Candelaria Design Tour Italy

Next Tour slated for September 29 - October 14, 2026

Candelaria Style is not just about the homes we design, it's the lifestyle and way of living we are striving to enhance. Whether a new home or a remodel our job is to take your daily experience of living in your personal environment to the highest level. Cooking, dining, sleeping, exercising, entertaining, traveling, or gardening - they are all embodied, experienced or relived in our homes. When designing a home, we are not just thinking about a floor plan, we are thinking of a life plan.

The Candelaria Team lives life and understands the underlying reason for creating a home  - it's about creating an elevated way of living. Candelaria Design Tours are open to all and are all about exploring other ways of life and bringing those practices into your home. Our Candelaria Design travels involve plenty of fun, food, culture, architecture and ways of living that will leave you inspired! Enjoy these videos, photos and articles to get a sense of what awaits you on our Tour Italy!

Enjoy the following magazine articles Mark wrote about his trips to Italy published in Iconic Life Magazine.

MARK-itecture: Savor a Tour Through Italy Through an Architect’s Eyes

MARK-itecture: Savor a Tour of Architecture in Tuscany, with an Architect as your Guide: Part 2 of 3

MARK-itecture: Savor Italy and Architecture Through an Architect’s Eyes: Part 3 of 3

Proposed 2026 Itinerary: Florence, Umbria & Portofino

Day 1, Sept 29: Depart Phoenix and Fly to Florence.

Day 2, Sept 30: Check into Hotel, Dinner in Front of Duomo & Drinks at Rooftop Bar

Day 3: Enjoy the day in Florence, visit museums, gardens, and explore the vibrant city & Devour Tour

Day 4: Free Day in Florence and a Farewell Dinner at Villa San Michele

Day 5: Morning in Florence then we will take a transport to the airport to get our rental cars. From Florence we will drive to Antinori Winery for a Winery Tour and Lunch. Then, we greeted by Elizabeth Wholey and her team with a Welcome Dinner in our homes for the week in Umbria.

Day 6: We start the day off with a savory brunch at the Villa di Piazzano from 1030-12. Then, we will explore the antique fair in Arezzo. The real fun begins Sunday evening with our cooking class with Elizabeth Wholey!

Day 7: Free Day in Umbria or optional relaxation at Monte Amiata Hot Springs. This evening we will meet up in Cortona and grab dinner wherever we like.

Day 8: Wine Tour Day by Elizabeth Wholey– we will tour wineries in either Tuscany or Umbria for the day including a light lunch. Dinner at the Ristorante Girasoli.

Day 9: Free Morning to relax – drive to Umbertide for the Farmer’s Market from 10-1pm. Drive to Perugia for sightseeing, fabolous chocolates & linens. That night we will be treated to an incredible 6-course homemade meal at Mimmi’s.

Day 10: We will leave around 10am today for a trip to the Tuscan town of San Gimigiano then Mark’s favorite, Siena at sunset.

Day 11, Oct 9: Morning visit of the Umbrian Village of Assisi followed by the afternoon in Spello with lunch and wine tasting at Enoteca Properzio around 1. Evening farewell dinner at Il Falconiere.

Day 12, Oct 10: Check out of the Farmhouse and hit the road for a 4-hour drive to the coast of Portofino! Check into hotel (TBD) in Santa Margarita.

Day 13: Optional sightseeing & hike in Cinque Terre by train.

Day 14, Oct 12: Enjoy the day in Portofino, a boat tour & dinner tbd.

Day 15, Oct 13: Free day and Farewell-Mark’s Birthday Dinner!

Day 16: Fly home from Genoa.

Details and venues are subject to change. Please contact Evelyn Jung for more details. evelyn@candelariadesign.com