Renaissance Tuscany Press Trip Recap: August 24-28, 2016 MEDIA ATTENDEES: LORI CAPULLO / AVENTURA MAGAZINE, INWESTON JENNIFER AZZOLINI / NEW YORK RESIDENT KATHLEEN RELLIHAN / FREELANCE, TRAVEL CHANNEL, AFAR AMANDA STUTT / HOMES & LIVING MAGAZINE AMANDA EBERT / ARTFUL LIVING An Italian Escape DIAMOND PR REP: JODY DIAMOND, PRESIDENT
Project Summary PROJECT: An Italian Escape Press Trip DATES: August 24-28, 2016 CLIENT: Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa DPR REP: Jody Diamond For the An Italian Escape press trip, Diamond Public Relations secured the participation of several journalists who represent top-tier consumer outlets within the property s core geographic markets. As a result, participating media included New York Resident, Aventura Magazine, InWeston Magazine, Travel Channel, AFAR, Homes & Living Magazine, and Artful Living. Agency worked with Renaissance Tuscany to arrange experiences and activities that the media could take advantage of, both on-property and off-site. These activities ranged from the culinary experience with the chef to exclusive tours of hidden gems around the Garfagnana region, and visits to the neighboring cities of Lucca and Pisa. To minimize costs, the trip was split with agency s Verona client, thus reducing airfare costs from the States to Italy. ONSITE ACTIVITIES: Dinner at the property s La Veranda Restaurant Spa treatments at the Beauty Spa Culinary experience with the resort s chef OFFSITE ACTIVITIES: Tour of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana Wine tasting at Podere Concori Dinner at Locanda di Mezzo Visits to Pisa, Barga, and Lucca Dinner at L Altana Lunch at La Buca di Sant Antonio Biking tour of Lucca
Agency Feed back highlights Podere Concori - Podere Concori was an excellent experience for the group, as expected. The media loved learning about the biodynamic winemaking process, the tasting, and the winery s intimacy. For next year, agency recommends scheduling press trip dates around the wine harvest season so media can stomp on the grapes! Locanda di Mezzo - Dinner at Locanda di Mezzo was one of the best dinners during the trip. The journalists appreciated how authentic the cuisine was and enjoyed interacting with Giulio and Georges. Culinary Experience with the Chef - The cooking experience with Chef Alessandro was one of the top highlights for the group. As expected, Alessandro was wonderful and patient teaching the media how to make homemade pasta and sauce, and it was a welcome surprise to have the cooking experience take place outdoors instead of in the kitchen. A NOTE FOR NEXT TIME Day Trip to Lucca and Pisa - The media all enjoyed visiting Lucca and Pisa, but would have preferred to have some more time to shop around and explore Lucca. Due due shops and even many restaurants closing between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, for future itineraries, we recommend visiting Lucca first, before Pisa, to allow more time for attendees to explore the city, bike around, and eat lunch.
Journalist Feed back Amanda Ebert / Artful Living It's so hard to get back into the grind when you're used to brioche, hemispheres of sugar, amazing views and the best beds I've ever slept in. I had such an amazing time, and I can't wait to tell our audience about it. Jen Azzolini / New York Resident I m so thankful and blessed to have experienced this journey throughout Italy with such an amazing group. Thank you so much for showing us what Italy is truly all about. Kathleen Rellihan/ Freelance What an incredible trip! Perhaps my most fun press trip yet, certainly the one with the most laughs. Thank you for a rock star trip and showing us all the cool spots that haven't been exploited yet. Can t wait to start writing!
Journalist Feed back LORI CAPULLO/ AVENTURA MAGAZINE This was one of the top three media visits I ve ever taken. I ve been to Italy in the past, but I saw a side of a country I already adore, that made me fall in love all over again.. I have to come back and do this exact same trip with my family, that s how spectacular it was, I wouldn t change a thing. I am going to write the story immediately, while it s still fresh in my head for the Nov./Dec. issue of Aventura. Can t wait to see Gato s pictures, I ll need them. Thank you for everything. amanda stutt/ homes & living magazine I had a fantastic time, thanks so much to you and dear Georges. This story will run in print in the destination section of the Nov/Dec issue of H&L. Thanks again for everything!
Social Media Throughout the trip, agency encouraged the media to post about the property on their social handles and tag the property in their posts. The following is a sampling of social media activity throughout the trip. 63 total posts! 75 Likes!
Social Media (cont.)
Social Media (cont.)
Social Media (cont.) 55 Likes!