Guest Posting : Opening Doors

This is the second of a series of guest postings by Insider’s Italy clients who write about their experiences on trips we have planned for them.  The author, Mark, is from New York.

“So many great memories, so much fun.

Our connection to Insider’s Italy began in 1994 when I read a piece in the NY Times about a travel advisor (not a travel agent, as one was used to dealing with back in those pre-internet days) named Marjorie Shaw, a Rome native who assisted travelers in planning and implementing trips to Italy. Before I finished reading the article, I contacted Marjorie and was faxed a questionnaire to complete about our interests, budget, and timing. A trip took shape through Tuscany, beginning in the south, in Pienza with a stay in a new hotel built within an old cloister. Marjorie had not only secured us a special room, but it was the one that looked out over the fields of sunflowers. Amazing. Terrific day trips followed with detailed itineraries that had us arriving at our prearranged lunch spot at 1 PM, just in time for our reservation. Some very off-the-beaten-track stops were included as well.  We, being skeptical New Yorkers, had equipped ourselves with the requisite guidebooks only to find a large number of Marjorie’s suggestions weren’t even in the books.

It was an unbelievable trip and of course we were hooked.

The following year our trip included a visit to the Amalfi Coast, so beautiful and so delicious. On that occasion we flew into Rome and transferred to a flight to Naples before the final drive to Amalfi. Upon arrival in Naples we learned that our luggage hadn’t made the final leg. Checking into our hotel, the manager welcoming us learned of our plight and then said: “Oh, Marjorie sent you, I will speak to Alitalia and locate your luggage; you enjoy your day trip to Capri.”  Returning that evening to the hotel our luggage was waiting for us.

Highlights of our trip to Amalfi were the walks, walks we would not have found in any way on our own. The paths had been used by locals for centuries and run from town to town and village to village.

Guiding us on these was our new friend, who remains our friend to this day, 25 years later. This was Giocondo, one of Marjorie’s incredible partners.

One of my fondest memories was during a curated hike with Giocondo (history, figs, architecture, politics, wildflowers) when we met a local farmer rebuilding his lemon arbor.  We greeted him and he invited Giocondo and us to chat and enjoy some of his homemade wine that he had cooling in the adjacent stream.  Such are the memories  we so fondly cherish of our sojourns to Italy.  Such are the otherwise inaccessible experiences that are the jewels that make up an Insider’s Italy trip.

On subsequent trips planned by Insider’s Italy we have  visited many more regions in Italy.  Marjorie introduced us to Sicily’s astounding Greek ruins and warm friendly people, coordinated travels to the Veneto (seen through the lens of Palladio’s villas), and to Liguria with the famed Cinque Terre and the small Locanda Miranda with the astounding Chef Angelo who blew us away with his cooking every evening. We’ve visited Umbria, Puglia, Emilia Romagna, Lombardia, all with Insider’s Italy.  The list goes on and on. Great destinations all with so much to learn and enjoy. In each case Marjorie shines light on what she knows we will enjoy most.  Food, wine, art, music, artisans, and amazing sights.

These trips are so deeply personalized.

Thank you, Insider’s Italy, for all you’ve done to expose us to the real Italy, far beyond the usual.  We are counting the days till our next travels with you.”

We cannot thank you enough, Mark and Robin, wonderful Italophiles !

Are you considering Italy this year or next ? Please contact us !  We are always eager to talk about Italy with you  !

Insider’s Italy planning also makes a delicious Valentine’s Day gift or gift any day of the year for someone who will love Italy.

www.insidersitaly.com