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June 15, 2010

A Bike tour of Croatia – Plenty of sun, biking and boating

Filed under: Active Travel, Bike, Croatia, Tours — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 2:59 pm

There’s no place like Hvar…there’s no place like Hvar (well maybe Brac, Vis or Korcula).

I guess I should just  say there’s no place like the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia [just promise me you will keep this a secret!]

It really does not get better than this!

A view from the yacht

Let me set the stage with a brief glimpse at one of the epic days I spent on my recent visit – where I joined one of our private bike tours in Croatia.  It began with breakfast delivered to our yacht from our 5 star hotel (egg white omelets, espresso and fresh fruit)…then we cruised for an hour along the calm turquoise water, soaking up the sunshine, to reach the end of the island where our bikes were waiting at the dock ready for us to hop on and begin our 3 hour nonstop ride over the rolling hills of Hvar. Did I mention that every vista is spectacular? Whether you are climbing, riding along the coast or wending your way through the villages…there is certainly no want for scenery!  Wow. It was absolutely picture perfect – not a cloud in the sky, warm sunshine, and a gentle breeze followed us as we rode the entire island. And, honestly, that’s the only thing that followed us.

The open road in Hvar

Throughout the ride, there wasn’t a car, a cyclist, nor even a person in sight – just the stunning blue waters that surrounded us in constant view (whether in the periphery or directly in front of us) as we climbed the rolling hills, striking up some healthy competition on the more challenging climbs as bets were made and the gauntlet thrown down. And when our 80km ride across the island of Hvar was complete, our yacht was waiting for us with 2 massage therapists aboard for our post-ride massages as the yacht cruised around the bay. Aaah…what can I say? Like I said…it really doesn’t get better than this!  At one point Ed looked at me and said this was definitely one of the top days of his life [and believe me, this man lives LARGE!]

Actually, it did get better. After our restorative session on the water, we headed back to Hvar for an absolutely delicious dinner at the local Konoba featuring the freshest seafood, delightful Croatian wine, and the best treat of all…the local ‘pancake’ dessert which resembles a crepe, but is filled with the most incredible blend of homemade ice-cream, nutella and some secret ingredient. Absolutely heavenly.

post-ride massage

And to top off the night…a  relaxing evening at the exclusive Hotel Adriana – Croatia’s first and only member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World. Oh, and don’t let me forget to mention the view from the Adriana  – a panorama that includes the Cathedral, the Arsenal, the Venetian piazza, the yacht harbor and the bay…all in one. Stunning.

Yes, everything is possible in Croatia…just ask and ye shall receive. And Andro, our lead guide in Croatia, is always ready to help you create your dream vacation and share his favorite part of the world with you – no request too large or detail too small (as evidenced by this private group!)

Remember…we are in the business of making memories…and you better believe that my last visit to Croatia provided me with ones that will last a lifetime!

post-ride dockside

A day in the life - Croatia

Alas, I had to leave –  but the tour continued on. The group set out on a 115 ft yacht and sailed off to Dubrovnik where they finished off their ‘dream come true’ staying at a palatial hotel and enjoying all the culture, cuisine and entertainment that this historic city has to offer. As for their experiences in Dubrovnik, I too am interested to hear. I guess we’ll both just have to ask them for more details!

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June 10, 2010

Creating a Sardinia Bike Tour

Filed under: Bike, Italy, Sardinia, Tours — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 1:55 pm

The coast of Sardinia

Well well well…pretty nice in Sardinia…

That was the first thing we heard from Andy on his recent visit to this unique Italian island to create a new DuVine Adventures luxury bike tour…and perhaps a clue as to what lies in store when you visit this jewel of the Mediterranean. (Emerald, turquoise or jade to be exact…just as the varying hues of the waters that surround this spectacular coastline) It is no wonder that some of the best and most famous beaches on the island are located along the Emerald Coast or Costa Smeralda – also a favorite of the jet set.

Yes, Sardinia has always been a popular escape spot – not only for its beautiful beaches, but also due to its remote nature. The island offers peace and privacy to those who want to get away but retain all of the comforts of home. There is no want for the finer things here in Sardinia – so you foodies and wine lovers take note. Nor is there a lack of beautiful properties to stay. Everything from the uber secluded and exclusive Capo Spartivento – a working lighthouse turned 6 room hotel/ villa – to the Cala di Volpe where the service is above and beyond all expectations (and, according to Andy,where a Bond movie was filmed – The Spy who Loved Me.)

Cala di Volpe

This is an island for adventurers and the varied landscape is ripe for exploration.  From the beaches to the mountains through forests and hilltop villages…Sardinia is not just a beach paradise, but a cyclist’s dream as well. Scantily populated with breathtaking views all around, you are free to explore the open road. And remember, less residents equals fewer cars – hence traffic free roads await you. Whether you choose to cruise the flatlands along the coast or opt for the hilly interior, you will find a bike-friendly environment throughout the island. Andy spent 5 days biking all around the rugged landscape of Sardinia – starting in the south near Cagliria, through Pula and Chia to the west coast of Bosa and Alghero and then across to Costa Smerelda – and will attest that when the sun is shining (which it does 300 days a year) and there is no wind, it is the Mediterranean at its finest. Not to mention,  the waters rival the Caribbean any day!

Never fear – there is no lack of culture either – as the island is also rich in history and was once the land of the Phoenecians, Romans, and Spanish. Just take a listen to the Sardinian dialect and you will hear these varied origins reflected in the language. The cuisine is also a mélange of cultures and traditions. And if somehow you tire of relaxing on the shimmering white sands and emerald green shores, you can always explore some of the archaeological sites on the island including the unique nuraghi ruins as well as the UNESCO Heritage site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini.

A spot to relax

Of course, in keeping with the nature and feel of the island…this exclusive destination will be available as a tour in our Private Collection.

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June 2, 2010

What I did on my Summer vacation (you hope)

Filed under: Active Travel, Austria, Bike, Czech Republic, European bike tours, family tours — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 2:14 pm

What I did on my family summer vacation … from your children’s perspective!

Well, you have to be prepared when the teacher asks you on your first day back to school! (and hopefully your response is something a lot cooler than the rest of the kids in your class) It’s usually something like…Charlie spent his summer at a camp  learning how to water ski on Lake Winnepausawke in New Hampshire …Maddy went to visit her cousins in San Francisco and learned how to mountain bike in Marin County…Ryan broke his leg skateboarding the half pipe his dad built in their backyard and spent the majority of the summer lying at home in a cast listening to his mother scream at his father that it was “all his fault” and that he should never have built “that thing” in “our backyard”…well, you get the point.

I spent half of spring trying to convince my parents that I needed to plan something really cool to do this summer…(you know,  just so everyone would be jealous and would be like, wow dude…that rocks!) only to find out that they had already planned a family bike trip to the Czech Republic! What?? Are you kidding me? I was going to have to hang with my parents and younger brother on a family tour – where? Let’s just say I was majorly bummed out by this news – in fact, I think I spent the rest of the school year sulking and trying to figure out how to come down with swine flu or triple E or some crazy illness that would prevent me from going on this family tour. Yeah, that didn’t happen.

Well, July came all too soon…and I was reluctantly packing for my trip when my little brother came in and asked me why I wasn’t excited to go? Whatever.  Like I had to explain this to him?

When we got on the plane that day…I barely spoke to anyone and feigned sleep half the time when it looked like they were going to try to engage me in conversation. And it was a pretty long flight, I must say! This was my first trip to Europe.

Prague

Well, everything changed when we got to Prague. WOW. How cool is this city? And on the first day of the tour, we got to watch this incredible falcon show at the Lednice Chateau with all of these really cool birds of prey hunting in the gardens. I got to ditch my parents and my brother for a while to hang out with some of the other kids who seemed just as uninterested in being around their parents and siblings as I was. I met a cool guy Eric from Canada who was a year younger than I was, this really funny girl from Australia who had the coolest accent, and twin brothers from New Jersey (who also had funny accents!).

After the show was over we went off for horseback riding lessons. This was all of ours first time, so it ended up being hysterically funny watching each other try to figure out what the heck we were supposed to be doing! I guess it ended up being a great first day bonding experience…as we all were clueless and just having fun… a great way to get to know random people. And I know my parents were happy, too…all they kept talking about at dinner was the tour of the wine cellar they had earlier and how impressed they were with Czech wines (something they had never tried before).

Falconry - Bird Show

Funny thing is…I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning (imagine that!) I was so excited for our first day on the bike…and to ditch my parents and hang out with my new buddies.  In the morning we got to check out the ruins of this castle and then it was bike time! Actually was pretty interesting too…because the road we were biking on was the former Iron Curtain Road…so the stuff we had learned about in history class I was actually getting to see and experience.

Actually throughout the week, there were all of these amazing places (well, I guess I should refer to them ‘historical’)…but being able to visit them in person and actually be there is so much different than learning about them in class – and nothing like our school field trips to museums! C’mon, field trips are more like forced ‘learning experiences’ – no one really pays attention, they’re just psyched they have a day off to goof around. On this trip it was just part of our active day out on bikes…visiting these incredible places that just so happened to be historical. And fun, too, because I was learning new things along with my parents…now that’s a first! -  it kind of put us on an even playing field.

Now my buds and I were talking mid-week about how we didn’t want to admit it, but we were actually having the best time with our parents that we have ever had. It was so different than family vacations we had taken in the past…stuff like Disney World, the Grand Canyon, that Caribbean cruise etc. Here we had plenty of time to spend time doing activities with the other kids (horseback riding and windsurfing lessons) and then choose when we wanted to spend with our parents.  And when we did stuff together, it was like we were in it together, you know? Like they, too, were your new buddies…I had never been out biking with my parents, or learned anything along with them. I’ll never admit to them how my fun I was having WITH them…but I will confess that it was the best vacation we have ever been on! I even liked hanging with my little brother…(now that  I won’t tell him).

Biking in Czech Republic

We learned how to make strudel, rode through these amazing places that looked like lands you only read about in fairytales…(or played with – like Legoland castles or something). Just really cool stuff. Not to mention, I was learning things just by being there…not listening to some boring teacher recite to the class about UNESCO heritage sites and write it out on the white board. Now I know what she’s talking about and can actually tell the class, “yup…I’ve been there” or “rode my bike through to that one”.  One up my fellow students…and most likely my teacher as well! Pretty sweet, eh?

Look, I’m just so happy my parents forced me on this trip! AND my parents and my new Australian friends’ family were talking about us all meeting up again next year and taking another family trip to Switzerland together! Sweet!

Oh and btw…I was definitely the envy of everyone in my class (teacher included) when I told them what I did on my summer vacation! And guess what the whole family is getting for Christmas this year? new bikes!

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April 5, 2010

Provence – Toujours Provence

Filed under: Bike, France, Provence, Tours — Tags: , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 12:49 pm

 

Toujours Provence

 

Toujours Provence…

Honestly, there’s no better way to articulate it…Provence is always Provence…and that’s part of its inherent beauty. It’s a veritable smorgasbord for the senses….

The  landscape of classic Provence is definitely a sight to behold. From the Pont du Gard and the scattered remnants of Roman architecture, the endless rows of vineyards and olive groves, to the medieval village of Les Baux resting atop the rocky outcropping in the Apilles mountains.

Not only a feast for the eyes, but for the palate as well - as you can literally taste an explosion of flavors in Provence. Sample plump, briny olives and earthy truffles in the markets of St. Remy, indulge in the delicious goat cheeses with figs, spread your toasts with aioli or anchovy tapenade, and settle down with a bowl of pistou. And the perfect accompaniment to savor these flavors is a glass of Provencal wine.

You will certainly awaken your sense of smell as you cycle along the pungent fields of sage, rosemary and thyme and inhale the relaxing scent of the ubiquitous lavender.

And your ears will be abuzz with the sounds of Provence as you hear humming voices carrying through the markets, encouraging cheers from the petanque courts, and the subtle song of the cicadas lulling you to sleep.

Pont du Gard

 

You can even enhance your sense of touch [and perhaps your 'extra sensory perception'] when you explore the mind/body connection with daily yoga sessions on one of our Yoga Bike adventures in Provence.

This is the land of Peter Mayle, Van Gogh and Cezanne…a place where vestiges of ancient Roman architecture exist alongside vibrant villages filled with colorful fabrics and bustling markets.

Market day in St. Remy

 

Imagine riding with the scenic backdrop of the Pont du Gard aqueduct beside you and the panorama of sweeping views from atop Les Baux fortress in front of you. A visit to St. Remy on market day will have you sampling the world’s best olive oils, local produce and more before you head off to the Alpilles mountains to explore this rugged landscape of rock outcroppings and the vineyards of Mas de Gourgonnier.

Or head down to the Luberon and discover the essence of Provence. Crisscrossed by canals and home to antique markets and waterfront cafes, the charming town of l’Isle sur la Sorgue, the ‘little Venice’, epitomizes all things Provencal. The Luberon region is also home to Gordes, one of the most beautiful cities in  France, and is abundant with lavender fields that seem to go on forever. Here you can snack on goat cheese with local herbs and sip Cotes de Luberon wines, and perhaps, like Peter Mayle, might just be inspired to write your own version of the experience entitled “A Week in Provence”.

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March 5, 2010

Rioja by bike

Filed under: Bike, European bike tours, Rioja, Spain, Tours — Tags: , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 11:59 am

Laguardia, Tapas and Burgos – oh my!

The wines of Rioja

We’re off to see Rioja, the inspiring region in Spain. Follow the banks of the Ebro and Duero rivers and explore a land that embodies a rich medieval past, a deep connection to the land, endless vineyards, fortressed stone villages, vintage cellars, stalwart castles and monastic wineries. When even its monks are producing some of the world’s finest wines, you know that there must be something wonderful in this Spanish soil!

It is no wonder that the Rioja is Spain’s most celebrated wine region…and that the name itself is almost synonymous with Spanish red wine. But wine  is not the only “claim to fame” of this region – unforgettable Spanish cuisine, an epic countryside and a fascinating medieval history await.

Cycling in Rioja

If you were to ask Pablo, our Spanish tour guide, what is so special about Rioja…you should be prepared for a extended discourse.  It’s a good thing you’ll have 6 days to enjoy his insights on our Rioja bike tour. From your 1st stop along the way in Burgos, the medieval Castilian town founded in 884 to see the most astounding Gothic cathedrals to your visit to a 15th century vineyard where you can kick off your shoes and participate in wine production the traditional way, Pablo will make sure your Rioja experience is a truly unique adventure.

You will also have plenty of time to sample tapas in Laguardia, relax a for a luxurious spa treatment in Marques de Riscal, visit Santa Domingo de Silos (the monastery that gave Gregorian chanting international renown), and picnic at the the castle of Peñaranda surrounded by the gorgeous landscape of the Yecla Gorge.

the spa at Marques de Riscal

Oh, and if  you haven’t noticed, Spanish wines are becoming increasingly popular on menus throughout the country…here’s your chance to get a leg up on the competition.  Go directly to the source for inspiration and education so that upon returning home,  you can make the best selections, impress your fellow diners, and share your knowledge with others about these great Spanish wines.

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February 25, 2010

Make a Pilgrim’s Progress on the Camino de Santiago

Filed under: Bike, Camino de Santiago, Spain — Tags: , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 2:17 pm

 

The road to Camino de Santiago

 Trade in your walking shoes for a bicycle and some DuVine inspiration as we follow the Camino de Santiago to Compostela. Not only will you achieve absolution, but you will also become part of history – as 2010 marks a Jubilee [Holy] year. 

So, what can you expect on this cycling vacation? In short, a lot of history, as we follow in the footsteps of centuries of adventurers on a modern day pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago as it winds through the Galician countryside – climbing up hills that overlook the scenic vineyards, descending into small medieval villages, riding along the river and into the plains of Castilla. 

Cycling along the Camino

 

The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. The pilgrimage owes its origin to the discovery, in what is now Galicia, of the tomb of the Apostle James the Great sometime early in the 9th century. Legend holds that St. James’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. For more than 1000 years pilgrims have been walking along the Camino de Santiago. 

The Puerta Santa (Holy Door), which gives access to the Cathedral from the Plaza de la Quintana is opened on 31st of December on the eve of each Holy Year, and walled up again a year later. As in the past, pilgrims reaching Santiago during a Holy Year, and fulfilling the conditions for it, are granted a plenary indulgence, which means that they get remission for all of their  worldy sins.  Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are expected to walk to Santiago in 2010 – not only because it is a Holy Year but because the next Holy Year will not be for another 11 years. 

Sights along the St. James Way

 

Whatever the reason for your trek on this historic path– spiritual, personal, physical – you can guarantee that your modern day pilgrimage will be an unforgettable experience. 

And remember, the key phrase is “modern day“. Whereas unlike your historic counterparts, if you join us on our bike tour, you will be experiencing this journey in the lap of luxury. No need to worry about where to find refuge for the night, as you will rest in ultimate comfort at lavish paradors and hotels and wine and dine your way to Santiago de Compostela. 

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February 19, 2010

Bike tours in Piedmont – Italy calling

Filed under: Bike, Italy, Tours — Tags: , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 12:19 pm

Piedmont bike tour

As we are fully ensconced in the 2010 Winter Olympics, I keep hearing about the current “reigning gold medalists” from the Torino Games…yet another reminder of how much I’d love to be back in Piedmont exploring this glorious region.

What is not to love? Surrounded by the Alps – aptly named “at the foot of the mountains” - Piedmont boasts some of the most scenic ridgelines. Even better, the area has somehow escaped the touch of  tourism – it almost feels as if discovering a region for the first time. Not to mention, the food is better than anything you’ve ever eaten, the wines are world class and the scenery is stunning. In my opinion, Piedmont remains one of the most underrated Italian destinations (but don’t spread the word)!

Piedmont wine and foodIt is certainly no coincidence that the “Slow Food” movement is headquartered here, as it is indicative of this region’s way of life. Life is meant to be experienced and enjoyed.  And so is the wine! Weighing in with the 3 big Bs – Barolo, Barberaresco and Barbera – you are guaranteed a bold experience.

People often ask me ”if I’ve never been to Italy before, which tour should I go on first?”…(and my answer usually varies according to what each client is looking for)…however, if what you are looking for is a purist experience of Italy, you love a true foodie experience and you enjoy some great hill climbing – our bike tour in Piedmont is for you! Added bonus: Nutella was invented here – how can you go wrong?

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February 11, 2010

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in South Africa

Filed under: Bike, South Africa — Tags: , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 9:56 am

South Africa Bike ToursIf you think the World Cup is the only sport drawing people to South Africa in 2010…think again. Before the FIFA-fest even begins, many are flocking to Cape Town for the Cape Argus Pick n Pay - the world’s largest one day timed cycling race.  Over 35,000 people participate annually in this one-day race which traverses 109km of some of the most scenic spots in the world.

And this year’s race may just be the most popular yet - as 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has announced his plans to compete for the 1st time in this race. Lance will be  joining his fellow RadioShack teammate Daryl Impey, a native South African, at the start this March 14th. It should make for an interesting day in the world of cycling. Stay tuned…

Granted, you may not be Lance or one of the seeded participants in this invitational cycling event, but you can always cycle the route and experience the same breathtaking vistas on our bike tour of South Africa. Even better, since you aren’t racing for time, you get to stop and sample some of the best South African wines along the way – giving you the option to ‘pick and play’!

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February 5, 2010

A New Season in Italy

Filed under: Bike, Italy, Staff Posts, staff stories — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 12:49 pm

Giusseppe Verdi once declared, “you may have the universe if I may have Italy” – and I believe every first-time visitor would agree.

The start of a new season of biking in Italy is nearly upon us.  Yes, we realize that it’s still early February but the Italian season begins for us with our first trips on April 4th and with Spring in mind we are ready to continue our love affair with biking, eating, drinking and sleeping in Italy!

What is not to love? Whether you head for the Langhe hills of Piedmont, cruise the Adriatic coast in Puglia, bask in the warmth of the Tuscan sun, or sail away to the Aeolian Islands, you will encounter  picture-perfect vistas, incredible food and world-class wines.

And what better way to experience this marvel of a country than on a bike?   According to Tom Coppock, one of our top guides in Italy, he was seduced early on by his Italian experience, which he described so well in a recent blog post.

The Italian landscape beckons you to ride…be it on a cypress-lined country road, through an ancient Etruscan village, beside endless olive groves and vineyards, or along a pristine coastline  riddled with sea caves. Do you want to test your climbing skills in Tuscany, meander the ‘heel’ of Puglia, or race alongside the pros at the Giro d’Italia? The possibilities are endless…as are the variety of wines and the assortment of  regional cuisines.

Will you get  bold with a Barolo in Piedmont? Stay classico sipping Chianti in Tuscany? Enjoy a little Rubesco al fresco in Umbria? The beauty is, you can’t go wrong! Need we forget, the ancient Greeks, as they expanded into Italy’s southern reaches, dubbed the colonies Oenotria, the land of wine.  And the Romans – who propagated the cult of Bacchus throughout the empire – contributed to establishing  a thriving wine trade spanning the Mediterranean lands and beyond.

We can’t mention Italian wines, however, without mentioning food, as Italian wines are made for Italian food – a perfect symbiosis. Italians take great pride in the “experience” of dining; it is a sensory event to be enjoyed and shared with others. Hand-prepared foods combined with local wines, family and friends are the hallmarks of a Italian meal. It is no wonder that the ‘Slow Food’ movement was started in Italy and is headquartered in Piedmont – devoted to promoting a way of life that preserves cultural cuisine, taste, and the experience of dining.

Even better, each Italian region is  its own unique ‘varietal’  – varied not only in its wine and cuisine, but in its landscape and cultural personality as well. As you travel from region to region, you will encounter something inherently distinctive to that area. And you will never tire of  exploring the nuances.

In the end, Italy has a tremendous amount to offer travelers looking for a unique experience, so much so that we have put together 6 different tours to give people the ability to take it all in.  These 6 different tours include 2 new ones for the 2010 season in Umbria and Sicily, which we feel will really round out the experience for our guests.

So, as we look forward to the 2010 bike touring season in Italy we invite you to join us and experience Italy in DuVine Style.

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February 3, 2010

Biking in Italy – Guide Post

Filed under: Bike, European bike tours, Guide posts, Italy — Tags: , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 4:30 pm
This picture was reworked by the Fotowerkstatt...
Image via Wikipedia

New for 2010 – DuVine Team Post – an opportunity for our team members to introduce an area that we travel to as part of the DuVine experience.

Today’s post comes from Tom Coppock one of our guides who has an unmatched passion for Italy and the Italian experience:

DuVine got its start in Italy when Andy first ventured over the Alps from France to start a tour in Tuscany.  Like countless other invaders over the centuries, we’ve been seduced by Italy’s charms, succumbed to the temptations of heaps of homemade pasta and now that the grapes from that first summer can finally be enjoyed in a strong, dark bottle of Brunello, we feel right at home.

Of all places, Tuscany seems pretty idiot-proof when it comes to creating a bike tour.  All the elements are there: beautiful scenery, great roads, quaint towns, world-class wine and a well-established tourist infrastructure.  When I first visited the region alone on a bike I certainly thought I’d had the world’s best bike experience.  It was only years later when I returned as a guide that I realized how much I had missed.  A guidebook can tell you where to find all the other tourists and which restaurants were once undiscovered gems, but, as in any heavily touristed region, the true Tuscany lies elsewhere hidden beyond the walls of the gift shops.

It would be easy as a tour operator to present the region in its most superficial form and it would be the rare guest who returned home disappointed.  But despite the glowing feedback, our Tuscany tour has been through more iterations in the three years I’ve been there than I can count.  We’re not responding to criticism, just constantly striving to make every moment unforgettable, every day truly perfect for everyone.  The wine tasting in the gorgeous cellars of a Montepulciano winery were great, but when we started doing a tasting in the private home of the small village wine-maker, Vittorio Innocenti, we knew that we had hit on something guests would be talking about for years to come.  More recently, a friend in Montalcino noted that although DuVine was eating at the best restaurant in town, it didn’t compare to his wife’s cooking.  Soon enough I found myself in his kitchen with a handful of guests translating frantically as Lina, his wife, showed us how to roll pasta.  It was a huge hit and now this cooking class is a staple of our tour.

Andy is always challenging us to go out and find these real people and give guests these real experiences.  We have accepted the challenge with gusto, especially as we have expanded into other parts of Italy.  In Piedmont, my co-guide, David, and I struck gold after following a worn wooden sign down a one-lane road to Gianni and Mina’s restaurant.  They turned out to be a charming older couple, fulfilling their lifelong dream of running a small restaurant out of their country home.  After a few glasses of wine, they offered to open their restaurant to our groups and DuVine guests have enjoyed Gianni’s jokes and Mina’s cooking ever since.  In Puglia, on the other side of the country, we’ve started stopping by a local family farm to watch them make fresh mozzarella and taste it while it’s still warm.  These finds represent Italian hospitality at its best.  With no tourism degrees, and very little English, these people do not look at tourists and see dollar signs.  They just want to share their pride in their region, its cuisine, history and natural beauty.

Going forward, we are creating new tours in Umbria and Sicily with these lessons in mind.  Biking in Italy is always a tremendous joy and setting our trip-making brushes to a blank canvas offers the most rewarding kind of challenge.  No trip is ever considered truly complete, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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