Is a Custom Tour the Secret to Your Perfect Vacation?

Joanne is a self-proclaimed novice traveler, who embarked on a custom tour to Rome and Florence in May 2019. She gave the following account through an interview with our writer in July 2019.

Joanne did not grow up traveling around the world, but after a friendship with an Adagio Travel tour guide led her to join a small group journey to the Amalfi Coast of southern Italy, her love for travel began to grow. Now she says she would absolutely recommend an Adagio Travel custom tour to anyone looking to experience a unique, up-close-and-personal view of Italy’s most beautiful spots.

Joanne says, “I told Claudia I was planning to meet up with a group of friends in Florence, but I didn’t have the opportunity last year to tour the Vatican, and that was something I’d always wanted to do.”

Joanne was the perfect client for a custom tour.

Detailed Planning

The planning, she says, was fluid and flexible; Claudia worked one-on-one with Joanne to thoughtfully organize hotels, transportation, and tour guides into an expertly-crafted itinerary that would bring Joanne’s dreams to life, down to the very last detail.

That focus on detail is what Joanne says made her so comfortable with choosing the custom tour option rather than signing up for a pre-arranged tour as she had done in the past.

“The accommodations were lovely – perfect for traveling alone – and the transportation was first-rate. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

Insider Recommendations

After her solo adventure in Rome and a fulfilled dream of visiting Vatican City, Joanne made a smooth journey from the capital city to Florence, and her custom tour itinerary allowed for plenty of independent time with a long list of suggested excursions, restaurants, and insider tips for her and her friends.

“Claudia made great suggestions that I would not have thought of.”

Unique Memories

When asked about her most memorable moment of the tour, you might expect her to describe the awe-inspiring experience of walking through the Medici Chapels or the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look upon the Statue of David in the Accademia Gallery. But Joanne tells the story of a humble family dinner.

Joanne’s custom itinerary included an evening spent visiting a small, organic vineyard in the rustic countryside of Florence. Finding refuge just a few kilometers beyond the busy streets of the city center in the rolling hills of the Chianti region, Joanne and two of her friends toured the small production facility, learning firsthand about the olive oil- and wine-making processes. Just as the sun was setting over the mountains, Joanne was invited into the family’s home for dinner. She describes sitting around the table, talking and laughing with this family, getting a rare and precious glimpse into what life is like off the beaten path from one of the most popular cities in the world.

“It was a very simple meal, nothing extravagant, just a home-cooked dinner. It was so wonderful to get to know them and to see what life is like for them in the countryside.”

Joanne says these personal connections are what set Adagio Travel apart from other group travel tours that she has experienced.

Explore Your Custom Tour Today

A trip perfectly and uniquely designed just for Joanne’s dreams. A thoughtful balance of guided experiences and independent time to explore with friends.

A custom tour through Adagio Travel allowed Joanne to see Italy through a fresh new lens. Do you have a specific dream for your next adventure?