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!!
Take a walk in the historical center, visit the UNESCO sites, have a glass of our famous wines in the bars and cafes. Most places are closed from 1pm to 4pm, except the Orso Bar. See our Guide to Guardia for more recommendations.
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Day 1 - Buongiorno!
If you arrive in
Naples, I will meet you at the airport
with Pasquale who will drive us all to Guardia Sanframondi, Alecia’s adopted
town.
Sophisticated relaxed accommodations at this local Guardia B&B, visit the winery, cooking school. Enjoy a wine pairing aperativo to sample the wines with home made specialty dishes. Maria is your gracious host.
Free cancellation until 11:59 PM on September 27, 2023 (for a reservation on October 1 -5. About $120 per night
NO PREPAYMENT NEEDED – pay at the property
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Or Alecia's cozy Airbnb - Romantico Guardia Getaway
Enjoy a cappuccino or aperativo at the Orso bar and you will be treated like family. Also a Bed & Breakfast.
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Relax and enjoy an afternoon nap like the
Italians do or wander around town.
The
evening is for enjoying the slow paced life in Guardia, enjoy an aperativo at La Tana dell'Orso or Alchimie and mingle with the locals. Enjoy a light dinner in town at Il Platano, Casa Palladino, La Meridiana, Living Tre, or La Vittoria
The Caciocavallo, a type of sheep cheese, sauteed with wild mushrooms is my favorite dish. Spread it over toast and top with prosciutto. Enjoy with a glass of Aglianico...perfection. Mamma mia!
Nice place for a pizza, also great salads, steaks, outdoor seating.
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Day 2 – Tour Historical Center in Guardia ‘Magica’
Celebrating La Dolce Vita With La Wardia Bbelle
After
breakfast, we will meet with Rossella for a walking tour of the
historical center, with its castle, medieval buildings, and UNESCO churches and
get a glimpse of everyday life before modern times.
In the evening we have organized an exciting event with Rossella and
the Wardia Bbella folk dance group for an evening of dance, music, wine and local
delicacies.
One of my favorite cities in Italy, Old world charm, Great place for foodie walks.
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After breakfast, we take the bus to Naples
for an engaging walking tour of the historic center of this exciting city by
the sea. Walk around the vibrant Pignasecca market, the artisan shops on Via San Gregorio, and
the exciting Via Tribunali, also see the famous veiled Christ statue in
Sansevero.
Amazing place for a coffee and a pastry. Check out the pastries, then pay the cashier, take your receipt to get your coffee and pastry. Pay it forward tradition started here, buy a coffee for a friend.
Excellent pizza, this location is right on the sea with stunning views. All organic ingredients.
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Bus or Train/taxi back to Guardia.
In the evening, we are invited to tour and
taste the local wines at Cantina Marone, family owned winery, enjoy an elegant
aperativo with delicacies Chef Maria prepares in her own kitchen.
Day 4 –Eat, Wander, Drink,
Eat Some More
Take a
stroll just outside of town to Lucia's bakery, Peccati di Gola for an after
breakfast treat.
Stroll on to San Lupo and take in the beautiful fall colors in the vineyards, take a pasta making class with Nonna Lina or just spend some free time exploring.
Dinner and winery tour da Lina, at Cantina Foscini
In the evening, enjoy the lively
Mushroom Festival in Cusano Mutri.https://www.italybyevents.com/en/mushrooms-and-chestnuts/.
Day 7 - Farewell Guardia…
After breakfast, we can stroll around the
Farmers Market and flea market. Have an
aperativo at Alchemia to people watch. Then we leave Guardia and drive toward the coastal town of Gaeta. See Sweet Life Gaeta Guide
I discovered my passion for Italy as a young woman traveling thru the country where my grandmother grew up. I fell in love with the language, the food, the people and all things Italian. I guess you could say Italy is my soul mate.
For my 50th birthday, after having raised two sons as a single mother, I bought myself an apartment in a medieval village in Southern Italy. My life changed and I created Sweet Life Italy, a boutique niche tour company to share my love of the Italian way of life, especially in the South, with its amazing scenery, down to earth food and the friendliest people on earth.
I created Sweet Life Italy to inspire women to savor pleasure and rediscover their passions, awaken their senses and follow their dreams. I offer you the experience of discovering Italy through your senses, indulging in the tastes and textures that surround you.. Take time for time and attune to the local rhythm and energy of Italy while savoring the food, wines, music, art and beauty of Italy. Lounge in cafes, learn to make pasta by hand with the grandmothers, picnic amongst the grape vines on delicacies grown near the local villages.
I am fortunate to enjoy very close relationships with the locals so I can offer travelers very unique experiences up close and personal, not like a tourist. I specialize in organizing your dream trip to Italy in the following locations: Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Campania, Gaeta, Amalfi Coast, Ischia and Guardia Sanframondi including transportation, accommodations, guided tours, cooking classes with the nonnas, wine tasting, foodie, history, art, nature tours.
