08/05/2025
On our recent trip to Italy, we purposefully planned diverse travel experiences, everything from private transfers vs trains/busses, nice hotels vs B&B, paid excursions vs private guide vs on our own. I wanted to experience different ways to travel, to bring back my experiences to help you, my clients, to curate the best travel for you!
Today I’m reflecting on our experience with a private guide. This was a splurge for us for 1.5 days, but we got so much out of it! Our guide, Luca, had extensive background (and passion!) in the areas we visited, and we had opportunities to ask random questions along the way. He had so many personal connections wherever we went! We parked close, we never waited in lines, we were directed on how to avoid the crowds, even at Pompeii! He guided us off the beaten path to show us a unique church with gorgeous painted tiles, with a dual goal of supporting the locals as well.
He was happy to take photos of us, and gave us personal space and appropriate time on our own. And his local knowledge was invaluable! He gave us lots of recommendations beyond his time with us, including where we chose to have our anniversary celebration dinner later.
We had a wonderful experience with a private guide, and sometimes it’s worth it to have those personal services to make your travel just right!