Family, Fun, and a Giant Gelato.
After a snowy day of snowball fights and snowman building in Switzerland, we were ready for the warmer Italian sun!
A few hours later, we found ourselves at Lake Como in Italy, where the weather was so perfect, we quickly swapped our winter clothes for summer ones.
The sight of the lake was simply breathtaking, and it instantly brought out the playful side of Yoni and Thom.
During our lunch stop, they were balancing and practising circus tricks along the lake promenade, much to the amusement of any passerby!
Next, we made our way towards Tuscany, but my memories of Tuscany mostly consisted of my 80s “Grand Tour of Europe” and the movie A Room With a View.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for the surprise of the Tuscan countryside!
As we got closer to the house, we realized we had a decision to make: either risk a flat tire on a rough, stone-strewn dirt road to the top of the hill or hike the rest of the way up. Naturally, we chose the adventurous route and drove on!
We were the first ones to arrive at the farmhouse, and we were starting to wonder if the rest of the gang would ever find us.
But eventually, around midnight, the stars (and the headlights of their cars) guided them in, and they arrived in one piece, thanks to Nir and Alon’s military navigation skills.
Meanwhile, we explored the house, which was massive—way more room than we could ever need!
Even if everyone took a room, there’d still be some left for visitors!
The highlight? The entrance hall that could double as a ballroom—if you were into dark and mysterious vibes.
The problem? The place was freezing after dark.
Yoni, ever the fireplace enthusiast, quickly got a fire going, teaching Thom how to light it in case of power outages.
Firestarter 101, courtesy of Dad.
By the time the family finally arrived, we whipped up a light dinner, and all collapsed into bed.
The next morning, we woke to the stunning Tuscan hills stretching before us, with olive groves and fields as far as the eye could see.
It was like something out of a movie. In the distance, we even spotted the iconic towers and domes of Florence.
The weather was perfect, and we spent the next few days soaking it all in.
Thom, in particular, was in heaven when the local cats—a whole gang of them!—adopted our house as their new hangout.
She tried (and failed) to make friends with them, but like all true cats, they weren’t too interested in her advances.
True to Segelis family form, our days were filled with trips to local gems—Florence, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, and even Siena.
Every town felt like stepping back in time, where at any moment, a knight on horseback might appear, fresh from a medieval battle.
Thom, ever the smart one, took advantage of her status as the first granddaughter and niece, getting rides on Nir’s shoulders for the perfect view—while also saving her legs from too much walking.
Naturally, her favorite part was the local Italian gelato, which she devoured with gusto!
While the rest of us were exploring, Yoni was doing what he does best: working.
Despite not being a fan of large family gatherings, he had an excuse: he was busy putting the final touches on his first book, Elements of Success, which would go on to change our lives.
A year later, the book would 10X our business and be our first major success.
So, while we were under the Tuscan sun, Yoni was hard at work in his room, writing the blueprint for his first bestseller.
After a week of adventure, sunshine, and family memories, it was time to say goodbye and head back to Amsterdam.
To this day, Tuscany holds a special place in our hearts—a reminder that even family gatherings can turn into unforgettable adventures… and even bigger successes!
