Merano, Italy + Litchfield, Connecticut
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After the success (and safety compliant-ness) of our #10KDrivewayTour, Alison felt confident she could safely plan a surprise road trip for four teenagers for her daughter’s Sweet 16! She used our dashcam and even put together a little video of the trip.
Alison is obsessed with Face App, the AI-driven “selfie editor” that can make you look older or younger, glammed up or with some facial hair. Alison swears the “younger” version of her selfie is going to be what her youngest looks like in a few years. Lulu is obsessed with a snack that will help her look better, but from the inside out. Mamma Chia Chia Squeezes are a squeezable pouch full of fruit juice and chia seeds, it’s her new go-to for on-the-go snacking.
Alison is wishing she could pull off the riffs that are in her head all the time. Lulu gives her some vocal coaching live in the episode. Lulu is wishing her childhood asthma hadn’t affected her breathing needs while singing. We may have lost some listeners over this understood-by-performers-only tangent.
Lulu is headed to the Espace Herni Chenot Medical Spa at Palace Merano, whose slogan “Health for Life” is no joke. But this isn’t just any old med spa vacation. Palace Merano is a 17th century castle with adjoining gardens, nurseries, vineyard, and a botanical garden. So a sojourn here for simplicity and serenity means you’ll be tending to your health in a luxury hotel. Lulu has chosen to stay in the Castello Rooftop Deluxe Suite which was newly built in 2020, and features a sprawling living room with ornate yet-tasteful furnishings and decor, two separate bedrooms and two all marble bathrooms with soaker tubs. There’s even an elevator from her suite’s entrance area directly to the spa.
Lulu dons this Ocean + Main Belted All-White Caftan, and prepares to dive in to her healing retreat head first! First up is a compulsory consultation with their doctors who run a plethora of tests (think toxicity evaluations, body composition assessment, bio-energetic check-up, bone density assessment, and body scans) to evaluate your needs.
According to Goop this week-long detox retreat is “more lab coat than fuzzy slippers”, which Lulu is quite looking forward to. Now that she has had her evaluation, the doctors, dietitians, and technicians put together an incredibly scientific plan to reboot your body. A detox diet, cellular resonance treatments, massages, hydro-energy treatments, and a fitness regimen are all a part of Lulu’s lifestyle overhaul. There are some vigorous fitness options, but the personal training and nature walks package sounds perfect to her. After her detox, Lulu is sent home with a 3-day kit of food to help her work her way back to her normal diet… though not all the way back, she’s hoping to hang on to at least a handful of new habits.
Alison is heading to Litchfield, Connecticut, known affectionally as “New England’s most beautiful town.” This classic 18th century-style New England town is lovingly maintained by its residents. In honor of her IRL wedding anniversary, Alison is “bringing” her hubby Chris with her on this romantic getaway to the Winvian Farm boutique resort. The 100+ acre farm is made of 19 individually designed cottages. They have an elopment package that is also good for vow renewals, and Alison decides to book it! The package includes a two-night stay in a cottage of your choice, a farm-to-table breakfast for two each morning served in cottage, $250 towards the spa, a dinner for two with wine pairings, champagne and chocolate upon arrival, wedding tea, and of course the on-site ceremony with access to an event planner.
Alison picked the Woodlands Cottage which gives off strong forest vibes with its rough cut pine tree trunks, an interior waterfall over river stones, and a double-sided wood-burning fireplace. The bathroom is a forest fantasy come to life… the sinks are set in overturned tree trunks form the sinks and a jetted soaking tub is sunken into the marble floor looking out over the pond and woods. How oh-so-romantic! They start off their day in the spa with a Yomassage session (think yoga and massage combined) followed by a facial and reflexology.
First things first, Alison and Chris are taking advantage of Winvian Farms’ partnership with Volvo and uses their new 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription to get around for the day. They explore some of the picturesque streets and shops, and take a stop to see the site of the Litchfield Female Academy, which was one of the first schools to teach girls the same subjects as boys, active from 1792-1833.
For lunch they pop over to West Street Grill for a cozy-yet-sophisticated meal of elevated French and Italian bistro fare. Then its off to Arethusa Farm for the best ice cream in New England. It’s probably the 16% butterfat that makes it taste better than anything else on the market. They are celebrating so all indulgences are permitted!
Alison and Chris head back to Winvian Farms for their three-course prix fixe dinner, and choose to have it served in their cottage.
Time for some tasting…the happy couple head to Hawk Ridge Winery in nearby Watertown and do their premiere wine tasting with gourmet cheese pairings. Alison is very excited to try their carbonated (aka sparkling) wines. She’s never had a sparkling red, but theirs promises a burst of cherry and strawberry flavors and she is here for it. She and Chris also enjoy sipping on the effervescent Sauvignon Blanc.
Being as this is their anniversary trip, it’s fitting that they end the day with some gifts. Traditionally, the 5th year anniversary gift is wood. So Alison brought this oversized wooden heart to display on their wall at home from Etsy. She also wants to get her husband a gift, so she gets him a Cameo from Cooper Andrews of The Walking Dead fame. She’s thinking a message along the lines of …”Hey Chris, your wife told me that you guys are celebrating your 5th Wedding anniversary- dude, that’s awesome.” She also bought herself an anniversary gift… a new KitchenAid dishwasher which she has been desperately needing IRL.
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