With over 35 years at the forefront of the travel industry -- and combined experience of over 75 years -- we are a team of enthusiastic, experienced and knowledgeable travel artisans dedicated to your travel enjoyment. At Epicopia: A Collection of Food & Wine Travel Experiences we heartily agree with the principles of Slow Food. Our philosophy is, “Drink local, eat local, with the locals!” We love food and wine. We know you do, too.
Our office is headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Epicopia: A Collection of Food & Wine Travel Experiences is affiliated with McCabe Travel Group, a full service travel agency.
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Harold D. Partain, CTC
Founder and Executive Director
Email: hpartain@epicopia.com
Being equally at home in Italy and Texas, Harold has dedicated over 35 years to the travel industry. His ownership, management and training skills have lead several companies to success and recognition. Harold, a senior partner with McCabe Travel Group, lectures on travel styles and trends, destination, and the history of food – the past four years at Brookhaven College in Dallas, and for various travel organizations and conferences. Often the theme of his lectures, as well as professional specialization, is the Mediterranean region. |
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Focused on culinary and wine tourism Harold has marketed creatively designed travel experiences such as; Pilgrimage for the Perfect Pinot Noir, The Architecture of Wine Making: Spain’s Commitment to the Future, Arts and Opera – A Taste of the Veneto, Down on the Farm – Italian Style, and Assaggio Toscana! Among many others.
In a remote region of eastern Tuscany where he spends time each year Harold advises and consults with several local enterprises; Priello – a restored 50 acre 17th century hillside organic farm, Valle di Mezzo one of the largest goat farms in Italy and the only ‘fabbricazione di formaggio di artiginale’ in the region, and Farm In Tuscany – a management/reservation service for agriturismi, country houses and village apartments.
Harold has served on the Board of Directors of the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA) since 2004. In October 2006 his professional colleagues honored him when he was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also serves as Chairman of the Education & Certification Committee and is on the Membership Committee of ICTA and several Advisory Boards related to culinary tourism.
Harold has a passion for travel that is simply contagious. The wonders of the Ancient World always beckoned him. Harold's collection of international postage stamps was a farm child's link to the mysterious and unusual. He spent hours watching planes high above winging their way to unexplored worlds.
Although Harold has traveled extensively, when asked what his favorite country is, he no longer hesitates. He quickly says Italy.
Harold's career led to Dallas in 1972 where he has been associated with several leading travel companies. His knowledge, management and training skills helped to bring these companies to national recognition. In 1991, Harold founded Exclusive Travel Designs International with business partner, Ann Olene Sale.
A passion for books and seeing a change ahead in the travel industry led Harold in 1997 to accept the challenge as Director of Travel Operations for Voyagers The Travel Store in Dallas. His association helped to forge the team that quickly grew the company to four retail locations and a substantial Internet Store offering complete travel services along with travel books, luggage, accessories and a wide range of travel related gifts.
In 2000, Harold celebrated 30 years of professional travel career. He rewarded himself by taking a three months sabbatical and traveled throughout France and Italy. This life changing experience inspired him to speak out and declare the virtues of a life filled with worldly pleasures! He continues to share his burning desire to travel.
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