Spring Travel Ideas: Italian Lakes & Farmstead Cheese. {Discovery Dispatch}

Originally published in early 2025. Italicized notes have been added where factual or logistical information has changed; the original newsletter otherwise appears as written.

An Insider's Guide to Where to Eat, Stay & Stray 

For some of us, Spring is in the air (or at least our minds)!

Hello, Adventure-loving Souls,

The calendar says winter, but my heart is already dancing at the sight of the blossoms on my plum trees! While we all wait for the snow to melt and those first bulbs to emerge, I am filling my days planning for this month’s trips. 

I am packing up snow gear for Vail, where I'll attempt to remember my ski legs (wish me luck!) after a few years' hiatus. Then it will be onwards to Eugene, Oregon, where my college-kid promises to reveal his adopted city's soul – I am assuming secret coffee spots and local haunts that do not make the guidebooks.

 Between trips, I am focusing on more local adventures for culinary and wine-based adventure.  An Armenian menu, a pickling patch in the East Bay, and a new champagne bar are all on the docket. My camera and notebook are, of course, in tow. 

Whatever your weather, I hope you have some getaways to look forward to, or, if you are hunkered in, perhaps you might enjoy watching the Widow Cliquot while you pour yourself a glass of bubbly. Enjoy these ideas for Spring travels.

Keep chasing those horizons!   Blue Skies and Tailwinds~

Viewfinder Travel

Your Travel Architect,

Jody

P.S. While I spend my days planning vacations to far away places, the fires in LA remind me that "home" is often the most precious of destinations. My thoughts are with all of you whose sanctuaries are gone, and communities upended.  I wish you a speedy path to security- stay safe and strong as you navigate these difficult times.  You are in my thoughts.

Welcome to Discovery Dispatch – your monthly passport to secrets that span from ancient alleys and family hideaways to gourmet gems and eye-popping art.  Each edition brings a fresh batch of insider finds and stories, all curated to delight history buffs, food and wine afficionados, art lovers, and family adventurers alike. 

Spring Travel Ideas

Travel Tip:  

I am often asked about the real-world benefits of working with a travel advisor in our digital age. The answer is twofold:

• TIME: I can pull on experience, local knowledge and systems that are at my fingertips to find the best places and activities for your customized trip so you are not drowning in the details.

• PERKS: Booking within my hotel network means automatic upgrades, breakfast inclusions, and property credits at no extra cost to you. Already booked directly? No problem. I can often transfer your reservation into our program, adding these perks to your existing plans.

Culinary Corner: 

Point Reyes Farmstead has stolen my cheese-loving heart! Their Quinta cheese arrives at your table with instructions to open it like a gift: from the top.  Peeling back the bark that wraps around this California gold reveals a creamy liquid that begs for a crusty baguette. Each spoonful delivers layers of flavor from umami to herbal essences- a decadence worthy of a beautifully paired wine. 

Try pairing with a dry or off-dry Blancs des Blancs bubbly, an acidic, Loire valley Vouvray to balance the buttermilk/vanilla undertones, or a dry Gewurtztaminer, or Viognier with more floral and fruity flavors, to balance the cheese’s laurel and woodsy notes.

Better yet, make a trip to this working farm for your own tasting.  You will not be disappointed. 

Farmstead Cheese tasting - Pt. Reyes, California

Historical Whispers

The Italian Lakes region pairs dramatic mountain landscapes with idyllic lakeside retreats, making it a must-see for travelers who appreciate scenic beauty but don't want to sacrifice luxury and fine dining. Not only can you relax beside mineral-blue glacial lakes, but you can discover historic villas and wander through charming villages. 

Each area around the lakes has its own personality. On the south shore, Sirmione is ideal for families who prefer a resort stay. Lake Como is known for romantic vistas and classic wooden boats, as well as high-end hotels to match its clientele.  The Lake Garda area offers biking, hiking and easy access to the Dolomites, as well as a water-bound castle that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Every June, locals gather around a mile-long table on its shores, sharing tortellini and ancient love stories during the Festa del Nodo d'Amore. Because in Italy, history always comes with a side of pasta and romance.

Both lakes are busiest from late spring through early fall, when visitors can enjoy outdoor cafes and comfortable temperatures for water sports. The region's proximity to Milan makes it easy to combine a lake holiday with city exploration — ask me about how to customize an Italian Lakes trip for you.

For ideas on more off the beaten path travel ideas for Italy, visit my latest article.

Family Adventures:

Thinking about a unique family escape?  How about a treehouse hotel like Oregon's Treesort or Sweden’s Treehotel.  Both are whimsical accommodations offering a mix of adventure and comfort, with zip-lining, stargazing, and cozy nooks for bonding over board games or hot cocoa in a setting that feels straight out of a storybook.

 Art & Inspiration:

Berlin's Gemäldegalerie is about to showcase a new kind of exhibit: sixty paintings, each with a dramatic escape story from war-torn Odessa, will stand proudly alongside Berlin's finest works.  These pieces speak volumes about Ukraine's deep artistic connections with Western Europe and are a powerful reminder that beauty persists even in darkness.  Catch this moving exhibition from January 24 to June 22, 2025

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  Window in Florence

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  italian desserts in window

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  italian motor scooters

Stays & Strays 

Hotel Highlight & Destination Highlight:

Hotel Castello di Reschio . Photo courtesy of hotel.

This summer, Italy is poised to welcome an unprecedented wave of American travelers, drawn by its timeless charm and the allure of a year-long celebration honoring the Jubilee year, centered in Rome.  However, Italy’s quieter corners offer a wealth of opportunities to connect with its culture, cuisine, and landscapes.  Visit my latest post on Off the Beaten Path Italy for a few, stunningly beautiful hotels, set amongst the vines of central Italy, along with ideas for things to do and places to go all over the country that might bring you some tranquility. 

Andiamo!

Jody Holman is a travel advisor and the founder of Viewfinder Travel. She designs thoughtful, highly personalized journeys informed by firsthand travel, trusted global partners and a photographer’s eye for place. She writes about travel the way she lives it: observant, realistic, and always with an eye toward making the experience feel human.

If you would like help planning a trip that fits your rhythm, reach out. Every itinerary is designed with the hope that somewhere along the way, you'll stumble upon a place you'll still be talking about years from now.

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All photos copyright Holman Photography 2024 unless otherwise credited