Custom Italian Travel Planning for Unforgettable Moments

Ciao!

We put up our Christmas tree over Thanksgiving weekend, and as always, decorating turned into a full-blown trip down travel memory lane. 

 

My family collects ornaments from every place we travel, so our tree is basically a sparkling timeline of adventures: the lemon from Procida, the Eiffel Tower from Paris, the cornicello from Sicily, the hideous green tree from the Christmas Market in Luxembourg. I love hearing the “oh yeah! I forgot about this one” and “remember the funny old man at the store where we got this one” comments from my girls.

 

This is exactly why I keep talking about giving the gift of travel this year. Those ornaments? They represent memories that have lasted way longer than whatever toys or gadgets we gifted those same years. The trips stick. The stuff doesn't.

 

If you're still figuring out holiday gifts, my Holiday Gift Package offers a tangible way to give travel without committing to specific dates or destinations. It's the kind of present that says "let's create some memories worth hanging on a tree someday" rather than "here's another thing you'll forget about by February."  

So while I'm over here getting misty-eyed about a tiny beer stein from an Oktoberfest trip, think about what memories you want to create, and collect, in 2026.

 

Because trust me, your future Christmas tree will thank you.

 

Now, let's talk about Umbria...

Borgo dei Conti is set within a restored 13th-century Umbrian estate with original stonework and beamed ceilings, handcrafted Italian linens, vaulted ceilings, sunset views and curated local art. When we talk about a property having a “strong sense of place”, this is the kind of place that exemplifies it.

 

Between the panoramic pool overlooking olive groves, curated wine and oil tastings, restaurant with seasonal Umbrian menus, holistic spa treatments, and walking trails that disappear into the forest, Borgo dei Conti operates at a pace that feels gloriously unhurried. 

 

This is Umbria doing what it does best - offering that slower, quieter alternative to Tuscany's greatest hits while delivering experiences just as memorable. 

At Arco Destinations, we have a thing for arches (hello, literally the name and logo). So obviously, this town is a favorite since it speaks to my soul and the brand identity.

 

The town of Gubbio on the slopes of Mount Ingino feels like it's been there since the beginning of time, and since it has Roman origins, it basically has.  There are no luxury hotels or Sephoras here, just authentic Umbrian life happening beneath all these gorgeous stone arches.  

 

So authentic, in fact, that visitors can gain a license of "matto di Gubbio" (literally, "madman of Gubbio") by being baptized with the waters from the local fountain, Fontana dei Matti, after making three turns around it.  Sounds fun, no?

Will travel for….blooming lentils?

 

Who even knew lentils bloomed? But every late May through early July, the lentil fields near the village of Castelluccio di Norcia explode and start to look a lot like the tulip fields of the Netherlands. 

 

The blooming period lasts just a few weeks and is completely weather-dependent, so to catch the peak bloom you need flexibility and a bit of luck. But if you do, those little beans are guaranteed to put on QUITE a show.  

 

Traveling with teens obsessed with finding the best Instagram worthy photo ops?  They will probably be pretty impressed too.

The locals have been growing lentils for centuries (creating accidental floral masterpieces in the process), and they know exactly what to do with them: zuppa di lenticchie, a hearty lentil soup that's pure comfort food.

 

Here's the fun part: Italians eat lentils on New Year's Eve because their coin-like shape symbolizes wealth and prosperity for the coming year. The tradition says the more lentils you eat at midnight, the more money you'll make. 

 

So basically, eating lentil soup isn't just delicious, it's also a financial investment strategy. 

Now for something Umbrian that has absolutely nothing to do with legumes: Birra Perugia. 

 

This local craft brewery uses hyper-local ingredients like Umbrian wheat, local honey, and chestnuts from the mountains to create brews that actually taste like they're from Umbria. It's part of Italy's growing craft beer movement that's finally convincing Italians beer can be more than just an aperitivo afterthought.

 

You won't catch ME giving up my aperitivo Negroni in favor of a beer, but I would definitely be up for a tasting!