One month: thirty one days, and seven hundred and forty four hours – give or take – in Italy. This has been a goal mine since returning from Rome in 2018. That year I spent 4 months at the American Academy in Rome as well as one month traveling in Italy. It was a year that altered my life in the most surreal way. I have already written about that year here, so I will not repeat myself… too much. However since then, I have retuned to Italy numerous times and its roots continue to invade my soul.
When I joined Casa Mia Tours in 2018, I worked part time as a researcher and writer. I had the opportunity to witness to what I like to describe as “the Casa Mia advantage.” Now this maybe a bit of a misnomer, as I firmly believe that there is more than one advantage when working with our company, but I will focus my attention this one in particular. The sheer devotion to ensuring the quality of what we deliver to our clients, whom we like to think of as our friends, our people.
Co-founders Gina Tringali and Eleonora Baldwin were among the first individuals to believe in and curate the world of food tourism, a relatively newer section of the industry in the early 2000s. Independently their unique backgrounds and perspective allowed them to gain footing in this world. They united their forces and Casa Mia Tours officially began in 2015 from their heart and soul, as well as their blood, sweat and tears. They created this company with great care and focus. They did not dive in without a compass, or direction, or a plan. They took great measure in building Casa Mia Tours, “piano piano” – an Italian phrase meaning bit by bit, slowly. That is what they did. That is what we continue to do. It is a core value of ours.
In the beginning, offerings were based solely in Rome and focused on food and wine. As their business grew so too did their desire to expand their services outside of Rome. Through their research and first hand experiences, they did just this. Soon there was greater Lazio, Naples, and Sicily. The foundation for experiences in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany and Emilia Romagna soon followed. These areas have become the sturdy foundation upon which Casa Mia now stands. Why, you ask? Research and Development. Or R & D, according to Eleonora!
One of our favorite Italian destinations awaits!
Explore the culinary delights of Emilia-Romagna with our exclusive tours in Bologna and Parma. Discover the rich flavors of Parmigiano, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar in Parma, or join a cooking class at Casa Mia.
In Bologna, immerse yourself in the vibrant market scene, enjoy an aperitivo, or dine with a local. Tailored and custom experiences ensure a unique adventure, blending history, culture, and gastronomy.
Whether savoring local specialties or exploring vineyards, these tours promise an unforgettable taste of Italy.
Join us and let the beauty of Emilia-Romagna awaken your soul.
Research and development is an essential part of Casa Mia. There is so much information out there about Italy. What to do; where to go; where to stay; what to eat; what to drink; how to get from here to there. It is impossible to know everything about every area. Impossible. The regions of Italy are immense and so incredibly different from each other. In order for Casa Mia to genuinely believe in what we offer to our clients, we must first experience it. This is our promise to you.
Fast forward a mere 8 years and a pandemic later. I am now full parter with these two genius women and together, this month, we are gearing up to expand. Over the past few months, the three of us have put in extensive hours of research. It is with great excitement that we now jump into the development portion of this process. Eleonora, Gina, and I are traveling North, together, to finalize our new experiences to offer you all. Undoubtedly, there will be many laughs to be had. If you aren’t following us on social media you will be missing out on the fun!
Stay tuned to see what experiences await! You can always check back at our website or sign up to receive our newsletter and we will notify you! Either way, we look forward to working with you this year, and the next (and the next!). Know that when working with us, you can trust us because we have been there!
