‘ Sites ’ to behold
Get a taste of Italy
It ’ s a year-round kind of place
Greece , Italy and Turkey
COMPILED BY KENDALL FLETCHER
‘ Sites ’ to behold
PALAGIODIPANZANO . COM
Get a taste of Italy
With more than 30 years of experience , Italy Group Services Travel Srl . offers flexible , personalized tours with a complete range of options for groups .
“ We are half British , half Italian , so we speak your language in more ways than one : We understand your culture , who your clients are , and what they must have for a successful and safe tour ,” says Gerry Smith , the company ’ s owner and operator . iGs Travel offers tours based on themes such as pilgrimages , art and culture , culinary , garden and wine , the latter being the most popular among North American groups .
“ But not any old wine tours — ours go to excellent off-thebeaten-track vineyards with presentations that share secrets about fermentation , aging and bottling , tastings — of course — and end with a lunch on rugs under the vines ,” Smith says .
Wine-tasting experiences include Gambino Vineyards in eastern Sicily , located in the volcanic hills of Mount Etna , and Il Palagio Di Panzano , located about half a mile from the hilltop village of Panzano in Chianti , Tuscany . There , visitors can take the classic tour and learn the organic production of wine and oil , experience the culture , see the vineyards and winery , and sample the wine . The brunch option offers the classic tour program with Tuscan dishes to enhance the tasting experience .
To learn more , contact Smith at info @ igstravel . it or visit igstravel . it .
KARAVANTURKEY . COM
Karavan Travel , one of the oldest travel companies in Turkey , has been a leader in conducting religious tours and cruises since its inception in 1969 .
“ Turkey has been a rising star of tour destinations for decades , with the most impressive historical sites , natural beauty and friendly people ,” says the company ’ s executive director Umit Baltazzi . “ Besides the tours , we are also able to fulfill any specific requests , like private masses , visits to the churches and meetings with the ecclesiastical authorities .”
She says a large number of tour groups visit Turkey to see the House of Virgin Mary and Basilica of St . John in Ephesus , the church of St . Nicholas ( Santa Claus ) and his tomb , the great Hagia Sophia church and many more sites highlighting early Christianity . The three most popular packages for faith-based groups are The Footsteps of St . Paul , the Grand Christian Tour and the Seven Churches of the Revelation . Cappadocia , which has more than 4,000 rock-carved churches decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting the life and miracles of Jesus , is also a revered site .
“ Faith-based tour groups enjoy Turkish hospitality and the vibrant local life while visiting the cultural sites ,” Baltazzi says .
For more information , contact Baltazzi at umit . baltazzi @ karavanturkey . com or visit karavanturkey . com .
Cappadocia , Turkey
It ’ s a year-round kind of place
Mykonos
MSTYSLAV CHERNOV
The Greek National Tourism Organization operates from its New York City office to promote Greece and its tourist products worldwide .
“ Greece is a land of unbelievable beauty and diversity . Smiling faces and hospitality , family warmth and peace , security , untouched nature and magnificent food give a unique combination , ranking Greece among the top travel destinations worldwide ,” says digital marketing specialist Maria Mesnitsari . This year , Mesnitsari ’ s office is focused on promoting Greece as a year-round destination . “ Our organization has been following a mixture of marketing actions , focusing on different types of travelers , such as families , multigenerational travelers , honeymooners , the LGBT community and others , presenting destinations and activities appropriate for each group visiting Greece in different seasons ,” she says .
For more information , contact Mesnitsari at m . mesnitsari @ greektourism . com or go to visitgreece . gr .
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