THE BEST OF MAS® BLOG
History of Best of Mas and what "Best of Mas" means
January 31, 2023
January 31, 2023In 2012 I went with my husband and my daughter Alice (she was 3 at the time) to the United States of America. The agency that organized the trip for us was terrible: they made us take 5 flights to go from Rome to Freeport...which was also a horrible place!
And another 5 flights home: a pilgrimage not a vacation.
We had so many problems that no one managed for us, that we came back devastated, tired and exhausted: the worst trip of our lives and to think it was a honeymoon!
At the time I was renting a villa of mine, managed by a British agency: I swore to myself that none of my guests would ever have to have a similar experience and I started thinking about how I could be of help to people who come from the other side of the world. Yes, because when you're so far from home, even the slightest problem may become a huge problem (maybe for cultural diversity, lack of familiarity, a different language or any other reason whatsoever), especially if you travel with children.
I decided to stop working with the agency and to take care of the holiday home on my own. At the time I was an architect but in Italy it's hard to work on your own: you finish your job and then much delay in getting paid. Instead in tourism people pay you before arrival. Then I began to personally take care of everything: I did check in/out, cleaning, I did the laundry, I cooked for guests who wanted the chef, I did cooking classes, wine tours, everything that could be of interest. I took all the qualifications, I became a tour guide, I took the sommelier course and I became technical director: I started a tour operator business and got a NCC certificate in order to also be a driver.
I knew exactly what my guests needed because I was by their side in every single detail. I knew the difference between a quality service and one just to make easy money, I knew what they needed to feel at home and safe and this was exactly what I wanted for them: to feel at home and safe.
It was beautiful because they arrived and we shook hands like strangers but when they left we hugged and were friends.
Now I have friends all over the world.
When they left I was often moved. I have friends in Canada: Terry and John...when they left last time they came, I hugged John and cried like a baby, thinking maybe that would be the last time I would see them in person.. .Canada is not exactly behind the corner of my home...
And another 5 flights home: a pilgrimage not a vacation.
We had so many problems that no one managed for us, that we came back devastated, tired and exhausted: the worst trip of our lives and to think it was a honeymoon!
At the time I was renting a villa of mine, managed by a British agency: I swore to myself that none of my guests would ever have to have a similar experience and I started thinking about how I could be of help to people who come from the other side of the world. Yes, because when you're so far from home, even the slightest problem may become a huge problem (maybe for cultural diversity, lack of familiarity, a different language or any other reason whatsoever), especially if you travel with children.
I decided to stop working with the agency and to take care of the holiday home on my own. At the time I was an architect but in Italy it's hard to work on your own: you finish your job and then much delay in getting paid. Instead in tourism people pay you before arrival. Then I began to personally take care of everything: I did check in/out, cleaning, I did the laundry, I cooked for guests who wanted the chef, I did cooking classes, wine tours, everything that could be of interest. I took all the qualifications, I became a tour guide, I took the sommelier course and I became technical director: I started a tour operator business and got a NCC certificate in order to also be a driver.
I knew exactly what my guests needed because I was by their side in every single detail. I knew the difference between a quality service and one just to make easy money, I knew what they needed to feel at home and safe and this was exactly what I wanted for them: to feel at home and safe.
It was beautiful because they arrived and we shook hands like strangers but when they left we hugged and were friends.
Now I have friends all over the world.
When they left I was often moved. I have friends in Canada: Terry and John...when they left last time they came, I hugged John and cried like a baby, thinking maybe that would be the last time I would see them in person.. .Canada is not exactly behind the corner of my home...
So I came up with the Best of Mas:
Best means "the best"
Mas comes from the Latin and means "Memento Audere semper" or "remember to always dare" so never give up and always give the best of the best you can because if you give your best you will create the best possible situation around you and you will always get back the best.
Give the best of yourself without limiting yourself and the result will be surprising and positive in an absolute sense.
Today the BoM (abbreviation of Best of Mas) manages 30 villas scattered throughout Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast: we work in teams, because nobody knows how to do everything.
We select the best to give the best and we collaborate with them to offer an impeccable service that fully covers all the needs of our customers, from the transfer to the airport to the chef at the holiday home, from the rental car to the cooking course, from the honey moon to the pizza party, from the concierge service to the wine tour.
If we don't have our "best" available, then we're sorry but we can't offer the service: it's better to say no than to say yes and make a bad impression or make our customers feel uncomfortable.
If we say "we are with you" we will be there to the end and at any cost.
We are a team and this team is made up of our collaborators and our customers who are and will always be protected and safeguarded.
As in construction, the architect brings together an electrician, bricklayer, blacksmith, carpenter, etc. and protects the client, i.e. the customer. I have transposed this architect into tourism and therefore bring together chef, driver, travel advisor, tour guide, sommelier, villa owner, etc. and protect the customer.
I used to design buildings...now I build "travel experiences" because a holiday is made up of experiences and these should be unforgettable and memorable because they enrich our lives.
Thanks to all those who have trusted me and will do so in the future, and thanks to my splendid collaborators who follow me with trust, patience and esteem.
Thanks to all and ...... full speed ahead!
Give the best of yourself without limiting yourself and the result will be surprising and positive in an absolute sense.
Today the BoM (abbreviation of Best of Mas) manages 30 villas scattered throughout Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast: we work in teams, because nobody knows how to do everything.
We select the best to give the best and we collaborate with them to offer an impeccable service that fully covers all the needs of our customers, from the transfer to the airport to the chef at the holiday home, from the rental car to the cooking course, from the honey moon to the pizza party, from the concierge service to the wine tour.
If we don't have our "best" available, then we're sorry but we can't offer the service: it's better to say no than to say yes and make a bad impression or make our customers feel uncomfortable.
If we say "we are with you" we will be there to the end and at any cost.
We are a team and this team is made up of our collaborators and our customers who are and will always be protected and safeguarded.
As in construction, the architect brings together an electrician, bricklayer, blacksmith, carpenter, etc. and protects the client, i.e. the customer. I have transposed this architect into tourism and therefore bring together chef, driver, travel advisor, tour guide, sommelier, villa owner, etc. and protect the customer.
I used to design buildings...now I build "travel experiences" because a holiday is made up of experiences and these should be unforgettable and memorable because they enrich our lives.
Thanks to all those who have trusted me and will do so in the future, and thanks to my splendid collaborators who follow me with trust, patience and esteem.
Thanks to all and ...... full speed ahead!