Annie Chambers and her husband, Nick Myott, recently embarked on a whirlwind tour of Italy, blending business with pleasure during a week-long adventure through Rome, Tuscany, and Florence last March.

The Winston-Salem couple moved back to Annie’s hometown four years ago and seized the opportunity to travel when Annie's work conference in Milan aligned with Nick's desire to explore Italy. As the owner of Crafted Escapes, a luxury boutique travel agency, Annie frequently visits Italy to stay up-to-date on the country’s offerings and meet with her local partners.

Their Roman holiday kicked off with a unique golf cart tour, zipping past iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Pantheon. "Turning down the street and seeing the Colosseum right in front of you was incredible," Nick recalled. The couple indulged in local specialties such as pasta alla carbonara, pasta all'amatriciana, and cacio e pepe.

Experiencing Italy with exclusive access made their trip truly unforgettable. In Rome, they skipped the lines with VIP entrance to the Colosseum and Vatican, where a private guide brought centuries of history to life. Exploring Tuscany was just as magical—their private driver took them through the rolling hills to Siena and San Gimignano, two of the region’s most charming medieval towns. One of the highlights was a private visit to a secluded grotto for an intimate tasting of Tuscany’s finest wines. These curated experiences elevated their journey, blending history, culture, and luxury seamlessly.

In Tuscany, Annie and Nick embraced the region’s culinary traditions. They participated in a cooking class, mastering the art of making nonna’s meatballs and cantucci. A highlight of their trip was an unexpected truffle-hunting adventure. "We found pounds of truffles and went to a local café afterward to eat them!" Annie exclaimed.

The journey continued to Florence, where they marveled at Michelangelo's David in the Accademia. Nick shared, "Staring at the Sistine Chapel was one of my favorite things—so much better than any picture or book."

Throughout their trip, the couple was struck by the warmth and hospitality of the Italian people. "They are very family-oriented, which we knew from having an Italian au pair live with us for a year," Annie noted.

For those planning their own Italian getaway, Annie recommends using a travel agency like Crafted Escapes to access insider knowledge and local partnerships. As she puts it, "Our meticulous attention to detail, coupled with extensive travel experience, is what will take your vacation from a 'trip' to 'the trip of a lifetime.'”

Annie and Nick are already dreaming of their next Italian adventure, with Northern Italy and Puglia on their radar. Arrivederci for now, but certainly not goodbye!

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