Italian treasures can include buried ones
Italy adds up , theme after theme
COMPASS
Italy
COMPILED BY BOB ROUSE
Italian treasures can include buried ones
“ Italy is composed of many magical sun-drenched areas , all with their own character , beauty , food and flavors ,” says Monia Cossa , North American market manager for Gartour . The Rome-based company offers a range of tours and excursions throughout the country and features a series in Rome called Elite Walking Tours . Each one provides small groups with experienced guides and special itineraries that take them to notable monuments and sites , as well as to unexpected treasures .
And Gartour also shows groups buried treasures . “ Our exclusive underground tours , led by an archaeologist , classical historian , medievalist or a certified speleologist , reveal Rome ’ s underground ,” Cossa says . “ Centuries of earthquakes , fires and floods caused the ground level of many areas to rise up as much as 25 meters , covering up entire villas , temples , markets and palaces . We visit many secret sites that are usually impossible for regular tourists to explore .”
Outside of the Eternal City , Gartour offers escorted packages to Italy ’ s most well-known destinations , such as Venice , Milan and Florence . Groups also can explore smaller cities and sites .
“ Rapallo is a pretty town that is inlaid like a gem in the Portofino Coast ,” Cossa says . “ And nearby lies Cinque Terre , five villages perched on the cliffs and connected by trails . We also recommend a visit to Positano , along the Amalfi Coast , before boarding a ferry to the Isle of Capri , which has the fabled Blue Grotto , Villa San Michele and Monte Solaro .”
To learn more about Gartour ’ s receptive services , contact Cossa at m . cossa @ gartour . net or visit gartour . com .
Roman Forum
GREGORY FERDINANDSEN
Italy adds up , theme after theme
Michele Mondolfo has done the math , and Italy came out on top .
“ Italy is first in the world for tourism density ,” he says . “ All four countries that are ahead of Italy in tourist visits are much larger geographically . Within its small 300,000 square kilometers , Italy holds an incredible density of tourist attractions .”
Mondolfo , owner of Milan-based Incoming Partners , bases his rankings on a United Nations World Tourism Organization report , which shows that Italy , with nearly 51 million arrivals in 2015 , ranks No . 5 in the world . As for the number of attractions per square kilometer , who ’ s to say he ’ s wrong ?
The Ballad of the Masks , which takes place during the Carnivale of Venice , is an example of artistic expression that ’ s ingrained in Italy ’ s culture .
CC FLICKR / SERGEY GALYONKIN : bit . ly / 2qvSenj
“ Italy is known around the world for its cities , landscapes and food , all of which we feature in our classic itineraries ,” he says . “ At the same time , we have a wealth of historical buildings , shows and activities that the masses have not discovered .”
Mondolfo explains that his company ’ s specialty is not a particular region , but Italian themes . Here are a few of the themes he has in mind :
• “ Opera , ballet and concerts presented in prestigious theaters — temples of music and nest of emotions — are some of the most gratifying products we serve .”
• “ Food for us is not only nutrition , but also culture and history — and [ about ] understanding where it comes from . Agricultural tours discover traditions rather than modern techniques .”
• “ Italian style and fashion are to be admired , and when you visit an artisan shop , you will experience the emotion of having a shirt tailor-made and delivered to your home .”
• “ Sport can be experienced as a show or an activity , and we are ready to assist in both cases , including matches , motor activities and nature trekking .”
Incoming Partners specializes in small groups and high-quality tours , and Mondolfo says that travel is relatively easy from coast to coast and north to south —“ and from history to modernity , from archaeology to design and from tradition to innovation .”
For details about Italy ’ s “ tourism density ,” contact Mondolfo at marketing @ incomingpartners . it or visit incomingpartners . it .
50 June 2017