We just returned from an incredible time in Tuscany, and we owe our faithful followers a report:

This trip was conceived two years ago, a process that involved sifting through dozens of villas and finding the one that was “just right.” Ultimately we decided on a villa near Siena, just outside the town of Pianella.  Everything was set…for September 2020. That, of course, didn’t happen, and the villa owner agreed to a postponement of a year. 

We, of course, had to wait; the world wasn’t open. But now that travel to places like Italy is once again possible, we can’t imagine waiting. The time to visit Italy is now; the conditions are ideal.

The day for our departure arrived, and we set off from O’Hare IAP with our son Alex and daughter-in-law Aly.  Travel on the airline was uneventful…just an additional check or two of COVID test results and vaccination records, but otherwise unremarkable. Throughout our visit we found that Italy was easy to navigate—light crowds and minimal restrictions. We all made sure to have our vaccination records with us when we ventured out, but over the span of our two week-plus visit we were asked to show those documents no more than around a half dozen times. As in the States, some people were wearing masks, but outside very few people did so.  Most of our meals were on patios—some covered and some not—and wearing masks was just not an issue. In museums and shops all were wearing masks. 

So, overall, we experienced very little inconvenience. For those who are fully vaccinated, Italy is truly a piece of cake to visit. It’s perhaps even a bit better to visit at this time because of the light crowds. But, on to the details of our visit….

Flying via Frankfurt, we arrived in Florence the morning following our departure and made our way to the beautiful St. Regis, situated along the Arno River.  Upon settling in, we immediately set off to visit our friend Claudio Meli, the GM of The Place, an exquisite small hotel in the heart of Florence. Claudio, the consummate host, treated us to what was absolutely the best gelato any of us had ever experienced. Later, we returned to The Place for an exquisite dinner on the outdoor patio. Really, a stunning setting.

The following morning we took a quick walking tour of the city, then set off to pick up our rental car and head for the heart of Tuscany. The drive was fairly uneventful, at least as uneventful as any drive in Italy can be, and we were just a little flabbergasted when we arrived at our beautiful villa, just outside of Siena. It was perfect.

Rather than droning on with a play-by-play, an overview, with a few highlights is probably best:

We spent a couple of days in the cities of Florence and Siena, each beautiful in its own way. It is just possible that Florence is our favorite city in the world. The concentration of history, art and architecture is unmatched, largely a result of the Medici family’s wealth and influence. 

Most days saw us jumping into our car and exploring Tuscany. We went in every direction from our villa, and within a very short drive there was inevitably a beautiful village to be seen, a winery to be visited, or a stunning vista to take away your breath.  It’s hard to envision the concentration of notable wineries and historic sites in every direction. And, wonder of wonders, there were three Michelin-star restaurants within minutes of our Villa.

A large part of our time in Tuscany was focused on visiting our industry partners, evaluating their properties, and discussing future joint plans with Elán.  First among these was the St. Regis in Florence. This elegant hotel combines notes of traditional luxury with the modern. It was a true treat to settle into this iconic hotel, which is supremely comfortable, but the highlight had to be seeing our daughter-in-law Aly doing the sabering of the champagne, a St. Regis tradition around the world.

Have you ever heard of The Place, a small property in Florence heralded as among the world’s finest hotels? It’s so nice, we visited twice! The first time to meet with our good friend, GM Claudio Meli, for a tour of their latest updates and what turns out to have been the best chocolate gelato of our trip, and the second time for an incredible dinner on the piazza. It’s one of our favorites of all the places we’ve visited in the world. The Place. Florence. It gets no better.

One of our first expeditions was to Rosewood’s Castiglion del Bosco, near Montalcino. One of the most comprehensive vineyard tours and wine tastings we’ve ever experienced was followed by a visit to a villa to grab some video for a client, and a meal that was out of this world. Castiglion del Bosco is a real treat, offering a wide range of sumptuous accommodations atop a mountain that affords vistas that seem endless. They are among the most highly trusted partners in Elán’s portfolio, and our visit cemented our adoration of this property.

The following day, we were treated to a lunchtime visit to Villa San Michele, where a Michelangelo-designed facade greeted us, followed by a cocktail in the stunning gardens that overlook Florence. The setting for our lunch—prior to our tour of the Uffizi and the Academia—was a “Wow!” in the true sense.

Later in the week we visited Tenuta Argentaia. This thousand-year-old compound had fallen into ruins and has been faithfully restored by its owner, a former trader on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It features tremendous privacy and expansive spaces, along with one of the foremost privately owned modern art collections in Europe. Look for a collaboration between Elán and this one of a kind property in the months ahead.

It’s hard to name any one of these properties as the top among those we visited, but it’s hard to imagine any place more beautiful and serene than Belmond’s Castello di Casole. Describing it as a hotel does not really do it justice, as it consists of a restored castle and all the elements of the surrounding town, now incorporated in the accommodations, dining venues, and other facilities of the resort.  GM Roberto Protezione is the consummate host, and his passion for gardening has created one of the most visually stunning places in all of Tuscany. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the rose garden he conceived, with 4,000 rose bushes. Incredible! Throughout the property the gardeners have masterfully woven extravagant flowering plants into the fabric of this ancient town. Photos cannot do it justice.

One other property worth mentioning was one of our neighbors…Hotel La Fontanelle was just a couple hundred meters from the entrance to our villa. We crashed their party twice during our visit, the first time to meet with the GM and sales staff, and the second to enjoy a lunch on the pool patio. This family-owned hotel is an unheralded treasure, lovingly restored from ancient ruins and commanding an impressive place atop a Tuscan hill. The family owns and operates a nearby winery that is utterly state of the art. 

We were so privileged to visit these, and other, properties in Tuscany. We are developing Elán-specific programs with each of them, and truly could spend an extended holiday at any one of them. Alas, this is not to be…at least not now. It’s too invigorating to make the rounds, firm up plans, and look toward the future.

Our villa, a short distance from Siena, was fabulous. Comfortable and quiet, it provided a great home from which to conduct our many excursions. The household manager Salvatore (“Sati”) took great care of us, and our chef who came in daily, Merope Harris, really made our time at the villa special. We hope to partner with Merope in the future, and would suggest that she is a great choice for those who want to experience a level of true culinary excellence in their Tuscan home.  FWIW, our son Alex declared Merope “family,” and it was truly sad to bid her farewell.  

Apart from the visual splendor of Tuscany, the wines, and the food, that is what makes our travels so rewarding. The casual conversations. The shared stories. And the bonds that last forever. 

Now, more than ever, two words should guide each of us: “Don’t wait.” 

​Please enjoy the slideshow….

Elán has been very, very busy.  A good thing, reflecting the fact that people are traveling again and enjoying the world. We love helping others travel beyond their day-to-day, experiencing discovery and enjoyment. However, it’s time for us to grab a bit of relaxation.

Or close to it. We’ll be leaving for Italy this week, leaving behind a house occupied only by an armed guard or two, and will not return until nearly the end of September. We’re going to be staying in the Tuscan villa pictured above, doing a bit of touring, drinking a bit of Chianti, and enjoying one of the more pleasurable places on Earth.

Okay, to be totally honest, a lot of it will be work-related. We have several visits and consultations set up with our industry partners while in Italy, and we’ll share some of that here. Stay tuned in to this page and to our Facebook posts (https://www.facebook.com/102189984600211/) as we try to grab a bit of relaxation with our enjoyment of beautiful Tuscany.  

The best part of it is that we’ll be spending this time with family and friends…our son Alex, his wife Aly, and our wonderful friends, Chuck, Laura, and Alison. 

We’re turning off the computers, except to occasionally fire them up for an update on our travels, so we’ll be providing contact information for colleagues who will unerringly help you with any urgent travel needs during our absence. 

A few days ago we got a little giddy and shared a hint about an upcoming opportunity, referring to the the latitude of the Arctic Circle. We can now share the information: Elán has reserved a limited number of suites on the Inaugural Norwegian Journey of the Explora I, departing from Southampton and journeying along the stunning Norwegian Fjords, ultimately arriving at the Svartisen Glacier and the Arctic Circle. 

Explora is an entirely new venture, joining the Aponte family’s centuries of seafaring experience with many of the leading names in the world of refined travel. Our ship, the Explora I, captures the storied seagoing history of its creators and will take guests to unrivaled destinations in a style unmatched anywhere. We have been given a sneak preview, and to say it’s amazing is no exaggeration.

We’re really excited. Really excited. We’re among a handful who have been selected to offer this inaugural opportunity to our clients. It happens on 11 July 2023, and it promises to be beyond extraordinary.

Travel Beyond…with Elán and Explora.

To learn more, please email Victoria at vboomgarden@elantravel.net. We can’t wait to hear from you.​

You may recall that Victoria returned from Rwanda just a few weeks ago, where she experienced one of the more magical travel experiences on the planet…trekking into the jungle to spend time with the mountain gorillas.

Many of our clients asked for more information, so we’ve worked with our friends at Micato Safaris and the One&Only Resorts to bring you some further details. First, we’d like to share with you this brief profile of Prosper Uwingeli, the man principally responsible for the welfare of the mountain gorillas within Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. He’s an incredible person, approaching the task with the conviction that he is saving the world for these magnificent animals….

These two properties are presently available during Festive. If these properties are of interest to you, you should consider acting immediately; properties of this size and quality are seldom available.

Three Bees (below, left) is a 13-bedroom compound available for Festive, and is inclusive with water toys and boats.

Cabo Velas (below, left) is available for Christmas week, fully inclusive with on-property horseback riding and full time naturalist guides. The Main House sleeps sixteen, and each of the four guest “ranchos” features two bedrooms.

Both Three Bees and Cabo Velas are extraordinarily beautiful, the perfect holiday destination for Festive. Do not delay in calling Victoria at 630.420.3538 or emailing her at vboomgarden@elantravel.net to secure your time at one of these extraordinary properties.

Links to the brochures for Three Bees and Cabo Velas may be found below….

Our apologies for going “radio silent” for the past few weeks. The truth is that it’s been an exceptionally busy time; our clients are taking full advantage of the fact that the world is awakening quickly from the near-universal lockdown that has affected travel since early 2020. Every day we receive news of more and more countries reopening their borders to international visitors, and those of our clients who are fully vaccinated are finding that the options are, finally, very expansive.  

This past week we kept it a bit more local, as in within the United States, when we took a week to experience quite a diverse range of destinations in the State of California. Incomparable wine, good food, and natural beauty were on the menu, but most importantly, we spent much of the week with the best friends imaginable. Also—and this may surprise some who know how we typically travel—we mixed it up a bit, starting and ending the trip in exceptional luxury resorts, with two nights at a cozy bed and breakfast sandwiched in between. Increasingly we are seeing that financially secure travelers are more focused on the quality of their experience, and not solely on lavish spending. 

We jetted from Chicago to San Francisco to start our trip. It is absolutely no surprise to see that  commercial flights are once again at or near full capacity, but flyers and crews seem to have gotten into the routine of dealing with masks, cleaning routines, and the continuous reminders of health concerns. We expect that we’ll be seeing this for a while, but it truly is good to see that there is an overwhelming impulse to return to our normal lives.

We picked up a rental car at the airport and headed north, skirting San Francisco, to the Montage Healdsburg. Most of the journey was on expressways, but once we got off and drove through the town of Healdsburg, both of us immediately vowed that we would have to spend more time in this charming town, which features wineries, a wide array of exceptional restaurants, and stores that offer truly beautiful handcrafted objects. 

About five minutes out of town, we turned toward Montage Healdsburg. Wow! Those familiar with this part of California know that it’s a rolling, arid landscape, yet the comfortable vibe of this modern masterpiece is apparent the moment you step up to the front door. The main lobby is chic, comfortable, and inviting, and the bar located there serves masterful cocktails alongside the area’s crazy-good wines. We immediately connected with friends who had rolled in before us, enjoying the cool comfort of the hotel’s public space before actually checking in to our room. Another Wow! The “rooms” are spread over an expansive landscape, with each room or suite being nearly entirely independent of the others. All feature balconies that are comfortably furnished with a gas fire pit, and offer views of the natural surroundings. In our case, we looked out on a range of mountains that offered a glowing wakeup call each morning.

Food? Well, you can only imagine. The restaurant features an open concept kitchen with a wide range of seating options indoors and outdoors. Every member of the restaurant staff knows their wine, and it was no surprise that we were offered a range of California’s best from the surrounding vineyards. And, speaking of vineyards, while they’re still in their infancy, much of the resort’s landscape is devoted to newly-planted vines; within the next couple of years, grapes grown on the property will be harvested and used to create signature wines.

As is often the case with travel days, we were a bit zonked by the time we finished dinner (we had, after all, gotten up at 2 a.m. California time to make our flight). The next morning we had a great breakfast—yes, the avocado toast is to die for—and we were whisked by luxury SUV to a “secret surprise” that the Montage had planned for us. We guessed endlessly…and, ultimately, didn’t even come close. The surprise was revealed as we pulled into the nearby airport to the sight of a gleaming Bell 407 helicopter. After a quick safety briefing, we lifted off and went for an hour-plus tour of the Russian River, the Alexander Valley, and the stunning Pacific coastline. As if that weren’t enough, our turbine-powered magic carpet took us to the grounds of the Robert Young winery. And, no, that’s not all folks…we were treated to a winery tour by one of the members of the Young family, followed by an expansive tasting and picnic that was packed in by the Montage. Golly!

That would have been a pretty full experience in itself, but after this, our luxury SUV was again waiting for us, and took us to Silver Oak Vineyards for another round of wine tasting. The Silver Oak winery is beyond impressive, LEED Platinum certified and entirely energy self-sufficient. Oh, yeah…they also produce very amazing wines.

That evening, we visited a rather fabulous restaurant, Vallette. Great, great food served up by two brothers who operate the restaurant jointly. It’s almost guaranteed that at some point, Bob Vallette, the dad of the proprietors, will stop by your table, swirling a glass of one of the region’s better wines, and engaging in casual confirmation. Bob, by the way, seems a laid-back gent, but you might be surprised that, at an age when most of us have settled into our favorite recliner, he is still flying wildfire suppression missions. One more example of our continuing experience that the best part of travel turns out to be the human connections you make.  

The next morning we said our farewells to our great friends and to a truly stunning resort, and hopped in our car to make our way to Carmel-on-the-Sea. Carmel is exquisite and worth an extended visit (and indeed we’ve done that previously, but we had miles to cover). 

A quick stop for a sandwich, and another “Wow!” awaited us. Rolling out of Carmel, you quickly join up with California Highway 1, certainly one of the most iconic drives in the world. The scenic beauty is beyond one’s capability to describe in words, with the asphalt ribbon of highway hugging a coastline where mountains meet the sea. Crashing waves. Redwoods. Spectacular vistas.  It’s a drive everyone should take at least once in their lifetime. It is indescribably beautiful. Utterly awe-inspiring.

There are many delights along this route, but as the coastline flattened out a bit and we approach Cambria, we came across one that’s pretty extraordinary…a beach that is the habitat of hundreds of elephant seals. The largest of these mammoth sea mammals top out at around 5,000 lbs! A few minutes enjoying their lazy antics, and we were on to our next stop, Cambria. 

From the time we left Carmel, it must have been three hours or so until we rolled into Cambria. Ah, Cambria. You are a joy. This town is not about being touristy. Located near Hearst Castle, Cambria is perfectly happy to be your friend, but also quite willing to let you do your thing. Probably the best way to convey this is to look at a few of the objective facts: if you want a coffee in town, you’re probably going to have to wait for the locals to open their doors at 8 a.m., or possibly 10 a.m. Want to shop for pottery? You’ll have to time it just right, because the “We’ll be back at XXX” sign keeps moving back in half hour increments every time you check it.  

In a place such as this, there’s no better place to settle in than in an authentic B&B, and we chose the Olallieberry Inn. This lovely little Victorian home is, by golly, about as comfy as you can imagine.  You will not find cutting edge designer furniture or trendy cocktails here. Uh-uh-uh. But, what you will find are comfortable sitting chairs, a porch you’ll want to sit on forever (overlooking a wildly exuberant garden), and a bed that will summon you into a slumber unlike any you’ve experienced since childhood. When we rolled in, it was toward the end of their complimentary wine hour, served every day with a choice of a nice local wine and a beautiful charcuterie/cheese board. This is generally the time when you can sit on the porch and make new friends of the guests, a fairly eclectic group with one common trait, the love of Cambria.

After awakening and wiping the sleep from your eyes, you may choose to shuffle toward the kitchen, where you will find Chef Dirk, a bundle of positivity, preparing what will soon become one of your all-time favorite breakfasts.  If you speak kindly to Dirk, he will offer you a mug of freshly brewed coffee and a brief chat, before returning to his culinary duties. Here’s the thing about Dirk: he has two jobs. One is making an incredible breakfast for the Inn’s guests every morning, and the other is cutting and chopping wood. He’s been doing it for over 20 years, and is a master. If his chopped wood is only half as good as his food….

We ate at a couple of good restaurants in town during our stay. No Michelin stars here…just solid, well-prepared food, and lots of dishes featuring the olallieberry, a locally developed hybrid. In one of our first meals, at Linn’s Restaurant, we had four, count ‘em, four dishes that somehow incorporated the olallieberry as an ingredient. 

Our only full day in Cambria was spent venturing to Daou Winery, a truly gorgeous winery atop Daou Mountain, near Paso Robles, where we had reserved a picnic that was truly sublime. There are many beautiful wineries in this region, but it would be hard to top Daou, not only for the winery itself, but for the views it offers, perched on top of a mountain. We were already fans of Daou wines, but we were introduced to some of their wines that we had not previously had, and ended up being rather fond of Eye of the Falcon, a Cabernet/Petit Verdot blend. And, of course, no visit to a winery can be deemed a success unless you join their club. We’re looking forward to our first delivery.

The next day saw us again hitting the road, en route to Carlsbad and the Park Hyatt Aviara. This beautiful resort, formerly a Four Seasons property, recently underwent a $100+ million renovation, and evokes a comfortable, luxurious SoCal vibe. Our suite was fantastic. Like most rooms at the Park Hyatt, the suite was exceptionally large and perfectly appointed. Even the smallest rooms at the Park Hyatt are impressive in size, and the designers have managed to capture a casual elegance that reflects Southern California perfectly

One of the more impressive meals of our trip was at Porto Lago, in the hotel. The imaginative food is prepared in a beautiful open kitchen, and features a Latino bent, as well as the ample use of an open wood fire. Our waiter was among the most knowledgeable we have ever encountered, and expertly guided us through our menu and wine choices…a gent who had trained for three years with master chefs, but decided to bring his considerable expertise in food and wine to the front of the house. Really impressive!

The Resort also features a world-class golf course, one of the stops on the LPGA tour. The clubhouse offers yet another beautiful restaurant, Ember and Rye.

Our second day in Southern California was largely spent at friends’ home in La Jolla, and that evening we visited the sister resort of the Park Hyatt, the Alila Marea Beach, and had dinner at Vaga, which is one of the hottest restaurants in this part of Southern California. Executive Chef Claudette Zepeda has created a truly outstanding menu that reflects the region’s cultural traditions, using locally sourced ingredients. After dinner there are few places more stunning than the adjacent bar, featuring firepits that will warm you while you watch the sun set over the Pacific.  

Sadly, this Kalifornia Kaleidoscope of a journey was only a week long, but it allowed us to experience a wide range of accommodations, dining, and sightseeing that served as a reminder of the State’s amazing wealth of natural beauty and of its rich array of quality resorts, exceptional dining, and incredible wines. It was really the ideal way to experience Coastal California, with the casual comfiness of our Cambria B&B sandwiched between two resorts that rank among the best in America, yet offer distinctly differing experiences.  

As we work with our clients to realize their travel dreams, we generally see that an amalgam of experiences such as ours is often the perfect realization of their vision. It’s the way we hope to help others in their quest to travel beyond….

Earlier today Victoria interviewed Sanjiv Hulugalle and Danny Akaka (“Uncle Danny”) on the veranda of the Canoe House at the Mauna Lani resort on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The Mauna Lani holds an esteemed position among resorts on the Island, having been founded nearly four decades ago. Auberge Resorts recently invested $200 million to renovate and update this iconic destination, and it shows in the exquisite attention to detail. More importantly, the Mauna Lani honors the cultural traditions of the island, and there is no one who better represents this than the resort’s very own Uncle Danny. Likewise, Sanjiv Hulugalle is a legendary hotelier, and he brings warmth, humor, and quest for excellence to his position.

We hope you’ll enjoy this session with Danny and Sanjiv...it’s an opportunity to learn about the resort, but, equally important, to learn something about this special place and its culture.

​It’s wonderful to be here, at one of the most amazing resorts in Hawaii.  Make that the world.

Mauna Lani has a long history as a favorite of visitors to the island, and recently underwent a $200 million refresh as part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. It reflects the warmth and deep sense of place that only comes with a tradition of long-standing excellence. Some of the staff have worked here four decades or longer.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that our good friend Craig Reid leads Auberge, and that our esteemed colleague Sanjiv Hulugalle is the General Manager of this iconic destination. Sanjiv has cultivated a culture of incredible service that permits those on staff to share their individuality and dedication to guests in a uniquely personal way.

We will be featuring a livestream from Mauna Lani tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 24). Watch this page for details later today.

#MaunaLaniMoments #AlwaysAuberge #TravelBeyond

I don’t know about you, but I hate...absolutely hate...dealing with luggage. Dragging it to the car. Wrangling it at the airport. Waiting in the luggage claim area, fervently praying that it’s going to come sliding down the chute...eventually. Or, worst of all, discovering that it has ended up in a different city, or even a different country (it happens).

The best advice I can give travelers is to always try to carry your luggage on board with you. This eliminates the chances of your luggage being stolen, misdirected, or lost. But, sometimes it’s just not possible.  For example, when we travel to Cape Town for our two-week motorcycle tour this October (https://www.ayresadventures.com/africa-with-elan/), we’ll need helmets, boots, gloves, and protective riding gear.  

The answer? Luggage Free, a service that picks your luggage up at your home and ships it to and from your destination. Door-to-door service, with Luggage Free handling all of the logistics, including customs clearance for those traveling abroad.

Having used their services in the past, we’ve found Luggage Free to be totally reliable, and when you’re shipping oversized items (skis, golf bags, etc.), the cost of their door-to-door service is comparable to that of hauling your gear to the airport and paying the airline’s excess baggage fee. Given the ease of using this service, it’s truly a no-brainer.

To book your next luggage shipment, follow this link: https://www.app.luggagefree.com/elan-travel-llc.

You will not regret using Luggage Free. It’s absolutely liberating.