#fabulousflashbackFriday: Looking Back to September 2025: The Ultimate Exclusive Experience Under The Tuscan Sky.
Tuscany, Italy ~ To understand the Soul of Tuscany, you must fine tune your senses, and see, feel, listen and taste the bounty of this fertile region of Italy through the hearts of those who know her best: Welcome to the Family of Andrea and Veronica Bocelli.
The August stars were definitely aligned for me when I received a call from Andrea Bocelli’s trusted friend, his seasoned Event Director, John Salamone, asking if I would like to join a special, international group of Andrea’s most devoted fans who are traveling to Tuscany in September as guests of Andrea and Veronica Bocelli. I hesitated for a mere nano second before enthusiastically accepting the highly-coveted invitation! I must tell you in advance, the three-day event felt like a dream from start to finish–if you’re like me and already in-love with Italy, Andrea and Veronica Bocelli make you want to plant some serious permanent roots and never leave their Tuscan paradise. There’s so much to share, so let me break it down, day by blissful day!
Our Beautifully Scripted Tuscan Life: Have I been cast in a real-life movie?
Day 1: Our home base for the next three nights is the 5-star famed Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte Hotel (think Great Gatsby opulent era) located on the Viareggio seafront overlooking the sapphire blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, a favorite coastal retreat, that is part of the Mediterranean Sea, located off the western coast of Italy, bordered by the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardina, and Corsica. Thus, the golden sands of this slice of the Tuscan Riviera draws countless sun and sea worshippers from the European continent and beyond.
We were treated to a Welcome Dinner at the Hotel’s stunning Rooftop Terrace, and immediately my global circle of engaging friends quickly expanded. We were all united, first and foremost by our love for the world’s most famous tenor, Maestro Andrea; add Italy’s delectable cuisine presented by the only two Michelin star restaurant on the Tuscan coast, and what do you have? Pure Tuscan Bliss! And, to think this was only our first night. I’ve never met so many fun, joyful, friends whose life stories inspired and captivated me. We talked late into the night. There was a rumor going around that the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte is world-renowned for its Best Breakfast in Italy; I could already tell I needed to be prepared to savor every Italian delicacy with my newfound friends for the next three days!
Did you know Andrea is a skilled Equestrian? There is so much more to the world’s most famous Tenor!
Day 2: After our amazing “Best Breakfast in Italy” experience (by the way, what they say is all true), we were fueled and ready for our morning Tuscan activities. We boarded our luxurious Mercedes bus–our destination — Andrea’s home town where his family’s Estate is located: Lajatico, Tuscany!
Lajatico is a province of Pisa, a small, scenic Tuscan village located 67 kilometers from Viareggio. It has become an international tourist destination in recent years because every July in the breathtaking setting of the Teatro del Silenzio, Maestro Andrea performs, usually with other internationally-renowned musical guests.
But on this day, we are granted the privilege of seeing another side to Maestro Andrea. You are probably not aware that the Maestro is a skilled equestrian, and owns several beautifully cared for stunning stallions! The Bocelli Family Estate in Lajatico features vineyards, a farmhouse, and the Officine Bocelli Restaurant. Together, they provide the key parts of the “Bocelli Experience” where you can taste the Bocelli family wines, olive oil, and honey, all crafted with Italian passion and love. What makes our experience on day two even more unforgettable? Maestro Andrea took our breath away as he came galloping past us so unexpectedly, with absolute confidence and control of his stunning black stallion! Afterwards, Maestro Andrea took the time to converse with us, complete with photo ops of course, to remember our special time with our favorite Italian star!
Alpamare Beach Club: Where Elegance, Art, Music, and Fine Dining come together harmoniously at the water’s edge.
Day 3: Are you ready to bask beneath the Tuscan sun and softly caressed by the Tyrrhenian Sea? Our Tuscan experience would be incomplete without taking in the Alpamare Beach Club! Located in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, it has become synonymous with the refined, impeccable reputation that the Bocelli Famiy enterprises are now known throughout Italy and across Europe. It’s manicured surroundings include private tent-style cabanas with chairs, loungers, and tables for comfort, along with changing facilities. The club restaurant treated us to the ‘fresh catch of the day’, and other traditional Tuscan cuisine. I’m totally spoiled now. How can I ever settle for just a regular beach experience with my beach towel resting on the sand, when the Alpamare Beach Club treated me royally, like a member of the Italian nobility?
This Is What Dreams Are Made Of…
We were driven back to the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte Hotel for a little relaxation before we would be picked up once again, dressed in our finest threads to attend a Pre-dinner Cocktail Party and the major highlight of our Tuscan Experience–the ultra Exclusive, Private Dinner and Performance by Maestro Andrea Bocelli at their treasured summer retreat, the Villa Alpebella.
The Villa seamlessly blends its illustrious past with modern luxury to create a venue of unparalleled elegance. The enchanting estate offers a setting where every detail is tailored to perfection. Maestro Andrea performed flawlessly, singing all of the beautiful songs whose lyrics still resonate long after we awakened from our 3-day Tuscan dream! No, it wasn’t a dream. It is absolutely our “Bucket List” reality, comprised of one “pinch me moment” after another! Now, I understand why my new brilliant friends attend year after year, traveling the great distances via their private jets to Pisa, Swiss/Italian trains from Europe’s capitals, or via commercial planes and limos from Rome. The Bocelli Family treated us like a member of their huge growing family who has finally come home to Tuscany! How often does someone adored by the whole world calls you by name? This is one ESCAPESEEKER Exclusive Experience you must take in if you are lucky enough to get the chance! You only live once…Fill it with the most magical memories…the kind heavenly dreams are made of!
My special THANKS to John Salamone for introducing me to this once-in-a-lifetime event in Tuscany with Maestro Andrea and Veronica Bocelli who welcomed us with open arms.
And, to all of the wonderfully joyful participants who proved my ESCAPESEEKER theory: “The world is full of engaging, inspiring, beautiful friends just waiting to be met,” I can’t wait to gather with you again!
Here’s to blissful, endless ESCAPES,
Mel Gee Henderson aka The ESCAPESEEKER.
PS: Our Next destination–the never-ending wonders of New Zealand and the clear, turquoise waters of the Cook Islands. My team and I are packed and ready to fly in five short days! How blessed are we? Come follow in my footsteps. Start planning your splendid summer travels now. Maestro Andrea is performing in Venice at Piazza San Marco in June, and the spectacular festivities will go on for three days! Email me: escapeseeker@gmail.com and I’ll provide all the details. Anything I can do, you can do too! Life is short–no more deferments. Let’s go!
