giorno magnifico in firenze! Grazie to Lisa! for the walking tour. She was very knowledgeable of the history of Florence . Grazie to Marco! He was able to get us to all the highlights and he was very much able to teach us to appreciate the art we were viewing. His perspective of all that we seen taught me to appreciate the gift of each piece. The whole experience makes me want to return so I can enjoy more of what Florence has to offer.��two thumbs up! Oct 5, 2017
Donna P
Ripon, CA
My husband and I were planning our trip to Italy, and left it up to Carmen to give us the experience of a lifetime! She did not disappoint and our trip was simply amazing!! My biggest fear was the stress in getting from place to place given the language barrier, and Carmen made it simple and easy and it could not have gone smoother!! We traveled from city to city with ease and eliminated all of the worry I had, so I could relax and enjoy my travels! Carmen set up our private tours with knowledgeable and interesting guides that gave us a far greater and in depth look at the things that interested us, and we got the most out of everything we wanted to see and do!! We plan on going back soon and see other regions in Italy, and Carmen will be my first contact person!! We highly recommend ‘Our Own Italy’! Nov 5, 2017
Tony F.
Elliot City, MD
My husband and I had the most amazing trip to Italy and it was all because of Carmen's expertise and planning! Carmen took special note of our budget / traveling desires and coordinated every little detail of our trip so we could enjoy ourselves without worrying about where to go or how to get there. All of the private drivers, tour guides, cooking classes, boat trips and train rides were coordinated and in collaboration with one-another so that one segment to the next was seamless. If there was ever a question, we would text her and she would have an answer within minutes. Most of the time it was Carmen sending a note to us ahead of time to let us know of any delays / changes (such as rain in Capri!). For example, we were planning to go to Capri but due to rough seas Carmen sent us a note the night before and arranged a cooking class at the most beautiful family-owned farmhouse in Sorrento. It ended up being a key highlight to our trip! Simply amazing!
It was the trip of a lifetime and we cannot wait to work with Carmen and Your Own Italy again! Oct 5, 2017
Annie O.
Haverton, PA
We had an amazing experience on our recent trip to Italy booked entirely through Your Own Italy! Carmen was so easy to work with and anticipated our needs and wishes. Our accommodations, located in the perfect location in each city, exceeded our expectations. Loved our guide in Florence, loved our villa in Chianti, loved it all!! Can't wait to go back - and wouldn't do it without Your Own Italy. A true partner.
Janet P.
Basking Ridge, NJ
Just returned from an incredible family trip to Italy with wife, children aged 22 and 19. Each of us had different expectations, different wishes of things to see and do. Carmen put it all together without a single glitch. From checking out flats, sorting out hotels, dinner reservations, tours, etc. Constant communication throughout the trip to ensure satisfaction, flexibility and adaptability along the way. Could not possibly be happier. Stress free travel. Can't wait to return! Highly, highly recommended!' June 6, 2017
Denis Z.
Chicago, IL.
My sister and I had an awesome time in Italy and it was all thanks to Carmen. We told her what we wanted to do, and how much we wanted to spend and she planned everything so perfectly it bordered on the fantastic.
We asked to stay in apartments in both Rome and Florence, rather than hotels and in each case the apartment was located near sites and shops and restaurants making it simplicity itself to find what we needed. We were even treated to a symphony concert at dusk on the square where our apartment was located in Florence.
Our tour guides were amazing, bringing the history of the art and architecture to life and answering our questions whether we asked about an architect or for a recommendation for a restaurant that was off the tourist track. We really appreciated how Carmen planned the tours; with plenty of free time to explore and shop on our own.
The day trip to the Cinque Terre had to be one of the trip's highlights with our guide ensuring that we covered as much or as little of the four towns we visited as we wanted - with plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures.
Another highlight was the cooking class. Laura first took us to the market and showed us what to look for when purchasing produce. Then back to her kitchen with hands on lessons that resulted in surprisingly delicious food (surprising because we'd made it).
Carmen's exceptional talents made this a vacation of a lifetime and we will definitely use her services when it comes time for us to visit southern Italy. Sep 17, 2017
LaDawn W.
Mather, CA
Our vacation to Italy was a total family event and the help we received from Carmen made it absolutely fabulous. My wife, her sisters, husband arrived in Rome and we were met and taken to our apartment (not a hotel - this was a family trip). Same for Venice and Florence (all were great and held the 7 of us easily). Over the next two days our daughters came for a total of 7 adults to guide. Travel between cities was via train which Carmen and her team had arranged and worked great. Each morning we were met by our guide and we visited the museums and other sites, learning about each, the history and the key things to see. The guides were great and having the tickets already purchased, to avoid lines gave us more time to see and do things. Afternoons generally were free for us to wander around - which we did.
Some nights we ate in the apartment and others we went to restaurants (Florentine Steak is fabulous). One night we did a pairing (wine with food) and Carmen joined us (Rome) which was a pleasure and a super evening. Our daughters said that was one of the best parts of the trip.
After our daughters left us in Florence to return to the US to go back to work, the rest of us went to Tuscany for a week in a villa. Carmen worked with us to help arrange a driver to help us get to and from the villa. At each turn we knew we had "Your Own Italy" ready to help us if needed and the service she provided was just outstanding. For someone looking to plan a family trip and is looking for help to make it easy, enjoyable and a lot of fun, I highly recommend they contract Carmen and bring her onto their team. It really makes a positive difference. Our highest recommendations for the services provided and the great trip our entire family had. Oct. 2, 2017
Regan R.
Washington, DC
My 20 year old daughter and her boyfriend travelled to Rome, Venice and Florence in January 2018 with Carmen’s help.
She advised and booked all of their apartments, trains, and tours!
Her team and her went above and beyond when their international airline (that the couple had booked themselves) lost some of their luggage. They helped track it down and made sure it was delivered to them on their travels!
As a parent of young adults travelling overseas for the first time on their own, I can’t express how relieved I felt knowing that Carmen and her company were there and so helpful and attentive to every detail!
Thank you! Jan 25, 2017
Joanne S.
Algonquin, IL
Is there something higher than 5? Carmen was our trip planner. She was nothing short of amazing! I had my wedding in Italy and had several guests planning trips in and around Italy. Carmen was able to keep track of all my guests and their trips with ease at the same time she was coordinating our 2 week stent without a single glitch. We love packing our trips with activities and usually get in trouble booking things too close to each other or too much time between activities and become bored, not with Carmen everything was so evenly spaced out to make it from one place to the other without feeling either rushed or bored.
I had 40 guests at our wedding and over half of them used Carmen foe their trip planning. Before and after our wedding, our guests raved about Carmen! We loved hearing how she was able to make the impossible possible or how she was able to track down lost cell phones on trains or lost passports left in hotel rooms, or fix things in a moments notice. I dont know how she did it. Simply phenomenal!
I was so impressed with her response time, her professionalism and most of all for her incredible sense of organization. She is not just an amazing trip planner who made my and my husband's trip so special but also an amazing person to top it all. We loved talking to her and always felt like she had our backs everywhere we went. We felt like her family or best friends even though we had never met.
Every hotel, train ride, every restaurant we went to was so over the top beautiful with the nicest service and people that knew Carmen personally. We felt like we were traveling with a best friend that knew everyone and was introducing us to Italy one place/person at a time. We loved taking her suggestions and developed a sense of trust with her knowing that if we just listened to what she said, we knew it would be great. We had the time of our lives and without her I could not have imagined trying to plan my entire trip so perfectly.
International travel can be daunting especially for novice travelers. She made us feel like Italian pros. We had a 2 week long trip in Italy, and had the time of our lives. We would have not enjoyed our time near as much without her. If you are going to Italy, Carmen is just as essential to your trip as the euro. Even if you are an experienced traveler you should let her plan for you. You may see Italy a whole new way. Our memories could have been great but because of her they were incredible. Sounds cliche but the only way I can describe it is TRIP OF A LIFETIME! Will never go to Italy without her again. Carmen you are worth your weight in gold! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are forever indebted to you. We look forward to our next trip to Italy! June 28, 2017
Joe S.
San Francisco, CA
