Milan & Florence, Italy

I am so proud to announce that I achieved Cadence Elite status again in 2018. As a result, I joined some of my fellow Elite advisors on a celebratory trip to Italy - specifically Milan and Florence. We were surprised with a private photographer to capture the special moments of the trip, a meeting with Ferragamo Salvatore, and we also experienced the LAX Private Suite! Take a look at the incredible itinerary we enjoyed, and read about their personal experiences, favorite moments, and tips for you and your clients planning future trips to the destination.

To get there, we traveled Business Class aboard American Airline. Business class in the wide body was extremely comfortable.....and made the journey easy.

We were also surprised with a private photographer to capture the moments of our trip! Did you know I can help you set up a destination photographer for any of your trips! Took a look below at our day-by-day itinerary, plus some photos!

Day 1:

• Transportation to Private Suite at LAX
• Flights to Malpensa International Airport
• Transfer from airport to Villa d’Este in Lake Como
• Lunch at Villa d’Este
• Afternoon tour in Lake Como - boat ride past the extravagant villas of the central lake area and disembark in Bellagio for a guided tour with time for shopping
• Dinner at Villa d’Este + site inspection

Note from Joyce: We truly felt like rock stars at the Private Suite at LAX. Expedited security, a comfortable private suite filled with snacks, driven directly across the tarmac to the plane, etc.

Day 2:

• Transfer to Milan
• Tour of Milan, including the swanky shopping streets and the Milan Opera House - La Scala
• Lunch at Mandarin Oriental, Milan + hotel site inspection
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner at Four Seasons Hotel Milan

Day 3:

• Transfer to Milan Train Station
• Train from Milan to Florence
• Tour of Florence, including a private Italian cooking class
• Dinner at Four Seasons Hotel Florence

Note from Joyce: The Four Seasons Florence has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth....my favorite....amazing lobby filled with precious art...the gardens were blooming...the lighting incredible....the air smelled of sweet blooms.

Day 4:

• Morning walking tour of Florence including the Ponte Vecchio and Accademia
• Lunch at Il Boro Tuscan Bistro
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner at Hotel Brunalleschi + site inspection

Day 5:

• Transfer to Florence Train Station
• Train from Florence to Milan
• Tour of Milan including the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
• Check in to Four Seasons Hotel Milano
• Dinner at Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone

Day 6:

• Departure transfer to Milan International Airport
• Returning flights home

Photos:

New York 2016 - A multi-generational travel experience

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to New York with my 12-year-old grandson Sam. Sam is interested in history, Legos, debate, sports, celebrity chefs and theatre. While trying my best to accommodate Sam using Google Maps, Uber, the subway and mostly walking we were able to accomplish full and exciting days.

On our first adventure, we took the subway from Manhattan to Battery Park. We jumped on the Staten Island Ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty. Every person visiting New York would be enriched by this experience.

After, we opted to get off at Ellis Island as we watched a black and white documentary narrated by Gene Hackman. It left us emotional and with imprints on our hearts, considering we are made of a nation of immigrants. We took the opportunity to rent a computer while at the museum and traced our ancestry. It was an exciting opportunity to learn more about others who shared our last name.

Returning from Battery Park, heading to the Freedom Tower we stopped to stand in line for a gourmet food truck where we enjoyed a delicious lunch! The memorial lived up to expectations and beyond! We both felt teary eyed and saddened as we read the names of those who perished.

Returning to our hotel we proceeded to stop at the Shubert Theatre, purchasing tickets for Matilda, the new kid-friendly musical. It was most enjoyable!

While in the city we explored so many great museums, bringing us back to times in European history that had us AW SHOCKED. Sam was also determined to go to the American National History Museum that featured an exhibit called Dinosaurs Among Us. Proceeding to the Planetarium and then viewing an IMAX film that showed us a 100 years of our National Parks.

Important things to do with younger generational travelers:

• Walk the Brooklyn Bridge! Stop at Grimaldi’s at the end, for gourmet pizza beneath the bridge.
• Eat a New York hot dog with mustard and ketchup; you must get the fried onions!
• Don’t miss the Metropolitan Museum, visit the Mummy Chamber, Temple of Dendur, followed by the Armor Exhibit.
• Stand in line for Ess-A-Bagel, one of the most coveted local places for New Yorkers. Definitely the best bagel in town!
• For lots of laughter, rent a row boat in Central Park! Watch all the young lovers paddle their way through their feelings while trying not to get ran in to.

This experience was exhilarating, excluding the weight that we gained! This trip will remain as a cherished memory! Please contact me for details on places we visited.