by Debra Goldyn
Photos courtesy of Spirits of Places, Ltd.

Imagine zipping along the Italian Riviera in a classic car, with your hair blowing in the breeze. You’re hungry, but your travel guide knows the perfect restaurant. He also knows the language, the architecture, and all the best spots that are rarely mentioned in the guide books. After enjoying a fabulous meal you set out for your hotel, one that’s beautifully appointed and off the beaten path.

Sound like a daydream? It’s just another day on the job for Alvaro Pisoni, the owner of Spirit of Places, Ltd., a custom tour company based in Parker.

For Alvaro, designing custom tours of Italy is a career that evolved unintentionally. His original vocation was architecture, which brought him from Trento, Italy to Denver, in pursuit of an advanced degree. Other architects began asking Alvaro to accompany them on trips to Italy, which ultimately led to creating Spirit of Places.

Spirit of Places creates tours that are customized for each client. There are no prepackaged tours, each one is unique. Alvaro can create tours that highlight specific interests. Would you like to focus on wine? How about Italian cuisine? Perhaps you’d like to shop in Milan, the fashion capital of the world. Maybe you’d like to improve your photography skills, or explore your family tree. How about

art, history, or architecture? Whatever your preference might be, Alvaro will design an individualized tour that fits the bill, and he personally accompanies each tour.

If traveling solo is more your style, Spirit of Places can help you plan the perfect itinerary. If you want to drive a classic car, take a scenic flight, or rent a cell phone that works internationally, Alvaro can connect you with the appropriate resources. If you’d like to take classes on any number of subjects, that can be arranged.

Rest assured that no matter what climate or type of locale you prefer, Italy has it all. From the majestic Alps to the Italian Riviera, from bucolic wine country to the sophisticated cities of Rome and Milan, Italy has something for everyone. “Italy is a mosaic,” Alvaro says. “Every region you visit, the wine, the cuisine, the architecture, it’s all different.”

Spirit of Places, Ltd.
6502 Windhollow Ct.
Parker, CO 80134
303-841-9002
www.spiritofplaces.com