Hosted Group Journeys
Luca Italian Experiences · Hosted journeys
Small-group journeys through Italy & Europe.
A place to settle into. Good company at the table. Time to discover what makes a region its own.
Explore Italy and selected parts of Europe through thoughtfully planned journeys, usually with 8–12 guests. Stay in one or two regional bases, get to know the food and local life, and travel with the person who designed your itinerary.
- 8–12guests on most journeys
- 1–2thoughtfully chosen regional bases
- Personally hostedby the person who planned your journey
Distinct destinations. Different experiences.
Featured journeys
for 2027.
Three different journeys, each with its own dates, itinerary and group. Choose the region and experience that feel right for you.
Italy · Regional food & culture
Group formingPuglia
May 2027 · Eight nights
Two sides of Puglia.
Time to enjoy them both.
From the harbor in Trani to the bread of Altamura, from Ostuni’s countryside to Taranto and the wines of Manduria, this journey brings the region together through its food, coast and local relationships.
Two complementary bases give you time for historic towns, masseria life, producers and the pleasure of returning somewhere familiar at the end of the day.
Ask about Puglia
Italy · Ski & snowboard
Early interest openSestriere
California Spring Break in the Italian Alps
March 2027 planned · Seven nights
Mountain days.
A week worth sharing.
Start with a casual pizza welcome in Turin, spend five days skiing or snowboarding from Sestriere, then return to the city for a celebration dinner before flying home.
- 1night in Turin
on arrival - 5nights
in Sestriere - 1final night
in Turin
Come with friends and unlock ski or snowboard equipment rewards.
Group size, plans & pricing
Designed for approximately 12–16 guests around selected California university spring breaks. A possible ski day toward France depends on snow, weather and lift operations. Private group transportation is being evaluated. Pricing will be per person and is still being researched. Final arrangements and referral terms will be shared before booking.
Italy · A journey across two regions
Interest openUmbria
& Piedmont
Fall 2027
Let the season
set the table.
Wine, truffles, olive oil and autumn landscapes connect two distinct regions. Spend time with the producers, towns and food traditions behind what reaches the table.
One journey combining Umbria and Piedmont. Dates, accommodations and the final route will be shared as the group takes shape.
Ask about this journey
Journeys already shared
From a shared villa
to another country.
Ten guests explored Emilia-Romagna together in June 2026. For some, the journey continued into France.
Emilia-Romagna · June 20–27, 2026
Our first Emilia-Romagna journey welcomed ten American guests, personally hosted by Luca. Parma, Modena and smaller towns filled the days; a shared villa brought everyone back together. Breakfasts, three hosted dinners, aperitivi and a visit and tasting at Borgo del Balsamico were part of the week.
The France extension · 2026
Part of the group continued through Lyon, the Loire Valley from a base in Fontevraud, Le Mans, châteaux and countryside, Paris and Chantilly. That hosted route now forms the basis of The Loire Valley and Beyond.
The Italian collection
Places worth
returning to.
Two separate regional journeys, available for future departures as groups and dates come together. Tell us which one draws you in.
Italy · An island journey
Sardinia
June or early September
Available for a future departure
Coastal days and boats, markets and inland traditions. Discover the island through its wine, food and towns, with one or two bases and time beyond the resorts.
Italy · Food, towns & traditions
Emilia-Romagna
April or October
Returning journey
Parma and Modena, Verdi’s Busseto, Tabiano and Castell’Arquato. Culatello at Antica Corte Pallavicina, Parmigiano Reggiano and traditional balsamic vinegar connect the towns with the region’s food traditions.
Luca Italian Experiences Goes Abroad
Beyond Italy.
Italy remains at the heart of Luca Italian Experiences. The same attention to food, place, history and time together now shapes a wider European collection. Each card below is a separate journey.
Spain
The Basque Country
San Sebastián · Bilbao · La Rioja
Interest open
Pintxos, markets, Atlantic towns and architecture, with time for Basque identity and regional cooking. The journey extends into neighboring La Rioja for its wines.
Portugal
Portugal
North to South
Porto · Lisbon · Algarve
Interest open
Historic cities, wine and regional food, followed by slower days along the southern coast. Experience the different character of each stop through Portugal’s Atlantic culture.
Italy · Austria · Germany
Advent Through the Alps
Bolzano · Merano · Salzburg · Munich
December 2027 · Interest open
Arrive through Milan Malpensa and travel through Trentino, South Tyrol, Salzburg and Bavaria. Christmas markets, smaller towns, castles and Alpine food give this journey its winter rhythm.
France
The Loire Valley
and Beyond
Lyon · Fontevraud & the Loire · Paris
Returning European journey
Follow the route hosted in 2026 through Lyon, the Loire Valley from Fontevraud, Le Mans, châteaux and countryside, Paris and Chantilly. Food and history connect the places along the way.
These longer routes may use more than two bases. Your journey details will set out the stays, travel days and pace before you reserve a place.
The Luca Italian Experiences approach
Thoughtfully planned.
Personally hosted.
The person who shapes your journey is there to host it. You travel with someone who knows the reasons behind the route, the stays and the experiences.
Our founder, Luca Anselmo, designs and hosts these journeys. Born and raised in Rome, he spent nine years in California before returning to Italy. That connection shapes how Luca Italian Experiences welcomes American travelers.
A place at the right time.
Regions are chosen for the season, their food and local life. Relationships with people on the ground help shape what you experience.
A base that becomes familiar.
Most regional journeys use one villa or boutique hotel, or two complementary stays. You can settle in while exploring different sides of a place.
A group that suits the journey.
Usually 8–12 guests, with selected special editions up to 16. A conversation before booking helps establish whether the interests, pace and arrangements suit you.
Know where the journey starts
Starting prices.
Clearly per person.
Standard hosted journeys start at the prices below. All amounts are in US dollars, per traveler for the journey, not per night.
Share a room
Two travelers sharing one room
From $2,700
per person
A room of your own
One traveler in a private room
From $3,300
per person
Final pricing depends on the property, group size, room arrangement and confirmed inclusions. You receive the itinerary and exact price before paying a deposit.
Included in the starting price
- Accommodation and breakfasts.
- Complete journey planning and expertise.
- Personal hosting with the group throughout the journey.
- Three hosted dinners when the group stays in a villa.
Additional visits, tastings, aperitivi, gifts or surprises are included when specifically stated for that journey.
Budget for separately
- Flights and rental cars.
- Most meals outside the accommodation.
- Experiences and services not specifically listed as included.
- Personal expenses and travel insurance, unless expressly included.
Your dedicated journey details and final proposal identify the exact inclusions and exclusions.
Sestriere is priced separately. The $2,700 and $3,300 starting points do not apply to the ski journey. Its per-person pricing is still being researched.
Your next step
From interested
to on your way.
Choose the journey that interests you, then talk through the details before making a decision.
Registering interest is not a financial commitment.
Choose your journey
Find the destination, season and style of travel that suit you.
Register interest
Share your name, email, chosen journey, number of travelers and room preference.
Talk through the plans
Speak with Luca about your questions, the pace and whether the journey is a good fit.
Receive the confirmed details
Once the group, dates, accommodations and inclusions are finalized, you receive the complete itinerary and final price.
Secure your place
When you’re ready, the required deposit confirms your reservation under the booking terms provided.
A few practical questions
Before you decide.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. You can express interest as a solo traveler and request a private room. If you would prefer to share, include that preference in your inquiry so the available options can be discussed.
Are all these journeys ready to book?
Each journey has its own status. Puglia’s May 2027 group is forming. Other journeys are gathering interest or returning when groups and dates come together. An inquiry starts the conversation; your reservation is confirmed once the details are agreed and the required deposit is paid.
How do flights and local travel work?
Flights and rental cars are outside the standard starting prices. Before you commit, you receive information about the arrival point, local travel arrangements and what you need to book. Private transportation for the ski week is still being evaluated.
Can a group of friends join together?
Tell us how many people would like to come and which journey interests you. The conversation will cover how your group fits the departure, room arrangements and available dates.
Luca Italian Experiences
Find your journey.
Where would you like to go?
Tell us which journey interests you, who might join you and what you would like from the experience. Still deciding? Choose “I am not sure yet” in the form.
Your inquiry goes directly to Luca Italian Experiences. You’ll receive a personal reply. Registering interest does not reserve a place or require a payment.
Prefer email? luca@lucaitalianexperiences.com
