Escapeseeker

I am just packing to leave in the morning…this time with a lot more care because what I pack will be the exact wardrobe captured for my new TV series, ESCAPESEEKER! Yes, my brand new LUXURY TRAVEL SERIES is actually happening. Our High-Def Cinematographers are all set to go–our Italian production partners are set and waiting too.

I will be on one amazing La Dolce Vita adventure–beginning with a private cooking class with Italy’s renowned Executive Chef, Lamborghini driving adventure in the rich Po Valley and along Bologna’s Porticoed streets, as well as ‘”summitting” Bologna’s numerous towers to acquire a birds eye perspective.

Then it is off to Florence (kayaking the river, driving a Ferrari through Tuscany speeding past medieval villages, learning the art of leather craftsmanship, tasting exquisite Tuscan dishes (and the finest wines) at the Frescobaldi Estate, etc., etc.

From there we proceed to the floating city–Venice–a city I know so well that I cannot even begin to list all of that we’re going to do–except I must tell you about one very exciting event that ESCAPESEEKER is hosting in conjunction with SONY PICTURES. We are throwing a post-premiere party for Jonathan Demme’s festival entry–RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, starring Anne Hathaway and Debra Winger. You should see the beautiful invitation designed by our own ESCAPESEEKER graphics artist, Nicole Delong! Of course, the electronic version is just the first step in penetrating the entrance to the event. You still have to arrive with the official hard copy sent by SONY or ESCAPESEEKER or BAGLIONI (our event sponsors) via snail mail. And don’t think that alone will get you in. You will have to be on an official SONY/BAGLIONI/ESCAPESEEKER VIP list! Welcome to Hollywood a la Venice. And we thought airport security was tight! If you are going to be in Venice on September 3rd, let me know–I may just have an invitation for you. 🙂

From Venice, we will travel to the coastal resort of Punta Ala, where we will board a gorgeous yacht for some ocean activities amongst a long list of other film friendly activities. We also plan on getting some down time for our entire crew here, because the last two destinations are packed full, and we are going to be hopping like never before.

After some R & R, to the Eternal City we go, for special “encounters” at the Vatican, experiencing the Roman nightlife with an Italian TV star, and a coming out party at Princess Borghese’s castle on the coast, just outside of Rome. We also get a history lesson from a Roman scholar–but not of the touristy variety–we’re hitting all the back alleys where real Romans spend their time–after all, WHEN IN ROME, DO AS ROMANS DO! 🙂

From there, its off to Milan/Lake Como for a FASHIONISTA’s DREAM WEEK–it’s Milan’s Fashion Week followed by interviews with the world’s greatest names in Fashion–whom we shall visit at their Lake Como villa–arriving via Sea Plane!!!

By the way, one of my favorite portions or should I say scoop about all these destinations? At each locale, we will test their GELATO…in order to determine which of the renowned locations has the best GELATO in Italy!!

I guess, you can say, Life is oh so sweet for this ESCAPESEEKER! Especially since, during the entire adventure we will be in residence at the various luxury hotels that belong to the exquisite Baglioni Hotels Collection, renowned for their luxurious style with an Italian touch.

My daughter, Gabrielle is accompanying me on this adventure. There’s only one thing better than luxury globetrotting~and that is luxury globetrotting with someone you love! Gabrielle and I are thrilled to experience LA DOLCE VITA together. Not to mention, just think of all the youthful zest she’ll add to the ESCAPESEEKER team!

We shall keep you posted whenever possible.

Ciao,

Escapeseeker

Well, yesterday was one lucky day for our ESCAPESEEKER team–Chad, Nicole and yours truly. After Roberto served us some of the most delicious Venetian dishes we’ve ever tasted, he said, “Would you like to see the Venice I know from my boat?” Our team just looked up and in a chorus said, “WELL, YES, ABSOLUTELY!!!”

I could go on and on about the most magnificent sites we were able to partake of from his 100-year old wooden boat–which is so apropos–it just fits the entire historic ambiance of Venice…even nature provided the perfect lighting for Chad’s continuous clicking–capturing one gorgeous, priceless image after another as Roberto navigated our way from one tight spot to another with such ease. And, when Chad happen to mention how much he loved the vivid colors of Venice, Roberto responded, “Oh that’s nothing…you want to see colors, I will show you.” We then proceeded to navigate our way to the Grand Canal and onto more open waterways (pass Venice’s historic cemetery where many members of Venetian’s upper class are laid to rest) which further out led us to Murano (famous for Venetian glassmaking, and glass art), and eventually to the rainbow colored splashed island of Burano! Chad got his fill of color on that island!

And, what’s really cool, we threw in some fun, frolicking photos too, especially as we worked our way back to Roberto’s home, including the one above of me testing to see if I can still jump like a college cheerleader (especially since I had the very big birthday the other day). I just had to try it…and on Venice’s oldest bridge nonetheless. Oh the joys of being the ESCAPESEEKER!

Gotta run, we’re boarding another plane to Edinburgh! I promise to post more photos of our Venetian experience once I’m settled in. The entire experience is so TV ready–from our special Sunday described above, to the impeccable service we received at the Luna Baglioni Hotel–especially from the Luna’s CANOVA restaurant staff, Rami Hamam and his very expressive and helpful assistant, Antonella. Rami “conducts” the restaurant like a musical conductor directs his orchestra–not a single sour note–all the guests are treated to a harmonious feast of artistically prepared and presented cuisine. I am missing the Luna already!

But, another ESCAPESEEKER adventure awaits…I believe I’m going to need a sweater this time around. Goodbye Venice, Hello Edinburgh!

Ciao,
Escapeseeker

I’ve just finished responding to all of the urgent ESCAPESEEKER TV series related e-mails, and it is now nearly 2 a.m. I can’t believe it is no longer my birthday! Rats! However, my computer tells me that it is only 4:55 in Newport Beach, so I guess I can choose which time zone to abide by…or just keep on celebrating and have a birthday month! YEAH, that sounds better…so if you’re reading this from the U.S., don’t think you’re getting out of celebrating my very big birthday ok?

Seriously, before I finally climb into bed, I must share one of the most unique Tuscan experience we’ve had thus far. I apologize for being a little slow in updating my blog today.

My team and I just returned from Tuscany where we were hosted to an exquisite day, by the illustrious Frescobaldi family whose history dates back 700 years! The youngest of the Frescobaldi sons, Matteo, is participating in our ESCAPESEEKER program–so we will be returning to film at their Tuscan estate in September.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the FRESCOBALDI name–let me give you some insight into this exceptional Florentine/Tuscan family:

The Frescobaldi name is renowned throughout Italy (and other parts of the world also) for their long standing tradition of involvement in the art, culture, and history of Italy and of Tuscany that stretches back more than 700 years. The Frescobaldi family includes authors, explorers, musicians, financiers, as well as politicians and statesmen.

A dedication to viticulture and to agriculture in general has always been a major characteristic of the family: for fully 30 generations, beginning in the very first years of the 14th century, the Frescobaldis have been producing wine in Tuscany, as attested by countless historical sources!

Even as early as the 16th century the Florentine family was a supplier of wines to the Royal English Court and to many other courts throughout Europe. Letters and legal papers in the family archives document during the 13th century, contacts and business contracts with many European monarchs, among them Henry VIII of England.

Well today, July 21, 2008, I too felt like a member of a monarch while dining with my ESCAPESEEKER team and MATTEO FRESCOBALDI! The photo of the Tuscan villa above is where our ESCAPESEEKER team spent my birthday. Now, that’s just one more special day to add to my journal of life.

Thank you friends and family for your warm and loving wishes…and thank you ROY for the gorgeous flowers and sweet, loving poem…I will have our photographer take a photo of them. You will not believe how BIG Florentine rose buds are!!

Well, I’ve really gotta hit the sack…we depart early tomorrow morning for Italy’s food capital, BOLOGNA–that is after we shoot a sunrise over Florence at around 5 a.m. No sleep for these serious ESCAPESEEKERS!

With all my love,

ESCAPESEEKER