ITALY WITH NINA
A Curated Luxury Getaway to the Heart of Italy
April 18 to 24, 2027
Umbria. Six guests. Applications close December 1.
This is Italy with Nina: six nights at one home base in Umbria, with excursions planned around it.
A medieval village on a mountaintop above Lake Trasimeno. Streets that have been walked for centuries. A hotel that was a historic building in the 14th century, restored well enough to win a design award. Local food and wine, made the way it's always been made here.
I have spent 26 years photographing people, in New York, in Connecticut and now here in the Bay Area. I wrote a book on personal branding because how you show up in the world matters to me. Italy with Nina comes from the same place. I have brought small groups here for years. Every one of them says the same thing when they leave. They didn't expect it to be this good.
THE EXPERIENCE
Italy with Nina is designed around one principle. You should feel like you live there, not like you are visiting.
The daily rhythm is unhurried. Morning walks through cobblestone lanes before the village wakes. Leisurely lunches in the shade. Afternoons exploring at whatever pace feels right. Aperitivo on a terrace as the sun drops over the lake. Dinners that stretch into the evening over regional wines and food that has been made this way for generations.
There are activities built into each day for those who want them and open hours for those who do not. The itinerary holds the structure. The serenity holds the rest.
This is the Italy that most people do not find because they are moving too fast to see it.
What our guests say...
“I almost didn’t go. I kept telling myself I would do it when things were less busy. I am so glad I stopped waiting. The village is exactly what Nina describes. Each morning I would walk the streets before everyone woke up and feel like I had the whole place to myself. The portrait session was the unexpected part. I did not think I even wanted professional photos taken of myself. I now have a keepsake I did not know I needed.” — Janet, Oregon
KEY DETAILS
Six night luxury accommodations in a historic Umbrian boutique hotel
Daily breakfast and either full lunch or dinner
Guided activities and curated local experiences throughout the week
Your personalized portrait session with Nina
Airfare, travel insurance and gratuities are not included
6 attendees
$8500
How to Join Me
This trip is limited to six guests, so I don’t book first come, first served. I get to know each guest before the group comes together. Start by filling out the application and I’ll reach out to set up a short call. We’ll talk about the trip and what you’re hoping for from your week in Italy. My goal is a group where everyone feels at ease from the first dinner.
Applications close December 1, 2026. Since I’ll be holding a room for you, please apply when you’re ready to commit.
Reserving Your Room
Once we’ve connected and confirmed your place, a 50% deposit reserves your room. The balance is due February 1, 2027.
Because I commit to the hotel, meals and transportation for our group, each reservation is personal to the guest and not transferable. I recommend travel insurance to protect your trip. You’ll find the full cancellation policy in the FAQ below.
PHOTOGRAPHY WITH NINA
This isn’t a trip for photographers, and you don’t need a camera or any photography experience to join us. As part of our time together, we’ll explore the village, capturing candid moments and the places we discover along the way. I’ll share my photographs with the entire group, so you’ll leave with a beautiful collection of images documenting the experience, along with your own personal portrait session.
This trip is for you if:
You’d rather share a long table with a small group than follow a crowd from stop to stop
You love good food and wine, but you don’t need to be an expert in either
You want a week in Italy where every detail is planned and your only job is to enjoy it
You want to come home with portraits in a breathtaking setting
You value a private room and bath in a high-end boutique design award winning restored 14th-century palazzo, with time to linger over coffee in the piazza
You’re traveling on your own, with a friend or with a family member and want to feel welcome from the first aperitivo
Six guests. One week in Umbria and Tuscany. Reservations close December 1st.
What a previous guest said...
“Nina's vision, planning and impeccable taste made this unlike any trip I have taken before. Nothing was accidental. The hotel, the food, the pace of each day, the people in the room. She thought of everything so we did not have to think of anything except being there. Trust me: take the trip.” — Joann, California
Your Italian Escape
Umbria & Tuscany, Italy
Italy with Nina
Benvenuti in Italia
Arrival in Umbria
Your trip begins at Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO). A private coach takes us through the countryside to Panicale, a medieval hilltop village in Umbria.
Our home for the week is a boutique hotel in a restored 14th-century palazzo with views of Lake Trasimeno.
Settle in, rest after your flight and enjoy an aperitivo in the garden. We gather for our first dinner together that evening.
Tonight, we slow down and start to feel at home in Italy.
Orvieto
A Medieval Hilltop Town
After breakfast, we travel by private coach to Orvieto, a town built on top of a volcanic plateau.
Visit the Gothic cathedral, walk the cobblestone streets and browse the local shops. The town’s history goes back to the Etruscans.
We return to Panicale in the afternoon and have dinner together that evening.
Cortona
A Day in Tuscany
Today we cross into Tuscany to spend the day in Cortona, a hilltop town with Etruscan roots and medieval streets.
Walk through Piazza della Repubblica, visit the shops, stop for a coffee or explore on your own. The views across the Tuscan hills are worth the walk up.
We return to Panicale for dinner together.
The Art of Italian Cooking
A Countryside Cooking Class
After a light breakfast, we head to a countryside villa for a hands-on cooking class with a professional chef.
You’ll learn the techniques and traditions behind Italian cooking. Then we sit down together to enjoy what we made over a family-style meal.
The evening is yours. Walk through Panicale, find a favorite spot or relax in the garden with an aperitivo.
Tuscan Wine Country
A Winery Visit
After breakfast, we take a private coach to one of my favorite wineries in the Tuscan countryside.
We tour the estate and its historic cellars, then taste the wines and learn about their organic and biodynamic approach to winemaking.
We return to Panicale in the afternoon. The rest of the day is yours.
Portraits & Aperitivo
Your Portrait Session
Today is about you.
I’ll photograph each of you in a private portrait session here in the village. Whether you want portraits for yourself or images for your professional brand, you’ll leave with photographs made in one of my favorite places in Italy.
We’ll also walk the village together while I capture candid moments. I’ll share these photos with the group so everyone goes home with a record of our week.
In the evening, we make cocktails together and toast our time in Italy. We finish with our farewell dinner.
Arrivederci, Italia
Departure
After breakfast, we leave Panicale and travel by private coach to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) for your flight home.
You’ll head home with your portraits, new friends and a week in Italy to remember.
Italy with Nina 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve my spot?
Start by filling out the reservation form. Once I receive it, I'll reach out to set up a short call so we get to know each other. With six guests traveling together, I want everyone to enjoy the group as much as the destination. Reservations close December 1, 2026.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive at Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) by 1:00 PM on April 18, 2027. One group transfer departs for our hotel in Panicale. If you arrive after 11:00 AM, you will need to arrange your own transportation to the hotel, about two and a half hours away.
Who is this trip for?
This trip is for those who appreciate good food, good wine and good company. The group is limited to six guests. You don't need to be a foodie or a wine expert. Past guests have included independent travelers, friends traveling together and mothers with daughters. If you value quality over quantity and meaningful experiences over crowded tourist stops, you will feel at home with us.
What does the trip cost?
$8,500 per person. The deadline to reserve is December 1st.
Each guest has a private room and bath. If you choose to share a room with a friend, the price per person stays the same. Only six rooms are available.
What is the pace of the trip?
Relaxed and full. Expect moderate walking, especially in the hill towns, where worn cobblestone streets get slick. Each day balances touring, meals and wine with open time to explore, rest or enjoy a coffee in a sunny piazza.
What is the weather in Umbria in April?
April is mild and springlike. Expect daytime temperatures around 60 to 66°F (16 to 19°C) and cooler evenings around 43 to 46°F (6 to 8°C). The hills are green, the flowers are in bloom and most days are sunny with an occasional rain shower.
What is the payment plan?
Once we've connected and confirmed your place, a 50% deposit reserves your room and is due within 7 days of our call. The balance is due February 1, 2027. I accept ACH payments. Credit card payments will include a 4% transaction fee.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be received in writing and confirmed by me.
Your 50% deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel before February 1, 2027, you will not owe the balance. Once your balance is paid, it is also non-refundable. Reservations are personal to each guest and are not transferable. I recommend travel insurance to protect your trip. If fewer than six guests reserve, I’ll let you know before your balance is due and refund everything you’ve paid.
Is it possible to arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Many guests arrive early or stay on to explore more of Umbria or Italy on their own. The group transfers run on April 18 and April 24 only and hotel nights outside the trip dates are not included.
What is your health policy?
We follow current Italian travel requirements and health guidelines. I recommend comprehensive travel insurance with medical coverage. If you feel unwell during the trip, please let me know right away. Your health and the group's well-being come first.
What documents do I need?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Please send me a copy of your passport information page for hotel registration.
The European Union is introducing ETIAS, a travel authorization for U.S. visitors. Please check the official ETIAS website before you travel to confirm whether you need it for April 2027.
What should I pack?
Spring in Umbria is usually lovely, but rain is possible. I suggest:
- Comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles that grip. We will walk on cobblestones and uneven ground and visit a countryside villa and winery.
- Layers for mild days and cool evenings, including a sweater or light fleece
- A lightweight rain jacket and a packable umbrella
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- An appetite for wonderful food and wine
A Note From Nina
I started “Italy With Nina” because I wanted to share something I had found that most people never do. A version of Italy that does not feel curated for visitors. A place where the slowness is the point.
Every year the group is small, the conversations run deep and someone inevitably says they wish they had done it sooner.
If you have questions before you inquire formally, reply to my contact form and I will get back to you directly.