Good Reasons to Join Our Small Group Travel Experience in Italy
Meet Piemonte’s small group tours of Italy offer unique experiences meticulously curated by the founders and their trusted colleagues throughout the country. In contrast to many mass-market tour companies, Meet Piemonte avoids tourist traps and commercial experiences that competitors rely on to cut costs and maximize profits.
Below, we outline what sets our small group tours apart from large group tours, emphasizing our commitment to deep immersion, genuine connections, and moments of quiet reflection rather than just rushing through a checklist of sights.
It is within this desire for an authentic and enriching experience that the profound advantages of small group tours to Italy truly shine, offering a compelling alternative to larger, less personal trips. These intimate journeys, from Sicily to Piedmont, from Puglia to Tuscany and Sardinia, are not merely vacations; they are curated explorations designed to unlock the soul of Italy.
No Forced Shopping Stops in Recommended Stores
A common practice among many large group tours is to include visits to recommended stores, where commercial presentations are held to sell products. These often come with special discounts for travelers and commissions for the travel company.
However, statistically, only a small percentage of travelers are interested in these stops, resulting in wasted time for the majority of the group and fewer opportunities to truly immerse themselves in the destination.
While we value and support artisans, recognizing the artistic skills of traditional crafts such as glassblowing on Murano Island and handmade leather goods in Florence, we do not impose these commercial stops on our small groups.
Educational lectures on Italy’s artisanal products, if included in our small group tours, involve informative sessions with a master artisan. These classes typically take place in small workshops that cannot accommodate large groups due to their size and time limitations.
Our small group tours of Italy maximize the time spent in each town and city, allowing enough free time for each guest to explore at their own pace and our tour managers are available to recommend reliable shopping opportunities without contracted commissions. That could be an inlaid wood workshop in Sorrento on our Naples, Positano & The Amalfi Coast Tour or a Florentine goldsmith on our Grand Tour of Tuscany. We prioritize genuine experiences over mandatory visits to recommended shops or diversions to factories during our tours.
No Overcharges to Cover Gadgets and Marketing Gifts
As we prioritize authentic experiences over flashy marketing, we do not send our guests cookbooks, aprons, or fancy luggage tags before the tour. Many competitors use such practices to engage travelers and generate excitement for their trips, but these items come at a cost. In fact, incorporating these old marketing strategies significantly increases the final price of the tour, as the cost of these gifts is included in the package.
While our approach may seem less engaging to our guests, we prefer to invest in quality meals and various enhancements throughout the tour. These enhancements range from providing water on the bus to offering extra food tastings and many other surprises. Ultimately, we would rather focus on keeping our prices reasonable than overcharging clients for unnecessary items.
Beyond Pork Loin, Roasted Potatoes, and Italian Food Misconceptions
Italy boasts an incredible array of culinary delights, yet most large group tours limit their offerings to just a handful of Italian dishes, often with minimal investment in meal quality. Sadly, pork loin and roasted potatoes dominate the menus of these mass-market tours, sometimes appearing up to three times in a single week.
There’s little appreciation for seasonal ingredients or local specialties; pork loin is merely a cheap meat option, and potatoes, seasoned with salt and spices, can appeal to many but lack authenticity.
It’s important to note that some international travel companies often plan their itineraries to steer clear of local cuisine on purpose. They worry that unfamiliar dishes might not appeal to their customers and fear that local food won’t meet expectations. Many competitors promote culinary experiences like “making pasta in Tuscany” or “the best pizza ever,” knowing these catchy marketing slogans serve as selling points. However, their budgets only allow suppliers to provide basic menus.
At our company, we believe food is an integral part of the travel experience, and it’s an opportunity to better appreciate the culture and traditions of the destination. That’s why we dedicate our budget up to three times more than most competitors to meals included in our tours. As an example, by choosing our Lake Como, Piedmont & Portofino Tour in the spring or fall, guests will savor a diverse range of dishes, as we specifically partner with restaurants to highlight seasonal ingredients.
In our office, we meticulously gather menus ahead of time for each departure, ensuring that guests enjoy a variety of unique flavors without repetition in their 8—or 9-day tour. It would be too easy to let a restaurant serve the same pasta over and over while we recommend other options. In most cases, we allow our guests to choose their preference on the spot.
While we respect the appeal of pork loin and roasted potatoes, which could be interesting to try maybe once, we prefer that our guests indulge in the true essence of Italian cuisine. A trip to Tuscany without experiencing the renowned local beef or the delightful variety of vegetable soups and recipes using indigenous pulses would be a missed opportunity.
Experience the richness of truffles in Piedmont, enjoy handmade pasta in Sicily, indulge in an exquisite fine dining experience, or share a heartwarming rustic meal with a shepherd in Sardinia. Join us to taste the best that Italy has to offer!
No Wine in a Carafe in our Small Group Tours of Italy
At our dining events, we carefully allocate a generous budget to ensure our guests enjoy bottled wine from locally renowned premium appellations, rather than settling for wine from a carafe.
Unlike a decanter, which serves a specific purpose, a carafe often suggests inferior quality, as it frequently contains table wine purchased in bulk. Some unscrupulous restaurants even refill bottles to create the illusion of quality, but it’s easy to spot: these bottles have been placed on the table already opened rather than uncorked in front of customers.
Furthermore, wine from a carafe lacks the clear labeling that guarantees quality. Our guests can look at the bottle’s label to find essential details about the producer, vintage, and appellation—information that certifies the wine’s excellence. Pouring wine into a carafe increases its exposure to air, affecting its quality. While moderate aeration can enhance the wine’s aromas and flavors, excessive exposure can lead to oxidation, diminishing its freshness and vibrancy.
Choosing bottled wine in Italian restaurants often requires a larger investment as a tour operator, but it’s worth it if we want a comprehensive experience for our guests. Unlike many large tour operators that offer low-cost group meals, Meet Piemonte’s small group tours of Italy provide included lunches and dinners that match the price one would spend independently. We are committed to delivering an authentic Italian culinary experience and will not compromise our standards.
No Queuing for a Breakfast Coffee in a Crowded Breakfast Buffet
Large groups often have little choice but to stay in large hotels featuring dozens, if not hundreds, of rooms. Unfortunately, breakfast buffets in these establishments can become overwhelming as these groups, who typically rise early, rush in to grab their food all at once within 45 minutes, an hour top.
With so many guests scrambling for mediocre food, personalized service is virtually impossible. This leads to coffee machines filling breakfast rooms, forcing tired travelers to wait in line with empty mugs.
In stark contrast, our small group tours of Italy offer the luxury of staying in boutique inns or upscale hotels where exceptional service is paramount. Picture yourself enjoying coffee and cappuccino served right at your table by dedicated wait staff. Guests can indulge in a delightful selection of local products and freshly made specialties from our hotel’s carefully curated buffets, with made-to-order egg dishes available at no extra cost.
Moreover, our leisurely itineraries allow guests to savor breakfast without the rush, giving ample time to appreciate stunning views or the charm of local architecture. Choose to travel with us for an experience that blends comfort, quality, and genuine service.
No Small Group Tours of Italy with Overly Ambitious Itineraries
Be cautious of tours that promise to cover too many attractions spread over the Italian peninsula in a short amount of time. Rather than rushing from city to city, we prefer to stay in a comfortable, central location for a few extra days.
For example, consider a tour that departs from Sorrento early in the morning, visits Pompeii, and then drives six hours to Florence, with a lunch stop along the highway, only to rush to an evening activity. We would never do this, but it is commonly offered by mass-market tour groups.
We avoid long bus rides because our tours focus on one region at a time, and we would never force our guests to have lunch in a rest area along the highway when countless local dining options are available in Italy.
Many tour companies rush from one famous spot to another to fill their itineraries with popular names that attract inexperienced travelers. While we certainly include Italy’s must-see landmarks in our program, we also guide our guests to explore off-the-beaten-path locations, promising to reveal more authentic aspects of our rich and complex home.
We Don’t Call a Small Group a Bus with 24 People
For decades, tour companies thrived by offering large bus tours with 45 participants or more. Recently, many have rebranded their offerings as “small group tours,” with a maximum of 24 travelers. While this may seem considerably smaller, our group size of just 12 provides distinct advantages for truly experiencing Italy.
Examining every aspect of our tours, from accommodations to activities, it’s clear that a group of 20 or more can’t match the exclusivity that comes with a smaller group. The boutique hotels we partner with typically feature no more than 8 rooms, ensuring a cozy, homelike environment where guests enjoy unparalleled service.
Our small bus or van can access narrow roads and charming locations, including artisanal workshops and private boats that larger groups simply can’t reach.
Some might argue that a bus for 12 is larger than a van for 6, but our two decades of experience prove that the intimacy doesn’t diminish. In fact, our travelers enjoy the ability to share the costs of luxurious experiences with their fellow guests while maintaining privacy, creating a feel of privileged travel that’s truly unmatched.
The Allure of Intimacy: Why the Real Small Groups Transform The Italian Experience
At the heart of the appeal of small group travel in Italy lies the transformative power of intimacy. Unlike the expansive crowds that often characterize larger tours, a smaller contingent allows for unparalleled access and engagement.
Imagine a morning spent with a truffle hunter in Piedmont, learning the intricacies of unearthing the precious fungus, or an afternoon sharing stories with a family in a sun-drenched Tuscan vineyard. These are not merely scheduled stops; they are opportunities for genuine connection, fostering a deeper understanding of Italian life beyond the tourist facade.
This personalized approach facilitates the discovery of authentic Italy tours, guiding travelers away from well-trodden paths to uncover hidden gems—a secluded piazza where locals gather, a tiny trattoria serving the region’s best pasta, or a breathtaking viewpoint unknown to the masses.
The unhurried pace inherent in small group tours of Italy allows for lingering, absorbing, and truly savoring each moment, creating memories far beyond a holiday’s confines.
Personalized Service of a Small Group of Italy with 12 Guests vs. 24
With just 12 guests, the dynamic becomes far more intimate and personalized. Travelers benefit from direct access to their expert guide, enabling spontaneous questions, deeper discussions about historical sites, or recommendations. This personalized guidance extends beyond mere information; it often translates into greater flexibility within the itinerary, allowing for slight detours based on group interest or unexpected local events.
Guides can offer more individualized attention, answering specific questions and tailoring explanations to group interests, fostering deeper engagement with Italy’s rich history and culture.
Furthermore, the logistical efficiency of a smaller group is unparalleled; getting on and off boats on Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast, checking into hotels, and moving through crowded attractions like in Florence or Palermo becomes significantly smoother and quicker, maximizing precious sightseeing time and minimizing the “herd” feeling often associated even with a group of 24.
No Hidden Fees in our Small Group Tours of Italy
At Meet Piemonte, we prioritize transparency in our small group tours of Italy by eliminating hidden fees and surprise expenses. When you book a tour with us, we provide a full list of included services on both our website and in the contract customer have to sign at the time of booking.
Along with the daily itinerary, rates, and other useful information, you will find a section labeled “What’s Included” which details what is and what is not included in the tour. This ensures a clear understanding of what the tour covers and any additional costs one may incur.
Occasionally, we offer optional day trips that are not included in the base tour cost. For example, the Bernina Express, a scenic day trip to Switzerland, can be added to our Lake Como, Piedmont & Portofino Tour, replacing a free day on the lake. The price for these optional excursions is provided during the booking process, allowing you to decide whether to include them or not.
Unlike other tour operators who leave their tour leaders free to pressure guests into purchasing optional excursions or charge excessively for dinner options in Rome, our tour managers focus on providing a more genuine experience. We meticulously plan free evenings and meals so guests can explore at their own pace without being pushed to buy additional services on the spot.
To further prepare our guests for their trip, we provide a comprehensive guide to traveling in Italy. This guide covers everything from tipping policies and navigating ATMs to VAT refunds and recommendations for meals on your own. Our aim is to ensure that clients leave home well-prepared to fully enjoy their experience in Italy from the moment they arrive.
In conclusion, for those who dream of an Italian adventure that transcends the ordinary, where authenticity, personalization, and genuine connection take precedence, our small group tours to Italy present an undeniable advantage. They offer not just a visit to Italy, but an invitation to truly live it, fostering memories that are as rich and enduring as the country itself.
