Domani: Why I Want To Live In Italy

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Rob

There’s a word that the Italians use all the time. “Domani”. And now Kim and I have adopted it. In fact, we love this word so much, that we use it all the time. “Domani”, “Domani”, “Domani”! What’s “Domani” mean you ask? Well, it literally means “tomorrow”. So, what’s the big whoop? Why is saying “tomorrow” such a big deal to the Italians?

To understand this we have to dig a bit deeper into WHY we DON’T use it (as often) as our vino-loving friends. Let’s start here. We have a saying in America, “Why put off to tomorrow what you could do today”. Fair enough right? Get it done. Isn’t that a good thing? I would argue that we’re paying a price for that way of thinking.

Let’s talk about how the Italians changed the quote around to make it more “molte bene”, “Why do today what you could easily do tomorrow”? I know, I know, lot’s of thoughts going on in that Cafe Americano cerebellum of yours. If you just tilted your head like a puppy who just heard a high pitched sound, let me help you out here.

As with everything in life there is a price to be paid. The Italians, with all 2000 years of history behind them, have learned a thing or two about life. They’ve realized that there are MORE important things in life that need to be “done” first. They understand that there is ALWAYS something that “needs” to be done today, but there are only so many moments in life to be embraced. And, if we do whatever the “it’s gotta be done” de jour is, we will likely miss out on “La Dolce Vita” (the sweetness of life).

The word “Domani” literally means “tomorrow”. But, what it REALLY means to the Italians is to live for today. This is super hard for us to understand. We are a get s**t done culture. Please understand, that this is NOT about laziness. The Italians know how to get stuff done. They’ve made some pretty cool… Ahem…statues, coliseums and um… other stuff.

This is about embracing that ticking clock. Enjoying the moments that pass us by so quickly in life. It’s about TAKING the time to stop and enjoy what’s happening around you, instead if letting it go by. I think down deep we really know this in our gut.

Here’s an example. Starbucks (where I am right now), was created to embrace the cafe culture of Italy. They tried to nail down all the nuances. From calling the cup sizes Italian names like “Venti” to the person who makes your coffee a “barrista”. But in my view…it ain’t a cafe in Italy.

To my left I have an Amway guy doing a flip book presentation…to my right I have two guys typing feverishly on their lap tops and in between the both of them I have a woman who just ordered a (get this) “Trenta Caramel Frappacino” (it’s the new Starbucks version of the big gulp- really ). No one, at least that I can see, is really spending a quality moment enjoying life with a friend or having a conversation about art, culture or philosophy.

The Italians have come to understand that you need to make the time for the important stuff… an evening “Passeggiata” (leisurely strolls that are taken arm and arm with loved ones nightly across Italy)….sitting in front of a fountain eating amazing gelato with a friend… simply sitting and watching people go by…listening to the sounds of a child’s laughter….or just taking the time to read a non-business book for 30 minutes in the middle of the day.

So, at some point today, you will have a perfect opportunity to either say… let’s do it now or simply say “Domani”. It’s your choice. What will it be?

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JK Capri: Prepare To Get Your Mind Blown

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Rob

Every once in a while a hotel will blow my frickin’ mind. Words can not do justice to how the JK Place in Capri succeeds in rendering even the most jaded traveler to their knees. There are certain things that we come to expect when we stay at a high end hotel. Perhaps a great concierge, fantastic amenities or just some personal touches.

Well, kids, you’re not in Kansas anymore. The JK Capri is off the hizzle! OK, so, here’s the deal. To get to Capri requires you to bring out your inner Christopher Columbus. It’s a bit of planes, trains and automobiles.
We flew into Rome. Took a train to Naples. Then grabbed a ferry to Capri. When your ferry arrives, you’re greeted by an Armani suit holding a sign with your name on it. He grabs your bags and escorts you to a tricked out golf cart (think of what Bentley would come up with if they made golf carts).

When you arrive inside the hotel (think villa/mansion) on a bluff overlooking the Mediterranean, a receiving line of 5 people assemble with military precision to welcome you with a sincere open heart (it’s palpable). You’re then taken out to the veranda, which overlooks the ocean, to do a proper check in – while you’re being served delicious snacks and a cocktail. Over snacks you get to know the JK Place Capri hotel manager Samuel Porreca (we’ll get to him later).

So, lets stop and think about this for a second. You’ve just flown all night. Taken every conceivable mode of transportation to get here. And are suffering the jet lag of a 6 hour time change. You’re totally shot. But, as this JK Capri experience unfolds you seem to forgot all your woes. I am a major pain in the a** when I travel. When I sat down with Samuel I had list of questions about all the secret hidden spots in Capri. He totally picked up what I was putting down and told me what was hot and what wasn’t. In the end there were no less than 10 places that I needed set up for lunch, dinner and nightlife. I asked Samuel if he needed me to write down everything we discussed to book the various reservations. He tapped on his temple with his index finger and said “I got it all right here”. I looked at Kim and said this will NEVER happen!

Man, was I wrong! I won’t go into all the details about how perfectly he orchestrated every single detail, but I will tell you it was no less than AMAZING. Imagine that every restaurant you go to is expecting you with a reserved sign on the table and a chilled glass of Champagne. How about the hottest beach club in Capri, with a line out the door and when you arrive you’re taken directly to a waiting lounge chair with the best private view of the ocean. The JK Place in Capri can open doors on this island like I have NEVER seen a hotel do. It’s so much more than that. These people are just cool. I mean people that you genuinely want to hang out with. Before you go out at night they set up h’ourderves in their library that are made from all local ingredients and are incredible! You have your own personal bar man that remembers what you like, what you don’t and creates custom cocktails for you to try.

When you come home at night (because that’s what it feels like) you have someone that will ask you about how everything went. Everyone in that hotel knows who you are and where you went. It’s like they stick a GPS on you. It’s freaky. I guess I’ll stop here, because I really could go on for days. This place is not cheap. Though, in my opinion you get 100 times your money worth. In fact, I’m not sure you can even put a price on it.

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Odds and Ends

Kim and I just got back from our Fitness Competition in Vegas. It was a blast! We shot a fun video for our coach of the experience. Here it is.

If You Want To Be A Jet Set Insider Now Is The Time? Plus, Headed to Party on the Aeolian Islands

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Rob

I realized recently that it’s really my rolodex of contacts that gets me dialed-in when I travel. If I know someone cool that knows a location well, it’s likely they’ll hook me up with under the radar stuff — that I would NEVER find on the internet. It really IS about WHO you know.

I get emails from people who are trying to connect with me for the same reason. Asking where to go when they are in such and such a place. But, to be honest, I really don’t respond to all of them. At times it’s just too much. I also get asked to create some kind of newsletter to help them decide where to go next. The truth is, I just have too much on my plate!

But, Kim convinced me to do it. She said, “stop whining and just create one”, so, I did. It came out great, too (if I do say so myself)! Here’s how I broke it down:

Every month you’ll receive a brand new Jet Set Secret Destination, along with our secret hidden spots to check out that we don’t tell anyone. This is going to be very cool! Now, you’ll know what Kim and I know. Nothing held back. From the relaxed comfort of your iPhone/iPad/ or regular old computer — you’ll have a growing collection of the hottest spots on the planet and know exactly where to go and what to do when you get there.

Just for funzies, we’re going to offer something completely new and different. We’re going to record us planning our next trip. Before Kim and I take a trip we find the ‘go to’ Jet Setter that knows the destination we’re going to like the back of his hand. An ‘insider’, if you will. Then, rake him over the coals and beat him into total submission, until he reveals the secret hidden spots that he doesn’t want to get out.

We then put it pretty for you. We package the Jet Set Insider Monthly Newsletter and Jet Set Insider MP3 recording and put it all on a silver platter for you. I’ve even gotten permission for you to contact the Jet Set Insiders we interview personally (as long as you’re cool with them and don’t abuse it). These are VERY connected insiders. This is the fastest way I know of for you to create your own Jet Set circle.

The idea is pretty simple. Over a 12 month period we take you inside our world and let you know all of our Secret Spots. So, how much should we charge? I said A LOT! Kim said, “don’t be an a** hole, make it fair”. We’re still debating on the price. I don’t know how much I’m going to charge yet.

Here’s what I do know. I’m going to offer to readers of this blog a special price and on a first come first served basis ONLY. So, if you even think you might be into it, enter your email in the early list below and I’ll let you know as soon as I know something.

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Headed to Aeolian Islands tomorrow (off the coast of Sicily) in search of more cool spots! If anyone is going to be in that area just drop whistle and maybe we can hook up:)

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Bravo Lifestyle Concierge: A List of The Absolute Coolest Things To Do in Florence

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Rob

I do most of the pre-trip recon before Kim and I take a trip. I vet the hotels, restaurants and night life like an obsessive mad scientist. The hard part for me has been to find cool and unique things to do during the day. One of the tools I’m starting to use more and more is the services of a boutique lifestyle concierge. They just have knowledge and access to things that you would have never thought to do.

Last month Kim and I sat done with Jacopo of Bravo! lifestyle concierge in Florence. We asked him to give us his best ideas of what we can do in Florence. We wanted something other than the standard tourist fare. We met him at his “office”, which was located in a castle (literally). He is a totally warm, loving and all around cool cat. We asked him to give us his secrets of interesting and unique things to do in Florence. Kim and I are WAY picky when it comes to these things. The truth is, I have to admit, he totally delivered. So, I decided to share his secrets with you.

Bravo! Dream Car

The first thing you’ll need is a “Dream Car” to discover the hidden beauties of Italy. Jacopo recommended the Ferrari F430 Spider or the Lamorghinini Gallardo. For those a bit more budget conscious, he could even hook up a mini cooper, as a very cool alternative.

Bravo! Uffizi Secret Passage Way

Everybody who goes to Florence visits the Uffizi museum. No big deal. But, almost nobody has access to the the secret passage way which connects the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti. Jacopo explained to us, that this unique passage way was commissioned to Giorgio Vasari, the architect of the Uffizi, by Cosimo I in 1565 to celebrate the marriage of his son. It enabled the Medici family to freely move between their private residence and the seat of the government without the need for an escort. I would have never even known that this was there, or had any type of access, without Jacopo.

Bravo! Tuscan Food Workshop

It’s no secret that the food in Italy is beyond amazing. In fact, it’s completely indescribable. What if you could learn their secrets and bring it back to your own kitchen? How cool would that be? Jacopo put together an amazing workshop. You start by walking through the open air markets of San Lorenzo, in the company of a world class Italian chef. You walk through the central produce market learning exactly how to buy produce. You move to the upper floor houses, to pick out the meats, cheeses, bread and even flowers for your meal. You walk back, to their state of the art Tuscan cooking facilities and have a fun, exciting class on how to put it all together followed by an hour wine class. Your chance to bring La Docle Vita back to your home.

Bravo! Hot Air Balooning Over Tuscany

If you’re like Kim and I and the windy roads of Tuscany make you a bit motion sick, then we have a totally cool option for you. Hot air ballooning over Tuscany. It’s a 3 hour adventure that begins with your participation in inflating the balloon before you begin your flight through beautiful Tuscan landscape. After landing, Jacopo puts together an amazing spread of beautiful Tuscan appetizers accompanied by Champagne. A complete unique way of getting a different perspective (and vantage point) of Tuscany.

Bravo! Secret Boutique Shops Tour

Finding places to shop in Florence on the surface may not seem very difficult. However, finding the unique and different shops that nobody knows about, is an entirely different story. Jacopo knows where the hidden treasures are. A professional shopper takes you through the unmarked hidden alley was of Florence to find tailor made clothing, handmade shoes, unique pieces of jewelry and hand made embroidery and paintings. If you’re in to shopping and don’t want to waste time feeling like you missed something, this is for you.

Bottom Line

I could go on for days sharing with you what Jacopo has up his sleeve. Bottom line: If you’re going to Florence hook up with Bravo Concierge! and make your trip unforgettable.

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If you want to see what Kim and I did with Bravo! concierge in Tuscany check out Kim’s blog here.

The JK Place Hotel in Florence Italy: My Personal Palazzo

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Rob

Imagine, having your own place in Florence, Italy. That’s always been a dream for Kim and I. So, when we went to Florence last week we tried to find a place that felt like home, but, because we’re on vacation, also feel like a 5 star hotel. With just a little research, we found it. It’s called the JK Place Hotel. After our stay, it was obvious why Travel and Leisure voted it one of the best hotels in 2010.

I don’t often go nuts over hotels, because I spend a lot of time in them and frankly it takes a lot to impress me, but the JK Place Hotel, completely, above and beyond, impressed me. It impressed me so much that I asked that manager, Claudio Meli, if he’s was willing to go on camera to talk about it (see above video).

So, what’s the big deal, why is this place so unbelievable? Oh, let me count the ways. I generally make my decisions about a hotel before I arrive. I judge them based upon what my ‘pre-trip phone calls’ are like. I sometimes call a hotel, a half dozen times before I arrive, to sort through restaurants, night life and cool things to do. Crazy, I know, but remember we are creating videos and guidebooks and our info just has to be right. This pre-trip research is my first step. Needless to say, I’m kind of a pain in the ass about these things.

When I called the JK in Florence, I was greeted by a warm friendly voice (Lorenzo) who knew who I was (and it wasn’t a jet set life thing) and who was genuinely expecting me. He really was. It was kind of like having a very cool friend in Florence, who totally ‘gets’ the vibe you’re looking for and has all the connections to make it happen.

Within 24 hours I had the perfect list of restaurants, night life and cool things to do that were broken down by specific categories (like once in a lifetime, stylish, see and be seen and cozy). The list was very tight and came with website urls and the name of the people that would be expecting us if we selected it.

After I made my picks from Lorenzo’s list, I called the hotel to book everything. I spoke with Angela, a lovely soft spoken Italian woman who was totally aware of what Lorenzo sent me and was sitting ‘on ready’ for me to green light our choices. Twenty-four hours later, I had every detail of my trip handled exactly the way I wanted. No begging. No repeated phone calls like ” who are you again”. I felt like I was Bruce Springsteen coming to stay with them. Realize, I haven’t even left America yet!

Now, for the moment of truth. After the long transatlantic flight from the states, I had to know if this place was for real or did I just get lucky with some really cool people on the phone? We arrived to one of the most beautiful squares in Florence, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, to a building with no ‘obvious’ hotel sign on it (later I noticed a small nameplate on the wall to the side). In the JK Place, the only way to gain entry, is to ring a bell.

Within seconds, Lorenzo (in Gucci from head to toe) lets us in. His first words are “you must be Rob and Kim”, second words were “can I get you a glass of wine and some lunch”? I was like, this isn’t a dream and there really is a Lorenzo! He brought us in to a sitting room that was totally hip, sexy and baroque all at the same time. He didn’t ask for a credit card, or for us to sign anything. He sincerely wanted us to relax and enjoy our first few moments in our new home in Florence.

Out from nowhere comes what can only be described as an apparition. A young 20 something, in a butlers apron, with a silver platter of wine goblets and a light amazing lunch. I asked Lorenzo to join us so we could go over his itinerary. He stopped everything he was doing and explained every single restaurant, club and event that we had scheduled, with the intellect of a historian and the warmth of a best friend.

After lunch, he brought us into what can only be called the non-check in area. Imagine a private library, like Batman had, but was totally hip and historical all at the same time. He gave us a brief tour of the hotel and gave us the keys to our room. Kim and I were escorted in the hidden elevator (you would never know it’s there; it’s cleverly hidden behind glass) to room 21.

We opened the door to our room and our heart stopped. There it was, our own private palazzo in Florence! Our room had two floors, with a window that opened up to the most amazing view of the ancient piazza (square) below. Oh yeah, there was a big bowl of fresh fruit waiting for us, with a beautiful hand written note.

I suppose, I could go on and on talking about how there are only 20 rooms and each one is different, or how the ‘pink room’ is the perfect sexy place to have a cocktail or lunch. Or how the daily torts will make your eye balls pop out (not to mention your belly). Or how there are more staff members than actual guest rooms. Or how, on a beautiful day you can lounge on the upstairs private deck and listen to the church bells announce the hour. Or how from the penthouse bathtub you have a stunning view of Florence’s famed Duomo. I’ll just tell you to get on the plane, right now, and run to the JK Place (if you’re lucky enough to get in).

My next blog will be about the Italian lifestyle concierge Bravo!, that the JK Place dialed us in to. They totally hooked us up, with a private behind the scenes guided tour of secret hidden shops in Florence and gave us the keys to places in Chianti that almost no outsiders have access to.

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Why Are The Italians So Skinny? (and how you can adopt their strategy)

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Rob

The moment you step off the plane in Italy you’re struck by one thing almost immediately. Everyone is skinny. I mean really skinny. How can this be? Doesn’t everyone look like Tony Soprano? Nope. Not at all. Those images you’re probably making in your head are Italian-Americans not Italians in Italy. Big difference.

Why are many Italian-Americans huge and many Italians from Italy thin as a rail? It seems that when you mix the American part, with the Italian part, things get larger. Kim and I just got back from a week in Vegas. Vegas is an obvious cross section of America so these differences became glaringly obvious. In walking around the casinos we couldn’t help but notice how massive everyone has become. I was recently talking to a pilot friend of mine who said that one of the reasons the airlines had to limit the number of bags on flights was because the average weight of passengers has gone up 20 pounds! Seat belt extensions didn’t even exist a few years ago, now they have at least a dozen on every flight.

Here’s what’s so confusing to me about this. Isn’t the “let’s slow down for hours and eat pasta” an Italian thing? The Italians are the ones that have like 5 courses right? How are they pulling this off? What about their neighbors, the French? Don’t they eat cream so thick that it would choke a donkey? Do they have special DNA that repels fat? Is it all that cigarette smoking? What is it?

If you spend some time with our Mediterranean counter parts you’ll observe a few things. Their eating habits on the surface may appear to be unremarkable, but if you dig deeper you’ll notice some significant differences.

1. They fill up on salad with almost every meal.

2. The portions are 25% less of what ours are.

3. They never snack or grab something as a quick bite in the kitchen (they eat as a family at specific times).

4. They only eat what’s fresh and never processed. It’s all about family, friends and whole food. Most Americans eat food from a box rather then from the earth.

5. They use olive oil in almost everything (helps fill you up with little downside).

6. For dessert it’s almost always fruit and nuts (rarely Gelato).

7. Fast food is almost non-existent in the culture (many McDonald’s have had to close down).

8. Meal time is a sacred event. You take your time, have great conversations, stories and laughter. Meals are eaten slowly, which means, you’re not forced in to a rushed indigestion coma and have plenty of time for digestion.

Food is so fresh in Italy that often times there isn’t even a menu in restaurants. The waiter will tell you what’s fresh and in season and create something each day around that. When the courses come out it does not look like the size of Maggiano’s portions. It’s more like the size of your fist.

So what do you think?

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