Gelato! Gelato! and More Gelato!

August 17, 2015 Marlene Iaciofano

There is plenty of gelato throughout Italy but being able to spot the real deal takes a bit of knowledge.

Please know that I will go to the ends of the earth to eat gelato and have been known to have it at least once a day sometimes twice and more, and yes, I do have my favorite gelaterias in Italy.

Before I go to a region, especially for the first time, I will do my research on the best gelaterias for the towns I will be visiting. One must be careful when visiting the larger cities of Italy as these gelaterias may not make their gelato with natural and genuine ingredients.

Rules:

Evaluate the color of the gelato. For example, look at the pistachio flavor and make sure it is not a neon color. I remember being in Verona and there was an artisanal gelateria around the corner from the hotel. I repeatedly returned in hopes of ordering this flavor as every time I went it was sold out. Finally the day before I left Verona I was lucky to sample their pistachio and it was delicious to say the least. Of course it was the real deal.
Storage of gelato. All good gelato should be stored in stainless steel containers. However , if it is arranged in huge mounds, it is full of artificial ingredients and stabilizers.

If you remember these few simple rules you will enjoy what the Italians enjoy every chance they get.

The Value of a Tour Guide - submitted by Katia Galvetto

February 10, 2015 Marlene Iaciofano

Each and every time I bring a group to Italy and arrange for a special tour guide I would often wondered, what does it take to become a tour guide? I decided to chat with our guide, Katia, one day while we were touring the Veneto region of Italy. After a lengthy conversation, I asked her to write an article for my newsletter. This illustrates why qualified Tour Guides are worth every penny. Enhance your next travel experience with a guide. They are truly committed to making your experience special!

Here is what she wrote:

Tourist guides are subject to a European Standard which requires the ability to communicate with visitors in the language of their choice, and also demands familiarity with the cultural and natural characteristics of an area. Tourist guides may also be required to possess specific qualifications in accordance with standards set by local or regional authorities.

In Italy, guides may qualify to represent regions or individual cities and towns. For example, in the Veneto region, licensure is required in each individual city or town. To obtain the license, the guide is required to pass oral and written examinations related to art, history, architecture and archaeology, as well as the economy and geography of the area. A degree is also required as well as the ability to speak at least two non-Italian languages.

Guides must have the ability to transmit correct and authentic information; as well as the ability to interact with the client and be responsive to the client’s wishes.

As can be seen, becoming a licensed guide is not easy. In my case, I participated in extensive historical and cultural study of Verona for 5 years. This included weekly instruction with tours guided by professors as well as tremendous amounts of my own time “discovering the area where I lived. Standing in front of the examination board in Venice was not easy but, when I passed the examination more than 15 years ago, I had the opportunity to do what I love and to pass along to clients the “magic moments” of our history, architecture, culture, and heritage.

I never stop learning as there are new and wonderful discoveries and cultural developments all the time. Keeping current is the best way to guarantee that clients have the best possible experience.

Best Little Gift Shop(s) in Tremezzo

November 6, 2014 Marlene Iaciofano

There is never enough shopping  when I am in Italy.  So having been to Tremezzo before, I realized that most of my shopping had to be done in Bellagio.While staying at the best hotel in Tremezzo, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, I strolled down the … — There is never enough shopping when I am in Italy. So having been to Tremezzo before, I realized that most of my shopping had to be done in Bellagio.
While staying at the best hotel in Tremezzo, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, I strolled down the main hallway of the hotel and enjoyed window shopping in the display cases, several of them by the way. I asked the manager about a particular item and she told me how and where to purchase it.
The one morning we had to get to the Tremezzo ferry stop I spotted this unique store from across the street. What a gem it is!
***Fleur de Lis*** is a unique little store. It is located on Via Portici Sampietro 4. If you need to shop for those last minute gifts you will definitely find it here. It is stuffed with the finest gifts. This store is owned and operated by two sisters: Sabrina and Silvia Morganti. Sabrina is the local artist and many of her items are for sale in this gift shop. You can purchase handbags made of silk, silk ties and scarves and maybe you will find some designed and painted by Sebrina, Murano glass jewelry, venetian masks and so much more.
Go and see for yourself! You will not be disappointed. My group of ladies picked this place clean.

Don’t forget to  go next door to L’Uva Golosa  as this store is stocked with a wonderful selection of premium wines, grappas, olive oils, salts and much more for your culinary friend back home! — Don’t forget to go next door to ***L’Uva Golosa*** as this store is stocked with a wonderful selection of premium wines, grappas, olive oils, salts and much more for your culinary friend back home!

My Relationship with JDB Fine Hotels

April 22, 2014 Marlene Iaciofano

Every year I have the privilege of attending the JDB seminar. Who is JDB you ask? JDB Fine hotels and resorts is my supplier for Italy! I have been using this supplier for more than 15 years now and never have I had a disappointed client! When I send my clients to Italy and use JDB they are catered to! Judith Baer created this company more than 33 years ago and stands by every hotel she represents. Each year she brings the managers of these fine hotels to the US so that her agents, me, can personally meet everyone one of the managers and establish a working relationship with them.

The benefits of booking with JDB! Let me explain this little scenario: As I was talking with one of the managers I explained how I wanted to book a family at his resort in Tuscany. Both of us know that the internet can be your friend or enemy! It is ok to do some research on the web but leave the booking to us agents! HE reinforced my feelings about the internet. When he gets a booking from the internet, and also one from JDB, understand that he is going to give the better room to the agent’s client that has booked his/her client through JDB! Enough said? Also understand that my client will be treated with the utmost care and attention.

Understand another fact: Many of your friends that have been to Italy think they are the travel agent and can do a fantastic job planning your trip. I don’t think so! They do not have access to the best guides, restaurant suggestion etc. Going to Italy once does not make a travel agent! Don’t be alarmed if your agent charges you a consultation/booking fee. It is a small price to pay for their expertise and knowledge when putting together your dream vacation.

I have been attending these JDB seminars for more than 15 years and I cannot tell you how much I look forward to them. I also enjoy Judy’s presentations each year. She definitely is an inspiration.

You can always count on Gourmet Getaways using the hotels that JDB represents. I always have and always will.

Heritage corner: Trace Your Roots on a Personalized Tour

August 27, 2013 Marlene Iaciofano

An increasingly popular and highly personalized form of tour to Italy is the family heritage tour, where guests visit the regions and towns their Italian ancestors called home. Over the years, many clients have contacted me wanting to trace their roots in Italy, see how their ancestors lived and, quite possibly, meet long-lost relatives. Here are some suggestions to help you reconnect with your past…

Do the research: An excellent resource for discovering your roots in Italy is www.myitalianfamily.com. Here you can get info and order Italian documents necessary to your journey.

Organize: Once you’ve collected information on your ancestry, organize and store it in a travel-friendly file. You’ll want to bring this research with you.

Call in the experts: Now that you have an idea of who you’re looking for and where you want to go, you’ll need help planning your trip – you may need to visit remote areas of Italy and will likely be immersing yourself in local culture and daily activities. Gourmet Getaways can arrange for a knowledgeable guide to serve as a translator and assist you on trips to town hall, churches and other neighborhood establishments. We’ll plan an itinerary centered around the towns your family emigrated from, so you can see the best of Italy while discovering your family roots.

Some of my clients who visited their hometowns are now in touch with their long-lost relatives. They are so thrilled to have been reacquainted with their family and have even been invited into their homes for the ultimate Italian experience. For more information on how to begin planning a heritage tour for your family, call or email Gourmet Getaways today.

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