ESCORTED
Travel Together. Everything Handled.
This is a private, customized small-group journey through Italy - escorted from start to finish.
• What makes a DVA Private Tour different from a regular small group tour?
This adventure is crafted exclusively and uniquely - for “you and yours.” You choose your travelers, your theme, your destination, it’s your trip, your way.
• How does a Private Tour work?
You dream it and I’ll handle the details. Share you vision with me, and together we’ll design the perfect adventure. After your draft approval, you’ll receive a DVA Save the Date to share with your guest list, setting the tone for your exclusive journey. From there, we take care of everything else - planning, reservations, finances, and logistics, from arrival to departure. All you have to do is gather your people and show up.
• Is this right for you?
This is best for groups of 8+. A group who enjoy sharing experiences, local insights, and the ease of being fully escorted.
Escorted Group Ideas
Custom Italian Wedding: Turn your big day into a uniquely Italian experience, an intimate escape for your family, or a celebration with your closest friends.
Tuscan Villa Escape: Unpack once and let the magic slowly unfold — explore nearby towns, wineries, local markets and enjoy effortless candlelit dinners poolside in your garden, or in the charming town just a stroll away.
Friends’ Adventure or Women’s Retreat: Celebrate milestones, birthdays, or just the beauty of friendship.
Language & Culture Immersion: Elevate your Italian skills while soaking in authentic local traditions.
Food & Cooking Tour: From fresh pasta to world- class wines, indulge in Italy’s irresistible culinary treasures.
Destination Packages, Corporate Events & Team Building: Whether it’s gourmet dining, expert-led experiences, boating adventures, or Ferrari thrills, we’ll design activities that match your group’s goals.
UN-ESCORTED
Travel Independently. Feel Fully Supported.
An independent Italian itinerary - expertly planned and quietly supported.
Planning a meaningful trip for just the two-four of you, or your family, often starts with your inspiration: experiences, picturesque landscapes, charming piazzas, and a wish to balance authentic and iconic moments.
But then, for many, reality hits - hours spent navigating websites, conflicting advice, train schedules, restaurant reservations, language barriers and logistics can all become overwhelming.
That’s when I come in. With my decades of experience and trusted network of drivers, local guides, boutique hotel hosts, and longtime friends across Italy, I take care of all the details. You’ll have a carefully planned itinerary so you can just focus on the joy of discovery.
• What you can expect.
No guesswork. No stress. Just a thoughtfully paced, sensible, efficient itinerary covering everything - from the tiniest detail to cultural notes, from train tickets to private cell numbers, from insider secrets to reservations at our favorite restaurants. You’ll have the confidence of knowing there’s a support team waiting for you. You may be traveling independently, but you’ll never feel truly alone.
• Is This Right for You?
This is best for 1- 6 travelers who value independence and flexibility, with every detail handled ahead of time.
Unescorted Trip Ideas
Private Getaway: Set aside time to discover new places together, reconnect and relax in the most romantic landscapes.
Family Reunions & Heritage Tracing: Reconnect with loved ones while exploring your roots in the land of “la famiglia.” We can create an itinerary that includes visits to local town halls for generational documents.
Art- focused Journeys: A Renaissance Routes itinerary through Italy's most iconic masterpieces.
Hiking, Wine, Motorcycles & More... From vineyards to Ducati dreams – the possibilities are endless. And so is our support for you.
No obligation, Your first consultation is always free
DIY ITALY – a little help if you like planning your own adventure
To & Through Italy
Aggregators and best flight combo searches
Kayak, Skyscanner, Hopper
Online travel agencies
Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap tickets
Italy’s main airport links and codes
Venice(VCE)
Milan (MXP)
Florence (FLR)
Naples (NAP)
Bari (BRI)
Palermo, Sicily (PMO)
Catania, Sicily (CTA)
Travel tools, reviews and forums
Rick Steve's Europe, Fodor’s, SeatGuru, The Points Guy
Italy’s railway system
There are TWO Train companies, TRENITALIA (state owned) and ITALO (privately owned), and Pros & Cons to both. Trenitalia may have more seat and route selections than Italo. Italo may have lower prices than Trenitalia. When possible, select direct/no change routes with fares that allow a change of time (postponement) with minimal penalty. *Search The Train Line for the best selections since both Trenitalia and Italo options will be listed.
TRENITALIA’s main SLOW trains for smaller stations (starting with slowest): Regionale, Regionale Veloce, InterCity (IC), Eurostar, Italia (ES)
TRENITALIA’s newer, HIGH SPEED trains, are best for journeys to main, larger cities, lasting longer than an hour:
1. Freccia ROSSA
2. Freccia ARGENTO
3. Freccia BIANCA
Approximate train route times:
*Venice - Rome = 3hr 20 min
*Venice - Florence = 2hrs
*Venice Milan = 2hrs 30 min
*Florence - Rome = 1 hr 40 min
*Florence - Pisa = 45 min
*Florence - Naples = 2 hrs 50 min
*Rome - Naples = 1hr 15 min
*Rome - Milan = 3 hrs 30 min
*Naples - Milan = 4 hrs 20 min
Click to view a larger map
In Italy
Accommodation, transport and experiences
Hotels
TripAdvisor, Venere, Booking.com, Hotels.com, HotelTonight
Alternative accommodations
Agriturismo (Farm houses), Vacation Rentals, AirBnB
Private Drivers for local and regional excursions or transfers
Tuscany: Massimo and Luca at Tuscany Luxury Tours
Amalfi Coast/Campania: Umberto at Umberto Limos
Umbria: Alessio at Orvieto Transfers,
Sicily: Maurizio at Maurizio Contino Travel
Lake Como/Lake Garda: Stefano at Stefano Sancassani
Puglia: Francesco at BariNCC
Official sites for ticket purchase
Venice (St Mark’s Basilica, Bell Tower etc.)
Pompeii (Express Ticket for main Archeological Park)
Florence (Uffizi Gallery, David’s Accademia, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens etc.)
Rome (Vatican City and Museums , Colosseum and Forum Areas)
Unique activities and research opportunities
Tuscany - Archaeology (2025 dates)
Pompeii (2026 dates)
WWOOF volunteer organic Farming/Cultural exchange
Worldpackers volunteer Work/Exchange
UNESCO site list
(“protected sites of outstanding universal value”)
Money to go and do
Euro exchange calculator and graph history