It is extremely important to me to have strong personal relationships with my travel partners, including local guides. When I refer my clients – YOU! – they can be assured that they will be meeting not only a local certified expert (yes, in Italy, guides go through a very rigorous and intense study/exam process)…but someone that I have communicated with personally and have usually met.
Of course, the guides are very busy and so, when I arranged experiences for clients coming to Italy in October that included meeting with local guides/experts in Venice I reached out to, hopefully, find a day when we could (finally) meet!
Success! Tuesday, March 31st, was the day! Venice is about 2 hours-20 minutes from Florence on the high speed train (I love Italo!). I had made arrangements to meet my two excellent preferred guides and a bonus, my friend, Cecelia who lives in Venice.
Venice is a bit of a labyrinth and it was very “touristy” so I had my “game plan” all worked out in advance (i.e., meeting places, my map, and a vaporetto day pass).
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♥ First Stop: Chocolate Delight!
I met my lovely friend, Cecelia and we went to a shop that has been on my “list” for a very long time, Vizio Virtu Cioccolateria, which as you can guess, is a chocolate artisan! Ohmywaistline! Delightful and delicious! I indulged in a delicious spicy Venetian hot chocolate topped with a rich panna (whipped cream). And, of course, I brought home some of their chocolate Easter eggs!
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♥ Next…Finally Meeting Luisella!
We then headed nearby to meet Luisella Romeo, Tourist Guide extraordinaire! She is so very busy, so finding time to (finally!) connect in person was absolutely delightful!
Charming, so knowledgeable, and so engaging…I’m so pleased to refer my clients to Luisella! I know that they will absolutely get an exceptional and very personal introduction to Venice!
And, one of these days, I’m going to take a walking tour with her, too!
Now, time to get to the vaporetto and to my next appointment…
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♥ Reconnecting with Cecilia!
I’m not sure how many years ago I first met Cecilia Sitran but what fun to reconnect! Cecilia is a sommelier and her passion is leading cicchetti and wine walking experiences/tours in Venice!
And, of course, food and wine is intertwined with the unique history and culture of that place – always such a special and memorable experience.
We had a lively, fun chat and I can’t wait to return and connect over a glass of Prosecco!
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I can say that supporting such dedicated locals like Cecilia and Luisella is a pleasure and honor for me!
And then, there’s Venice..always a delight for the senses and a place I never get tired of returning to! ♥
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Are your ready to plan YOUR dream trip to Italia? Does it include Venice? Florence? Rome? MORE? Maybe Puglia or Sicily? The Italian Riviera? The Lakes?…
I’m here (literally!) to help YOU – not crowd sourcing strangers, not impersonal links and websites and no click bait!
If you want a personalized truly authentic and memorable experience, let’s chat TODAY!
WE make the plans!
YOU make the memories!! ♥
