#actually its is now 6pm and jesus christ those hands look good

[risibledeer]

I think I draw too much of him... I should really stop lol

[theastonishingkylejackson]

“Here, I will give you the 10 essential, unique and totally accessible Italy experiences that will make you feel like you’re in a Dolce & Gabbana commercial – some are even free.” – Written By Claudia Santangelo, Contributing Columnist for The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine and Author of Words, Whiskey And Wanderlust

To read more of Claudia Santangelo’s work, go to her website by clicking HERE.

Originally Published HERE  at Words, Whiskey, And Wanderlust

  Want to experience the real magic of Italy?

Claudia Santangelo, Contributing Columnist for The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine and Founder of Words, Whiskey and Wanderlust

Without tour buses and headsets?

Good. I like you already.

The good news is you You don’t need 5 star hotels and private jets to do Italy LIKE A BOSS.

Here, I will give you the 10 essential, unique and totally accessible Italy experiences that will make you feel like you’re in a Dolce & Gabbana commercial – some are even free. 

In no particular order, here are 10 BOSS-ASS things to do all over Italy:

1. Have lunch on a cliff in Amalfi. 

La Tagliata, Positano – I took this photo from my table by the way…. but just wait – it gets better…

You always see those wanderlusty pictures of cliffside restaurants all over Italy and want to check one out.

But which one? Where?! And how do I get there? Fret not, problem solved. 

La Tagliata, is hands down the coolest place to eat in Positano with the best views of Amalfi. Family Run. Amazing food. Really reasonable prices. An unforgettable experience. 

HOW: If it’s just you and a date or very few people and your’e staying at a hotel near by, cab or Uber.

If you’re on a cruise and in port for the day and/ or you have 4-8 people, you can do a private car and driver

2. Boat & Breakfast,La Spezia Marina 

OK, so an overnight on a boat in the Mediterranean is quite possibly the sexiest thing ever. 

Besides being an exquisite way to experience Cinque Terre,  It’s cheaper than a hotel and INFINITELY more badass (You can do this off the coast of any Mediterranean city really, but this one’s my favorite and the hosts are incredible). 

Here’s how it plays out – Corrado and his wife Claudia (No, it’s not me but that would be a great plot twist) host you on their private sail boat – they provide you with privacy when you need it, sparkling conversation when you want it and a breakfast in the morning.

Claudia, obviously loves to have an astonishing time traveling….

If you reserve the trip along the coast of Cinque Terre in advance with them, (additional and approx. 130 euros pp) you will then, after breakfast, be whisked away as if something from a foreign art film, for a magical 6 hour sail where you will see all cinque of the terre, make a few stops to swim in the beautiful crystal clear waters… and have lunch.

The boat is very large, with sunbathing and shaded areas, and it will be at your complete disposal. Hello unforgettable honeymoon. 

HOW: Book with Corrado and Claudia here Departing (at 10:30 am and returning at 5 pm; The price includes: Skipper, fuel, a lunch of fish or meat, a choice of drinks including (water, wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, coffee) and dessert.

The overnight cost varies based on time of year but the day time sail on the coast is $130 Euros pp (pretty reasonable for an unforgettable, romantic day at sea).

3. AFTER HOURS tour of the Vatican.

Yup.

You can do that. 

After dark.

No crowds.

Hear your footsteps on the marble.

Feel like you’re in The Da Vinci Code. 

Mysterious. Enchanting.

It’s not cheap…but totally worth it.

4. A Secret Dinner in Tuscany

What?! A secret dinner ? Yup.  

As in, an exclusive culinary event, held in a secret place, attended by a select audience.

Intrigued yet?

From industrial urban lofts, ancient castles, chic palaces and rural farms, the idea is to bring friends and strangers together over a memorable evening of great conversation- sharing ideas, passions and epicurean delights for an exclusive experience in a remarkable dining spot for one hell of a story.

  The exact location will be revealed to you by text 12 hours before.

HOW: http://www.tuscanypeople.com/supper-club/

5. Hunt Truffles In The Woods

You’ll have a day adventure through the woods north of Rome, taking in the natural beauty and exquisite history, hunting truffles with the help of professional truffle hunter Matteo as well as trained and highly adorable dogs.

After said adventure which will take you between Monti della Tolfa and the Lake of Bracciano, you’ll have lunch.

You’ll learn about how truffles are cooked and then get to enjoy them, in a meal, with some great wine.

How: Book your truffle adventure with Matteo here 

6. Yoga. Renaissance-Style

Wait. *swoons and hyperventilates* You mean to tell me that I can twist out my toxins, in Florence.

In an antique library?

Amidst old books and frescos?!

HOW: Experienced yogi-couple (at least I think they are?) Tess and Guido will guide your chakras into pure tuscan bliss in a small-class experience before taking you on an afternoon stroll through a traditional Florentine market and a refreshing juice.

Book your yoga renaissance here 

And here’s $40 bucks off just for being you 

 7. Epic Volcanic Wine At Cantina Del Vesuvio

Oh yeah.

Thanks to the volcanic soil formed from the super mineral-rich ash and broken down bits of lava from (you guessed it) Mt. Vesuvius, that still-totally-active volcano that wiped out Pompei, thecampania region produces the legendary Lacryma Christi wine (‘Tears of Christ’-there’s actually a whole story about how he wept with joy because the Bay of Naples was just THAT dope. Leave it to the Italians to make Jesus weep over our sheer awesomeness)

I digress.

But also from this EPIC Vesuvian soil are: The tomatoes used to make the pasta pictured below, which will make YOU weep with joy. Cantina Del Vesuvio delivers stunning ambiance and tour of the grounds, the best damn lunch you could ever hope to have and an unforgettable red wine you’ll want to ship home and only share with people you really like. Just go. Trust me.

HOW: This is a great adventure for after your Pompeii tour or anytime you are anywhere near Napoli/Pompeii/Salerno.

I usually do this as part of a day adventure in Pompeii/Bay of Naples with a private car and driver so I can make a day out of it and see more of the city while I’m in the area but if you’re staying nearby you can definitely just Uber on over but public transportation like buses can’t access  – Also, make a a reservation.

Closed Sundays in January and February 

Click here to book a Pompeii Tour and Winery Visit from Viator

  8. A Bàcari Crawl In Venice – Giro d’ombra

Skip the boring sit down dinner and discover the magic of hidden Venice via mysterious little allies peppered with Bàcari (singular: un bàcaro), badass little whole in the wall joints that serve cheap yet spectacular house wine and sometimes hideous but always delicious ‘cicchetti.’

Here’s how to have your own venetian chichetti crawl through the best Baraci in town and mingle with the locals.

Cicchetti are small-bite (tapas-ish) snacks and morsels of fresh, seasonal gastronomic delights to titalate you palate as well as to soak up the small, albeit, abundant glasses of wine, prosecco and some weird orange spritzer thing they love in Venice (more on this later).

The cicchetti scene is a long standing pass-time of the locals which means if you don’t make any garish American faux pas, like asking for ketchup on your calamari, you can totally blend in and enjoy the enchanting city for it’s real magic.

These wine bars are mostly stand up only ( no tables) and meant to be social for mingling so if your that couple that wants to sit in the corner, in silence while they eat- this isn’t for you.

The locals call it Un giro d’ombra (a wine walk) which is really just a much sexier, mysterious sounding term for a pub crawl. ‘Un giro’, is a stroll and ‘ombra’, meaning shadow, is a venetian slang for ‘glass of wine’ -because back in 15th century when the market stalls under the base of the Bell Tower sold wine, they would move into its shadow as the sun moved to stay in the shade, because hot wine is really only feasible in Bavaria, and at Christmas time.

A full ciccheti/bàcari self guided tour will be up soon with my favorite spots and what to try at each!

How: Note: the bacari roll up pretty early at night and the selections are better earlier on so I would head out of your hotel at about 6pm for your little boozy-gastro walk.

The orchestras on the main square play until late so once your nice and full and all wined out, make your way back to St. Marks Square for a gelato and catch an aria echoing through the piazza.

9. Horse Riding in Ancient Rome

A soul stirring cocktail of art, history and nature for novice and experienced riders alike.

You’ll meet Alessia at the riding school where she’ll introduce you to your horse and teach you how to care for it before riding off into the natural reserve of Ancient Ostia along the Roman Coast.  

After a magical ride amidst pine trees near the beach, a 14th century medieval castle, and the ancient port of Rome, you’ll head back for a snack and glass of wine. I imagine paradise to be something along these lines.

HOW:  Book Alessia on airBNB

 10. Get LOST.

Get purposely lost in Venice. 

It’s like falling in love. (or so I’m told :p)

You could look at the map the whole time, obsess over not losing your way and cheat yourself entirely out of the experience.

OR you could chuck the map and get wonderfully lost in the adventure. In all the little hidden corners, surrender to the intoxicating feeling of teetering in the unknown.

HOW: Step a way from the map and just BE.

Breath it in. Listen. Connect. If your’re with someone you like…  The only thing you need to find is a great spot to make out.

And there’s certainly no shortage of those around here.

And this goes for any city. Take it in. Be there. Tomorrow is a suckers bet. All you have is now. It’s the only thing that’s real.

Have a question ?  Comment below !

If You Loved This Astonishing Tale from Claudia Santangelo from Words, Whiskey and Wanderlust and feel like you want to live your own astonishing travel tale, then get in touch with The Astonishing Claudia Santangelo by emailing her at Claudia@bookspellbound.com where she is arranging special group tours for travelers. If you want more information contact using her information below or via email!

I’m The Astonishing Claudia Santangelo, Contributing Columnist for The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine and Words, Whiskey and Wanderlust I Am Astonishing, And I Approve This Message! 

You will find more of Claudia’s work here at The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine.

Claudia can be found on Instagram by Clicking HERE.

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The 10 Amazing Out-of-the-Ordinary Italian Experiences You Need To Have In Italy "Here, I will give you the 10 essential, unique and totally accessible Italy experiences that will make you feel like you're in a Dolce & Gabbana commercial - some are even free." …