Fashionistas with deep pockets can indulge themselves with the 10-day Italy in Vogue tour offered through Zicasso, a luxury travel specialist. Though the trip may be taken any time of year, the best time to do it is in conjunction with 2018 Milan Fashion Week, Feb. 21-27 for the fall/winter exhibition or Sept. 19-25 for the spring/summer exhibition. The standard tour features highlights like a private VIP fashion show at the Ferragamo Boutique in Florence, an after-hours private tour of the Rolex laboratory, a tour of the Armani Silos that have displays of past collections, a visit to the Italian Institute of Fashion, browsing the Milan Fashion District with an English-speaking personal shopper and a private master class in the art of perfume-making. There’s also access to one of the Milan Fashion Week events if the tour is taken during that time. The package during Fashion Week is priced from $9,899 per person, double occupancy. At other times, it’s priced from $6,569. International airfare is extra. http://tinyurl.com/y723u9cg
Live like a local
If you like to immerse yourself in local culture when you travel overseas, check out Untours, which recently added a Scottish Highlands option to its roster. The company specializes in setting you up in an apartment for one or two weeks and providing transportation that, depending on the location, will be a car or a pass for public transportation. I’ve used Untours in Greece, Italy and Switzerland and have never been disappointed. Apartments are generally modest, but their locations make them a great way to feel like a local. There’s also a local contact who can help when you have questions. Check out the Highlands Untour at http://tinyurl.com/ya36kfj6.
Celebrate Christmas in Poland
Christmas Traditions of Poland offers the opportunity for a variety of holiday experiences, including a Christmas Eve dinner in the home of a Polish family in Warsaw. The eight-day/seven-night escorted tour from MIR Corp. begins in Krakow with a visit to the Christmas market in the centuries-old Market Square, where artisans sell their work. See how to make classic Christmas ornaments during a workshop, and visit a small factory where handblown ornaments are made. There’s also a class in how to make Polish pierogis, as well as a torch-lit sleigh ride. In Warsaw, the Christmas Eve dinner is noted for the 12 traditional Polish dishes served. Afterward, there’s the opportunity to join the family for a midnight church service with caroling. The trip is limited to 16 people and is priced from $3,995 per person, double occupancy. International air is extra. Trip dates both this year and next are Dec. 18-25, though pricing in 2018 is $500 more. http://tinyurl.com/losbxbr
Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
