“I don’t like group tours!”

Honestly? I don’t blame you — I get it.

No one wants to be stuck on a hot double-decker bus, fumbling with headphones, traveling like a herd of sheep while chasing a tour guide waving a plastic yellow sunflower.

So what makes Dolce Vita Adventures different?

  • Our native expertise and the strong relationships with locals, colleagues who have

    become friends over the years.

  • Our close-knit DVA community: curious, easy-going travelers who often return again and

    again, who have also become friends after 20+ years.

  • It’s the personal touch that comes from being a small company - free from greedy

    overhead and cookie-cutter itineraries.

  • And finally, it’s our small group size. Unlike other companies where “small” means 24, we

    cap our groups at 12 — sometimes 14 in a pinch. That size is the secret to a truly personal,

    flexible, and authentic experience.

Our Small Group Tour Philosophy Is Simple

Mobility with Accessibility

Connection with Authenticity

 

MOBILITY WITH ACCESSIBILITY

Traveling in a small group allows us to reach Italy’s hidden gems — places larger buses simply can’t access. It means skipping long lines, grabbing front-row seats at a medieval show, or trading a crowded ferry for a private sail along the coast.

It also means slipping easily into local life: joining a private aperitivo hour at a friend’s art gallery, or saying yes to a spontaneous cooking class. Whether it’s a quick stop at the town hall to track down nonna’s birth certificate or a last-minute change of plans, small groups give us the freedom to experience Italy in ways bigger tours just can’t.

CONNECTION WITH AUTHENTICITY

In a smaller group, you’re never just another tourist. You meet locals as friends, not outsiders. Go ahead — quiz our local guide about Etruscan life to your heart’s content; she’s joining us for lunch anyway, not rushing off to another job.

There’s also time and space to truly connect - with fellow travelers and even with yourself. It’s about more than checking off sights; it’s about the moments in between that make travel unforgettable.

 

Born and raised in Italy to an Italian mother and an American father, I’ve been bi-culturally blessed with the unique privilege of experiencing both cultures firsthand. Growing up in Italy gave me a deep understanding of the country - its rhythms, traditions, and everyday magic - which I love sharing with anyone eager to discover the true essence of Italy’s Dolce Vita.

That connection naturally led me to teaching Italian language and culture, a role I embraced for more than 30 years. I also led tours for larger travel companies – invaluable experiences that helped clarify what I wanted to do, very differently.

So when Dolce Vita Adventures began in 2002, it was a work-in-passion. It was never meant to be a traditional travel agency: no glossy brochures, no middlemen, just meaningful, well-crafted journeys, thoughtfully planned and based on real connections.

Sybil Haynes

Founder/Owner, Dolce Vita Adventures

I believe travel broadens our horizons and fosters cultural understanding, offering opportunities for personal growth and memorable moments. My mission is simple: to provide knowledgeable, reliable, and personalized experiences in Italy that go beyond the ordinary. Focused on authenticity and genuine connection, I aim to make your travel experiences stress-free, enriching and fun. Dolce Vita Adventures was, and still is, simply a way to share my love for Italy with you — in the best way possible.

Let’s travel.

xoxo,

Sybil

THE DVA TEAM

Dolce Vita Adventures’ COLLABORATORS are the heart of your Italian experience. We’re blessed to work with passionate professionals who bring specific skills to your adventure. 

Our villa, B&B, and boutique hotel hosts graciously offer you a warm welcome to your “home away from home”, selected for its location, comfort, and value. Your English speaking drivers will take care of your needs in fully-insured, comfortable vehicles. We also believe in supporting local businesses, so we work exclusively with licensed, knowledgeable LOCAL guides eager to share their expertise and regional pride with you. Outstanding service is rare enough, but our collaborators usually go above and beyond. Their individual expertise and personal care through the years continues to amaze and reassure travelers like you.

Last on “your team”, and as the founder of DVA, I will be with you every step of the way. I’m personally committed to making every moment of your adventure magical.