A Game-Changing Solo Trip to Italy (plus essential packing tips)
I'm reminiscing on a game-changing solo trip I took to Italy three years ago this week. Though I’ve enjoyed several Italian adventures in the years following this entire travel experience opened new doors for my Curated Travel business and reaffirmed my staunch adoration for the magic, beauty, and deliciousness of Italy and the charm and verve of the Italians. Plus, I learned some essential packing strategies I will never forget!
Invitation: Exploring the Romantic Rhine, Cape Cod the Islands and Newport, and Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Park
I’m excited to announce a virtual event for our Curated Travel clients. See below for details and join me along with our CADENCE team on October 21st at 4 PM (PT). Click the link below to register for this wanderlust inspired zoom event and I’ll look forward to ‘seeing’ you then.
Join Us for a Virtual Tour of Fine Wine & Cuisine in Lyon & Provence
Are you ready for a change of scenery?
I was talking to a friend/client the other day and reminiscing about our beautiful travels on our Curated Travel group cruise on the Mediterranean last year. In an effort to enjoy a change of perspective for this ’staycation summer’ we decided to sign-up for a virtual tour of food and wine in Provence this Friday, August 21st at 9 am Pacific, hosted by Viking River Cruises. You will find the link below to join us for this complimentary change of scene.
Summer Garden Tour: Beautiful Gardens Around the World
I recently saw an article from Virtuoso on beautiful gardens around the world. Did you catch it on our Curated Travel Facebook page? It reminded me of one of the favorite gardens that I visited at Lake Como in 2018. Villa Balbiano is a magnificent palazzo built in the 16th century, now part of the Heritage Collection, and is described as “The Italian Opulence on Lake Como”.
Real Time Travel: Croatia is Re-Opening for Tourists!
Last fall, during our Azamara Mediterranean Cruise of the Dalmatian and Amalfi Coasts, we visited Croatia for the first time. Scott and I spent a day wandering the charming alleys of old town Sibenik, increasingly popular as home to two UNESCO heritage sights as well as a filming location for Game of Thrones. With a rich cultural history, golden sand beaches flanking the cerulean blue Adriatic, a visit to Sibenik entices you to explore even more of Croatia.
It’s exciting to note that Croatia is one of the first European countries to open up to tourists.
Our Delectable Cooking Class with Chef Salvatore Quarto at Fonteverde in Tuscany
Virtual travel is more popular than ever with all the time most of us are spending at home these days. There is nothing more delectable than pasta in Italy and I’ve been looking forward to sharing a cooking class we experienced at Casina delle Rose at Fonteverde in Tuscany. Famed Chef Salvatore Quarto was our master teacher and the classic dish pici cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper) was on the menu. This delicious dish is simple yet decadent. We hand-rolled each strand of pasta for class but with some pecorino cheese, fresh pepper, and a lovely premade or even dried pasta, it’s easy to recreate from the pantry.
Scott and I used to whisper it to each other over the years: “We aren’t really cruisers.” We happily schlepped our way through cobblestoned Italian hill towns, wandered along Mediterranean seafronts, and checked into luxurious beachfront resorts, proudly proclaiming ourselves land‑lovers through and through. But after one too many grueling European trips spent hauling luggage from place to place every few days, we realized that small‑ship cruising deserved a place in our travel repertoire.