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ABOUT US
Concierge in Umbria is owned and operated by the travel consulting, opera singing, husband and wife
team of Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore. We started Concierge in Umbria to provide insider
information and access to unique experiences for visitors to Italy. In the beginning of our own travels
through central Italy, we realized how fortunate we were to be able to spend extended periods of time in
one place, to really get to know a region. We saw that our own experiences were enriched by the little
places that are not well known, and in genuine interaction with local residents – something that is difficult
to achieve when spending 2 nights here and four nights there. We decided that it was important to help
travelers with only 1 or 2 weeks of vacation time in Italy to realize these kind of intimate experiences by
facilitating connections with local people, be they professional guides, farmers, winemakers, truffle
hunters, a local cook or convivial professional drivers.
The problem with traveling in Italy is not a lack of information, but an over abundance of travel books,
blogs, input from well meaning friends and data of all kinds – good, bad and indifferent. We help you cut
through the noise to get to the real essence of Italy. Because we spend half of every year living in Italy
ourselves, we are able to continually visit and revisit everything that we recommend. We have done it all
with Concierge in Umbria travelers: trekking in the Sibilini Mountains on mules, skiing in the Dolomites,
harvesting grapes in Tuscany, helping Italian Americans reunite with family in Sicily, visiting private palazzi
in Venice, learning to make homemade pasta in a country kitchen, meeting international jazz musicians
back stage at Umbria Jazz, ordering bespoke Italian menswear – the list of incredible experiences in Italy
is endless and there is definitely something for everyone.
worse, I am a prodigious shopper and can direct you to the most elegant custom table linens, fine Italian
papers and stationery, the most unique ceramics, designer labels and cashmere.
Together: We have enjoyed discovering the culinary and artistic treasures of Italy and are eager to
share our knowledge with clients. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe, and now divide our
time between Italy, Germany and the US.
Read our blog: Italy del Giorno
Become a Fan on Facebook: Concierge in Umbria
Follow us on Twitter: ciumbria
Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore
Concierge in Umbria, LLC
19 Overlook Drive
Westbrook, CT 06498
Phone: +1 212 769-4767
Email: info@conciergeinumbria.net
Concierge in Umbria is owned and operated by the travel consulting, opera singing, husband and wife
team of Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore. We started Concierge in Umbria to provide insider
information and access to unique experiences for visitors to Italy. In the beginning of our own travels
through central Italy, we realized how fortunate we were to be able to spend extended periods of time in
one place, to really get to know a region. We saw that our own experiences were enriched by the little
places that are not well known, and in genuine interaction with local residents – something that is difficult
to achieve when spending 2 nights here and four nights there. We decided that it was important to help
travelers with only 1 or 2 weeks of vacation time in Italy to realize these kind of intimate experiences by
facilitating connections with local people, be they professional guides, farmers, winemakers, truffle
hunters, a local cook or convivial professional drivers.
The problem with traveling in Italy is not a lack of information, but an over abundance of travel books,
blogs, input from well meaning friends and data of all kinds – good, bad and indifferent. We help you cut
through the noise to get to the real essence of Italy. Because we spend half of every year living in Italy
ourselves, we are able to continually visit and revisit everything that we recommend. We have done it all
with Concierge in Umbria travelers: trekking in the Sibilini Mountains on mules, skiing in the Dolomites,
harvesting grapes in Tuscany, helping Italian Americans reunite with family in Sicily, visiting private palazzi
in Venice, learning to make homemade pasta in a country kitchen, meeting international jazz musicians
back stage at Umbria Jazz, ordering bespoke Italian menswear – the list of incredible experiences in Italy
is endless and there is definitely something for everyone.
- Maria Gabriella Landers: I was born in Frankfurt Germany and
raised in Springfield, IL. After majoring in Art History at Barnard
College of Columbia University in New York, I followed my dream to
study opera performance at The Juilliard School. As a soprano, I
have performed in the United States, Italy and Germany. Between
singing jobs and as a vocal student in New York, I worked my way
from temporary administrative assistant at Chemical Bank to vice
president at JPMorgan Partners in New York. A high school summer
jaunt through Western Europe first wet my appetite for travel. In
2000, I experienced my first extended stay in Italy when I studied
Italian at the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia (Umbria) with
winnings from a vocal competition in New York City. I am an
enthusiastic and knowledgeable admirer of ancient civilizations and
Italy’s centuries old art and architecture. In 2006 in Perugia, I was
worse, I am a prodigious shopper and can direct you to the most elegant custom table linens, fine Italian
papers and stationery, the most unique ceramics, designer labels and cashmere.
- Brian Dore: I grew up in Westbrook, Connecticut and still visit New
England as much as I can for the lobsters, the oysters, and the Red
Sox. I studied American History and Economics at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Music at the Manhattan School of
Music, and Italian at the Università per Stranieri in Perugia. I cooked
professionally in New York restaurants for several years before I
embarked on a career as an operatic baritone. I’ve sung opera
professionally in the United States and Europe, and in 2007, I
became a principal baritone at Theater Dortmund in Dortmund,
Germany, where I’ve sung about 200 performances of 14 roles.
With my love of food, wine and music, it was only natural that I
became an ardent Italophile. For more information about my opera
career, please visit www.briandore.com
Together: We have enjoyed discovering the culinary and artistic treasures of Italy and are eager to
share our knowledge with clients. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe, and now divide our
time between Italy, Germany and the US.
Read our blog: Italy del Giorno
Become a Fan on Facebook: Concierge in Umbria
Follow us on Twitter: ciumbria
Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore
Concierge in Umbria, LLC
19 Overlook Drive
Westbrook, CT 06498
Phone: +1 212 769-4767
Email: info@conciergeinumbria.net
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Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists since 2006. Bon Appétit Travel Board Member - Brian Dore Concierge in Umbria is an independent, boutique travel service. Our specialty is custom luxury travel to Italy. Web: www.conciergeinumbria.net Email: info@conciergeinumbria.net Phone: +1 212-769-4767 In Italy: +39 349 369 0413 ©2009 Concierge in Umbria, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement |
