Small Group Tours

Countryside adventures for travellers who want to escape from crowded cities and join a small group to enjoy the hidden rural culture of Italy. Food and family are the way into this inner sanctum. If you’re also interested in fibres and textiles, you’ll find tours specially designed for you. Whatever your interests, you learn with Italian farmers and artisans who welcome you to their workshops and homes. They’re eager to exchange views and enrich their knowledge and yours. As we explore together, you'll discover the heritage of the countryside tucked away behind unmarked doors in beautiful remote places. You'll be surprised and enchanted. Dinner will never be the same again. You'll carry the experience and beauty of rural Italy home with you to enrich your own life. (Very small group: maximum 10 people; no large coaches, no guides waving umbrellas)

Celebrating Sardinia

2025: May 2–11

If you want to be part of a six-centuries old celebration, come to Sardinia for the feast of their patron Saint Antioco. After the costumes and music, we explore the rich culinary heritage of a nation of shepherds and fishermen.

Tastes & Textiles:
Woad & Wool

2025: May 16–26

Enter the gate to the inner sanctum of Renaissance Italy: woad, ancient fruit, Piero della Francesca, fulled and napped wool, grilled ravioli, handwoven fine linen.

Tastes & Textiles: Hanging by a Thread

2024: May 25–June 3 (not running this year)

Come soon or the former thriving textile tradition of Lucca will have completely disappeared. At least mamma is still cooking in the kitchen.

Tuscan Heritage

2024: October 12–21

Hop aboard our time machine for a journey into Tuscany’s past. Experience the flavours of the Tuscan countryside from Sansepolcro to Lucca.

Tastes & Textiles:
Wine to Dye For

2024: September 10–20
2025: September 9–19

Meet the inspiring young people who are rejuvenating traditional crafts from textiles to water-marked paper and baskets. They're enthusiastic to use local ingredients to create variations on their regional dishes.

Tastes & Textiles:
Sea Silk in Sardinia

2024: September 20–24
2025: September 19–23

A 5-night extension to our Wine to Dye For tour. We’re going in search of the truth about byssus or sea silk, the dark brown beard of the giant mollusc Pinna nobilis. Meet the weavers and eat traditional Sardinian cuisine.

Giants of Sardinia

2024: September 28–October 5

The Bronze Age stone giants from Mont’e Prama are the wonder of Sardinia. Nearby we’ve found some giants of another kind: smaller in stature but brave and bold when defending their traditional food.

Autumn in Tuscany

2024: November 1–11
2025: October 31–November 10

Wake up your nose with the fragrance of roasting chestnuts, grassy new olive oil and musky white truffles.