Thirteen event & wedding planners from four continents, representing big destination and production event agencies or well-known multinationals, spent two weeks in Italy.
The planners visited central and southern Italy as part of Monica Balli Events’ Reboot 2021 fam trip. Planners discovered new destinations with Monica Balli.
Much more than a fam trip, much more than a site inspection, it was a prolonged and in-depth full immersion in the beauties, flavours and traditions of a very suggestive (and loved) part of the Bel Paese.
It was the fifth event of this kind, which up to 2019 took place yearly and limited its overlook to Tuscany.
The program
It all began in Ladispoli (Rome), at the wonderful La Posta Vecchia Hotel, where thegroup stayed for two days: a journey through history perfectly summarizing the magicof Italy, between Renaissance’s romanticism, the Pompeii era’s parties and acontemporary relaxation. The hotel, belonging to the Pellicano Hotels group, isaffiliated with both The Leading Hotels and Virtuoso.
Participants then moved to Ischia, which has long been proposed as a new destination for events and travel, thanks to its thermal, historical and cultural heritage as well as its proximity to Naples and the Amalfi coast (only one hour drive from both). The stay, lasting until the 18th, was organized under the aegis of Ischia Is More, a promotional consortium of entrepreneurs, managers and tour operators, as well as with the contribution of Foraday, a local tour operator which organized both a geological and archaeological activity at sea to let guests experience the history of the island’s seabed, and a visit to the Ravino Gardens, famous for their succulent plants.
Three hotel facilities hosted the planners in Ischia: the Hotel Mezzatorre, belongingto the Pellicano Hotels group such as La Posta Vecchia and also affiliated with Leadingand Virtuoso, a boutique resort on a private bay with a suggestive Spanish tower;Botania Relais & Spa, boutique resort as well, inside a three-acre garden comprisingaromatic plants, fruits and thermal water pools; and the San Montano Resort & Spa,affiliated with The Small Leading Hotels of the World, among charming decorationsand furnishings plus thermal pools enhancing the splendid view between the gulf ofNaples and the gulf of San Montano. The farewell dinner was based on typical localcuisine at La vigna di Alberto.
Then the group moved on to Amalfi, at the newly opened Borgo Sant’Andrea, a wonderful five-star hotel nestled just below a cave along Amalfi’s main road, descending towards the sea. The views are unique as well as the design and fashion touch characterizing the living room.
Fourth stop: Paestum, just one hour drive from Amalfi. The Savoy Beach Hotel is agem full of history and charm. Perfect for big and small events, practically the veryonly carbon-neutral hotel in the world, it has a buffalo farm for mozzarella and yogurtwhich get exported everywhere, as well as an amazing restaurant with unforgettablewines and dishes. The Spa will be inaugurated in January 2022.
And, grand finale, Naples, Starhotel Terminus, part of the prestigious 30-hotelcollection by the Fabri family, spanning through Italy, New York, London and Paris.
Monica Balli said, “I am honoured and thrilled to have made my know-how as a lifestyle fam trip organizer available to my country and its desire for rebirth. The planners who have visited these wonderful places with me are absolute leaders in their field and move people – and personalities – around the world. Precisely for this reason they collaborate and share opinions with each other, so to overcome their own excellence: this is what I call networking.
This experience was a golden opportunity for tourism, which will certainly bear abundant fruit considering the many expressions of interest, and will surely help the industry recover”.
