Dreaming of Italy lately...

I have been having dreams of Italy and they feel SO real.  I wake up and feel like I was THERE.  Walking the cobblestone streets... Sitting on the benches and just staring out at a slice of HEAVEN...

I can't WAIT for our EVENT in September and what the beautiful Lake Como will look like at that time of year??  I've seen a few pictures of Bellagio in the Fall online:

This is at the Villa Melzi

A beautiful view of a village far off...

The gardens and Villa at Villa de Este'

Oh, I can't WAIT!!!  

I have some spots still open if you want to join us!!  Just check under the Registration Page for more info!  And there is 1 more large apartment if you want to bring the family!!

Hugs,

Laura

P.S.  Want to see what it looks like right now?  The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni posted some pictures on their FB page (like their page for regular updates)  Here's a couple photo's from the last week:

It's SNOWING!!!  

And if you go to their FB page, you'll see a photo shoot with Lindsey Lohan at the Hotel!!  Here's one SNEAK and it's funny because I took a photo of Isabella and one of Rebecca in the SAME spot!!  :)

Here's a new video we just created to get everyone excited about our Event!!

The DEADLINE to sign up is March 1st, so watch the video and sign up today!

Also, there is a $200 discount if you sign up before February 15th!!

Excuse my voice on this, I have Pneumonia and had a hard time getting through this without coughing! :)

So tell all your friends and get a group of ladies together for this AMAZING event in ITALY!!!

Hugs,

Laura

The DEADLINE is fast approaching to sign up for this Once-in-a-Lifetime trip!!

I need to get started on some reservations, trip excursions, goodie bags and such, so I've set the DEADLINE for MARCH 1st!  

This Event is going to be an AMAZING trip to the beautiful Lake Como, Italy and I know you will NOT regret a minute of it.  So think about it and SIGN UP TODAY!!

And if you sign up BEFORE February 15th, You will get a $200 discount!!

So take a look around on the site, have a look at the gorgeous photos and click on the "Registration" Page on the right side and sign up soon.

We hope to see you there...  And to spark the interest, here's some family photo's from this Summer's trip to Lake Como:

It's an unforgettable place...

Hello everyone!

What an INSPIRING week at CHA!  It is so much FUN to go and see all the new products at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show here in So. Cal.  All the new goodies from the craft and scrapbooking world are displayed at this show AND I get to see so many dear friends in the industry!

It was also a time to have a little meeting with the TEACHERS of our Event in September!!

We were ALL at the show so we met up for a quick meeting and PHOTO:

We missed Tammy Tutterow in the picture, but on the left is Lisa Pace, myself and then Stayce DeWid.  What a FUN time to catch up with these ladies and go over a few details!


Speaking of DETAILS...

A few things to go over with YOU too:

First, if you are NEW to the site, WELCOME!  Take a look around, check out the video, and go to the REGISTRATION PAGE on the right side for prices, details and to SIGN UP!!

Secondly, if you were AT CHA and got a postcard brochure on this Event, THANK YOU for coming here and taking a look!  We would LOVE for you to JOIN US in September so take a look around and feel free to email me if you have ANY questions at:  Laura@akissonthechic.com

Lastly,  we are coming up on a DEADLINE soon!  We need to get a final "head count" by the end of THIS MONTH!!!  YES, if you want to join us we need to know by MARCH 1ST!  So think about it, look at all the AMAZING photos and details and then SIGN UP TODAY!!

We truly want you to experience this wonderful part of Italy!  AND, what better way to do that than with a bunch of CREATIVE ladies who all LOVE to scrapbook AND LOVE to travel!!?

So have a GREAT time looking over everything and again, feel free to ask me any questions!!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Laura

Hello 2012!!  Can you believe we are now in the count down stage of our retreat???  September 15th is inching it's way closer and closer and we are all SO excited!

At the end of the month all the teachers and myself will be at CHA in Anaheim, California and we plan to meet up for some time to strategize and plan lots of FUN things for our trip!

But I wanted to let you know of a few NEW things so be sure to check them out.

A few UPDATES on the event:

1.  I will need a preliminary  "head count" by the middle of February!!  This is VERY important because I will need to start ordering some things for the goodies bags and start making some reservations for excursions and such.  So PLEASE think about signing up, pray about it,  and make a the decision to JOIN US!!

2. I've had quite a few ladies ask if they can bring their HUSBANDS.  At first I said it was a "Women's Retreat" only, which it still IS, but I'm going to make a little change to that rule.  I UNDERSTAND that some ladies would only travel to Europe with their husbands and would like to take a nice "European Vacation" with our RETREAT as PART OF that vacation.  SO... I am going to accept "COUPLES" on a first come, first serve basis.  Now these couples can't stay in the apartments b/c that will be reserved for women only.  But I can set up about SIX couples in the hotel next door!  The husbands don't really want to be a part of the CREATIVE time, so they will be free to do their own thing while we are having classes and such and then join us for the dinners and excursions.  EMAIL ME if this is something you're interested in and we can work out the details.  I will be adding a COUPLES ONLY price (that includes hotel accommodations) to the Registration page, but if you would like to find your OWN hotel, I can email you that price and information on choices.

3.  I want to start adding some fun things in our Yahoo Groups so we can get to know each other better!  I know I've been lame on having updates in there and after the teachers meeting at CHA, I will have some scheduled things to do in our Yahoo Group!!  If ANYONE wants to volunteer to head an event in there, LET ME KNOW!!!

4.  For those of you who REGISTERED during the month of  December for $100.00, I will be invoicing you the first $250 TOMORROW, January 15th!!  So be looking for that in your inbox!  I invoice everyone on the 15th of each month (or close to it :)  and if you would like to pay more than the $250, that's fine, just send me an email and let me know what amount you want me to invoice you.  Or you can just send ME payment directly to my PayPal acct. at Laura@akissonthechic.com

Ok, I think that's all the little "housekeeping" that needs to be done!   We are REALLY excited for this ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME trip and we really are hoping YOU can join us!!  Don't hesitate to email me directly if you have any questions!!  I can help you make this trip happen and show you some ideas on coming up with money and making the airfare arrangements!!

Did I tell you I found a really cheap airfare from LAX to LONDON on Virgin Atlantic??  It's about $670 and once your in London, it's just a quick flight to Milan for under $100 on EasyJet.com!!  It's still a bit early to book your flights, but start looking around for those specials!!  They WILL be our there, you just have to look!  Or call a travel agency and tell them to put an ALERT on the flights you would need and they'll let you know when there is a SALE on airfare!!!

Well, my hope and prayer is that you ALL can come and will consider signing up SOON!  We still have some spots left, but I think after we spread the word at CHA the end of this month, that may not be the case anymore.  SO SIGN UP TODAY and make sure you will be a part of this AMAZING JOURNEY TO ITALY!!

Have a GREAT Saturday everyone!!

Hugs,

Laura

Hello and Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays and are looking forward to 2012!!  I know I'm excited for 2012 to come and great us and especially for September of 2012 in Bellagio, Italy!!

I'm sorry I haven't been on here in a while due to the Holidays and some things happening in our family.  We have sadly lost our loving dog Scarlet and our Grandpa Ernie this Christmas Season.  We also have had to put my dad in a nursing home today and it is going to be a very hard transition for our family.  All these things happening within a few weeks of each other have made it hard to think of anything else right now.

And thus,  I completely forgot about the GIVEAWAY on here and I apologize for that!

So, the WINNER of the RAK is:  KIM!!
Send me your address and I will mail out your kit!!

I would LOVE to visit Italy! I would be content to wander those wonderful streets and villages! By Kim on Hello??? Are you dreaming of Italy... on 12/9/11

I also haven't had a chance to put up on here a tentative ITINERARY for the trip!  I wanted to show everyone what the days will look like and how much time you have for everything!

So, here I will try to run through the days a bit and share the schedule/itinerary as best I have it so far!  Please keep in mind that things may change and days may be switched, but this is a pretty good idea of how the days will look while enjoying Lake Como, Italy!!

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SATURDAY:

This will be "check-in" day, with all transfers from Milan airports or train stations hopefully by 5pm.

5:30pm - Check-in 

6:30pm - Reception on the Pergola, overlooking Lake Como with appetizers and music

7:30pm - "Tentative" First Class -  This will NOT be a long class.  We will be making something to use the whole week, so I'd like to get this class in right away for a wonderful keepsake for the whole week!

9:00pm - Every night there is music in the beautiful Music Room with a wonderful group that we have come to love.  This is optional each night, but a wonderful time to relax and enjoy each other's company!

SUNDAY:

A DAY TO RELAX... Can you believe YOU ARE in ITALY?!!

This will be a day to enjoy together or on your own.  It will be a day to sit by the pool, swim in the lake, walk the town, site see, take a boat cruise to a village across the lake, or just adjust to the time change.  I didn't want to have any classes on this day and just have this day be about being in ITALY!!  So whatever you want this day to be, it's about YOU!

5:00pm - I will be the  "Tour Guide" of  Bellagio!  We will walk the town a bit, explore the shops, show you where the markets are, the laundry is, the best gelato shops, the cute shop owners :), etc...  Just a FUN time exploring! This is completely optional, but will be filled with useful information.

7:30pm - Dinner Together

9:00pm - Music Room  OR an optional "Make-n-Take" OR Free Time

MONDAY:

9:00am - Sign In for Classes

9:30am - Class

Noon -    Lunch together

1:30pm - Class

3:00pm - FREE TIME!  The town closes down from 2 - 4pm every day.  So I wanted to plan the classes around this time frame so when the town opens back up, you are FREE to explore and enjoy! So the afternoon classes will always be over BEFORE the town opens back up so you can enjoy your free time when the shops are back open.

7:30pm - Dinner Together

9:00pm - Music Room OR "Crop Time" OR  Free Time

TUESDAY:

A DAY TO RELAX OR GO ON EXCURSIONS!

No Classes today, just a FUN day to explore or sit by the pool and soak up the beautiful Italian sun!

Not sure what time we will start the excursions, it will depend on the choices.

I am going to set up several different excursions on the "excursions days" so you will have CHOICES!

You can choose from options like:

- Going to Switzerland, just across the lake

- Touring a GORGEOUS Villa like Villa Balbianello, where they filmed a Bond movie & Star Wars

- Taking a private boat ride around the lake...maybe see George Clooney's house? :)

- Going to a town close by; either Como, Bergamo or other

- A shopping trip to some Italian designer stores or antique stores

- Finding some unique gifts at a Market on the lake

- or many other options we can dream up!

7:30pm - ??  Dinner will be on your own tonight.  I have LOTS of suggestions!

9:00pm - Music Room OR "Crop Time" or Free Time

WEDNESDAY:

Basically same as Monday.

(Classes in the morning, lunch together and Free Time in the afternoon.)

7:30pm - Dinner Together

9:00pm - Music Room OR "Crop Time" or Free Time

THURSDAY:

Basically same as Tuesday,  No Classes.

A DAY TO RELAX OR GO ON AN EXCURSION!

Maybe a few different excursions to pick from like:

- A cooking class with Moreno at Restaurante il Camineto (a memorable day for sure!)

- A fun trip up a FUNICULAR to the top of a mountain with views of Lake Como!

- A hike around the hills behind Bellagio

- A Tour of the Rockefeller Center 

- A Private tour of the beautiful churches or museums in the area

7:30pm - ?? Dinner will be on your own or with the group.

9:00pm - Music Room OR "Crop Time" OR Free Time

FRIDAY:

9:30am - Last Class

Noon - FREE TIME for the rest of the day!  

Last day to explore Lake Como area

7:30pm - Dinner and Finale - Exciting Giveaways and Goodbyes

9:00pm - Last night in the Music Room or Free Time

SATURDAY:

Morning hugs and goodbyes.  Last minute photos of Lake Como and our new found friends!

Private cars/vans transferring everyone back to Milan airports or train stations.

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So there you have it!  You have an idea of the week at a glance and you can see how much free time you will have.  I didn't want anyone to think that you're in classes all the time.  As you can see, you have a GREAT balance between CREATIVE time and ITALY time!!

Hope you enjoy!

Hugs,

Laura

P.S.  I have some other NEWS to share soon!

I was just checking on Flights for our EVENT and thought I would let everyone know about some GREAT deals I'm finding!!!

I know everyone is all over the place, so not every "deal" will work for everyone, but I wanted to make you aware of some prices on flights that I found.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC is such a GREAT airlines.  We have flown on them many times and I have to say they are my FAV airline!  But, I know they don't fly from everywhere and they DON'T fly to Italy.  BUT... It's important to remember that we want to find the BEST deal to get there and most likely that is not going to be non-stop.

So, I found that Virgin Atlantic has a flight from LAX to London for the dates of the event for only $663!!!!!  Now that is a GREAT DEAL!!  You can follow that link to find out what the cost would be from your location to London.  So don't overlook the options that are out there.  London isn't that far from Italy and the flights from London to Milan are just a "hop, skip and jump! :)

So after I found this GREAT deal, I wanted to see how much it would be to get from London to Milan.  I've told you in the past of a few sites like Kayak, Priceline, and other discount airfare sites.  Well there's an airline JUST in Europe that is just PENNY'S for a flight and it's called EasyJet and we've used it before to jump around Europe for under $100.

So I found a flight from London to Milan on Easy Jet for $97!

Well, I'm just SO excited ladies!!

I wanted to let you know all of this because it IS POSSIBLE to get a GREAT DEAL on the airfare if you think "outside the box"!  Don't just think you have to get to MILAN and I can only go from my town to Milan... There are COUNTLESS ways to get there and you just have to do some research.  I will continue to look at the prices and offer you any deals I find, but start researching and see for yourself.  Let us know if you find something GREAT too, we'd all love to know what you find!

Because we ALL want to get here:

So let's make this a FUN and see what we can all find.  And PLEASE... if you find a great deal, let us know so we can all make sure we are getting the best price of airfare.

Thanks so much and have a GREAT week before CHRISTMAS!!

And if you haven't signed up yet... THIS WEEK would be a GREAT time to do so!  Wouldn't this be  an AMAZING CHRISTMAS GIFT!??  

You still have a couple weeks left to also take advantage of signing up for only $100 deposit for the month of December!!

Hugs,

Laura