Review Time
I found out about CDV while I was traveling and met a couple who told me about their experience with CDV and way they described it sounded amazing so the following year I decided to travel to Portugal with them and I cannot even put into words how amazing the experience was, but I will try… From the minute you arrive you’re treated as if you are family arriving for a family reunion… not a member of a tour group. the cooking lessons are at someone’s home. We toured these small family owned wineries where the owners took such pride and passion in their work and then we sat down for a meal with them. All of our meals that we had were like family sitting around a table every night, talking about our day and our experiences. By the time I left that trip, I made friends who I’ve kept in touch with and I have traveled with on other CDV trips. I have now been on 4 CDV trips and each one has been so incredibly special. The friends I have made on each trip have become family to me and I look forward to and count down the days to each trip. The itineraries are so wonderfully put together and the hosts who are with you for the week, know your names before you even arrive. I can’t wait for my for my next trip.
Subject: Culture Discovery VacationsLocation: Lazio, Italy, EuropeGO HERE IF YOU LOVE WINE, FOOD, FUN, AND LAID BACK VACATIONS!!!My first trip was 7 nights, Immersive "Wine & Cooking Under the Tuscan & Umbrian Sun"I've been here twice...2nd time was even more fun than the first!!!!Wear comfortable shoes and pack light....you need room to bring home all the stuff you just can't get in the USA. I lived in Naples, IT for 5 years (2004-2009) and this was the BEST vacation I've ever had. My cousin came over for a month and she found this place by accident via the internet...what a gift it was. It doesn't get any better than this...all inclusive...all the food you can cook and best restaurants for all you can stuff in your face and best wine you can drink to your heart's content. Our experience was sooo great that we both came back 2 years later and did it all over again. Nothing is ever taken for granted...Michael, Paola and all their staff are my "family" in Soriano....friends for life. I can't say enough about their warmth, hospitality, kindness...I could go on and on. You have to experience it to believe this really DOES exist...a company that TRULY cares about their "guests"!!!!!!!! When you leave them on the last day, you have to pinch yourself to make sure it wasn't just a dream. You will share so many stories with all the new friends you make in your group...just a WONDERFUL, MEMORABLE, time!!!!!"Cities Lost in Time" June 19-26, 2010: This was such a memorable trip. We visited the San Galgano Monastery, which is said to be not only the most beautiful in Tuscany, but home of the original ‘Sword in the Stone’, which inspired to tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Rounds Table. Yes, ITALY, not ENGLAND. Best times with Fiorella and Roberto at the Croce di Mezzo Winery in Montalcino. We also did some unique hikes to ancient ruins.Piazza Vitt Emanuele 13, Soriano nel Cimino, VT 01038
My wife and I have been on 2 of the CDV trips. The first was the Tuscan & Umbrian Cooking vacation. We were looking for an immersive cooking vacation in Italy, and CDV did not disappoint. The second was Porto , Portugal. Same intention, but a very different and wonderful experience. Porto was more experience and less about the cooking. Neither of us had been to Portugal and we enjoyed every minute of the trip.
Our trip with Culture Discovery Vacations (CDV) to Argentina and Uruguay, was our 4th trip with this company. After experiencing the culture immersion you get with CDV, I will never travel with another "tour" company again. It is hard to put into words just how wonderful every single excursion was. CDV is not your typical tour company, instead it is Culture Immersion. We didn't just see famous sites, we experienced living in South America. We met local residents, we went into their homes. We cooked, we ate, we sang and danced with them....we learned about the people from the regions we visited, and saw how they lived. (learned how to make the best ever Empanadas!) We took Tango lessons and went to a Milonga, where locals go to dance. We took part in a Carnaval celebration with a local Murga troop. We barbecued Carne asada over an open fire at a local ranch and spent some time horseback riding, We learned how to wash show chickens...yes, we actually washed and dried (with hair dryers) chickens!
The accomodations in Buenos Aires, Montivedeo and Paysandu were fabulous. And the number of people on a trip is always small...no more than 16-18.
There is so much more to tell, I could go on forever. The memories and friends I made on this trip will stay in my heart forever.
If you are going to travel...immerse yourself and travel with CDV!
I am heading to my 4th trip with CDV and I can honestly tell you they are the BEST! They take care of everything and they don’t nickel and dime you. I have brought numerous friends with me and they are now repeat customers. I can’t stress enough how wonderful CDV is. If you want a trip of a lifetime, they are your people!
There just aren’t enough starts to rate CDV. We began touring with CDV in 2016. When we were in Sicily in 2024 my husband knew that this would be his last big trip and his wish was that it would have ended in Soriano. After we both had separate accidents a few days later we were hospitalized, me for 12 days and my husband for 13. When we were discharged from the hospital neither of us were permitted to fly for another 2 weeks. CDV brought us to Soriano to recuperate by overnight ferry. Our nightmare turned into a fairytale and we were ever so grateful. My husband passed away 4 months later and I sent him off with a CDV apron in his coffin along with other items that had special meaning to him. When they say you are family you truly are. Unless you take a trip with CDV you just can’t understand. I just took my 5th trip with CDV in February and will be going to Croatia in September and Amalfi next May. And when people tell me oh I’ve been there in my mind I always say “no you haven’t”.
My wife, daughter and I travelled to Bologna for a one week CDV cooking experience in 2023. To say this was a fabulous experience would be a massive understatement. We have travelled all over the world and used a number of tour companies. Simply put, the CDC Bologna trip was our favorite trip of all time.
The employees and partners made us feel like family. They genuinely care about your experience.
They have curated unique experiences with real everyday locals that immersed us in the culture of Italy.
If you are looking to take a trip, I recommend you look beyond simply the price. Consider the value of a once in a lifetime, unforgettable vacation.
We cannot imagine anyone who actually went on a CDV trip giving it anything other than 5 stars. If we could, we would give it even more.
Al & Michelle Bettuzzi
Going on my 4th Italy trip with my best friend. The first one in September 2023 (Soriano nel Cimino), followed by September 2024 (Bologna), May 2025 (Florence) and coming up in September 2026 (Piedmont). Great accommodations, meals, amazing learning experiences and wonderful staff and guides. The families and small businesses were great to be able to understand and learn from the Italian people. I highly recommend the experience to all.
I have had the pleasure of traveling with CDV on five different adventures in Italy.Every Adventure is like traveling with family/friends. Amazing ccoking expereinces tied to the regional specialties, beautiful wines and unique experiences that are not touristy but genuine immersion opportunities.
I’ve completed 5 CDV trips and have another one on the books. You can’t go wrong with fabulous farm to table meals you help prepare, wonderful regional wines, meeting people who become your friends and travel companions, the hosts for the week are delightful, learning more about different cultures and SO MUCH MORE. Each region offers its own exciting adventure which makes it hard to choose just one.
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International culinary travel company headquartered in Tampa, Florida with offices in Italy and Portugal. direct operator (not a broker or agency) operating over 20 years, offering small-group luxury vacations across Italy, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Argentina and Uruguay since 2006. All-inclusive experiences featuring hands-on cooking classes with local families, family-owned winery visits, cultural immersion activities, and boutique accommodations. Also operates ultra-small-ship cruises in Croatia and multi-country tours throughout Europe.
Honored with Magellan Gold Award for Tour Operators and Tripadvisor Hall of FameSee more
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