Culture Discovery VacationsReviews of culturediscovery.com

Our friends were on a Culture Discovery tour in Croatia, and we happened to be in Stari Grad at the exact same time. When they approached their guide Mislav about finding some time to see us, he immediately invited us to join the group for the day which was so spontaneous and unexpected from our experience of “normal” tour companies. In this way, both we and our friends got to enjoy hanging out AND our friends did not have to miss the tour’s organised local experience with interesting sightseeing, delicious food, excellent wine, and beautiful klapa (a cappella) singing! A truly generous and out-of-the-ordinary solution. We now have such a nice memory with our friends and the other lovely participants. Observing the guides Mislav and Maggie, we were incredibly impressed by how welcoming, accommodating, and genuinely caring they were. Their attentiveness to each group member’s personal needs and interests was very evident, and even we were treated like family. We would really like to thank Mislav and Maggie. Amazing! And we highly recommend them and the company for those looking for that extra memorable care factor!

Just returned from a week in Soriano. In one word...fabulous. Top notch from start to finish! Soriano is a quaint mountain town that was dressed in her finest for the Chestnut Festival (Sagra delle Castagne). Our accommodations were a mix of old world charm and modern conveniences. The places we visited, the food we ate and the wine we drank were incredible. But what REALLY made the trip were the people. Our host, Lorenzo, was knowledgeable, funny and a pro at keeping us on track. Carla and her kitchen team (Katia, Rosaria, and Clementina) made us feel like family from the moment we arrived. The drivers, the various vendors, Michael, Paola and all involved showed a true love for what they do. What an incredible trip that felt like visiting your long lost family to hang out in their homes and see their favorite places. So very grateful we found CDV and trusted them to provide the trip of a lifetime!

I will soon be taking my sixth trip with CDV. Honestly, it's the only tour company that I want to travel with. It's not only that the tours are absolutely amazing from the moment you arrive, the food extraordinary and the people outstanding, but the family atmosphere and the entire hands-on, living with the locals experience is second to none. The small group, which I love, feels like your personal family; and they actually do become that with connections lasting long after the trip has ended. I can't say enough about my experiences with CDV.

After 10 trips with CDV over many years I can honestly say that there is no company who does a better job . If you want to experience a true feeling of what it is like to be part of a local culture and not a typical tourist experience then CDV is your best option. Every trip with them has been a trip of a lifetime. We have made so many amazing friends, had incredible food, made incredible food and felt like a family member every single time. I cannot recommend them enough. So very grateful we found them years ago. Looking forward to returning to Sicily again in October.

The level of care that is taken by Michael and his team is unmatched. The planning it takes to create such wonderful experiences cannot be easy. My wife and I did Soriano in October of 2025 and were treated like royalty from the meals, wineries, olive harvest, churches, and most importantly the family gatherings at Michael and Paola’s Villa for cooking classes and meals. The wine and grappa flowed and friends were made. I highly recommend this company for an all inclusive, memorable vacation. We’re going back in October 2026 to Bologna. Can’t wait.

Don’t book with this company if you want: Run of the mill attractions; “Follow the umbrella” tours; Eat the same meals you eat at home; Stay in your comfort zone; Or anything else which hundreds of other tour companies can give you HOWEVER, if you want a unique experience, i.e. discover the essential core of travelling (language, food, culture), submerse yourself into a CDV trip and make friends along the way! A few years ago, I Googled “Italian cooking holidays’ and this company came up. I loved the concept so much, I booked 4 trips, with no experience with them at all. Well, the love and care these people put into their trips, introducing you to the real Italy (or any of the other countries on offer) is just amazing. I have just completed my 6th trip with CDV and have a stack of others booked. It does not matter where you are from, or whether you are travelling with another person or by yourself, you feel at home. From the moment you are greeted coming off the plane, to when some tears appear when you are leaving, the whole experience is amazing. If you want an authentic holiday, book with CDV

Our trip to Soriano for our honeymoon exceeded every expectation. From start to finish, the experience felt authentic, seamless, and deeply rooted in the local culture. What stood out most was the attention to detail and the genuine hospitality. Every recommendation, from dining to local experiences, felt thoughtfully curated and gave us a true sense of the region rather than a typical tourist version of it. We especially appreciated the cultural discoveries woven into our stay. Whether it was learning about traditional cuisine, exploring the charm of the town, or simply slowing down and embracing the Italian pace of life, everything felt meaningful and memorable. This wasn’t just a trip, it felt like an immersion into a way of living that values connection, quality, and presence. As honeymooners, that made it incredibly special. If you’re looking for a personalized, high-quality experience that goes beyond surface-level travel, we highly recommend Culture Discovery Vacations . We left with beautiful memories and a deeper appreciation for Italian culture.

What an amazing experience! I consider myself a well travelled individual and when I say that this company went over and beyond my expectations, I am not exaggerating. My experience in Amalfi was everything I could have wished for. We explored every ‘must-do’ destination and more. I think what sets them apart is that you become part of an Italian family for a week, it’s truly special. I will always be a CDV customer.