Review By Belinda - Atlanta, GA - USA (August 2014)
First Time in Italy - This is the Real Thing!
We really did not have to worry about one single thing the entire week
| Written By: | Belinda |
| Rating: | |
| Location: | Atlanta - GA - USA |
| Review Source: | Trip Advisor |
| Type of Traveler: | Couple |
| Itinerary: | Soriano - Cities Lost in Time |
Full Review
What a tremendous week we had with Culture Discovery Vacations in Soriano nel Cimino! We spent the week of July 5 in this magical little town. We stayed in the flat known as Archetti. We really did not have to worry about one single thing the entire week. We were met at the Rome airport and taken to Soriano. Check in was super easy - so many people were there to make sure everyone got to the correct place and that your luggage arrived when you did. They've got it down to a science. After a bit of time to rest, the jam-packed, fun-filled week begins. Besides the fabulous cooking classes at Villa Eddarella with Carla, Katia and Rita; Sergio, the driver escorted us all over Tuscany, Umbria and Alto Lazio with Sophie or Linda (who made our time away from the Villa so much fun!) non-stop! We crammed so much into a week and none of it seemed to be too "touristy". We really felt like we got to see what Italy is really like on our first trip to this beautiful country. Oh, sure, someday we will go back and do the Rome, Florence, Venice thing, but this was a wonderful introduction to this area of the world. I really have no complaints - we didn't get to see the owners of the company very much - they had just gotten back from an exhausting time in Chianti, but Rocky, Carla and all the others made our time there just great. The website is very clear about the kind of vacation this is - and it's not for everyone. It is an active, hands-on, learn the culture, learn the language type of trip. It's not a relaxing, go-to-the-spa, sit around and chill type of trip. You can, of course, opt out of an excursion, but believe me, you won't want to miss a thing. From having breakfast each morning at the cafe with the locals (and you do get to know them) to going shopping for cooking classes with Carla to visiting some amazing cathedrals and towns and wineries and olive mills and ceramic factories and so much more - well - you just don't want to miss ANYTHING! I will say one thing about Archetti - the little flat we stayed in - we travel very light - one duffle bag each and we carry it on. Archetti has a washing machine, so we had counted on using it. After fiddling with it for over an hour one night, going online to get the manufacturer's directions, it never would work. It seems we aren't the only ones at Archetti who have not been able to get it to work - I don't think it's hooked up correctly. Oh well - ended up sending our laundry out, so no real issue. But don't count on it working if you stay there. Other than that, it was a fabulous little place and has great wireless we used while we were there. Great views of the castle. Cute kitchen and two bedrooms, even though we only used one of them. We enjoyed this trip so much that we would consider doing another one in a different location, such as Sicily or Norcia in the future. They know what they are doing and you really don't have to worry about a thing!
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| Sample Photo from this Itinerary |