A taste of the Italian good life

Italian Hideaways is the brainchild of Italian travel and tourism management graduate Simona Mussio. Having begun her career in accounting, Simona soon discovered a passion for travel and tour operating so following experience of working with other operators she set up Italian Hideaways in July 2007.

Her company is therefore a blend of her Italian background, knowledge of the British tourism market and passion for simple, good quality organic food and ethical tourism.

Italian Hideaways prides itself on offering cookery holidays, specialising in local and seasonal produce, including wine, combined with eco-friendly accommodation. The company organises weekend or week-long holidays in Bergamo, one of Italy’s most stunning locations, nestled amongst the northern lakes of Como, Garda, Iseo and Maggiore.

The holidays are based at Casa Gli Amici del Bosco, a four-bedroom secluded eco villa. The refurbished property has been adapted with eco-friendly local materials, in-keeping with the surrounding picturesque woodland, winding roads and stunning views of open countryside. Heating and hot water is powered by solar panels integrated with a wood burner.

Italian Hideaways offers holidays that are a total experience with packages including accommodation, private airport transfers, cookery classes with a local chef, breakfasts and dinners and unlimited drinks with dinner, including wine and spirits. Also included are tours and tastings of local cheese and wine producers plus excursions to Bergamo, Milan and Lakes Iseo, Garda and Como. At the end of each stay guests will receive an Italian Hideaways apron and a booklet of all the recipes learned during the course.

In addition to offering cookery themed holidays, Italian Hideaways can also tailor-make itineraries to suit guests. For example instead of learning to cook, guests might simply choose to rent the villa and enjoy the services of the in-house chef to prepare all meals. Or alternatively visitors can rent the villa and enjoy dining out in the local area – Italian Hideaways staff will make all bookings.

Furthermore guests may rent the villa and take advantage of the many other attractions and activities the region offers. This can be anything from skiing, cycling, horse riding and walking to golf breaks and shopping trips either to Milan or the nearby Franciacorta Outlet Village with its 160 designer stores.

For more information, bookings and prices, visit Italianhideaways.co.uk.