The word “pizza” is one of the first Italian words. According to the historian Giuseppe Knuckle the word pizza was used for the first time in Gaeta, a fishing village in southern Lazio in 997 AD. (not in Naples!) According to his study the pizza, at least as etymology, would take its moves from a…
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Family Friendly European Vacations
VIENNA Where to begin? Vienna has such a great selection of activities for kids that both parents and children can have a great time in the city. Here are just a few suggestions as to what you can do: Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial Habsburg family, is a palace, children’s museum,world’s oldest zoo and the…
Happy New Year! Top 20 Cities for Tourists for 2015…….Pick YOURS!
Every year, MasterCard puts together it’s Global Destination Cities Index, which tracks airline ticket purchases, souvenir purchases, and other travel spending data to figure out which cities are the most popular destinations for tourists in 2015. Can’t decide where your next vacation will be? Take a look at all the destinations listed below…….One just may be…
The culinary tradition of Bilbao is reflected in its ‘pintxos’
I read an article written by Iñaki Makazaga for the Spanish newspaper “ El Pais” and I found it so interesting I want to share all the information with you! First of all because I love food, especially good food, second because I fell in love with Bilbao and its “Pintxos” during my first trip to…
Venice will ban trolleys & carts on wheels
Noisy and dangerous! The special commissioner of Venice is ready to ban, starting next May , the suitcases on wheels along the streets of the city as a standard anti-noise regulation. Trolleys and carts with solid rubber gauge wheels will be banned in favor of suitcases with wheels inflated with air. The goal is also…
The top 50 wines of Italy
Andrea Grignaffini and Luca Gardini universally recognized as the best sommeliers of the world have prepared a list of the 50 best Italian wines to give visibility to the excellence of these wines in Italy and abroad and to provide suggestions to caterers struggling with their wine lists. The first place go the Veneto region…
Paris for free! Museums, shows, concerts, sport, restaurants: top tips for free things to do in Paris!
“Yes, it is possible to go out in Paris without spending a cent! Paris offers plenty of things to do at zero cost, whatever it is you fancy – going out for a meal, playing sport, watching a show, visiting an exhibition or taking part in a treasure hunt. See below some of our Tips…
Rome celebrate Emperor Augustus
All in line to see the “Ara Pacis” brightened by the true colors of History to celebrate Emperor Augustus Last night a large number of Romans and tourists were standing in line to attend the show of the “Ara Pacis” disclosing its marbles colored as they should have been. Because of the large number of…
Buy your dream house in Sicily for 1 euro!
Every year in Italy there is a competition between towns and villages to decide which one is the Borgo Più Bello d’Italia (the Most Beautiful Village in Italy). This year 134,000 people voted the town of Gangi, located about 80 km southeast of Palermo. in the Madonie Mountains, as the winner. Artistic qualities, culture, local handicraft, traditions and…
THE BEST ICE CREAM FACTORIES IN THE WORLD
Giolitti (Rome), Gelateria Pepino(Turin), Al Gelatone (Palermo), Gelateria Bilancione (Napoli), Gelateria Carpina (Florence), Gelateria della musicia(Milana), Bedussi (Brescia) all in Italy but also Glacier Berthillon (Paris), Salt & Straw Ice Cream Portland (Oregon), Amy’s Ice Creams Austin (Texas) Blue Marble Brooklyn (New York), Bi-Rite Creamery San Francisco (California), Island Creamery Chincoteague (Virginia), Churn Phoenix (Arizona),…
Baleares Islands Beaches elected “Best Beaches of the Mediterranean Sea”
We offer 2 fabulous getaways to these beautiful Islands : * 15 days/13 nights air & land packages Madrid&Ibiza&Barcelona starting from $ 2,559 * 15 days/13 nights air & land packages Madrid&Maiorca&Barcelona starting from $ 3,079 Here below our choice of beaches we recommend for you to visit! IBIZA Situated at the north of the island, far…
September 4 to 14 2014 the Haydn Festival in Eisenstadt Austria
A quaint rural town 45 minutes southeast of Vienna, Eisenstadt is the capital of Burgenland province, known for its outstanding red wines, sunny climate and sweeping landscapes. But as the hometown of Joseph Haydn, classical music giant and court composer for the local Esterházy princes, the town also draws top musical talent from all over…
Just one hour from Venice .. Palladio and “La Marca” countryside
Endless expanses of vineyards , ancient villages and frescoed villas . And then Chioggia , with its colorful houses and small harbor. All at a few miles from the Serenissima. Dedicated to Countryside Lovers and Wine Experts .. villages and towns, mansions and taverns, hills covered by rows of vineyards , the vine that produces…
We love Pasta and we want to share it with you!
We are delighted to announce that we are rewarding our travel agents who book online with a wonderful basket of Italian homemade delicacies from the Renowned Italian Specialty store PASTIFICIO! Book online and for a minimum $1,000 booking we will send you a gourmet box with 3lbs of fresh pasta, Oven Mitt & an…
Spanish Seminar at La Tasca Restaurant
Tourcrafters hosted a wonderful Seminar along with the Spanish Tourist office, Mr. Jorge rubio and Wasylynka Kushchynskyj on March 20th on Spain. It was at La Tasca Tapas restaurant in Arlington Heights. We had over 50 local travel agents attend. We learned about the wonderful Spanish culture, gastronomy, people and what Tourcrafters can do for…
More than a simple Greek Cruise a “Theme Cruise” for special interests
If You want a real, authentic Greek experience: archaeology, history, traditions and heritage, folk music and dancing, local cuisine and wine and ouzo (the legendary liqueur of Greece), a variety of contemporary Greek music… and you want to participate … if You want to learn, touch, taste…you want to sing and dance. Our 2014 themed…
A Day in Seville from Tapas to Tapas
Flamenco & tapas, but also sun, passion, joy and slow rhythms. Seville is an “easy” city, which you will leave with a smile on your lips. And, often, with a few extra pounds. Seville, capital of Andalusia, is also one of the gastronomic capitals of Spain especially renowned for its tapas, small portions meals, hot…
ROME MIDNIGHT DREAM
ROME MIDNIGHT DREAM PACKAGE Summer is coming and at this time of the year you can enjoy the Eternal city 24 hours a day. Visit the Colosseum under the Moon. The Moon above Colosseo is the main event of the summer archaeological season: you will walk through the moenument, reaching the most important spots, included…
GO SAN FERMIN!
We know about Spain, we know about having fun and those places or special occasions that none should miss. One of them is the famous “Bull running in San Fermín”. The first week of July you can discover why this party is famous over the world..the bulls and the runners, of course, but behind all…
Our Honeymoon—or as it is in Italian, Luna di Miele
As I am recovering from my post-wedding and honeymoon blues, I figure the best way to truck through is to reminisce about the absolutely incredible journey my husband and I experienced in Italy. Planning our honeymoon in Italy with TourCrafters was something that seemed to be a dream; something that was a fantasy rather than…
Roman Serenade
Last weekend my boyfriend’s family was visiting from Spain, so we stayed home on saturday night and had a family dinner. We were just finishing dessert when suddenly we started to hear a lot of noise coming from the square below. Now keep in mind that I live in Garbatella, which lies just outside the walls…
Introducing Tourcrafters’ Land and Cruise Packages: The Luxury Adriatic Odyssey Cruise!
We were getting tired of the same old land trips… so for this coming season, Tourcrafters is launching a new series of land&cruise packages! Why stick only to the mainland if you can take a luxury land&sea odyssey? With our new land&sea packages you get the best of travel: relaxing and enjoying the panorama from…
The perfect day in Granada, Spain…
Granada holds a very special place in my heart. It’s the magical city where I lived and studied for four years, where I fell in love, where I lived innumerable adventures. Now that I’m back in Rome, when I feel nostalgic I close my eyes, and I relive the perfect day in Granada… “I wake…
Are you Hung(a)ry for Travel? Try Budapest with Tourcrafter’s Welcome Pack!
Last weekend I took off on the friday night flight from Rome to Budapest! I arrived very late and had just the time to catch a glimpse of beautiful Budapest by night before I hurried off to sleep. The city of Budapest was founded in 1873 when the cities of Buda and Pest, located on…
The Roman Sabine Hills, among Legend and Tradition…
Legends about ancient Rome tell the famous story of the Rape of the Sabines… According to the legend, Romulus founded the city of Rome and prosperity and military strength were quick to follow. The new establishment soon became a force in a territory that was filled with different cultures and tribes. There was only one…
My culinary trip to La Rioja, España.
Last year I went to visit a very good friend of mine in La Rioja. His name is Juan and he’s from Logroño. We have lot’s of things in common Juan and I, but none of these compares to our common love for good food and good wine! He and his family showed me a…
Why Do We Wander So?
Experience. Explore. Learn. Enjoy. Visiting Italy When traipsing through Italian towns I have to admit that I ponder on the past. I pause as I pass a church, linger at a fountain, poke my nose into a doorway musing “Who goes there…?” My mind echoing historical fiction at random moments as I mosey along until…
Everyone loves being on the Lake. Visit the Largest Lake in Italy and the Best of the World. Bigger is certainly better.
Relaxation is a luxury that a lake will provide almost immediately. Budgettravel.com has compiled a great list of “Best Lakes of the World” Lake Garda is their choice in Italy and we tend to agree. Check out our 4 star hotels from $165/day in Lake Garda at our Italy Brochure, p.39. Here is their take…
Snow in Rome for the first time in 26 Years? TourCrafters is Prepared.
My Name is Ivano, I’ve been working in the travel business since many years, and I organize transportation service in Rome for Tourcrafters Inc. We have had an immediate positive feedback from our clients, mostly Americans that are very happy about our services and always leave a very good review about their drivers and guides. …
Guest Post: Puglia, Italy: Truly A Revelation
By Mary Lou and Richard Gross Stargazer Travel,Guilford,CT USA Not knowing what to expect, we discoveredPugliato be a wonder of unique natural, historic and cultural gems, gastronomic treats, and warm, welcoming people. It is also 30% less expensive most of the rest ofItaly. This is truly a region ofItalynot to be missed. FromNovember 13 to…
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