~ In Search of Family ~
Finding Your Italian Heritage

Customized Itineraries designed to assist in finding your roots.

More and more people these days are yearning to get back in touch with their roots and trace their heritage - especially to Italy where hundreds of thousands of immigrants have settled all over the world.  There are many ways to attack this noble and ambitious project.  Villa Vita along with Fantastica Italia  - Phoenix based companies comprised of American and Italian travel and language specialists can assist with making the necessary arrangements to make your quest successful.  We can assist at any level, whether it is just lodging and transportation you need, or letters in Italian containing your information to present to the local city halls and churches nel communale- or all of the above. 

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After exhausting my genealogy research here in the United States, I knew the only way to learn more about my family tree was to travel to the small town in Italy where my grandparents were born.  Fantastica Italia designed an itinerary based on my unique needs with every detail planned to perfection.  They set the groundwork for my research which produced amazing results.  Once in Italy I had the thrill of meeting many cousins, saw the home where my grandparents lived, and added over 100 names to my family tree.  It was an amazing experience I would highly recommend to anyone searching for their family roots.

Marlena , Scottsdale AZ

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Teresa in Sicily Oct 2008 with Giuseppe and Maria

October 22, 2008 ...I am leaving Trapani today, sadly. Yesterday I spent three hours with my Father's uncle, Giuseppe and his wife Maria. My friend and interpreter Donatella found them for me.
...We spent a whole day going from municipal building to other municipal buildings...Finally, we resorted to the telephone book. We went to several homes but no luck. Donatella called me yesterday morning to say "good luck, we found Giuseppe "!
She set an appointment and off we went. It was a fantastic three hours. Maria kept talking about my parents visiting in 1968 and how wonderful they were. My Mother gave her a beautiful hankie from US. She brought it out to give me and I just lost it.... Giuseppe told me he believes I am "of Sicilia". He said "you have a Sicilian nose too"! (e' vero). It was wonderful and I am so glad I have done this.

Teresa, Phoenix, AZ

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Paula in Sicily with her new found family and in front of her father's home

There is no greater thrill when traveling than that of connecting with relatives.  Not only does one gain a better sense of one's family, but the ties that bind become stronger. Having done extensive search on my Italian roots in Sicily, I was able to meet with relatives on my mother's side (in Caltatfimi, Sicily near Trapani) and my father's side (in Racalmuto, Sicily near Agrigento).  I was able to locate the house where my father was born on Via Roma 36 and see the record of his birth in the big book at the City Hall (Comunale).  I found my "long lost" relatives very welcoming.  None of them spoke English, so it was important that I have some knowledge of the language before heading on my seventh voyage to La Bella Italia.  I encourage you to search your roots and applaud Gina Ruggiero of Villa Vita for focusing on this important effort. Do allow yourself enough time to fully appreciate the homeland.  I spent one month in Sicily making contacts and studying Italian.  It was an awesome trip.

Paula, Phoenix, AZ

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Come find your family - we can help.

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Some helpful links to get you started:

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/heritage/genealogy.asp

http://www.daddezio.com/italgen.html