Corporate Events

The Contented Traveller creates unforgettable corporate events.

 We understand that corporate entertaining is an integral part of business – so with every meeting, conference or incentive we combine technical excellence with fascinating cultural experiences and some of the most exciting dates in the sporting calendar.

From venues to accommodation, entertainment to fine dining, transportation to security, we organise the entire event from start to finish and we are on hand at all times to ensure that your delegates, partners, clients and employees have a wonderful time.

What they say about us:

"I have dealt with Josephine and the Contented Traveller for over 20 happy years. To say they provide a quite exceptional service is an understatement. They get you into places and events that you could only dream of. The quality of the service and care of all my guests on all my trips has simply been wonderful, totally first class. And I say this ONLY because it was. If you want never to be forgotten travel, to places that you would never think of on your own, then the Contented Traveller and Josephine are made for you.  Quite simply, I can't recommend the company and Josephine highly enough."

Andy Barnes

 

Contact us to find out more, or to arrange a meeting.

Venice Carnival

This is a period when Venice transforms itself and its magic fascination gives life to special forms of art: the masks and the costumes of Carnival.

There are events taking place all over the city but the culmination is, without doubt, the spectacular Masked Ball at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the last Sunday of Carnival, which for 2013 will be 10th February.

 

 Stay in a beautiful hotel in the heart of the city close to St Mark’s Square, attend Baroque concerts and take interesting walking tours of lesser known areas of the city. Then go for a fitting of your chosen costume- a selection of which can be found here.

A Gondola will collect you and take you to the Palazzo Pisani Moretta and you will be seated at one of the best tables.

We can organise all of this for you and more.

Contact us to find out more, or to arrange a meeting.

Under-tasted Sicily

Given Sicily's geographic situation, not too far from the coast of North Africa, one imagines a barren land but nothing could be further from the truth. Its hinterland, in the time of the ancient Romans, was known as its 'bread basket'.

Sicily is abundant in produce and, having been invaded by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French, its varied cuisine reflects this.

The use of apricots, sugar, citrus, sweet melons, rice, saffron, raisins, nutmeg, clove, pepper, pine nuts, cinnamon (along with fried preparations) is a sign of Arab influences from the Arab domination of Sicily in the 10th and 11th centuries.

Later, the Spanish introduced numerous items from the New World, including cocoa, maize, peppers, turkey, and tomatoes. In Catania, on the east coast, initially settled by Greek colonists, fish, olives, broad beans, pistachio and fresh vegetables are preferred instead. Much of the island's cuisine encourages the use of fresh vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, and fish such as tuna, sea bream, sea bass, cuttlefish, and swordfish. In Trapani in the extreme western corner of the island, North African influences are clear in the use of couscous.

Nowadays indigenous grape varieties are being rediscovered and some fine wines are being produced. Talented young chefs are creating innovative, modern interpretations of traditional dishes.

We should like to highlight the lesser known area of Ibla and its towns of Modica and Ragusa. This area is the heart of Sicilian Baroque and we would make our base in Modica Alta, the 'noble' part of the town. Both Modica and Ragusa are surrounded by stunning scenery.

From Michelin chef Accursio in Modica, to Giovanni in Ortigia and Corrado in Noto, who produces some exquisite ice-creams and 'granite', this is but the beginning of the adventure. 

There are fine wines to taste both in this area and on the slopes of Mount Etna and wonderful places to visit such as the Caves of Ispica, the Roman mosaics of Villa Casale and Dionysus' Ear at Siracusa.

Not only tastings and visits but cookery demonstrations and classes can also be arranged.

Contact us to find out more, or to arrange a meeting.

Weddings in Italy

The Contented Traveller can make your dream come true with a beautiful wedding in Italy.

We arrange weddings, receptions and honeymoons in the most stunning Italian locations and venues.

Glorious settings for your wedding reception.

Wonderful people work with us to provide you with the very best services.

Some of the many services we can offer you:

• Documentation and permits for religious and civil weddings
• Vow renewal ceremonies
• Priests speaking diverse languages or interpreters

• Flowers for the church, bouquets and decoration for the reception
• Photography and Videography
• Musicians, tenor and soprano for the church

• Wedding reception, favours and entertainment
• Hair dressing and make up
• Hotel Accommodation for you and your guests

• Transportation to and from airport
• Vintage Cars or Horse & Carriage
• Sightseeing 
• Papal blessing
• And more... 

A imaginative wedding cake!

Many people have had the pleasure of having their wedding organised by us in some of the most beautiful parts of Italy. 

" We planned to get married in Rome; we didn't know where to start - until we met Josephine from The Contented Traveller. From that meeting until returning home from our honeymoon we didn't need to worry about a thing. Every wish we had for our wedding day and honeymoon, Josephine made happen without a hitch. We wouldn't change a single thing about that day and couldn't recommend Josephine and her travel arranging and wedding planning skills highly enough. " Rhona & Andy

Let us help you fulfil your dreams.

We would love to discuss your requirements.

Contact us to find out more, or to arrange a meeting.

Alba Truffle Fair

This important date in the gastronomic calendar takes place each year in October in the Piemontese town of Alba and it is a wonderful experience to see this expensive commodity being traded.

Alba is at the heart of the scenic Langhe wine producing region of Italy where some of the most famous ‘reds’ are produced such as Barolo, Barbera, Barbaresco and Dolcetto.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know a little known area of Italy which is rich in produce such as chestnuts and truffles. Here you will find fine cheeses and salami and the many varieties of cakes and chocolate products made from the local hazelnuts.

The best time to visit is the first Sunday in October when the town transforms itself. Colourful stalls, laden with local produce line the streets and there is a buzz of excitement waiting for the start of the ‘donkey race’ – the Palio.

In preparation, an area is cordoned off with wooden barriers, a copious amount of straw is laid down and a small stand is erected. The event is preceded by a procession of more than two hundred people in medieval costume and flag throwers representing their district of the town.

We can organise for you:

• Superb accommodation in Alba
• Seats in the stand for the Palio
• Entrance tickets to the Truffle Fair
• Simulated truffle hunt with dogs
• Lunches or dinners at some of the finest restaurants in Italy
• Wine tastings and tutorials at some of the most important vineyards in the area

TRUFFLE FAIR ALBA (Fiera del Tartufo) 

&

PALIO DEGLI ASINI (Donkey Race)

5-9 October 2012

Visit to the Truffle Fair in Alba, lovely medieval town in Piemonte, renowned capital of much sought after and horrendously expensive ‘white truffle’ – tartufo – tuber magnatum pico .

To visit Alba at this time of year is magical since you drive through some of the most glorious countryside, sometimes shrouded in a mystical mist.

Endless vineyards interspersed with castles and the wonderful autumnal colours.

This region abounds with Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Arneis wines and produces the most glorious Moscato in Santo Stefano Belbo.

The hills are also bursting with apricots, peaches, pears, plums and apples with hazelnuts and chestnuts and the flora allows the bees to produce some very fine honey.

Add to this the wonderful cheeses and bread produced in this area, not to mention their salame cotto (cooked salame) and you have the quintessential eno-gastronomic destination.

Included:

• 3 nights accommodation in Alba in double rooms at a centrally located boutique hotel on bed and buffet breakfast basis

• Private deluxe bus for transfers and sightseeing as detailed in itinerary

• Entrance tickets to Truffle Fair

• Numbered seats in the central part of the stand for the Palio degli Asini

• Private truffle hunt with ‘trifolao’ and dog

• Wine tastings at Rabaja, Arneis, Canelli, Barolo, Santo Stefano Belbo

• 4 course lunch with appropriate wines at Enoclub in Alba, Antine’ in Barbaresco, Locanda nel Borgo Antico in Barolo and Del Cambio in Turin

• All wine tasting trips will be accompanied by a guide knowledgable in all matters to do with the territory and wines produced there

• Private English speaking guide for walking tour of Turin

• English speaking escort to greet you in Turin and be with you throughout

Eno-Gastronomic

We believe that any eno-gastronomic trip should also encompass the culture of the country visited. No country better lends itself to these trips than Italy with its diverse regions, scenery and cuisines.

  

The 'Slow Food movement' started in Northern Italy and 'slowly' worked its way down to the very toe and heel of this glorious peninsula and across to the islands. Italy has been doing slow food forever. It even does fast food. It's called pizza.

Salame cotto from Piedmont and casseoula from Milan, sardee in saòr from Venice and fagioli al fiasco from Tuscany, coratella con carciofi from Rome and pesce all'acqua pazza from Naples, sebadas from Sardinia and cannoli from Sicily.

Pasta, risotto, polenta, vino, olio, tartufo, aceto balsamico, limoncello... and just precisely why does the best lard come from Colonnata? And what on earth is a 'conca'?

Won't you join us on an eno-gastronomic discovery? 

Check our website for more details: 

 http://www.thecontentedtraveller.com/eno-gastronomic/

Football

Can you imagine the atmosphere at the last Serie A game of the season in Rome?
13/05/12 Lazio v Inter Milan

We can provide the very best tickets or hospitality boxes for these games and excellent centrally located hotels.

The Contented Traveller can also organise : 
a signed football shirts and a meeting with the team!

Apart from visiting the many attractions of Rome it would be wonderful to drive out along the Appian Way to visit the Castelli Romani – hill towns close to Rome and lunch in one of the best known restaurants with panoramic views over Lake Albano.

"Everything we do is created, just for you "
Do get in touch to find out how we can create your perfect trip or event.