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Hello -

I'm just landing in Dallas after my week-ish in Italy/Sicily and let me just say, I LOVE Italy!! I forget how much la dolce vita is found in the Italian version of living. The pace is different, the volume louder, but there is an underlying goodness. The Italians are just so lovely.

I managed to pull the worst thing ever as I walked out of the hotel this morning. Normally I do a triple check of the important stuff before stepping out the front door but yesterday morning, chattering with the front desk staff and my lovely driver I failed on two counts:

• ✅ Phone
• ✅ Laptop
• ✅ House keys
• 🛑Wallet
• 🛑Passport

Yes, as seasoned traveler, I walked out, jumped into the car, and it didn't even cross my mind I was missing some incredibly important documents as Giordino whisked me off towards Fiumicino Airport, 40 minutes away.

The hotel called just as we pulled up to Departures. Yikes!! now what?!

Giordino, who had another passenger to pick up, quickly told me "no problem. I've called my colleague Vasile and he will be here 3-5 minutes and will drive you back. What time your plane? (in 2 1/2 hours) - no problem, plenty of time, plenty of time".

So I got out of the car, waited for 5 minutes, climbed in with Vasile and weirdly it was the perfect amount of time to go back into Rome in morning traffic, pick up my purse, and return to the airport. I arrived in time to board with my group.

Here are my takeaway from this extra adventure.

1. Travel is about being flexible in the moment. Don't panic or give into becoming crabby when things go sideways. What is, is. It may cost money, time, or something else but it's never the end of the world. I was fortunate the hotel had my purse and I'd not left it at the little cafe where I'd had my morning cappuccino. If I had, I would have been another full day in Rome at the Embassy getting a temporary passport, cancelling credit cards, and rebooking flights. Yes, it would have been a hassle but it was my own fault so being mad at anyone else is a foolish waste of energy.
2. Don't use Uber for airport transfers on your way out of town when timing matters. Because I had a private driver (about $40 more) he was able to coordinate with an equally professional colleague to get me back to the airport to board the plane for Dallas. No waiting and watching the Uber dot circle on the app as the clock hands move ever closer to departure.
3. Lean into the experience. I ended up having 90 minutes in a car with a delightful person originally from Romania, in Rome for 16 years, married to a northern Italian with 4 children. He told me all sorts of interesting stories about Rome, his life in various parts of Europe, and how similar the Romanian language is to Italian. Vasile was fantastic and I will use both he and Giardino as drivers for clients traveling to Rome.

Of course, the ending could have soured the whole trip, but 99.9% of the trip was wonderful and I learned a ton about Sicily and Rome. Wandering in the Valley of the Temples outside Palermo, getting lost in Taormina, meeting the movie mother of Apollonia from the Godfather, and strolling through street of Rome, was wonderful. The ending was 100% my bad. Oops!

I doubt I'll ever tire of walking the twisting medieval cobblestone streets of Italy. I enjoy touring hotels, trying new restaurants, and learning as much as I can about the best ways to build a great experience for clients headed to this delightful country. How can one not love a place with a never ending supply of delicious bread, wine, cheese, and pasta.

If you've been dreaming of Italy for the first time, or looking to return, I'd love the opportunity to help craft a trip. Whether completely private or with a group tour, Italy is a must experience.

As inspiration towards that next Italian trip - here's some Italian travel inspiration from Virtuoso's editorial team and some options from my Virtuoso Partners.

However you want to see Italy, I can help make it happen.

Ciao!

Martha

Nothing like the breads and the beaches

There’s plenty to love on Italy’s Ligurian coast, but Recco’s annual focaccia festival might be one of our favorite reasons to go. Take a stroll along the coast of the Italian Riviera di Levante - Recco is a great jump off place for Portofino, or the Cinque Terre. With Cliffs to steep to modernize, these towns are right on the sea and are a spectacular Italian experience

When is it? Sun, 25 May 2025
​What is it? The 68th annual full day celebration of Focaccia
​

Windstar is offering special fares to TEXAS!! This Residents Special Offer is only available until April 30, 2025 To help you escape, unwind, and refocus on what’s really important, they're offering residents from TEXAS, and a few other states, a 35% discount on select cruises in French Polynesia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and beyond. ​View Sailings​ Windstar does FORMULA 1 Monaco A limited number of staterooms are available on the May 20 sailing on Wind Surf, our 342-guest sailing yacht. ​ ​Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ​ ​ ​This cruise will include access to Saturday’s time trials and Sunday’s final race. Here are some of the highlights you can expect: Grandstand K reserved seating during the time trials and final race – valued at $1,500 per guest. Behind-the-scenes insights from Formula 1* expert Bob Varsha. Special Prix du Monde–themed cocktail reception and dinner on board. Prix du Monde–themed gift package with program ticket holder, high-definition binoculars, ear plugs, cap and seat cushion.

CRYSTAL Cruises ** Sensational Limited Offers ** Savings up to $4,000 plus a $500 As You Wish credit Ends Apr 30, 2025 View Offer ** NO SINGLE supplement ** for Double Guest Rooms or AM Suites Select 2025 sailings View Offer FEATURED SAILINGS ​COPENHAGEN to REYKJAVÍK​ August 6 - 14, 2025 | 8 Nights - Crystal Serenity -> Save up to $4,000 per suite +$500SBC​ FARES (from)​ was $6,100 now $5,100 per guest ​ROUNDTRIP PIRAEUS (ATHENS)​ August 9 - 20, 2025 | 11 Nights Crystal Symphony ​ ​Save up to $4,000 per suite +$500SBC​ FARES (from)​ was $8,000 now $7,000 per guest*

EXPLORA Journeys THE UNIQUE OCEANS OFFER Up to 40% savings & up to USD 1,000 Destinations Credit. Reserve by 1 April. Offer Details Feel like you are on your own private yacht as you sail in ultra-elegance. Enjoy spacious ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences, savour unforgettable culinary experiences, and rejuvenate with ocean-inspired wellness programs, with an array of inclusive experiences. View Offer A Journey of Picturesque Piazzas & Soulful Souks Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to Barcelona, Spain 7 nights / 6 days departing July 7, 2025 Rome’s romance, Renaissance, the clamour of Naples, Sicily to Tunis, Isola di San Pietro to Spanish seduction in the Balearics and Barcelona. ​See journey​

Curious about a destination or have questions about travel, join me for over at Meetup and Teams for my upcoming group conversations or shoot me an email.

Let's talk about your trip​

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Virtuoso, The Magazine The new Virtuoso, The Magazine is out, and it’s full of useful tips from Virtuoso travel advisors who, like us, can’t stop fantasizing about the next exotic getaway. TRIPS OF A LIFETIME My expertise and access to Virtuoso's network of the world's best travel brands, perks, and experiences mean your most memorable trips are yet to come. THE WORLD'S TOP ADVISORS ARE VIRTUOSO! Read More ->

Martha Day Owner | Travel Advisor +1 469-818-4864 ​www.opalandfinch.com​ ​Martha@opalandfinch.com​ Live Beautifully and with intention

Hello. I’m Martha Day, owner and head travel designer at Opal&Finch, a boutique luxury travel company based in Dallas, TX, and (spoiler alert)

I LOVE travel. It is a joy to assist others with their travel needs. ​

My design goal is simple: that you return from your journey refreshed. Whether you. hit up a far-flung exotic destination, choose to relax deck side on a ship, or need your feet in the sand kicking back by the sea, whatever you choose, my desire is for you return home rejuvenated with great stories that bring smiles.

​Opal&Finch exists to inspire connections through travel. We provide effortless travel planning, management, and concierge services to busy people so they can take memory-filled vacations even when schedules are packed and it seems impossible to get away.

If you’re looking to travel, I’d love to help bring your travel dreams to life.

#ImagineWhatCanBe #SoVirtuoso #BringingTravelToLife

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