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When Natalie reached out to me, she had one goal in mind— an unforgettable trip through Northern Italy filled with beautiful hotels and incredible food. This trip was extra special because she and her fiancé, Gino, were celebrating her 30th birthday! Having visited Italy back in college, Natalie knew she wanted to spend her actual birthday in Tuscany but was open to recommendations for the rest of their Italy itinerary.

With so many ideas swirling in her mind — and after being told by a few other travel advisors they they wouldn’t even consider an Italy itinerary for under $10K— she was feeling overwhelmed. That’s where I came in! From our first conversation to the moment they took off, I worked closely with them to create a seamless, personalized Italy itinerary that matched their travel style and budget.

Why some travel advisors set a $10k minimum

Let’s start off by discussing the elephant in the room— why did other advisors tell Natalie they could not help unless she had a budget of at least $10,000?

In the world of travel advising, many advisors specialize exclusively in the luxury market. This means they primarily book five-star hotels, private transfers and VIP experiences— often resulting in higher price points. Some advisors set minimum budgets to manager their workload and ensure they focus only on high-end trips.

While there’s nothing wrong with this business model, I personally approach things differently. I, myself, have never been solely a luxury traveler— I love a luxury hotel here and there but I also know how to create incredible experiences on a mid-range budget. My goal is to help more people explore the world, regardless of if they are staying in a $700 per-night luxury hotel or a $400 per night charming boutique stay.

Building their personalized Italy Itinerary

From our initial conversation we knew the must-visit destinations: Rome, Florence, Venice and another city along the way. Since their focus on food and wine rather than history or museums, I designed a personalized Italy itinerary fitted to them.

Mapping out the route

Natalie wanted to be in Tuscany for her birthday, which helped structure the rest of the trip. To make the journey smooth:

Day 1: They would land in Rome but only stay one night to settle in and adjust to the time change.

Days 2-5: Florence was next, giving them plenty of time to enjoy the Tuscan countryside

Days 6-9: Rather than Milan (which Natalie had already visited), I suggested Verona for its romantic charm and proximity to Lake Garda

Days 10-12: Venice would be their final new city before looping back to Rome.

Days 12-14: A final few days in Rome to soak in the must see sights

Once I finalized the destinations, I put together a detailed proposal with hotel recommendations, transportation options and hand-picked experiences like a pasta-making class, a gelato making workshop and a full-day wine tour in Tuscany. After a few tweaks, we had the perfect 14-day itinerary ready to book!

Booking made easy!

This is where the magic of using a travel advisor comes in!! Instead of spending hours booking hotels, trains, and activities individually, Natalie and Gino filled out one simple form—and I handled the rest!

I also reached out to each hotel in advance to let them know it was Natalie’s birthday. This is one of those special touches I love to offer my clients— ensuring VIP treatment at every stay!

Their Final Italy itinerary

Here’s a look at the exact trip they took:

Rome (Day 1-2)

Hotel: The Hoxton Rome

Arrival in the morning; early check-in secured (another perk of booking with me!)

Relax and explore the quieter side of Rome before heading north

Florence (Day 2-6)

Hotel: Hotel Continentale (my favorite hotel in Florence and they were treated to a room upgrade—another perk!)

Day 3- Full day wine tour in Tuscany (the perfect birthday celebration)

Day 4- Pasta making class in the evening

Day5- Free day to explore Florence

Verona (Day 6-9)

Hotel: Due Torri Hotel

Day 7- Gelato making workshop

Day 8- Day trip to Lake Garda & wine tasting in the Amarone region

Day 9- Free day to explore Verona’s historic streets

Venice (Day 10-12)

Hotel: Hyatt Centric Murano (quieter location on Murano Island)

Day 11- Free day to explore Venice’s canals and piazzas

Rome (Day 12-14)

Hotel: Chapter Roma

Day 13- final day in Rome, enjoying the local food scene

Day 14- time to head home 😟

To make their journey stress-free, I arranged private transfers at each train station, so they never had to worry about navigating the cobblestone streets with luggage.

A stress-free, unforgettable trip

Natalie and Gino had an amazing time, and their feedback made my day:

“SO EASY!!! Amanda answered my every text/email SWIFTLY! She was super thorough through all parts of the hotel booking experience.” — Natalie

It was truly my pleasure to design this trip for them, ensuring every detail was taken care of so they could simply enjoy Italy.

Looking to book your own personalized Italy itinerary? Let’s chat! Schedule a call HERE!