Melanie Rapuano
My name is Melanie and I'm a Travel Specialist based here in Italy! I'm half Italian and half British and I come from a city just off the Amalfi Coast!
I've always loved creating travel plans for myself and for family and friends, even for places I'd never been to.
When arranging a trip I love mixing sightseeing with local experiences, experiences which really talk about the country, the people, the tastes, the smells and which you can take back home with you not only in a photo, but as a feeling too!
As a mum of 2 small children I also try my best to help with family trips, because we all know the saying happy children, happy parents, especially on holiday!!
I like to think of myself as your friend in Italy, the one who helps you plan your trips from a local point of view, just as if you were asking a friend about her beautiful country!
I've traveled ever since I can remember and I've always loved calling a place a ''home'' even if just for a few days and this is what I hope I can share with you about my part of the world!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in the whole of Italy, there isn't a corner we haven't discovered!
Our experiences vary from sightseeing private and group tours to limoncello making in a local lemon grove, to a cooking class in a Tuscan farm to private boat trips on the Amalfi Coast!Truffle hunting in Piemonte or a jeep experience on Mt Etna? We have it all covered with English speaking, professionals who can't wait to share their unique stories with you!
And if you are travelling with children, we make sure it's completely child friendly with a glass of wine for the grown ups!"
How did you get involved in travel?
"I guess I've always been involved in travel! Being half British I've always helped friends and family come to Italy and enjoy our everyday life! By the time I was 12 I think I'd been to Pompeii 15 times already not to mention the fact the Amalfi Coast is on my doorstep which made everyone want to come and visit me even more!
It's in my DNA!"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"When travelling around Norway I stopped off to take some pictures in what seemed the middle of nowhere and I naturally took out my bottle of water and a snack. I was stopped by a Norwegian lady on a bike, she asked me why I was drinking bottled water. She told me Norwegians don't believe in buying water and went on about giving me some ''storytelling'' about how Norwegians lived. It was a random moment but it was so special, she took her time to talk to me about her beautiful country and share with me parts of everyday life which I would have never known!"
Melanie's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Art, food, and beauty are celebrated and cherished in Italy, and this 11-day itinerary leans into that good life. This moderately-paced trip begins in Rome, the capital, where...
This fast-paced itinerary packs plenty of highlights into just nine days, thanks to Italy's comfortable, high-speed trains. Begin in the floating city of Venice to explore...
Discover the sights and delights of Italy on this two-week highlights tour. Explore the floating city of Venice, the Renaissance jewel of Florence, and the Eternal City of Rome....
Family itineraries
With thousands of years of cultural and culinary history, Italy offers plenty to take in. In 10 days, you can choose to go deep on a particular region or hop between the high...
Bring your whole brood abroad to experience Italy's delicious food, ancient history, and glittering coastlines with these week-long itineraries. The country has something for...
Parents who want to travel with small children without disrupting their fellow explorers can turn to this 10-day itinerary. You'll explore Rome's archaeological and religious...
Luxury itineraries
With two weeks in Italy, you can experience Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast on a luxurious highlights tour, or take a more leisurely approach by sticking to one or...
If spending a week and a half exploring the best that Italy has to offer sounds like your dream vacation, this luxury-infused itinerary is your perfect match. Start in Venice,...
Road trip itineraries
An island as beautiful and historically rich as Sicily deserves to be experienced at a leisurely pace. This 15-day itinerary features beaches and cathedrals, fishing villages...
Spend a week exploring the best of Tuscany on this weeklong road trip! You'll begin in Florence, touring the city's historic center with an expert guide before picking up your...
Travelers with two weeks to spare will love this Italy tour, which offers a mix of guided excursions and free time. The adventure starts in Venice, where you'll glide through...
Favorite experiences
Pizza Cooking Class in Naples
Learn what makes authentic Neapolitan pizza the best pizza in the world with a family-friendly cooking class. Uncover all the secrets of this great Italian wonder in the exclusive company of a pizza chef. To start, your guide will lead you to the restaurant of one of the oldest families of...
Toddler-Friendly Family Walking Tour in Venice
Get your bearings and enjoy a fun, family-friendly orientation walking tour of beautiful Venice. Designed specifically for younger kids (toddlers and preschoolers), you’ll enjoy an exciting scavenger hunt filled with games and coloring.Oh no, kids! Poor Marco, the lion, is so worried—his friends...
Family Food Tour & Cooking in Rome
In this family-friendly tour of Rome’s food culture, you’ll first enjoy the city’s markets and then learn how to make traditional pizza on your own. Kids and families love this experience, as it offers lifetime memories and teaches new skills. You’ll visit Rome's most beautiful and ancient...
Chianti Wine Tasting & Farm Lunch
Absorb Chianti’s scenic countryside with a driving and winetasting tour. You’ll twist and turn along panoramic roads, tour wine cellars, learn about the history of growing Chianti grapes, and savor a traditional lunch of local products on a family farm. As you set off for Chianti, enjoy the...
Cinque Terre Sea Kayaking Tour
Enjoy Cinque Terre from a different perspective with a morning or sunset sea kayak tour. You’ll paddle from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza, discovering cliffs and caves and swimming in the crystalline water. Kayaking allows you to explore otherwise inaccessible coastlines. Enjoy this special...
Sunset e-Bike Wine Tour in Cinque Terre
Discover the picturesque vineyards of Ca’du Ferrà on an exciting e-bike tour. Starting in Levanto, you’ll pedal up into the hill and reach the scenic vineyards, which stand at over 1,000 feet (350 m) above sea level. Stop here to visit a vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting in the cellar with some...
Recent trip reviews for Melanie
An Unforgettable Family Vacation to Italy — Thanks to Melanie R.!
Italy
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Jun 16 - Jun 24, 2026
I have finally read your full review and with a few happy tears in my eyes I felt every word. Thank you so so much. When you contacted me because you'd read a review about a past guest with kids, you said the words that stood out where ''the kids were not bored once'' and having kids myself as you know, I know how important that sentence is. Every trip is so different to the next so understanding exactly what you wanted from the trip (and what you didn't want) was the most important... Read more
Perfect planning and execution, Italy with our teenage grandson!
Italy
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Jul 21 - Jul 30, 2026
thank you so much for trusting me with your speciall holiday. In your initial email I could tell you weren't happy with the planner you were dealing with, so it was even more of an honour for me when you decided to leave them and book with me. I always say I'm not a seller, my job is not to sell. you the most expensive trip, my job is to listen and create the tripe exactly how you would want it, and we did just that! Thanks again for booking with us, you were... Read more
Handcrafted Journey Perfectly Matched our Italian Bucket List!
Italy
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Jun 7 - Jul 2, 2026
Hi Leslie,
thank you so much for your review and your kind words. Thank you for trusting me with all my ideas, all my changes, all my suggestions, I wasn't going to stop until it was eactly how it should be for you all to enjoy this special Italian trip and experience some family history too.
I'm so pleased everything went perfectly, you'll have to come back as you still need to visit Siena!!
Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to your next trip!
Melanie and Giovanna!
Melanie at KimKim was amazing!
Italy
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Apr 20 - Apr 29, 2026
thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm so please we were able to plan the perfect surprise trip and it all worked perfectly!
As I mentioned in my email, I do apologise that the Murano experience was not what you expected, we have already emailed the supplier to check why it was more about selling and less about the actual glass making. I agree, the gondola is one of those must do's but it's also just that. We extended the time as a little Easter egg surprise for you, it's... Read more
I had an outstanding experience with Kim Kim ...
Italy
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May 31 - Jun 11, 2026
what can I say. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your trip wasn't just a trip, from our first call I knew this trip was special and my mission became to make it the best holiday ever for you both and I'm so pleased that's exactly how it was.
Trips like this reminds me why I do my job, it's not all about the holidays and the work, it's about the memories myself and the team can help make, memories that you take home and smile back at when you think of those special moments... Read more
Highly recommend!
Italy
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May 1 - May 9, 2026
Highly recommend! My friend and I planned a multi city trip through Italy in 9 days and Melanie and her team were amazing! She was very accommodating and responded quickly to any questions and requests we had. She set up an amazing trip for us. She and her team were very responsive and had great communication throughout our trip. I would absolutely have her plan my next trip!
Hi Aileen,
thank you so much for such a lovely review, it always means a lot.
I'm so pleased we were able to create this trip for you both exactly how you wanted and everything went smoothly.
I look forward to planning your next trip to Italy!!!
A presto,
Melanie
Multigenerational Family Travel in Amalfi Coast and Tuscany-- I trust Italy Charme!
Italy
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Mar 27 - Apr 8, 2026
Hi Pam,
thank you so much for such a lovely review.
I must admit the harder the booking the more challanging and rewarding it is, we were a great team and we got evey single thing right and exactly how they wanted it.
I must say behind it all, we have a fantastic booking and concierge team, they make all the magic happen from behind the scenes.
I look forward to heping you with your next trip to Italy!
Melanie
Southern Italy in Lesser Known Areas-- My Go To Partner!
Italy
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Apr 30 - May 12, 2026
Hi Pam,
thanks for this review too!
This was a tricky one and kept us on our toes until the end, but everything wend perfectly fine and even on the last day, we sorted it with no problems!
Thanks again for working with me on this trip, and I look forward to helping you plan more in the future!
Melanie
Perfect for us
Italy
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Apr 3 - Apr 13, 2026
Hi Lisa,
thank you so so much for such a lovely review. I'm so pleased you both had such a wonderful trip for your first time in Italy and I'm so happy you enjoyed the local feel of Salerno over Easter!
I promise to have food and wine for you until you return :)
I look forward to planning your next trip to Italy.
Take care,
Melanie
Thanks so much, Melania! Super trip indeed!!
Italy
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Nov 17 - Nov 20, 2025
Next time we’re in Italy, we’ll definitely get in touch.
Take care! 😊 Read more
Hi Angela,
thank you so much for your review! Your guests were simply lovely people and I'm so pleased I was able to help.
Say ho to them from me. Needless to say if you have clients interested in visiting, I'll be happy to help!
A presto,
Melanie