Italian Trip planning with Yltour.com

 

When traveling not all trips are  vacations, some are adventures, some for business or just the activity of getting from one place to another.

Planning an adventure/vacation/trip yourself often gives you as much satisfaction as taking the trip. 

However, when you want something special or beyond the basic you often need a professional to share the hidden places and people of the part of the world you are visiting.     This is when I call YLE   who creates dream adventures/vacations for travelers who wish to see Italy from the inside out.    www.yletour.com

 

In 2011 I found Yle on FB and she immediately saw that I had an Italian 'dream' to find una nonna (a grandmother) who would show me how to make pasta.

 

Before I even confirmed my flight Home to Italy Yle had scheduled a day with Nonna Vata.   I spend several hours learning to make 6 types of pasta.  Our conversation included living on a farm in Italy to current politics.  Her lovely granddaughter Deborah translated for me but it was amazing that Nonna and I could communicate in many ways.

 

So this year I am turning to Yle and Yltour.com to organize an extensive adventure in Puglia.

The towns I still wish to visit are: 

> Ostuni

> Cisternino

> Locorotondo

> Alberobello  (I spent a day there last year and wish to revisit the kind people who helped me)

> Monopoli

> Martina Franca  

> Gallipoli

> Otranto

 

This is an extensive list for someone who does NOT WANT TO TAKE THE BUS but I hope to see as many of the towns as possible.

 

But the MOST important reasons for going back to Lecce is to visit Yle and learn about her tours for 2013.  In 2012 she did a wonderful language event, a cooking event and yoga retreat.  But her list of offerings is endless:  photography, classic cars, cooking with locals, wine tastings, sports events, photography, art classes, language classes......   I could spend a month with her and never try it all!   She also does wedding planning, helps you find and visit your ansestrial home towns, friends holidays and more.

The hidden treasure this year is to finally meet MAMMA ANNA.

I have written about her before on www.hometoitaly.com.    I have an idea that I hope to launch with Mamma A that you can read about in December and January at www.hometoitaly.com.  

 

Have you used yletour.com for your Italian adventures?

Can you suggest other towns I should see next month when I co Home to Italy?

 

Cook with the Mammas of Puglia!

Yle is giving us a wonderful look inside the kitchens of some of the best Italian cooks in Puglia, a mamma!     Yle offers amazing holidays that can include hands on cooking with an expert.
I can vouch for an incredible experience when Yle introduced me to my new "nonna" (grandmother) Mamma Vita. She spent hours teaching me to make pasta!    Not only did I learn to make 6 types of pasta but I believe I found a new nonna.........

COOKING CLASS IN PUGLIA 

Life as a local

Guests often write to me via email or social networks  and ask for some very unique treats to experience in Puglia.     What they read about from other travel planners is just "touristy"   and they know that one of the things I avoid in my tours is doing what hundreds of other people do.   I create a unique travel experience specifically for you.          

A  cooking class with one of our amazing  MAMME is a must do experience. When I gave rise to this food and culinary program called “Mamme in Cucina” a couple of years ago, I thought of a unique day that I would have liked to live if myself I had been a visitor. A day to be spent with locals like a local. A unique staff that would have given guests the impression of living in the area and perfectly mingle with people and their habits.

Mamma Consiglia

I never call participants “students”, “customers" or clients”:    they  are friends and guests for me and for the mums they have the pleasure to cook with.  From the beginning of our day,  the atmosphere is casual and friendly and every part of the program is as if you are visiting friends.