Love By the Ligurian Sea: A VBT Couple Ties the Knot

When Edie Scala Hampson and her family joined VBT’s Italy: Piedmont, Langhe & the Italian Riviera Guided Tour, one thing was certain: love was in the air. “There were nine of us, traveling to celebrate my birthday and upcoming retirement,” explains Edie. “But when I told the family, my son said wow! This would be a perfect time for me and Vita to get married, which was a wonderful idea. So, the wedding already was in the works when we were planning the trip.” With VBT’s trusted Group Sales Agent John Zelig at the helm, organizing the wedding was seamless and simple. “During the bike trip, we just concentrated on riding bikes through stunning olive groves and vineyards, and cute little Italian towns,” says Edie. “We didn’t really have to do any prep at all. VBT and their partners took care of it!”

A Wedding That Practically Planned Itself

Right from the start, John helped Edie decide where and when to hold the ceremony, then put her in touch with someone who could organize the details. “VBT put me in direct contact with a wonderful woman who worked at the hotel in San Lorenzo a Mare,” Edie recalls. “Her name was Lorena, and she was phenomenal. She coordinated the logistics and got a local baker and florist. She had all the details figured out and she really put her heart and soul into it.” Edie and her family chose the night before the last day of their bike tour for the wedding—and the scene couldn’t have been more perfect. “We had the ceremony on the beach—right there in the sand,” Edie recalls. “Lorena had laid out a little runway, and she set up microphones so everyone could hear the exchange of vows. The scene was just gorgeous! It was 6:00 in the evening and the beach was empty and very private.” With the VBT team taking care of the wedding arrangements, Edie and her family were able to enjoy their cycling vacation to the fullest.

With Edie’s sister acting as officiant, the happy couple made their vows—followed by a sumptuous celebration of their union. First, there were drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the hotel’s harborside terrace, followed by a private dinner, cake, and dancing by the shores of the Ligurian Sea. Ludo and Luigi, the group’s Italian trip leaders, also got into the spirit of the event—going out of their way to celebrate the couple’s union with a time-honored Italian tradition. “In this region, it’s customary to tie tomato cans to the back of a car when a couple gets married,” explains Edie. “Ludo and Luigi took the time to get cans of tomatoes and tie them to the back of the newlyweds’ bikes for good luck. It was so sweet!” Of course, it wasn’t possible for the married couple to ride with tomato cans tied to their bikes, but it still made a great photo op—and will always be a cherished memory of this special day. “The couple was so thrilled with the way everything worked out,” recalls Edie. “It was seamless—there wasn’t one glitch. The weather cooperated, the food was incredible, and the hotel even gave them a complementary spa night to go with their stay in the bridal suite. It was the kind of hotel where they wanted to do everything possible to make our stay special.”

As the next day dawned, the happy couple hopped on their bikes to cycle into the charming village of Taggia. Edie hung “just married” signs on the bikes of the bride and groom—and the bride attached her wedding veil to her bike helmet to celebrate the occasion. “When we rode through Taggia, the villagers were delighted by the bride riding with her wedding veil,” recalls Edie. “The newlyweds got lots of special attention, and it was just perfect.” A cooking class featuring pesto and butterfly pasta with a local expert wrapped up an exquisite day.

More Than a Wedding—It’s a Bike Trip!

Before the wedding, Edie and her family had plenty of time to enjoy their Piedmont bike trip. “Our trip leaders were the best part of the trip,” says Edie. “Ludo and Luigi went out of their way to make everything so much fun. And there were plenty of activities included—which were the perfect way to break up the cycling and get everyone together.” VBT’s cycling adventures are designed with flexibility in mind—with plenty of extra miles available for those who want to challenge themselves on the hills, as well as fascinating cultural activities, boutiques, museums, restaurants, beaches, and spas for those off-bike moments. “We had so much fun with all the activities,” says Edie. “But my favorite was the truffle hunt. We got to meet Albertina, a local truffle hunting dog, and watch her in action with her handler.” To experience a true Piedmont truffle hunt, the group went to a spot that is a closely guided secret among the locals. “Truffle hunting is quite competitive,” explains Edie. “They never want the secret locations to become known—or suddenly everyone will be there!” As the group watched Albertina snuffling in the earth to find the rich scent of the region’s exquisite truffles, they learned many details of the truffle trade—including how to tell a good truffle from one that’s gone off.

Of course, no Piedmont adventure would be complete without at least one romantic interlude with Barolo wine, and this is where the legendary Tentua di Fontanafredda comes in. Originally purchased by Italy’s King Vittorio Emanuel as a gift for the woman he loved, this elegant estate is the very birthplace of Barolo. Here, a wine-tasting and tour of one of the world’s top-ranked wine cellars bring all the romance of this storied region to life. “Everything was just great,” says Edie. “There wasn’t one single thing that I would throw away. It was a fun adventure—as good as it gets.” If there’s a special someone in your life, reserving space on VBT’s Italy: Piedmont, Langhe & the Italian Riviera Guided Tour is a Valentine’s Day gift worthy of the love you share.