5 – More Testimonials
Written by Madeline Jhawar
This has been a wonderful experience. You are personable, knowledgable and have a talent for organization and analysis. You are perceptive in discerning where the client is with travel planning and the timing of your questions and suggestions helped me to move forward in the process. Your words helped when I got a bit frustrated when it wasn’t coming together…the counsel to sift through it all and the important things would be left. You are a good listener: which can be a big challenge with email! Another piece that was invaluable was when you explained the actual process: itinerary, accommodations, activities, restaurants. Makes total sense now!
I think you know how much I have appreciated your coaching!! I look forward to working with you again.
Carmen Aarsby-Edwards
Wyoming, USA
January 2012
Planning a trip to Italy? Before you do anything else, call Madeline!
Madeline carefully planned a fabulous, personalized 19 day itinerary (Lake Garda, Dolomites, N/S Tuscany, Rome) that enabled us to be travelers, not tourists. Great restaurants, amazing hotels, wonderful guides, and out-of-the-way jaunts made our trip more than special. All of Madeline’s contacts were of the highest caliber, and went out of their way to please us. For example, one restaurant owner called us several days ahead of our reservation at his open-air restaurant to give us an option to come on Saturday rather than Sunday, since rain had been forecast (we took the option and were glad we did; it poured on Sunday). Each day provided a unique experience that took our preferences into consideration, yet our trip was well-balanced, with active days followed by not-so-active ones, enabling us to enjoy the trip without being exhausted. Knowing Madeline was only a phone call away gave us the peace of mind we needed to thoroughly enjoy our trip!
Madeline is a delight to work with, easygoing, yet detail-oriented. We put our trip in Madeline’s hands and had the time of our life, stress free.
Rick and Carol Boas
Wilton, CT
September 2011
As we started to plan our trip to Italy, I quickly became overwhelmed with the number of great places to go in Italy, but I was short on time to figure it out. So I was really excited when I came across “Italy: Beyond the Obvious” – the name described exactly the kind of experience we wanted to have.
I loved working with Madeline on our trip to Italy! I could tell from the beginning that she knew what she was talking about, and was a truly committed partner to us in this planning. She understood our interests in food, wine, and ‘local’ culture and had some fantastic ideas related to those interests that I know we would not have found on our own, for example a wine festival outside of Padua, chicheti and wine pre-dinner in Venice, a truffle hunt, etc. etc. So many great ideas that aren’t in any guide book I’ve seen. Madeline definitely delivers on ideas beyond the obvious!
The specifics: Our hotel on Lake Garda was perfect! The woman at the front desk, super helpful! Also took the boat and walked up the mountain – spectacular views, sounds of cow bells, also interesting to see parasailors and sheep herder there at the top! We loved Padua for the architecture, the ‘local’ feel, energy and people watching. Our hotel was perfect! loved the staff, the room, and the location. Saturday food market – wow, fun! Venice: Wow, tourist season still at ‘high point’ .. but stumbled across less touristy areas and then able to enjoy ourselves. San Marco area – ugh. overrun with tourists. LOVED Campo Santa Margarita – we ate breakfast at Orange one day, and dinner the next day at another place there. LOVED the recommended Enoteca. Not what we thought it would be, so at first we were like ‘oh’ and then we quickly grew to love the place, the ‘system’ and chicheti! we ate and drank wine outside, against the canal and everyone was happy.
Denise Calfo
California USA
September 2011
Based upon a recommendation from another friend, we contacted Madeline to help plan our trip to Italy. We used her “coaching” service, and it has paid off ten-fold.
[Madeline’s note: this client posted their testimonial on their Italy trip blog. Read the entire testimonial here!]
Mark & Donna Baker
Wisconsin USA
Written by Madeline Jhawar
Italy Beyond the Obvious will help make your trip truly memorable. Take advantage of our Italy trip planning services for a customized itinerary.
