We can hardly contain ourselves. 2019 is going to be a fantastic year for our small group tours. We have added several new tours including our trademark Bliss Tours for women. Don’t you think it is about time to do something for you?

Tuscany Bliss Small Group Tours for Women

Our Bliss Tours are created for women with goal of nourishing your body and soul while completely spoiling you in every way possible. There is nothing more incredible than traveling with a small group of women, building each other up and reminding each other how amazing the female spirit is. Add a beautiful stone farmhouse manor nestled in a gorgeous Tuscan setting and you have magic.

Spring Tour: May 8-15, 2019

Fall Tour: September 9-16, 2019

Full Details Here.

Tuscany Small Group Tours for Foodies

Live the sweet life of a Tuscan foodie. This small-group week long tour for men, women, singles and couples is fully escorted and all inclusive.  You will want for nothing, ending each night with a full and satisfied belly each night. Each day you will follow your nose through Tuscany, encountering incredible food around every corner. Your temporary home is tranquilly nestled in the vineyards of Chianti, where you will find the perfect balance between authentic and traditional experiences, yet still have time for yourself.

Spring Tour: April 30-May 7, 2019

Fall Tour: September 23-30, 2019 with October Tour on availability.

Full Details Here.

Southern Bliss Small Group Tours for Women

Our Bliss Tours for women head south for an unforgettable experience. Guests will discover an Italy Undisturbed, with opportunities to visit special places in Basilicata and Puglia, meet local artisans, musicians and people while indulging in organic, zero kilometer, farm to table food.

Summer Tour: June 3-9, 2019.

Full Details Here.

Time to rejuvenate, explore and indulge. Time to find yourself.

Contact us here. Better yet, give us a call and let’s start dreaming. 406-570-9393

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2019

The post 2019 Foodie and Women’s Small Group Tours to Italy Announced appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

The woman had been staring at me for what seemed like forever. She had even tried to get me to order something else.

I was starting to get paranoid, worried I had done something wrong. This was my first trip to Venice and I had found a quaint trattoria tucked away from the crowds.

I self consciously kept eating my risotto. I was savoring the dish. Never in my life had I tasted anything like it. Without knowing exactly what I was doing, I had pointed off the handwritten daily menu. Risi e Bisi. I had no idea fresh pea risotto would taste so dreamy.

She finally approached me and ask, doubtful, whether I liked it.

I loved it.

Shock melted into adoration and in the next moments I was getting extra wine, a special side and loving pats across my shoulder. She brought her sisters out of the kitchen to show me off which was followed by a round of kisses on the top of my head.

All because I ordered her risotto on a whim.

I loved it and she loved me for it.

A return visit with my tour group. Not my best photo.

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2018

The post The Power of Love in a Bowl of Risotto appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Sometimes a big party gets a bit messy.

I think that’s half the fun, don’t you?

Family style polenta dinners originated in the Abruzzo region of Italy. I didn’t even know such a thing existed until I showed up one evening with my small daughter and parents.

After roaming the streets of what seemed like a nearly abandoned village, we started asking around and following our noses. Stepping into a rustic trattoria, we were seated at the end of a long table. Being American, we were obviously first.

Locals slowly began to trickle in and the smiles were a bit shy at first. No one spoke a lick of English but everyone knew how to share the wine, cheese and bread. One by one, dishes were brought from the kitchen and passed around. Eventually, the table was cleared and I thought to myself that this was a light dinner by Italian standards.

Then out came the polenta, on a giant board almost as long as the table where we all sat. A simple tomato sauce topping the dish. The steam from the board and the smell that wafted over me as it was set down in front of us. I wish I could bottle that for you.

Spoons were passed down and everyone dug in. Bite after glorious bite of warm polenta filled our bellies. We all laughed, bumped elbows and shared a moment that didn’t need Google Translate.

Go enjoy your moment.

Printable Recipe Here.

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2018

The post Not a Party Until the Polenta is Poured appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

The story is short and sweet today. Is it TMI? Probably.

I am almost 45 years old and I still get grossed out when my parents show too much PDA.

Several years ago, in our favorite trattoria in our favorite hill town, my parents had a little too much of the house wine. They were getting frisky. We hug and say I Love You constantly in my family, so affection isn’t shocking to me.

French kissing like I’m invisible is.

I made them promise not to give me nightmares that night as I tried to focus intently on my second plate of Tuscan sausage. Or was it my third plate? The salsiccia at Trattoria Dardano in Cortona is to die for. The meat is perfectly cooked, served simply and without frills on a little plate. A mandatory side for our family regardless of what we are eating (or drinking). Which, in my parents case, was quite a lot that night.

Buon Appetito,
Andi

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2018

The post How to Survive When Your Parents Get Too Frisky in Tuscany appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Hungry already? The title did me in too. Let’s dive right in.

Carbonara

This is one of the classic dishes in Rome and can be found on almost every menu in the city, but not all carbonara is the same. Amazing carbonara can be hard to find.

There is a teeny trattoria in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome that served me my favorite plate of carbonara to date.

(I’m more than happy to test out your favorite location on my next research trip. If you think yours tops mine, send me the details).

After exploring Rome all day, we were caught in a torrential downpour walking to dinner. We were too close to find a taxi but too far away to avoid getting soaked. We arrived a da Enzo dripping wet to the horror of dining Italians (more on that at a later time). The waiter put us discretely in a corner with plenty of wine and we began to warm from the inside out.

Maybe it was the storm. Perhaps it was the long day walking in Rome. All I know is that with one bite I was in carbonara heaven. Pure bliss with every taste of the crisped to perfection pancetta.

While I have never been able to make carbonara exactly like this, I’ve gotten pretty good with the attached recipe. The key is homemade noodles, real Parmigiano Reggiano and pancetta. Bacon will work but it won’t be the same.

Buon Appetito,

Andi

Who we are:

Once in a Lifetime Travel is a passionately run company focused on mindful and fearless travel through authentic experiences and connections. We feature small, fully

guided group tours to Italy for women

. Our

Italian travel consultant

services feature focused itinerary reviews and detailed

Italy travel planning.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2018

The post My Favorite Carbonara in Rome appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.