La Dolce Vita Italy Trip
September 27 - October 5, 2026
Come with La Dolce Vita to breathtaking Italy—the land of Renaissance masters, sculptors, papermakers, winemakers, truffle hunters, glassblowers, and marble artisans. The list could go on forever, but what I love most about Italy are her people and her food.
Italians live with their hearts wide open. They are passionate, expressive, and warm. They greet you with joy and they part from you with tears. They adore their bambini just as much as they revere their nonnas. When it comes to food, they never hold back. To Italians, food is everything: it heals, comforts, and nourishes both body and soul.
On this 9 day adventure, we’ll enjoy more bespoke, immersive experiences than ever before. We’ll be staying at the beautiful Villa La Massa, my favorite havenjust outside Florence. Why? Because it offers the best of both worlds: nestled in the serene countryside, yet only a 15-minute complimentary hotel coach ride into the city.
A view of the Arno from the Villa la Massa
Villa la Massa
By day, we’ll wander the charming streets, discovering fine Italian gold, sumptuous fabrics, and timeless craftsmanship. By evening, we’ll retreat to the villa, where birdsong, gentle breezes, relaxing massages, and refreshing swims await—the perfect combination!
Our journey through Italy is filled with unforgettable experiences. Among some of the things you will experience in Florence, you’ll enjoy a private tour of the city, an energetic truffle hunt, and a private dinner prepared by an exceptional chef at Officine Gullo’s special venue—housed in a beautifully restored building connected to an old church. After dinner, we’ll take a private, candlelit tour of that church. You’ll also visit a few carefully selected museums and enjoy a private tour—and lunch—at a luxurious cashmere factory. Several group lunches and dinners are planned throughout our stay.
For those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, an optional hot air balloon ride is available. Lifting off at dawn, it’s a magical way to greet the day above the Tuscan countryside—something I’ve done myself and highly recommend.
Welcome the day in the silent sky
After our sun-drenched days in Florence, we’ll travel by private coach to Verona. If you’ve never been, get ready to fall in love. This charming town, which inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is home to a Colosseum even older than the one in Rome, Juliet’s famed balcony, and winding streets perfect for strolling, shopping, and eating. We’ll enjoy lunch and free time to explore. If timing allows, I have a little surprise in store before we continue on to Venice.
In Venice, we’ll stay at the magnificent Gritti Palace, perched right on the Grand Canal. With breathtaking views of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and San Giorgio Maggiore—and just steps from St. Mark’s Square—the Gritti is the perfect base for discovering the magic of Venice. While several special activities are planned, you’ll also have plenty of time to shop, dine, and wander through this unforgettable city at your own pace.
Talented and fun chefs abound in Italy.
Let's eat!
Enjoy a campari as the sun sets.
The setting for our private dinner with Officine Gullo.
They found this mural by accident when prepping the walls to paint them.
Every day is a dream in Italy. I hope you will join us for an unforgettable 10 days. I do think this journey will be one of the favorites in your heart.
La Dolce Vita Italy Trip
September 27 - October 5, 2026
$11,500 pp
Single Supplement $3,500
Included in Price of the Trip:
Breakfast Every Morning
Luxury 5 Star Accommodations:
Villa La Massa- holds a green Michelin Star & 2 Michelin Keys
Gritti Palace- holds two Michelin Keys
3 Dinners
3 Lunches
All tours and events listed above
All Gratuities for our events
Private Luxury Buses
All taxis and/or Ubers to our events
Not included in the Price of the Trip
Your airfare
Taxi to and from the airport
Travel Insurance
Your hotel mini bars
Any services you book on your own
Any gratuities for services you book on your own
Any reservation for the days before or after the trip
The hot air balloon ride is an additional price
A down payment of $2,000 is required to hold your spot. No other payment is due until November and payments will be made in installments.
La Dolce Vita Paris Trip
April 19-26, 2026
Spring showers are depressing because they tend to drag on and on. Why not skip the grey and wet, and spend a luxurious week in Paris next April with La Dolce Vita? We have a fantastic week planned for you from Sunday April 19 to Sunday April 26, 2026.
Our hotel will be the perfectly located Hotel Regina, marked by the gold statue of Jeanne d'Arc. The Hotel Regina was one of the first hotels in Paris, built on the edge of the right bank, directly across the street from the Louvre, and the Seine, yet situated where both banks have much to offer.
This trip is concentrating on Napoleon, champage, music, and Claude Monet. During the week, you will have a private tour of the Musee D'Orsay and Musee de L'Orangerie. We will visit Chateau de Malmaison, the home of Napoleon and Josephine, have dinner at Napoleon's hunting lodge, a fabulous tour of champagne country, as well as a cooking or flower arranging class. One day will be spent at Giverny and go behind the scenes of L'Opera Garnier with a ballerina and enjoy champagne afterward. We will attend an evening concert at St. Chapelle as well. These trips sell out very quickly, usually within a week, so please don't delay contacting me if you are interested!
La Dolce Vita Paris Trip
April 19-26, 2026
$9,000.00
Single Supplement $2,500
Price includes all tours, tour guides, gratuities, transportation once in Paris when with the group, one lunch, two dinners, cooking or flower class, private tour of champagne area and tasting, behind scenes tour of Palais Garnier with ballerina, CV2 Tour of Paris, museum tickets, excursion to Giverny, concert tickets, and anything mentioned above. This trip does NOT include your flights to Paris, taxi to and from the hotel from the airport, trip insurance, and anything of a personal nature.
Trip insurance is HIGHLY recommended as there are no refunds.
Deposit is $2,000.00
Please contact me at 260-341-4300 or ladolcevita139@aol.com.
Culinary Trips
Once or twice a year, chef Laura Wilson takes a group of people on a fabulous trip to Europe. All of the accommodations are 5 star hotels or luxury boutique hotels, such as Relais & Chateaux or L’artisien Group. These bespoke trips are designed from beginning to end with YOU in mind. When you book a trip with her, you can rest assured that everything will be taken care of from gratuities to safe, professional drivers. Interesting tours with top notch guides, the chance for behind the scenes tours and events, at least one regional cooking class, private winery tours and tastings, shopping, and great meals are a few of the things each trip includes.
Private Dinners and Luncheons
I strive to bring joy to you and your guests by creating the finest dinners to make your experience unique. I demand perfection in every aspect from the underlying sauces to the final ganache, using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. The recipes, table settings, and refined plate presentation are indicative of my training. I offer these private dinners at Fearless Cook or, for an up-charge, dinner parties can be held in your home.
Cooking Classes
There are no public classes scheduled currently.
Reservations only, however. Please text me 260-341-4300 to make yours.
The Convivial Table
Together with Rick Habegger and Matthew Meinima, I would like to introduce our new experience, The Convivial Table. The Convivial Table is a dinner club where we will host exclusive dinners prepared by us or numerous talented chefs from around the world in new and exciting locations. Our goal is to help broaden your tastebuds by serving great food without the esoteric, self-righteous edge.
In short, we are here to enjoy amazing food!
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Meet Laura
An avid cook and foodie, I began in the kitchen at a very young age, watching those early cooking shows, then playing food host or chef on my own. I followed Mom around the kitchen, learning as she made delicious home cooked meals every day. For her, there was no line between baking and cooking. She was a fabulous entertainer as well. Growing up in the Midwest, I did all the typical things rural kids do: Home Economics, FHA and 4-H. I believe these early cooking classes laid a solid foundation for my trust in the magic a little sugar, flour, eggs and butter can create. My culinary skills have certainly evolved since those days.