Located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Parma, the City of Gastronomy, is well known for its culinary “stars”: Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma…but there is much more to enjoy in this sophisticated city… Parma = Parmigiano*Prosciutto*Pilotti & Parmigiani Part One: A Taste of Parma (Behind the Scenes!) Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Aceto Balsamico Thanks to a a personal referral from my dear friend and travel partner Emanuela with Beautiful Liguria, I enjoyed a truly special day meeting small producers, enjoying tasting (delicious!) and learning more about the ..read more

Si, it’s been a while since I shared any “new” TipZ…the fact is, not a lot has changed…but I thought it was a good time to share some “friendly reminders”! With spring on our doorstep, if you’re planning (or thinking about planning) your 2024 Italy vacation, it’s definitely time to put those plans in place! (In fact, it’s almost past time for spring/summer…I suggest that you start thinking about fall/winter.) TipZ from Your “Boots on the Ground” in the Boot! As I have shared many times, there is NO OFF SEASON any more! I repeat, there is NO “OFF SEASON” – the reality is that there is SUPER H ..read more

How We “Met”… Florence, at least the historical centro and surrounding neighborhoods (including where I live on the Oltrarno), is definitely an invitation to walk, wander, explore…and linger. Easily navigated (mostly flat) once you get used to the uneven pavement and sidewalks, always offers new delights and discoveries. You are invited to s-l-o-w down, pause, even get a little lost and you will be rewarded with treasures tucked away in narrow alleyways and vicoli – a local cafe you walked by so many times but now there’s a table outside, a bottega or boutique that may have had its shutters c ..read more

Seduction, Attraction, Charm, Appeal, Glamor… “Seduzione” can be translated as any of the above and certainly, for me, the art of Alphonse Mucha embodies and personifies all of that! Alphonse Mucha poster The Beauty of Being Here…immersing in art is an emotional salve for me in this pretty tumultuous world right now. I’m beyond grateful to be in a place that embraces art and beauty in all its diverse expressions. And, what a pleasure and privilege to be able to enjoy another rewarding experience recently here in Florence. I have memories of loving Mucha’s dreamy art nouveau images so when this ..read more

The Beauty of Being Here…includes my love of this place and sharing it with friends, followers, and my Italy Trip Design clients! After hundreds and hundreds of emails and communications and many months of planning, more of my 2023 clients arrived this fall and lived their dolce vita dream! And, once again I had the pleasure of greeting, meeting, and spending time with many of them when they were in Florence… This is the ultimate reward of my work! In Their Own Words… Barbara and Michael Michael and Barbara decided to plan their first trip to Italy around their nephew’s wedding in fall 202 ..read more

Yes, there’s more to Pisa than the Leaning Tower! Of course, I have seen (and climbed) the Leaning Tower – the Piazza dei Miracoli is NOT to be missed! However, there is more… Just a one hour train ride from Florence, this day trip was dedicated to seeing an exhibit at Palazzo Blu. Earlier this year I returned twice to attend their stunning “I Macchiaoli” exhibit. So, when they announced the current exhibit, I decided immediately to go… Now (through April 7, 2024), Palazzo Blu offers another marvelous exhibit: “Le Avanguardie – Capolavori dal Philadelphia Museum of Art” – The Avant-garde – Ma ..read more

Yes, I guess I can finally say that I “live” here? Although, it still startles me a bit and I still have to shake my head…yes, that’s me…I’m really here! Time really does fly and it’s been a wild three years for all of us – encapsulating all that it has encompassed is, to be honest, overwhelming – a roller coaster of emotions, a collage of fabulous experiences, and always a learning curve! Slowly adapting, adjusting …pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone, letting go of expectations, and embracing the possibilities of more change. And, undoubtedly, always learning more about me and this pla ..read more

The Beauty of Being Here…includes my love of this place and sharing it with friends and my Italy Trip Design clients! After many months of planning, more of my lovely 2023 clients are arriving and living their dolce vita! This is the ultimate reward of my work! And just a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of greeting and meeting, and spending time with Marcy and her granddaughter, Lily! Marcy and I started planning this “graduation” trip months ago. Their choice of destinations was based on where her granddaughter, Lily, wanted to go in Italy. Preferences? Their adventure started in R ..read more

The Beauty of Being Here…Yes, it’s all that Florence and Italy have to offer! And, you already know that I love the art, history, museums, the cuisine and that I love learning with locals! And, I love meeting with and learning from other passionate lovers of Italia who have followed their dream here…and yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day with Ileana who followed her passion for pasta seven years ago! Ileana left her corporate life in NYC and came to Florence to expand her culinary knowledge (focus on pasta!) and, ultimately, to share it with others. And that is exactly what sh ..read more

The Beauty of Being Here…includes my love of this place and sharing it with friends and my Italy Trip Design clients! After many months of planning, my 2023 clients are starting to arrive and live their dolce vita! This is the ultimate reward of my work! And just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of greeting and meeting, and spending time with a fabulous couple, Joe and Mary! We finally meet in Florence! “Your expertise and guidance made our trip an experience of a lifetime, and we loved meeting and spending time with you! Thank you, thank you!” – Mary Their adventure begins in Venice! Met ..read more