♥What Would We Do Without Friends? ♥

“Noi non potremo avere perfetta vita senza amici.”
– Dante

(We can’t have a perfect life without friends.)

♦ ♥ ♦

It was just a little over a year ago that I announced something new and exciting for YOU!
It was when I launched my Italy Trip & Tour Design Services and introduced you to “Friends of Victoria”!

Who are these Friends, and how and why did this all come about?

A little background...over the past 5 years as I have been traveling to Italy, not only have I had the privilege of co-creating and co-hosting tours with absolutely exceptional local hosts/destination experts but, I have forged treasured lifelong friendships.

During my travels, when I can, I try to explore and expand into new places and, in spring 2018, my travels included the privilege of spending time in many new places with new friends. Elegant apartments, gorgeous family-owned villas and agriturismi, charming B&B’s…sharing exquisite wine and food, meeting local artisans…and soooo much more!

My “aha” moment came when I realized that, taking all of that into consideration, not only did I want to write about my experiences but, I wanted YOU to experience the generous hospitality and warmth that I did. I also realized that just planning organized tours was too limiting.

I wanted to find a way to help more people wherever and whenever they wanted to travel to Italia…and to provide excellent, sound, reliable advice from reputable and trustworthy experts (not opinions, hearsay or questionable crowdsourcing!).

Alas, Italy Trip & Tour Design and Friends of Victoria and was conceived! Created and conceived from a passion and heartfelt desire to share what I love about Italy with YOU…in particular, the people, my Friends!

My intimate network of locals are not only the best of the best hosts and local destination experts but they are wonderful, cherished Friends.They are literally “boots on the ground” and extraordinarily passionate about and proud of where they live and what they do, and their passion is contagious. Experiencing this love and passion first hand in my own travels inspired me to create a new way to introduce them to YOU!

BeautifuLiguria w Victoria — Loving a toast with my lovely partners & “Friends”, Emanuela & Anna, BeautifuLiguria.

Friends - Yle & Michele Puglia — Yle and Michele, the best of Puglia with YLTOUR DMC

Friends of Victoria - Fontanaro — Immerse in Country Slow Living in Umbria with Alina, Fontanaro

Family style hospitality with Luisa et al at beautiful Montestigliano in the Tuscan countryside. — Family style hospitality with Luisa et al at beautiful Montestigliano in theTuscan countryside.

So, here I am a year later and I’m beyond thrilled and heartened to share that that my desire to bring only the most authentic and unforgettable experiences… and to have you enjoy the warmth and hospitality that I did has resonated with so many of you!!

I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with couples, solos, families, friends, and mothers and daughters plan their personal, custom trips. Milestone and birthday celebrations, “first time to Italy”, “explore a new region”, ” we love meeting local artisans”, “I want to take a cooking class and go wine tasting” … whatever is on YOUR wish list, our sole objective and focus is to offer an ideal itinerary for YOU!

Whether it be accommodations, experiences/excursions, day trips, full itineraries or any combination, based on your preferences (and budget, of course), we will assist you with every detail. From the minute you depart until you return home, I’m “with you” (virtually) the entire time!

The goal: no stress, no fuss, no muss, no surprises, only la dolce vita!

Friends of Victoria - Federico — Federico and team, your host at 3 spectacular properties in Florence!

Victoria with "Friends", Marco & Alessio — Venice is waiting and so are my “Friends”, Marco & Alessio!

Friends - Attico Barocco — Boutique charm in Lecce, Puglia at Attico Barocco

Bologna hospitality at the charming L8 Apartments

Sicily - Villa Britannia Family — Delightful afternoon at Villa Brittannia in Taormina!

You'll love staying in Piero's private apartment (Asso's Place) in Florence - wait til you see the view! — You’ll love staying in Piero’s private apartment (Asso’s Place) in Florence – wait til you see the view!

Photo: Victoria De Maio — You wont get a warmer welcome than with Daniele in Rome!

Photo by Susan Nelson — Daydreaming in Positano…at Hotel Pupetto, of course!

Christine & Gerhard, Villa Schuler — Meet consummate hosts, Christine & Gerhard of Hotel Villa Schuler in Taormina.

So, not only will you receive a warm and very personal welcome from my Friends but I will always have your back because your special trip is special to me, too. I understand how much it means to invest time and resources into a trip and I want to be sure that you love every minute of your time in Italy! I want it to be your “trip of a lifetime”!

And for me, the greatest reward is seeing YOUR photos and hearing YOUR stories and the heartwarming testimonials! My contribution to your precious once-in-a-lifetime memories is priceless!