2024: Premier Travel Destinations Unveiled

As we reflect upon the popular destinations of 2023, where ECA Travelers navigated Switzerland's captivating landscapes, explored the ancient wonders of Athens, and discovered the enchanting Greek islands of Paros, Santorini, and Crete, the dawn of 2024 brings forth even more anticipation.

This year, timeless destinations continue to hold their appeal, with the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Puglia in Italy continuing to increase in popularity. While established favorites such as Rome, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Florence, the Lake Region, and Piedmont remain steadfast in their allure, as well.

In addition to the perennial favorites, there is a growing buzz surrounding destinations including Portugal's Azores Islands and Madeira, Northeastern Italy: home of the Dolomites, and the culturally rich Friuli Venezia Giulia. 

For winter getaways think outside the box: Lanzarote - Canary Islands, Budapest a gem of Art Nouveau and Thermal Baths and of course skiing the Italian Alps.

Trentino - Dolomites: breathtaking blue water and snow covered peaks.

A Few Suggestions for your Travels in 2024

• Switzerland Scenic Trains Adventure

• Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland, traversing its iconic scenic trains.

• Enchanting Italy Exploration

• Embark on a journey through the classic and timeless allure of Italy's cultural and architectural gems.

• Azores Islands and Madeira Discovery

• Encounter unspoiled beauty and vibrant cultures as you explore the Azores Islands and Madeira.  

• African Safari and Victoria Falls Expedition

• Embark on a journey to the heart of Africa, unveiling the wonders of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and the majestic Victoria Falls.

• Icelandic Northern Lights Adventure

  • Embark on a journey to the mystical landscapes of Iceland, a land of fire and ice, where the natural wonders stretch beyond your imagination. This expedition offers you a unique opportunity to witness the intense Northern Lights activity, forecasted to be at its peak up until 2025. The best times to catch this celestial dance are from now until the end of March and then from September to the end of October, when the skies become a canvas for the Aurora Borealis.

Or join one of our curated small group tours, but hurry up, tours are filling up quickly!

• A Taste of Piedmont, Cinque Terre & Tuscany: September 4 - 14, 2024

• Indulge your senses in the culinary and scenic wonders of Piedmont, Cinque Terre, and Tuscany. 

• Knitting Retreat in Italy: September 16 - 21, 2024 

• Unwind and get creative at our exclusive Knitting Retreat set against the picturesque rolling hills of Tuscany.

• A Taste of Puglia & Sicily: September 22 - October 3, 2024

• Delight in the flavors of Puglia and Sicily as you traverse the culinary treasures of these southern Italian regions.

A small group tour taking in the views of beautiful Matera.

It's worth mentioning the noticeable uptick in early bookings, showing a trend where travelers are keen on snagging their reservations well in advance. This marks a distinct shift from previous years, highlighting a growing enthusiasm for planning ahead.

Reserve Your Place Today:

Passionate about exploration? We extend a warm invitation for you to be part of these thoughtfully crafted journeys. Don't miss out on the chance to secure your spot on one of our exceptional tours or tailor a personalized itinerary to suit your unique tastes. As we step into the expansive realm of travel in 2024, immerse yourself in a journey brimming with lasting memories. Your adventure awaits.

Sincerely,

Erica Plotegher of ECA Travel Consulting

Travel Trends in 2022 + Expectations for 2023

As 2022 is wrapping up and the hustle and bustle of the world continues, we are reflecting on the travel trends of 2022 and taking inspiration for next year’s dreamy destinations. 

Beltzer Family - Piedmont Celebration

Travel was in full swing this past year as covid restrictions lessened and stir-crazy quarantine-ers rebooked trips affected in 2020/21. Major cities all over Italy were popular travel spots, including the classics destinations like Rome, Venice, Florence & the Amalfi Coast, but interest and travel increased among the southern regions of Italy like Sicily & Puglia and the very north Trentino & the Dolomites, Lake Como and Milan also gaining interest. We will see continued interest in these destinations in 2023. 

While travel was at the top of many people’s list this year, travels were seen to be much more intentional, personable, and custom. Private group tours soared in popularity in 2022, likely because of people's desires to embrace time with their friends and loved ones as covid reminded us to savor those moments. 

Through it all, ECA has remained true to our mission to create authentic traveling experiences for everyone. No matter where individuals chose to travel, they experience authentic cultures through food & wine, arts & crafts, and local guides. 

Knitting in Tuscany 2022

In 2022, we expanded our offerings to offer a Knitting Retreat in Tuscany, a fantastic week filled with fun activities including: wine & cheese tastings, alpaca and cashmere goat farm tours, a fragrant lavender farm visit, local guided tours to nearby attractions and of course, knitting in the luscious landscape of Tuscany. After knitting in the tuscan hills by the garden during the day, finish your evenings relaxing  by the fireplace with a nice glass of local wine. This has become a popular retreat for travelers in 2023 as well. 

For 2023, the trend of custom itineraries and private family tours continue. Destinations of interest span all over the globe. Portugal remains popular among travelers and the Northern Lights in Iceland continue to be a favorite destination to many. Greece and the Greek Isles are increasingly popular among tourists as well. No matter where, exploring authentic cultures through food, arts, and community, provides travelers with a better understanding of the culture and themselves, plus the opportunity to enjoy unforgettable experiences. 

After a few years with limited travel, individuals are using the seasons to their advantage and exploring destinations relevant to the seasons/ time of year. If 2022 has taught us anything, it’s to take advantage of every minute of travel (not that we didn’t before)! In 2023, we will continue to share our passion for travel and hope you decide to join us! 

Romantic Germany

Email or call us to inquire about availability and more information about our 2023 programs.

The Wonders Of Sicily

We are so excited to let you know that we are featuring two tours to Sicily in combination with Puglia in 2023! Come join ECA  on such a memorable tour. Call or email us to request the full itinerary and details!

Sicily, is an island region in the South of Italy, full of panoramic views, shining sun, bright beaches, and most famously, delicious food. No matter where you end up, you’re sure to discover some scrumptious eats. The food and architecture shows traces of all cultures that have inhabited the island over the last two millennia. Sicilian food  has Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences that can be seen in many of its dishes. No matter what is on your to-do-list make sure you leave Sicily having tried these 5 most iconic dishes. 

Pasta Alla Norma:

Head to the east coast of Sicily, Catania, and you’ll find one of the island’s most historic and iconic pasta dishes. Pasta alla Norma is one of the best representations of Sicilian cuisine, making the most of local ingredients such as: tomatoes, aubergines, garlic, fresh basil and ricotta salata (salted ricotta). 

The name of the dish is said to originate from the exclamation by the Italian writer Nino Martoglio who, upon tasting the dish, exclaimed "This is a real 'Norma'!", comparing it to the famous Opera, “Norma”, Vincenzo Bellini.

Gambero Rosso (Red Prawns):  

Being an island means fish and seafood is obviously integral to the Sicilian diet. Gambero Rosso, or red prawns, are caught by the local fishermen. Those from Mazara del Vallo on the western coast of the island are believed to be some of the best in the world. What makes them great is their simplicity, just dressed in a little local lemon juice and olive oil, eaten raw. This is a real experience for any foodie visiting Sicily.

Insalata di Arance (Sicilian Orange Salad):

Insalata di arance is a typical salad dish of the Spanish and Sicilian cuisine, which highlights fresh oranges. This dish is usually served at the beginning or at the end of a meal.

In its most basic form the salad consists of thin, tart orange slices served with olive oil, salt and black pepper. There are common variations of the orange slices with a few additional ingredients such as sliced fennel bulbs, onions and black olives. This refreshing salad does not require any vinaigrette as it receives its tartness from the fresh oranges. 

Cassata (Traditional Cake): 

Cassata is a traditional sweet cake that consists of round sponge cake moistened with fruit juices or liqueur. It is then layered with ricotta cheese and candied fruit. Ricotta cheese is also a popular ingredient in the famous Canola (cannoli is the plural). Cassata has a shell of marzipan, pink and green colored icing, and decorative designs. Cassata is believed to have originated in Palermo in the 10th century, when under Muslim rule, but is now a staple dessert in Sicilian cuisine. 

Granita alla mandorla (“The Italian Sorbet”): 

This refreshing blend of crushed ice, sugar, and flavors made from the freshest local fruits or nuts. Though found all throughout Italy, this dessert originated in Sicily.  Traditional flavoring ingredients include lemon juice, mandarin oranges, jasmine, coffee, almonds, mint, and when in season wild strawberries and black mulberries. Chocolate granitas have a tradition in the city of Catania but are also available in other parts of Sicily.
There is nothing better than enjoying this cold dessert in the mid-summer heat while exploring Sicilian streets. Depending on where you try this dessert in the city, it’s texture can vary. It is said that the desired texture seems to vary from city to city on the island; on the west coast and in Palermo, it is at its chunkiest, and in the east it is nearly as smooth as sorbet. No matter where you try this dessert, it is sure to be delicious. 

There are so many wonderful sights and dishes to highlight from Sicily and while there is not time to list them all, you will be able to sample them when you join ECA on our next adventure visiting this amazing island October 8 - 18, 2022.  

Email or call ECA to request the detailed program and information!

Zoom Events to Look Forward To

As border access remains on hold, we turn to Zoom for our primary form of travel. It’s been exciting to experience the world in a new way and we believe that, even once international travel will resume, the virtual space will provide an enhancement of travel, giving us the opportunity to better prepare ourselves for our upcoming trips.  

Let’s take a look back on our past Zoom vacations and look forward to what's to come… 

Christmas in Tuscany

Back in December we had the privilege to learn about Tuscan Christmas Traditions featuring Chef Loredana and Tour Guide Camilla. We had encountered them both in the virtual space back in the summer when attendees had the opportunity to learn new recipes to cook a fresh summer antipasto, a stacked savory salad, torta fredda, amd pici pasta from scratch and cook them with cacio and pepe sauce, following chef Loredana’s lead, and we enjoyed a virtual tour of the Cucinone at Pitti Palace with Camilla: read more about that event here.

Traditional Carnival Costume

Then in March we met with Tour Guide Sabrina to learn about  The Carnival of Venice (Italian: Carnevale di Venezia), an annual festival held in Venice, Italy. The carnival ends with the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter, on Shrove Tuesday (or Mardi Gras). The festival is world-famous for its elaborate masks. 

Also, we had an enjoyable time attending virtual winery visits with Corte Gardoni Winery this will be linked to the word on the site) in Veneto and another with Claudio Quarta Vignaiolo with wineries located in both Puglia and Campania. 

Grapes growing to be made into wine.

We have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback towards our curated zoom series. We have more opportunities to travel via Zoom planned because at ECA Travel Consulting, we believe the best way to learn about a location and its people is through their customs and culture including food and wine, whether in person or virtually. Zoom provides the opportunity to travel in a new way and learn about the wonderful traditions and delicacies of these many countries we hope to soon be traveling to again. 

We would love to share with you some comments received from participants of these Zoom calls and we hope you will be able to join us for our next one! 

“We really enjoyed Camilla’s Zoom presentation on the Pitti Palace’s ducal kitchen. It was so very interesting and really made us want to visit it in person the next time we are in Florence.”  -Tom

 “Erica, I really enjoyed the presentation & it reminded me of how much I enjoyed the trip to Tuscany & Piemonte! I sooo want to go on another trip with you.  Please do it again!” - Reenie

 “Very interesting information. I love Venice and hope to have the opportunity to visit it again.” -Luisa

 “I really enjoyed the virtual tour of Venice. Thank you for arranging it and inviting me. I will look forward to being able to travel there in person hopefully soon!” -Linda

“Thank you, again, for another excellent presentation. If we can’t be in Venice right now you help make us imagine we are!” -Circolo Italiano of the Main Line

“Sabrina was wonderful! Virtual tours will get clients pumped up for the real thing.” -Maura

If you would like to register for future events please email ep@ecatravelconsulting.com  

Some upcoming events we are looking forward to include: 

April 10th at 11:00am: Spring & Easter traditions in Tuscany 

May 15th at 11:00 am - An overview of Puglia, the heel of Italy 

June (TBD)- An overview of Sicily 

 More detail about these topics below.*

Each presentation will last 50 minutes and will allow for Q&A. The zoom link for each presentation will be sent to registered participants a few days ahead of the call. 

Presentations are free for everyone to enjoy, but small donations in support of tour guides are welcome and can be submitted via Venmo or by check. 

April Zoom Call:

Leg of lamb and peas florentine style.

Spring & Easter traditions in Tuscany: featuring Camilla Sinding Larsen, licensed tour guide in Tuscany, with a master’s degree in restoration of antique paintings and frescoes, and Loredana Bagnoli who specializes in dishes of the Tuscan tradition.  During their presentations you will learn about the explosion of the cart in Florence on Easter Sunday and you will enjoy a virtual visit to the Convent of San Marco. You will enjoy a cooking demonstration of traditional Easter recipes: erbata di porri, a vegetarian appetizer, and leg of lamb with spring peas florentine style. 

For those of you who would like to cook along a list of the ingredients will be provided ahead of the call.  

 May Zoom call:

Orecchiette with broccoli rabe.

An overview of Salento, the heel of Italy: featuring Angelo Calianno licensed tour guide in Puglia and chef Veronica Zizzi. Angelo will take us to the land of Trulli, the conical roofed dwellings, typical of the Val D’Itria.  We will visit the highlights of the area including Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Lecce and Otranto, also venturing into neighboring Basilicata to see Matera. Veronica will demonstrate how to prepare an appetizer of friselle and orecchiette with broccoli rabe from scratch. 

 For those of you who would like to cook along a list of the ingredients will be provided ahead of the call. 

June Zoom call 

Full information about the Sicily presentation will be available early/mid May.

Travel to Florence: Via Zoom!

What a fun Zoom event!

This past week, ECA had the privilege of hosting  a virtual travel and cooking class in Florence! Thanks to local guide Camilla Sinding-Larsen we were able to explore the Ducal Kitchen of the Pitti Palace, popularly dubbed as “Cucinone” (big kitchen), as well as watch and participate in a cooking demonstration by wonderful chef Loredana Bagnoli. 

The Pitti Palace

Camilla and Loredana are both terrific partners who, for years,  have been supporting ECA with our custom tours in Tuscany and our tour A Taste of Tuscany & Piedmont: they share our same passion for travel and ensure our clients enjoy a truly authentic experience!

Attendees had the opportunity to learn new recipes to cook a fresh summer antipasto - a stacked savory salad, torta fredda, with tomatoes and cucumber and they also learned how to make  pici pasta from scratch and cook them with cacio and pepe sauce, following chef Loredana’s lead. 

Pici Pasta

The Pitti Palace once hosted 4000 guests for the wedding of Maria de’Medici and King Henry IV of France in 1600. While it’s difficult to imagine the immense 6-meter-red-fireplace and original stone and beautiful tiles of the Ducal Kitchen, Camilla provided us with photos and a presentation to make us feel as if we were really standing within the palace walls. 

Event attendees learned new recipes and new sites to visit once in Florence, here are some reviews of our very first Zoom travel event:

Beth, among many others, had great things to say about our Zoom event, sharing “I have had the good fortune to travel with Erica in Cuba, Puglia, Italy & most recently through a Zoom meeting to Florence.  I can't say enough about how fun, engaging & enriching these trips have been.  Erica, herself, is a wealth of information, but she also has a knack for partnering with amazing local tour guides & hosts to add a real depth of understanding & warmth to the experience. At last week's Zoom meeting we watched an Italian chef make 2 delicious dishes & visited a medieval kitchen from a Medici palace and were able to really feel almost as if we were standing at the butcher block island that has been in place for 300+ years.  I look forward to taking more of these awe-inspiring trips with ECA Travel Consulting!” 

“You are amazing. We admire your passion and drive as well as the partners you choose!” 

“I’m ready to try my hand at making some pasta and booking flights to Italy!” and we’d like you to do the same as we hope to host more virtual travel events in the future. 

Cheers to our very first Zoom event, we look forward to more in the future!