Disheveled Musings

There’s just something about Italy that I can’t quite put my finger on, perhaps it’s the warm, friendly people that I meet whenever I venture to its beautiful shores or the tasty wines and excellent cuisine that seem to ooze from its very being. For me, Italy has always been a magical place and is one of the focal points for my new business.

As you read last week I’m in Italy for a week of scouting as part of my new personalized travel concierge service. I can hear you all now, saying “what exactly is a personalized travel concierge service?” anyway. Well, I’m glad you asked!

The personalized travel concierge service that I have planned for Indelible Adventures is based on the premise that everyone wants a memorable travel experience where they are embedded in the local culture and that isn’t based necessarily on just seeing the touristy things that many people do, which although good can be a times both a little crowded and somewhat bland.

Ancient water trough at the Hotel La Badia which overlooked Orvieto

So given this as a backdrop I have two distinctly different options. The first is to join a small group of 6 – 8 people for a week long adventure to Italy, Australia, Vietnam, Spain or Canada (for those international folks wanting to see my current home country) . Second is to hire me to arrange and accompany you and/or a small group to one of these countries where I would take care of every aspect of your trip from start to finish. This second option is perfect for those with incredibly hectic lifestyles, family groups or even corporate groups that want to pamper and provide a unique experience to their top achievers within their organization. I can hear you all thinking....how can I get on one of these trips.

The objective is to immerse you in the local culture through understanding your interests and passions, thus providing you with a personalized itinerary that teases your senses and provides with some incredible memories. One thing I've learned over the years (yes, some personal experience here as well), is not all couples like to do the same thing, well at least not everyday and so there is always some level of compromise required on a traditional trip or tour. As part of your personalized itinerary this would also be taken into consideration to ensure you had the best of both worlds.

As well, I also think it’s also very important to include relaxation and “downtime” so that it’s both restful and invigorating rather than a rush to see everything.

Potentially blending in a mix of activities like hiking or cycling with photography, wine tasting, cooking classes, architectural wonders just to name a few. One thing is certain, if you are on an adventure with me we’re going to explore and have some unique adventures along the way.

The balcony in Assisi that I found on my way to the Brasilicia San Francesco

Hence I think “la dolce vita” is the perfect way to describe my travel concierge service as it means enjoying the good things in life and indulging in the things you love. J

So far this week I’ve been exploring specifically targeted hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany, starting in Orvieto where I stayed in a 6th century Abbey that's been converted to a hotel just outside the city walls, followed by a stay in Assisi (home to the famous Brasilicia of San Francesco) at a renovated nunnery before coming to Cortona earlier today. Each town has a unique vibe which is important when putting together trips like these, its all about the chemistry and how they compliment each experience.

Upon arriving into Cortona I spoke the hotel concierge and was recommended to have lunch at a place a little off the beaten path in the old medieval part of the city – Trattoria Toscana. This meal may go down as the best meal I’ve ever had! No really...

When I arrived at the restaurant I introduced myself to Enzo and Sarah who own the establishment and was completely blown away by their generosity and the overall experience.

The Trattoria Toscana in Cortona with its gracious and
wonderful hosts - Enzo and Sarah

For starters Enzo brought me local Pecorino cheese with homemade some green tomato marmalade that Sarah’s father makes just to try it. Simply delicious! Then when we discussed the menu for lunch he suggested that he makes three small dishes for me to taste that are unique to the area. A homemade lemon ravioli that is surprisingly tangy and delicious, then a Chianti risotto, which was purely sinful, and finally a wild boar ragu with fettuccini. All three dishes were distinctly different yet total heaven!

Sarah brought me a half bottle of Chianti Classico (Castellare di Castellina 2012), which is local to the Chianti region and which complimented the meal perfectly. Then to top this all off Enzo brought some of his homemade Bay Leaf aperitif, which was a perfect way to finish off the meal.

This is exactly why I love Italy so much – the generosity and warmth of the local people is unparalleled!

Each day I’ve taken in excess of 300 photographs and after curating them finally whittling it down to a more manageable 100 or so. Today is the exception as its pouring rain and has been since I woke at 7:30 am so only a small handful of photos today but tomorrow is market day in Cortona so I will definitely head over the Piazza Della Repubblica first thing in the morning to see if I can make up for my photo shortcoming today. J

Then onto Siena tomorrow morning...truly "la dolce vita" my friends!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a small selection of my photos from this week in Italy - enjoy!

The remnants of the Abbey with its 12 sided tower that was
built in 1103 AD, you can see Orvieto on the ridge across the valley

The grounds of the hotel are steeped in history and so very beautiful

Orvieto was built on the top of a natural fortress that overlooks the surrounding countryside

TW with camera in Orvieto taking a shot

Every Italian photo album needs to have a scooter and a
three wheeled truck to compliment the collection

The Corsican Quarter of the medieval city of Orvieto

Sculpture in a window with street-scape reflection

The Duomo in Orvieto - breathtaking!

The hitching post and link to a bygone era

The yellow carnations at the fountain in Assisi

The stone balcony in Assisi

Another beautiful day in Assisi with its flowing fountains and Azure colored sky

Although not religious I found the artifacts to be stunning in Assisi

Curing hams in a shop in Assisi

This house alone was built in 1461 - Assisi

The Temple of Minerva - Roman era with a significant underground
labyrinth of walls, aqueducts and markets below the square I was standing

Sunspot at the Brasilicia San Francesco - Assisi

Fields of sunflowers everywhere I drove in Umbria and Tuscany

The old and ornate door handles in the medieval part of Cortona

The glass chandelier in my room in Cortona

Delicate rose garden at the hotel in Cortona

Cortona has an active Opera which is located at the Teatro Signorelli

When did the urge first start? Was it something I was born with? How long have I been having these thoughts?

No, its not a mid-life crisis, it’s a realization that I’m done with the Corporate world and ready for the next chapter of my career and life in general. After much soul searching and deep thinking I’ve decided to follow my passion and start afresh with my own business…

Indelible Adventures Inc. is being formed as I write this week’s blog, and I've been working with an accountant and lawyer in recent weeks to finalize the incorporation of the company, which should happen within the next few days. So I'm sure the burning question on your mind is what exactly is Indelible Adventures Inc. going to do or sell?

Great question!

Actually it’s an amalgam of four different, yet interrelated segments. The four segments include: Writing, Photography, Motivational Speaking and a Personalized Travel Concierge service. Each of these areas I have a passion for, but as you peel it away realize that it’s actually four businesses within one.

The new tagline for Indelible Adventures Inc is “connecting the senses”, because when I think about the four areas I encourage readers like yourself to read my blogs, books and stories, view my photography and experience the images from my travels, listen to me speak about the defining moments of my life and the journey from Partner in a prestigious management consulting firm to starting my own business based on my personal passions. The final segment is around experiencing your own Indelible Adventure by accompanying me on a travel adventure.

Reading – Viewing – Listening – Experiencing

Initially my plan is to target a small number of locations including Italy, Australia and Vietnam for my personalized concierge travel adventure but also looking to expand in terms of where I would take groups over the coming months. I'm actively planning on offering adventure trips starting in October 2014. The objective for my personalized travel concierge is to get off the beaten track and get beyond the expected tourist sites to discover and experience the real culture within the country.

The other key tenant of this service is to ensure that the small group (up to 8) has a truly personalized experience unlike any other trip. Included in the new service is a discovery call to ensure that I understand your interests and passions and weave some of these activities into the trip but with a local and cultural flair thus creating your own Indelible Adventure. J

When I think of Indelible Adventures I think of the four senses – reading, viewing, listening and experiencing…in essence “connecting the senses”. This tagline fits perfectly with the overarching business I want to create. Now, although I wish I could take full and complete credit for this inventive tagline I have to give some credit to my counselor Lisa, who after listening to me talk about the concept she said “so, like connecting your senses type of thing”, and the rest is history!

So, what’s next…

Well, there are so many things that I need to do to get started that it could be a little overwhelming. With my incorporation and business plan complete I need to create the website, develop and shoot a couple of short motivational speaking teasers that gives potential buyers a sense of the topics that I can speak on.

Clearly research is a critical aspect of my personalized concierge travel segment so this coming week I will be in Italy for a week of reconnaissance and trip planning for my first group. I’m flying into Rome on Monday night and touring for the week where I will be meticulously planning the first adventure in mid and late October.

The first Indelible Adventure will be to Umbria and Tuscany for a 6 days, 7 nights with an a eclectic 4+ star accommodation plan and personalized itinerary that will include, photography, hiking, wine tasting, cooking class and much more. Remember space is limited to 8 people per adventure.

For more information and departure dates please email me at terence@indelible-adventures.com J

Please feel free to pass along my email address to anyone who you think may be interested in participating in any of the four areas. Once I get my website up and running I will begin proactively marketing activities.

Thank you one and all for all your love and support over the past three years and this journey I've been on, I can't tell you how excited I am to be developing the brand and my new business.

This week I thought I would attached a number of photos from my last Italian adventure to help spur you on – enjoy!