Candelaria Design Tour Italy

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

Fall 2026 Itinerary: Florence, Umbria & Portofino!

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

Day 2, Sept 30: Check into the Hotel Brunelleschi. We will enjoy dinner al fresco in front of The Duomo at Buca San Giovanni. For those who still have energy, we can cap off the night at the rooftop bar of the Westin Excelsior.

Day 3: Enjoy a free day in Florence: visit museums, gardens, and explore the vibrant city. This evening we will have an optional food tasting tour with Devour Tours.

Day 4: Last day in Florence, free to explore. That evening we will get dressed up for apertivo hour on the terrace of the the exquisite Belmond property Villa San Michele. Following sunset cocktails will move into their restaurant for a fabulous Farewell to Florence Dinner.

Day 5: Breakfast at the hotel, then we will take a transport to the airport to get our rental cars. From Florence we will drive to the exquisite, modern Antinori Winery for a self-guided tour and a private wine-pairing lunch. Then, we will finish the drive to the Farmhouses where we will be greeted by Elizabeth Wholey and her team with a Welcome Dinner in our homes!

Day 6: We start the day off with a private, bountiful brunch buffet at the Villa di Piazzano at 10:30am. 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 with Rosanna– we will tour wineries in either Tuscany and Umbria for the day including a light lunch and a world-famous cheese stop. For those who want to still go out after a day of wine tasting, optional dinner at the Ristorante Girasoli.

Day 9: Free Morning to relax – drive to Umbertide for the Farmer’s Market from 10-1pm. After we will drive to Perugia for sightseeing, and their famous 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: 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 7:30 at Michelin-starred Il Falconiere restaurant.

Day 12: Check out of the Farmhouse and hit the road for a 4-hour drive to the coast of Portofino! Check into the Grand Hotel Miramare in Santa Margarita.

Day 13: Optional sightseeing & hike in Cinque Terre by train. Or spend the day at the Hotel’s private pool or beach with your own lounger & umbrella or indulge in a spa appointment. Or check out a garden, such as Parco del Flauto Magico, or the beautiful churches in the area. Group dinner that evening (tbd).

Day 14: Enjoy a free day at the hotel or in Portofino. This evening we will celebrate Mark’s Birthday with a delicious dinner on property at VistaMare Restaurant!

Day 15: Free day to rest, enjoy the hotel’s amenities and pack-up. We will conclude the trip with a half-day private boat tour and farewell drinks.

Day 16 (Oct 14): Fly home from Genoa Airport.

Details and exact pricing are being finalized. Flights are individual’s responsibility.

Please contact Tiffany Candelaria with any questions: tiffany@candelariadesign.com