Profile photo for Martina Venturi
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active 3 days ago

Martina Venturi

After obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Art History at Milan University, I worked as event planner and tour guide, fostering my obsession for organizing experiences. I then traveled the world, eventually settling in Washington DC to work for the Smithsonian Institution as Curator Assistant. But Italy was calling me and I returned to set roots in my beloved Country. After gaining extensive experience in Sales at a leading Italian manufacturing company, I brought my skills to my first love, tourism, and joined Authenticus Italy.
When I'm not designing the next dream trip, you can find me making fresh orecchiette for my family or blissfully dancing at Caribbean rhythms with my lifetime friends.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Italy, with a soft spot for Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. I love to organize cultural experiences (guided tours of the highlights as well as more specific themed tours - i.e. liberty architecture in Milan, street art in Naples, the historical shops of Genoa...), as well as fun and indulging activities like wine tastings, cooking classes and boat or vespa tours."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I was raised a traveler since I was a toddler, by curious and active parents who always brought me along in their trips in Italy and abroad. I never stopped feeling drawn to new cultures, eager to see with my own eyes the Beauty and variety that the world and the peoples have to offer. Traveling expanded my mind and enriched me as a human being. I feel lucky to say I had the opportunity to visit more than 20 countries, learn 6 languages, master 15 national cuisines... and many more will come!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Once I was travelling with friends through Cuba, following an itinerary I had been designing and studying in details for months. When in Trinidad we met some locals and established a beautiful connection. There and then, we decided to cancel the rest of our itinerary and stay in Trinidad for the rest of our trip. It was the best decision we could have made. Our new local friends showed us the area and invited us at all their social gatherings. They opened their homes and families to us with warmhearted generosity, giving us the unique opportunity to see and live the island through their eyes. They transformed us from regular tourists into real explorers."

Martina is part of the following groups: Italy Travel Agents
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Recent trip reviews for Martina

I cannot say enough good things about our Kim...
Italy | Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2024

A
Anne G.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Feb 27, 2024

I cannot say enough good things about our Kim Kim travel experience.
The communication was amazing and the specialists' made things happen so swiftly and perfectly.
Thank you Martina in particular!
Anne

Local specialist: Martina Venturi
Read all Italy reviews

Spectacular Dolomite trip start to finish!
Italy | Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2024

Charlie
Charlie L.
Cortlandt Manor, NY | Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024
It was spectacular from start to finish with meticulous planning and excellent recommendations. We particularly enjoyed our stay at Villa Tony in Corvara, which has a warm, friendly feel. I don’t know the Ladin word, but it is Gemütlichkeit in German. The dining room staff was wonderful and the food, amazing.
Experiencing the skiing, including the Sellaronda and the Hut food is something you can not find in the US. Well worth the trip. Although we only had 1 day in Venice, our guide... Read more

It was spectacular from start to finish with meticulous planning and excellent recommendations. We particularly enjoyed our stay at Villa Tony in Corvara, which has a warm, friendly feel. I don’t know the Ladin word, but it is Gemütlichkeit in German. The dining room staff was wonderful and the food, amazing.
Experiencing the skiing, including the Sellaronda and the Hut food is something you can not find in the US. Well worth the trip.

Although we only had 1 day in Venice, our guide Daniela made the most of it and it was such a treat to have such a knowledgeable local guide navigating us through the canals, alleys and history of Venice.

Most of all, we must thank Martina for planning such a spectacular trip and being there every step of the way on the rare occasion we needed help. Thank you! Having this type of well planned and thoughtful excursions made the trip hassle free from start to finish. Surrender your planning to Kimkim, you will be happy!!

Local specialist: Martina Venturi
Read all Italy reviews

Villa Tony in Corvara, Dolomites
Italy | Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2024

Jane
Jane L.
Cortlandt Manor, NY | Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024
We were so impressed with everything Martina lined up for our trip. Staying at Villa Tony in Corvara was the perfect accommodations! The slopeside hotel with gourmet meals in a warm and inviting small chalet was perfect. The friendly and professional staff such a treat. All of our connections were flawless and eliminated so much stress when traveling. So thankful and appreciative for Kim Kim‘s help. Read more

We were so impressed with everything Martina lined up for our trip. Staying at Villa Tony in Corvara was the perfect accommodations! The slopeside hotel with gourmet meals in a warm and inviting small chalet was perfect. The friendly and professional staff such a treat. All of our connections were flawless and eliminated so much stress when traveling. So thankful and appreciative for Kim Kim‘s help.

Hotel Review
Villa Tony
Corvara

Villa Tony was everything and more we want on our Italian dolomites adventure. A beautiful slopeside chalet with spectacular views nestled in a small alpine village. The food was exceptional, and the staff of the hotel was welcoming and friendly. It will be hard to live up to this standard in our travels down the road. We are so grateful for the warmth and kindness of everyone at Villa Tony who made our trip so special.

Authenticity & Character
First time I ever heard of witches violin and dined on Ladin food😊
Location
Staff
Top notch!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Immaculate!
Local specialist: Martina Venturi
Read all Italy reviews

Quick background - very experienced travelers...
Italy | Sep 14 - Sep 23, 2023

C
charles k.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023
Quick background - very experienced travelers, over 80+ countries at all sort of trip type/expense levels. Due to a variety of reasons we decided to rely almost exclusively on Martina /KimKim expertise and experience and take a fairly passive role in the specific trip planning. After relaying a detailed explanation of our desires/needs we let Martina set it up. She was earnest and attentive and overall did a respectable job but relied on some vendors whose performance was lacking which... Read more

Quick background - very experienced travelers, over 80+ countries at all sort of trip type/expense levels. Due to a variety of reasons we decided to rely almost exclusively on Martina /KimKim expertise and experience and take a fairly passive role in the specific trip planning. After relaying a detailed explanation of our desires/needs we let Martina set it up. She was earnest and attentive and overall did a respectable job but relied on some vendors whose performance was lacking which accounts for her rating. She apologized for the poor performance and attempted to take corrective action but damage already was done. Too many to relate but driver who spoke zero English, was late, etc; a hotel, the Dionoso Boutique Hotel in Syracusa that was among the worst I have stayed in in quite a while, from both an accommodations and performance standpoint, dining reservation made far in advance that was "cancelled". The major issue was the number of issues and the fact that they were basic performance issues, things that should go smoothly. Her reply to us "that has never happened before" was of no help.

Hotel Reviews
Re Dionisio Luxury Suites
Siracusa

Too many problems to mention them all but almost everything about this hotel from the design/furnishings, advertising, cleanliness, customer service were all inadequate - from poor to inattentive. Dirty floors due to flaking of the walls (they say it is the proximity to the sea) leaving dirty floors, all furnishings that were uncomfortable at best and cheap (think low end IKEA), a website and actual pricing that provides a junior suite with a "Juliet balcony" that is smaller then the full balcony for a lesser room. Look at the website and description and see if it is full of balcony pictures, virtually no pictures or mention of a "Juliet balcony". But you all have a same size bedroom, a no working coffee machine, a relatively functionnaly useless/uncomfortable downstairs but wait, you get a window just above the sea level. Better hope you are at least 5 foot 2 inches if you want to see anything but some sky. The staff was indifferent at best, it your fault a worst. Customer beware.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Taormina Rooms Centro Storico B&B
Taormina

Meet exceptions given our lateness looking for a room. No real view and right on the Roda but surprisingly quite. Otherwise very good location, tastefully and functionally well done and Alberto was an excellent host pn all aspects.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Martina Venturi