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This year, I (Michelle) celebrated my birthday (and my best friend's, too) in Italy! It was the trip of a lifetime all planned by Lady Jilllauren Dyer for her momentous 50th. Yes, she is younger than me by 363 days...but who's counting? Years ago Jill put a magazine article on her fridge about Prosecco Region in Veneto Italy and vowed to travel there for her 50th and she did! Along with 23 friends from around the world, we celebrated Jill and her amazing, generous, funny, smart self. Anyone who plans and executes a 10 day trip around Italy that included copious amounts of Prosecco is deemed smart in my book! We started in Bangolo at a sweet bed and breakfast style inn called Villa Clementina. The staff was amazing and the Prosecco was perfecto. Nestled in vineyards and quaint as can be, we were able to day trip all around the area (we hired drivers, ubers weren't an option out there), walk to delicious restaurants, train into Venice, explore Conegliano (hello 22k steps that day), stare at the Alps, watch the snow capped tops change daily and most importantly, build lasting memories with amazing people who all had Jill in common.
The second half of our trip was spent at Relais Almaranto. And holy toledo...it was amazeballs. To say I would recommend this place is an understatment. From the moment we arrived and the hotel pup, Alma, showed us to our rooms, I knew I would love this place. More modern than our first stay, but equally charming and also full of prosecco! Located in Calamandrana, it is a good hike from Milan (almost 2 hours) and very centrally located in Piemonte. Monferrato might be my favorite region in Italy. Consider it a lesser known Tuscany. Amazing views, incredible proximity to so many smaller wine producers and accessibility to ammeneties very close by (banks, groceries, PIZZA!). All that to say, the property itself has so much to offer. The restaurants on site were incredible. The breakfast was bountiful and delicious. The hosts were incredibly accomodating and handled our group of 23 with ease. That alone is a tremendous feat. We had a private dinner for Jill's birthday followed by an epic dance party. I scoffed when they said we had to turn the music off by 2 am, as I knew, being 50+ (I wasn't the oldest, but very close to it) that I would happily be in bed before midnight...well guess who rolled into bed at 3:45 am. Oh what a night! I think I am still recovering as I write this June newsletter.
Overall, an absolutely amazing trip with amazing people. My heart is full of gratitude for Jill, for Clifton for caring for our girls and allowing me the space to go on this adventure and to my Moxie Family for holding down the fort while I was away. Oh, and for all the travel outfits I brought from Betty!
My travel essentials:
Denim Jacket
Cassie Dress
Palazzo Jeans
Classic Crew Neck
Belt Bag
And so many more....we sold out of the navy linen pants I wore on the plane, both directions, but we are getting more in!
Click the links below to learn more about the vineyards I visited!
Villa Clementina
Cantina Merotto in Valdobbiadene
Fasol Menin in Valdobbiandene
Moretvini in San Pietro di Feletto
Castello di Roncade in Roncade
Tenuta Olim Bauda
Laconda Cossetti
Pico Maccario
Ferraris Agricola
Borgo Maragliano
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