puglia Archives - Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel

A Little Coffee Goes a Long Way

Andi Brown — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:31:35 +0000

Efficient Autostradas cross Italy from top to bottom and east to west. These super highways are (for the most part) well maintained and make covering longer distances easy. But they aren’t free.

The Autostradas in Italy are toll roads. This means that you pay to use them. That rate is calculated by distance traveled. Before entering the freeway, you are given a ticket from a toll booth that marks your starting point. On exiting, you give this ticket back and your balance due is calculated.

This ticket is everything.

Several years ago, I spent time exploring the Basilicata and Puglia regions in Southern Italy. This part of Italy had completely won me over but there were obvious differences from the areas I knew in the north.

Places like Tuscany are a well oiled tourism machines. In contrast, I found tourism as more of an afterthought in many areas I had just visited. I gave myself a headache in Matera trying to decode the erratic opening times of the churches that I wanted to visit. There was no urgency or concern that the schedules might be hindering visitors’ experiences.

Pondering all that I had learned and how I would incorporate this into giving my clients the best possible experiences here, I found myself entering the autostrada.

But where was the toll booth? Where would I get my ticket?? There was absolutely nothing there. I had no choice but to keep driving and deal with this down the road.

My time on the southern freeway finally came to an end just south of Naples. I meekly pulled up to the tollbooth and rolled down my window. With empty hands held forward I simply stated, ‘No ticket.’

No ticket?? (the astonished response)

No. No ticket. (my straightforward answer)

Ahh…no ticket. (a sigh and knowing nod)

Espresso?

Si. Espresso. (is this for real?)

He reached across his window to mine holding a small, piping hot to go cup. We locked eyes, lifted our little cups in the air and threw back the coffee in one gulp.

Va bene?

Yes, indeed. That was good.

I drove on, smiling all the way back to Tuscany.

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.

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2019 Foodie and Women’s Small Group Tours to Italy Announced

Andi Brown — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 01:41:36 +0000

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.

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.

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.

Ostuni in Pictures

Andi Brown — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 23:10:49 +0000

Stay tuned for my guide to Southern Italy. Traveling soon and can’t wait? Contact us regarding our travel planning and itinerary reviews, where our secrets become your secrets.

Ostuni, the cutest little hipster town in Puglia.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel

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Ostuni Foodie Market in Pictures

Andi Brown — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 22:41:12 +0000

Stay tuned for my guide to Southern Italy. Traveling soon and can’t wait? Contact us regarding our travel planning and itinerary reviews, where our secrets become your secrets.

A day in pictures in Ostuni’s amazing mouthwatering foodie market.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel

The post Ostuni Foodie Market in Pictures appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.

Bari in Pictures

Andi Brown — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:33:58 +0000

Stay tuned for my guide to Bari. Traveling soon and can’t wait? Contact us regarding our travel planning and itinerary reviews, where our secrets become your secrets.

I am busy putting together everything I’ve found and learned on my last trip but I just can’t wait. I wanted to give everyone I sneak peek into what is to come.

Bari, southern Italy in the region of Puglia.

Go Travel, and Travel Fearless.

Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel

The post Bari in Pictures appeared first on Italy Travel Planner | Consultant | Once In a Lifetime Travel.