Robin Locker

My story does not begin like the typical story. I live in New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley. I am not Italian or French, although most days I feel like I was in a former life. I was not immersed in European culture as a child. I did not spend time cooking with my Grandmother in the kitchen, sharing recipes, traveling around the globe with my family or museum hopping. Instead, I grew up watching my very creative Mother make 3-tierd decorated cakes, stained glass lamps, macramé plant hangers, decoupage and crocheted afghans. She tore up many a spot on our lawn and driveway to create new flower gardens every year. The list goes on and on. Naturally, I was also creative. I always knew that. When I got older, we started toll-painting and working together at craft fairs selling our wares.

I always liked fashion, and being that I was creative and had a good mind for business (this is the part I acquired from my Father), I graduated with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, with a minor in Retail Business Management. I spent most of the next 15 years in Sales and Retail Management fields, living in New York, Connecticut and Northern California. Eventually, I burned myself out of Retail and settled back down in the Hudson Valley.

And then it happened. One day in October 2003, there was a shift in the foundation of life as I knew it. My boyfriend and I went to see “Under the Tuscan Sun”, and I fell in love with Italy. I walked out of that theater, knowing with every fiber of my being, I was going to Italy….soon. Within two weeks, I had picked dates and was well into my research

I planned our two week ‘trip of a lifetime’ myself and we conquered Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Lucca, Chianti, Rome and Positano. I like to discover new things that remind me of these great places that I feel changed my life in many ways. I loved everything about Italy- the gregarious people, the food, the café’s, the wine, the coffee, the history…the lifestyle in general. Upon return home, I missed it terribly! I was becoming obsessed and had a disease. The only possible cure was the obvious…..plan another trip.

The next earth-shattering moment came in summer of 2004. I decided to go to Paris for 10 days….solo. Being that I went alone, I was able to observe and appreciate so many little details that I may have missed had I gone with someone else. I felt equally passionate about Paris, especially the first time I came upon the Pont St. Michel on the Seine, with Notre Dame in the background. All of the Hausmann style architecture with beautiful flowers dripping over the iron balustrades was breathtaking. And of course the Eiffel Tower....

I enjoy traveling frequently to Europe but in between trips I like to discover new things that remind me of the culture there and keep me looking forward to returning. The Hudson Valley Region is a perfect area for this since it has been growing and attracting more cultural activities and businesses. I am actually very lucky, as I live near the Culinary Institute of America. Many talented grads stay in the area to open their own restaurants and bakeries. There are many local shops, farmers markets, theaters, museums, historic sights and wineries. My passion for travel grew into a business, when I realized that I could be helping others discover the same pleasure and enjoyment that I have found experiencing Europe and The Hudson Valley, and so Mélange was born. Currently, I am writing and hope to someday publish my European travel memoirs. A new trip for additional research and information gathering will take place in September 2007. I guess I owe my inspiration to Frances Mayes.

Services

I offer personally customized travel arrangements and itineraries to Italy, Paris and the Hudson Valley. After a personal consultation based on your individual needs, interests and budget, I can suggest airfare and hotel accommodations, offer recommended daily itineraries or provide you with a selection of favorite restaurants and cafe’s and food markets by area. I can arrange cooking classes, wine tasting and restaurant reservations. To arrange a consultation, ask a question or for more information about services please contact me by clicking on the 'Emailme' link at the top of the page.

My hope is for you to visit Europe and be willing to let it change your life as it did mine.

Bon Voyage!