VIAJAR CON INTENCIÓN
ormea, italy
FAMILY GROUP ADVENTURE
For nine nights, a small Italian village becomes part of your family’s story.
Settle into Ormea, where the people who call this Alpine village home have come together to welcome just a handful of families. Make pasta with Martina, explore with local grandparents, and create alongside village artisans. Built through personal relationships, this residency opens doors you couldn’t arrange on your own—and keeps your travel dollars in the hands of the people bringing it to life.
June 18–27, 2027 · 10 days · Limited to 4–5 families
Created in partnership with Roots & Future
Roots & Future brings families into the daily life of Ormea through a residency rooted in community. Here, learning happens naturally—making pasta with local cooks, exploring the valley, and creating alongside artisans who share skills passed down through generations. Together, we’re offering a small group of Travec families the chance to become part of that experience.
the experience
an invitation you won't find online
This residency is built on personal relationships. Through Roots & Future, local grandparents, cooks, and artisans welcome your family into experiences created together—access that comes from knowing the people, not booking the place.
become familiar, not just pass through
Nine nights in one village gives your family time to find a favorite café, recognize faces, and settle into a daily rhythm. Ormea becomes somewhere you feel connected to, with people you’ll remember long after you leave.
something for you. something for them.
Make pasta and explore the forest together, then enjoy moments of independence. Kids create with local artists while adults gather for wine tasting or aperitivo, with free time woven in for your own family adventures.
local talent shapes your itinerary
Cook with local chefs, create alongside artists, and experience Ormea through the skills, stories, and interests of the people who call it home.
We truly felt at home in Ormea. Watching the kids connect and play with kids from the town was amazing. We are looking forward to coming back to this town!
-- ormea residency parents | oct 2026
About Ormea
Tucked into the Tanaro Valley in northwestern Italy, Ormea is a small village surrounded by the Ligurian Alps. Think narrow medieval lanes, colorful houses, wooded trails, and a river running through the valley. Its historic center is shaped like a heart—and rearrange the letters of Ormea and you get amore, the Italian word for love. This is a place to settle in, learn people’s names, and become familiar with the everyday rhythm of a village.
Where: Southern Piedmont, near the border with Liguria.
Population: About 1,450 residents across Ormea and its surrounding hamlets.
June weather: Generally mild days and cooler evenings, with daytime highs in the low-to-mid 70s°F. Bring layers and a rain jacket for time outdoors.
Why we’re here: Through our partnership with Roots & Future, local grandparents, cooks, artists, and small businesses help shape your family’s experience. Your stay supports the people keeping this village’s traditions and community life alive.
day one
June 18, 2027
Welcome to Ormea
Settle into Hotel Nazionale, your home base in the village, and meet your fellow families over a welcome lunch. After time to rest, we’ll gather for an introduction to life in Ormea—including our daily Italian word challenge and a little music. An evening stroll through Parco Policino leads to aperitivo and a welcome dinner at Scuola Forestale. Your first night is about getting comfortable, meeting people, and beginning to feel at home.
Includes: ground transportation from Turin Airport, lunch, and dinner
day two
June 19, 2027
From village stories to homemade pasta
Meet the village through the people who know it best: the nonni, local grandparents who will join us for a walk through Ormea before a museum visit. After lunch and an afternoon break, we’ll meet Martina for a hands-on pasta class. Roll up your sleeves, learn together, and sit down to a dinner made by your own family.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
day three
June 20, 2027
A little independence for everyone
This morning, choose what fits your family: a bike ride for adults and older kids or creative time with Giorgia at L'Ippo CreAttivo’s art lab. We’ll reunite for lunch before a quiet afternoon break. Later, adults will gather for a wine tasting at Il Saraceno while the kids enjoy their own cinema afternoon. The evening is yours to find a favorite dinner spot and settle further into village life.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, and adult wine tasting.
day four
June 21, 2027
The longest day, spent together
A free morning leaves room for a leisurely breakfast, a walk, or whatever your family needs. After lunch together and time to rest, we’ll head up to the castle before making our way down to the river. We’ll celebrate the summer solstice with a picnic dinner and an unhurried evening by the water, enjoying the long daylight together.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
day five
June 22, 2027
Creating with your hands
Begin with an optional look inside local properties or a walk through the botanical garden. After lunch and a break, Anna will welcome us into her sewing atelier for an afternoon of hands-on making. Later, we’ll gather at Bar Gemma for aperitivo and karaoke—a chance to practice a little Italian and laugh together before heading out for dinner on your own.
Includes: breakfast and lunch (drinks at Bar Gemma purchased separately)
day six
June 23, 2027
Treasures of the forest
Spend the morning exploring the forest with Anna, slowing down enough to notice the small details along the way. A picnic lunch keeps us outdoors before we return to the village for a rest. In the afternoon, see how gelato is made, then come back together for an outdoor pizza dinner at Forgia.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
day seven
June 24, 2027
The sweetness of doing nothing
Start the day with an outdoor workshop led by a local maker, with the specific craft shaped by local availability. After lunch at Hotel Nazionale, the afternoon opens up. Join an optional river swim, wander through town, or enjoy a quiet stretch with your family. With no group dinner tonight, there’s time to linger wherever the day takes you.
Includes: breakfast and lunch
day eight
June 25, 2027
Market day in Garessio
Take the bus to nearby Garessio for market day, where browsing the stalls comes with a small challenge: buy something yourself, in Italian. We’ll share lunch, explore the historic streets, and stop at Patrizia’s shop before returning to Ormea. That evening, kids have their own pizza party and art lab at L'Ippo CreAttivo while adults gather for an Olio ROI aperitivo at Il Saraceno. Afterward, adults can make their own dinner plans.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, kids pizza dinner, and aperitivo for adults
day nine
June 26, 2027
Biscotti and a farewell dinner
Join Martina for a biscotti-making class before sharing lunch at Scuola Forestale. The afternoon is free for returning to a favorite spot, picking up something to bring home, or spending a little more time with new friends. At our farewell dinner, we’ll display the photographs and creations inspired by our eight Italian words—a collection of the moments each family noticed along the way.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
day ten
June 27, 2027
Arrivederci, Ormea
Share one last breakfast at Hotel Nazionale before checking out and taking the vans to Turin airport. Say goodbye to the village, the people who welcomed you, and the everyday routines that became part of your family’s time in Italy.
Includes: breakfast and transportation to Turin airport
where we stay
Hotel Nazionale, Ormea’s modest town hotel, will be our home base for nine nights. Rooms are simple and basic, with breakfast served each morning before we head out into the village. The draw here is being part of daily life—getting to know familiar faces, finding your favorite spots, and having a short walk home after dinner.
Families who would like more space can choose an apartment upgrade. Pricing and details for those options are coming soon.
Accommodations are requested based on order of registration.
the people who make it personal
One of the biggest differences between a Travec trip and planning on your own is the people you have with you along the way. Your Trip Leader and City Host are there to help the week feel seamless, connected, and personal—from handling the little logistics to introducing you to the people, places, and everyday moments that make Ormea feel like more than a destination.
They’re your local guides, trusted resources, cultural connectors, and familiar faces throughout the week. By the end of the trip, they often feel less like “trip staff” and more like part of the experience itself.
Travec Co-Founder and Trip Leader
Amanda
Amanda is a co-founder of Travec, a former educator, and a language school owner who loves seeing the connections that happen when families experience another culture together. An experienced Trip Leader, she brings a teacher’s patience, an eye for the details, and a love of discovering a place through its food. She’s especially excited to gather around the table in Ormea, get to know the people sharing their traditions, and help your family feel at home in the village. With Amanda along, you’ll have someone to turn to for questions, support, and a friendly face throughout your stay—and someone just as excited as you are about the next meal.
Roots & Future Founder and Trip Leader
Marae
Marae Torrelier is the founder of Brave Family Travel and Roots & Future. Born in Cuba, she is based in Málaga, Spain, with her partner Roger and their two daughters after having spent the majority of her life traveling and living around the world. Her family travel community reaches more than 500,000 families across platforms, and her work has been featured in Newsweek and on ABC Nightline.
Website: https://www.bravefamilyroots.com
Press: https://www.bravefamilyroots.com/press
Instagram: @bravefamilyroots and @bravefamilytravel
City Host
Majla
Majla is your connection to everyday life in Ormea. She brings together the cooks, artists, farmers, and neighbors who help shape your stay, making sure everyone feels heard, involved, and—mostly—on time. Majla's husband, Marco, is from Ormea. With her local perspective and personal connections, she helps your family settle into the village and get to know the people behind each experience.
One parent summed it up perfectly: “She was integral in this feeling like a residency rather than a tour trip—Keep her!”
what's included
All Accommodations
Roundtrip Ground Transportation to/from Turin
Group Activities Listed on Itinerary
Group Meal Listed on Itinerary
Transportation to/from activities if needed
Trip Leader and Planning Support
Pre-Departure Program
what's not included
Flight to/from Italy
Travel Insurance
Incidental and Personal Expenses
Meals Not Listed Above
trip
investment
We know family travel is a meaningful investment, so we want the numbers to be clear from the beginning. Pricing is based on your total family size, with flexible payments designed to make planning ahead a little easier.
Adult (12+): $4025
Child (Under 12): $2090
How Payment Works
1. Reserve your spot with full payment or with a $250/traveler deposit
2. If using a payment plan, payments begin the month after booking. You will be able to review your payment schedule when booking.
3. Trip is fully paid 60 days prior to departure.
ask us a question and we'll get back to you.
