This is part one in a series on the ancient Etruscan civilization that inhabited central Italy from the 8th – 4th centuries BC. Planning our trip to Italy last May, I became interested in the historical finds of the Etruscans, who thrived during four centuries BC and contributed heavily to Roman civilization. The Greeks regarded…
Used for the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column, and Michelangelo’s David in Rome, Carrara marble was valued above all other stone. The mountains were first exploited by Julius Caesar with origins from the 2nd century BC. Located in the northernmost tip of modern-day Tuscany, this blue-grey or white high quality-marble is coveted by artisans and used worldwide. …
There’s nothing like travel to stoke romance. The sights and sounds and smells and tastes of new places can stir your passion for living, and sharing those thrills with another is a perfect way to build your relationship. UnTours are made for love, giving you space to spread out in an apartment, autonomy to do…
Above: Tarot Gardens photo by s9-4pr, CC Interested in contemporary sculpture? Tuscany is a surprisingly furtile place for it! See how the shock of the new and surreal commune with the deep natural beauty of the Tuscan landscape. There are some fantastic sculpture gardens to explore near our farm house apartments on the Tuscany UnTour. Here…
Tuscany is a wonderland for those who live to eat and believe in vino veritas. So the Tuscany Wine and Food UnTour was a natural. Here Donella, Serenella and their family, who will lead one of the events, share one of their favorite recipes. It’s a a hearty and satisfying dinner for a cool,…
The Toepfers just returned from the Venice UnTour and shared these thoughts and images. Venice is a miracle marvel: A unique city with its magical and spectacular scenery that claims a priceless art and historical heritage was a true miracle of creative genius. It is an engineering marvel built on mud, sand, and slime in…
Jerry and Deena Koffler have traveled with UnTours at least 18 times, taking more than one trip in some years. Whether they find themselves UnTouring in Italy or cruising on an UnTours Venture, the Kofflers always have a good time and eat well. As they love good food and scenery, it is no surprise they fell…
Helen Glave, on-site host of the Florence UnTour, is a whiz with logistics and hospitality. But she is also deeply knowledgeable about Florence’s sights. We recently ask her to name her favorite hidden gems of Florence. Here is her response. It is quite difficult to signal ‘hidden gems’ in Florence as most are so…
Never plan a vacation when you are hungry. If you do, you will surely end up in Tuscany. On second thought, let your stomach guide you. When you consider the region’s sublime natural beauty and Florence’s countless Renaissance masterpieces, it is easy to overlook the food. But Florence is a great place to connect…
The Amalfi Coast is a place of dramatic beauty, of pastel villages built into cliffs and hillsides overlooking sandy beaches and shining sea. Anyone who has taken our Amalfi Coast UnTour will tell you about its natural beauty. But one thing that surprises some travelers to the region is the quality of the local cuisine!…