Contact us today and plan the trip of a lifetime! I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tara DAgastino, Owner and Managing Director ofthe destination management company WanderLuxe Destinations who was more than excited to tell us all about the amazing properties she reps all around the globe. A form of crystallized chalk that has a delicate, milky texture, alabaster lends itself to the sculpture of fine, flowing lines and close ornamental detail. Have a travel emergency? Fun Fact: They have a giant tortoise sanctuary with 4000 giant tortoises. Known as the medieval Manhattan, San Gimignano is one of the most beautiful hill towns of Tuscany. On to the Amalfi coast and here Tara exclaimed she is so proud to represent this hotel as it was Conde Nast Readers Choice number one hotel in 2019 and it was the number three in 2020. Theres a sensuality in many of the secular figures, especially the young men as befits the artists nickname but also the evil women (originally nudes, until the abbot protested). From Easter until October, San Gimignano has very little life of its own, with hordes of day-trippers traipsing up and down its narrow streets and filing in and out of its innumerable olive oil, wine and souvenir shops. All Rights Reserved.Italy Trip & Tour Planning Guide. Oh, and did I mention the infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean?! If you'd like to submit a topic for Wander-U, email our team at hi@wanderluxedestinations.com, To learn more about our Portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, DMC's and travel services head on over to www.wanderluxedestinations.com. The postcard images of medieval hill-towns set into the peaks, and rolling terraces of vines and cypress trees in the valleys below, is very much what you can expect to see on a visit to Tuscany today. 45 likes, 0 comments - WanderLuxe Destinations (@wanderluxedestinations) on Instagram: "This is how Forte dei Marmi feels at the exquisitely designed Villa Roma Imperiale. Even in quite large blocks, it is translucent. It also means that they are closed in the summer because that riverbed actually becomes a river! It really about experiential travel having these amazing, authentic experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life and thats what we can do for you. Many of the wineries are open for a tour and a tasting, and some offer accommodation services as well. They feature a wonderful chef on property here too. Its main treasure is the choir stalls, inlaid by Giovanni di Verona and others with architectural, landscape and domestic scenes (including a nod to Sodomas pets with a cat in a window). Add on the neighbouring stops of Monterchi and Sansepolcro, to see more about the artist Piero della Francesca. Its just steeped in this wonderful tradition and history and the staff is amazing and if you havent experienced Jamaican hospitality, you have to experience Jamaican hospitality. Pretty amazing, huh? You want a private tour of the Sistine Chapel with no one there? Welcome to this whirlwind tour of Rome, also known as the Eternal City. The heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, with its unmistakable shell-shape. Baden-Wrttemberg is in Southwest Germany and if you are a foodie and youre into gastronomy and youve done Spain, France and Italy do Southwest Germany! Top 10 Travel Destinations in Florence & Tuscany according to DK10. These days, only about a dozen artisans are permitted to maintain workshops in the town centre, and Volterras famous art school is the only one in Europe to train students to work alabaster. As a luxury travel advisor and now working on the representation side, Jamie offers insights on this fast-growing networking organization. Meanwhile, Arezzo serves as a fine introduction to Tuscany if youre approaching from the south (Rome). The hotel recently celebrated its 150-year anniversary and is stunningly beautiful. WanderCast listeners! All you have to do is BOOK IT, pack your bags, and join us as we satisfy our WanderLuxe together. Hot springs fans will find their heaven in Bagno Vignoni, Bagni San Filippo and Vivo dOrcia. Bonus this area is really a year-round destination as well because you have your Christmas markets in the winter and you have amazing outdoor events the rest of the year The food and Germany sometimes gets overlooked but Germany is such a beautiful country and they have so much to offer especiallyhere with the gastronomy and wine. Sheeps milk pecorino is the most widespread Tuscan cheese (best in Pienza), but the most famous is the oval marzolino from the Chianti region, which is eaten either fresh or ripened. In this episode, we have a chance to speak with Jessica Gaskell, who happens to be Tara's sister and Super Mom to the very brave Joey, our WanderLuxe Warrior. Its over 100 years old but it did withstand a fire in the 70s and a few years ago an Arizona billionaire came in and bought the property. Works of art, pastures and woodland and exquisite landscapes nestle in between ancient monastic settlements. Turn Dreams into Reality with Layaway Jewelry. They also have been farm to table before farm to table was a thing so you know you are going to be eating very well! Tara explained that many Americans havent discovered Forte yet, but it literally means the fortress of marble due to the fact that behind it are the Carrera marble mountains where the David was taken from so its like looks like snowcapped mountains but its actually Carrera marble! You can find more information on ASTA by visiting their website: www.asta.org, Information on the ASTA Global Convention can be found here: www.astaglobalconvention.org, And don't forget to follow us on socials @wanderluxedestinations. He was by all accounts a lively presence, bringing with him part of his menagerie of pets, which included badgers, depicted at his feet in a self-portrait in the third panel. The town of Castelfalfi is a running, working town where you will find sweet little shops that you can shop in for local goods. Oh, and you are surrounded by all of these yachts in the bay too! We can find the perfect itinerary to meet your expectations and budget. Dont miss the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Pieve. If you are in the industry or just love travel, you'll want join us as we take you on a journey across the globe. CortonaCortona is a town in the Province of Arezzo, Tuscany. No parts of this South of Arezzo is the ancient hill-town of Cortona, whose picturesquely steep streets and sense of hilltop isolation make it an irresistible place for a stopover. Its a small island but its just a wonderful its like a place that is unlike any other place in the world. Nowadays, Tuscany is one of Italys wealthiest regions, partly due to agriculture and tourism, but mostly because of the industrial centre. WanderLuxe Destinations is a boutique luxury representation company proud to work with some of the world's most incredible luxury hotels, resorts and destination management companies. Be sure to Subscribe here and check the site often. Now most springs in the world are sulfur and they have an odor to them but lithium doesnt smell. To learn more about NUBA Incoming Mexico, visit their website at: incoming.nubamexico.com and follow @mexicoincoming, For further information on WanderLuxe Destinations and our incredible Portfolio of luxury hotels, DMC's and travel services, visit: www.wanderluxedestinations.com and don't forget to follow us on socials @wanderluxedestinations. Pius lived just two more years, and of his successors only his nephew paid Pienza any regard: intended to spread across the hill, the planned city remained village-sized. Seamless Checkout: Shop with Speed and Ease. This is the idealized image of Tuscany, but the good news is that it genuinely exists, and youll find it in the Val dOrcia! Whether you are traveling alone, or with a group. Included is The Birth of Venus by Sandro Boticelli. If you want to reach beyond its facade of quaintness, try to come well out of season; if you cant, then aim to spend the night here the town takes on a very different pace and atmosphere in the evenings. Organizations/Hospitals websites you may want to visit and donate. All rights reserved unless otherwise noted. Youll find Castle Hot Springs to be about a 90-mile drive north of the Phoenix airport with the last seven miles into the property being a riverbed meaning you need a high-profile vehicle to get in. Welcome to WanderCast, where we look forward to discussing life in luxury, travel and everything in between. In addition, its beautiful Campo the central, scallop-shaped market square is the scene of the Palio, when bareback horseriders career around the cobbles amid an extravagant display of pageantry. Travel Advisor Lake Shore Travel Jun 2014 - Present9 years 2 months Greater Chicago Area I believe that travel opens one's eyes to the connections between cultures. In this very special episode we have our first featured client, Sashan Wirasinghe with Cuurate. Today its maintained by a small group of Olivetan monks, who supplement their state income with a high-tech centre for the restoration of ancient books. Joey was diagnosed with leukemia at 18 months and recently relapsed. This is an amazing family hotel, its an amazing couples hotel heck its an amazing hotel for anyone! Weve been in quarantine too long and we need that wellness aspect of reconnection. While here you can choose to walk through the beautiful garden or get on your bike and hit their beach club or Fortes amazing markets- where the most sold item is cashmere. They also have 27 holes of golf herewhich is very uncommon in Europe as well as horseback riding and vineyards so you can do your wine tasting and an olive oil grove. Etruscan tombs honeycomb the cliffs, but the town was known for centuries for its flourishing Jewish community. And there you have it all of the properties that Tara represents. Here you can find noteworthy spots such as the San Matteo Museum, Palazzo Blu and the beautiful Chiesa della Spina church. I can work with Tara and American Guests to make sure that meeting or incentive or corporate group event or whatever you are planning comes off without a hitch. Consider changing the search query. As for food and drink they have a chef who appeared on Top Chef and making this property unbelievable in terms of gastronomy. | The partnership will help the resort develop strong relationships . . While travel has always been Taras passion, she came to a crossroads where she decided to transition her passion into a career and became a Luxury Travel Advisor with Travelong of Summit in Summit, NJ. Siena's Campo \u0026 Palazzo PubblicoThe Palazzo Pubblico, Siena's City Hall for almost 800 years, contains (among many other things) the famous frescos on good and bad government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, frescoes by Simone Martini and Duccio, and access to the Torre del Mangia, from whose top you can view a beautiful panorama of the Sienese countryside.6. We can arrange the best Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts or Villas in the best destinations in the world. But Tara says that what is so wonderful about this property is the scenery as its situated in the completely picturesque the town of Carmel. We touch on ASTA membership, the benefits of membership including a host of resources that can support travel advisors and agencies, local chapters spanning the US and beyond as well as the incredible and important advocacy work being spearheaded. Second to jewelry is furniture making and marketing antiques. Its long history goes back to Etruscan and Ancient Roman times, and the city retains pieces of ancient architecture. Campo dei Miracoli, PisaThe Piazza dei Miracoli is a wide walled area located in Pisa, recognized as an important center of European medieval art and one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. The company is headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey. If you're planning a trip to Tuscany forthe first time,this articleis for you! ChiantiChianti is an area of Tuscany, Italy made famous by the red wine of the same name. They can interpret the multitude of rates for hotels and resorts and ensure you are getting the best value; as well as having access to industry only rates and options. Book your individual trip, stress-free with local This is the sister hotel to the Grand Hotel Minerva and is located in the Roma Imperiale neighborhood of Forte Dei Marmi about an hour north of Florence. And yes there are bathrooms marble bathrooms that are super nice. Working with a Travel Consultant ensures you have an expert and an advocate in your corner. Until the 1960s, large alabaster factories were scattered throughout the town centre, but not least because of the quantity of dust they threw up large-scale production was moved to outlying areas. Theyre not buying coconut oil theyre taking coconut oil from the coconuts in their trees. They can open the doors for you anywhere in Rome. In this episode we talk about what has happened in the past year, what is on the horizon and the recently launched "The Joey Project" which will help raise money for the Akron Childrens Hospital Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, where Joey receives treatment. While visitor numbers are much lower than, say, San Gimignano, Massa is the closest hill-town to several coastal resorts, and on summer evenings it fills up with beach-based day-trippers. You will be on vacation, right? Wine and food in Tuscany. Top image: City postcard view and towers of San Gimignano, small medieval town in Tuscany, Italy Vaflya/Shutterstock. So, for those of you who like to be in the thick of the party every day because Mykonos is really a day party scene KENSH Psarou is the perfect place for you! The property itself is a small boutique hotel just 38 rooms total and 26 villas on property ranging from two to six bedroom with the option in the villas to have a chef serve every meal should you choose! Tuscany is known for its wines and food and that's what you'll be exploring on this itinerary - several wine and food pairings await. From the gatehouse, an avenue of cypresses leads to the abbey. Further south, the tourist crush is noticeably eased in smaller towns and villages that are often overlooked by visitors gorged on Florentine art and Sienese countryside. This is the sister property to Carmel Valley Ranch and just getting there is a magical bucket list drive along State Route One. Jessica is mom to our WanderLuxe Warrior, Joey, who has been fighting cancer since he was 18 months old. WanderLuxe Travel can arrange your Destination Wedding from start to finish. Whether you are traveling alone, or with a group. Mini episodes where we share travel tidbits, insider info or insights that we hope may be helpful to travel advisors in navigating the industry. The whole area is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and each small village has its own peculiarities. Today it has a slightly grim grandeur, owing to its mighty fortress and the tall and largely unaltered alleys of the old Jewish ghetto. Tara exclaimed that this property is super cool. When Pius II visited in 1463, it was the overall scene that impressed him: the architecture, in honey-coloured Sienese brick, merging into the woods and gardens that the Olivetan or White Benedictine monks had created from the eroded hills of the crete. Jamie Jackson, Director of Sales for WanderLuxe Destinations spearheads this episode of Wander-U with some tips on how travel advisors can maximize their time spent on FAM trips. After spending most of the summer in Italy, Tara D'Agostino, owner of WanderLuxe Destinations shares her insights on what is happening right now in Italy as well as some of her favorite moments.