Behind THe lens
I’m a New Yorker who has lived in Switzerland, Germany, and now Italy — with more than 60 countries stamped into my passport since that first backpacking trip to Europe after college. The spark for Spritzience came when I moved to Italy and wanted every trip to include a cultural experience worth remembering.
Over time, I developed an affordable-luxury style of travel — one that blends design-forward hotels, memorable meals, and authentic local traditions into a richer kind of cultural experience. I’m constantly researching local events, festivals, and UNESCO heritage celebrations to make each trip more meaningful.
Some of my favorite moments have been built around music: stumbling into costumed Guggen bands during Carnival in Switzerland, watching the Bersaglieri — Italy’s famed running military bands — race past, joining locals as town bands celebrate their patron saint, or standing in a German Christmas market as a brass band makes the whole square feel festive. Each one is a cultural experience that sparks joy and lingers long after the trip ends.
Soon I was planning trips for my Italian family, often built around a cultural experience, a boutique hotel, or a heritage destination I had visited and wanted to share. Those journeys became known as “the ones only Chris could plan,” and that’s when I realized it was time to bring Spritzience to a wider audience.
Blogging and photography have since deepened my appreciation for Italy’s layered beauty and Europe’s cultural richness — from artisanal goods to the little details you only notice when you slow down and truly look.
Let’s Stay In Touch
If you’re looking for cultural travel ideas that include everything from dreamy hotel stays to thoughtfully plated meals, from unforgettable views to that just-right cocktail—the kind that feels both luxe and laid-back—you’ve found your travel kindred spirits. I travel with our motto in mind: adding a splash of dolce vita. That “splash” might be a signature dish that turns dinner into a memory, a boutique hotel where design sets the mood, a museum that inspires a detour, a chic beach club with incredible views, or a festival woven into the journey. With a focus on heritage, food and wine, and artisanal design, Spritzience highlights cultural experiences that feel both fun and authentic.
Sign up for my email list and you’ll always have a fresh idea (or three) for your next unforgettable trip. At the bottom of the page click subscribe now, and then check your e-mail to approve the request. You’ll recieve updates on blog posts reimagining cultural travel — from the best Christmas markets in Europe to Italy’s wine regions, timeless destinations, and cocktail culture worth traveling for. Each experience is shaped through an affordable luxury lens, where the details make all the difference.