Italy Archives - Amore Travel Designs

The tools of a well-traveled life — because the best trips start long before you ever leave home

NOBODY TELLS YOU THIS

— but after enough miles, enough countries, and enough trips that went sideways and sideways-in-the-best-way, I feel like I owe you the truth.

I have logged a lot of miles. A lot. And I have many more to come 🤣

And while I wouldn’t trade a single stamp in my passport, there are things I know now that I absolutely did not know in the beginning — things that would have saved me time, stress, and more than a few moments of standing in the wrong place wondering what went sideways.

May 22, 2026 No Comments

he heart of Fort Collins, Colorado — where a passion for world travel and local roots meet at Amore Travel Designs

WORLD FROM FORT COLLINS

Everyone knows Paris. Everyone has been to Rome.
And honestly? Everyone is a little tired of fighting the crowds at the Trevi Fountain.
Europe is a continent of jaw-dropping beauty, extraordinary food, and stories that stretch back centuries. But the most memorable experiences? They rarely happen where the tour buses stop.
As a luxury travel advisor, I spend a lot of time steering my clients away from the obvious — and toward the extraordinary. The places that make you catch your breath. The ones you come home raving about, that your friends have never heard of.
Here are five hidden gems that belong on every discerning traveler’s radar this season.

May 15, 2026 No Comments

Matera, Italy lit up at dusk, viewed through the opening of an ancient cave — one of Europe's most extraordinary hidden destinations, as featured by Fort Collins luxury travel advisor Cathy at Amore Travel Designs

EUROPE’S EXTRAORDINARY HIDDEN GEMS

May 2, 2026 No Comments

Cathy Rowland of Amore Travel Designs and her husband visiting Torre a Cona wine estate in the Tuscan countryside near Florence during a Tuscany travel experience.

MOMENTS IN TUSCANY

Morning in the Tuscan countryside begins very differently from the cities.

The light is soft over the hills, the air carries that earthy scent of vineyards and olive trees, and the only sounds are birds and the occasional tractor somewhere in the distance. Instead of crowds gathering for early museum entries or tour groups filling hotel lobbies, the day unfolds slowly here.

I remember stepping outside one morning at Torre a Cona, a historic wine estate about twenty minutes outside of Florence. Torre a Cona has been producing wine on this land since the 15th century — it’s the kind of place that genuinely earns the word “historic,” not just uses it as marketing. Coffee in hand, I looked out across rows of vineyards rolling down the hillside toward olive groves and tall cypress trees.

March 13, 2026 No Comments

Cathy, a Fort Collins Europe travel expert, overlooking the Amalfi Coast in Italy while designing bespoke luxury itineraries

YOUR ITALY WINDOW

Your Italy Window is something most travelers don’t realize exists until it quietly begins to close. Almost every year, I have conversations with clients who tell me they are “thinking about Italy next year,” as if Italy is simply waiting patiently for them to decide. And in many ways it is timeless — the art, the food, the landscapes will always be there — but the hotels, the private guides, and the most coveted experiences absolutely will not.

As a luxury travel advisor based in Fort Collins, I am already having serious conversations about Italy for 2026. That might sound early, but in today’s travel environment, it is exactly on time. The families who secure the charming 30-room boutique hotel in Florence or the villa in Tuscany with the sweeping vineyard views are not making those decisions three months out. They are planning thoughtfully, intentionally, and well in advance.

Italy rewards the prepared. It does not reward hesitation.

March 6, 2026 No Comments

Snow-covered Christmas trees with pink and gold ornaments framing the Eiffel Tower in Paris — symbolizing luxury winter travel experiences curated by Amore Travel Designs, Fort Collins’ top luxury travel advisor.

TRAVEL GIFTS THAT LAST

Every year, I remind my clients—and myself—that travel gifts that last are the ones you remember, not the ones you unwrap. A weekend in Florence, a river cruise through the Danube, or a South African safari lingers long after the holiday bows are gone. Experiences don’t gather dust; they grow richer with time. As a Fort Collins luxury travel advisor, I’ve seen how a custom trip becomes a treasured memory shared for decades. This season, consider giving what truly lasts—time, connection, and unforgettable moments designed with care.

November 14, 2025 No Comments

Male artisan painting handmade ceramic bowl in cozy studio, representing cultural immersion and luxury craftsmanship experiences curated by Fort Collins travel advisor Amore Travel Designs.

ARTISAN JOURNEYS

Artisan Journeys isn’t about collecting souvenirs—it’s about collecting stories. I’ve always believed luxury feels richer when it’s rooted in authenticity. Picture yourself learning from a Tuscan ceramicist whose family has shaped clay for centuries or sampling honey from a Greek beekeeper who knows every bee by heart. These are the unforgettable connections that make travel human again. For my Fort Collins travelers, Artisan Journeys means exploring with intention, supporting craftsmanship, and discovering the hands that make each destination extraordinary.

October 31, 2025 No Comments

SECRET BOLOGNA EXPERIENCE

Richard and I were traveling through Bologna and I found the most special farmhouse/cooking class in the countryside of Bologna. The owners were lovely, engaging and we were in awe of the whole experience. A husband-and-wife team running a farm, restaurant, cooking school, and a B&B as well. This secret Bologna experience has stayed on top of our minds every time we think of Italy.

October 3, 2025 No Comments

Historic Siena, Italy with its iconic medieval architecture—perfect for travelers seeking expert-planned Tuscan experiences with a top-rated Europe travel advisor based in Fort Collins.

PARLA ITALIANO?

Preparing for your Italian journey? Equip yourself with vital phrases. Before setting off, ensure you’ve mastered these essential expressions. Glide through Italy, displaying confidence in your Italian skills. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Italy, communicating with grace. Whether exploring ancient ruins or indulging in Neapolitan pizza, speaking Italian enriches your experience. Get ready for an unforgettable linguistic and cultural adventure. Parla Italiano?

September 25, 2025 No Comments

Historic arcades of Bologna, Italy captured on a luxury trip planned by the #1 travel advisor in Fort Collins, Amore Travel Designs

EAT DRIVE REPEAT

Everyone starts with Tuscany. And honestly, it’s lovely. But when I traveled to Emilia Romagna, something shifted. This wasn’t postcard Italy—it was deeper, richer, more surprising. There’s a rhythm here that’s slower but sharper. It’s not trying to impress. It just does. I didn’t come here for crowds or photo ops. I came for legacy. And what I found was a place where food, history, and horsepower all share the spotlight. Eat Drive Repeat wasn’t the plan—it became the motto. The meals stuck with me. The people left an impression. And the cars? They roared. If you’ve been to Italy once, this is where you go next. Trust me, you’ll never look at prosciutto—or a racetrack—the same way again.

August 22, 2025 No Comments