Candelaria Style is not just about the homes we design, it's the lifestyle and way of living we are striving to enhance. Whether a new home or a remodel our job is to take your daily experience of living in your personal environment to the highest level. Cooking, dining, sleeping, exercising, entertaining, traveling, or gardening - they are all embodied, experienced or relived in our homes. When designing a home, we are not just thinking about a floor plan, we are thinking of a life plan.

The Candelaria Team lives life and understands the underlying reason for creating a home  - it's about creating an elevated way of living. Candelaria Design Tours are all about exploring other ways of life and bringing those practices into your home. Our Candelaria Design travels involve plenty of fun, food, culture, architecture and ways of living that will leave you inspired! Enjoy these videos, photos and articles to get a sense of what awaits you on our Tour Italy!

Enjoy the following magazine articles Mark wrote about his trips to Italy published in Iconic Life Magazine.

MARK-itecture: Savor a Tour Through Italy Through an Architect’s Eyes

MARK-itecture: Savor a Tour of Architecture in Tuscany, with an Architect as your Guide: Part 2 of 3

MARK-itecture: Savor Italy and Architecture Through an Architect’s Eyes: Part 3 of 3

Welcome To 2024 Candelaria Design Tour Italy

September 17th - October 2nd

Please note, the new itinerary is still in the works and below is from 2022

Day 1: Depart Phoenix and Fly to Florence.

Day 2: Check into hotel, meet for cocktail and dinner in front of the Duomo.

Day 3: Enjoy the day in Florence, visit museums, gardens, and explore the vibrant city.

Day 4: Morning in Florence then we will take a transport to the airport to get our rental cars. From Florence we will drive to Arezzo, Italy for the Antique Fair and lunch in Arezzo. From Arezzo we will drive to Umbria and the grocery store to buy our provisions for the week. Then we will drive to our Country House Compound and check in.

That evening we will be treated to a welcome Umbrian Farmer’s dinner at the Farmhouse compound prepared by our chef, Elizabeth Wholey. 

*Those that want to upgrade for an added price can book their one-week country stay at the Reschio Estate which is just at the bottom of the hill from the Country House Compound. This is a full service luxury hotel experience with limited availability. 

Day 5: Bountiful brunch at the Villa di Piazzano. Then afternoon visit to the hillside village of Cortona followed by dinner at the Il Falconiere.

Day 6: Morning visit of the Umbrian Village of Assisi followed by the afternoon in Spello with lunch and wine tasting at Enoteca Properzio. Then we will make our way home and stop and have dinner at the Reschio Estate. 

Day 7: Wine Tour Day by Rossana Ravacchioli – we will tour wineries in either Tuscany or Umbria for the day including a light lunch. Dinner at the Ristorante Girasoli.

Day 8: Free Morning to relax – drive to Umbertide for the Farmer’s Market from 10-1pm. Tour Lacolé and Porte del Passato for antiques and reclaimed building materials. Evening cooking class from Elizabeth Wholey at the Farmhouses.

Day 9: Free morning and an afternoon/evening trip to the Tuscan town of Sienna.

Day 10: Free Day in Umbria. Evening farewell dinner at the Farmhouses. 

Day 11: Check out of the Farmhouse and head to the coast of Positano!

Day 12: Free day

Day 13:

Day 14:

Day 15:

Details and venues are subject to change.