Thursday, June 1, 2023


What do these words mean? Geode, Throat Diver, Scandiculture, Brennivin, Raest, Slippurinn, Eddas, oh and of course, the Viking Icelandic horse?

Come and find out!

Heading to Iceland and the Faeroes on a 

Ten Day Silversea Voyage 

to experience S.A.L.T. on the luxe and intimate Silver Moon -

July 14-24, 2023



Sea and Land Taste is offered both onboard at the Kitchen, Bar and classes and at destinations in bespoke S.A.L.T. excursions.  This is  Silversea's new culinary experience, that will enliven any destination as it is curated for a real foodie experience, as well as of course, all the other amenities that I will share as I go!

Where to pick, on these hazy, hot and humid  days of summer in Virginia....Why not to Iceland and the Faeroe Islands (Danish)  on the Silver Moon, Reykjavik return 10 days! 

About five years ago, I attended an Iceland weekend while visiting Toronto, which included art, then films (with my BFF Brenda), an Icleandic Dinner with Garrett (who else is the best sport about dining?) and bought the book Independent People by Halldór Laxness, winner of the nobel Prize in Literature. ISBN 0679-76792-4. It's been on my list to explore, understand, experience the culture, the people and the food.  I love a new destination for me, that I can immerse in pre-trip, don't you?  Joining a Silversea cruise is truly an optimal way to explore a place like Iceland. Unpack once, (with the butler doing the organizing...) be on the sea (we are in the middle of the ocean anyways, aren't we?) and have plenty of summer light (mostly 20+ hours a day) to explore each and every stop, which are great long days! Brilliant!

I just read an exciting article from Adam Sachs, the former Saveur editor-in-chief, who is spearheading this new program for Silver Moon, and Silver Dawn (my Petra/Petra experience that I am hosting in January 2024, P.S.  cannot wait for the S.A.L.T. experience in this region!).

Please take a read, if you ever thought Iceland was not about food, read on, and add this extra amuse-bouche to the long lists of opportunities, from hiking, photography, fishing, bathing, painting, touching, smelling, and water...the land of Fire and Ice, Here is the lowdown on the food 

https://discover.silversea.com/to-the-curious/salt-kitchen/s-a-l-t-spotlight-heres-why-icelands-culinary-scene-will-surprise-you/

There is also a S.A.L.T. Lab Radio on Spotify - will listen to the one on Lisbon's Cacué today!

Why don't you think about joining me? The value on Silversea is unsurpassed, luxury, quality and just 600 passengers make for a truly bespoke experience.  To be in Iceland, and on the Silverseas, to me, could not be better.  We have ten days exploring eight destinations around the whole island of Iceland, plus a big day on Faeroe Islands.  All of the destinations have included excursions, that are beautifully curated by locals.  The value that I can offer you booking with me, as  an Ensemble/TEN advisor will please even the most discerning traveler - please reach out, @540.718.4046 or jetsetwisdom@gmail.com for further information!  

And as a special special, I can offer $500 off the Silversea published rate, on their website, just because I can, as per my personal connection last week. This is just for my cruise on July 14th departure, #MO2320714010.  There are other departures available which have very special amenities that I can offer.

That being said here is your link to incredible offerings with Silversea: www.silversea.com and let me know if I can help you decide where and when you'd like to experience this kind of cruising!

All photos ©Silversea Cruises Ltd.

Monday, April 19, 2021

 



The Atlanta Olmsted Plein-Air Event is in Atlanta as I write.  Yes, my friends I am off on a quick little trip to spend a couple of days with my friend Merrily and forty of the best plein-air painters in the country.  This, not the usual trip for Jetset Wisdom, but this, the new normal.  For us. Just a bit longer I suppose.  Not diminishing such an incredible event, but embracing that we have the time to enjoy domestic offerings like never before.  We look forward to sharing with you the beauty of Atlanta private gardens,  spring blooms and beautiful paintings done in the Goizueta Gardens of the The Atlanta History Center. This is the 7th Olmsted Event, titled so appropriately "Resilience". That we have. And we all are standing proud and strong that we will get through this! A favorite muse, from Aix en Provence, Jill Steenhuis is painting with the invitational. I have participated in a two day painting retreat with her and she is extraordinary in her skill and her spiritual journey through painting. More to come! Where is your next domestic adventure taking you?

Monday, August 13, 2018

Art and Food 2018
Slow Food in Turin * Art in Lombardy  * Painting in Franciacorta 
   9 days/8 nights 
September 18-27, 2018

All of your senses to be filled…Italian style....La Dolca Vita!

Join  J E T S E T WISDOM this fall in Italy for the biennial Slow Food/Slow Wine and Terra Madre at Salone del Gusto in Torino, the secret art jewels of Milano (including the Last Supper), and finally three full days of painting in the Franciacorta regions peppered with winetastings, shopping at the world-famous Franciacorta Shopping Village and luscious Agriturismo foods.
Leaving the US or Canada on Tuesday September 18, 2018 and arriving in Milan, Italy on Wednesday September 19, we will be either meeting in Torino at our landmark hotel if you wish , or at a pre-arranged location at 0:930 at MXP Malpensa airport for the 1.5 hour drive to Torino.  After check-in you will have the option of a late afternoon tour of this baroque beauty called Torino to the Italians, (Turin) followed by a welcome local Piedmontese dinner.  Get familiar with the city of Torino and rest up for the opening day of Salone del Gusto- you will need comfortable walking shoes for our next couple of days.  
Salone Del Gusto is throughout the city of Turin at many different venues - Opening at 10 till 9:30 pm - a full and active day, but as much as you desire as your hotel is centrally located right in the fashionable Quadrilatero Romano district, an area known for its fantastic shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The San Giovanni Cathedral – home to the Turin Shroud – is right next door. We'll have dinner together as a welcome Wednesday evening, and also Friday evening. Thursday evening* will be a meet up for aperativo, you will be tasting all day at Salone del Gusto.
Thursday and Friday will be spent savoring the twenty regions of Italy at the Slow Food/Terra Madre Salone del Gusto show.  They are still finalizing special packaging, tastings, lectures but rest assured we will have plenty to choose from.  You’ll also have an opportunity to see the museums within walking distance, central as you wish.
Leaving Torino on Saturday midday, we will drive to Milan (about 1-1/2 hours) in our private coach. A lovely walking tour of your new neighborhood, next door to Pinocateca Ambrosiana, Peck for noshes, (as in if you're peckish) and The Duomo (cathedral) steps away from Palazzo Reale, housing one of the many world class collections. We'll glimpse into  a private palazzo The art world in Milan is all about beauty and exploration.
Minutes from La Scala ,  bohemian La Brera with its private galleries and Pinocateca La Brea, you will feel at home in this small private hotel, sharing harmony, culture and silence.   Milan promotes several museums housed in grand Palazzi locally, we’ll fit in at least two, and a stop at the Castello Sforzesco before a walk through Parc Sempione’s Trienelle Museum . Aperativo is a must on one of our evenings.
We will leave on Monday midday for a short drive up to Franciacorta to our agriturismo stay of three nights. Filled and inspired by the art of Milan and Turin, we will surely enjoy some plein-aire.  Do not worry - if painting is not your thing we have lots of other activities in mind.  However, painting in the vineyards and terraces of our lovely agriturismo should be a priority.  This undiscovered region is not to be missed.  Lago Iseo is beautiful, and the place of The Floating Piers exhibit in 2016:  www.christojeanneclaude.net/projects/the-floating-piers. 
We conclude, quite fittingly in the champagne region of Italy - (francia corta - short French) with amazing champagne.  We will have some time for a wine tour and  serious retail therapy at the close by Franciacorta Outlet Shopping Village for those interested.  Wednesday evening will be our farewell dinner at the agriturismo tasting their food and wine.
Flight transfers to Milan Malpensa or Bergamo from Franciacorta, morning of Thursday September 27, 2018. included.

What’s included/ what’s not …

9 days/ 8 hotel nights  Inclusive of almost all meals  (except denoted by *), with wine and water and gratuity, entry to Slow Food for two days,  two special event programs within the Salone del Gusto, Terra Madre, lodging in charming 4* hotels with double occupancy,  transfers and transport in a private limo coach throughout our 9 days. Other than airfare of your choice, everything is included but your retail 'therapy'!  Breakfast is included each morning at all of our hotels,  WIFI is complimentary. 
Limited Single occupancy available upon request at an additional fee. Airfare and airport transfers are not included other than Malpensa Milan, nor is travel insurance, which I would recommend. Please be advised that this tour is all about painting, art and food - and lots of great walking, especially at the Salon del Gusto.  Our first stay  is within the center of Turin of course for a respite when needed.
A deposit of 50% is required to hold your spot. All major Credit Cards are accepted.   This trip will be limited to 12, and spouses/partners/friends  are welcome. 
 Visa , MC and  Paypal accepted.  3% discount for check/cash.  
Please email Claudia Wisdom-Good at jetsetwisdom@gmail.com or 540.718.4046 for  pricing, further information, to sign up or any questions.  Don’t miss out - Terra Madre/Slow Food is only every two years -this Jetset WISDOM trip will not  be repeated until 2020. 






Friday, September 18, 2015

Vienna: Klimt and then - Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller at the Belvedere palace and museum Vienna

Having recently fallen in love with Vienna, our very last day was spent at the Upper and Lower Belvedere Palace, as well as the stables (Orangerie) and Menagerie.  The Upper Belvedere is where Waldmuller's largest collection lives.  His portraiture left me breathless.  Makes me, the lowly non-portraiture painter take up some serious time, maybe in the October retreat at Capon Springs with the Firnew Farm Artists Circle, to paint a portrait - maybe, albeit a daunting quest. See the link,  Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller | Belvedere palace and museum Vienna

The day began in search of the final collection of Klimt in Vienna, after seeing Beethoven's at the Seccession, The Albertina and The Leopold's collection, we gleaned an awful lot  about how Klimt became the first president of the Seccession and how his peacefulness at his Austrian lakehouse depicted such deep quiet, then changed into his more 'modern' works, as in Woman in Gold.  However, finding Walmüller at The Belvedere was just one of many equisite collections of Austrian Art.



The music, operas and art of this elegant city makes this a #1 destination for me.  Given that Austrian Air flies direct non-stop from Washington Dulles is another efficient reason to give Vienna a vote!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

I Was A Jet Set Stewardess (Full Episode)

I Was A Jet Set Stewardess (Full Episode) - just watched this Smithsonian Channel documentary last night, thanks to my good friend, Sue, who was astute enough to know I would never have this opportunity on my own television!

 Of course, being Jetset Wisdom, I loved the title.  That this has been (one of) my careers for the past twenty-six years, the doc definitely depicts the finer times of our lives.  Although many of the glamourous aspects (like week long sojurns in Fiji) were before my time, we still have the power and the ability to show up for someone's birthday in London, a wine show in Paris, the EXPO in Milan, visiting family in faraway places, and Fat Tuesday in Rio.



Our life is truly, something to behold. Here is the link  http://bitly.com/1o780yH



Enjoy! And look for my new posts on the trips to Great Britain this spring!


Monday, November 10, 2014

BEFORE THE WAVE, by Molly Willows - an IndiGOGO project

After all the hoopla surrounding this year's Virginia Film Festival this past weekend -  and after trying my best to grin and bear it through two of the films, In Confidence (what were you thinking - you are over 40?) to Karate Tango (which should've been left on Broadway, I'm thinking), it is with such excitement and hope, for a young artist, and daughter of a BFF, to share a link for her IndiGOGO project, Before the Wave.  Please watch her trailer and watch for updates.  I find it fascinating, that she will produce this film with very limited funds, and tell a story that needs to be shared. Check out the link! Impressive work Molly - can't wait to see the finished film!




Friday, September 19, 2014

Join us in Italy for Terra Madre/Slow Food in Torino, Barolo in Piemonte and the secrets of Milano!


Join  J E T S E T WISDOM this fall in Italy for the biennial Slow Food/Slow Wine and Terra Madre at Salone Internazionale del Gusto in Torino, the Truffle Fair in Alba, Piemonte l’Osterie & Le Vinerie and three days discovering the secret jewels of Milano including a day trip to the Lake District.  

Dates are October 23-November 1, 2014.










Leaving the US or Canada on Wednesday October 22, and arriving in Italy on Thursday, October 23, we will be either meeting in Torino at our chic, artsy albergo, or at a pre-arranged location at MXP Malpensa airport for the 1.5 hour drive to Torino.  After check-in you will have the option of a late afternoon tour of this baroque beauty called Torino, followed by a welcome local Piemontese dinner.  Get familiar with the city of Torino and rest up for the Opening Day of Salon del Gusto- you will need comfortable walking shoes for our next three days.



The next two days will be spent at the Slow Food/Terra Madre Salone del Gusto show.
 J E T S E T WISDOM has your tickets purchased for unlimited entry, and will include  two special event programs (TBD) for our  group.  Slow Food is not just about Italy, although the 20 regions in Pavilions 1, 2 and 3 of  the Salone del Gusto could fill your entire two days if you wish! The OVAL holds food producers from over 5 continents.  



The Show is over 65,000 square meters, and showcases almost one thousand food producers, as well as 1200 wine labels that participate in the Vini Slow program.  




Our 3 days will start with transportation from our hotel to the Lingotto Fiere, location of the Salone del Gusto. The show is open from 11-11, and our hotel is conveniently located so you may come back, relax, and choose to return to the show in the evenings.  Saturday evening will be dinner in Torino, after a final aperitivo.  Breakfast is included each morning at our hotel,  WIFI is available for a nominal fee.

Leaving Torino on Sunday after breakfast, we will continue into Piemonte and arrive at the Alba Truffle Fair held only on a select few Sundays.  Spending the afternoon in this quaint but vibrant city, we will arrive in time for an aperitivo and dinner in La Morra, our home for the next 3 nights.  Full breakfast and wifi included.
Long time friend, author of The Mystique of Barolos, winemaker in  Langhe, Maurizio Rosso last fall.









Monday and Tuesday we will explore the wines of Piemonte with a private driver, staying at a perfectly situated and appointed,  Corte Gondina in La Morra  (which was reviewed recently in the Wine Spectator).  La Morra is located in the centre of the Barolo area of Langhe, and produces over 40% of the Barolo wines.  The town is full of jewels -   lovely trattorie and shops, with walking trails through the local wineries.  Dinner is included Sunday and Tuesday,  however, Monday dinner* will be on your own.  
We will stop for lunch at local Osterie along our wine routes both days and will be included.  Our region is renowned for both Roero (whites) and the long heady line of Barolos.
Wednesday morning we will leave after breakfast for our final three days in Milano. On the way, we will stop into BRA, the city that began The Slow Food Movement.  
Milano resonates with sophistication, beauty, art, fashion and architecture. One of my all time favorites to explore.  Next three nights, we will be staying right up the street from famous PECK and the Biblioteca-Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. 


Minutes from La Scala, The Duomo and bohemian La Brera, you will feel at home in this small private hotel, sharing harmony, culture and silence.  Dinner together and prepare for a Thursday filled with exploring the Design capital of the world.  Milan promotes several very small and private museums, housed in grand Palazzi locally, we’ll fit in at least two, and a stop at the Castello Sforzesco before a walk through Parc Sempione’s Trienelle Museum.  




We will have an aperitivo atop La Rinascente department store overlooking the Duomo.  Thursday Dinner* on our own most likely at a spot in La Brera.    Final day of Friday is on your own:  can be spent either going to an outlet shopping village outside of Milano, a train up to the Lake District - think Garda, Maggiore or simply boat to Bellagio, (an hour away by train), seeing The Last Supper, or just exploring more of Milan and picking up last minute gifts and shoes (!)   Private aperitivo on our balcony looking over Milan before a final dinner at one of  my very favorite spots, included.




Flight home on Saturday, drivers will be arranged at approximately Euro 20 per person to Malpensa, upon request.

9 nights, 10 days.  Inclusive of almost all meals  (except denoted by *), with wine and water and gratuity, entry to Slow Food for three days,  two special event programs within the Salone del Gusto, Terra Madre, lodging in charming 4* hotels with double occupancy (single occupancy available upon request at an additional fee), transfers and transport in a private limo throughout Piemonte Wineries and  from Torino  and back through to Milan hotel.  Airfare and airport transfers are not included, nor is travel insurance, which I would recommend. Please be advised that this tour is composed of a lot of walking, especially at the Salone del Gusto.  There is minimal seating at the Show, unless you are in a conference or pre-arranged venue, lunch, dinner, etc

A deposit of 50% is required to hold your spot.  This trip will be limited to a small number of 8-10 people.  Credit Cards and Paypal accepted.  3% discount for cash.  Please email Claudia Wisdom-Good at jetsetwisdom@gmail.com for further information, questions and an application form.  
Don’t miss out - Terra Madre/Slow Food is only every two years -this Jetset WISDOM trip will not  be repeated until 2016!