Just Back From ... an Unforgettable Italian Adventure
Two years after WhirlAway Travel’s Alison Warner helped the Kearns family of four plan their trip to London and Paris, they were recently back at it—this time planning their first taste of Italy.
Chris and Maureen, with their daughter Sarah, 24, and son Patrick, 20, began in Rome and then headed south Sorrento and several surrounding beaches and cities. Alison created an itinerary that struck a thoughtful balance between highly curated experiences and time to simply be together. There was an evening Vespa ride through Rome, a pasta-making class with a chef, and a day on the water around Capri—with many moments accompanied by private guides who were so wonderful, they also became friends. “Once again, Alison took all the stress out of travel,” says Chris. “The tours and experiences she chose made every part of the trip a lifetime memory.” Here, he shares why this family trip was one for the books.
How did you decide on Italy and your itinerary?
“Many of our well-traveled friends suggested Italy and we knew if they wanted the best advice, Alison would not disappoint us. We wanted two very different experiences: First came Rome where we celebrated Maureen’s birthday with history, art, and food. Then we wanted to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the Italian coast. Alison's best idea was to use Sorrento as our home base for the second half. It turned out to be beautiful, relaxing, and a convenient hub for all our day trips. She even made the drive south part of the adventure, with a guided stop at Pompeii along the way.”
What was your most memorable hotel stay?
“It's hard to choose between our two hotels. At The First Arte in Rome, we could step right out the door into one of the most amazing parts of the city, with the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and great restaurants all within reach. Back inside, it felt like staying in an art gallery. The Ara Maris in Sorrento was a peaceful retreat just a short walk from town, with sea views and a pool—exactly what we needed after our busy days in Rome.”
Biggest wow experiences?
“The day on the water around Capri—we had our own captain for the whole day. We cruised past the Faraglioni rocks, swam in a quiet cove, and stopped for a fresh meal on Capri. The Amalfi Coast drive was a close second. We shopped in Positano on the cliffs, had coffee and pastries in the old town of Amalfi, and then escaped for most of the day in the gardens of Villa Rufolo in Ravello—that was the hidden surprise of that day. Of course, it’s hard to forget standing in the Sistine Chapel or walking the streets of Pompeii.”
Did anything surprise you?
“How seamless everything was. Someone met us right at the plane in Rome and walked us through customs, and a driver was waiting at every step after that. Our tickets for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and Pompeii were all handled. We expected a trip this full to feel hectic, but the pacing was just right. We took extra time to get to know our guides and made sure we got photos with them as well as because they were as much a part of the experience as the sites. We enjoyed getting to know them, their stories, and their take on Italy—from the Vespa tour guides to Semona in Rome, Anna in Pompei, and Allesandro in Sorrento.”
Now that you're home, is there something you just can't stop thinking about?
“Our favorite meal of the whole trip was the evening we spent making pasta with Chef Vittoria at Fabiolous Cooking Day in Rome, overlooking the Tiber River. The four of us made the dough from scratch, learned the right sauce for each shape, and then sat down with Vittoria and a view of the river to eat everything we’d made. With Sarah and Patrick both grown and busy with their own lives, having that time together around the table meant a lot.
We also can’t stop talking about the Vespa tour of Rome at night. Each of us rode on the back of a vintage Vespa with our own guide. We zipped past the Colosseum and other landmarks lit up like a stage throughout the city, then had an unforgettable evening approach to the Pantheon.”
What was the most rewarding part about planning this getaway with WhirlAway's Alison?
“This was our second trip with Alison. She planned our visit to London and Paris two years ago, so we knew we were in good hands. Once again, she took all the stress out of travel. The tours and experiences she chose with WhirlAway's partners in Italy made every part of the trip a lifetime memory. The logistics, transfers, and pacing were seamless from start to finish, and she knew when to plan every detail and when to leave us free to wander and find our own dinners. We're already wondering where she'll send us next!”
