I Used to be Somebody World Tour: First Stop - Tuscany!
Carl Landau | August 17, 2023
We started the I Used to be Somebody podcast and newsletter about three years ago. Once we started building an audience for our listeners and readers, I couldn't help but think how we should have some sort of in-person event to connect all these creative people (YOU). For the most part, these are people 50+ who are thinking about (un)retirement or recently left their career to embark on what they want to do next. As we like to say on the show, something new, more fun and more meaningful.
I've been in the live event biz for 30+ years. So I know how to put together great conferences and tradeshows that really connect people and are FUN. For this event, at first I thought a retreat at a nice resort would be perfect.
But then I got to thinking about it more from my (un)retirement perspective. Did I really want to go back and do the same thing I did for decades? Do I want go back to negotiating with hotels over room rates and ridiculous catering fees? And let's not forget the made-up "resort fees" that are simply extra charges for no good reason. NO! (I still have nightmares about this.)
Instead, I calmed down, took a deep breath. I talked with my good friend, Brad Ring -- who I had sold my magazines Brew Your Own and Winemaker to over 20 years ago. For the past several years, Brad has been hosting these super fun events around the world for his magazine audience, where they travel to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Chile, etc. Next year he's going to South Africa and my wife Diana and I are going along too.
Brad said, "What people want now are EXPERIENCES!" I'm totally in agreement with that concept at this stage of my life. "Something new, more fun, and more meaningful" is still forefront in my mind. I was intrigued with the idea "So why don't we have our own trip for our I Used to be Somebody audience?"
Brad works with this great tour company run by Allan Wright of Taste Vacations. His company has been organizing travel vacations for 26 years. You can tour any one of twenty countries and his local tour guides do everything. They have relationships with all the best local hotels, restaurants and attractions. We just bring the people and they treat you like family. (Max per trip is 20 people.)
So Allan and I created a trip, (our first trip), for our subscribers! We're going to Tuscany! The tour is September 15 - 21, 2024. I've been to Tuscany just once and loved it. We start off in Florence and then go to the countryside, exploring the hillside towns and stunning walled cities.
We've also come up with an engaging I Used to be Somebody educational agenda that will be mixed in with all the fun in Tuscany we'll have. Join us! You'll make amazing connections and have the time of your life.
My wife Diana and I are so excited to meet you!
Here's the agenda, accommodations, details, and pricing!
