Where Is Your Happy Place?
As someone who loves to travel, there are many places that make me happy. And then there are the precious few places where, no matter what is happening in your life or the world around you, you are truly at your best.
For me, one of those places is Marin County, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
I've been spending time in the Bay Area for decades, and each time I return it feels like coming home. My time in San Francisco is usually busy– seeing friends, visiting museums, and exploring the restaurant scene. But Marin offers something different. It’s a chance to slow down, unwind, and take in incredible natural beauty. The hiking trails, charming towns, and stunning ocean views have a way of helping me shed the layers of everyday stress and find a sense of calm. Some of my favorite Marin experiences include exploring the majestic redwoods of Muir Woods, hiking trails that hug the Pacific coastline, and spending time in the small towns scattered throughout the county.
One of my favorite hikes begins at the Muir Beach Overlook, winding along the cliffs above the Pacific before ending at Slide Ranch, a working coastal farm with goats, chickens, and bees. Other days include sipping local wine while overlooking the ocean, enjoying fresh seafood in Sausalito, stopping along Highway 1 to fill my water bottle with "magic water" from Red Rock Spring, or listening to a dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. I also love taking the ferry into San Francisco, getting off at the Ferry Building, and grabbing oysters at Hog Island before heading off to explore the city.
There's a reason people often joke that "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." Summer can be surprisingly cold, foggy, and gray. While the fog rolling over the bay is beautiful, the novelty eventually wears off and you begin dreaming of Indian Summer. By late September and October, the fog retreats, the sun shines, and Northern California enjoys some of its most beautiful weather of the year.
Fall is also the peak season of the wine country just next door. Napa, Sonoma, and Yountville are buzzing with harvest activity, making it a wonderful time to visit—just be sure to plan ahead. Marin makes an excellent base for combining coastal scenery, redwoods, wine country, and easy access to San Francisco.
As much as Marin feels like home, there is one place that stirs an even deeper connection. Marin is where I go to recharge. Italy is where I go to reconnect with my family's history and the traditions that were passed down to me.
Each time I revisit Italy, I discover something that deepens my love for the country's beauty, culture, food, and people. My love for Italy began as a child, learning family recipes that had been passed down through generations. Visiting my family's village in Abruzzo, first with my mother and later with my son, was a profound experience. Once again, I felt like I was coming home.
Every trip to Italy reveals something new. Whether I'm tasting incredible food and wine, immersing myself in the country's history and culture, or exploring a region I've never visited before, there is always another layer to discover.
During my trip last year, I explored Sardinia and discovered Maremma, a hidden gem just ninety minutes from Rome. With its rolling countryside, farm stays, vineyards, beaches, and the whimsical Tarot Garden, it reminded me that even after decades of traveling in Italy, there are still places that surprise me.
It's no surprise that Italy has become my top-selling destination. I love helping people fall in love with Italy on their first visit. For repeat visitors, I enjoy helping them dive deeper— whether it's a week-long cooking intensive, exploring Italy's diverse wine regions, getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari in Modena's Motor Valley, or discovering lesser-known corners of the country like Maremma.
Fall is also one of my favorite times to visit Italy. October brings pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, harvest season in the vineyards, and the beginning of truffle season in many regions. It’s a wonderful time to experience Italy at a slower pace.
Whether I'm hiking among the redwoods in Marin or enjoying a glass of wine in the Tuscan countryside, both places remind me why I travel in the first place.
Coming home isn't always about geography. Sometimes it's a place that reconnects you to who you are, helps you slow down, and reminds you what matters most. Those are the places I return to again and again. And I love helping my clients discover them too.