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Testimonial:  The Road to Roma and Beyond
A series of serendipitous events led me to Shahla Motadel and “Women Tour Italy 2009”. A planned holiday to Europe with a girlfriend had fallen through and I was wondering whether to cancel also. As I flicked through Next’s February issue Shahla’s colourful advertisement caught my eye. In 2004 a manic bus tour of the continent had whet my appetite to return. I knew I wanted to avoid being herded around with, “Tuesday it must be Italy!” and “Everyone, please follow the giant pink sunflower!” Yet, I did not want to travel alone. Shahla’s tour promised everything I was looking for - a personalized holiday with flexibility, companionship and fun. Perfetto! A quick investigation of her website and several emails later I was booked on a 12 day adventure. Tuesday June 3rd, Rome - I emerged from the Eurostar train and met Shahla – a Persian / Kiwi version of Audrey Hepburn - with an irrepressible passion and energy for all things Italian. The next fortnight took me through Rome, Florence, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre. We literally walked our socks off in Rome, getting lost and finding ourselves whilst experiencing history and vibrant modern street life – all coexisting in perfect harmony. My credit card experienced a healthy workout at the designer outlet malls whilst paying homage to Gucci, Prada and Armani and we became true artisans making our own “carnevale” masks in Florence. Our visit to a local delicatessen in Siena, stretched into 3 hours of gastronomic delight as Antonio insistently plied us with cheeses, olives, prosciuttos and aged wines for sampling. Buonissimo! A morning ritual of a latte macchiato soon became an absolute must along with a cornetto (pastry), fresh strawberries, cherries and fromaggio. Paradiso! With Shahla’s encouragement “grazie mille” and “prego” were soon rolling off my tongue as I confidently ordered. Evening meals were a delight – beginning with a glass of prosecco then leisurely eating our way through primo, secondi and dessert courses as we fended off the persistent rose sellers and watched the Romans strutting their stuff. I had been seduced by the magic of Italy and quickly surrendered to “la dolce vita”. One memorable day began in Roma with a planned visit to the Villa Borghese Gallery to view Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio art works. After an exquisite 3 hours of art gazing we wandered the shady tree-lined Borghese Park and gardens and were serenaded by a busking jazz musician. “The Girl from Ipanema” had never sounded so good! We floated on our way, descending the Spanish Steps in need of an afternoon latte and pastry. Revived back out on the street we became caught up in a lively street parade consisting of fifty or more colourful floats. Another great photo opportunity! From there, we wandered down the Via Nazionale and discovered the sixteenth century “American Church” where that evening Puccini’s “La Traviata” was on. From intimate front pew seats we watched spellbound as Violetta’s tragic tale unfolded. A mouth watering gelato completed the evening as we negotiated the cobblestones home. Fittingly our final meal was spent in Rome’s aptly named “Da Fortunata” restaurant. Signed photos inside revealed we were dining in a frequent haunt of celebrities such as Sophia Loren, and the current Italian President Silvio Berlusconi. We ate as the evening light faded on our view of the Pantheon, laughing and reminiscing over the previous fortnight. Our “passeggiata” to the Trevi fountain and 3 coins over my shoulder later, my return to Roma with the love of my life was secured. Naturally, there was time and room for one last gelato before bedtime. Shahla’s organization throughout the tour was superb. Nothing was too much trouble and she went out of her way to accommodate my interests and needs. Her knowledge and command of Italian and her many local contacts meant I was able to experience and be fully immersed in the Italian vibe. Shahla’s sense of humour and the love for what she is doing made this a unique journey which I will always treasure.
Testimonial:  My personalised tour with Shahla was one of the best holidays I have ever had.
With an unexpected chance to have three weeks in Italy, I contacted Shahla. Over dinner we planned where we would go, the special places I wanted to see, and things I wanted to do. Shahla would do all the travel and accommodation arrangements leaving me free to just enjoy each day. We began in Rome, and went to places I hadn’t been before: south to Sorrento with day trips to Napoli, Positano, Capri and Anacapri, to Ravello and Amalfi, then up to Tuscany to Grosetto then Siena, then over to Verona and Lake Garda then back to Rome for the final three days. Shahla was the most wonderful travel companion, engaging guide and meticulous travel arranger. Each morning breakfast would be a in a particular café chosen either for its fabulous coffee, peculiar way of serving coffee, the internal environment, a special cornetto or its location. On my trip of twenty one days, no two cornetti were the same. Now, cafes all over Italy hold a special place in my memory. Each day she would say “come, I want to show you something”, and we would wander down lanes and alleyways past roof gardens and city vignettes, to discover a tiny garden with a statue, or great sculptures embedded into buildings, the vista along the cross roads to distant spires (Quirinale) or find the café with the first coffee machine in Rome (Café Eustacce). Each hot day saw us in a gelateria, not just any one, but the one with the best flavours in Rome, or Verona, or in Siena. The flavours were divine. With each gelati, the staff ask ‘which flavours?’ so there was a chance to try 2 or 3 flavours each time. Some of my favourites are caramelised chestnut, amaretti and pear with toffee. Armed with a map, a sketch book, a camera and a water bottle, we discovered markets, bought sunhats, tasted lemoncello, visited churches from the 11th and 15th centuries, discovered wells and fountains, and trod the same paths of many others before us. Unexpected highlights for me were learning to prune olive trees in Tuscany and meeting Maria, one of Shahla’s friends, who cooked us dinner and told stories of growing up in Rome close to the Spanish Steps as we walked there late one night. Being the only estranierie (foreigners) in an evening café; seeing the lights along the Amalfi coast one evening in a bus filled with buzzing conversations. An afternoon sitting in the peaceful garden in Anacapri; experiencing deep inner peace sitting in Sante Maria di Travstevere and marvelling at the wonders of the artists, politicians and architects who collaborated to produce the majestic duomo in Siena. I enjoyed being part of the Italian food culture with traditions of centuries untainted by globalisation and whizzing along the countryside in modern speedy trains, ordering coffee in Italian and having warm, friendly, stumbling conversations with local people. Being with Shahla, who delights in drawing others in to share her passion, delight and empathy with this wonderful country and its people, I have come back to New Zealand, deeply refreshed, fitter, healthier and happier. If you have any interest in a holiday in Italy which includes great coffee, walking, hearing stories, discovering history, practising your Italian however few or many words you begin with, good conversation, shopping, finding some of the best delis and cafes, meeting local people, staying in special private hotels and apartments, discovering unexpected delights, eating authentic Italian food, with a charming, funny, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable travel companion and guide, choose Shahla. Diana Jones
Wellington, New Zealand
Testimonial:
 It is with great pleasure that I write this testimonial on Shahla’s (pre-inaugural) tour of Italy! In April 2008 I travelled to Europe for the first time. This was a four week holiday which I devoted entirely to Italy. Shahla compiled the itinerary, arranged all the accommodation and guided me through wonderful sights, famous monuments and divine cities at a relaxed pace. We covered a great deal of La Bella Italia, travelling north all the way to Venice and south to Palermo and Agrigento sitting proudly, with rich history, in the delightfully green landscape of Sicily. My tour started in Rome, where we stayed for a week and soaked up so much of the history of this amazing city.
We visited the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, Trevi Fountain and other incredible sights previously only known to me through history lessons in school. I was happy to visit the Trevi Fountain over and over again, throwing my coin over my shoulder each time in case it was my last visit. We spent time in beautiful piazzas, listening to the art of conversation in Italy, words accompanied by passionate gestures, hands & arms flying in the air, even on mobile phone chats, which ended with the rhythmic sound of a series of ciao ci...ci ci ci ciao ciao ciao...how marvellous! We also enjoyed the world-famous Italian gastronomy.
From Roman and Tuscan to Venetian and Sicilian local drinks, food and pastries we delighted our taste buds. A treat was going to local markets which were a veritable feast for the eye, the freshest fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers all displayed in endless stalls. Our carefully chosen trios of colourful gelato or enormous waffles with a spread of hot nutella, slathered with ice cream, consumed on the go, became a daily ritual. Be warned, these are not for the fainthearted. I now carry a little, pale blue, square business card with me wherever I go.
I picked it up at the freshest sandwich place in Rome called Gina, near Piazza Spagna. It is worth going early or even standing in a queue until you get a table, just do not miss out on the food of a lifetime. They will pack you a picnic lunch if you prefer to visit the gardens of Villa Borghese 100m up the hill. Your picnic basket will be filled with delectable fresh food and wine, complete with tablecloth and napkins. My mouth is watering at the memory. Treat the locals to a little of your less than perfect Italian and they will treat you to their wonderful hospitality.
From the proprietors of the finest delicatessens in the back streets of Rome to well known pizzarias in Naples, we sampled the best. You could travel the whole of Italy looking for the most delicious pizza, or you could follow Shahla to Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Napoli, the birthplace of pizza, as I did. I had difficulty in coffee shops because I drink hot water. The local Italians could not cope with someone who did not drink coffee, and my order of acqua bollente with a kiwi accent was never quite understood - Shahla came to the rescue. Her Italian also saved the day in railway stations, when there were often last minute changes to the departure platforms, announced only in Italian. You must choose a guide carefully when travelling in Italy, one who agrees you should always take time to get lost and discover new delights especially in Venice as we did.
We asked locals for directions and they tried to be helpful even when they did not know the address. A common answer was ‘Cinquanta metri a destra/a sinistra (50 meters to the right or to the left)’, this never worked for us, but trust me, it added to the excitement of getting lost in Venice. Florence gave me the opportunity to discover ‘David’ and ‘Neptune’, to visit Uffizi Gallery and wander through the cobbled streets, lined with designer stores. We window shopped, then went back to the best of the stores to fill my suitcase with colourful silks, shoes, handbags and souvenirs you have only dreamt of. For being the best shopping partner Shahla, mille grazie! From our comfortable base at Pensione Linda in Sorrento, we walked 5 minutes to the main street and wandered the colourful shops, bars and trattorias. We delighted in the smells of the orange and lemon trees that were planted in every nook and cranny in back and front yards everywhere. One morning we decided to walk 10mins to the bay and catch the Hydrofoil to the Isle of Capri. Shahla’s quick thinking and perfect Italian got us on the first available ferry while hoards of people were destined to stand and wait another 45 minutes. In Capri, from the Marina Piccola, the chairlift took us up to a lookout where we enjoyed stunning views over the Gulf of Naples. We window shopped some of the most expensive and exquisite shops I have ever seen.
The lemoncello from this area is a must to try, we could not resist and some found its way back to New Zealand.
The Amalfi Coast, or Costiera Amalfitana, is a stretch of coastline that will astound you.
We caught the tour bus from Sorrento to Positano. The cliff side roads are narrow and steep in places and the fast driving bus drivers toot their horns continuously until they are safely around blind corners! The smiles never left our faces; we were experiencing a little bit of heaven and laughing all the way. The towns lying on the Amalfi Coast tumble down mountainsides to the blue ocean below and are exquisite. Positano was a divine example of these cliff face towns. We left the bus and strolled from the main road at the top to the beach at the bottom, winding through colourful lanes and down steps and narrow paths until our feet touched the white sand. We relaxed in the bar with cool drinks before continuing our journey through shops and eventually back to the main road. We boarded another tour bus for Ravello. Perched high on the cliffs above Amalfi, Ravello is famous for its yearly music festival and classical music concerts. It has an impressive cathedral in Piazza Duomo where people from all over the world travel to get married or to honeymoon. We had an
American bride to be and her groom on board, so were treated to a taste of their excitement. During our visit a heavy fog settled in, but the charm and serenity still shone through.
My trip to Italy was perfect.
I attribute that to Shahla’s expert organization, attention to detail and her flexible approach. It was a fun and relaxing holiday, meeting and sharing time with local Italian people and really getting a feel for life in Italy. Our daily programme could be altered to allow us to enjoy the unexpected, be it a great entertainer in a charming piazza, a wedding ceremony in a glorious church or an inviting pasticceria in a little hidden away alley. We never missed an opportunity offered at short notice. Shahla, you won the hearts of the Italian people we met and enthusiastically shared your love of Italy with me. I truly wish I could accompany you on your inaugural tour with ‘Women Tour Italy’ in 2009. Tanti auguri, I migliori auguri Ciao bella Ann Rees New Zealand
Testimonial:
Travelling in Italy with Shahla Motadel was one of the best holidays I have ever had...
and I couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone wanting to see one of the most captivating countries in the world.
In March 2008 I spent a week with Shahla in Rome and Florence, and I enjoyed every minute of the trip. the incredible sights, the delicious food and Shahla’s hospitality made it a holiday I will never forget.
Shahla knows Rome and Florence well and had good suggestions of how we could spend our time in each place but also had a relaxed approach to our timetable. Whilst in Rome I was determined to find ‘Bocca della Verita’ or ‘The Mouth of Truth’ – a little known tourist sight that most famously appeared in the film “Roman Holiday”. After a very fun search (and with much thanks to Shahla’s excellent language skills), we found it and I was delighted. It was great to travel with someone who enjoys good food as much as I do and Shahla knew exactly where to go for the best pizza, pasta, and gelato etc! She also taught me a little bit of Italian and I enjoyed trying it out whenever there was an opportunity. “Tavolo per due per favore!” (“A table for two please!”) It is obvious how much passion Shahla has for the country, the culture and the language and this has certainly rubbed off on me. I can’t wait to return to Italy and hope to travel with Shahla again very soon. Katrina Bowker London, England
Testimonial: The Road to Roma and Beyond A series of serendipitous events led me to Shahla Motadel and “Women Tour Italy 2009”. A planned holiday to Europe with a girlfriend had fallen through and I was wondering whether to cancel also. As I flicked through Next’s February issue Shahla’s colourful advertisement caught my eye. In 2004 a manic bus tour of the continent had whet my appetite to return. I knew I wanted to avoid being herded around with, “Tuesday it must be Italy!” and “Everyone, please follow the giant pink sunflower!” Yet, I did not want to travel alone. Shahla’s tour promised everything I was looking for - a personalized holiday with flexibility, companionship and fun. Perfetto! A quick investigation of her website and several emails later I was booked on a 12 day adventure. Tuesday June 3rd, Rome - I emerged from the Eurostar train and met Shahla – a Persian / Kiwi version of Audrey Hepburn - with an irrepressible passion and energy for all things Italian. The next fortnight took me through Rome, Florence, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre. We literally walked our socks off in Rome, getting lost and finding ourselves whilst experiencing history and vibrant modern street life – all coexisting in perfect harmony. My credit card experienced a healthy workout at the designer outlet malls whilst paying homage to Gucci, Prada and Armani and we became true artisans making our own “carnevale” masks in Florence. Our visit to a local delicatessen in Siena, stretched into 3 hours of gastronomic delight as Antonio insistently plied us with cheeses, olives, prosciuttos and aged wines for sampling. Buonissimo! A morning ritual of a latte macchiato soon became an absolute must along with a cornetto (pastry), fresh strawberries, cherries and fromaggio. Paradiso! With Shahla’s encouragement “grazie mille” and “prego” were soon rolling off my tongue as I confidently ordered. Evening meals were a delight – beginning with a glass of prosecco then leisurely eating our way through primo, secondi and dessert courses as we fended off the persistent rose sellers and watched the Romans strutting their stuff. I had been seduced by the magic of Italy and quickly surrendered to “la dolce vita”. One memorable day began in Roma with a planned visit to the Villa Borghese Gallery to view Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio art works. After an exquisite 3 hours of art gazing we wandered the shady tree-lined Borghese Park and gardens and were serenaded by a busking jazz musician. “The Girl from Ipanema” had never sounded so good! We floated on our way, descending the Spanish Steps in need of an afternoon latte and pastry. Revived back out on the street we became caught up in a lively street parade consisting of fifty or more colourful floats. Another great photo opportunity! From there, we wandered down the Via Nazionale and discovered the sixteenth century “American Church” where that evening Puccini’s “La Traviata” was on. From intimate front pew seats we watched spellbound as Violetta’s tragic tale unfolded. A mouth watering gelato completed the evening as we negotiated the cobblestones home. Fittingly our final meal was spent in Rome’s aptly named “Da Fortunata” restaurant. Signed photos inside revealed we were dining in a frequent haunt of celebrities such as Sophia Loren, and the current Italian President Silvio Berlusconi. We ate as the evening light faded on our view of the Pantheon, laughing and reminiscing over the previous fortnight. Our “passeggiata” to the Trevi fountain and 3 coins over my shoulder later, my return to Roma with the love of my life was secured. Naturally, there was time and room for one last gelato before bedtime. Shahla’s organization throughout the tour was superb. Nothing was too much trouble and she went out of her way to accommodate my interests and needs. Her knowledge and command of Italian and her many local contacts meant I was able to experience and be fully immersed in the Italian vibe. Shahla’s sense of humour and the love for what she is doing made this a unique journey which I will always treasure.
Testimonial: My personalised tour with Shahla was one of the best holidays I have ever had. With an unexpected chance to have three weeks in Italy, I contacted Shahla. Over dinner we planned where we would go, the special places I wanted to see, and things I wanted to do. Shahla would do all the travel and accommodation arrangements leaving me free to just enjoy each day. We began in Rome, and went to places I hadn’t been before: south to Sorrento with day trips to Napoli, Positano, Capri and Anacapri, to Ravello and Amalfi, then up to Tuscany to Grosetto then Siena, then over to Verona and Lake Garda then back to Rome for the final three days. Shahla was the most wonderful travel companion, engaging guide and meticulous travel arranger. Each morning breakfast would be a in a particular café chosen either for its fabulous coffee, peculiar way of serving coffee, the internal environment, a special cornetto or its location. On my trip of twenty one days, no two cornetti were the same. Now, cafes all over Italy hold a special place in my memory. Each day she would say “come, I want to show you something”, and we would wander down lanes and alleyways past roof gardens and city vignettes, to discover a tiny garden with a statue, or great sculptures embedded into buildings, the vista along the cross roads to distant spires (Quirinale) or find the café with the first coffee machine in Rome (Café Eustacce). Each hot day saw us in a gelateria, not just any one, but the one with the best flavours in Rome, or Verona, or in Siena. The flavours were divine. With each gelati, the staff ask ‘which flavours?’ so there was a chance to try 2 or 3 flavours each time. Some of my favourites are caramelised chestnut, amaretti and pear with toffee. Armed with a map, a sketch book, a camera and a water bottle, we discovered markets, bought sunhats, tasted lemoncello, visited churches from the 11th and 15th centuries, discovered wells and fountains, and trod the same paths of many others before us. Unexpected highlights for me were learning to prune olive trees in Tuscany and meeting Maria, one of Shahla’s friends, who cooked us dinner and told stories of growing up in Rome close to the Spanish Steps as we walked there late one night. Being the only estranierie (foreigners) in an evening café; seeing the lights along the Amalfi coast one evening in a bus filled with buzzing conversations. An afternoon sitting in the peaceful garden in Anacapri; experiencing deep inner peace sitting in Sante Maria di Travstevere and marvelling at the wonders of the artists, politicians and architects who collaborated to produce the majestic duomo in Siena. I enjoyed being part of the Italian food culture with traditions of centuries untainted by globalisation and whizzing along the countryside in modern speedy trains, ordering coffee in Italian and having warm, friendly, stumbling conversations with local people. Being with Shahla, who delights in drawing others in to share her passion, delight and empathy with this wonderful country and its people, I have come back to New Zealand, deeply refreshed, fitter, healthier and happier. If you have any interest in a holiday in Italy which includes great coffee, walking, hearing stories, discovering history, practising your Italian however few or many words you begin with, good conversation, shopping, finding some of the best delis and cafes, meeting local people, staying in special private hotels and apartments, discovering unexpected delights, eating authentic Italian food, with a charming, funny, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable travel companion and guide, choose Shahla. Diana Jones
Wellington, New Zealand
Testimonial:
It is with great pleasure that I write this testimonial on Shahla’s (pre-inaugural) tour of Italy! In April 2008 I travelled to Europe for the first time. This was a four week holiday which I devoted entirely to Italy. Shahla compiled the itinerary, arranged all the accommodation and guided me through wonderful sights, famous monuments and divine cities at a relaxed pace. We covered a great deal of La Bella Italia, travelling north all the way to Venice and south to Palermo and Agrigento sitting proudly, with rich history, in the delightfully green landscape of Sicily. My tour started in Rome, where we stayed for a week and soaked up so much of the history of this amazing city.
We visited the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, Trevi Fountain and other incredible sights previously only known to me through history lessons in school. I was happy to visit the Trevi Fountain over and over again, throwing my coin over my shoulder each time in case it was my last visit. We spent time in beautiful piazzas, listening to the art of conversation in Italy, words accompanied by passionate gestures, hands & arms flying in the air, even on mobile phone chats, which ended with the rhythmic sound of a series of ciao ci...ci ci ci ciao ciao ciao...how marvellous! We also enjoyed the world-famous Italian gastronomy.
From Roman and Tuscan to Venetian and Sicilian local drinks, food and pastries we delighted our taste buds. A treat was going to local markets which were a veritable feast for the eye, the freshest fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers all displayed in endless stalls. Our carefully chosen trios of colourful gelato or enormous waffles with a spread of hot nutella, slathered with ice cream, consumed on the go, became a daily ritual. Be warned, these are not for the fainthearted. I now carry a little, pale blue, square business card with me wherever I go.
I picked it up at the freshest sandwich place in Rome called Gina, near Piazza Spagna. It is worth going early or even standing in a queue until you get a table, just do not miss out on the food of a lifetime. They will pack you a picnic lunch if you prefer to visit the gardens of Villa Borghese 100m up the hill. Your picnic basket will be filled with delectable fresh food and wine, complete with tablecloth and napkins. My mouth is watering at the memory. Treat the locals to a little of your less than perfect Italian and they will treat you to their wonderful hospitality.
From the proprietors of the finest delicatessens in the back streets of Rome to well known pizzarias in Naples, we sampled the best. You could travel the whole of Italy looking for the most delicious pizza, or you could follow Shahla to Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Napoli, the birthplace of pizza, as I did. I had difficulty in coffee shops because I drink hot water. The local Italians could not cope with someone who did not drink coffee, and my order of acqua bollente with a kiwi accent was never quite understood - Shahla came to the rescue. Her Italian also saved the day in railway stations, when there were often last minute changes to the departure platforms, announced only in Italian. You must choose a guide carefully when travelling in Italy, one who agrees you should always take time to get lost and discover new delights especially in Venice as we did.
We asked locals for directions and they tried to be helpful even when they did not know the address. A common answer was ‘Cinquanta metri a destra/a sinistra (50 meters to the right or to the left)’, this never worked for us, but trust me, it added to the excitement of getting lost in Venice. Florence gave me the opportunity to discover ‘David’ and ‘Neptune’, to visit Uffizi Gallery and wander through the cobbled streets, lined with designer stores. We window shopped, then went back to the best of the stores to fill my suitcase with colourful silks, shoes, handbags and souvenirs you have only dreamt of. For being the best shopping partner Shahla, mille grazie! From our comfortable base at Pensione Linda in Sorrento, we walked 5 minutes to the main street and wandered the colourful shops, bars and trattorias. We delighted in the smells of the orange and lemon trees that were planted in every nook and cranny in back and front yards everywhere. One morning we decided to walk 10mins to the bay and catch the Hydrofoil to the Isle of Capri. Shahla’s quick thinking and perfect Italian got us on the first available ferry while hoards of people were destined to stand and wait another 45 minutes. In Capri, from the Marina Piccola, the chairlift took us up to a lookout where we enjoyed stunning views over the Gulf of Naples. We window shopped some of the most expensive and exquisite shops I have ever seen.
The lemoncello from this area is a must to try, we could not resist and some found its way back to New Zealand.
The Amalfi Coast, or Costiera Amalfitana, is a stretch of coastline that will astound you.
We caught the tour bus from Sorrento to Positano. The cliff side roads are narrow and steep in places and the fast driving bus drivers toot their horns continuously until they are safely around blind corners! The smiles never left our faces; we were experiencing a little bit of heaven and laughing all the way. The towns lying on the Amalfi Coast tumble down mountainsides to the blue ocean below and are exquisite. Positano was a divine example of these cliff face towns. We left the bus and strolled from the main road at the top to the beach at the bottom, winding through colourful lanes and down steps and narrow paths until our feet touched the white sand. We relaxed in the bar with cool drinks before continuing our journey through shops and eventually back to the main road. We boarded another tour bus for Ravello. Perched high on the cliffs above Amalfi, Ravello is famous for its yearly music festival and classical music concerts. It has an impressive cathedral in Piazza Duomo where people from all over the world travel to get married or to honeymoon. We had an
American bride to be and her groom on board, so were treated to a taste of their excitement. During our visit a heavy fog settled in, but the charm and serenity still shone through.
My trip to Italy was perfect.
I attribute that to Shahla’s expert organization, attention to detail and her flexible approach. It was a fun and relaxing holiday, meeting and sharing time with local Italian people and really getting a feel for life in Italy. Our daily programme could be altered to allow us to enjoy the unexpected, be it a great entertainer in a charming piazza, a wedding ceremony in a glorious church or an inviting pasticceria in a little hidden away alley. We never missed an opportunity offered at short notice. Shahla, you won the hearts of the Italian people we met and enthusiastically shared your love of Italy with me. I truly wish I could accompany you on your inaugural tour with ‘Women Tour Italy’ in 2009. Tanti auguri, I migliori auguri Ciao bella Ann Rees New Zealand
Testimonial:
Travelling in Italy with Shahla Motadel was one of the best holidays I have ever had...
and I couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone wanting to see one of the most captivating countries in the world.
In March 2008 I spent a week with Shahla in Rome and Florence, and I enjoyed every minute of the trip. the incredible sights, the delicious food and Shahla’s hospitality made it a holiday I will never forget.
Shahla knows Rome and Florence well and had good suggestions of how we could spend our time in each place but also had a relaxed approach to our timetable. Whilst in Rome I was determined to find ‘Bocca della Verita’ or ‘The Mouth of Truth’ – a little known tourist sight that most famously appeared in the film “Roman Holiday”. After a very fun search (and with much thanks to Shahla’s excellent language skills), we found it and I was delighted. It was great to travel with someone who enjoys good food as much as I do and Shahla knew exactly where to go for the best pizza, pasta, and gelato etc! She also taught me a little bit of Italian and I enjoyed trying it out whenever there was an opportunity. “Tavolo per due per favore!” (“A table for two please!”) It is obvious how much passion Shahla has for the country, the culture and the language and this has certainly rubbed off on me. I can’t wait to return to Italy and hope to travel with Shahla again very soon. Katrina Bowker London, England
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Shopping, food and sights...
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