Custom Italian Travel Planning for Unforgettable Moments

Ciao!

 

We've had a few glorious days of false spring here in NJ recently, and even though I know it's a tease (it will be in the 40's here until early May), my mind immediately goes to the promise of consistently warm temps, SUMMER and GELATO.

 

While gelato is technically the Italian word for ice cream, gelato and ice cream are not actually the same thing, recipe-wise at least. 

 

Authentic gelato contains less fat, around 5-7% compared to ice cream's 14-25%, uses more milk than cream, and is served slightly warmer, allowing those intense flavors to really dance on your palate.   Ashley math says that at less than half the fat of ice cream, you can have twice as much gelato.  You're welcome!

 

But when you're indulging, make sure you're getting the real deal.  Don't trust those mountainous, brightly colored displays - they're tourist traps. Authentic gelato lies flat in metal tins, and the colors should look natural. The banana should be grayish-beige, not yellow, and pistachio should be earthy olive-green.  Anything smurf blue - yeah, don't order that (but if your kid insists, indulge them - they're on vacation too!)

 

Embrace the daily gelato ritual like a local: stroll the piazza, cone or cup in hand, debating whether tomorrow's flavor will be stracciatella, fragola, or a daring combination of both. 

 

Buon apetito!

Want to start planning YOUR next Italian vacation?

⛲ It's tradition to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to guarantee a return to Rome.  But what happens to all that money?

 

🏎️ The new sport inspiring travel these days?  Hint: Vroom Vroom

 

🪪 Twice I have tried.  Twice I have failed.  Third time's the charm?  If this is you too - heads up! The May 7 deadline is quickly approaching.

 

🛂 When flying internationally, everyone on the plane needs a passport.  Yes. Everyone.

Ok, so listen.  Water shoes are definitely not what I would call fashionable.  To be quite honest, they are “cringe” as my teenagers would say.

 

Trust me when I say that they are a NECESSITY when you're spending time at the rocky cliffs and beaches of Italy, Croatia, Greece, etc.  They protect the bottoms of your feet with a firm, yet flexible surface, are secure and stay on, and dry very quickly.

 

Can't you just wear flip flops in the water?  Sure.  You can do whatever you want.  But when they float off and you step on something and get a boo boo, remember that I told you so 😉

Raise your hand if you remember that in addition to designing your fabulous trips to Italy, Arco Destinations also books hotel stays for clients all around the world 🙋‍♀️

 

This is Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, a luxury glamping with a capital L resort on Vancouver Island reachable only by boat or seaplane.   Here, the emphasis is on nature, the wilderness, sustainability, wellbeing and connection, and every stay is personalized to the guests' interests.  

 

Raise your hand again if you're adding this to your bucket list 🙋‍♀️