
Jessica Proietti
I’m the CEO and Founder of Storywalking, an Italian tour operator. Storywalking sprang from my yearlong exploration of Italy from top to bottom, delving into unusual urban and rural attractions, sights, crafts, workshops, kitchens - out-of-the-way places that tourism generally ignores. With tours throughout Italy, we operate under the premise that most people prefer unhurried, satisfying immersive experiences to viewing Italy from a van!
Guided by personable experts, travelers come to know Italy’s creative heart and passionate soul, exploring its nooks and crannies while listening to commentary and stories that bring places to life. Details are everything in this anecdotal approach. It leans more to illuminate the present and the past and less to recitations of building dimensions, dates, and genealogies.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"On paper, Storywalking is an Italian tour operator that organizes FITs and small group tours throughout Italy. But we are much more than that! We specialize in taking open-to-anything, curious visitors to unique, less-visited places. If we were from a fairytale, we would have a lot in common with Peter Pan and Mary Poppins!
Naturally, we can take you to see all the precious gems of our history and heritage – the Colosseum, the canals of Venice, the Da Vincis, the Caravaggios, the soaring cathedrals, the sparkling lakes. But we can also take you beyond, to the Italy best seen at a walking pace, with time to point out details that enrich the story and deepen the plot. With the “big picture” visible in the background, Storywalking focuses on the vignettes and images, the relationships and experiences that form the truly ‘aha’ moments, whether in grand famous spots or in tiny villages. With so much discovery at hand, we also never forget to pause for an espresso or an aperitivo."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I have always loved sharing the Italian beauties with my family and friends ever since I was a child. That’s why I studied Art History in Rome, and I have been dedicating my time discovering the best-hidden spots as well as food delicacies. I think that Italy is unique in its heritage, food, and traditions: they change from one region to another where you will always experience something different.
That’s why I have always believed that Italy is not only the Colosseum, Florence, etc...Italy is mainly what you see in the surroundings of these most visited cities. That's how our Storywalking company started: meeting locals, having the chance to visit something new, and living authentic experiences are what our customers love most. Storywalking means walking through local stories."
Featured trips & expertise

Crossing Northern Italy - 21 Days
From a Gondola ride through the Venetian canals to a skip-the-line admission to Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" fresco, this 21-day itinerary takes in all the high points of northern Italy. In-between, you'll hike the alpine foothills around Merano, drive the thrilling Stelvio Pass, and spend nine days exploring Lakes Giardia, Como, Maggiore, and Orta. End with four days of coastal hiking plus culinary experiences in Cinque Terre before a final day taking in the best of Milan.

Honeymoon in Italy: Cortina, Venice, Cinque Terre & Lake Como - 11 Days
From high in the Dolomites to the shores of Lake Como, romance is in the air on this unforgettable Italian honeymoon. In just 11 days you'll visit four of northern Italy's most spectacular locales, starting in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. With a private driver at your service, you can forget about the logistics and focus on making memories: touring the atmospheric canals of Venice, hiking between fishing villages in the Cinque Terre, and cruising past stately villas and stunning scenery on Lake Como.

Self-Drive Italy: Hill Towns of Tuscany & Umbria - 8 Days
The medieval hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria take center stage on this relaxed, 8-day road trip through the Italian countryside. Starting in the ancient city-state of Cortona, you'll set out on day trips to the stunning fortified towns of Montepulciano and Arezzo, discovering a treasure trove of Renaissance art and architecture. Hop over to quieter Umbria for spectacular scenery and more magical hilltop locales, visiting historic fortresses, cathedrals, and cities from your base in beautiful Assisi.

Effortless Italy: Venice, Florence, Rome & Sorrento - 9 Days
Hop between four iconic Italian destinations on this 9-day whirlwind itinerary. Whisked between cities by comfortable high-speed trains, you can forget about the logistics and immerse yourself in the experience. Cruise the misty canals of Venice, marvel at Renaissance art in Florence, discover ancient history and modern culture in Rome, then change gears and end your grand tour soaking up the sun on the stylish Amalfi Coast. With two days in each location, you can get oriented with an immersive guided tour, then spend the following day exploring at your own pace.

14 Days in Italy - 4 Family-Friendly Itineraries
Whether you're hiding behind a Carnival mask, crafting your own gelato flavor, or cruising around Lake Como, Italy has a new experience for your family waiting around every corner. With two weeks to explore, you've got plenty of time to design your ideal itinerary. Hit all the highlights, take it easy on a road trip, go for a more active path down the coast, or slow down with a sling-bound baby with these options that will have you gesturing wildly with excitement in no time.
Recent trip reviews for Jessica
Sicily Amazed us!
Italy
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Oct 18 - Oct 26, 2022

Jessica was always ready to answer questions and work with us as we changed our original plan to the final one. The private tour guides arranged for us for each area were excellent. Especially notable for mosaics and artwork were;
1. The Duomo in Monreale
2. the Villa Romana Casale

Dear Susan, thank you very much for taking time in reviewing us and your experience.
It was a great pleasure to assist you with your trip through Sicily! Thank you again and Arrivederci!
Relaxing Trip in Southern Italy
Italy
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Sep 29 - Oct 13, 2022
My husband and I enjoyed a very relaxing and wonderful 15 days trip in the Amalfi Coast and Sicily in early October. We contacted Jessica, a travel specialist for Italy through kimkim.com. Within a week of speaking to Jessica, she arranged a private tour for us and we were on a flight to Rome.
Jessica was very efficient responding to our requests or updating changes before and during our trip to Italy. From the airport pickup to each destination, our trip was seamless and relaxing. We... read more

Dear Teresa, thank you very much for your review and the time you spent writing it. I'm glad to know you appreciated our services arranged in 1 week upon your arrival :)
I hope to see you soon! Arrivederci :)
A magical trip - thanks to Jessica!
Italy
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Sep 6 - Sep 20, 2022
We are so glad that we found Jessica on kimkim to help us plan our 30th Anniversary trip to Italy and Greece. She worked with us to create the perfect itinerary and made herself available to us in case we needed anything whatsoever while we were traveling. Knowing we were in such good hands made our minds at ease, which is so important when you're on the go for two weeks! It was a truly magical trip. read more

Dear Sarah, thank you for your time in writing this review and for your confidence as well.
Arrivederci :)
Perfect Balance!
Italy
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Oct 15 - Oct 22, 2022

Jessica provided incredible guidance and support to make sure our group of 12 had both detailed transfer, tickets and guides for the things we wanted to do and also plenty of free time to explore on our own. Yulia's walking tour of Pompeii was so well informed and detailed, I loved every bit of it!
thank you
read more

Hi Francine, thank you very much! It was a great pleasure to assist you on this amazing woman's group tour!
Thank you again and arrivederci :)
Thanks for a great trip!
Italy
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Oct 15 - Oct 22, 2022

Jessica was incredibly responsive and helpful.
Daniella was a great tour guide. I would recommend that she let folks know upfront how much food will be provided on the walk and tasting tour. We were all very full after eating our homemade pizza that it was difficult to try the other items.
Yulia was amazing! Mount Vesuvius, the wine tasting, and Pompeii were a highlight of my trip.
The boat tour was also a blast. No complaints. read more

Hi Jennifer, it was a pleasure!
Thank you for your review, reading them is always useful for us. I am glad you know you enjoyed our tour together with our local expert guide!
Jessica did an excellent job booking this tri...
Italy
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Oct 16 - Oct 21, 2022
Jessica did an excellent job booking this trip! She was attentive and there for us whenever we had questions or concerns. She booked all of our drivers and experiences. We started in Rome with a 8 hour tour with Paola. She was so good and very knowledgeable. Hotel was cute. We then took a train, which she also booked for us down to Salerno where we had a driver, Chico drive us down the Amalfi coast, stopping in Ravello, which was our favorite, then Amalfi, and ending in Positano. Most... read more

Dear Jennifer, thank you very much. It was a great pleasure :) We always include local expert guides in order to give our travelers the chance to enjoy local stories and embrace the real soul of our Belpasese. Thank you again!
We had used Kim Kim in the past for a trip to...
Italy
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Sep 16 - Sep 30, 2022
We had used Kim Kim in the past for a trip to Costa Rica. Everything from the activities to the accommodations, guides and support were exemplary. Unfortunately, our experience with our recent trip to Italy was not as great and I do not think I will be using Kim Kim or recommending Kim Kim in the future, which is sad given our first experience was so positive.
For starters the price was absurd. We paid $20,000 for a 2-week trip for 5 (3 children and my husband and I)-over $1,400 per day. ... read more

Hi Nicole,
First, we would like to apologize that your trip to Italy did not meet the level of satisfaction that we aim to provide in our trips. As a repeat booker with us, we highly value your feedback and honesty. Our team has looked into your trip further and is not taking the experience lightly. We are currently working with our team here to improve on the points you mentioned in your review.
Regarding pricing, we always aim to provide the best price for our travelers. Your dates... read more
Go local with Jessica!
Italy
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Aug 7 - Aug 20, 2022
We had a wonderful trip traveling through Venice, South Tyrol, and the northern lakes region of Italy. Jessica helped us book a sensible itinerary, with stays at boutique hotels (often recently renovated) that we would not have easily found ourselves. She set us up with several terrific local tour guides, including a family-owned restaurant where we made pasta in a private class and enjoyed a fabulous meal overlooking the countryside. Post-pandemic, the tour guide industry has shrunk as... read more

Dear Eileen, thank you very much! It was a great pleasure to design for you and your family an authentic family trip throughout the Northern part of Italy. We love food and we know that, during an Italian trip, you must enjoy a high-quality cuisine experience, in order to better understand our background and history.
Thank you again and Arrivederci!
JESSICA CREATED AN AMAZING TRIP
Italy
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Aug 12 - Aug 21, 2022

Jessica created an incredibly memorable trip to Italy. Her attention to detail was impeccable, and her recommendations were very thoughtful. We didn’t have to worry about a single thing, Jessica took care of everything. The communication was exceptional, Jessica has earned my trust and we will use her services again.

Dear Michael, thank you very much, it was a pleasure. I know how having all services well-planned is important in order to enjoy your time in Italy at its best, and not to worry about a single thing.
We are committed to guaranteeing a stress-free holiday. I will be waiting for you for your next trip :)
Arrivederci!
Dream Trip to Italy
Italy
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Jul 3 - Jul 17, 2022
We had a wonderful and dream trip to Italy. This was our first time using kimkim and Jessica from Storywalking. Jessica could not have have been more helpful with her suggestions. She was spot on with our itinerary. We visited Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi. We also did day trips to Cinque Terre, Sienna, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano. We thoroughly enjoyed all the activities that Jessica had booked for us. We would rate Jessica 10/10 for last minute flexibility, given we had an 11 and a... read more

Thank you very much Sangita!! It was a great pleasure!! I will wait for you for your next trip to Italy! Arrivederci!
Spectacular!
Italy
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Jun 28 - Jul 8, 2022
Words can't describe just how excellent Jessica and the kimkim team were in making our trip to Italy unforgettable. We had never used a travel agent before, and were visiting Italy for the first time. We are so glad we chose kimkim and Jessica for planning the trip. Our family went back and forth about which cities to visit, what to do, and how long to stay. With each change in our plans Jessica came up with great ideas and a new plan. Jessica arranged our tours and transportation,... read more

Dear Stephan,
thank you very much. It was a great pleasure to design your trip throughout my Belpaese. For us, It's mandatory share with you our personal perspective or little stories about Italy, that's why we always select our guide and drivers for their knowledge and to make you feel at home.
Thank you again and Arrivederci!
Jessica
Just got back from our 12-day trip to Italy, ...
Italy
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Jul 15 - Jul 25, 2022
Just got back from our 12-day trip to Italy, and we could not be more pleased with all that Jessica arranged. I have to say, I was a bit nervous planning and paying someone online having never spoken to them on the phone, but everything was exactly like she stated it would be. Jessica did a fantastic job on many levels. To begin with, she really listened to what we wanted and the rhythm in which we wanted the trip to take. The places in which she chose for us and our accommodations were... read more

Dear Jennings,
thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure that you and your group enjoyed your time in Italy. We know how important your accommodations are in order to appreciate the destination at its best. To us, a hotel needs to be your second home and a concierge has to be like a friend. We love Italy and we are committed to share the soul of our Belpaese.
Arrivederci and thank you again!
Jessica
As a whole, what you all planned was good. I ...
Italy
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Jul 15 - Jul 25, 2022
As a whole, what you all planned was good. I am not pleased that you all forgot to pick us up at a train station. It was hot and we paid too much for this level of unprofessionalism. This issue is compounded by the steep pricing. read more

Dear Kurt,
thank you for your feedback, we know is very hot and how important it is to have a transfer. I wish to apologize for the mistake, it happened just 1 time and I had already asked to send me the bill for the taxi. Please send it to me I will give you back the money you spend for a taxi ride from the station to your hotel.
Thank you
Jessica
Jessica Proietti - Italian Travel Agent "Par Excellence"
Italy
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Jun 19 - Jul 9, 2022
My family and I just completed a three week tour of Italy , with stays in Lake Como, Milan, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast, and Taormina Sicily.
Jessica Proietti , at Story Walking Tours, worked closely with me to make sure the hotels, tours, activities restaurants met and exceeded our expectations.
While we were Italy she was in contact with us each step of the way making certain that each event went off as planned and she accommodated slight changes we made o the fly.
I am a seasoned... read more

Dear Ken, thank you very much. It was a pleasure to share my personal insight allowing you to embrace the hidden soul of my Bel Paese.
Thank you for your confidence, arrivederci!
Jessica is a wonderful specialist with whom t...
Italy
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Jun 14 - Jun 23, 2022
Jessica is a wonderful specialist with whom to work. She was flexible, adaptable, knowledgeable, and planned a great trip. We had a whirlwind time in Italy--visiting 5 cities in 8 days--so a lot of the exhausting parts were based on our own desired itinerary, not something Jessica suggested. We lost a half-day in Venezia due to a late train out of Verona, so please be mindful of tight connections (we had a 22-minute window, but the train was 15 minutes late, meaning 7 minutes to de-train and... read more

Dear Gretchen & Family, thank you very much! It was a great pleasure to design your family trip throughout Italy :) Thank you for your feedback and, again, for choosing our company and for helping us to accomplish our goal to create truly wonderful experiences for all.
All best wishes to you and yours
Jessica
Italy with the Family!
Italy
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May 24 - Jun 4, 2022
We had the best trip with the perfect mix of tours, activities and free time to explore with our teenage girls on their first trip to Europe. Our tour guide Sara in Venice, Giulia in Rome and Luiciano for the Capri tour were exceptional!
We LOVED the Limoncello day in Amalfi. The food tour and hotel roof top were definitely highlights in Naples, but if doing it over again we probably would skip Naples and stop in Florence instead.
Overall, great planning and we were so appreciative of... read more

Hi Cara, thank you very much! It was a pleasure :) Thank you again for traveling with us!
Amazing trip!
Italy
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May 26 - Jun 4, 2022
A great trip perfectly planned for our budget and preferences! Jessica was also readily available via WhatsApp whenever we needed her while in Italy. Definitely recommend! read more

Thank you Christopher! It was a pleasure!
Looking forward to welcoming you again in my beloved country :)
Arrivederci!
KimKim was a win win in Italy!
Italy
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Apr 26 - May 9, 2022

Our vacation in Italy was well beyond our expectations. All of our requests were met and the guides were very knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Everyone was on time and all drivers and vehicles were top notch. Guides were Suzanne in Rome, Sara in Venice, Cecelia in Cinque Terra, Barbara in Florence. We had private tours on land always in a Mercedes, private cabins on high speed trains, a small group boat trip to Capri, wine tasting, limoncello making, fabulous restaurants,... read more

Dear Margaret, thank you very much!
It was a pleasure to share our personal insights, thank you for the opportunity you gave me in designing your holiday :)
Service that's miles above!
Italy
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Apr 5 - Apr 18, 2022
From the moment we filled out KimKim’s questionnaire to the moment we stepped off the plane to return home, every detail of our 14-day vacation to Italy was outstanding! Our local specialist, Jessica, did a fantastic job of organizing and selecting exactly what my husband and I needed to have an exceptional trip from start to finish. Our vacation included many of the more familiar "touristy" stops - Florence, Pisa, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Palermo, Rome - as well as a singular off-the-beaten... read more

Dear Cicely, thank you very much for your kind words!
It was a pleasure and I'm glad to know you enjoyed your trip, especially in Sicily where you discovered your roots. We will be waiting for you in Italy to share other beautiful corners of our beloved country.
Arrivederci! :)
Jessica made our experience the most memorabl...
Italy
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Apr 5 - Apr 11, 2022
Jessica made our experience the most memorable one yet! We wanted to go to Italy for our Honeymoon and it was difficult finding a tour that suited our timing, until we found KimKim. Jessica helped customize our trip to our specific needs and she was always very easy to talk to. She made us feel reassured and was very solid with communication! She went above and beyond by contacting us through WhatsApp for whatever we needed. We will be using Kimkim in the future and if we can have Jessica... read more

Thank you very much Michael!! It was a pleasure to design your trip for your Honeymoon! I will wait for you for your next trip!!
Ciao :)
Dream trip to NA, Italy
Italy
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Mar 18 - Mar 25, 2022

We new the company through our search in the internet, and started planning with Jesseca
Our planning although took a long time and emails back and forth, Jessicca provided us with a very detailed plan that reflected what we wanted and more. Her suggestions were really what we wanted and we enjoyed all the activities with no exception.
From day one in all the activities, the services were as she said they would be, all the drivers were on time, professional and extremely nice and helpful.... read more

Ciao Fatima!!
Thank you very much for your review!
We always try to provide the best value, we often do inspections and spend time in our destinations to carefully select the best suppliers ever, try on your own all services to ensure that the experience is great and to ensure your trip runs smoothly, providing on-the-ground support 24/7 as well.
We believe our prices are fair based on this, we feel extremely lucky to have been able to serve you on your trip to Italy and I'm glad to know we turned your dreams into reality!
Ciao from sunny Italy :)
Just fantastic!
Italy
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Nov 20 - Nov 27, 2021
We cannot say enough about Jessica, our local specialist for Italy with Kimkim, and Storywalking. We are seasoned travellers but with this being our first international trip since the pandemic, we decided to use KimKim for the first time. It was wonderful!
With a short interactive questionnaire to start the process, we were able to dialogue back and forth with Jessica including a zoom call, to exchange ideas and options to make our trip perfect. Jessica found the perfect matches for us... read more

Hi Nicole, thank you very much for your kind words. It was a great pleasure to design your trip in Rome; I'm a traveler as well, and I know how important is that trip runs as smooth as possible. Thank you for the opportunity you gave me in designing your holiday :)
Happy 2022!!
Jessica
Italian getaway I highly recommend Kim Kim and specifically J...
Italy
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Nov 5 - Nov 16, 2021
I highly recommend Kim Kim and specifically Jessica with “Storywalking”. We are a well traveled couple and will definitely use this agency again. Jessica helped us navigate the COVID requirements and kept in touch with us the whole time. She even filled out a form for us that we couldn’t figure out.
All hotel and car rental arrangements went smoothly and we were very pleased with everything. She made great suggestions as we went along our journey. She was not intrusive (which we liked)... read more

Dear Janet,
thank you very much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to share my personal insight to ensure your trip was great. Thank you again, see you soon!
Ciao from sunny Italy :)