Plan A Personalized Trip to Italy

Posted on by Lucky n Love

plan a personalized trip to italy

Welcome to the land of pasta, pizza, and picturesque landscapes! Italy is a dream destination for many travelers, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. But with so many incredible cities and attractions to explore, planning a personalized itinerary can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we’re here to guide you through the process, and help you create the perfect itinerary, and plan a personalized trip to Italy.

When it comes to planning your personalized itinerary to Italy, the first step is to select the destinations you want to visit. Italy is home to numerous cities and regions, each with its own unique charm and attractions. Whether you’re interested in ancient history, art and architecture, or stunning coastal views, Italy has something for everyone.

Start by making a list of must-visit destinations based on your interests. Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast are popular choices, but don’t overlook lesser-known gems like Bologna, Siena, and Cinque Terre.

Together we will narrow down and create a list of potential destinations based on your preferences, available time, and budget. Remember, it’s better to spend more time exploring a few places in depth than rushing through multiple cities.

Determining the Duration of Your Trip

The next step in planning your personalized itinerary to Italy is determining the duration of your trip. How long you stay in Italy will depend on several factors, including the number of destinations you plan to visit, the activities you want to engage in, and your personal travel style.

For a comprehensive experience, we recommend spending at least 10 days in Italy. This will allow you to visit major cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as explore a few smaller towns or regions.

Keep in mind that traveling from one city to another in Italy can take several hours. We will factor in travel time when deciding how many days to allocate for each destination. It’s better to have some extra time to relax and soak in the local atmosphere than to constantly be on the move.

Creating a Budget to Plan a Personalized Trip to Italy

Budgeting is an essential part of planning any trip, and Italy is no exception. The cost of your personalized trip to Italy itinerary will depend on various factors, including the duration of your trip, the destinations you choose, your accommodation preferences, and your dining and entertainment choices.

Start by setting a realistic overall budget for your Italy trip. Together we will consider expenses such as flights, accommodations, meals, transportation within Italy, sightseeing activities, and any other specific experiences you want to include.

When it comes to accommodations, Italy offers a range of options to suit different budgets. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly bed and breakfasts, we can find something that fits your needs. 

Planning Your Daily Activities and Sightseeing

Now that the logistics are taken care of, it’s time to plan your daily activities and sightseeing. Start by making a list of the top attractions and landmarks you want to visit in each destination.

We can purchase skip-the-line tickets for popular attractions to save you time and avoid long lines. Many museums and landmarks offer timed-entry tickets that allow you to bypass the lines and make the most of your visit. This is especially important for iconic sites like the Colosseum in Rome or the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Transportation Options in Italy

Trains are a popular mode of transportation in Italy, offering comfortable and efficient connections between cities. The high-speed trains are a great option for long-distance travel. We will book your train tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, and to avoid any last-minute hassles.

Tips for a Smooth and Enjoyable Trip to Italy

To wrap up your personalized itinerary to Italy, here are a few additional tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip:

  • Learn a few basic Italian phrases to help you navigate and communicate with locals.
  • Pack comfortable footwear as you’ll be doing a lot of walking and exploring.
  • Be mindful of your belongings and take precautions against pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist areas.
  • We recommend including travel insurance in your trip itinerary to protect yourself against any unforeseen circumstances.
  • Check the local weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly.
  • Stay hydrated and carry a refillable water bottle with you, as tap water is safe to drink in most parts of Italy.
  • Embrace the slow-paced Italian lifestyle and allow yourself to savor the moments without rushing from one attraction to another.

With these tips and insights, you will make the most of your personalized trip to Italy that will create lasting memories. From the iconic sights of Rome and Florence to the charming canals of Venice and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, Italy offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be explored. Get ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this enchanting country. Let the adventure begin! Reach out to us to plan your personalized trip to Italy.

Splurge vs Save-Invest Wisely In Travel

Posted on by Lucky n Love

It’s easy to get carried away when planning your vacation, from luxurious resorts and five-star restaurants to once-in-a-lifetime tours in places you’ve only dreamed of. If you’ve ever wondered where you should splurge and where you should save, this is for you. Invest wisely in travel when planning your next big adventure.

invest wisely in travel

Upgrading to Business / First Class

Maybe you’ve always wanted to be on the other side of the curtain aboard your plane, and you think now is your chance. While it is tempting, paying thousands more for a business class seat can drastically eat into your overall travel budget. An option that straddles the line between splurging and saving (although leans heavily towards a splurge) is checking last minute at the gate if there are any seats available in business class at the time of departure. If there are empty seats, some airlines will sell them off for less than what they sell them for online – although it can still end up being a hefty sum. Instead of stretching your budget to reserve business class, consider asking your travel advisor to book you bulkhead seats with extra legroom, or in the premium economy section.

Verdict: Save

Direct Flights

Unless you enjoy layovers and transfers and sitting on tarmacs for any length of time, splurge for the direct flights. A splurge can almost always be seen as worth it if it significantly reduces your hassle while traveling, or if it gives you back your time.

Verdict: Splurge

Travel Insurance

Since COVID19, we’ve all heard horror stories of non-refundable trips gone wrong. Never before has travel insurance been so important, with rules and regulations changing rapidly from country to country.

Verdict: Splurge

High-End (read: overpriced) Souvenirs

It can be tempting to want to pick up beautiful ceramics, local pieces of art, or even tasty treats from your favorite destinations. But think again. The run-of-the-mill tourist shops that feature these goods get them in bulk from a fraction of what they’re selling them to you for, without any real story behind them. Visit a local market for artisan-made goods, and snag local delicacies at-where else? The local grocery store! While the treats won’t be as delicately packaged, they’ll be extra authentic, after all – they’re what the locals eat!

Verdict: Save

Hotel

This is a tough one to call, and ultimately really comes down to your travel style. For some, a vacation includes 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and prompt room service, while others simply want a place to rest their head after a day of explorations and adventure. Ultimately what matters most is location, location, location. Wherever you choose, make sure it’s accessible to attractions you’d like to visit and activities you’d like to partake in.

Verdict: It’s a Tie

Bucket-List Experiences

I’m talking about the stuff travel dreams are made of. A hot air balloon ride at sunset in Cappadocia, a private driver on the Amalfi Coast, and a private safari experience in Kenya. Whatever is on your dream list, if your budget can allow it – definitely make it happen. Life is short, you’ll never regret a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Verdict: Splurge.

Whether you’re splurging or saving, I’d love to help make your travel dreams come true, and help you invest wisely in travel! Get in touch with me here.

How A Travel Advisor Can Save You Money

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Travel Advisors Cost More Money… And Other Lies – Debunked Below

Some people still sadly associate using a travel advisor with paying more money, when in actual fact – it’s quite the opposite. From getting you the best seats on the plane to working behind the scenes to ensure your vacation goes off without a hitch – after using a great travel advisor once I personally guarantee you’ll be hooked! Read on to see how a travel advisor can save you money.

how a travel advisor can save you money

Time & Money

Ask yourself, how much is your time worth? Expedia’s research indicates the average American spends 22.95 hours booking a trip in the 6 weeks before departure. That’s one hour a night for nearly three weeks or nearly three entire workdays. Is this time you can afford to lose?

Travel advisors often have access to wholesale rates and exclusive deals that the general public does not. As such, they can pass these savings on to you – their client. Travel advisors may charge a fee for the trip planning process – remember those 22.95 hours I referenced in the paragraph above? They’re working, researching, and customizing the perfect journey for you, and some charge fees for this type of work.

Planning travel has never been more complicated than in 2021 and beyond. From quarantine restrictions to PCR testing, an expert agent will save you countless hours in research and logistics alone – that’s worth its weight in gold.

Hassles

Booking with a third-party site may feel like the obvious choice, but websites like Expedia can’t connect the dots. Sure, you could book a few nights at a hotel, but can you arrange the car service, the late-night check-in, and the adjoining rooms next door to each other? Travel advisors take the hassle out of the trip planning process and can make it fun again.

By now we’ve probably all heard horror stories of trips booked immediately before Covid, and cancellations or refunds that went awry. When you book with a travel advisor and (for whatever reason) you’re unable to go on your trip – you don’t have to lift a finger. It won’t be you waiting on hold with the airline, or trying to argue about a credit vs a refund. Your travel advisor has your back and is looking out for your best interests every step of the way. That includes when things go sideways.

Check into your hotel and your room is not to your liking? Your travel advisor often has special relationships with hotels. They can (hopefully) rectify the situation seamlessly, without you having to get on the phone and ask for the manager. Look for a travel advisor that has relevant industry certifications so your experience will be smooth.

Upgrades & Connections

Everyone loves a good upgrade. From complimentary breakfast to room upgrades, most travel advisors can score their clients great perks when they book with them. In addition, travel advisors are well connected. A travel advisor’s job is to be the expert. This means traveling to countless destinations, and building relationships with hoteliers, tour operators, and even restauranteurs. Don’t discount their ability to score you that hard-to-book seat at a new restaurant. Surprise you with an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience while on a tour.