will complete your culinary adventure.

Their  3 day program starts with the wine tasting at Podere Ciona on Tuesday late afternoon and continues on Wednesday and Thursday;

Tuesday
6.00pm Podere Ciona: visit of the cellars and wine tasting with Franca Gatteschi www.podereciona.com

Wednesday
10.30am Muricciaglia: olive oil tasting with Mimma Ferrando www.muricciaglia.com
4.00pm “Hands-on” cooking class followed by dinner at Muricciaglia.

Thursday
8.30am Guided shopping tour to Montevarchi market.
4.00pm “Hands-on” cooking class followed by dinner at Podere Ciona.

The program is held every week, running from March until mid October.  All participants receive a Tutti a Tavola apron and recipe book in English.

Accommodation on the grounds is available, and offers breathtaking views of the Chianti countryside.

I felt like a movie star as Alessandro pulled into the piazza in Atrani to pick me up in his red 1971 Alfa Romeo Duetto for a leisurely Sunday morning drive – Sprintage style.

Sprintage is a company specialising in self-drive classic car rental and self-drive classic car tours around Italy. They are an Italian company offering classic convertible car hire (Alfa Romeo Spider, MG, Porsche and others) for tourism, company incentives and events for individuals and groups.

Operating in Italy for many years, Sprintage proposes a new and unique service. Alessandro and his team are not just another car rental company, but a touchstone for everyone who loves classic cars, gastronomy and fine wines.

Delivery and collection of cars all over Italy, well-planned suggested tours, the superb condition of the vehicles and the care given to each client are only some of the aspects that have taken Sprintage to the top; appreciated and voted the best by their clients.

So when owner, Alessandro, offered to pick me up for a Sunday morning drive along the Amalfi Coast in one of his vintage vehicles, there was no way I was saying no. I even dressed appropriately for the occasion; white dress, heals and big sunglasses.

The weather was perfect and as Alessandro drove around those famous Amalfi Coast curves, I felt nothing but happiness with the wind in my hair and a smile on my face - in awe of my spectacular surrounds. I always felt that the best way to see and appreciate the Amalfi Coast was by sea, but today I was seeing the Amalfi Coast from a whole different angle – and I loved it.

First stop, La Passeggiata dell’ Amore (The Path of Love), where we stop to take in the view and a short stroll reading the sweet sayings about love painted on ceramic tiles. Then we head up through the chestnut-tree filled mountains, where I welcome the cooler air and temperature change. After about an hour we stop at the secluded mountain town of Tramonti and visit a local cheese factory - fresh ricotta and mozzarella are purchased before we head off again.

Another hour of driving through mountains and then on the coastal road makes me see the Amalfi Coast in a different light. Its landscape really is so dramatic and vast and been driven around in a vintage convertible Alfa Romeo has made me fall in love with this place even more – there are no words to describe the beauty.

This is definitely a dream way to explore the Amalfi Coast. I can imagine car lovers behind the wheel of these vehicles, winding through these roads - absolute bliss for them and their partners.

My ultimate Sunday morning drive comes to an end in Atrani, and as I hop out of the car and close the door behind, I get several glances from locals and tourists walking by - these cars demand attention – just like the entire Amalfi Coast does with its beauty.

I had the pleasure of attending Atrani’s Festa del Pesce Azzurro (Blue Fish Festival) on the 24th and 25th August with a my friend, Adam visiting from Australia. In its 41st year, the festival is a celebration of one of the town’s specialities, anchovies.

The Festa del Pesce Azzurro is one of the many food festivals, or sagre, that are common all across Italy. They are a very tasty and fun way to experience local specialties that vary from town to town and village to village.


Atrani's piazza comes alive

The tiny town of Atrani, Italy’s smallest commune, prepares for the festivities by covering the town in fishing nets, hanging from balconies and draping from one corner of the piazza (the town’s main square) to the other. There is also beautifully coloured little fishing boats set up in the piazza and at random spots throughout the town to add to the atmosphere.


Me enjoying my pasta with tuna

Adam and I start with a few spritz at the local bar, La Risacca in the piazza before lining up to purchase our 17 euro ticket which entitles us to 6 food and beverage items. All of the towns 4 restaurants (Le Arcate, Le Palme, Mistral and A Paranza) are involved; each preparing a special dish based of course on fish, predominately anchovies. We commence our wander from stand to stand collecting our plates from each restaurant, each one better than the last. Dishes included; fried anchovies, pasta with tuna, and mine and Adam’s favourite, stuffed green squash (which is grown in the area) with fish and mozzarella, baked in a tomato based sauce – yum!


Our favourite dish of the night

Lining up with our little vouchers and upon collecting our dishes, standing around communal tables and eating with the locals is lots of fun. Our fourth stop is by the wine stand to collect a glass of local wine, white of course, to help wash down the local delicacies. Our last stop is at local bar, Bar Birecto where Marco is busy serving out lemon sorbet, the perfect ending to a perfect meal.


Adam collecting his vino

Then it’s back at La Risacca for Adam and I as we sip on our spritz while listening to the music and taking in the atmosphere of a bustling little piazza filled with laughter and people from surrounding towns enjoying the local cuisine.

Just prior to midnight, the crowds make their way to the beach and to the main road to secure the best vantage point to view the fireworks at midnight. Adam and I sit by the beach and I giggle like a little girl in awe of the spectacular 30 minute firework display from the water.

A very fitting ending to a gorgeous festival, and one I look forward to attending again next year.