Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009 - (Page 66)

LOCAL CONNECTIONS Inside Italy IC Bellagio (www.icbellagio.com) in Bellagio, Italy, might be owned by an English citizen, but if you want to see Italy the way it was meant to be, Andrea Grisdale’s (andrea@icbellagio.com; 01139-031-952-059) tour company is a sure bet. Her dedicated team of professionals, with titles such as Unique Experiences Executive, has an intimate knowledge of Italy, which it uses to create bespoke itineraries. Affiliated with both Virtuoso and Signature, IC Bellagio allows clients to discover the real Italy. What are the most over-the-top programs you have customized for clients? We have done so many: private exclusive visits to galleries, the Vatican, homes of nobility, lunch with Salvatore Ferragamo at his Tuscan estate. This past year, we had a couple traveling with us and, just prior to departure, we learned from their agent that the lady loved marble sculpture and were asked if we could do something special for her. As they were transferring between Portofino and Florence, they were passing by Carrara—home of the White Marble. We have an amazing contact there who sculpts with marble. We arranged for the couple to stop by the workshop and enjoy an introduction to his life and works. They were there for six hours! Are you seeing a trend in requests for multi-generational family programs? Absolutely. Many of our clients are taking longer villa stays and they have various family members and friends come stay with them at different intervals. Many of the experiences we offer, such as painting lessons or cooking lessons, have been set up so that parents and grandparents can enjoy one type of experience aimed at their age group, and the kids can enjoy a similar experience aimed at theirs. How is your wedding business going? We managed 46 weddings during 2008—many of them American. We’ve arranged horse and carriages or Ferraris to and from the church, helicoptering into the ceremony, renting historical villas or taking over five-star hotels. Receptions in a centuriesold wine cellar or on a steamboat chugging around a lake are also a big hit. Each and every wedding is different and therefore orchestrated 100 percent to what the couples want. Are you doing more “celebration” experiences these days? This is becoming an important part of our business. We’ve even done “Celebration of Divorce” trips. More common are graduation trips or weeks in villas to celebrate big birthdays and anniversaries. Do you provide customized shore excursions for cruise passengers? This year we are including a lot more exclusive experiences for cruise passengers. We will propose an onshore cruise itinerary for the various ships coming into Italy. We can provide different itineraries for all passengers: one for first timers, one for food and wine or one for adventure. This is giving the agent many more opportunities to sell incredible experiences to their cruise passengers. We also propose customized pre- and post-cruise itineraries for those embarking or leaving the ships in Venice or Civitavecchia. Are you seeing any other trends from U.S. travelers? They are much more informed about Italy. Although the famous monuments and sites will never lose their importance, the U.S. traveler is seeking a more Italian experience: what our life is like here, our trades, what we eat and drink and how we socialize. They really are seeking to learn how to live la dolce vita. IN RAVELLO, ITALY: Andrea Grisdale, CEO of IC Bellagio, is flanked by John Cargile and Rudi Steele of Rudi Steele Travel in Dallas, as they dine with Aaron Kaupp (far right), GM of Hotel Palazzo Sasso. 66 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR http://www.icbellagio.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Caribbean Mexico Prague Hotel Splendido One Aldwych Liberty Hotel Resorts Cambridge Beaches Luxury Travel Expo Michael's Travel Awards Regent The Pulse Luxury Lifestyles Local Connections Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - February 2009

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