Sense of Italy Reviews 31

If you are planning a trip anywhere in Italy make sure you use Sense of Italy travel agency! Giuliana and her staff are not only knowledgeable, they REALLY want to make sure the travel experience is more than perfect! With their top notch planning and communication, we had a fabulous and hassle free, amazing vacation!!

Sense of Italy planned an amazing trip for us. The excursions were authentic and our drivers were very knowledgeable about the regions we visited. The hotels were beautiful and her recommendations were spot on. Guliana, our contact from Sense of Italy was both attentive and available. We had a few health issues that came up during our stay and she responded immediately to our concerns by accessing the assistance we needed. We absolutely loved our trip and should we return which we hope to do, we will seek out Sense of Italy.

We had traveled many times together as a family (5-7 of us) and we previously spent considerable time researching and determining where, when and most importantly, how we would travel from place to place. When we decided to go to four cities in Italy we were not enthusiastic about the time and stress needed to plan our trip. We had seen a few travel agents recommended of Facebook and decided to ask for quotes.
Giuliana (Sense of Italy) quickly understood what we wanted from out Italy vacation and provided us an itinerary that we accepted with minor changes.
After exiting the secure area at the airport in Venice, we were greeted by our driver holding a sign. He helped us with our baggage and brought us to our first hotel of four that we would stay at during our vacation. Each hotel was beautiful and located in a safe and convenient part of the city. We had specifically asked for air conditioning since two of us are prone to migraines, and each hotel was wonderfully cool and comfortable.
Each of the drivers and tour guides during our vacation were friendly, professional, knowledgeable and enjoyable to spend hours with as we visited the sites in Italy. Our train rides between cities were comfortable and although we never rushed, we also did not spend a long time waiting for out trains. We enjoyed all our tours and moved quickly through tour lines with our guides.
Within a few days of arriving in Italy we ALL agreed that we were loving our Italy trip. All the little things done by Giuliana and her team were not something we could put a price on. As soon as we had arrived, we were contacted by Guiliana via WhatsApp and all her team provided contact information in case we needed assistance. Some meals were included in the original tour, but we had several nights on our own. Because Guiliana understood what we liked in food and restaurants, she helped us select all our remaining dinners and made reservations. She even accurately discouraged us from dinner reservations on days she knew we would not be hungry for after a large lunch/tasting.
We are preparing to go to Sicily in 2026 and Giuliana will be contacted for an itinerary.

Giuliana at Sense of Italy planned a wonderful trip for my husband and I to celebrate our 30th anniversary! This was our first time visiting Italy and she thought of every detail. We had private tours of many iconic sites - the Colisseum, Pompeii, St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum, art galleries in Florence, Venice and Sienna to name a few. She planned our whole itinerary with input from us about our interests. We didn't have to think of a thing - Giuliana booked private drivers and arranged for all of our train travel. She also made dinner reservations for us at several highly recommended restaurants and arranged for wine tastings and special chef-curated lunches. Her attention to detail was phenomenal and it made our whole trip run so smoothly! We loved every minute of it and I would definitely book with Sense of Italy again!

It has been my wife's life long dream to tour Italy. We discussed an Italy trip from time to time but never arranged a tour. Family friends came back from Italy September 2023 and raved about their wonderful experience. So we asked "how did you arrange the trip".
They replied, we used Sense of Italy. Upon getting the contact info for Sense of Italy, my wife and I began communicating with Giuliana ~ Italian Travel Designer owner of Sense of Italy I believe.
One word to describe our trip - Absolutely Perfect - the attention to detail was impeccable. The only thing we had to do was wake up every morning ready to be greeted by our tour guide and driver.
Undoubtedly our trip of a lifetime.

Rich & Sue S.

Giuliana did such a great job organizing our Italian adventure, and made it stress free to move about to the different areas of the country. Experiencing the attractions, tours, food, and wine in each of the four areas that we ventured into was exceptional. All of the hotels, selected restaurants, tours, tour guides and drivers were excellent. 🇮🇹🍷🍕

My wife and I have already passed her name along to several people!

Five Stars aren’t enough to describe how wonderful and unforgettable our time in Italy was thanks to Giuliano and her wonderful guides and drivers. She went over and above to make some last minute modifications necessitated by a change in our ship’s itinerary. We are thrilled we were able to find Sense of Italy. Tours in other countries on our vacation didn’t compare in quality and professionalism.

Every detail was planned to perfection and Giuliana was available day and night to answer any questions or concerns. She even helped plan a birthday celebration during our time in Italy. We highly recommend her services.

We have just returned from a magical trip to Florence and the Amalfi Coast, that we organized through Giuliana and Sense of Italy. Everything was planned meticulously, and executed flawlessly. Giuliana was personally involved in every step of our trip planning and the actual day to day. The hotels, restaurants, drivers and tour guides she arranged were all perfect. We can not more highly recommend their services, and plan to refer them to many who ask for our advice. Thank you Giuliana and team!!! Chuck and Carol

There are not enough glowing words of praise to shower upon Giuliana Pinelli and her Sense of Italy services. She worked with my wife to plan a marvelous 11-day trip to Italy that started in Rome, went to Florence, Tuscany, then ended in Venice. From the moment we came out of the baggage claim area in Rome to when we were left at the check-in desk in Venice, Giuliana and her associates were always available to guide and assist us in having one of the best travel experiences we have had. The numerous drivers who got us from one place to another were all crisply on time, knowledgeable of the best routes and impressively capable drivers. Lord knows I'd not try to navigate some of the tight fits that were quickly & successfully navigated. The Tour Guides she arranged were all fluent in English, well informed, entertaining, excellent communicators who went out of their way to understand our interests and tried their best to match them with our experiences. We had 3 wine tasting "lunches" which were totally delightful, not to mention delicious. Every one of the hotels Giuliana recommended were delightful, beautiful, well located, & spotless, with top notch staff. Communications during the trip with Giuliana were solid...when we needed her input, regardless of time of day, she was there. Also, worth mentioning is Giuliana's extreme patience as this trip got postponed 3 times for over 2 years until COVID & other considerations allowed us to finally have our Italian adventure! Without a doubt, should we go back to Italy again, our first call will be to Sense of Italy.

Sense of Italy, second trip Venice and Tuscany 4/11/22
Once again, Sense of Italy outdid itself on a terrific vacation to Italy. It was beyond our expectations!
The highlights were continuous and we had great experiences with the selected locations and people with expertise. Everybody seems to love Sense of Italy! Venice was wonderful with our Limo boat trip and Murano Glass factory tour…..we were the only ones there! We had some great experiences and the tops in my book was the Tuscany cooking Class with Lorenza, and the expertise of Alessandra at Assisi. She should have been a history professor. Probably the best and most passionate guide I have experienced. The cooking class with Lorenza will never be forgotten and we are already in the hunt for a Pasta machine like she had. The selected Boutique hotels were great, and we experienced the Tuscany we were looking for. Sense of Italy is on top of your trip at all times and made our trip as trouble free as we could have imagined. The followup on our trip in real time as it progressed, was the best I have ever seen. The same goes for all our drivers….very helpful, knowledgeable and first class Mercedes vehicles.Sense of Italy checked in with them every single day.
Sense of Italy is the best if you want a great experience in any part of Italy. Our first trip was Rome, Amalfi, Naples and Florence and was fabulous. This one was Venice, and the Tuscany area…..even better!
Their quality and service are second to none. Giuliana gets personally involved to make your stay as terrific as possible. You won’t be disappointed with this company’s performance.

Greg and Carol Sebald
Shakopee, Mn, USA

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Italy meticulously planned by Guiliana. We visited Lake Como, Lake Garda and Milan. From the moment we arrived and were met at the airport by a driver we experienced nothing but top notch service. Wonderful hotels were chosen. Boat tours, cooking classes, walking tours and beautiful lunches with amazing vistas had all been planned by Guiliana. She kept in contact throughout the trip to make sure everything was going well. If you want to experience an outstanding stay in Italy don’t hesitate in choosing Sense of Italy!!!!!

This was our second trip booked with Giuliana and Sense of Italy and as usual, everything was perfect. From the pickup at the airport, each and every tour guide, and the specific encounters she set up for us everything was top-notch. I cannot recommend Sense of Italy highly enough. If you travel plans involve Italy take my word for it and trust Giuliana with your trip!

ITALY BY SENSE OF ITALY

We wish to think Giuliana from Sense Of Italy for a fantastic trip to a beautiful country! It all started when I inquired on the Internet for a reputable travel agent. I was directed to Giuliana and sent her a communication to which she promptly telephoned me. She asked a few basic questions and outlined a tentative trip. After minimal back-and-forth the trip was finalized. Airline reservations were separate, and we made those. I contacted Giuliana as the trip approached to confirm that everything was OK – which is was of course.

Hotels: All hotels were well chosen. They were in the center of activity. Within walking distance of necessary sites. Always air-conditioned and comfortable. In many we had balconies which we especially appreciated an the Amalfi coast and Venice as they overlooked the water. All hotel fees were paid including breakfast and taxes. In one hotel we used their laundry service which was efficient and timely. At another hotel we used their packing so we could ship souvenirs home as we had exceeded our luggage capacity. Hotel staff was always friendly and helpful.

Transfers: At each location we were met at the airport or train station and transported to our hotel. In like fashion we were transported back. In some instances we were transported to and from our tours. All drivers drove Mercedes vehicles which were clean and well kept. The drivers all spoke good English and were very friendly and helpful. Although their job was not as a tour director we did learn much about Italy from them. Porter service was included in Positano which was a must! We had delightful boat tours in Amalfi and Venice including a trip to the island of Capri and the Five Lands near Florence.

Tours / Guides: We had tours in each city to see the major sites. These were combinations of walking, driving or boats (The boat taxis in Venice were particularly exhilarating). All tour guides were outstanding English speakers and most had advanced degrees in topics related to our visit such as a degree in Artistry. We enjoyed each and every one of them very much and appreciated our time with them. We found the tours to be perfect in length. Not too long and not too short. Nothing seem to get redundant and we were always excited to see the next thing on the agenda.

Trains: The high-speed trains were on time and comfortable. We had reserved first class seats together. Very few stops. Very efficient transportation.

Special Activities: Giuliana arranged such things as an elegant tasting meal with wine pairings, an Italian cooking class, several beautiful lunches and many other delights. All were well executed and enjoyable. I would say of our meals the cooking class was our highlight. We enjoyed a lovely gondola ride in Venice and were amazed with the water taxis! We went to Capri and had a boat tour of Como. So many special activities!

Food: We found the food in Rome and the Amalfi coast to be most pleasing to us. Different than the United States and seemed very fresh with simple spices. As we got further north it seem to be more Americanized but still very good. We focused on the pastas primarily and the many variations available. We had limited beef and fish which was our preference. You won’t go hungry!

Shopping: Tina’s favorite part of the trip! Although there is great shopping everywhere, we did most of our shopping along the Amalfi coast in Positano. Lots of beautiful boutiques there which had Italian made items. Did not seem overly priced and we enjoyed the variety. Many of the other stops seemed to focus on typical touristy type items and although we bought our assortment doing so was more mandatory than fun.

Destinations: We had a lovely trip of Rome, the Amalfi coast, Florence, Venice, and Como. Our itinerary had adequate time to see all the major sites in each location along with time for relaxation, shopping, eating, etc. At every location we had skip the line tickets for efficient use of our time with our excellent tour guides.

Tipping: Not as customary in Italy as in the US. We tipped all guides and many others based on their level of expertise and the time amount of time we spent with him. Our tipping at restaurants was hit or miss. Interesting that when you pay by credit card you cannot add the tip to the credit card charge.

Money: We chose to use ATMs to get cash in Euros. They were usually conveniently available. Most major purchases were made on the credit card.

Dress: Dress in Europe is casual and similar to that of the United States. The only qualifier is that you must cover your shoulders and knees to go into most of the churches.

Phone/ Internet: Before leaving we made sure we were on the Verizon international plan which was $10 a day extra. This gave us full use of our phones, Internet, texting, etc. All hotels had Internet available as did many other places.

Driving: We did not rent a car nor try to drive and I would recommend against it in any of the major cities. Much more congested and very much a free for all compared to the US.

Problems: We had one issue that we had to deal with. Giuliani was very helpful in getting this resolved for us. She had to go to some trouble to accomplish this so it was very much appreciated. She is certainly a professional at her work.

Giuliana and Sense of Italy: This was our first time using them. They were very professional, helpful, set up a great itinerary and executed it in a flawless fashion. In addition our one stumble was completely resolved. Highly recommended! Thank you Giuliana for a once in a lifetime experience in Italy!

Tina and Tom of Scottsdale, AZ

My wife and I just returned from a two week trip to Italy celebrating our 20th anniversary. We wanted this to be a trip of a lifetime and we were not disappointed. We started the planning process almost a year ago, working with Giuliana to create our custom itinerary. She really did listen to what our wants and needs were and with a few adjustments here and there put together a tour that really did meet all of our expectations.

Giuliana set up all of our transportation needs including airport transfers, train tickets, hotel transfers as well as transportation to all of our tours. The drivers were all fantastic! They were all very personable, informative and were fun to be with. Special thanks to Isabella, Michele and Riccardo.

The private tours were great, with all the entrance requirements and skip the line fees taken care of in advance. The tours of Capri, Pompeii, Florence, Sienna, The Vatican Museums, The Forum, and The Coliseum were all set up with private guides. We found all of the guides to be very informative and knowledgeable and were passionate about the history of their country. Special thanks to Luca, Julia, Manuela and Mariana.

The wine tastings were also fantastic. Our favorites were the lunch and wine tasting at il cellese and also the lunch and wine tasting at Rimessa. Great wines and food at both.

Our thanks to Giuliana and her team at Sense of Italy for making our trip so special. We look forward to planning our next trip!

Vince and Stacy

Our friends recommended using Sense of Italy for our trip last week to the Amalfi coast and the countryside of Siena. Do yourself a favor if your deciding to go to Italy and use them. I guarantee they will exceed your expectations ten times. The owner, Giuliana, put together a trip of a lifetime for us and the attention to detail was amazing. Throughout the process Giuliana and her team were extremely responsive and they were there whenever we needed them. Amazing Trip and a HUGE Thanks to Giuliana and her team. Trip was UNREAL!

We just got back from our custom trip to Italy that Giuliana put together for us . She does a first class job all the way !!!! Every guide and driver she had for us was excellent,very knowledgeable,helpful and friendly. They truly love their towns and want to share everything about them with you . Giuliana was in contact with me for almost a year planning everything and in contact with us during the trip to make sure all was good. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to take her to lunch to meet her . I have recommended her to some friends who are planning a trip to Italy next year . I would definitely have her plan something for me in the future. You will not be disappointed with the trip she plans and the team she has Paolo,Alvise,Alessandro and the others are excellent they make the trip very enjoyable! Thank you for making my dream trip wonderful. Brenda Hall

Words fail to adequately convey how incredible Giuliana and her team truly are. Every thing you can think of that would add an extra special level to your trip, she has thought of. Every time you think "well, she thought of everything", something more memorable comes into play. Let her plan as many of your meals as possible. Each and every dining experience was incredible.

The follow through and contact throughout the journey (texts, pictures the guide took of my wife and me on our anniversary) and phone calls to ensure we were picked up, checked into the resort, happy, etc. were unexpected and wonderful. The guides Giuliana provides are exceptional. We were blessed with archaeologist, teachers, professors, sommeliers and academics taking us through ruins, city streets, vineyards and museums. The drivers are professional and informative, and the restaurants arranged through Sense of Italy were off the charts.

FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME, Giuliana and Sense of Italy are the only way to go. Simply AMAZING!!!!

The Sense of Italy team lead by Giuilana was a trip that we will never forget. Our time in Capri was so delightful and Alessandro made it even more enjoyable with his tales and insight into everyday life on Capri. Our stay in Positano was fabulous and our female legs became even more awesome looking because climbing up and down the hills is something us Texans are not use too! And we learned so much from Maria during our tour of Herculean and Pompeii, she made both places come a live for us! All of the meals arranged for us were fantastic. Chiro was very good getting us to where we needed to be and showed us how to be patience with Italian traffic! I would use Sense of Italy again, they were wonderful and easy to work with.

Hands down the best planning we have ever experienced from a travel company! Giuliana was on every detail and customized each element for us and our friends. Her support staff and the local contacts and guides were fantastic! A special shout out to Chiro (driver), Alexandro (driver tour guide on Capri) and Maria (historian tour guide Naples and Pompeii). The restaurant selection and recommendations were spot on. (I would say the visit to the Bosco de Midici Winery in Pompeii was the only disappointment.)

Our trip involved getting to Naples from Rome landing so that we could be assured of making a party in Amalfi the next day. Giuliana has us picked up, eating pizza and touring the museum in Naples and a great hotel on the water, the Vesuvio. After our stay in Amalfi she arranged the Hydrofoil to Capri where we met others in our party. We were warned of the crowds in Capri. If you are to understand it you must stay one or two nights. It transforms. The man of the hour in Capri is Alexandro. She arranged a private yacht all day for the six of us around Capri and down the Amalfi coast on the day we left there. This is the way to travel and see the beauty of the coast. A stop in Nerano, with a dingy in for lunch at La Conca del Sagno on the beach. They dropped us of at the pier in Positano where we made various excursions along the coast and to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Actually, Herculaneum is the more interesting, much smaller and less crowded site. Pompeii is drink with a fire hose for one day.

Can’t say enough about this company and this crew. They key is that they tailor it to your interests, tastes and your time. Enjoy!