♦ The beauty of being your boots on the ground in the boot! ♦
Planning custom bespoke itineraries has always taken an enormous amount of time – a lot of moving parts have to be coordinated and organized “behind the scenes” and even then, constantly managed and monitored. And then, throw in a pandemic and turning the travel industry upside down!?!?!
Delays, rescheduling, and uncertainty became the norm for almost two years. Then, at last, finally clients who had been hoping and waiting, and were ready and willing to travel arrived in spring. And how wonderful to be here and, in many cases, personally welcome them here in Italy!
Once they are here, I do love staying in touch with guests during their travels – seeing their photos, their real time reactions and comments…and most of all seeing those plans become a reality, to see their dreams come true!
But, enough from me, let’s hear what they had to say about their experience – in their own words (and photos)!
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♦ Leslie & Jim
Leslie and Jim are seasoned travelers and a lot of their travel includes Italy. I met Leslie when she came to Tuscany with two fun gal friends a few years ago and had a wonderful time with KM Zero Tours. And, later, I helped her and Jim plan a pretty spontaneous trip to Puglia.
She and her gal friends had such a fabulous time in Chianti Country that she wanted her husband to experience it. We made the plans and arrangements and eventually, after delays and postponements, they arrived in April. They stayed in Florence first for a few days and it was such a pleasure to meet both of them here before they headed out to the countryside.
In their own words…
“We had a fabulous trip (Tuscany and Umbria)! As always, KM Zero Tours planned wonderful excursions. Our favs: truffle hunt (5 truffles found!), wine making (so fun and educational), gorgeous estate and fun couple at Pia in Percussina.
So grateful to Sandra for introducing us to you and for your relationship with KM Zero Tours!”
I’m grateful, too! Grazie, Leslie and Jim! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
♦ My Friends of Victoria and fabulous local travel partners: Arianna and Alessio & the KM Zero Tours Team!
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♦ Barbara & Gordon
Barbara and Gordon were referred to me by very happy clients. After we planned their vacation together, they waited two years to finally land in Roma and begin their long awaited “dream trip” to Italy!
Their two week vacation in May included Rome, Florence, and Chianti Country! They were delightful guests and how gratifying for all involved that absolutely everything planned and organized went perfectly!
What delicious fun to spend the evening together in Florence!
In their own words…
“At long last…a thank you for a most wonderful Italian trip. It’s actually hard to find words to adequately convey our appreciation for all you did to make our trip so memorable…but here are a few…”
Enjoying wine tasting with “Taste Florence” & lunch at a local trattoria…cin cin!
“We continue to enjoy the afterglow of grand Italian adventures—all thanks to Victoria’s wise counsel, creative ideas and meticulous planning. In addition to helping us easily navigate Italy’s highlights, Victoria created a path to unique experiences and places we would never have otherwise discovered.
Thank you, Victoria, for creating a trip brimming with beauty, fun and joy!… We are more than appreciative!”
Please wait for the slideshow!: Barbara & Gordon so enjoyed their Florentine artisan walk with Maria and she thanked me for sending her such lovely guests! That’s a win-win!
What a delight, Barbara and Gordon, my partners and I appreciate YOU!
♦ My Friends of Victoria and fabulous local travel partners: A Peace of Rome B&B, Palazzo Belfiore (Your Place in Florence), KM Zero Tours and tours/experiences with LivTours, Taste Florence and Florentine Experience Shopping.
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♦ Kathy & Neil
Kathy and Neil also waited two years to realize their trip of a lifetime to the Italian Riviera! Their bespoke itinerary included a very special visit to Kathy’s ancestral roots and a private tour of a wonderful immigration museum in Lucca…
In their own words…
“…From our lodging, tours especially chosen for us and the drivers getting us everywhere, it was a perfect 2 weeks. Thank you Victoria and BeautifuLiguria.”
Dreams come true on the Italian Riviera! From their balcony view to aperitivo to guided visits to charming seaside villages…everything was favoloso!
Thank YOU Kathy and Neil! We love that you loved it and that we met all of your expectations!!
Please wait for the slideshow and just some of the many wonderful images from Kathy & Neil’s Italian Riviera vacation…
♦ My Friends of Victoria local travel partner, Emanuela and the BeautifuLiguria team, were extraordinary!
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♦ Sherri, Anya & Michael David
Venice, Florence and Rome in 9 days!
In late April/early May I received an email from a friend of family. Sherri, her daughter, Anya, and Michael David (my second cousin “cum”nephew”) were coming to Italy in late May during a school break!
Their flights were booked and they only had 9 days to see Venice, Florence and Rome! With a very long wish list of “must see” sites, churches, and museums, they needed a LOT of help!
Lots of messages and emails were exchanged and, whew, mission accomplished! And what fun to be able to meet them in Florence and enjoy dinner together!
In their own words…
“Thank you again… You’ve gone way above and beyond, and have saved us a ton of time, not to mention getting all our plans in shape. If not for you, I would not have known to buy all those things in advance and we would have missed a lot – especially since we are booking this so last minute and with the kids in the midst of final exams and all. Can’t thank you enough.
We are so grateful. Can’t imagine how this trip would have come together without you. You’ve helped so incredibly much!”
Dinner together in Florence! Sherri & her daughter, Anya and Michael David…wonderful!
Helping Sherri, Anya and Michael David, knowing it all came together…I’m still smiling!
♦ Grazie ancora (again!) to my Friends of Victoria and trusted travel partners: Palazzo Belfiore (Your Place in Florence), A Peace of Rome B&B, and LivTours.
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♦ Two Couples: Karen & Rick, Robyn & Paul
Sicily in 9 days!( Palermo, Siracusa, Taormina)
Two couples, another referral with another tight time frame, reached out for assistance with Sicily. They already had their flights and were leaving in just weeks!
Needless to say there was NO time to waste! Itinerary suggestions based on their preferences were made (they already had RT flights to/from Palermo) including accommodations and/or best locations, a private guide for Palermo), tour company (Siracusa), and hotel/cooking class (Taormina).
They were open to suggestions and followed through on recommendations. As you can see, they were a fun group!
In their own words…
“We had a wonderful time with Laura! She was a delight and charming! Thank you for a terrific suggestion… I would recommend her any time to anyone!”
“We loved Sicily and enjoyed our stay immensely….I would highly recommend you, and I would recommend Sicily as well.”
I am delighted that it all worked out so well!
♦ Kudos to more of my Sicily Friends of Victoria and trusted travel partners: Laura (Palermo tour guide), LivTours, Hotel Villa Schuler and Villa Britannia (Taormina)!
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♦ Tina & Guests
Florence to the Tuscan Countryside for a week.
Tina’s dream was to celebrate a milestone birthday in Italy so we got together the year before and started planning for her and her friends to enjoy this special occasion for a week at a beautiful family-owned and operated holiday farm stay/villa in Tuscany.
In addition we planned special day trips focused on seeing picturesque local towns, wine tasting, authentic cuisine, and immersing in all things Toscana!
“I can’t say enough about Francesco and our stay at Montestigliano. After planning my birthday vacation for 3 years my dream finally came true! The property was magical and we truly made some lifetime memories we will always cherish. Like Francesco said it’s not good bye, it’s until we meet again. Grazie!”
Wait for the slideshow and some of the images from Tina’s dream birthday celebration in Tuscany!
Needless to say, her celebration was also postponed twice but, at long last, dates and flights were confirmed and that special birthday (+2) became a reality and memories to cherish for a lifetime!
In her own words…
“Francesco and Niccolo from KM Zero Tours were absolutely wonderful drivers and guides. The experiences including visits to organic wineries including gourmet private lunches, abbeys, villages, museums, Cortona, and Siena were a perfect combination for me and my group. At the end we adopted them into our friend family.”
“Thank you Victoria! You found the perfect place and experiences for my friends and I. The best birthday present ever. Lots of love.”
♦ Again, my outstanding Friends of Victoria: Palazzo Belfiore (Your Place in Florence), Fattoria Montestigliano and KM Zero Tours made Tina’s birthday celebration a dream come true!
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After all is said and done, what a pleasure to be a part of their Italy experience! To know that their expectations were met and even exceeded and that they will always have cherished memories of their time in Italy! I think their comments and especially the photos say it all, don’t you?
Come back soon! Let’s make more memories!
Is it YOUR turn? Are you ready to start planning YOUR dream trip?
Making it all worthwhile…
We made the plans, they made the memories!
Wouldn’t you love a personal custom itinerary and then come and meet the people who planned it? Ti aspettiamo!
We’re waiting for YOU!
2 thoughts on “Making Dreams Come True…“In Their Own Words!””
Certainly sounds like you’ve been one busy lady! Great news! And BTW…love, love, love that hat on you! It’s a keeper!
Ah, yes, “behind the scenes”, always busy! But it was welcome when it meant that clients who waited and postponed and waited…finally arrived! AND when it all went so beautifully for them – very gratifying!
And thank you for the hat compliment :D!
V.
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