CountryBred is proud to be featured in Endless Vacation Magazine’s “Global Trend: New Culinary Vacations” by Stirling Kelso, for our Basque Country and La Rioja bespoke food and wine trips.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

The hotel’s unique setting and breathtaking exteriors are matched only by its opulent interiors featuring period furnishings and prized handmade Ratti silk textiles. One of the most distinguishing features of the hotel is its ideal use of space to maximize the beautiful views that surround the property. The majority of the hotel’s communal spaces, from its drawing rooms and salons to its restaurants and terraces, offer guests ideal opportunities to admire the lake’s natural beauty in superior comfort. Among these distinctive spaces are the billiard room featuring a billiard table from the 1800′s, music room and reading room enabled with complimentary Wi-Fi. The surrounding 20,000 square meters of green space and parks allow guests to take in the splendor of Lake Como while appreciating lush flora, including rare magnolias, tulips and geraniums. The hotel’s vibrant outdoor spaces and luxurious amenities are decidedly plush compliments to the beautiful ambiance of the hotel itself. With spectacular views of Bellagio, guests can enjoy the hotel’s glorious lakeside pool featuring crystal clear waters that seemingly appear to float upon the lake surface, a tranquil retreat in aqueous shades of blue. The perfect accent to Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s Floating Pool, is T Beach, a real sand beach that calls to mind the classic Italian-style Lido. At T Beach, guests can sit back, relax and sunbathe on the sand while enjoying exquisite views of the pool, lake and Bellagio in the distance, before deciding to take a refreshing dip. The hotel’s second outdoor pool, the Piscina dei Fiori, is a serene haven set among the beauty and vibrant flowers of the property’s park. Encircled by ancient shade trees and palms, and scented by the perfume of flowers kissed by the sun, the Flower Pool is a quiet spot for relaxing in nature. The hotel’s third swimming pool is an oasis set inside the T Spa. A heated, indoor infinity pool, it offers guests incredible views of the lake while unifying the beauty of the outdoors with the beautiful interiors of the spa. While visiting the T Spa, guests can also enjoy five different types of Jacuzzi, including an outdoor Jacuzzi with lounge area and a private grotto with Jacuzzi, as well as the spa’s exclusive exercise pool, where guests can workout by swimming against a current.  T Spa also offers signature spa and beauty treatments and a relaxation terrace for admiring the view after a swim or treatment.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s luxurious guestrooms and rooftop suites are a study in detail, comfort and refined elegance. Each guestroom and suite feature deluxe accents such as sumptuous fabrics, marble bathrooms, period furnishings and antique paintings and prints, while also outfitted with thoughtful touches such as designer toiletries, climate controlled air conditioning, LCD Flat Screen televisions, electronic safes and minibars. An essential component of any stay at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, is to experience its exceptional gourmet offerings. Travelers can delight their culinary senses through a celebration of gastronomy in unparalleled settings, beginning with a celebration of blue, gold and period furnishings in the Regina Room, the hotel’s breakfast room that opens onto a large terrace with sweeping alpine and lake views. For elegant dining, the hotel’s La Terrazza Restaurant offers reinterpreted Italian classic by revered Michelin-starred chef Gualtiero Marchesi whose seasonal menu highlights local lake fish, regional produce and traditional Northern Italian cuisine with a creative twist. For a more casual dining experience, the L’Escale fondue and wine bar offers high quality meat and fish fondue with an impressive wine list of over 400 labels. In the summer months, T Beach allows for water front, casual dining with table side cooking by the hotel’s chefs. Also not to miss is T-Bar, the hotel’s chic bar featuring elegant wood interiors and old world charm.

Nestled on Lake Como’s premier point, Grand Hotel Tremezzo defines a luxurious Lake Como stay in the ambiance of old world hospitality, offering a complete experience seamlessly designed to accentuate the beauty of the setting while embracing guests in the ultimate luxury and comfort.

Respecting the heritage of the building, modern renovations have preserved the cloistered Romanesque-Baroque architecture of the structure while creating chic interiors that are spacious, flooded by light and decorated with modern furnishings in a warm, neutral palette accentuated by luxurious textiles and elegant trimmings. Using the original layout of the building as inspiration, common areas and guest rooms have been created out of unique, existing spaces, such as the church, cloister, refectory, chapterhouse and hospice that once hosted pilgrims visiting the abbey. Today Le Domain offers 22 guest rooms with sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and designed to thematically reflect the tranquility of the natural landscapes in the serene and elegantly decorated interiors. Oak floors, stone masonry and bespoke Walnut furniture speak to the origins of the property, while exceptional amenities meet the needs of the contemporary guest, such as large bathrooms featuring custom marble and stonework accented by modern fixtures, adjustable in-room lighting systems, sumptuous linens, state of the art televisions with satellite programming, free wireless internet access and full butler service. Le Domain’s lounge is a comfortable retreat for guests to relax by the fireplace while its gym, yoga center and spa treatment room are ideal venues to center the mind and body.

For those looking to truly experience the gastronomic delights of the region, Le Domain offers three restaurants, a lounge bar and a wine shop with cellar. The Refectorio restaurant, housed within the former refectory of the monastery, is a delicious opportunity to sample the essence of Ribera del Duero’s regional flavors as haute cuisine paired with estate-produced wines, beneath Gothic vaulted ceilings and 17th century frescoes. The La Vinoteca tapas bar is perfect for sampling small, traditional bites and estate wines, while the Cloister Garden restaurant features a menu of Mediterranean dishes to savor. All three of Le Domain’s restaurants are dedicated to providing guests exceptional gastronomic experiences centered on thoughtful, seasonal offerings and showcasing local ingredients and fresh produce from the area. The Sala Capituar Lounge and Bar offers guests a cozy spot to sip wine while reflecting on a day spent admiring the vineyards along with the hotel’s wine shop and cellar, which introduces guests to estate-produced vintages along with Abadia Retuerta’s portfolio of exceptional wines. For those looking to experience true Ribera del Duero winemaking, a visit to the Abadia Retuerta winery is a must. Founded in 1996 and considered to be one of the preeminent wine producers in the appellation, guests of Le Domain can delve into Abadia Retuerta’s vinification process with a visit to its prestigious bodega for tastings and a tour of the vineyards.

An essential stay for those looking to experience the glory of the natural landscapes and fine winemaking traditions of Ribera del Duero, Le Domain exemplifies the perfect harmony between the ancient and the modern in the luxurious setting of a five-star property where hospitality and service are paramount.

• Itinerary
• Pricing
• Hotels
• Experience
• Custom Quote
Amalfi Coast, Positano & Rome
8-Day Private Tour Sample Itinerary
Rome, Positano, Capri, Ravello, Amalfi
Available April thru October
Day 1
Begin your trip by arriving at Rome Fiumicino Airport where you will be greeted by your private chauffeur. Be transported to your luxury five-star design hotel located in the heart of Rome for check-in. Enjoy free time to get acquainted with the city or rest after your journey. In the evening, savor a deliciously typical meal of Roman fare at a charming osteria nestled is the Campo de’ Fiori.
Day 2
Set-off for a day of ancient history with the insightful guidance of an esteemed archaeologist. Begin your privately guided day with no-line access to the Coliseum, where you will enjoy an inside look at its storied past before traversing the majestic ancient ruins of the Roman Forum. Stop for lunch at a typical Roman trattoria where you’ll enjoy a meal of quintessentially regional dishes. Following lunch, depart for a private tour of Underground Rome and its Basilica di San Clemente. When your guided day has concluded, be transported by private chauffeur to your hotel for a free evening.
Day 3
Today you will explore Vatican City and learn about its many artistic and architectural treasures with the help of your own private guide. Be transported via chauffeur to St. Peter’s Square where you will begin your tour with the architectural marvel that is St. Peter’s Basilica. After your visit of the basilica, enjoy exclusive no-line access to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel before touring the breathtaking Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael’s rooms), a series of four reception salons in the Papal apartments featuring frescoes painted by Raphael. After your tour of Vatican City, your private chauffeur will be waiting to transport you to an authentic Roman ristorante located minutes from the Pantheon, to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local produce. After lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore the city at your own pace.
Day 4
Leave Rome’s bustling city streets via private chauffeur for the ancient wonder of Pompeii. Meet your expert local guide and enjoy a privately guided tour where you will learn about Pompeii’s history as a wealthy vacation playground for Rome’s most prominent citizens and how today, the ruins serve as an incredible glimpse into the everyday life of ancient Rome. After your privately guided exploration of Pompeii, enjoy a lunch of locally produced buffalo mozzarella and traditional Neapolitan thin crust pizza before departing for the exquisite Amalfi Coast with its sparkling azure waters and breathtaking terraces to the sea. Check-in to your five-star waterfront retreat before exploring Positano at your leisure. In the evening, indulge in a meal of traditional Amalfitani flavors and spectacular views of the sea at your hotel’s renowned restaurant.
Day 5
Be greeted by your local captain and embark by private boat for an exclusive  tour along the coastline. Begin your day by stopping at the Island of Capri for a free morning to discover the island’s lush natural landscapes and charming waterfront piazze. Depart in the early afternoon to visit the island’s famed caves and grottoes while enjoying time to swim and sunbathe at your leisure. After Capri, boat along to a nearby hidden cove to savor a lunch of fresh fish and local seafood specialties. Following lunch, your captain will take you on a unique boat tour to visit some of the area’s storied rock formations and scenic lagoons before returning to Positano for a free  evening.
Day 6
Be greeted at your hotel by your local guide and depart via private chauffeur for Ravello, a charming town perched high atop the cliffs that overlook the Amalfi coastline. Spend the morning exploring one of Ravello’s most exquisite villas to marvel at its splendid Italianate gardens and magnificent views of the Mediterranean below. Afterward, your guide will accompany you to Amalfi where you will enjoy a walking tour of the historic city center while stopping to learn about the town’s artisanal ceramic and paper making traditions. End your day with a lunch of Southern Italian classics at an elegant waterfront eatery before your chauffeur transports you back to Positano in the early evening.
Day 7
Spend the day relaxing at your leisure, with free time to enjoy Positano’s lovely beach or your hotel’s panoramic pool with stunning views of the ocean.
Day 8
Depart Positano for Rome Fiumicino airport for your return flight home or to continue on to the next leg of your trip.
- As part of our Enriched Booking process your customized itinerary will be designed with the assistance of a CountryBred specialist.
- This trip can be specifically tailored for organizations, associations and corporate incentives.
 
Pricing
The recommended tour length for this sample itinerary is 8 days/7 nights with pricing options beginning at $6,375/person based on double occupancy. Please note that the “Share Bred With Friends” preferred pricing program will be applied to travel parties of four or more.
The final price of your custom tour will be determined by your travel party size, departure dates, trip length, amount of meals included, percentage of guided time requested, cities chosen in your itinerary and signature CountryBred excursions selected. This sample itinerary can also be crafted for solo travelers.
Included in this sample CountryBred Encounter are:
• 7 Nights at CountryBred approved, five-star boutique accommodations
• Deluxe and/or Superior room stays including seaview room in Positano
• Private luxury chauffeur for all intercity travel, day trips and excursions
• Airport / Train station chauffeured transfers with baggage assistance
• Private boat tour to Capri and along the Amalfi Coast
• Private touring with professionally licensed local guides and cultural experts
• Flexible guided time with local experts based upon your preference
• 2 Gourmand dinners
• 5 Regionally authentic lunches
• Daily breakfasts
• All tickets & entrance fees
• All gratuities & taxes
• Traveler Welcome Package including customized Culture Guide
• Please note that transfers to airports/train stations other than Rome Fiumicino Airport for arrival and Rome Fiumicino or Naples Capodichino Airports for departure, are available upon request for an additional, supplemental fee. Airfare is not included.
 
Featured Deluxe Hotels

ST. GEORGE ROMA *****
Situated on the historically significant Via Giulia, the St. George Hotel is an exquisite five-star boutique design hotel located in center of Rome’s historic core. Guests will delight in the hotel’s close proximity to such iconic Roman sights as the Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, St. Peter’s Square and Sistine Chapel, while also feeling like part of Roman history brought to life with a stay on one of the city’s most fabled avenues. Designed by Pope Julius II and executed under the direction of Bramante, Via Giulia would be one of the first major urban planning projects of the Renaissance era in Rome, uniting the city’s major governmental buildings and noble palaces into one main thoroughfare running through the center of the city. Today, Via Giulia is renowned for its network of high-end boutiques and quaint atmosphere, the perfect place from which to enjoy the splendors of the city as a guest at the luxurious St. George Roma hotel.
COVO DEI SARACENI *****
Where the signature winding, narrow streets of Positano kiss the magnificent cobalt waters of the Mediterranean, Covo dei Saraceni rises from the shore like a hidden sanctuary warmed by the sun and perfumed by the aroma of the sea. A five-star, luxury hotel owned by the Savino Family for more than 50 years, the property stands as the proud legacy of years of dedication to their beloved home town. What began originally as a quaint, four-room hotel housed within a fisherman’s cottage on the beach has been lovingly transformed over the past five decades into the luxurious hotel and gourmet restaurant that Covo dei Saraceni  is today.
Encounter Something Unexpected
Experiential travel takes time, passion and local ingredients to make something truly special. When you travel with CountryBred, you can look forward to the following:
• A personalized and private travel experience, whether you’re a solo voyager, a couple, group of friends, family or an organization
• A well crafted itinerary that is a reflection of your cultural interests, which we bring to life through our unparalleled insider knowledge, local access and dedicated team
• A thoughtful travel pace that leads you down roads less traveled while leaving time to enjoy the quiet moments that make for remarkable memories
• Enriching activities that immerse you in local culture and traditions
• Premium accommodations that are distinct reflections of the regions they reside in, with real histories and real people behind them
• Regional ambassadors and local cultural experts that go beyond educating, to invite you into their community and introduce you to their unique corner of the world.
• Authentic dining that ensures you enjoy the finest in regional culinary traditions from quaint family owned eateries to innovative Michelin-starred restaurants. Each meal is in itself a work of art, passionately prepared and uniquely local.
Authentic is Premium
Trip Inquiry Form
We turn travel inspiration into unforgettable journeys. Begin the trip design process by filling out the form below and a CountryBred specialist will contact you to get your next great adventure underway.
• Name*
  FirstLast
• Email*
• Phone*
• How many travelers in your party?*
• Where would you like to go?*
• When are you looking to travel?*
• How long would you like your CountryBred Encounter to be?*
  5 Days 6 Days 7 Days 8 Days 9 Days 10 Days 11 Days 12 Days 13 Days 14 Days 15 Days 16 Days 17 Days 18 Days 19 Days 20 Days 21 Days 22 Days or longer
  *Please note the minimum trip length for a CountryBred Encounter is 5 days.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $3,000-$3,375/per person $3,375-$3,875 per person $3,875-$4,375 per person $4,375-$5,000 per person Over $5,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $3,600-$4,050 per person $4,050-$4,650 per person $4.650-$5,250 per person $5,250-$6,000 per person Over $6,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $4,200-$4,725 per person $4,725-$5,425 per person $5,425-$6,125 per person $6,125-$7,000 per person Over $7,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:
  $4,800-$5,400 per person $5,400-$6,200 per person $6,200-$7,000 per person $7,000-$8,000 per person Over $8,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $5,400-$6,075 per person $6,075-$6,975 per person $6,975-$7,875 per person $7,875-$9,000 per person Over $9,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $6,000-$6,750 per person $6,750-$7,750 per person $7,750-$8,750 per person $8,750-$10,000 per person Over $10,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $6,600-$7,425 per person $7,425-$8,525 per person $8,525-$9,625 per person $9,625-$11,000 per person Over $11,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $7,200-$8,100 per person $8,100 -$9,300 per person $9,300-$10,500 per person $10,500-$12,000 per person Over $12,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $7,800-$8,775 per person $8,775-$10,075 per person $10,075-$11,375 per person $11,375-$13,000 per person Over $13,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $8,400-$9,450 per person $9.450-$10,850 per person $10,850-$12,250 per person $12,250-$14,000 per person Over $14,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $9,000-$10,125 per person $10,125-$11,625 per person $11,625-$13,125 per person $13,125-$15,000 per person Over $15,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $9,600-$10,800 per person $10,800-$12,400 per person $12,400-$14,000 per person $14,000-$16,000 per person Over $16,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $10,200-$11,475 per person $11,475-$13,175 per person $13,175-$14,875 per person $14,875-$17,000 per person Over $17,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $10,800-$12,150 per person $12,150-$13,950 per person $13,950-$15,750 per person $15,750-$18,000 per person Over $18,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $11,400-$12,825 per person $12,825-$14,725 per person $14,725-$16,625 per person $16,625-$19,000 per person Over $19,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $12,000-$13,500 per person $13,500-$15,500 per person $15,500-$17,500 per person $17,500-$20,000 per person Over $20,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $12,600-$14,175 per person $14,175-$16,275 per person $16,275-$18,375 per person $18,375-$21,000 per person Over $21,000 per person
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.
• Please select your preferred per person budget from the following options:*
  $13,500 per person and up
  *Please note that all CountryBred Encounters are land touring experiences only and do not include airfare.