Betsy Pieser, owner of The Details Travel Agency, recently attended an invite-only seminar hosted by the Italian National Tourist Board North America in New York City. “Italia: The luxury of beauty” connected tour operators, hotel owners and destination management companies from Italy with travel agency owners from North America who specialize in unique Italian travel opportunities.

Pieser met with suppliers and tourism specialists from the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre region, Dolomites area, Tuscany, Matera, Sicily, Puglia, Catania as well as Rome and Florence. Her meetings with the Italian suppliers and destination specialists focused on the undiscovered and less touristy side of Italy.

Her one-on-one meetings included time with boutique hotel owners, agriturismo properties and experiential tour companies offering hands-on cooking classes in a local family’s homes, ancestral research and volunteer opportunities. Participants connected with new and improved resources including active adventures such as biking and hiking, expansion of shore excursions, cruise personalization and coupling Italy with other countries, such as Croatia, Germany and Greece.

Pieser recently completed the Italy Destination Specialist certification program and will lead another tour to Italy in May 2020. “Undiscovered Italy” will include Puglia, Matera, Sicily, Pompeii, Ischia and villages in the Amalfi Coast. The Details Travel creates custom itineraries for individual travelers and groups to a variety of destinations including Italy and is a full-service travel agency based in New Ulm.