What Travelers are Saying
Jennifer & Sean Tabb
“My husband Sean and I knew we wanted to plan a truly special trip to Italy for our 30th wedding anniversary. Marnie was the perfect guide, ensuring we had an itinerary that balanced our desire for curated, authentic experiences in Florence and other regions of Tuscany with opportunities to explore the area spontaneously. Her deep knowledge of elevated accommodations, outstanding cuisine, and long-standing relationships with guides, farm owners, and wineries created an experience we know we never could have come close to matching on our own! Additionally, her problem-solving skills and availability when we encountered travel delays made what could have been extremely stressful just a little blip on the radar of an extraordinary trip!”
Jen, Summer ‘24
The Rugaber Family
“Marnie’s advice and planning made our trip a breeze and totally fun, with activities that both teenagers and parents enjoyed. You will relax knowing that everything has been taken care of in advance.”
Chris, Summer ‘24
Peg Copelin
“What a thrill it was to be able to return and visit the birthplace of my grandmother, along with so many other unique Tuscan places and adventures. Marnie took exceptional care in her planning to ensure that our every want and need were met. She went out of her way to ensure that my sister and I got to Frassineto, a small village off the beaten path, to reconnect with our roots and spread some of my mother's ashes. An incredibly special and memorable time for us. She prepped us with reading materials and a host of suggestions for shopping and eating. And, oh, the shopping! Marnie has long-standing connections with artisans throughout Tuscany—from Florence to Cortona—she knew where to take us for the best experience. Would I recommend Marnie for an Italian adventure? You bet! Her knowledge of Italy, the language, and the best guides and experiences made this the trip of a lifetime. She is patient, funny, and an absolute pleasure to be with. Bella Donna—Thank you!”
Peg
Springtime in Tuscany Tour, '24
Denise Rathbun
“Grazie, Grazie, Grazie! I have never been to Italy, and I am not much of a traveler, but Marnie has changed that. It was not in my plans to take this trip, and now I am eternally grateful that I did. Marnie has impacted my life in more ways than one. I have never felt so taken care of on a trip before. Marnie’s prep and execution of the trip were flawless. She paid attention to every detail, small or large. The trip went along smoothly with Marnie never skipping a beat. She was in charge, without being in charge, and always had a smile on her face. If something was to have gone wrong, you wouldn’t have known it. Marnie is so grounded, kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely a joy to be around. She knows all the best Italy has to offer and is able to present it in a way that satisfies the expectations of your trip, yet leaves you wanting to return for more. She even made a special arrangement with our driver to visit the birthplace of my grandmother so my sister and I could spread my mother’s ashes. A small task for her that meant the world to us. We are so grateful to her for this gesture of kindness. I will definitely take a trip with her again. I cannot recommend Amoria Journeys enough. Thank you, Marnie, for the trip and the experience of a lifetime!”
Denise
Springtime in Tuscany Tour, '24
Michael & Jan McCormack
“How lucky my wife and I were to have wonderful Marnie guide us on our first trip to Italy. As part of a small group, we visited the cities of Florence, Cortona, and other places in the Tuscany region where we sampled Italian culture, history, art, food, and wine. Marnie speaks the language and her extensive knowledge of the region, charming warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail surpassed our expectations. We want to go back. Highly recommend!”
Michael, Fall ‘23
The Miravite Family
“Marnie made our first family trip to Italy a very memorable one! Our family wanted a blend of independent time and planned guided activities. Marnie provided great recommendations for independent exploration and was invaluable for the planned activities. She connected us with amazing guides for the Vatican and Assisi. My daughters were initially reluctant to go on guided tours, but the private Vatican tour ended up being the highlight of our trip. She coordinated a personal driver to ensure we could include our desired itinerary for a one-day trip to Umbria and Tuscany. The personalities of the guides and the driver just added to the amazing Italy experience. The minute planning details she provided us before departure ensured a seamless trip. We are excited to go back to Italy and would gladly call on Marnie again to help plan a great trip.”
Alex, Summer ‘23
Heather St. Clair with Daughters & Friend
“We already had our travel ideas and accommodations, but Marnie added the ‘extra’ to make the entire trip so fun and memorable. She helped us with private drivers and special excursions. We loved the private guided tour of Pompeii, finishing with a delicious lunch and wine tour at the base of Mt Vesuvius. Other highlights included the day tour of the Amalfi Coast and a private boat tour around Capri...all were amazing! I would not hesitate to contact Marnie to help you plan your trip to Italy!!”
Heather, Spring ‘23
The Leonard Family
“Marnie was instrumental in making our first trip to Italy a resounding success. Her recommendations and tips for Rome and Florence were invaluable: neighborhoods and hotels, best times of day to hit museums and sites, where to dine, and ideas on what would be fun for our two boys, 19 and 21. She connected us with amazing guides in each city who were knowledgeable, engaging, and fun. When we’re ready to explore another region, we’ll be sure to coordinate with Marnie. Her experience, connections, depth of knowledge, and love of Italy make her the perfect planning partner. Grazie mille, Marnie!”
Sarah, Winter ‘23
The Slotnick Family
“This was our first time traveling to Europe as a family of five. I started out trying to plan the trip on my own and immediately became overwhelmed. I contacted Marnie, and she put me at ease. Fear and worry turned to joy and excitement. Every step of the way, Marnie helped us design the perfect trip. We traveled seamlessly through five cities in 6 weeks. She provided a detailed itinerary, giving us the comfort and confidence we needed to maneuver in each new place. Thank you, Marnie!! You are an absolute travel guru!”
Melissa, Summer '22
Andi & Sidonia Summers
“Marnie helped me plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast last spring with my daughter. She was amazing to work with - knowledgeable, attentive, and so enthusiastic! She prepared a personalized list of recommended activities, sites, tour guides, logistical tips, and restaurants based on our interests. Her expertise and obvious passion for the country made the trip so much easier and more enjoyable.”
Andi, Spring '22
Kristin & Madison Hurley
“Marnie helped me coordinate a family trip to Italy, which included several days in Florence and Venice. She connected us with an extraordinary guide in Venice, who worked as a museum docent for many years and took us on a personal tour through Venice. At the time, my daughter was 15, and our guide was incredibly nuanced in her ability to make it fascinating for my teen…and for me. Beyond this, Marnie spent hours sharing her expertise about Florence, making fabulous recommendations for restaurants and a cooking class in a Tuscan kitchen. Her enthusiasm added a lovely dimension to our first time in Italy. I cannot offer a more enthusiastic recommendation for Marnie. She is just fabulous!”
Kristin, Summer ‘19
The Ferguson Family
“Marnie’s love of Italy runs deep and it shows. Her years of living and traveling throughout the country have afforded her a local perspective that she infuses into each of her unique itineraries. Marnie listened and then presented us with authentic experiences that somehow managed to thrill the diverse interests of our entire family. We enjoyed fried artichokes off the beaten path in Rome, a thermal bath retreat in Tuscany, fun art and history lessons, and a tour through Venice that we will never forget. Thanks, Marnie, for the family vacation of a lifetime!”
Liz, Spring ‘19
The Marino Family
“Marnie was an invaluable resource in planning our family's trip to Rome and Florence. With young children, we wanted to make sure our trip was family-friendly and included plenty of downtime while still hitting everything we wanted to see. We had the most amazing private tour guide when visiting the Vatican and Ancient Rome, ate at amazing restaurants, had a wonderful private driver for airport trips, and stayed in a great neighborhood. It was the experience of a lifetime!”
Jess, Spring ‘18