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.

Bucket List Moments in Alaska

Posted on by Lucky n Love

With staggering mountain peaks, enormous wildlife, and remote wilderness lodges. Alaska offers jaw-dropping experiences that every traveler should have on their bucket list. Read on for some of the most quintessential (and mind-blowing) bucket list moments in Alaska.

bucklist moments in Alaska, alaska vacation planning

Flightseeing over Denali National Park & Preserve

One of the best ways to experience Denali is by air, soaring hundreds of feet over the diverse landscape. Take in everything from rolling meadows and fields of flowers to jagged peaks and glaciers. If you do take to the skies, keep your eyes peeled for moose, wolves, and Dall sheep.

Fancy an adventure? Your trained bush pilot can gently land on a glacier, in a meadow, or riverside for a picnic. Giving you anything from an impromptu fishing trip to a private hiking experience. 

A Stay at Sheldon Chalet

Accessible only by helicopter, Sheldon Chalet is the only five-star hotel inside Denali. Resting on the magnificent Ruth Glacier. What began as a homesteading project turned into a family’s labor of love. A five-room luxury property at 6,000 ft of elevation.

There’s no wifi and no cell service. What there is, however, is gourmet food courtesy of Chef Dave Thornhill. Chef Thornhill has cooked for the likes of Barack Obama, Justin Timberlake, and Neil Young. There’s also the mind-blowing Aurora Borealis, delivering a nightly show hosted by Mother Nature herself. If that’s not enough, you can enjoy mini mountaineering rope courses. Trek across the glacier, go sledding or snowshoeing or warm up in the sauna.

Cruising the Kenai Fjords

Rising from the water like something out of a science fiction movie. The tall moss-covered fjords and narrow rocky outcrops dot the waterways of the Kenai Fjords National Park. This national park contains the Harding Icefield. Outflowing glaciers, coastal fjords, and islands. Visitors to this region may spot black or brown bears, moose, gray wolves, or even porcupines.

Touring this region by boat is truly magnificent. A unique vantage point with which to explore Alaska. During a boat tour of the Kenai Fjords, spot seals, Steller sea lions, orca, gray whales, humpback whales, or even harbor porpoises. If you are really lucky, you’ll get to witness glaciers calving. Watch in awe, as pieces of ice crumble from the massive glaciers into the frigid waters below.

bucket list moments in alaska, alaska vacation packages

Dogsledding Across an Icefield

Dogsledding is embedded deep in Alaskan history. The famed Iditarod race was created to preserve and promote the sled dog culture in Alaska. 

Today, visitors to Alaska don’t have to compete in a grueling race across the great state. You can simply board a helicopter and touch down on the Juneau Icefield. A team of friendly pups will be waiting. Expect kisses, cuddles, and an enthusiastic jaunt across the ice field by a team of friendly (and furry) locals. This is an experience you will never forget.

Want to learn more about exploring The Last Frontier and experiencing these and more bucket list moments in Alaska? Contact me here.

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.