I have just returned from Italy where I spent nine days exploring the wine, food, and sights with a group of talented (and fun) bloggers, writers, and other media. We were there for the International Wine Tourism Conference where I presented a seminar titled, “A Sense of Place: How to leverage your region and place to enhance the customer experience”. In addition to the conference, our group was a part of a familiarization (FAM) trip where we were introduced to the regions of Umbria and Campania by some of the regions most knowledgeable representatives.
Trying to organize my thoughts around this trip is kind of like trying to fold laundry with the help of my twin boys. It takes a lot of time and patience to do it correctly. And that is my intention – to be able to share with you what makes these regions so special, and express the impact they had on me, in the best way I can. It will just take some time.
I have so many stories to jot down, dozens of videos, and over 1,000 pictures to sort through (yes it is a bit obnoxious I know). So as I organize my ideas around this amazing trip please view these pictures as a preview of what you will see here in the weeks to come.
Italy…
… And so much more, including my new love for olive oil, highlights from the International Wine Tourism Conference, getting stuck in a historical snow storm (my third one in a year!), new friends, and photography lessons. I hope you follow along as I share my journey through Italy.
Ciao
David says
Ahh, it seems so long ago now. Nice pics – better than those by that Andrew Scribbler bloke 😉
Andy says
loving this wine blog, Mary..I now have it bookmarked ..hope you, guy and the tots are well.
Mary says
Thanks Andy! We miss you a ton!!!
Michele Bealer says
Loving the pics, can’t wait to see more!
Mary says
I’m sure you will show up in a few of those pics 😉
Amy @ VineSleuth says
Looks fantastic, Mary! I’m eager to read all about it. 🙂
Mary says
Thanks Amy!
Lorenzo says
Nice pictures Tamara..what cities did you visit?
Olive oil is amazing, we have so many oil tasting places in Italy, especially in Tuscany, the land of good wine and olive oil.
Mary says
Thanks so much Lorenzo. I am actually Mary. Tamara is a good friend of mine from Portland. She shared my post on twitter, that is probably where you saw it. We visited many cities throughout Umbria and Campania. Such a wonderful experience.
andrew says
Oh my… the food… the wine… and such wonderful new people to get to know!
Mary says
Yes indeed! Hopefully some of my pictures will make you proud. Honestly, I just hope they don’t make you cringe 😉