“Under the Tuscan Sun” has inspired countless travelers to visit the enchanting town of Cortona, Italy. The film depicts Frances’s journey of self-discovery and allure of a slower life, attracting visitors to its rich history and stunning landscapes. Cortona’s charm lingers, making it a destination worth exploring beyond the movie’s fame.
The White Lotus has a gift. It takes a place — Hawaii, Sicily, now Thailand — and turns it into the only place in the world you want to be. Never mind the scheming, the dramatic irony, the bodies. The locations are impeccable. And Season 3’s Thailand is the most gorgeous setting the show has ever used.
— but after enough miles, enough countries, and enough trips that went sideways and sideways-in-the-best-way, I feel like I owe you the truth.
I have logged a lot of miles. A lot. And I have many more to come 🤣
And while I wouldn’t trade a single stamp in my passport, there are things I know now that I absolutely did not know in the beginning — things that would have saved me time, stress, and more than a few moments of standing in the wrong place wondering what went sideways.
Everyone knows Paris. Everyone has been to Rome.
And honestly? Everyone is a little tired of fighting the crowds at the Trevi Fountain.
Europe is a continent of jaw-dropping beauty, extraordinary food, and stories that stretch back centuries. But the most memorable experiences? They rarely happen where the tour buses stop.
As a luxury travel advisor, I spend a lot of time steering my clients away from the obvious — and toward the extraordinary. The places that make you catch your breath. The ones you come home raving about, that your friends have never heard of.
Here are five hidden gems that belong on every discerning traveler’s radar this season.
Everyone knows Paris. Everyone has been to Rome.
And honestly? Everyone is a little tired of fighting the crowds at the Trevi Fountain.
Europe is a continent of jaw-dropping beauty, extraordinary food, and stories that stretch back centuries. But the most memorable experiences? They rarely happen where the tour buses stop.
As a luxury travel advisor, I spend a lot of time steering my clients away from the obvious — and toward the extraordinary. The places that make you catch your breath. The ones you come home raving about, that your friends have never heard of.
Here are five hidden gems that belong on every discerning traveler’s radar this season.
Morning in the Tuscan countryside begins very differently from the cities.
The light is soft over the hills, the air carries that earthy scent of vineyards and olive trees, and the only sounds are birds and the occasional tractor somewhere in the distance. Instead of crowds gathering for early museum entries or tour groups filling hotel lobbies, the day unfolds slowly here.
I remember stepping outside one morning at Torre a Cona, a historic wine estate about twenty minutes outside of Florence. Torre a Cona has been producing wine on this land since the 15th century — it’s the kind of place that genuinely earns the word “historic,” not just uses it as marketing. Coffee in hand, I looked out across rows of vineyards rolling down the hillside toward olive groves and tall cypress trees.
Your Italy Window is something most travelers don’t realize exists until it quietly begins to close. Almost every year, I have conversations with clients who tell me they are “thinking about Italy next year,” as if Italy is simply waiting patiently for them to decide. And in many ways it is timeless — the art, the food, the landscapes will always be there — but the hotels, the private guides, and the most coveted experiences absolutely will not.
As a luxury travel advisor based in Fort Collins, I am already having serious conversations about Italy for 2026. That might sound early, but in today’s travel environment, it is exactly on time. The families who secure the charming 30-room boutique hotel in Florence or the villa in Tuscany with the sweeping vineyard views are not making those decisions three months out. They are planning thoughtfully, intentionally, and well in advance.
Italy rewards the prepared. It does not reward hesitation.
Every year, I remind my clients—and myself—that travel gifts that last are the ones you remember, not the ones you unwrap. A weekend in Florence, a river cruise through the Danube, or a South African safari lingers long after the holiday bows are gone. Experiences don’t gather dust; they grow richer with time. As a Fort Collins luxury travel advisor, I’ve seen how a custom trip becomes a treasured memory shared for decades. This season, consider giving what truly lasts—time, connection, and unforgettable moments designed with care.
Artisan Journeys isn’t about collecting souvenirs—it’s about collecting stories. I’ve always believed luxury feels richer when it’s rooted in authenticity. Picture yourself learning from a Tuscan ceramicist whose family has shaped clay for centuries or sampling honey from a Greek beekeeper who knows every bee by heart. These are the unforgettable connections that make travel human again. For my Fort Collins travelers, Artisan Journeys means exploring with intention, supporting craftsmanship, and discovering the hands that make each destination extraordinary.
Richard and I were traveling through Bologna and I found the most special farmhouse/cooking class in the countryside of Bologna. The owners were lovely, engaging and we were in awe of the whole experience. A husband-and-wife team running a farm, restaurant, cooking school, and a B&B as well. This secret Bologna experience has stayed on top of our minds every time we think of Italy.