Passion and tradition

1. Italian Regional Wine Tours Passion and tradition

2. What are the fundamental problems with wine tours abroad? • Lack of down time. • Too much wine culture told by experts who aren’t fully proficient in the language of the tourists. • Accommodation sought for the right prices but doesn’t fit the expectations of the tourist. • Tourist has too little time to get the feel for the land and culture. • Tourists cover too much territory in too little time and aren’t aware of the land’s morphology, making the experience rather ascetic and superficial. • Tourists are not introduced to authentic cultural events and are general driven like unintelligent animals into garish , pricy tourist traps. • Tourists go home with an impression of the country and not and understanding what they experienced, perhaps casting a negative shadow on the country which doesn’t do justice to ‘friend’ countries.

3. What to do? Offer one week ‘regional’ tours organized by an insider who understands both the territory and is fully proficient in both languages. Work through a network based on local small enterprises and focus on towns/countryside that still have a connection both with wine and local cuisine. Incorporate events that only the locals know about and have a welcoming committee for each, offered by municipal volunteer organizations and parishes. Have an interpreter/animator present throughout the trip to be able to plan alternatives when needed.

4. Let’s face it Weather seems ever less predictable Selfie tourism is taking all the fun out of sightseeing Tourists who choose a wine tour isn’t only hoping to learn, but to escape from reality. To flee from city life

5. What could one region offer? Veneto covers 18.390 sq km and has at least five internationally acclaimed wine varietals. Millennia of history. From rolling hills, to alpine villages ;from dreamy lake resorts to art cities like Verona, Padua and Venice. What more do you need.

6. Sample itinerary • Day one: • arrival from Milan, transfer to bed and breakfast preferably ValeggioSulMincio. Light dinner in Borghetto.

7. Day two: day tour in Verona/ winery San Mattiaagriturismo, return afternoon. Evening promenade Lago di Garda, aperitif with Italian wine club. Evening free.

8. Day 3: Custoza. The history of the area taught by moderator and wine expert. Tradition versus innovation in Italy. Young wine makers versus their older counterparts speak about their wine traditions. A tour of the collinemoreniche by car. Nature walk or bike tour available.

9. Day 4: Soave: wine and castles. Wine tour of Soave winery below the castle. Walking tour of castle and depending on weather – pic nic. Tour of Soave area by car with a coffee stop in famous bar with orator from the area. Transfer to B and B in Valpolicella . Evening meal in tavern.

10. Day 5: A day in Venice. Free day with meeting in traditional tavern with venetian wines. The Italian wine bar with food samples. Pairing venetian wines to traditional Italian food and American specialties

11. Day 6: Morning farm breakfast. A reenactment of a wine maker’s morning and a walk to the neighbouring vineyards. A farmer’s lunch in the vineyard . Evening ‘cooking lessons’ . Pastiamo

12. I fundamentally believe • That the Italian wine market must be understood to be appreciated. This could have follow ups with Italian wine dinners and cultural meetings based on Made in Italy concepts. • That a positive travel experience could lead to future requests and high visibility (positive reviews, networking, interest and curiosity linked to your name) • That Italy is the most hospitable country in the world from an insider’s perspective and the least hospitable when not approached from an appropriate angle. • That we are helping our communities grow as ethically conscious world citizens which will help the global community become more philanthropic and ‘human friendly’.