55th Birthday Celebration and Candelaria Design Transition

Thank you to all of you who made it to my 55th Birthday celebration this Friday at the Clayton at the Park! What a fun evening – I am so blessed to have so many wonderful clients/friends. I cannot tell you how much I think of all of you and what an honor it has been to design your homes. I am so glad I got the chance to say thank you!

I realize what my career has been and will continue to be about. It’s about creating……creating homes, that creates a way of life for my clients. It’s aboutthe teamwork and relationships that have been created during the design and construction of these homes. It’s about our trips to Italy and the way that trip has changed my traveler’s lives and way of living. It’s about changing people’s perspective on how to experience life.

I’ve never lived in a home I have designed. Maybe someday. I have enjoyed spending an evening or weekend in some of my homes and of course I spend most of that time analyzing what I could do to make the next project even better. What I really love is the time with my clients/friends and learning about them! You see – no two people live the same way. We sleep at different times and in different ways, we get ready for our day differently,  we go to work differently, we cook and entertain in endless ways, we read, watch tv, listen to music, all differently. Everyone lives at a different tempo. I am about accentuating that tempo and our architecture and homes are about the maximization of what makes each client tick.

Well this party culminated that way of thinking and approach – 18 years with CCBG and now 16 years heading Candelaria Design. To have so many of you there from both my CCBG days and now Candelaria Design was fantastic. You have all been there for me through so much both professionally and personally. As I said in my speech my life is my career and my career is my life – it all blends together. My daughter Isabella, summed it up….”Dad you don’t have any friends??? Just clients…..” Yes that’s right…. Because my clients are all my friends and my best friends all started as clients, builders, vendors….

So with that said, I have surrounded myself and have built our Candelaria Design Team with a staff that embraces this same thinking and passion for design, creating  and life. They get it and its so fun to teach and share that passion because that’s what changes a job into a way of life.

At 55 its time to start the transition in my life and give the opportunity to pass the Candelaria Design torch to those who have given their time and melded their life towards this company and profession. So with pride and joy we have started the transition with the official announcement of my two new partners/associates, Evelyn Jung and Vivian Ayala. These two have given their heart and soul to Candelaria Design and truly understand the essence of what we are about and can carry this soul on.

I am not leaving….yet. I still have a ten year old and thirteen year old daughter and so I still have college educations to take care of so I will keep working and drawing and creating – I love it. But we will start the transition so that my role will move more towards the soul of this company - enhancing lifestyle - and less with the day to day operation of the company. I’m looking forward to being focused strictly on design, writing some books, painting, speaking, traveling and adding to our repertoire of trips to Italy and adding trips to Spain, France, and here in the US and the design of some new lines of products.

So thank you for all being a part of this adventure and creating my life. Wow – as I said that evening, I had no idea when I moved here in 1979 from Durango, Colorado, not knowing one person, that a night like Friday was somewhere down the road……Now who knows how we will be celebrating or what we will be celebrating 15 years from now? Needless to say, we are all looking forward to and ready for the ride!

Our Final Day in Italy – Day 13 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

It’s Monday and the final full day in Italy for our travelers. We have been traveling for nearly two weeks and of course making the most out of each day. That’s the underlying message of this trip – try to get the most out of each day….not only on this trip, but in life! I know this group of travelers got that message and have all discovered a new way to travel. Today would be a free day for everyone to enjoy and then we would convene at the end of the day for our farewell meal at our hotel restaurant. 

To start this day, Doray and I got up early and went for a hike to explore Positano without the crowds. As a group of us did when we first arrived in Florence, a hike without the people is the best. No cars, no vespas, no people – it’s a whole different way to experience a place – you won it, it’s all yours. Doray and Phyllis had been doing their own explorations since arriving and so Doray was so excited to show me some of their discoveries. Ok – let me tell you, these two ladies got around! Wow they had done Positano right.

So with our hotel down by the sea there was only one way to go and that was to hike up. So up, up, up we went and we ended up at the Hotel Sirenuse or my translation for heaven! Rated one of the top hotels in Italy it is obvious to see why. Doray gave me the complete tour and what an amazing place. This was definitely worth coming back with Isabel and enjoying lunch. From here we hiked up the hill further for even more spectacular views.

We then made our way back down the hill to the hotel where our travelers were starting to arrive at breakfast. I told Isabel and the Giltners about our discoveries and it was a hike back up the hill to share - of course with a quick stop in the church. See how you get the exercise here! It was only 9 am and so we made arrangements to come back up at 1pm for lunch on the terrace…..yet another hike up the hill for even more exercise. I could enjoy lunch with no guilt!

So back down the hill and Isabel and the Giltners did some shopping, I returned to the hotel for the best nap of the trip with the door open and the sound of the sea, and several of my travelers went back to Capri to do some more exploring.

I awoke from my nap and made my way back up the hill where I met Isabel and the Giltners for our lunch at the Hotel Sirenuse! Good timing once again as the lunch rush had passed so we virtually had the whole terrace to ourselves. The staff was so fun and friendly and our waiter was quite the character but definitely on his game! The food was off the charts amazing – add the spectacular view and what a way to enjoy our final lunch in Positano.

We then went back to get a little packing done and then had made connection with one of our Verrado clients, Dermot and Ursula Carey, whose home we had just completed, built by Steg Custom Homes and decorated by Isabel. They were in Italy celebrating their anniversary and made the time to come over from Amalfi to have an anniversary toast with Isabel and I in Positano. What fun!

Well the trip had come to a close, it was time for our farewell dinner. Some final pictures, shared stories of the adventures of the day, and reminisces of the trip. We went over the details of the early 3 am in the morning departure and then it was time for the goodbyes. 

Ciao Ciao to Positano

Boat Ride to Capri – Day 12 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

What a contrast to wake up and enjoy the sound of the sea from the hills of Umbria. Both places are beautiful, but completely different.  Our hotel in Positano was perfect. Terrific views of the beach and sea coupled with a panoramic of the hilltown of Positano – WOW! Plus our hotel was right next to the boat ferries to Capri, Amalfi and Sorrento.

We slept in as long as we could or at least until our curiosity of this magical place overtook our desire to just chill in bed and prolong the view of the sea. Finally, we craved coffee and breakfast and we were up and moving.

The hotel breakfast was fantastic and also made the best of the endless view. Slowly, most of my travelers appeared and we all chatted and discussed our strategies for the day. As usual, everyone looks to me for what was on the agenda. At this point of the trip it seems everyone wants to explore on their own but it always starts with the safety of asking me what the group is up to. I responded with, ”How about I charter a boat to Capri and we can all make our way over there for a few hours this afternoon and catch the sunset ride back and enjoy the full moon over the sea?” Of course everyone responded with that sounds great but how about we leave earlier or we want to go to Amalfi, or we want to just stay and enjoy the pool or beach. Well as always at this point of the trip everyone scatters and pursues their own adventures, which is great! This was my first time here too so I was ready to explore!

Following breakfast, I made my way back up to the room to catch up on emails when all of a sudden I bumped into a familiar face in the hall, a traveler from my 2010 trip, John Lennon. No not a ghost from the Beatles, but John Lennon from Paradise Valley. He was down in Positano for the weekend as he and his wife had been staying in London where their son was now playing on a professional soccer team. Earlier in the trip I ran into two of my clients enjoying Italy on their own, having coffee in a piazza in Florence. It’s all about the energy!

So with the whole day ahead of us, we joined Doray and Phyllis, and another couple from our group, the Giltners, and took the ferry to Capri. What a beautiful ride and what great views of Positano and the road into Positano from a whole different perspective.

The approach to Capri was spectacular, with Naples and Sorrento off in the distance across the Naples Bay, and then the majestic mountains and picturesque seaside town of Capri. Fishing boats, shops, cafes and plenty of people. We grabbed tickets for the tram that took us from the village by the sea up the mountain to the village on top. As soon as you departed the tram the view stopped you in your tracks. WOW.

Of course it was lunch time by now and what else do you do in Italy but find a great place to eat and catch the view. It was actually about 2pm so the lunch crowd had died down and using YELP I found a wonderful spot, The Panorama Restaruant, that required somewhat of a demanding hike but definitely well worth the effort as it turned out! By the time we finished we were the only 4 people there and what a view. The view lived up to the restaurant’s name! A little pizza appetizer, and then seafood. Delicious.

A little shopping and Isabel purchased a blue poncho from a wonderful shopkeeper and her daughter and it was time to ride the tram back down. Fortunately, our ticket was only for a ride up and so we took an open air taxi down – totally the way to do this both going up and going down. Much better views and not standing and sharing the tram with 50 of your closest tourists!

We had a little time until our ferry ride home so we stopped at a café and grabbed a drink and a gelato and enjoyed the vibe and energy of Capri. While waiting I received a text from our fellow travelers, Jennifer and Matt Gage, who had chartered a private boat and wanted to know if we were still in Capri and wanted to return with them. Given just seeing the difference between the open air taxi and the tram somehow this sounded better than the ferry! Ya think??? Oh my God, talk about a great way to conclude our day in Capri! The sea air, the ups and downs of the waves, and the sound of happy travelers.  

We arrived back in Positano and found a wonderful spot to enjoy dinner and the fireworks over the village. Just another fabulous day in Italy. 

Travel Day to Positano – Day 11 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

Our time in Umbria and Tuscany has come to an end and today, Saturday, we make the 5-1/2 hour drive to Positano and the Amalfi Coast. What I try to achieve with the two weeks we have is to show my travelers the contrasts in landscape and lifestyle Italy offers. From the beauty and elegance of Florence, to the relaxed tranquility of the Umbrian countryside, then finish with the picturesque elegance of the Amalfi Coast. Not only do you experience the contrast in landscapes but also the contrast in cuisine and wine! It’s time for seafood!

We started the morning early, as we wanted to be on the road as early in the day as possible so we can make the final drive into Positano during the daylight hours. Isabel made us a delicious frittata and coffee and we were ready to go! Yes the final stretch into Positano had my travelers in an utter state of trepidation. This road is winding with steep cliffs rising from the sea below. Now Matt and Jennifer had made the trip the day before with no issues so I assured my travelers they could do it!

5-1/2 hours and every couple in their own car – 7 cars! Am I insane???? So we gas up in Mercatale and we are off on a new adventure – including a new adventure for Isabel and I as this is our first time to the Amalfi Coast! I love that aspect of the trip – we all become explorers together. My travelers ask me questions like, “Where do we turn once we past Naples?” My answer. “I have no idea, this is my first time there too!” I love the look on their faces…..! You see that is part of what makes this trip different from a guided tour sitting on a bus, with a leader holding an umbrella and you follow every step predetermined. No not this trip – this is truly and adventure and as I have said in other blogs, this trip becomes a great metaphor of life itself. Yes you have your leaders and mentors but really you set your own course and you find your own discoveries and explorations and only you have your own unique view of reality. I have 15 travelers on this trip that all followed the same basic itinerary, but I can guarantee you every travelers has their own unique experience and memory of this trip – same with life. I think we all think everyone views life the way we do. Let me tell you, every person’s experience and view of life is as different as you can possibly imagine – even those on the same trip!

So, we get on the Autostrada and start our trip southward. As soon as we get on the Autostrada we get off and pull into an Autogrille to show everyone what one of these work of art stops over the top of the freeway is all about. This stop does two things, it shows everyone who these Autogrilles work and because of the time ti takes to herd the cats my impatient travelers take off early and the group usually splits which makes getting to the destination so much easier. Instead of 7 cars in one group we were now down to two groups – one with 3 cars and one with 4 cars. Much easier!

As we make our way down to the coast we make a few stops to rest, exercise and eat. The Autogrilles are the best as you don't have to get off the highway to gas up, eat or rest. Its easy and the quality and assortment of choices is fantastic. 

The drive from Umbria to Positano is beautiful as you make your way through southern Tuscany, the countryside outside of Roma, and then past the bustling city of Naples, Mount Visuvius, and Pompei. Then you make the turn to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi and the fun begins. You are now off the three lane Autostrada and onto a two lane (really a one lane road by our standards) winding road, broken with tunnels, twist and turns that gradually crescendo with views to the Bay of Naples and the Mediterranean Sea.

As we cross the peninsula we start to descend downward from the top of the mountain down to the coast of Positano. This road is something to experience! Between the winding turns and the cliffs to the right you have to also navigate the plethora of oversize busses coming up the hill on the oncoming lane, bicyclists, hikers, and the endless vespas and motorcycles trying to dodge between the busses, cars, and cliffs. It’s an experience!

I had navigated the route a view times virtually on Google Maps Street View so I knew where the hotel garage was and what it looked like, had dropped a pin and shared the pin with all of my travelers. A good skill to learn if traveling by car in Europe 0r anywhere for that matter. With this preparation, we never made a wrong turn and drove right to the garage!

Now as with all of the coastal villages in Italy, if you can get your car even close to the hotel you are fortunate. Our garage was maybe 10 blocks from the hotel but the garage had porters who took our bags and all we had to do was walk down the hill to the beach and our hotel the Covo dei Saracini. Talk about a transition from the Umbrian Country houses!

We checked into our room with a beautiful view of the beach and hillside village of Positano. Spectacular!!! We were the last to arrive and all of my travelers were up at the rooftop pool for cocktails. It was time for a martini!

We shared the stories of our trip down from Umbria and the trials and tribulations of getting from the garage to the hotel – some had it easier than others……remember what I said about even though the itinerary is the same the experience is different! It was time to enjoy and explore the Amalfi Coast. 

Our last day in Umbria – Day 10 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

Today I give everyone a free day to sleep in, explore the area on their own, relax by the fire or by the pool depending on the weather, or set the house on fire…. More to come on that in a bit.

Isabel and I slept in and then I got up and fixed coffee and worked on my blogs. Today, Isabel and I planned to escape from the group and go visit Il Falconerie – a beautiful villa and garden now a hotel no restaurant near Cortona. This is always a great day as I get a chance to see who my adventurers are as everyone has their own car everyone can set their own itinerary for the day.

Matt and Jennifer Gage got the award for being the most adventurous as they chose to head to the Amalfi Coast a day early! Tim and Amber went exploring in Umbria and hit some of the off-the-beaten-path villages. The Giltners and Leagues slept in and then we're going to head to Lake Trasemino for lunch. Rebecca and Martha slept in.

I then received a call from Phyllis saying she really wanted to go back and see the doors we had seen on Wednesday at Porte del Passato and firm up her order for her home in Desert Mountain. Everyone was still asleep so I told Phyllis is would run her over and we would do our best to get back so I could have my romantic getaway with my Isabel at Il Falconerie.

Phyllis drove and I navigated back to Porte del Passato which is about 45 minutes away. We met again with Gabriele and went through the plans for by door and revising the samples and finishes. In the course of doing this my cell phone starts lighting up with texts no calls! The first message I get is “smoke is coming out of the walls we think the house is on fire!” Obviously that caught my attention! Phyllis wondered why I wasn’t focused? I said, “Something is going on at the house – it sounds serious!”

Apparently, Doray had her suite to herself, as Phyllis was with me, so she made a fire in the lower level fireplace and went off for a bath. The Leagues and Giltners were upstairs having their morning coffee when the smoke started pouring from e walls. The Giltners called me and Isabel who was up in our house. She rushed down, Steve rushed down to get Doray out of her bath…. Still haven't heard all the details on that part of the story…. And we contacted Elizabeth who manages the homes to let her know she better call the fire department.

It seems they came quickly as Phyllis and I hastened our time at Porte del Passato and rushed home. Before we could make it back, the fire department had determined that perhaps a nest or creosote had clogged the flue pipe and trapped the smoke. The firemen checked everything out and gave the all clear and the excitement of the day and trip was behind us wi no one and the houses no worse for the wear!

Isabel, Rebecca and Martha decided to make it a girls day so they went off to Il Falconerie and I returned to Mark Yearwood who had slept in and missed all the excitement and all of the various day trips so he was stuck with me! I had left my sport coat on the wine bus so I needed to make arrangements to rendezvous with Pino Near Cortona so The two Marcos headed to Cortona forlate lunch.

Of course we hit Cortona around 3pm me everything was closed for siesta but we were fortunate to find a restaurant open of the side piazza that t first blush didn’t appear as much until she started taking the two of us further and fired down until we entered a spectacular cellar with no one there but the two of us. The Marcos would have “Man’s” lunch! And how do you start that but with a good glass of San Giovese and the wild game platter! We had a fantastic lunch while the ladies dined at Il Falconeire.

A quick cappuccino in Cortona and then a quick rendezvous with Pino for my jacket and it was time to head by, to the farmhouses for our Umbria farewell dinner!

Our farewell dinner in Umbria marks the end of the tour where we really tour as a group. We just spend the day exploring on our own and it really acts as a natural Segway to the rest of our trip where we really become our own couple again and transition back home to the U.S.

Tim got the grill going, everyone emptied their kitchens for a giant Umbrian Potluck Supper! It's really nice to enjoy one more sunset on the porch, and dine together asfamily. We shared stories from our day and our explorations and shared how we all ended up on this trip. Our time in Umbria had come to a close.

San Gimignano and Sienna – Day 9 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

This is always one of my favorite days of the trip. I think I say that about every day on this trip. Today we get a nine am start and head to Mercatale for a coffee and pastry and watch this little slice of Italy come alive.  With our coffee stop complete we then make our way to gas up the cars and then make our trek across Tuscany to first the city of towers, San Gimignano and then on to Siena. With the rain from the night before, we wake up to the wafting fog in the Valley below. Watching the fog move in an about the Umbrian hills is like watching a meditative movie. The sound of the chirping birds and the occasional gunshot from the hunters.....well that's Umbria. 

This group has been my best driving group yet! Of course Google Maps has improved the process of getting around tremendously. If you can learn how to drop pins and then navigate to the pins you can get anywhere in Italy. Add the street view feature and you can virtually drive there first so you get a visual on everything. Well my travelers really started to get the pinning down and that’s great practice for our drive across Italy just two days ahead!

So we all made it to my favorite parking lot in San Gimignano and of course you have to usually wait for someone to leave to grab a space but with all of my travelers we can use human shields for parking spots and that works great. With everyone parked we hike up the hill to the main street through this picturesque medieval hill town. We pick our rendezvous spot and then give everyone a couple hours to grab lunch and explore.

I love walking the streets and snapping away – its pretty endless. Grab a slice of pizza which we enjoy on the steps, take in a church or two and then its time to gather the troops again, make our way back to the cars for our 1 hour jaunt to Siena.

Ok, now I can see who really is getting the whole Google Map pinning concept down as driving in Siena can be a bit more challenging. Well as I said, I have a great driving group this year and despite us getting separated everyone made it to the parking lot I had pinned. Gather the human shields and get everyone parked and we are off to explore my favorite town in Italy…..really, Siena really is my favorite town.

We wander our way down the streets and rendezvous at our gathering spot at the Piazza del Campo and then I take everyone to the Duomo which I think is the best church in Italy. I just love this place. I have been here at least a dozen times and I never get tired of seeing it again and again. Inside and outside it is beautiful. I need to spend more time here and climb the towers for the views that must be dramatic.

We then take in a little shopping with our walk back to the Piazza. All of my travelers slowly make their way back to our little spot a wonderful trattoria at the far northeast corner of the piazza affording us a beautriful view of the sunset over the tower of the duomo and highlightingall of the buildings that surround and embrace the Piazza del Campo – home of the famous horse race, the Palio, in August.

This year you could definitely feel the fall in the air and it was quite chilly so we dined inside and the spaghetti del carbonara was fantastic and top that off with a hot chocolate that is as thick as pudding. Not a bad finish to yet another beautiful day in Italy.

A Day at the Country Houses in Umbria – Day 8 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

We need a morning to recover after Winesday! So today I have a light agenda starting with letting everyone sleep in. Of course sleeping in for me meant sleeping until 7am whereupon I got up made coffee and got a fire going. Some real fall weather had moved in which is par for the course for our day at the Country Houses. It seems to rain every year we do our day at the country houses and this year appeared to be no exception. I love it as it just seems to really accentuate the cozy nature of these homes.

I caught up a bit on my blogging and emails from my team holding the fort down. It is amazing how nice it is to have the technology we have today and the connectivity it affords one who travels. My staff emails me drawings and with the apps I have I can sketch right over their drawings and send them right back. The nine hour difference is not bad either as they work while I’m sleeping and vice versa.

Slowly my group arises and everyone is free to do as they wish. Some years we go to the farmer’s market in Umbertide but everyone wanted to sleep this year. So with the late start I offered a trip to Lacole’ and Porte del Passato  - an antique store and a door and kitchen showroom respectively. This is a family operation run by the Belli family. The mother of the family runs Lacole’ and the father run Porte del Passato and our contact, their son, Gabriele, is always a gracious and most helpful host. I had a pretty good sized group so off we went about an hour north of our country houses just outside of Citta de Costello on our way to Lacole’.

Lacole’ is amazing and their business has steadily grown over the years from the little stoneyard I visited in 2000 to the gigantic facility and yard they currently occupy. They source and sell everything from antique furniture and accessories, to reclaimed beams, roof tiles, fountains and fireplaces. I could spend hours here and have brought clients here for purchases and shipments for their homes.

This year I have a client with me who is sourcing doors for her new home we have designed in Desert Mountain. Little did she know what was in store for her. The doors at Porte del Passato are fabulous and quite frankly endless. From sourced antique doors to reproductions they have created inspired from their antique collection this place is like being in a candy shop for me anyway! They have since added a collection of cabinetry for kitchens which rival the doors. Needless, to say, my client was in heaven. We spent a couple hours and like clockwork we got hit with our torrential rainstorm just like every year.

With the storm subsiding, and evening quickly approaching, it was time to gather the troops and make our way home for our cooking class with Elizabeth Wholey, Paola, and Stephano.  On the drive home we bumped into the hunters as we are in prime hunting season here in Umbria.

This is always a magical night and really marks the crescendo of the trip and tis year was not exception. The aprons were put on, the wine was poured and we split our time between cooking in the kitchen, enjoying the fire in the living room, and savoring the sunset on the porch.

After two hours of cooking, talking, and laughing we all get down to enjoying a fabulous home cooked meal including Stephano’s grilled meats prepared right in our Living Room fireplace. From battered and fried sage leaves and zucchini flowers to Gnuddi, accompanied by a delicious fresh fennel and orange salad, roasted figs stuffed with gorganzola and wrapped with prosciutto, a dip for veggies made of beets, chick peas, garlic and I’m sure some other delectable ingredients, and then topped off with tiramisu – all prepared by us – with a little help from Elizabeth, Paola, and Stephano of course!

We then all took turns telling our story of how we found this trip and our favorite part of the trip so far. I love this part of the evening and although it sounds a bit corny I think it really connects and enlightens everyone of how cathartic this trip is for many. For me it is truly one of the most heartfelt moments of the trip and there usually is not a dry eye in the room.

Nothing quite like a day and evening in the country houses in Umbria. 

Winesday is the day of our Wine Tour with Pino – Day 7 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

We are finishing up the first half of our trip today and when in Italy you have to devote at least one full day to exploring the wine country of Tuscany. I have been fortunate all of these years to have my own personal guide of the region, Pino Teresi. I met Pino on my first trip here in 2000 and he has guided my Wine Tour ever since.

We start this day early by grabbing some coffee and a quick bite in the village of Mercatale nestled in the valley below our homes. We rendezvous with the Pino and our bus driver – so yes no cars on Winesday! From Mercatale we make our way by Cortona, Singaluna, Montepulciano and finally to our first stop Montalcino – home of the Brunello.

Of all the Tuscan wine hill towns I love Montalcino the best. There is just a masculine rusticness to this place and so no wonder it is home to the Brunello – the heartiest and most robust wine of Italy. This year Pino started our tour at the winery of Poggio Rubino on the south slopes of Montalcino. Last year we toured the winery of Casanova di Neri  which is also amazing.

Poggio Rubino is a small winery but well worth the visit. The cellar is a nice scale with a beautiful tasting room in the cellar. Here we were given a wonderful presentation on the making of their wines and all of the attention to detail that goes into growing the grapes and fermenting the wine. We enjoyed shavings of parma ham and the thick fat with seasonings which when combined with the acidity of the wine made for the most luscious flavor in your mouth.

From the darkness of the cellar it was up to the top of the roof deck with a beautiful view of the countryside and lunch in the timber pavilion. And what a lunch! After wine tasting in the cellar you come up to the light and brightness and the smells of the lunch being freshly prepared. Of course more of the wine and champagne we just tasted is served with a delightful lunch of panzanella salad and fresh pasta. The leisurely lunch has no time frame and so we dine, go out to the patio and rest, drink a little more wine, enjoy dessert and then back to the patio for a little more rest. We wrap with some laughter and pictures and then its back to the bus for a short drive to Montalcino and the Enoteca di Piazza to taste more wine and make our purchases.

Of course there is always a little time to explore and this time I found a great little delicatessen in the heart of Montalcino - A&G. What a cool little place to pick up a little ham or salami to enjoy that wine we just purchased. 

From Montalcino it was a two hour drive back to Umbria and Mimmi’s Trattoria in Mercatale where we celebrate our day with a seven course farmer’s meal and an endless pitcher of Vino Rosso de la Casa. Just another tough day in Italy. 

Our Visit to Assisi – Day 6 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

Today I gave my travelers a little break. They have been going non-stop since our departure and so today I let them sleep in, enjoy the houses and we only have one stop that being the tranquil and spiritual town of Assisi – the hilltown of St. Francis.

We start the morning by relaxing and enjoying our coffee and view from the country houses along with a visit from the compound cat, Rafeallo. It is definitely a relaxing way to start the day. No fog in the valley below so far as it has been dry. You can hear the occasional distant and faint gunshot as it is hunting season here in Umbria.

We gather our troops and make the one hour and forty minute drive to Assisi. We used to stop in Perugia along the way but it always was a driving and parking fiasco and why add the stress when we have a great parking and rendezvous spot in Assisi.

With our convoy all parked and situated at the top of Assisi we make our way down to the central Piazza which will be our rendezvous spot. From there it is right to the St. Francis Cathedral where we take our group shot and then everyone is free to explore or in our case and several others – grab lunch.

Today it was time for some pizza and we found a gorgeous restaurant with a well appointed room with a nice view of the valley below and Isabel and I dined with Phyllis and Doray.  I was able to get my pizza fix which was delicious.

From there the ladies and my crew took of for a tour of the church and I went and took pictures and found a nice outdoor café with good wifi to do some work at our rendezvous spot. At the same time I was able to say hello to some old friends that gather at the same bench each day. They have been there at that same spot for the last ten years. I thought it was time I join the club. Slowly as the hours went by my travelersgathered over a glass of wine, a beer and/or a gelato. Once all assembled it was time to hike back up the hill to the cars.

With dusk approaching, it is always beautiful to make your way down the hill from Assisi and catch the hilltown in the sun drenched glow from the setting sun. It is so picturesque. We then drove about an hour back to the road to our homes and stopped at the top of the hill in Gasparini for vino and the sunset followed by a nice simple dinner.  Despite the lighter itinerary, everyone was ready to catch up some more on the rest so we made our drive home and fell into our post truffle pasta comas.

Celebrating Isabel’s Birthday at the Villa Piazzano and Cortona - Day 5 – Candelaria Design Tour Italy

Today is our first full day in the country. We all settled into a slower pace, the fresh Umbrian air, and its time to explore Umbria and Tuscany. Now that we are all here, we can consolidate our 8 cars down to 4 cars and with four repeat travelers I have some experienced drivers! Today is also my lovely wife, Isabel’s birthday!!! What a wonderful way to spend her special day!

We fix a little coffee and enjoy the morning view from our terrace. Get a little blogging done, check the emails, and then we all meet at the “Y” in the road between our houses – our rendezvous spot. Down the dusty dirt road we go to the valley below and then we drive about 40 minutes towards Cortona for our stop at the Villa Piazzano.

I love this place with its Italian cypress lined drive in and then the pristine grounds and former Roman Cardinal hunting villas that awaits us. We are welcomed by the friendly staff who always accommodate my group with a fabulous tour of their property showing us the changes and upgrades they seem to make every year, followed by the most divine brunch you could ever imagine out on the terrace now covered by a beautiful shade loggia that has been added.

So the setting is as good as it can possibly get, and then you add the spectacular assortment of delectable treats they have prepared along with a glass of prosecco and you have the start of a beautiful day and birthday for my Isabel. We are met by the proprietors of this immaculate property, Damien Wimpole and his wife Adriana who sit with us and share the stories from all of the years they have operated this magical place. I first came here in 2001 shortly after they opened by simply discovering the property by making the wrong turn in the road. I have been here virtually every year since and this is definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We toasted and sang happy birthday to my lovely bride, took our group photo, and then made our way through the valley and up the hill to Cortona!

Photo by Phyllis Lerner

Cortona is a vibrant Tuscan hilltown somewhat overrun by tourists since the making of the book then movie Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes. I still love it though with its narrow streets and perfectly scaled piazzas. We arrived around 2 pm and dinner was not until 7pm so we had five hours to explore or chill and just suck in the spirit and flavor of this medieval hilltown.

Many shopped and explored and several found a spot at a street café for a cappuccino or a glass or two of vino. Others hiked the steep streets or dove into the chocolate fair that was underway in the piazza. The weather was perfect with a fall breeze in the air and as the sun set and the shadows grew long it was time to make our way to dinner at the Trattoria Dardona. I love this little spot and have been coming for years. It’s nothing fancy, but the food and service have always been great and the owner always bestows a bottle or two of lemoncello or this year bayleave cello……wow was that a great digestif’ to finish the evening and Isabel’s birthday day! A nice stroll back to the cars, a quick gelato and then we drove the 40 minutes to our secret spot in the hills of Umbria as we rested for the next day of exploration and adventure in Umbria. 

On the Road to Umbria - Day 4 - Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

The trip from Florence to Umbria is always my most stressful. I have to get everyone checked out of the hotel, get their luggage loaded into the transport, and then get everyone back to the airport and the rental car offices, get the cars, get everyone in order, and then drive about 90 minutes down the Autostrada to our country house compound in Umbria.

We check out of the hotel at 11am so that gives us time for a quick trip to the San Lorenzo Market which is one of the best markets in Europe. From meats, to vegetables, to mushrooms, breads, wine, truffles, fish…..it’s endless and one of my favorite stops on the trip. How I wish we had one of these in Arizona. I would probably move in and never leave. Outside on the streets is the Saturday flea market and a great spot to load up on the gifts for the trip.

From here it’s a quick trip back to the hotel and along the way I run into my clients the Novarro’s having breakfast outside of the Savoy Hotel…..it never fails, I always bump into someone on the trip and what fun to find these two!

Pack up and get everyone checked out of the hotel, get the luggage loaded into the transport and head to the rental car office at the airport. Having a car in the city is a huge liability so picking up the cars at the airport makes it simple – two turns and we are on the Autostrada. Of course halfway to the airport one of my travelers realize they left their passport and cash in the hotel safe. No worries, we call the hotel and they have the stash on the next taxi who arrives just minutes after we do at the rental car office.

This year was the fastest and smoothest we have EVER done the transition. Checked out of the hotel and we were on the road in our cars within two hours. Not bad! We get everyone in order, give them a Google Map pin to the village near our homes, and we are off.

The drive to Umbria is beautiful as you drive south of Florence through Tuscany and turn east on the highway to Perugia and then exit at Tuoro go up the hill where we stopped for a beer and a glass of wine and enjoyed the spectacular view of Lake Trasimeno. With the nice respite we head down the backside of the hill into Umbria and the village of Mercatale where there is a nice market where we can stock up on provisions and of course jug wine for the week…. Or night as many times is the case.

With the cars stocked with luggage and groceries we make our way north of Mercatale to our dirt road that takes us up another hill about 2 kilometers to our little Umbrian paradise that we will call home for a week.

The compound consists of three homes, Casa La Pietra, Casa Carina, and Casa La Quercia all tucked in around a lovely negative edge pool nestled in the olive grove and fig trees. I love the reaction when our travelers first arrive. What a transition from the hustle and bustle of the hotel in Florence to the rustic serenity of Umbria.  We also arrive as the sun is setting on the valley of Tuscany below and this year we topped it off with a light sprinkle and a double rainbow over our compound. Talk about impeccable timing.

We settle it, unpack and make our way to the main house, La Pietra, where our host, Elizabeth Wholey and her partner Paolo, prepare us an Umbrian welcome dinner of local meats, salamis, cheeses, and vegetables. It is fabulous and sets the tone for the week in the country.

The pace slows, the stress melts off you shoulders, the farmer’s jug wine begins to flow and we all laugh, tell stories, and watch the setting sun on the hills of Tuscany. We have arrived in heaven. 

Firenze - Day 3 - Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

We only have one full day in Florence, and I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of time, and it isn’t. You could spend a week just here in Florence to absorb all the culture, history, architecture, and cuisine. But our trip is about giving the traveler, many who have never been to Italy, a small sampling of all that Italy has to offer so I like to think of it as more of a macro journey than a micro journey. You can get the big picture with this trip and each day is dialed in so no time is ever wasted. You can then come back on your own with a lot more confidence and a lay of the land to really ”micro” experience the places you want to see in greater detail. Imagine going to the Grand Canyon and spending two weeks there and then coming home and telling everyone you saw America.

So with one day in Florence, what do you do? I start the day with my own 7am walking tour of the city. Now of course you are exhausted but why not really take it to the limit and max out the time you are here. I love my early morning walking tour because no one is one the streets at 7am or earlier. The light is amazing and it is a unique way to see and experience the treasures of this place without the thousands of tourists, cars and vespas, and the sounds of pulsating emergency vehicles seemingly always in the background, that incessantly distract you from the real beauty of the city. I usually get 6-8 travelers who will rally from their jet lag to make this walk and capture wonderful photos and take part in this really hard to get experience.

With the walk completed, most of us enjoyed a nice breakfast at the hotel and then some went for a morning power nap while a couple of us made the journey up the Duomo campinelle for a fantastic view while others went to the top of the dome for an even more spectacular view. Several went on the guided walking tours arranged through the hotel which are really great. With these tours you skip the long lines for the Academia and the Uffizi Gallery. The campinelle is a great work out and you are well rewarded with a breathtaking view of the dome, church and town.

With our morning excursions completed, several of us went on a tour of the Stephano Ricci store in the heart of Florence arranged by our traveler Doray Elkins who has been in the clothing and fashion business for years. This would be just the start of the total experience with fashion we would be experiencing this day. Our tour of the store was guided by  Alessandro Ciucci who explained the whole philosophy of Stephano Ricci and their commitment to producing the best product and offering the best service as if each customer is their best friend or member of their family and it showed. The men’s clothing is impeccable with exquisite and sophisticated styling consisting of fabrics that are beyond description.

From Stephano Ricci we went for a short walkthrough town, whereupon we received word from Stephano Ricci’s son. Filipo that we would be welcomed for a tour of their actual factory where they make the fabrics for their stores as well as for most of the fashion industry. This place was amazing with looms being operated much as they have been over two hundred years if not longer. A device original designed by Leonardo Da Vinci was still in use. These fabrics are simply to die for. Most are silk with a color, sheen, iridescence and texture that is beyond belief. What a fantastic tour this was and yet another example of the passion Italians give to their clothing and fabric. It is truly an art.

From there we had a 15 minute walk to the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica. Let’s just call this Italian version of a Walgreens. It is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world founded in 1222 by Dominican friars and uses medicinal herbs grown in the monastic gardens of the pharmacy and this place has every herb, scent, soap, lotion, etc. you could think of made from these herbs. Ok their products and history are amazing but as an architect truly appreciate the design, artistry and craftsman ship of this building/compound. This is a definite must just around the corner from the Santa Maria Novella church which of course is also a must…..ok remember I said to keep it a macro trip! Ok it was getting close to 5pm so back to the hotel for a quick power nap and then down to the hotel lobby bar for a quick cocktail and then a short walk to dinner.

Dinner the night before we of course were at the Villa Ste. Michele high above the hills of Florence. Tonight we would contrast that with dinner right on the street al fresco style. I love this dinner as we were all decked out the night before and tonight it’s a lot more casual and relaxed as we dine right in front of the Duomo at the Buca San Giovanni. It is always a nice setting where the group is a lot more relaxed and a little recovered from the traveling even though five of my travelers still did not have their bags! During the course of dining Isabel noticed that Amber, my Project Manger, Tim Mathewson, girlfriend was wearing something that was glistening on her left hand! Isabel asked, “What is that on your hand Amber???” The cat was out of the bag. Tim had proposed to Amber at the top of the Duomo! Now the party and trip was really on! Congratulations to the two of them!

Finish the evening with a nighttime stroll through the city and a little gelato of course. Wow, one more memory on this trip!!! Hey we have more than 10 days to go…..do you think maybe we could have a grand finale’ up our sleeve???? Stay tuned. 

Departure Day - Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015 - Arrival in Florence

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you who have been following us on Facebook. We greatly appreciate all of your likes and comments and we are proud to announce we have passed 20,000 likes on our Candelaria Design Page on Facebook. Wow - you are all the best. 

Well, I am writing this blog for the second time as I accidentally hit the delete button just as I was finishing it the first time....so I hope this version was as good as the initial one.....

So..... we are off! This year we have travelers coming from all directions. Of course most of our travelers are from Arizona, but this year we have two travelers from Delaware and one from Oklahoma, and one from Baltimore. So of course that means all different starting points, different connections, and different arrival times in Florence. With that said, one little glitch and all the dominos can start to fall. 

To further complicate matters, our Arizona group was split into three contingencies - my Delta travelers and my US Airways travelers both traveling at different times. We then all had different connection cities including Dallas, Philadelphia and Atlanta for our first stops and then Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam and Paris for the first European stop. Then finally all of us arriving in Florence at different times. For those of us connecting in Philadelphia we would meet our two Delaware travelers and our Baltimore traveler to round out that group. 

So far so good! I received texts from everyone at the first stop that all was good and on schedule. We grabbed a glass of wine and recharged the phones in Philly and got on our next flight to Rome. Once in Rome the fun began.....we had a tight connection and of course with my persuasion and insistence, I was able to hold up our connecting flight from Rome to Florence. We made the connection but some of our bags decided to start the Italy adventure early and stayed in Rome. We knew something was wrong when we went to check if our bags were ok and they could not locate the bags. Well when we landed in Florence and wine to baggage claim, some of retrieved our bags....and some did not. 

We filled out the paperwork and met our private transport to our Hotel the marvelous Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence. I love this hotel and discovered it I believe in 2002 and have been coming ever since. The hotel underwent a major renovation a few years ago and what they have done is truly spectacular. Including some roof top suites that have insane views of the city and Duomo. The staff has been that same for years and so it has a very friendly vibe and feels like home for me when I come. The service and rooms are impeccable and you cannot find a more central location the in the heart of Florence. 

We have been traveling for some 24 hours and so we are ll exhausted. We arrived around 2pm now on Thursday after leaving Phoenix at 9am on Wednesday. So we are all spent, but despite all of this and the baggage drama your adrenaline kicks in and you want to go explore. For those with no bags it was a chance to go shopping as tonight we had our big dinner set at the Villa Ste Michele high in the hills above Florence. So you are spent but need rally for this spectacular evening. I grabbed a quick power nap and recharged the phones, caught up on a few emails and got ready for the evening.

So even with the power nap you are in kind of a dreamlike mindset and what better way to further enhance that dreamlike experience than to take the trip up the hills above Florence to the Villa Ste Michele for cocktails and dinner. We start by meeting at the Hotel Brunelleschi piazza bar for a welcome toast and then its up the hill. The Villa Ste Michele is magical and one of the premiere destinations and dining experiences in Europe if not the world. it is a great way to start our journey and sets the bar high. I have been coming here since 2004 and absolutely love the experience from the ambiance, view and cuisine. I have had the same waiter, Antenello, every trip. He is the best. This is a preset dinner we have arranged. Over the years we have fine tuned the menu and wine pairings all captured in a custom menu printed for our guests. The attention to detail is impeccable. From the truffle ravioli to the sliced beef with Brunello wine sauce, add the view and you have the makings of a fabulous and most memorable evening and start to our journey. 

Welcome to our 2015 Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Departure Day

We made it! I mean we literally just made it! Yes we have thirteen travelers ready to go as we depart unless than 12 hours which will be my 15th trip to Italy and my twelfth tour and Isabel's 4th. I almost went solo this year as around 10am earlier this morning, my Associate, Evelyn Jung, who works tirelessly to put on this tour each year, pulled me aside and says, "I have some really bad news...." I'm like, "what???" Evelyn responded, "I just double checked all of the flight info and everyone's info and I just discovered that Isabel's passport has expired!" I could not believe it - but it was true. I had the unfortunate task of telling Isabel this news, which with just 24 hours until we left, looked hopeless. I felt sick to my stomach as Isabel is such a part of the trip and the experience for everyone. This has become as much her trip as it is mine. 

I made my way into my first meeting of the day as I was busy trying to tie loose ends before departing. My client looked at me and immediately said, "What is wrong?" I gave them the story and then my client, like a miracle, said, "No problem. There is a passport office in Tucson where you can get your passport on the spot." I could not believe what I was hearing. I immediately thanked them and rushed to my Assistant, Stacey Payne, who got on it, called the Tucson office and sure enough we had a 2:30 pm appointment! Stacey called Isabel and told her to come get me.  We stopped to get a photo at Walgreen's and headed south to The Old Pueblo. 

We made it, she has her passport, and we are packed and ready to go! We even had time to stop for our Mexican Food fix before leaving at a little place called the B-Line by the UofA. So the adventure has already begun! And just like all the trips before, I am sure we have some more adventures to come and hurdles to face. All of which, just like in life, you have to push forward and just solve the challenges in whatever way possible. 

We are all relieved she is coming - I know I am! And it turns out that tomorrow is Isabel and my 2nd Anniversary whereupon this date we said our vows with our Tour Italy travelers as our witnesses on the garden terrace at Lake Como. What a day that was and what a day tomorrow will be. I love my Isabel, and my team that makes this all happen. What a can do bunch. As I always say we are CANdelaria Design not CANTelaria Design! 

We depart tomorrow at 9am or there about and will fly to Philadelphia, have a short layover,grab some dinner and stretch out, and then fly across the pond all night and arrive in Rome on Thursday morning. From there we will have a short jaunt to Florence. I am so looking forward to the trip and some more surprises we have up our sleeve both during and after the trip so stay tuned here and on our Candelaria Design Tour Italy Facebook Page! Here we go - wish us luck!

Here's to you Evelyn and Stacey for getting all the details and pieces together for this great trip and getting Isabel and I out the door :-).

Ciao

The 2015 Candelaria Design Tour Italy is Ready to Begin

This Wednesday, September 16th, we embark on our 12th Candelaria Design Tour Italy. Twelve tours and also my 15th trip to Italy and every time has been a totally different, unique and wonderful experience. 

Part of my 2012 Tour getting ready to depart from AZ.

This year we have thirteen travelers which is a perfect size - really anywhere from 12 to 18 is my sweet zone and I have now limited my groups to 18 as it is too difficult for the restaurants we visit to handle any more. Our group this year consist of two repeat travelers and one of their aunts from the East Coast, two clients from Scottsdale who are making this their maiden trip to Europe, a couple from Delaware who are friends of clients who went on last year's trip, an artist/painter from Oklahoma, another Scottsdale client/photographer and her friend, and one of my Team Directors, Tim Mathewson and his girlfriend. That will be my family for the next two weeks. 

Gicela and Isabel catch a power nap in Amsterdam on our 2012 Tour

We will start this year's trip from different locations. Two groups departing from Phoenix on different airlines and at different times, our traveler from Oklahoma, and one group will meet us on our connection in Philadelphia. We will all arrive in Florence, Italy within a few hours of each other - assuming the weather is good and we all make our connecting flights. Some are connecting in Philly, some Atlanta and some in DC. Then some of us stop in Paris, some in Amsterdam, and ur group will connect in Rome to our last leg to Florence. We leave Wednesday morning and arrive Thursday early afternoon in Florence. Needless to say, it's a long day/night....

Our itinerary is as follows: 

September 17-19th Florence Italy

September 19th - 26th Umbria and Tuscany as we use our Farmhouse Compound in Umbria as our base with excursions to Assisi, Cortona, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, San Gimignano, and Siena. 

September 27th - 29th Positano, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. 

Now, you never know how a Candelaria Design Tour Italy might end. Two years ago our group was finishing our Tour at Lake Como and while we were driving there, my Associate, Evelyn had the hotel place invitations on each of our traveler's pillows inviting them to Isabel and my wedding on the last day of the tour at the Villa d'Este! What a grand finale' that was.....of course we had to wait until singer/musician John Legend had his ceremony a couple days before us. I have to say it was pretty cool having him watch Isabel and I tie the knot. Needless to say it was the best day of my life and what a joy it was to share it with my travelers 

So follow us right here on our blog and on the Candelaria Design Tour Italy Facebook Page and on Instagram. The office got me a GOPRO camera so let's see what I do with that! Two of my travelers are amazing photographers so the pictures will be amazing. 

Next year we have two trips planned - one in September where we will enjoy Positano and the Amalfi Coast and one in June where we will go back to Lake Como for some mountain air! The September trip is sold out so sign up now for Lake Como in June! 

With every trip its not about the architecture, or the food, or wine, its about the total experience that the Italian culture possesses. The time in the country really brings that into focus. I always find it fascinating how this trip brings everyone together and the stories that are shared, the memories that are made, and the friendships that will be created. Let's do Italy - Tour number 12! Here we go - Ciao!