DiscoverSoriano has changed its name to Culture Discovery Vacations

Why The New Name?

In 2006, our company was born with one very simple goal: To help people discover the true Italian culture. We had a villa in the small town of Soriano nel Cimino, Italy (usually simply called Soriano for short) near the Tuscany and Umbria border. It was a place that had not yet been ravaged by mass tourism. When we would host friends and family, they would invariably tell us that it was the most incredible experience of their lives. They would tell us that while they had seen the tourist version of Italy, it paled in comparison to this. Once they had Discovered Soriano, this was the Italy they always wanted to return to.

So we set out to create a company that would give other people this amazing experience. We bought some homes and offered them as weekly rentals, making sure that the experience our personal guests had was available to our paying guests. Since we were based in Soriano, and the company was all about discovery of this culture, we simply called the company 'Discover Soriano'.

We enjoyed substantial success, and evolved very quickly. We began to offer day tours and cooking classes, and finally put it all together into all-inclusive cooking vacations. Nearly everything we offered completely sold out, and our guests continued to rave about how amazing the experience was, each and every week. But while we had evolved from a vacation rental company to a culinary tour company, the core goal had remained unchanged. Our secret ingredient was all about integrating our guests into the real culture of the place they were visiting, and time and time again that is what our guests said they were not only attracted to, but it is what had made it so special.

As we continued to evolve, we began to replicate our formula into vacations that would bring people to other places and have other truly unique experiences that would not be found in Soriano. So some people would plan a trip with 'Discover Soriano', but never actually discover Soriano. We began to realize in 2009 that our name was no longer appropriate to who we are. We had never set out to help people discover the specific place. We had set out to help people discover the real culture that makes any given place truly special.

That is when the new name 'Culture Discovery Vacations' was born. It is a name that is true to who we are. If you come on our Soriano all-includive cooking vacations, you will discover THAT culture. If you come on one of our culinary tours through Italy, we will bring you into THOSE cultures. And if we choose one day to create a similar vacations in other countries, we have a name that remains true to who we are.

What Else Has Changed

Nothing. Our original mission remains unchanged. The way we deliver remains unchanged. Our belief that you should be seen as a family member remains unchanged. We just have a new name that says it.

We have not sold the any part of the company and we have not merged. It is still owned 100% by Michael and Paola. The company has the same team behind it as it did when we were called Discover Soriano. In fact, the legal name is still DiscoverSoriano.com, LLC. When past guests return for another vacation, the only thing different they will see is the name. Our cooking vacations still have classes taught in Villa Eddarella, and we have all the same village homes in town. Those coming in the summer will still see Michael & Paola. Sergio is still driving the van and bus. Sara and Patrizia are still cooking and Spartaco and Silvia are still guiding. They will still see Rita whirling away in the kitchen, and Pierina assisting.

Where Are We Headed

For now we remain all about Italy, and we are expanding that focus into other areas of Italy. You will see our tour calendar now has destinations both in the north and south, not just Central Italy. However, we are considering similar vacations in during the winter months in other countries where it is warm when it is cold in Italy. This is one more reason for the name change. This evolution will depend entirely on our ability to deliver a rich and real cultural experience wherever we go.