Sparkling sandy beaches with crystal clear water, stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites and spectacular caves are among the attractions of the first 2016 Vegano Italiano Tours trip, organized by Vegan Travel Club.

(TRAVPR.COM) ITALY - February 8th, 2016 - Concord, North Carolina

Whether you’re vegan for ethical reasons or have embraced plant-based eating for your health, traveling can be tricky when it comes to food. Imagine then a tour that plans and selects the very best animal-free versions of local culinary delights for you, ensuring you enjoy an authentic experience of the culture, without having to worry about meals.

Enter Vegano Italiano Tours. An offshoot of Tierno Tours, in collaboration with eco travel agency Green Earth Travel, Vegano Italiano Tours offers visitors a unique adventure to discover the hidden treasures of southern Italy.

This year’s first trip kicks off with eight days (seven nights) along the fabled Amalfi coast in the Campagnia region and its lesser-known but equally enchanting neighbour, Cilento, birthplace of the pizza and Mediterranean diet.

“Cilento is a special treat,” says Gretchen Sheridan, co-founder of Vegan Travel Club. “It’s a hidden secret that only Italians and a few VIPs in Europe know about. It’s one of the last few real Italian hangouts.”

Tour participants will have the opportunity to make limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur) and enjoy lunch in an old villa located among lemon groves in Sorrento, followed by visits to the ancient Roman ruins of Herculaneum, sister city to Pompeii; the Monastery of Padula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest antiquity of southern Italy; the extraordinary caves of Castelcivita and the historic center of Roccadaspide built in 1242 by Fredrick II. This was passed down to the Duke Ettore Giuliani, who will give the tour himself.

Accommodation comprises a beautiful bed and breakfast situated in Cilento’s National Park where guests can relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of lush forest and crystal clear waters.

All this comes with the added bonus of special guest Julieanna Hever, the Plant-Based Dietitian and host of Z Living’s health and wellness show, What Would Julieanna Do?

A registered dietitian based in Los Angeles and self-proclaimed ‘Italophile’, Hever will be cooking and showing guests how to make healthy, delicious, plant-based versions of their favorite dishes, using recipes from her latest book The Vegiterranean Diet. This will include traditional Italian fare such as pasta and, of course, pizza.

“I’m excited to offer my unique nutrition perspective after spending years studying the much beloved and acclaimed Mediterranean diet,” says Hever, author of the best-seller The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition. “I can’t wait to explore the unique and exceptional locations planned for this tour of my favorite country. To have local, fresh, and gourmet vegan meals combined with expeditions of gorgeous grottos, national parks, and historical temples sounds like a fantasy trip!”

WHAT: Vegano Italiano Tours Amalfi and Cilento Coast trip
WHEN: July 2-9, 2016 (8 days, 7 nights)
WHERE: Amalfi and Cilento, Italy
COST: From $2,595 
MORE INFO: https://veganoitaliano.com/tours/amalfi-and-cilento-coast/

About Julieanna Hever

Julieanna Hever, M.S., R.D., C.P.T. is a registered dietitian based in Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and Masters of Science in Nutrition at California State University, Northridge, where she also completed her dietetic internship. She has taught as part of Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Program, worked as a clinical dietitian, and consults for numerous organizations. The author of several books including The Vegiterranean Diet and the best-seller The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition, Hever is a popular media commentator (The Marie Osmond Show, The Dr. Oz Show and more), and the nutrition columnist for VegNews magazine.

About Vegan Travel Club

Vegan Travel Club is a newly-formed global tour operator based in North Carolina. It is an extension of Tierno Tours, a company that initiated vegan tours in 2010, kicking off with the popular Vegano Italiano trips in Italy in collaboration with boutique eco/vegetarian/vegan travel agency Green Earth Travel. Vegan Travel Club launches mid 2016, adding tours to domestic cities in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America, and elsewhere in Europe in 2017. More info: www.veganoitaliano.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gretchen Sheridan and Julieanna Hever are available for interview. Contact:
Gretchen Sheridan: Cell: 704.699.5619 or email info@tiernotours.com

High-resolution images of previous Vegano Italiano tours, Julianna Hever and her books are available to download at bit.ly/julieanna2016

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