Italian Heritage Travel: The My Bella Vita Experience

In this article, we interview founder of My Bella Vita, Cherrye, about their Italian Heritage Travel tours. If you have Italian ancestry and have always dreamed about returning to Italy to feel, taste, and see where your family comes from, continue reading!

I grew up in America, so I understand the American expectation. I know the American traveler in a way that many Italian-based companies might not. But I lived in Italy for a long time. My husband is Italian and grew up in Calabria, and because of our history in Calabria, we can bridge that cultural experience for our guests. We understand what Americans want and expect and appreciate how Calabria works, and we can bridge that for our clients.

What are some cultural differences between Americans and Italians?

There are many cultural differences between Americans and Italians; I even see this with my team sometimes. Italians are just crazy about beaches, and they can't understand why Americans would want to travel to Calabria and not spend three or four full days on the beach because, in their mind, why wouldn't you? Our beaches are beautiful. Most Americans want to see the beach and have lunch near it but don't want to spend much time there. They would feel like they were wasting their vacation if they were lying on a beach somewhere. It is nice to understand the Italian view, but also know that our clients want a different experience.

How Did My Bella Vita Travel Get Started In Italian Heritage Travel? 

I moved to my husband's hometown of Calabria, Italy, in 2006, which was pre-Facebook, pre-Twitter, and pre-social media. And I had a friend who asked me, why don't you have a blog? Then you can tell all of us about your life there. And I'm like, «What's a blog?»

We were sharing name ideas, and I saw that My Bella Vita was available, so the blog began. I remember the first time people I didn't know started commenting and emailing me from the blog, and I was shocked. I was like, oh my gosh, people are reading this. I need to be careful what I write!

At the same time, my husband and I were starting a bed and breakfast in his childhood home. People started asking, «Can we come to stay at the bed and breakfast? We have heritage in such and such place.» The guests who were coming were not Italian speakers, so we would help them.

Maybe we would get a friend to go with them to the city hall, or if one of us were available, we would go with them and help them translate that day.

Then people continued to reach out, saying, «My heritage is a couple of hours away, but I still want to stay in your B&B. I would tell them, «No, that doesn't make sense. You're way better off staying somewhere else.» And they'd say, «Well, where should I stay?». Over time, I realized this could be a great business. Over time, the blog, the B&B, and helping visitors with their travel plans developed into My Bella Vita.

What Changes Have You Seen In the Heritage Travel Industry Since You Began In 2006?

When we first started, we called our tours heritage, ancestry, or genealogical tours. That segment of tourism has grown and become its own niche. In Italy, they call heritage travel Roots Tourism, and the push for heritage tours is strong right now, with the government supporting heritage travel.

Italians, whether they now live in America, Australia, Canada, or elsewhere, are a proud bunch. Even though they may have lost the language, they kept many Italian or Italian-American traditions. They've heard of their immigrant ancestor's hometown forever, and it is a big deal for them to be where their grandfather or grandmother was born.

Tell us more about Calabria and some unique things you've seen there.

Calabria is what most people think of when we think of old Italy. Clothes hang on the lines, shops close in the middle of the day, and you see the little men in the Piazza with their hats and canes sitting around talking or people sitting at a bar playing cards. Women still dress in black in perpetual mourning after they've lost a loved one.   

Growing up as a non-Italian American, I had this idea of what Italy would look like. We're picturing a lost time, old Italy, the old world. And then, if you go to some prominent touristy places now, it doesn't feel that way anymore. Many famous Italian towns have more Americans than Italians, and the locals speak to the tourists in English.

For many people, travel is about experiencing the local culture. I think a very small group of people travel and want only to see the Instagram spots. But most people travel to experience culture, and that's what you can get in Calabria. They're not going to make food because they think your American palate wants that food. They're making Italian Calabrian food, the type that they eat. Calabria is charming and nostalgic, which is why people want to return.

What tips or suggestions do you have for those planning a heritage tour in Italy, specifically Calabria?

Start by interviewing your family. If possible, find out the dates of birth and location of the person who left Italy. Even better, if you know the names of the immigrant ancestor's parents, this can help you identify the correct village. Sometimes, these records can be challenging to find, or your family might not remember those details. In those situations, I recommend you work with Legacy Tree Genealogists to create an accurate family tree. This information makes your visit much more personalized.

How does My Bella Vita prepare for a client's heritage tour?

Our goal is to show visitors what life was like for their families in their ancestral town and the Calabria region. We are most interested in the person who left Italy, whether their great-grandfather or grandmother. We then focus on that person and try to find the area of town that they lived in.

Before our guests arrive, we go to their ancestral village and visit City Hall, talk to people, find pertinent documents, and look for records their ancestors may have signed and filed with the city. We aim to see the house where they lived, their baptismal church, and maybe where they worked. The better prepared our visitors are ahead of time with their genealogy, the more personalized we can make their visit.

Accuracy of the family tree information is also very important. Sometimes, a guest will go online and Google their last name and the village of their ancestor and then assume all the names that come up are cousins. This leads to a lot of spinning our wheels trying to make connections with incorrect information. We rely on professional genealogists like Legacy Tree to research so we can provide the best possible tour.

We also find things that are unique to that area. For example, there is a town known for its silk production called Cortale near Catanzaro. There is a little bitty silk shop there, and we like to take people and let them see some of the silk that their grandparents may have either worked with or know about since the 1600s.

Sometimes, we can organize for the mayor to come out and meet them, and sometimes, the mayor will give them a mayoral sash and take a photo.

The best part of visiting the actual hometown is the connections it creates to the past. One of the things guests talk about afterward is how much people in that area look like their family. They say, «That man reminded me so much of my great uncle,» or «The woman at the agriturismo who cooked the meal, her meatballs reminded me so much of my grandmother's. I haven't had meatballs like that since my grandmother passed.»

How many days is a heritage tour?

We typically spend one or two days in their ancestral village, but to truly experience the area and its history, we recommend at least a full week. This time allows guests to go away with a deeper connection to their heritage than they had when they came. They get a little window into what it was like when their grandparents lived here, and it can be life-changing.

What are some of the challenges or surprises your guests have experienced?

One family who came to Italy had done much genealogy research before they arrived. Their family tree dates back to the 1700s, and it had nobility. We met with some of their cousins, who had a noble family tree document that had been hand-painted hundreds of years ago. They gave the family a duplicate of that hand-painted tree. It was a beautiful experience for everyone.   

When is the best time of year to plan a trip to Italy?

May, June, September, and October are the best months to visit because it's not too hot or crowded.

July and August are sweltering, so not as good for touring. Additionally, August is when the Italians take their vacations. So many family-owned businesses may close for a week or two, and the city halls may not have a person available to help you view the genealogical documents.

Visitors who are more flexible could travel during their ancestral town's patron saint celebration. It is a unique experience, especially if you're religious or interested in religion because the ceremonies have religious aspects. These events can change at the last minute, so it's best to contact city hall and see when the day is and if they typically celebrate in some manner.

How do you integrate food and culture into your tours?

It's hard to separate the culture and the cuisine because they are connected in Calabria and throughout Italy. While in the ancestral town, we will visit a restaurant serving a traditional dish their ancestors would have eaten. Depending on the area, we can do cooking classes or farmhouse dinners with authentic dishes.

When we have time in Calabria, we like to introduce guests to local artisans. In one area, there is a mulberry orchard where they breed silkworms and provide a hands-on experience spinning silk and eating the mulberry jam made from plant leaves. It is very interactive and a winner for all ages.   

How does heritage travel and being in your ancestral towns impact your visitors?

One way it impacts people is their connections with others in their small group. They share this time and keep it going by communicating after the trip. Some of them have even traveled back to Italy together. They've become good friends from having this emotional journey together.

People who come to Calabria are unique travelers who are so happy to be here that they are positive, no matter the situation. These visitors make up their minds that they will have fun.

People say, «I don't care if we had a detour in the road. I'm finally in Calabria.»

«I'm going to have fun. I'm a vegetarian, and the cook brought me chicken. Well, I sent it back, and they fixed it. It's no big deal because I will have a great time.»

Travelers to Calabria want that collaborative experience. They know it's not going to feel like America. They know that things will be different for them and embrace that.

How can readers get in touch with My Bella Vita Travel for more information?

We love talking about Calabria. You can join us in our Facebook Group – Calabria Travel Guide or email us at [email protected]. If you are planning a trip for 2024 or 2025, we’d love to hop on a call with you – you can schedule a free chat on our calendar here. Ci sentiamo presto!