Bespoke Italy Trip Planning & Consultancy Services
Experience Italy without the Overload. Professional, Fee-Only Italy Trip Planning Services for Discerning Families & Couples
You’ve travelled. You’ve “been there and done that.” You know that the difference between a stressful trip and a life-changing experience is the flow. But you also know how much work it takes to plan an Italy itinerary that moves at the right pace, hitting the things you love without the “vacation from your vacation” burnout.
That is where our bespoke Italy trip planning services and travel consultancy come in.
At Design Your Italy, we provide refined, fee-only Italy trip planning services for discerning travellers who value their time and an effortless pace. Let us take the research and organisation off your plateWe help you wade through the information overload by curating meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime moments with an empathic yet professional approach. We handle the weeks of research and the hundreds of phone calls required to build a seamless Italian vacation for you.
Unlike traditional travel agents who work on commissions and push cookie-cutter trips, we operate as Italy travel advisors and consultants, specialising in custom Italy itineraries and personalised Italian vacations. We charge a transparent upfront fee that reflects our time, expertise, trusted local network, and dedication to crafting your perfect Italian trip.
Our commission-free Italy trip planning model means every recommendation is made with your interests in mind. We work directly with local insiders and suppliers to cut out the middlemen. This gives you authentic access, better value, and a trip that feels personally curated, not pre-packaged.
What you get is more than an Italy trip. You come home with stories, unique, “connect-to-the-local” moments that only happen when you’re in the right place at the right time, with the right people.
Join 100+ travellers who’ve discovered Italy through our personalised Italy trip planning.
SERVICES
Before we start planning, we want to hear your vision. Every custom Italy vacation starts with a free 30-minute consultation call. This is a casual way for us to get to know each other and for you to tell us what you’re looking for. We will talk about the basics like how many people are travelling, your dates, and your budget, but we also want to hear about the “big picture.”
Describe your perfect day: is it hiking through the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, or is it learning to make fresh pasta in a Tuscan farmhouse? Whether you’ve been to Italy a dozen times or this is your first trip abroad, we will use this time to start shaping an itinerary that fits you perfectly.
Finding the right place to stay is the difference between a good trip and a great one. Whether you are looking for a luxury hotel, a boutique B&B, a countryside farmhouse, or a homey apartment in Italy, we handle the exhaustive research to find the perfect fit for your taste and budget. As your Italy travel advisors, we leverage our established relationships, and we constantly build new ones, with a trusted network of properties to secure confirmed availability and a personal level of service. From checking for specific amenities, we look at the details that matter. You have the final say, and we manage the process to make sure your Italian vacation feels exactly right.
Get the transportation wrong and you’ll remember your trip for the wrong reasons-navigating ZTL traffic fines, deciphering train strike schedules, or missing connections in chaotic stations. We ensure you remember the views instead of the stress. As your Italy travel expert, we handle all the work for your Italy transportation planning. If you need a private driver who is reliable and professional, we tap into our personal network of trusted local partners. From train tickets booked in advance for the best fares to car rentals and airport pick-ups, we provide simple, stress-free solutions that fit your Italian itinerary perfectly.
Italy has so much to offer, and our Italy trip planning services ensure you spend your time doing what you actually love. Based on your interests and energy level, we suggest and book Italy tours and activities that fit the way you like to travel. We have a deep list of private guides all over Italy to help us find the right match for you — from family-friendly ones to very specific interests. Whether you want a full day with an expert or just a flexible afternoon to explore the countryside on your own, we take care of the details and the bookings to make your custom Italian vacation feel personal.
Italy is all about the food, and we make sure you’re eating the good stuff. Since food is usually the highlight of the trip, we plan around your tastes, whether you’re looking for a fancy Michelin-star dinner, a casual neighborhood pasta spot, or just a great pizza. We handle the reservations for you because we know the local rules, like which places won’t even take a booking until a month before you arrive. We also make sure the restaurant knows about any allergies, or if you need gluten-free or vegan options in Italy. Our goal is to make sure you have a table waiting for you so you aren’t wandering the streets hungry during the busy season. We’ll get the bookings set so all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Italy Trip
explore
Alpine Retreats Sardinian Beaches Pompei Secrets Chianti Roads Matera Wonders Ligurian Cliffs Emilian Flavours Sicilian Temples Lake Como Villas Piedmont Vineyards
Your Exclusive Perks
Comprehensive written day-by-day Italy itinerary
We bring every detail of your trip into a single comprehensive digital itinerary, so you have all the details at your fingertips, also offline. You’ll never have to hunt through emails again.
What’s included in your personal itinerary:
Stay & Sightseeing
✓ Accommodations featuring the complete address, phone number, check-in and check-out times, descriptions, and confirmed bookings.
✓ Skip-the-line tickets for museums and sightseeing vouchers are embedded directly in your document for instant and hassle-free entry.
✓ Tours and Experiences where we provide precise start and end times, direct contact information for private guides, and exact meeting point instructions, so you can just show up and enjoy.
Movement & Logistics
✓Seamless navigation featuring hyperlinks to Google Maps for every stop. We also include local specifics like ZTL zones (the restricted driving areas that catch tourists), the best parking spots, and info about the Telepass system.
✓Private transfer confirmations for all pre-booked drivers with specific pick-up instructions, vehicle details, and direct contact information, and transparent payment details.
✓Digital train tickets featuring your exact departure times and station names, along with your train numbers and confirmed seat assignments so you can walk straight to your platform with confidence.
✓Car rental details where you’ll have all your vouchers and pick-up locations, along with direct phone numbers for local help so you can get on the road without any stress.
✓Confirmed ferry tickets for your coastal transfers (if any)
Dining & Support
✓Restaurant reservations with confirmed booking times, addresses, contact info, along with a map link to help you walk or drive there.
✓Transparent payment details for all services that are due locally.
Fee-Only Transparency & Itemised Cost Breakdown
We operate on a fee-only travel consultancy model to guarantee 100% transparency. Unlike commission-based agents, we provide a full itemised cost breakdown of each of your Italy trip expenses. You see the net cost of every accommodation, private excursion, logistics, and local activity. This commission-free travel planning ensures our recommendations are based solely on quality, not kickbacks. If you are currently weighing up the value of professional help versus doing it yourself, see why working with an Italy travel consultant is a strategic investment that protects both your holiday time and your peace of mind.
On the Ground Travel Support & Concierge
Our bespoke Italy trip planning services include active support while you are on the ground. We act as your personal Italy travel concierge, providing real-time solutions and personalised local recommendations. From dinner reservations to logistical adjustments, we ensure your Italian vacation remains effortless from arrival to departure
Read what's included
✓Reconfirming your plans by staying in touch with our local partners to double-check all your tours and activities 24 hours before they happen, so everything runs exactly as expected.
✓Private transfer coordination where we check in with your drivers to verify all the timings beforehand, so you have a smooth and easy transition from one place to the next.
✓Emergency help so you have a direct line to us if you get sick, have trouble with a rental car, or run into any other unexpected travel hiccups while you are on the road.
✓Real-time adjustments for weather-dependent activities, so if the weather turns bad, we help rearrange your activities in real-time to save the day.
✓Strategic monitoring, where we track things like train strikes or travel delays as they happen, so we can update your plans immediately and keep your trip moving.
Immersive Italy Trip Planning for Groups
The ultimate support for larger parties and multi-generational trips. We manage the complex ‘moving parts’ of a group journey from day one until you return home, ensuring a seamless experience for every member of your group
The Signature Experience
Includes every service in our Signature plan, specifically tailored to the logistics and pace of a larger party.
Group Consultation
Tailored flow and pace recommendations that balance the different interests and energy levels of your entire group.
Complex Logistics
Specialised coordination for larger transportation, multi-room stays, and group movements between cities.
Large-Table Reservations
We handle the difficult task of securing tables for 6+ at authentic local spots that usually require a call in Italian.
Private Event Support
Dedicated assistance for organizing celebratory group dinners, private vineyard lunches, or milestone gatherings.
Dedicated Group Support
One central point of contact to keep everyone synced and a direct line for assistance while you are in Italy.
Investment
Signature Italy Trip Planning & Support
Our most comprehensive service where we take care of everything from the initial planning until you return home, giving you total peace of mind.
MOST POPULAR!
Consultation on Flow & Pace
Tailored recommendations for you and your travel partners to make sure your days feel balanced, based on your specific interests.
Consultation on Your Destinations
Expert advice on which regions and towns to visit so you spend more time enjoying the scenery and less time in transit.
Consultation on Timing
Guidance on how many nights to spend in each location so you can truly settle in without constantly packing and unpacking.
Accommodation Recommendation
A curated list of hand-picked hotels, villas, or farmhouses that actually match your style and budget.
Handling Your Hotel Reservations
We take care of the research and the back-and-forth with hotels. You pay them directly, so you stay in control of your money. We keep track of cancellation policies.
Securing Your Tours
We find the right guides and activities and get the bookings set up. You pay the provider at their actual cost with zero hidden markups from us.
Plan your logistics
We organise your private drivers, train tickets or rental car details. You settle the payment directly with the provider for total transparency.
Driving & Parking Logistics
Straightforward instructions on navigating Italian roads and avoiding restricted driving zones (ZTL) and fines.
Restaurant Reservations
We call ahead to our favourite local spots to secure your table, so you aren’t wandering around looking for a place to eat.
Customised written Italy itinerary
A comprehensive, easy-to-access document for your phone containing all your maps, tickets, booking confirmations, and arrival instructions in one place.
Unlimited Italy Trip Planning Advice
A direct line to us throughout the process to answer questions and refine your plans as we go.
On-the-Ground Support
Real-time help while you are in Italy. If plans change or you have a question, we are just a message away.
Transparent & Honest pricing
You pay a flat fee for our expertise. You always see the real price of your travel services with no “middleman” markups or commissions.
Investment
€ 2500*
* for 10 days, up to 6 travellers (€ 250 per travel day)
Essential Italy Trip Planning
Perfect for travellers who have their main plan but need professional Italy trip planning with specific, high-stakes details, utilising our deep network of vetted local guides, trustworthy drivers, and authentic experiences.
Select any combination of three services from the following:
Hand-picked Accommodation
We provide three accommodation options for a single location, tailored to your specific style and budget.
Curated Experiences
We find and book one high-quality private guide, exclusive tour, or unique local activity.
Smooth Transportation
We handle the expert booking of one major travel element, such as a private driver, train ticket or rental car.
How you can mix and match your three choices:
You can mix and match any three services to fill the gaps in your trip. You might choose hotel searches for Rome and Venice, plus a private transfer from Naples to Amalfi. Alternatively, you could select a private guide in Rome, a boutique hotel in Tuscany, and a local vineyard experience. If you prefer to focus on logistics, you could use your three choices for private transfers, such as travel between Naples and Amalfi and a final ride to the Fiumicino airport. You decide where you need the most help.
Investment
€ 450
Plan your custom Italy trip with Confidence
We believe in total transparency. Explore our Design Your Italy planning process to see exactly how we move from your initial vision to a finalized itinerary. If you have questions about logistics, payments, or our fee-only model, you can find detailed answers in our Italy Travel FAQ.
Italy Trip Planning Resources
To help you navigate the complexities of bespoke Italy travel, explore our expert perspectives on the travel design and execution of high-end Italian vacations:
• Why a Slow Travel Italy Itinerary is the Secret to Seeing More – Learn how intelligent pacing and clever time optimization prevent vacation burnout.
• Why Tailor-Made Vacations to Italy are Worth the Investment and How to Plan One – See our client case studies to understand the value of unbiased expertise, net-rate transparency, and professional design.
• Custom Italy Itineraries for Families and Couples Beyond the One-Time Consultation – A breakdown of why our active Italy travel design outperforms the surface-level one-time Italy travel consultation session.
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