Here’s How We’re Different
We just do Italy. Specializing in Italy for 23 years, we know the best people, the hidden villages and local secrets. We’re independant so we can craft the kind of trips we want to be on.
We don’t use tourist guides. No tour buses, no kickbacks from tourist restaurants and trinket shops. With small groups (6-12) we’re free to travel dirt roads, stop where we want, and linger when the light inspires us.
With us, you’ll settle in and stay longer in each place. You’ll mingle with local characters, eat and drink the real thing. That means less time shlepping bags – more free time in the village.
We’re pretty sure you’ll like the differences.
Welcome! Meet Drake & Friends
We’re a small company made of friends, both Americans and Italians. For 23 years we’ve been organizing workshops and tours in various regions of Italy. What brought us together? A crazy love for Italy and a passion to share authentic experiences here with like-minded travelers.

IW Directors – Mauro Riva, Drake Busath, Gabriele Angelini
For Destination Snobs
We carefully select locations where you can still find yourself immersed in local culture have authentic experiences. Tasting wines on a private patio, driving the back roads, gourmet picnics on the rivers’s edge, these experiences add depth to our visits.
Yes, we see the famous places too, but always on our way to some hidden treasure.
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Friends of the Workshops