Planning your travels can be overwhelming, but it can make or break your trip. You are already spending a good amount of money even before you leave. Securing your flights, hotels, booking dinner reservations, it can be hefty and there is a lot of pressure for everything to go as planned because you don’t want to waste your money. Travelling comes with many costs, especially when you’re going to a new destination. For this trip, I was faced with countless decisions. Should you bother using professional tour guides? Does location really matter when booking a place to stay? I was also bookmarking so many reels on social media of places to eat and visit. I was overwhelmed.
I’ve been to Italy before and know how chaotic visiting a city like Rome can be. During my previous trip, I didn’t get the chance to properly explore and visit important landmarks like the Vatican and the Colosseum.
I was certain about one thing: I wanted to make the most of the experience and turn it into an educational trip for us, knowing that Rome is filled with history. I am so glad I decided to work with City Wonders, a reputable, world-renowned tour company known for its tours in some of the top destinations around the world.
I knew they would connect me with local certified guides, and knowing that gave me comfort and confidence that we were in good hands. There is simply no way I could have done these tours on our own like some people choose to do, especially in places like the Vatican and the Colosseum.
I was in awe of the level of knowledge and passion from the guides we had. They all have PhDs in Art History and are certified local guides. The storytelling was unmatched, and I went from being curious to learning so much after experiencing these tours. To be honest, if we had gone on our own, I probably would have left in half the time. The storytelling makes a huge difference, and we learned so much. More importantly, I saw first-hand the extreme line-ups outside these landmarks, and I can’t even imagine how frustrating it is to be in that position, wasting valuable time just waiting to get in. Booking a tour with a company like City Wonders, we were able to skip all the lines! The whole experience was seamless, and they give you very clear instructions on where to meet.
VATICAN AND COLLOSEUM TOURS
We were also able to visit Amalfi for the first time. I had already been warned that travelling from Rome to Amalfi was a long journey, and there is no way I would have attempted it by ourselves. I wouldn’t have known where to go, and I know I would have been overwhelmed.
From a safety standpoint, I was so happy I chose City Wonders for Amalfi; otherwise, we probably would have skipped it for another trip. Instead, we got the chance to experience Positano and Amalfi in a day, and I’m so glad we did. If I decide to come back, I now have an idea of the journey and what it takes to get there.
We did the one-day tour. It was a very long day, but absolutely worth it because I had the confidence and peace of mind knowing we would get there and back safely. We boarded a private coach bus at a central location in Rome, and during the 4-hour bus ride, we were able to rest plus learn more from our guide about the city and what to expect in the Amalfi Coast. Just make sure you have cash because you have to pay one euro to use the washroom. Comfortable, waterproof shoes are a must when visiting the Amalfi because, just like other cities in Italy, you can expect a lot of walking and climbing up the stairs. Worth it because when you go up the hills, this is where you get the most spectacular views.
AMALFI AND POSITANO IN ONE DAY
I also booked a private tour with a company called Archeorunning. This company is owned and operated by a local woman in Rome, and she exclusively offers private walking and running tours. I was immediately intrigued when I saw her “Emily in Paris” tour, where she gives a two-hour walking tour of the top filming locations from the show in Rome. We love the show and had to experience it. I also knew this tour would cover the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps — two places on our list, so it was the perfect fit.
We started the tour at 7 a.m., and thanks to Isa, we were able to take photos without the crowds at the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. I’ve seen these places during peak hours, and it can get incredibly overwhelming, not to mention the increased risk of pickpocketing. It was so worth it to go early.
Isa is a certified guide who has lived in Rome for many years. She also has a PhD in Art History and is an archaeologist, certified running trainer, and certified guide in Rome. She even showed us bonus spots during our tour and shared her favourite local food and drink recommendations in the city, which was priceless. There’s nothing like getting a local’s perspective instead of relying solely on videos you see on social media, which can sometimes be misleading.
We had such a fun morning with Isa, and I’m so glad we booked her. All her tours are private, which is great because you get personalized attention and customized experiences. She even met us at our hotel, which was incredibly convenient.
EMILY IN ROME PRIVATE TOUR
Speaking of hotels, picking the right location is key. If you’re debating whether to pay extra for a centrally located hotel, I highly recommend that you do it. Not only do you save money on transportation (which can really add up), but there’s also the convenience of simply walking back to your hotel after a long day of exploring. It is definitely worth the extra money to be close to your hotel. You can take breaks throughout the day, recharge, and head back out again, which is priceless.
We stayed at Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese. It’s a five-star property right in the heart of everything, yet tucked away from the chaos and noise of the city. It also has panoramic views of the seven hills, and from their restaurant, Settimo, you can see the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica.
I love luxury boutique hotels because the service feels much more personalized than large chain hotels. I also chose not to stay in an Airbnb because it can sometimes be hit or miss, and I simply didn’t want to take the chance of dealing with potential issues. I felt more comfortable staying at a reputable property like Sofitel.
Have a look at my Instagram reel to see how gorgeous this hotel is — our view was spectacular. It truly felt like we were away from the city, even though we were only steps away from places like the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. It was the ideal location.
Breakfast was included in our stay, and for our busy itinerary, this was a game-changer. We didn’t have to worry about finding somewhere to eat before starting our day. I highly recommend including breakfast when booking your hotel in a city like Rome, so you can just focus on exploring right when you leave your hotel.
SOFITEL VILLA ROMA BORGHESE
We also had dinner on our first night at the hotel restaurant, Settimo, and it did not disappoint. Not only did we have breathtaking sunset views, but we also experienced Roman cuisine at its finest. We had never tried authentic Roman cuisine before, and I was so impressed with the level of flavours and detail that went into each dish. It was a memorable evening, and I highly recommend this hotel when visiting Rome. We did their seafood and meat set menus, and you can browse through their menus here.
Our next destination was Paris, and I had been dreaming of visiting this magical city with my daughter for the longest time. I was waiting for her to be old enough to appreciate the architecture, history, and art. The trip was everything I hoped for and more.
Our first goal was to see the Eiffel Tower, and I booked a dinner cruise on the Seine River. Again, planning is key, and I researched the best company to do this with. I booked the Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise through TripAdvisor. Reading the reviews really helped me paint a picture of what to expect in the experience.
SEINE RIVER DINNER CRUISE
Although the food was just okay, we had the best views of the Eiffel Tower during both the daytime and nighttime because we took a sunset cruise. I highly recommend this experience because I wanted to avoid the crowds when seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time and just enjoy a relaxing first night in Paris.
I’m so glad we did this because it was seamless and so memorable; we didn’t have to worry about where to have dinner. Paris is also notorious for pickpocketing, especially around top spots like the Eiffel Tower, and I wanted to avoid that situation entirely. It was also the perfect way to see the tower at sunset.
This was a very special trip for us because we were celebrating my daughter’s graduation, and I had heard about Flytographer. It’s a Canadian female-owned company founded by Nicole Smith from Vancouver, and I knew I had to try it because I didn’t want all of our photos to be selfies. I wanted to professionally capture this special moment, and this turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
After seeing some Paris photo shoots from other Flytographer customers, I instantly knew I wanted that experience for us. I’m so glad we did it!
Our photographer, Doug, who is a local, was wonderful to work with. I really appreciated his flexibility because our original shoot date had rain in the forecast, and we were able to switch dates at the last minute. He genuinely wanted to ensure we had the best possible conditions for the shoot. I had originally wanted a sunset shoot, but he recommended doing it early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and he was absolutely right.
FLYTOGRAPHER EXPERIENCE
Because of that level of care, we now have photos that we will cherish forever. Highly recommend you book Doug if you want your photos taken in Paris. He will take you to the best location, and you can be sure that you will have photos that you will cherish for a long time.
The Flytographer concierge team was also incredibly helpful in answering all of my questions. I highly recommend this company when you travel because they have access to some of the best local photographers around the world. Feel free to book through this link and receive a discount on your Flytographer experience!
As I mentioned before, location is everything. I knew Paris was a large city, so I decided to stay in two different districts to experience both areas. This turned out to be a fantastic decision!
We had a tour booked with City Wonders again, but for the Louvre Museum this time, which was high on our list. I found a hotel within walking distance of the museum, and I was very happy with it.
Hotel Etats-Unis Opéra is a four-star boutique hotel, and not only was it close to the Louvre, but it was also steps away from many other places I wanted to visit, including world-renowned pastry chef Cedric Grolet’s chocolatier, which was only a one-minute walk from the hotel.
The service was excellent at this hotel, the rooms were clean, and we even had a view of the Eiffel Tower from our balcony, which was an unexpected bonus! The staff were warm and accommodating, and they carried luxury toiletries, which is always a good sign for me when evaluating a hotel.
The second hotel we stayed at was Hotel de Sers. It’s a five-star boutique property right on the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement. It had a completely different vibe from the Louvre area, but I knew we had to experience it. The hotel was literally next door to the Four Seasons and steps away from some of the best restaurants and shops in Paris.
From the moment you walk in, you know it’s a luxury property because of the signature scent. It’s a newly renovated hotel, and we were given a beautiful suite with a stunning balcony overlooking the Champs-Élysées. I was blown away by the spacious bathroom with dual sinks and marble throughout. Check my Instagram for a full room tour.
HOTEL DE SERS PARIS
Most hotel rooms in the city centre are expected to be tiny, but not this one. I highly recommend checking out my room tour of this property, because it was so impressive and really felt like a home away from home.
I also mentioned breakfast earlier, and once again, it was included in our stay, which was fantastic. They offered a buffet breakfast along with made-to-order omelettes every morning.The hotel was within a 10-minute walk of the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, and the Arc de Triomphe, making it the ideal location for exploring this district.
What impressed me the most was the gallery inside the hotel featuring incredible artwork. You can never get enough art when you’re in Paris.
Although I was away, as a business owner, you are always working, so high-speed Wi-Fi was extremely important because my data connection was spotty in certain areas. Thankfully, the hotel’s internet service was reliable, and I was able to get some work done during our downtime.
With an on-site restaurant, fitness facility, room service, premium bedding, and luxury amenities, we had such a luxurious stay. It was so nice coming home to Hotel de Sers after a very busy day. We will definitely consider this property one of our home-away-from-home hotels the next time we’re in Paris. The level of service was world-class, and the concierge and front desk team recommended some of their favourite dinner spots within walking distance of the hotel, which was incredibly helpful. Again, there’s nothing like getting a local’s perspective.
PARIS AND THE LOUVRE
Touring the Louvre was one of the biggest bucket-list items for us, and of course, we had to see the Mona Lisa while in Paris, along with other famous paintings and sculptures.
Once again, I worked with City Wonders because I knew they would connect us with a local guide. We were paired with another Art Historian whose level of knowledge and attention to detail was remarkable, even when discussing the smallest and least visible elements of a painting. I was so impressed with this tour.
I had also heard from friends that getting out of the city for a different experience was a must, so I booked a City Wonders tour to Versailles. It was only an hour away from Paris, and I’m so glad I booked a tour where I didn’t have to stress about figuring out how to get there. We boarded a private coach bus from Paris city centre to Versailles and did the half-day tour. If you have more time, I highly recommend the full-day experience because you need additional time to properly explore the massive gardens after touring the palace interiors.
VERSAILLES PALACE AND GARDENS
The half-day tour worked perfectly for us because we had a tight schedule and wanted to experience as much as possible while in Paris. I highly recommend City Wonders, and you can use my code 10EVOLV3CW to book any tours on their website anywhere in the world! It’s valid until the end of the year.
Overall, the biggest thing I gained from planning was peace of mind and, most importantly, safety and security. There’s really nothing like it when you’re travelling, and it makes all the effort worthwhile. When going to new destinations, it’s so important to do your research, make an effort to connect with locals, and, most importantly, if possible, invest in safety, convenience and peace of mind. It’s priceless.
I was overwhelmed in the beginning just thinking about planning our first trip together to Europe, but I’m so glad I connected with professionals because it made such a huge difference. Our trip was very busy, but it was a success, and I am so happy that we did not navigate these cities on our own.
Stay tuned for part two of my series, where I’ll share honest reviews of some of the hottest spots, restaurants, and food and beverage experiences you need to try at these destinations. Some are incredible, and some are really not worth the hype.
Follow @evolvemagazinecanada and @cristina.carpio01 on Instagram and check out my Paris and Italy highlights, plus more video highlights of our trip.
