Milk + Honey Travelers: Double Date Trip to Italy

Italy…the land of all things beautiful…from the language, to the vistas and of course the cuisine. It is no wonder that Victoria & Ryan had a wedding to attend there, and they asked me to help them extend their time in Italy to take in some more of the rich culture this European country has to offer.

Victoria & Ryan, along with his parents, Michael & Pamela, arrived in the city of Florence and spent the first couple of days of their trip attending the wedding and surrounding events. Upon departure from Florence they took a scenic train ride to Modena and checked into Hotel Rua Frati 48, a handsome Renaissance-era building whose interior has been transformed into a lavish small luxury hotel. On their only day in Modena, the couples enjoyed a food tour of the city, tasting some of Italy’s most divine dishes.

From Modena they took another train ride to Lake Como where they spent the next four days. The couples stayed at one of the oldest and most elegant hotels on the lake, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni.

“...the Serbollini was such a special hotel, we did the…chef's tasting menu at sunset which was spectacular.”

These luxury and authentic stays and experiences are really what elevate a trip and make it unique. Treating yourself to opulence will be worth it. I take great pride in seeking out the best experiences for my clients in order to make each trip different from the last.

Lake Como is such a unique spot in Italy, I wanted to make sure that my clients really experienced all it has to offer by planning their trip to perfection, including special perks such as private water taxis and dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. After their trip they expressed that their favorite experiences were touring the lake and learning to cook authentic Italian cuisine.

“The cooking class and the boat day in Como were our favorites. Highlights of the trip!...The cooking class was really special, the wine, the people and the little town was such a local experience.”

The grand tour of Lake Como was by boat, an open-top Venetian taxi, with a stop for lunch in the town of Bellagio, called the “Pearl of the Lake.” A friendly and professional English-speaking tour guide accompanied the couples the whole day, providing them with history and useful suggestions.

What is a trip to Italy without a visit to wine country? A common misconception about Italian wine is that it’s only produced in Tuscany, however there are many wine regions throughout the country. Valtellina is the largest terraced vineyards area in Italy with its 2,500 kilometers of picturesque vineyards built over centuries and is a candidate to be registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. As a result of the topography, mechanized farming is impossible and everything in the vineyards is done by hand. During their Valtellina Food & Wine Tasting Tour the travelers discovered the tastes and flavors of this magnificent region while visiting a local “Bottega”, two wineries and lunching at a Michelin listed restaurant. I cannot imagine a more “Italian” way to spend a day!

The final leg of their trip was spent in the city of Milan, where nothing in particular was planned, which allowed the couples to reflect on their time spent in this beautiful country and relax before heading back home.

“Brianna I just LOVE you and all the trips you have helped me with. I get asked constantly to share your info.”

I love working with repeat clients, as I get to know their travel personalities which makes planning their trips better each and every time. Thank you, Victoria & Ryan as well as Michael & Pamela, for entrusting me to design your trip to Italy. I hope some of the authentic Italian experience I curated for this trip inspires you when planning your 2023 wedding in Italy. I look forward to helping you plan your dream honeymoon next…