Thank you for your interest in my Sweet Life Italy itineraries. Here is a 4 day itinerary of Gaeta with a day trip to the Amalfi Coast. I hope you enjoy some of my suggestions for your next trip to Italy and visit some of the off the beaten path places I adore, such as this lovely beach town Gaeta. If you do, please let me know in a message and maybe a photo. As a travel consultant, I have been organizing bespoke tours all over France and Italy since 2012. I enjoy traveling and sharing my wonderful local small/slow travel experiences with the intension of helping small family businesses recover from the past couple of difficult years. I have more itineraries to share from around the world, so be on the look out. I envision the Next Renaissance will be in the small towns and villages in Italy, where the people have lived close to the earth for generations, cultivating a simple but beautiful way of life we can all learn from. There is a shift away from big travel business, toward slow/small travel. It is the way I like to travel. Enjoy! Buon Viaggio!! ...and please mention my name to the locals :)

I envision the Next Renaissance will be in the small towns and villages in Italy, where the people, descendents from ancient Etruscan and Lombard, are indigenous to this region and have lived close to the earth for over 2500, cultivating a simple but beautiful way of life we can all learn from. There is a shift away from big corporate travel toward slow/small travel where you can listen to Mother Earth, Father Sky and your own Heart and Soul. It is the way I like to travel....and live. Join me for a week in this authentic medieval village perched on a hill overlooking the fertile Telesina Valley with her Falanghina and Aglianico vineyards, the olive groves and the magical Mount Tiburno and Calore River. Enjoy! Buon Viaggio!!

When I first arrived in Guardia, Luigi Orso would pass me in his pickup truck as I was walking around, minding my own business, he'd motion for me to hop in and off we'd go to visit his friends in the countryside. I never knew where we were headed but it was always an adventure. On one such occasion he drove me to the Santa Lucia church in Sassinoro, a magical, sacred place along the Archangel Michael's lei line. I went back often seeking the serenity of nature and the Divine. I've since discovered other magical sites in the area which I put together in this guide. A portion of the proceeds and all tips from this guide will be donated to the Associazione "La Wardia Bbella" This guide offers an itinerary for a day or weekend trip, to discover hidden gems off the beaten path in the "mystical' Benevento countryside in Campania, Italy. This land, that predates Rome, is rich in tradition and legends of Witches. It also the birthplace of the 'Slow Food Movement'. Take this lovely excursion from Guardia Sanframondi to the Santa Lucia church built into a mystical cave in Sassinoro and on to the Ruins of Sepino without the crowds of Pompei. Stop along the way to take in the natural scenery and charming villages where you can taste local delicacies. "Alecia put together this lovely one-day drive through Campania for me and friends visiting from the States. It was absolutely perfect and full of hidden treasures and discoveries. Thanks so much Alecia for this wonderful itinerary, and your excellent recommendations. I simply can't imagine a more wonderful day’s drive of discovery, adventure and fun!" -Deborah

Thank you for your interest in my Sweet Life Italy itineraries. I hope you enjoy some of my suggestions for your next trip to Italy and visit some of the off the beaten path places I adore, like the village I live in, Guardia Sanframondi. If you do, please let me know in a message and maybe a photo. As a travel consultant, I have been organizing bespoke tours all over France and Italy since 2012. I enjoy traveling and sharing my wonderful local small/slow travel experiences with the intension of helping small family businesses recover from the past couple of difficult years. I have more itineraries to share from around the world, so be on the look out. I envision the Next Renaissance will be in the small towns and villages in Italy, where the people have lived close to the earth for generations, cultivating a simple but beautiful way of life we can all learn from. There is a shift away from big travel business, toward slow/small travel. It is the way I like to travel. Enjoy! Buon Viaggio!! ...and please mention my name to the locals :)

When I first arrived in Guardia, Luigi Orso would pass me in his pickup truck as I was walking around, minding my own business, he'd motion for me to hop in and off we'd go to visit his friends in the countryside. I never knew where we were headed but it was always an adventure. On one such occasion he drove me to the Santa Lucia church in Sassinoro, a magical, sacred place along the Archangel Michael's lei line. I went back often seeking the serenity of nature and the Divine. I've since discovered other magical sites in the area which I put together in this guide. A portion of the proceeds and all tips from this guide will be donated to the Associazione "La Wardia Bbella" This guide offers an itinerary for a day or weekend trip, to discover hidden gems off the beaten path in the "mystical' Benevento countryside in Campania, Italy. This land, that predates Rome, is rich in tradition and legends of Witches. It also the birthplace of the 'Slow Food Movement'. Take this lovely excursion from Guardia Sanframondi to the Santa Lucia church built into a mystical cave in Sassinoro and on to the Ruins of Sepino without the crowds of Pompei. Stop along the way to take in the natural scenery and charming villages where you can taste local delicacies. "Alecia put together this lovely one-day drive through Campania for me and friends visiting from the States. It was absolutely perfect and full of hidden treasures and discoveries. Thanks so much Alecia for this wonderful itinerary, and your excellent recommendations. I simply can't imagine a more wonderful day’s drive of discovery, adventure and fun!" -Deborah

Thank you for your interest in my Sweet Life Italy itineraries. Here is a 4 day itinerary of Gaeta with a day trip to the Amalfi Coast. I hope you enjoy some of my suggestions for your next trip to Italy and visit some of the off the beaten path places I adore, such as this lovely beach town Gaeta. If you do, please let me know in a message and maybe a photo. As a travel consultant, I have been organizing bespoke tours all over France and Italy since 2012. I enjoy traveling and sharing my wonderful local small/slow travel experiences with the intension of helping small family businesses recover from the past couple of difficult years. I have more itineraries to share from around the world, so be on the look out. I envision the Next Renaissance will be in the small towns and villages in Italy, where the people have lived close to the earth for generations, cultivating a simple but beautiful way of life we can all learn from. There is a shift away from big travel business, toward slow/small travel. It is the way I like to travel. Enjoy! Buon Viaggio!! ...and please mention my name to the locals :)

Thank you for your interest in my Taste of Tuscany itinerary which I created from my recent trip there. I hope you enjoy some of my suggestions for your next trip to Florence and the Siena region of Tuscany. If you do, please let me know in a message and maybe a photo. I am organizing this particular tour during this harvest season from September/ October, 2023. Let me know if you would like more information about this trip, it is limited to a small group of 8. As a travel consultant, I have been organizing bespoke tours all over France and Italy since 2012. I enjoy traveling and sharing my wonderful local small/slow travel experiences with the intension of helping small family businesses recover from the past couple of difficult years. I have more itineraries to share from around the world, so be on the look out. I envision the Next Renaissance will be in the small towns and villages in Italy, where the people have lived close to the earth for generations, cultivating a simple but beautiful way of life we can all learn from. There is a shift away from big travel business, toward slow/small travel. It is the way I like to travel. Enjoy! Buon Viaggio!! ...and please mention my name to the locals :) Taste of Tuscany Tour By Sweet Life Italy (aka Alecia Caine) Friday, Oct 21 - Day 1 Montalcino Wine Excursion Drive through the beautiful Siena province to Montalcino where we will stay for 2 nights at Paradiso di Caruci https://paradisodicacuci.com , a family owned Winery and Bed & Breakfast that produces a small quantity of exceptional Brunello. Tour the vineyard and winery with Francisco followed by a Wine Paring Lunch. In the evening, wander around the historical town of Montelcino during the Sagra del Tordo, taste the famous white truffles, chestnuts, mushrooms, fresh pressed olive oils, salumi and wines, of course. For transportation from anywhere in Florence, train station or airport, contact Marco Modesti at info@tuscanytopdrivers.com Saturday, Oct 22 - Day 2 Tuscany Tour, Montalcino Medieval Nights. Drive to Pienza, a beautiful medieval village that was completely renovated during the Renaissance. Enjoy the views and also try the Pecorino cheese this town is famous for. Then drive through the famous rolling hills of Val d’Orcia on the way to visit the town of Montepulciano. Then back to Montalcino for a special dinner during the Medieval Palio di Arcieri or Archery competition hosted by Francesco Ditta from Paradiso di Caruci. Sunday, Oct. 23 - Day 3 Tuscany Tour, Florence After breakfast, we are on our way to Siena, a beautiful terra cotta medieval town. See the famous Duomo, climb to the top to see spectacular views. Walk the quaint circular streets stopping in the specialty shops for regional delicacies, panforte or biscotti. Make your way down to the Piazza del Campo where the famous Palio di Siena, the horse race that takes place twice a year. Enjoy a coffee in the Piazza. Drive through the Chianti region, enjoy lunch at Dario's Antica Macelleria. https://www.dariocecchini.com/ On to Florence and check into your hotel. The Calimala https://www.hotelcalimala.com/ (or Hotel Bonifacio is a budget conscious option https://www.hotelbonifacio.it/en/home-en-3/) Monday, Oct. 24 - Day 4 Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance The morning light is amazing in Florence and has inspired artists and art lovers for centuries. It’s no wonder Florence is at the heart of the Italian Renaissance. The scent of cappuccino and fresh baked Cornetti will gently signal it’s time to awaken to your own personal Renaissance. After breakfast, your guide will meet you downstairs for a private walking tour of the Duomo, Giotto’s tower Brunelleshci's dome, MichelAngelo’s David and the Uffizi Museum to see my favorite Botticelli, The Birth of Venus. After a long day of sight seeing, it’s time for a siesta to refresh and be ready for an aperativo at Enoteca Alessi https://www.enotecaalessi.it/. With a huge selection of Italian and international wines as well as whiskeys, spirits and liqueurs from all over the world, you can enjoy a bottle or 2 among friends with a tagliere of Italian cured meats and cheeses. Dinner at Ribeo, https://www.facebook.com/OsteriaRibeo/ the hand cut Chianina tartare will not disappoint. On the walk back to the hotel stop by My Sugar Gelato Artiginale https://my-sugar.business.site/. The Black Sesame and salty caramel are my favorites. For tour guide in English contact Carol Ann Sicbaldi https://carolsmoveablefeast.com/ or Christina’s Florence christinasflorence@gmail.com Heliania Vogli at https://www.florenceconnection.net/ Tuesday, Oct. 25 - Day 5 Central Market and Cooking Class Our chef will meet us after breakfast and take us on a tasting tour of the Central Market to indulge in regional delicacies such as truffles, Pecorino or Sheep Cheese, olive oil, prosciutto, salamis and wines. We will gather ingredients for a cooking class followed by lunch. After a siesta, visit the tiny but packed art and leather studio of Daniela Baldini http://pitturantica.it/ for ancient style paintings and leather objects. Shop at Melrose Vintage https://www.instagram.com/melrosevintagestorefirenze/?hl=it and for leather goods. Enjoy an aperativo at La Menagere https://www.lamenagere.it/ Wednesday, Oct. 26 - Day 6 Foodie and Artisan Tour of the Oltrarno After breakfast, finish shopping to bring some goodies back home, stroll around, sit in a café and just enjoy with all your senses. In the afternoon meet up with Lorenzo Marchi for a fantastic food and wine tour of the other side of the Arno, known as the Oltrarno infoLorenzoMarchi@gmail.com. You will visit the quaint authentic neighborhoods where the Florentines hang out tasting all the best from the Tuscan region. Stroll around after your tour and check out the artisan studios in the cradle of the Renaissance. You will see small workshops of Goldsmiths, bookbinding, handmade leather and paper products, crystal, bronze and musical instruments Thursday, Oct 27 - Day 7 Last Day in Florence. After breakfast, enjoy the day, take a stroll, shop, have lunch. Contact: Alecia Caine abccpa@sbcglobal.net Instagram : Sweet Life Italy Facebook : My Sweet Life Italy https://sweetlifeitaly.blogspot.com/