This episode starts before we even leave Miami, when a Japanese hair straightening appointment almost leaves me bald and a hairstylist unknowingly saves my entire trip. From there, we’re off to Milan for my husband’s 40th birthday before making our way to Sardinia, one of the most expensive luxury destinations in Europe.
Along the way, we talk about what luxury travel actually looks like when the Instagram filters come off.
I share why Milan is so much more than fashion, visiting Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the disappearing art of historical restoration, why I think our generation has forgotten how to preserve craftsmanship, and one of my favorite experiences of the trip: designing bespoke Italian glasses with master artisans in Milan.
Then we head to Sardinia and the Costa Smeralda, where I explain why I skipped Porto Cervo’s influencer scene, crypto millionaires, yacht culture, and beach clubs in favor of a quieter luxury hotel in Porto Rotondo. We also get into why I will never rent a car in Europe, why hiring a driver is the greatest luxury money can buy, and how to actually enjoy an Italian vacation without spending half your trip stressed behind the wheel.
Along the way you’ll meet New Jersey families tracing their Italian roots, DINK couples trying for one last European summer before kids, an unforgettable overnight Delta flight featuring a five-year-old named Kelton and his enthusiastic parents, and my completely irrational fear of driving on European roads.
In this episode we cover:
• Luxury Italy travel in 2026
• Milan travel guide and hidden gems
• The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
• Japanese hair straightening and keratin treatments
• Custom Italian eyewear and bespoke glasses in Milan
• Sardinia travel and the Costa Smeralda
• Porto Rotondo vs. Porto Cervo
• Luxury hotels in Sardinia
• Why hiring a private driver in Italy beats renting a car
• Honest luxury travel advice
• Delta Business Class
• Funny travel stories and observational comedy
Next episode, we finally get on the boat.
We’re talking emerald water, freezing Mediterranean temperatures, luxury yacht culture, getting my period at the worst possible time, and an encounter with members of the Saudi royal family that I never saw coming.
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