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Leslie Tranchina

Born and raised in the heart of Italy, in Bologna—a city perfectly nestled between the Dolomites and Rome—I have always been passionate about nature, hiking, culture, and savoring incredible food. My curiosity and love for learning have led me to explore the world, with a special focus on uncovering the treasures of my own beautiful country.

As a travel designer, I specialize in crafting personalized journeys that go beyond the typical tourist experience. My approach is rooted in finding off-the-beaten-path destinations, avoiding crowds, and immersing travelers in authentic, lesser-known places where every trip feels like an adventure.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in designing trips throughout Italy, with a focus on destinations like the Dolomites, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and small, enchanting villages. Whether it's a food and wine journey through Emilia-Romagna, a serene coastal hike, or a cultural immersion in hidden medieval towns, I take pride in curating experiences that showcase Italy’s rich diversity and charm.

Let me help you create your perfect adventure—one that will linger in your memories forever."

How did you get involved in travel?

"My journey into the travel world began with a deep love for planning. From a young age, I dedicated myself to uncovering hidden gems and culinary delights, meticulously organizing trips for family and friends. Over time, this passion evolved into my profession, as I became the trusted guide for anyone seeking meaningful and memorable travel experiences."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One unforgettable experience that shaped my perspective was hiking through the Dolomites at sunrise. The stillness of the mountains, the crisp air, and the golden hues of the sun painting the peaks reminded me why I love connecting people to places that stir the soul."

Leslie is part of the following groups: Italy Travel Agents, Italy Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Leslie

Exceeded All Expectations!
Italy | Jun 22 - Jul 2, 2026

Heidi
Heidi P.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2026
From my first inquiry to the day we sadly departed Italy, our experience with Kim Kim was outstanding. The itinerary that Leslie curated for us was amazing, and included all of the activities/sights we wanted to experience while in Italy. Most of our tours/excursions were private, which was such a treat! And while we didn't necessarily love the larger group tours at the end of the trip, the guides were very good, and provided great information on the sites we were visiting. Having such... Read more

From my first inquiry to the day we sadly departed Italy, our experience with Kim Kim was outstanding. The itinerary that Leslie curated for us was amazing, and included all of the activities/sights we wanted to experience while in Italy. Most of our tours/excursions were private, which was such a treat! And while we didn't necessarily love the larger group tours at the end of the trip, the guides were very good, and provided great information on the sites we were visiting. Having such great experiences curated and planned for us took the trip to another level...and all we had to do was show up! We only had one small glitch while in Italy....the day we were in Florence we were not permitted to tour the Duomo, which had been advertised on our daily itinerary, and was something we were very excited for, and very sad to have missed. When I reached out to my local Kim Kim advisor, I was told that the itinerary did have "fine print" that indicated that some venues may be closed upon arrival, therefore we technically should have been prepared for that outcome. As we were very disappointed in missing one of the biggest attractions in Florence (after being told it was part of the itinerary), Kim Kim listened to my concerns and immediately issued us a monetary refund for that portion of the day for our inconvenience and disappointment (even though entrance to the Duomo is free). This small glitch was the only negative experience we had in our 12 days in Italy. I would definitely use them again, and plan to for an upcoming trip. Kim Kim made our 30th anniversary trip to Italy an exquisite adventure that we will treasure for years to come!

Hotel Review
47 Boutique Hotel
Rome

Great location, wonderful staff and rooftop restaurant. Would definitely stay here again and recommend to a frienc.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Terrace Lunch with Vineyard View and Wine Tasting
Terrace Lunch with Vineyard View and Wine Tasting
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine Tasting at Bolgheri Castle on the Etruscan Coast
Wine Tasting at Bolgheri Castle on the Etruscan Coast
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour of Pienza, Val d'Orcia and Montalcino with Pecorino cheese and wine tasting
Tour of Pienza, Val d'Orcia and Montalcino with Pecorino cheese and wine tasting
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self Drive from Cortona to Rome with Orvieto en-Route
Self Drive from Cortona to Rome with Orvieto en-Route
Italy

We LOVED Orvieto, and were so glad that it was recommended to us as a stopping point@

Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

Larger group, but the guide was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Italy

I wish I had known that St. Peter's Basillica would be closed by the time our tour ended. I would have arranged to have made a separate visit there during it's open hours. I was disappointed that we did not get to have this as part of the tour, but I did have the time of the tour, so I could have done some better investigation and planning ahead of time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wine experience in Montepulciano
Wine experience in Montepulciano
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Best of Florence Walking Tour with David & the Duomo
Best of Florence Walking Tour with David & the Duomo
Italy

We were disappointed that the description of the itinerary included entrance to the Duomo, only to find out that it was not open on the day of our tour. Our guide said that the tour operators knew this, and should not have advertised it as open.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina

Leslie and the Kimkim team made our trip to I...
Italy | Jun 3 - Jun 18, 2026

jane
jane b.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2026
Leslie and the Kimkim team made our trip to Italy a family vacation of a lifetime. We will def use Kimkim again and highly recommend their service. We had immediate attention when we needed to change the driver on the rental car contract in Florence. We got a phone call when the meeting spot changed for our tour, and were greeted with a person to make sure we found the new location. Every detail was taken care of. We had someone meet us at the airport and train stations to travel us to... Read more

Leslie and the Kimkim team made our trip to Italy a family vacation of a lifetime. We will def use Kimkim again and highly recommend their service. We had immediate attention when we needed to change the driver on the rental car contract in Florence. We got a phone call when the meeting spot changed for our tour, and were greeted with a person to make sure we found the new location. Every detail was taken care of. We had someone meet us at the airport and train stations to travel us to our location. Everything was well planned. The hotels were all wonderful and comfortable as well as centrally located.

Hotel Review
Hotel Ai Reali di Venezia
Venice

So absolutely beautiful !

Authenticity & Character
The singing gondoliers from the windows!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 30, 2026
Your review truly made my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such kind words. It was an absolute pleasure helping your family create these memories, and knowing that everything came together so smoothly is the greatest reward we could ask for. I'll also make sure to share your lovely comments with the entire Storywalking team—they'll be just as happy to read them as I was. Thank you as well for trusting us throughout the journey, and for recommending us to others—it truly... Read more

Your review truly made my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such kind words.

It was an absolute pleasure helping your family create these memories, and knowing that everything came together so smoothly is the greatest reward we could ask for. I'll also make sure to share your lovely comments with the entire Storywalking team—they'll be just as happy to read them as I was.

Thank you as well for trusting us throughout the journey, and for recommending us to others—it truly means the world.

We can't wait to welcome you back to Italy again.

All the best to all of you!

Warmly,
Leslie

Leslie and Francesca worked very hard for us!!!
Italy | Jun 7 - Jun 20, 2026

Rory
Rory S.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 21, 2026
Leslie and Francesca worked tirelessly to insure our trip was 100% the daily updates were the icing on the cake!! We loved the customer service and responsiveness to our many questions. We will be sure to refer everyone we know and utilize yoir service in the future. Thabk you for making our dream vacation a complete success. 5***** Bravo service!! Grazie Leslie and Francesca. We appreciate you guys a lot!!! Read more

Leslie and Francesca worked tirelessly to insure our trip was 100% the daily updates were the icing on the cake!! We loved the customer service and responsiveness to our many questions.

We will be sure to refer everyone we know and utilize yoir service in the future.

Thabk you for making our dream vacation a complete success. 5***** Bravo service!!

Grazie Leslie and Francesca. We appreciate you guys a lot!!!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Il Faro 3* Sorrento
Sorrento

Tiny bathroom with VERY low ceilings. Sorry this one let us down. Customer service was 2 star at best. The restaurant attached was good but the hotel was inadequate. Service was lacking. No porter ro assist with luggage. Every property but this one had assistance for our bags in and out. I think you can find a better property with Emglish speaking staff. Language barrier was unacceptable!!

Authenticity & Character
Cute but ... So so
Location
Bottom of the hill. We had ro walk and take taxi alot.
Staff
Customer service was lacking
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing. It was pretty clean. Low ceilings in the bathroom caused me a lot of head bumps. I am tall!! No bueno!!!
Hotel Degli Aranci
Rome

Mr Marco is the coolest guy. He assisted us every step of the way.

Authenticity & Character
Very pretty property. Highly recommended.
Location
Except for having to take taxi everywhere we went it was located closely everything in Rome
Staff
Mr. Marco!! Bravo!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was squeaky clean
Hotel Adler Cavalieri

A very pretty hotel with every amenity possible. Brealfast was provided and it was good 😋

Authenticity & Character
Very cute property. genuine florence!!
Location
Once again, walking distance to everywhere we needed to be.
Staff
Helpful and friendlybstagg
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfy and clean
Ca' Pozzo Inn
Venice

Very nice newer property. Breakfast was amazing and well stocked with delicious local foods

Authenticity & Character
Located along the grand canal its definitely Venice-like
Location
Walking distance to all our tours!!
Staff
Awesome staff. Helpful and professional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean amd very comfortable
Andirivieni Bellagio Guest House
Bellagio

Wonderdully cute property. This very nice property started our trip off very well. We would highly recommend this property.

Authenticity & Character
Quaint family house
Location
Walking distance to everything we did
Staff
Irene was amazing and provided everything we needdd
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and tidy. Breakfast was amazing
Activity Reviews
Exclusive Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento
Exclusive Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento
Italy

OUTSTANDING!!!! Staff was amazing and the information given was great!!

Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Italy

Amazing tour. Pur guide was a historian. We.loved her presentation

Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Chianti: Fully Escorted Tour with guided Siena visit and Wine Tasting
Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Chianti: Fully Escorted Tour with guided Siena visit and Wine Tasting
Florence

We are not wine drinkers so this was partially boring and rather a bad choice for us. Partbof the rour was cool. Part wasn't

Private Florence Historic Walking Tour
Private Florence Historic Walking Tour
Florence

VERY good tour. Guide was a genuine guide and exceptional customer servant

Venice Shared Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica & Doge's Palace
Venice Shared Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica & Doge's Palace
Italy

Amazing tour. Guide did well for us

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 23, 2026
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! ❤️ It was truly our pleasure to help make your dream vacation a reality. Francesca and I loved being part of your journey, and knowing that you had such a wonderful experience means the world to us. We're especially happy that the daily updates and support throughout the trip helped you feel relaxed and taken care of—that's exactly what we strive for. Thank you as well for your trust, your patience, and your many thoughtful questions. They... Read more

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! ❤️

It was truly our pleasure to help make your dream vacation a reality. Francesca and I loved being part of your journey, and knowing that you had such a wonderful experience means the world to us.

We're especially happy that the daily updates and support throughout the trip helped you feel relaxed and taken care of—that's exactly what we strive for.

Thank you as well for your trust, your patience, and your many thoughtful questions. They allowed us to tailor the experience exactly to your wishes, and it was a joy to see everything come together so beautifully.

Your recommendation to friends and family is the greatest compliment we could receive, and we would be absolutely delighted to help you plan another Italian adventure whenever the time comes.

Grazie mille for letting us be part of such special events and memories.

Arrivederci and until next time!

Warmest regards,

Leslie & Francesca

Trip through Italy
Italy | Apr 10 - Apr 20, 2026

V
vaishnavi h.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2026
My friend and I recently used Kimkim to plan our trip to Italy, and we could not be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the process was seamless, personalized, and completely stress-free. What we loved most about Kimkim was how easy it made the planning process. The platform connected us with a local expert who actually knows the region, which is a massive upgrade from trying to piece together an itinerary through random blogs and booking sites. Every single ticket was booked... Read more

My friend and I recently used Kimkim to plan our trip to Italy, and we could not be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the process was seamless, personalized, and completely stress-free. What we loved most about Kimkim was how easy it made the planning process. The platform connected us with a local expert who actually knows the region, which is a massive upgrade from trying to piece together an itinerary through random blogs and booking sites. Every single ticket was booked for us ahead of time, making the logistics completely effortless on our end.

A huge, special shoutout goes to Leslie, our local specialist! Leslie was absolute pleasure to work with. Leslie took the time to understand what my friend and I were looking for—balancing our budget, pacing, and must-see sights. One of the best parts of the experience was the dedicated WhatsApp group chat they set up for us. It was incredibly helpful for getting prompt, quick responses to our questions from pre-trip planning all the way through the trip itself. Every evening, we received a daily reminder in the chat detailing the plan and schedule for the next day, which kept us organized and totally relaxed.

If you are looking to take a trip either alone or with family/friends, but don't want the headache of spending dozens of hours planning it, use Kimkim and ask for Leslie. Knowing we had a direct line of communication and that all of our logistics were handled gave us ultimate peace of mind. We will absolutely be using this service for our next adventure!

Hotel Reviews
Boutique Hotel Galatea
Rome

Convenient location to easily walk to the famous sights. Great for a short stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Florida
Sorrento

Great view from the balcony! Quiet and cosy surrounding.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Modigliani
Roma

Short walk from the train station, super convenient. Just be prepared for an uphill climb with luggage!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Olimpia
Venice

Short walk from the train station, good breakfast options and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
7Florence B&B
Florence

Great location, convenient and good options for when you are likely to spend most of your time walking around the city. Clean and comfortable place to get a good night's rest!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Just opposite the train station
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Storywalking Experience: Full Day Tour of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello with Limoncello Tour & Tasting
Storywalking Experience: Full Day Tour of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello with Limoncello Tour & Tasting
Italy

Such a fun experience driving through Amalfi, making limoncello and being entertained by the guide. He definitely scaled up the experience a lot.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius en route - Self Guided
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius en route - Self Guided
Italy

Super convenient to be driven around and shown all the sights. Guide was great and very friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

Guide was so so good at explaining everything slowly and allowing us to really experience the whole tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pantheon Guided Tour
Pantheon Guided Tour
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Venice to Dolomites and Cortina Day Trip
Venice to Dolomites and Cortina Day Trip
Venice

Despite the weather, the guide made the trip really fun and memorable for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Venice Shared Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica & Doge's Palace
Venice Shared Walking Tour with St. Marks Basilica & Doge's Palace
Italy

Wonderful guide who was so patient and knew so much about the history and sights and was willing to share with us. She even gave us tips on what dishes we must have and where to find it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Train Tickets Florence > Pisa and viceversa
Train Tickets Florence > Pisa and viceversa
Italy

Great to have all the bookings made for us

Quality of Experience
Pisa Leaning Tower Tickets & Square of Miracles Monuments - Only Tickets
Pisa Leaning Tower Tickets & Square of Miracles Monuments - Only Tickets
Italy
Hand-made Pasta & Typical Dessert Cooking Class*
Hand-made Pasta & Typical Dessert Cooking Class*
Florence

Loved the experience. Great for beginners. The chefs took their time to show us how its done and made the class really fun!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 09, 2026
Hi Vaishnav! I was honestly hoping to receive your feedback, and reading this absolutely made my day. 😊 Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed review. One of the things I care about most is making sure my travelers feel supported, informed, and relaxed throughout the entire experience, so knowing that the planning process felt seamless and stress-free means a great deal to me. I am especially happy to hear that the WhatsApp support and daily... Read more

Hi Vaishnav!

I was honestly hoping to receive your feedback, and reading this absolutely made my day. 😊

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed review.

One of the things I care about most is making sure my travelers feel supported, informed, and relaxed throughout the entire experience, so knowing that the planning process felt seamless and stress-free means a great deal to me.

I am especially happy to hear that the WhatsApp support and daily reminders helped you enjoy the trip without worrying about the logistics. My goal is always to let travelers focus on creating memories while we take care of everything happening behind the scenes.

It was truly a pleasure getting to know you both and helping bring your Italy adventure to life. Thank you as well for your kind words about my work—it was a wonderful collaboration from beginning to end.

I hope Italy left you with many special memories, and whenever the next adventure calls, I would be absolutely delighted to help you plan it.

Thank you again for your trust, your kindness, and for allowing me to be part of such a beautiful journey.

Warmest regards,

Leslie

Kimkim did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our first to Italy!
Italy | May 15 - May 28, 2026

Lisa
Lisa D.
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2026
Kimkim did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our first trip to Italy. From creating an exciting itinerary to booking tours, they really planned a great trip for us. I loved that you could ask questions and make suggestions for each of the things they planned, before you even book the trip. And then a few weeks before we started our trip, Leslie was so patient with our last minute questions...and I asked a lot of them! Once we left for Italy, their daily reminder of what was on our... Read more

Kimkim did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our first trip to Italy. From creating an exciting itinerary to booking tours, they really planned a great trip for us. I loved that you could ask questions and make suggestions for each of the things they planned, before you even book the trip. And then a few weeks before we started our trip, Leslie was so patient with our last minute questions...and I asked a lot of them!

Once we left for Italy, their daily reminder of what was on our itinerary for the next day was so helpful and comforting. During the trip, they responded very quickly to real time questions during the day.

The meeting places were exactly where they said they would be. Each tour was wonderful. The driver who picked us up at the airport waited so patiently for us. The Naples food tour was so delicious and the portions were large. The guide, Sara was awesome! The driver from Naples to Sorrento was wonderful (GianFranco?) and the Pompeii tour guide was so informative and really customized our tour to what we were interested in. She knew everything about Pompeii!! Loved her! (sorry, can't remember her name). The Jewish Ghetto tour was perfect. The guide (Sara?) was so knowledgeable about everything. We loved her and the tour. The pasta making experience was so much fun. The instructors/chefs were fun and patient. Everything was so well organized. And I can't believe how easy they made it feel/seem as we made pasta. So enjoyable!! The Colosseum Tour and Sistine Chapel Tour were both well organized and informative. We loved the tour guides. The Oreste/Contadina Farm experience was lovely. Oreste was fascinating. We learned about our host and how he maintains his farm. The food was outstanding and delicious and generous.

The hotels were awesome! They were so clean and the breakfasts were all so full and delicious. An interesting thing happened when we checked into our first hotel, we entered our hotel room and there was no electricity. We called down to the front desk and found out you had to put your room card into the slot to make the electricity turn on. Ha ha!! The first hotel in Rome was lovely and charming. The Naples hotel was quirky in how you had to get into the courtyard and the pay to use the elevator. But it was so centrally located we loved it. The Sorrento hotel had the most beautiful view on its rooftop that it brought tears to my eyes!!! The hotel in Travestere was centrally located and we loved it. The courtyard to relax in was beautiful. We even liked how to use our phone to get into the hotel and to our room. And at each hotel the people were so friendly and helpful!!

Thank you Kimkim for helping make our first trip to Italy so very wonderful and memorable!!!!

Hotel Reviews
Relais Le Clarisse Rome
Rome

We loved this hotel. It was centrally located. The Travestere neighborhood is interesting and so close to the central part of Rome. We walked everywhere and even walked back to the Colosseum. The inside courtyard was peaceful and lovely. We sat there and read one afternoon.

Authenticity & Character
Liked using our phone to get into the hotel and into our room.
Location
Centrally located. Loved it.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Britannia Sorrento
Sorrento

We loved this hotel. The rooftop view was the most awesome sight!! It brought tears to my eyes. You could see so far. It was a 10 minute walk into Sorrento. When we checked in they asked us about if we needed tours etc. The boat tour they booked for us to Amalfi town and Positano was outstanding. It was a private dock and boat. The tour picked us up at the hotel and the whole experience was smooth and easy!! We had free time in both cities and we loved it. Thank you!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful rooftop view. Easy to walk into Sorrento.
Staff
The boat tour suggestion was awesome. Thanks!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rinuccini Relais Hotel
Naples

This is a great hotel in the middle of Naples. Great location. It was quirky regarding getting into the hotel and room but the staff was awesome in explaining all of the details.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Centrally located
Staff
So patient and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Degli Aranci
Rome

We loved this hotel. It was charming and in a quiet neighborhood outside of the main part of the city of Rome. It was a 45 minute walk into the city. The breakfast was delicious and had plenty of variety. The staff were very helpful. The room was clean and it was maintained well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quiet neighborhood
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Rome: Jewish Ghetto, Great Synagogue & Trastevere Tour
Rome: Jewish Ghetto, Great Synagogue & Trastevere Tour
Rome

This tour was our favorite! The guide was so knowledgeable. Her personal knowledge of the history of the Jews in Italy was helpful and real!! She was amazing! And we appreciated sitting in the Great Synagogue and hearing not just the history but also how the guide observes her Judaism today! Wonderful. Thank you!!

Quality of Experience
We learned so much about Judaism in Italy!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She knew experiences from her family also. And being Jewish was able to realistically share facts.
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii en route
Private Transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast with Pompeii en route
Italy

The driver was great. He was timely and informative. Enjoyed our conversation with him. The Pompeii tour was awesome. The guide customized our tour for our interests. She was so knowledgeable! Showed us the best areas and knew everything!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Naples Street Food Tour
Naples Street Food Tour
Italy

This tour was awesome. The guide was fun and informative. The food was plentiful and delicious. SO much food! Big portions and each was yummy!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Contadina Breakfast at a Farm - 30 min from Rome
Contadina Breakfast at a Farm - 30 min from Rome
Italy

This experience was interesting and fun! The food was so delicious and plentiful. Oreste was an interesting man and was so welcoming. The experience was calming and informative. His wife drove us back to the train station.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrange for a driver from Rome to the farm or arrange for a taxi to and from Frascati train station to the farm.
Cooking Class in the Heart of Rome
Cooking Class in the Heart of Rome
Rome

This class was so much fun! The instructors/chefs were patient and friendly. They made the process seem so easy!! And the food was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
The pasta and ravioli were yummy. The sauces delicious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

This tour was awesome. The guide was so informative. She knew so much information. Loved it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Highlights of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
Italy

It was a great tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and patient with our questions. She helped us to maneuver in all of the crowds.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 09, 2026
Hi Lisa, Oh my goodness... what a joy it was to read this review. 😊 Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed account of your experience. As a travel designer, there is nothing more rewarding than hearing that a trip we worked on together became such a special memory. I found myself smiling while reading your stories—from discovering how Italian hotel electricity works with the room key (a true rite of passage for first-time visitors! 😄), to the rooftop view in... Read more

Hi Lisa,

Oh my goodness... what a joy it was to read this review. 😊

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed account of your experience. As a travel designer, there is nothing more rewarding than hearing that a trip we worked on together became such a special memory.

I found myself smiling while reading your stories—from discovering how Italian hotel electricity works with the room key (a true rite of passage for first-time visitors! 😄), to the rooftop view in Sorrento that brought tears to your eyes, to all the wonderful guides, drivers, chefs, and hosts who helped make your journey so memorable.

What makes me happiest is knowing that you felt supported throughout the entire experience. I know I received quite a few questions before departure—and please know that I genuinely enjoyed every one of them! My goal is always to make sure travelers arrive feeling confident, informed, and excited rather than stressed.

I am also delighted that so many of the experiences resonated with you. Oreste's farm, the pasta-making class, Pompeii, the food tour in Naples, the Jewish Ghetto tour—these are exactly the kinds of authentic moments that I hope travelers will remember long after they return home.

Thank you for trusting me with your very first trip to Italy. It was truly a pleasure getting to know you and helping bring this adventure to life.

Italy will always be here waiting for you, and whenever you decide it's time for your next adventure, I would be absolutely delighted to help you discover even more of this beautiful country.

Thank you again for your kindness, your trust, and for allowing me to be a small part of such wonderful memories.

A warm hug from Italy,

Leslie

phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome
Italy | May 24 - May 30, 2026

Ben
Ben G.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on May 31, 2026
Had a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome. We did all of the classics such as the colosseum and the Roman forum but also did many unique experiences such as our Roman food tour and our bike through Tuscany. All of our transfers were perfect and timed correctly. I never felt like we were rushed . All of our drivers were prompt and helpful. Service during the trip itself was also highly exceptional . Could not recommend more highly. Will be using again for sure. Read more

Had a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome. We did all of the classics such as the colosseum and the Roman forum but also did many unique experiences such as our Roman food tour and our bike through Tuscany. All of our transfers were perfect and timed correctly. I never felt like we were rushed . All of our drivers were prompt and helpful. Service during the trip itself was also highly exceptional . Could not recommend more highly. Will be using again for sure.

Hotel Reviews
Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj
Rome

Luxury hotel in the heart of Rome. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Had some personal issues that we needed assistance with and the staff jumped right in, going above and beyond beyond to provide service.

Authenticity & Character
Balcony and rooftop were amazing
Location
Close to many of the premium areas
Staff
Responsive to all issues that arose.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very nice beds and room Temperature was great with nice AC!
Hotel Orto de' Medici
Florence

Luxurious hotel in the close to the action in Florence.

Authenticity & Character
Historic building itself
Location
Central to activities
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Tour of San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Private Tour of San Gimignano & Monteriggioni
Italy

Great private tour of these Tuscan villages. it was nice to get away from the busyness of Florence itself. It felt like stepping back into history. She provided in depth information that could not be found in a guidebook, Only from a local.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Downhill To Florence Bike Tour
Downhill To Florence Bike Tour
Italy

Nice activity with only some physical work needed at times to go up hills. Beautiful views of Tuscan countryside. There is some steep downhills and people need to feel very comfortable on a bike and handing it safely .

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 08, 2026
Thank you so much, Ben 😊 We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome. One of our favorite things when designing an itinerary is finding the right balance between Italy’s iconic highlights and experiences that feel more personal and unique. We’re also very glad that everything felt smooth and well-paced throughout the journey. Behind the scenes, a lot of care goes into coordinating transfers, timing, and logistics so travelers can simply relax... Read more

Thank you so much, Ben 😊

We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a phenomenal trip to Florence and Rome.

One of our favorite things when designing an itinerary is finding the right balance between Italy’s iconic highlights and experiences that feel more personal and unique.

We’re also very glad that everything felt smooth and well-paced throughout the journey. Behind the scenes, a lot of care goes into coordinating transfers, timing, and logistics so travelers can simply relax and enjoy the experience without ever feeling rushed.

Thank you as well for your kind words about our drivers and in-trip support team. We truly care about making every part of the journey feel seamless and stress-free.

It means so much to know that you would travel with us again, and we would absolutely love to help you plan another Italian adventure in the future!

Warm regards,
Leslie & the Storywalking Team

Perfect planning for multi-city family vacation
Italy | May 17 - May 25, 2026

Deanna
Deanna C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 26, 2026
Everything was coordinated beautifully for a multi-city family vacation. All transfers were on time and the accommodations were amazing. Read more

Everything was coordinated beautifully for a multi-city family vacation. All transfers were on time and the accommodations were amazing.

Activity Review
Cinque Terre Trekking & Train Card
Cinque Terre Trekking & Train Card
Italy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone was prompt, friendly, and helpful
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026

Thank you so much, Deanna 😊

It was truly a pleasure helping your family experience Italy together, and we’re so happy to hear everything felt smooth and well coordinated throughout the journey.

Knowing that the transfers, logistics, and accommodations allowed you to simply relax and enjoy your time together means a great deal to us.

Thank you again for trusting us. We hope to welcome you back to Italy again someday!

Warmly,
Leslie

Rome & Apulia 50th Anniversary
Italy | Apr 25 - May 17, 2026

A
Adrienne R.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 21, 2026
I would not hesitate to use Kimkim again for travel planning. From beginning to end of planning, Leslie from Storywalking was a great help and advisor and tailored everything to our needs, from train tickets to cooking classes. Once in Italy, Francesca was our devoted and helpful contact. All our tours and guides were excellent. Our 50th anniversary trip to Italy (with our whole family in Apulia) was a great success and will be a cherished memory. Read more

I would not hesitate to use Kimkim again for travel planning. From beginning to end of planning, Leslie from Storywalking was a great help and advisor and tailored everything to our needs, from train tickets to cooking classes. Once in Italy, Francesca was our devoted and helpful contact. All our tours and guides were excellent. Our 50th anniversary trip to Italy (with our whole family in Apulia) was a great success and will be a cherished memory.

Hotel Review
The Great View
Rome

It certainly was “A Great View!” A clean comfortable apartment in a fantastic location. Sitting on the terrace or looking out the windows we had views of all of Rome including the Colosseum and the Forum. Wonderful!

Authenticity & Character
Everything
Location
Nearer to public transportation
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Adrienne, Your words truly mean a lot to all of us. It was such a pleasure helping you plan this very special 50th anniversary journey with your whole family, and we’re incredibly happy to hear that the trip to Puglia became such a meaningful and successful experience for everyone. One of the things we care about most is making travelers feel supported not only during the planning process, but also throughout the journey itself — so hearing that you felt well cared for... Read more

Thank you so much, Adrienne,

Your words truly mean a lot to all of us. It was such a pleasure helping you plan this very special 50th anniversary journey with your whole family, and we’re incredibly happy to hear that the trip to Puglia became such a meaningful and successful experience for everyone.

One of the things we care about most is making travelers feel supported not only during the planning process, but also throughout the journey itself — so hearing that you felt well cared for from beginning to end is incredibly rewarding.

We’re also delighted that you enjoyed the balance of experiences throughout the trip, from the cooking classes to the tours and local guides. Those shared family moments are exactly the kinds of memories we hope our travelers will treasure for years to come.

Thank you again for trusting us with such an important celebration.

All the best,
Leslie & the Storywalking Team

Danielle was a great guide for our tour of Tu...
Italy | May 12 - May 18, 2026

Gregory
Gregory H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 21, 2026
Danielle was a great guide for our tour of Tuscan hill towns and a delightful lunch at a local farm. Danielle was outgoing, humorous and very knowledgeable. Read more

Danielle was a great guide for our tour of Tuscan hill towns and a delightful lunch at a local farm. Danielle was outgoing, humorous and very knowledgeable.

Hotel Review
Relais degli Angeli
Siena

Beautiful hotel in a former home. Great location in Siena.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful
Location
Easy walk to significant sights.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Gregory Gregory and Luann We’re truly delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Danielle. She has a wonderful way of combining knowledge, warmth, and humor, and your words describe her perfectly. It makes us especially happy to know that the Tuscan hill towns experience and lunch at the local farm became such a memorable part of your journey — those authentic countryside moments are exactly the kind of experiences we love creating for our travelers. Thank... Read more

Thank you so much, Gregory Gregory and Luann

We’re truly delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Danielle. She has a wonderful way of combining knowledge, warmth, and humor, and your words describe her perfectly.

It makes us especially happy to know that the Tuscan hill towns experience and lunch at the local farm became such a memorable part of your journey — those authentic countryside moments are exactly the kind of experiences we love creating for our travelers.

Thank you again for traveling with us and for taking the time to share your experience!

Warm regards,
Leslie and the Storywalking Team

Wonderful Italian family vacation
Italy | May 10 - May 17, 2026

K
Kristine H.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 21, 2026
We had a wonderful family vacation to Sestri Levante (Cinque Terre)and Rome. We were very thankful to have had a local specialist plan this trip with knowledge about which activities would work best for all members of our family. We enjoyed our stay in Sestri Levante, away from crowds, yet still on Ligurian sea and an easy trip to explore the 5 towns of Cinque Terre. We loved the restaurants there and we even ended up adding a local cooking experience to our stay in Sestri Levante at... Read more

We had a wonderful family vacation to Sestri Levante (Cinque Terre)and Rome. We were very thankful to have had a local specialist plan this trip with knowledge about which activities would work best for all members of our family. We enjoyed our stay in Sestri Levante, away from crowds, yet still on Ligurian sea and an easy trip to explore the 5 towns of Cinque Terre. We loved the restaurants there and we even ended up adding a local cooking experience to our stay in Sestri Levante at Trattoria da Turin. We would highly recommend the pasta experience to others. Family friendly, wonderful staff, and getting to eat our completed pastas at the end. We had to cancel our boat tour due to the changes in location (weather was windy and sea was choppy) but we very much appreciated Leslie’s help in making this happen. Sometimes we realize that things won’t work out as well on a trip and it was nice to have a knowledgeable person helping along the way. Ending our stay in Rome felt like it would be rushed, but we enjoyed all of the tours and recommendations that Leslie coordinated. The Coleseum/Roman forum tour was excellent and even our youngest was entertained by the information shared by our tour guide, Gigi. He was personable, knowledgeable, and comedic. The Vatican/Sistine chapel tour was an experience we were glad to have done but we did find that we were more tired during this time and the tour was probably a little long for the 10 year old. Our tour guide, Patricia, did her best to share info on the highlights and was helpful at end of tour in sharing recommendations. My family would probably say the bike tour to Apian
Way was the highlight of the trip. I also enjoyed the bike tour but I was slightly nervous about using e bikes in the city. Our tour guide, Alessandro was conscientious of this and helped us feel safe. He also shared interesting facts along the way. We enjoyed our stays in both hotels and how each one had a very different feel. It was great to have transportation to various locations figured out for us so we did not have to spend too much time figuring out tickets and transfers. Overall a great and memorable trip and we are happy we went with booking through KimKim.

Hotel Review
Hotel Due Mari
Sestri Levante

Enjoyed the character of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum
Rome

Excellent tour guide, Gigi!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gigi was knowledgeable, personable and fun. He made the experience relatable for all in our group, even the 10 year old.
Transport
Appian Way & Catacombs By E-Bike
Appian Way & Catacombs By E-Bike
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leslie Tranchina
Leslie
Leslie Tranchina
Local specialist in Bologna | Replied on Jun 01, 2026
Thank you so much, Kristine and Scott, Reading your feedback truly made us happy. It means so much to know that your family had such a memorable experience together in both Sestri Levante and Rome. We’re especially happy that choosing Sestri Levante turned out to be such a positive part of the journey — having the beauty of the Ligurian coast while avoiding some of the heavier Cinque Terre crowds is exactly why we love recommending it for families. And we absolutely loved hearing that you... Read more

Thank you so much, Kristine and Scott,

Reading your feedback truly made us happy. It means so much to know that your family had such a memorable experience together in both Sestri Levante and Rome.

We’re especially happy that choosing Sestri Levante turned out to be such a positive part of the journey — having the beauty of the Ligurian coast while avoiding some of the heavier Cinque Terre crowds is exactly why we love recommending it for families. And we absolutely loved hearing that you added the pasta-making experience at Trattoria da Turin! Those authentic, hands-on moments shared together around food often become the memories people carry home the longest.

Thank you as well for your understanding regarding the boat tour cancellation. Unfortunately, the sea conditions along the Ligurian coast can sometimes change quickly, and safety always comes first. We’re are all ready to adjust things smoothly along the way.

It’s wonderful to hear that the guides made such a positive impact on your experience. Gigi, Patricia, and Alessandro will all be so happy to hear your kind words. Reading that even your youngest enjoyed the Colosseum tour — that is always the best compliment for a guide.

And it does not surprise us at all that the Appian Way bike tour became the highlight of the trip. It’s such a special way to experience Rome beyond the classic monuments.

Most of all, thank you for trusting us with your family vacation. Creating journeys that feel smooth, personal, authentic, and enjoyable for different ages and travel styles is exactly what we hope to achieve.

We truly hope to welcome your family back to Italy someday for another adventure together!

Warm regards,
Leslie & the Storywalking Team