Different people describe the rewards of travel in different ways, but for us there are three distinct phases that offer unique rewards:

The first is in the dreaming and planning stage. It's why we're in this business. For our own trips, as well as for those we plan for clients, much of the enjoyment lies in trying to plan the perfect voyage. Sometimes it's relatively straightforward--a place to unwind for the duration--and fulfillment lies in finding exactly the right destination, whether it's a luxurious villa on a private beach, a hotel that swaddles its guests in luxury and attention to detail, or a ship bound for a destination that's been part of a life-long dream. Both for ourselves and for our clients, we draw on our personal experiences, turn to professional resources, read books, and--this is important--turn to the network of local experts upon whom we've come to rely over roughly 40 years in the business.  Really, we love this, and one of the great rewards in being an advisor to our clients is finding exactly the right way to make your travel dreams come to life.

The second reward is in the actual experience. Arriving in a new place, or perhaps returning to a favorite locale, and drinking it all it. Personally, those first few moments are so impactful...the scents, the feel of the air, and the euphoric feeling you get from trying to process those whom you encounter who dress a bit differently, speak in a different language, and perhaps seem a bit exotic. It's all wondrous. We're fortunate enough to have experienced much of the world, and while we have favorite places, each is a delight. It seems your soul grows a bit each time you step off a plane or a ship, and come to understand a bit more of the magnificence of the planet. Even writing this, I am smiling as the images flit through my consciousness...riding an elephant in Thailand, hiking to the Tiger's Nest monastery in Bhutan, basking in the warmth of the Peruvian people, and innumerable experiences come to mind.

All of which is the third reward...the life-long memories that we hold in our thoughts and in our hearts. Honestly, the past few days have been a bit rough. Rough for the whole world, and a bit rough as we find ourselves separated from so much that we hold dear. A few tears were shed over the past week over the fact that we've been separated from our son and daughter-in-law. Alex is a firefighter/paramedic. While the term "front line" seems a bit overused these days, it's hard to imagine any group to whom it applies more forcefully than to those who are walking into situations where they are making critical diagnoses and treatment decisions for those who are seriously ill or injured. We miss him. We miss her. We miss our friends and family. We miss you.

Maybe in part to maintain our sense of balance and hope, we've been turning to some of the memories of our own travels, so we popped over to our personal photo album to reminisce about where we were a year ago. As it turns out, we were in Italy...the country we seem to return to more often than any other.

This trip started with Victoria at a conference in Florence. Once the conference wrapped up, Victoria flew to Rome, where Mike had arrived a few hours earlier (we have a great tip or two for those spending time at the airport). From Rome we flew on to Puglia. We were met at the airport by a driver in an immaculate Mercedes-Benz, our livery throughout this trip, who took us to the city of Lecce.

Criminy! Such a warm and inviting place. Our first hotel on this trip was the Fiermontina Urban Resort, a 17th century home that has been converted into an intimate luxury hotel that exudes perfection...absolute perfection...in every detail.  There's too much to share in the space we have here, but it was exquisite. One of the great pleasures was meeting the owner, a gent who owns this and another palazzo in the city, and discussing his passion for Lecce.

All of our accommodations, transport, and guides were provided through one of the giants of the travel industry, an undisputed leader in Italian tourism, Andrea Grisdale of IC Bellagio. She is the prime example of how we leverage the expertise of experts throughout the world to craft unparalleled experiences for our clients. Andrea also happens to own a palazzo on Lake Como that we visited on another trip, and opens that property, Palazzo Del Vice Re, to those visiting that part of the country.

There are so many other delights that we experienced on this particular trip that we will share with you over time, but it's not an exaggeration to say that Puglia and Basilicata, which form the "heel of the boot" of Italy, offer experiences you will find absolutely nowhere else. We visited the Trulli, spent time on a dairy farm, ate pizza inside a restaurant within a cave, and walked among ancient homes in Matera, a site of continuous human habitation for thousands of years.

Right now, confined as we are to our cabin in Wisconsin, these memories come flooding back--the humility and magnificence of the people, the tastes of family dishes prepared in tiny restaurants tucked away on hidden streets, the embrace of strangers who in an instant become friends. It hurts a little to be separated from these opportunities at this moment in time, but we anticipate eagerly the time when we will once again find ourselves immersed in these experiences.  We know you feel the same way.

Meanwhile, here are a few images of our most recent trip to Italy.

As Victoria and I enter the third week of our isolation at Borah Borah, with Briggs, The Official Dog of Elán, we are mindful of the toll this is taking on many throughout the world, and each of you is truly in our thoughts and prayers.

Despite the challenges, social distancing in the sticks has its mirthful moments. Dog discipline has broken down completely, and Briggs is now, more or less, a feral dog. He rolls in the mud, comes into the cabin with big hunks of dirt in his mouth, and occasionally disappears into the forest, only to emerge much later, full of burrs and prickly sticks.

His return to his wolf origins is not wholly complete, however. He still prefers naps on a comfy couch, with his head resting on a pillow, and he waits patiently for the leftover bits of chicken parmesan. His more pedestrian ventures outdoors consist of him scratching at the French doors, venturing all of two feet out to the deck, and plopping down unceremoniously for a blissful snooze, unaware of the chaos in which most of humanity is embroiled.

Being at least in part a dog of leisure, Briggs has developed the ability to open the French doors when it's time to come in for a slurp of water or a pat on the head. Isolation-addled as we are, both Victoria and I have grown somewhat lax in monitoring the open door situation. This might serve one well in certain places, but a couple of days ago, Briggs' carelessness and our inattention led to the unauthorized entry of this scoundrel.

Sitting at the table, eyes focused on my laptop, I became aware of a fluttering motion at my two o'clock. "Egads! It's a bird! More specifically, a goldfinch (scientific name: spinus tristus). How in the name of all that is Holy does one catch a bird in a cabin with 22' tall ceilings?"

I don't know if it was my military training that kicked in, or if some glimmer of my Neanderthal ancestry was awakened, but I grabbed a cashmere throw, tossed it over the wee finch, and captured him. Determining that he was too small to roast, I gently held him in my hand, took him outside, and released him.

No finches were seen here the rest of the day, presumably having been warned by this little fellow that the cabin was an ominous, dangerous place. I mean, think of it...being captured by a being 2,000 times your size and living to tell the tale (tail?).

Well, business at Elán has not been totally quiet, so we made the decision that we had to return to our suburban Chicago headquarters to pick up some client files yesterday. It was a quick turnaround...we got in late on Tuesday and determined that we would return early on Wednesday, April 1. After a somewhat fitful night of sleep, we awoke the next morning to prepare for our return to Borah Borah. After a couple of strong cups of coffee (Is there any other kind?), I repaired to the shower. Now, I don't mind sharing with you that it's a nice shower. Multiple shower heads, lovely tile, and perfect acoustics to engage in a morning aria, exercising my fine baritone voice.

I was concluding the 17th chorus of a famous classical work--"Eighty-two bottles of beer on the wall, eighty-two..." when Victoria burst into the bathroom, and proclaimed breathlessly, " There's a HUGE bird on the top of the window in the living room!" She gestured wildly, indicating an animal roughly the size of a condor." I was momentarily surprised, but quickly realized that it was April first. I gave her a wry look, and she said forcefully, "This is not an April Fool's joke!" I sprang from the shower forthwith, realizing that maybe she wasn't joshing me, and grabbed a towel (Egyptian cotton, soft and absorbent). Hastily drying off, I reached for a robe, when she exhorted me, "You're going to need to get dressed."  Uh oh. This was serious.

Ugh. I dried off--kind of--and tossed on a pair of jeans, a relatively sporty looking shirt, and a pair of slippers. Descending the stairs, I expected to see...what...perhaps a re-animated pterodactyl? As with the goldfinch, the fluttering gave it away...thankfully, it was not a pterodactyl. It was a starling that had flown in (you guessed it...) through the patio door that Briggs had pushed open.  Once again summoning my primal hunting instincts, I grabbed a fluffy towel from the guest bathroom and tossed it over the starling.  Almost.

"Yikes! This will take every bit of my martial skills to effect a victory." I picked up the towel, took careful aim, and SUCCESS! The starling was subdued, taken gently in hand, and released into the suburban jungle.

It all seems rather extraordinary to me. We do not make a habit of allowing wild birds into our homes, yet it happened twice in the span of three days. They say these things come in threes. We have talked to Briggs, The Official Dog of Elán, and are hopeful that he understands the gravity of the situation. Nonetheless, I'm worried about the neighborhood turkey vultures....

Stay well.

-Mike

 A few days ago we shared a note about our love for Relais & Chateaux properties, and mentioned that we were going to be visiting Napa Valley's iconic resort property, Auberge du Soleil, in July. This is a truly magical destination, considered by many to be one of the finest resort properties in the world.

The rooms and suites are impeccable, the spa is world class, and the Restaurant is simply one of the finest in America, having been awarded Michelin stars for 13 consecutive years. 

Here's what's happening: we will be arriving at the resort on 26 July 2020 and staying through 28 July. We wanted to invite you, our friends, to join us and have secured special pricing and a guaranteed upgrade at the time of booking should you be able to do so. Additionally, you will receive these special amenities:

-Welcome glass of wine upon arrival
-Bottle of local wine upon arrival
-Fresh fruit, replenished daily
-Daily breakfast served in our Michelin Star Restaurant from 7 AM to 11 AM
-In-room snacks, beer, soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, espresso and bottled waters
-Access to Mercedes-Benz Drive Program (available first come;first served)
-24-hour access to the fitness center and adult swimming pool
-Weekly fitness classes (see sample class schedule)
-Use of the temperate soaking pools and hammam steam rooms at the Auberge du Soleil Spa
-Valet and self-parking
-Twice daily housekeeping service
-Nightly turn down service
-Wifi and high speed internet access

Two nights is barely enough, so if you'd like to stay longer or do a pre- or post-Auberge experience, we can help you set that up.  Personally, we will be departing on the 28th to join up with some of Michael's motorcycle buddies in the Big Sur for a few days. If you'd like to join us for a special visit to Napa, please note that the availability of rooms and suites is very limited, so please get in touch with me as soon as you can. My telephone is 6304203538 and my email is vboomgarden@elantravel.net. Michael and I would love it if you could join us!

Palazzo del Vice Re captures the best of Italy. Owned and operated by our dear friend Andrea Grisdale, the Palazzo is set on the shores of Lake Como. Perfect in every detail, it's a great option for an intimate getaway. Or, if you want to take the whole family or a group of friends, it's a fantastic choice for a buyout.

Contact Victoria for more details: vboomgarden@elantravel.net

Travel beyond . . . to beautiful Northern Italy and Palazzo del Vice Re.

We wanted to remind those who may be hesitating that cabin space aboard Silversea's magnificent new Silver Wind is limited. If you're interested in joining Victoria and Michael on the greatest trip of your life, give us a call at 630.881.0125, or email vboomgarden@dt.com while your cabin is still available.

We recently shared our love for Relais & Chateaux properties, where fine dining is expected and delivered with every meal. There are also a handful of amazing dining experiences available at sea, and perhaps foremost among them are those offered by Seabourn, one of the world's leading luxury cruise lines.

Seabourn's innovative and intuitive service goes beyond what you've experienced elsewhere, and it all happens aboard the most gorgeous ships imaginable. However, one of the truly distinctive features of Seabourn is in the unparalleled quality of dining aboard their ships. Seabourn partners with America's most celebrated chef, Thomas Keller of The French Laundry fame, the first male American chef to be named a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.

This video gives a glimpse into the excellence of the Seabourn dining experience:

One of the great pleasures of travel lies in finding uniquely wonderful hotels and resorts. Through the years, we have been rewarded, time after time, with great experiences when we have turned to Relais & Chateaux properties. Found in some of the most beautiful settings throughout the world, R&C properties are independently owned and operated hotels that meet the highest standards of the hospitality industry in accommodations and dining. They are truly special. To peruse the range of possibilities, grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of Chateauneuf) and take a look: www.relaischateaux.com

We work closely with our clients to find the ideal destinations to suit their personalities and tastes. With Relaix & Chateaux, there are no cookie cutter, one-the-same-as-the-next hotels. Each is independently owned. Each is exquisite.

Later this summer, Mike is hitting the road on his BMW motorcycle to gather with friends in Cambria, California. Victoria...not necessarily one to ride thousands of miles on two wheels...hopes to join Mike at a couple of R&C destinations, including the stunning Auberge du Soleil  in the Napa Valley (www.relaischateaux.com/us/united-states/soleil-rutherford). If you'd like to meet us there, call or send us an email. It would be great to see you there!

As we work with you to plan your future travels, be sure to ask us about the Relais & Chateaux properties along your route. They are an outstanding option for those looking for the best in food and lodging that is unique and luxurious.

As I write this, there's quite a bit of consternation and concern over the emergence of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Our first priority in conducting business will always be doing right by our clients, regardless of whether it means making a sale. Among our colleagues and the travel providers with whom we work, the credo of "Client First" is a must. We will only deal with those whom we trust.

Before getting to some of the particulars of the COVID-19 issue, let's talk about risk. Risk is not often mentioned in marketing literature because of the negative implications of the word, but managing risk is part of why we all work with professionals. We trust medical doctors to help us find the path to better health. We hire professional home inspectors look over prospective purchases to alert us to possible health and safety issues in the homes we purchase.

And, in the realm of travel, we turn to those who will guide us to make the best decisions to safeguard our investment of time and money, and ensure safety and the enjoyment of our journey.

We endeavor to keep on top of every client's passport information, and if yours has been updated recently, you should forward the information to vboomgarden@elantravel.net.

We remind our clients of this every time they travel overseas, but a professional travel advisor will make sure you have your ducks in a row with respect to travel documentation, including passports and visas. In some instances visas can take several days, or even weeks, to process, so if you're contemplating travel that's a bit off the beaten track it's wise to plan well ahead.

An important tip: before leaving the country, make sure your passport has at least six months of validity before its expiration.

In some instances, travelers with less than that amount of validity may be turned away at the border. If you find yourself close to departure for international travel and you're in a bind, we can help. However, you should also be aware that expedited passport renewals are available through an easily downloaded app. For more information, check out this article from Conde Nast Traveler: www.cntraveler.com/story/mobile-passport-now-lets-you-renew-your-passport-in-24-hours.

We always work with clients to ensure their documentation is up to date, but the savvy traveler will keep on top of these issues. Let us know if we can be of help.