ZainoVerde.com - Testimonials

I was fortunate enough to attend the Writer’s Retreat in 2026. It was fantastic! We had the opportunity to work with published authors like Carol Cassella, and I learned so much. (Mostly, I don’t know much about writing but now I know who to ask ). The entire experience was curated and allowed us to just focus on our honing our writing, without the overhead of logistics. Those were taken care of for us. Carla and Nancy were skillful planners who made the week a trip of a lifetime. -- Amy

"One of our best trips ever was walking through Tuscany with Carla on the Via Francigena, giving us an intimate view of rural, small town and city life in Italy. Carla communicated her love of Italian culture as well as her practical knowledge of how to get around. She smoothed the way for our small group and took care of any issues that came up so that we were free to relax and enjoy the walk. Hotels were wonderful and the food was delicious – even the sandwiches that we picked up to eat for lunch during each day’s walk! This trip definitely left us hoping that we could travel again with Carla!" -- Barbara and Susan

“The Camino de Salento was a self-discovering journey, rich with natural beauty, meaningful conversations, and personal reflection. It was beautifully organized from start to finish. At times, it was both physically and mentally challenging, but in the best way, it pushed me to grow. I came home feeling lighter, inspired, and grateful for the people I met along the way.” – Ani

"Your tour was seamless! Carla, you made the trip so fun and memorable. You were always there for us. Your spirit brightened everything. There were also a lot of laughs." -- Cheri

"A good friend asked me about the top five highlights from my trip walking the Cammino del Salento, and I am eager to share them! First on my list is the breathtaking landscape, stunning ocean views, and magical grottos. Wandering through olive groves and fields of wildflowers in springtime felt like stepping into a dream. While there were one or two hot days, the weather in general couldn’t have been better. Second, the art and architecture left me in awe. The churches and architecture were exquisite, and even the countryside murals and homemade shrines resonated with authenticity. Local summer homes and yards were delightful to behold. Third, the food, but especially the pizza and fish in southern Italy, is truly exceptional, each bite was a revelation! Fourth, the olive oil is extraordinary, bursting with a unique peppery flavor and richness, unlike anything I've tasted in the States. And last but certainly not least, I learned that this kind of travel is all about mindset and being open to new experiences and adventure. Listen to your intuition, as it will guide you toward the truth." -- Babette

"I think I would walk anywhere with Carla! The recent walking trip in southern Puglia went off wonderfully; it is a trip to be remembered. From the planning stages to the last day of walking together, nothing was overlooked. Carla is beyond conscientious (in a good way), sets a vibe that attracts interesting people, shares "her" Italy and makes it all look effortless. But it's obvious a lot of planning and thought goes into her itinerary - from the knowledge of the routes we walked to the lodging that is unique to each overnight along the way. This was my first walking trip and one of the few trips as part of a group so I really didn't know what to expect. Thanks to this great experience, I would not hesitate to do it again and would highly recommend it!"

-- Michelle