This year has been both fun and rewarding as we’ve planned trips to a wider variety of places than ever. While we’ve always excelled at beloved standbys like Italy, Hawaii and Costa Rica, we’re equally adept at crafting extraordinary, immersive adventures in spots like the Cook Islands, Mount Kilimanjaro, Bhutan and the Arctic (all of which we’ve booked this year). No matter the destination, our mission remains the same: opening the doors to fresh experiences and perspectives for kids and adults at every age and stage.

Here’s a peek at some favorite photos of our clients having a blast across the globe this past season, plus a taste of the words that put smiles on our faces. Enjoy!

Founder & CEO

Praise from our 2025 Ciao Bambino Travel Planning Clients

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you both for planning an absolutely amazing trip to Italy for our family of seven. Every detail was perfect, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience … We made memories we’ll cherish forever, and it’s all thanks to your thoughtful planning and expertise. Everyone in my family could not believe how wonderful the trip was.  It is sometimes hard to have a family of seven all on the same page, but we are all in 100% agreement that this was the best trip we have ever taken.” — Trippler family trip to Italy, designed by Amy Annis

“Cary, I can’t believe what a wonderful trip we had! All the camps were wonderful and we felt so spoiled. Your suggestions were spot on! We can’t thank you enough for planning such a life-changing trip for our family. It is definitely one we will never forget!” — Jaggi family trip to Africa, designed by Cary Walker Collett

“Thanks for all your help organizing our trip. We had a great experience and everything ran very smoothly … We are rejuvenated and inspired!” — Coles family trip to Southeast Asia, designed by Lynda Zuber

“We are safely and happily home. It was a wonderful trip, full of adventure and amazing sights! You and your partners in Iceland did a fantastic job. Some of the best parts were the navigational aids included in the itinerary and the notes about each day. They helped so much. Each activity was top-notch. Plus, we had great weather!!!” — Willard family trip to Iceland, designed by Tori Shields

“Overall — it was a perfect trip!  Thank you so much for stepping in and working so hard to make it perfect.” — Meyer family trip to France, Switzerland and Italy, designed by Lissa Poirot

“Thank you so much for helping me pull off a wonderful trip celebrating my parents’ anniversary. At every hotel we got hand-written and signed cards, plus treats and Champagne — all the reservations were perfect, and the entire trip went so smoothly, not one glitch. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!” — Multigenerational family trip to Canada, designed by Mandy Cecchetto

“Our trip was nothing short of magical. You really nailed it with your hotel recommendations and activities. I have a feeling you had something to do with the fact that literally every room we checked into upgraded us and congratulated us on our marriage and honeymoon. Your note at Sofitel and bottle of Prosecco was sweet. We would definitely use your services again!” — Burke/Shedden honeymoon in Italy, designed by Shari Margolin

“When we told Sydney we were looking for an active trip in May with beautiful blue lakes, green mountains and wildflowers, she suggested Slovenia, a country we had never considered. It felt like a hidden gem, not crowded and so beautiful! Thank you Sydney for helping us plan an unforgettable senior trip with our adventure-loving daughter before she leaves for college.” — Tanner family trip to Slovenia, designed by Sydney Memmott

“Thank you again for all your help throughout this trip. It really made me appreciate not just the fun parts, but also the unexpected things — and the value you bring as an agent who helps us navigate those surprises, and truly acts as a partner in our adventure.” — Chen-Gough family trip to London, designed by Nancy Daum Dailey

“This was our first trip taking our three kids abroad (and also the first time we’d travelled internationally since we had kids). Helen helped take all of the guesswork out of the planning process. She was thoughtful and thorough and helped design the perfect Italian getaway. Everything from travel to hotels, family-friendly tours and dining options, all stored neatly in one convenient app — Helen and Ciao Bambino helped make our vacation seamless. It was truly an experience we will never forget.” — Little family trip to Italy, designed by Helen Buckner

“Our trip was fabulous! Really one of the best trips we’ve ever done. Thank you so much for your help in planning it. We will be savoring the memories from this adventure for the rest of our lives.” — Maestrelli family trip to South Africa, designed by Katie Stewart

“We can’t thank Kerry enough for planning the most incredible 12-day family vacation to Belize! From the very beginning, everything was perfectly organized, creating an unforgettable experience for our multigenerational family … Kerry made sure everything was seamless, and we left Belize with memories that will last a lifetime. This was our best trip yet!” — Gunsberg family trip to Belize, designed by Kerry Rawcliffe

We weren’t sure what to expect from using a travel advisor, but are so glad we did! Planning a trip to Greece for our family of six (with all different interests) was no small feat. Kristen and her local team in Greece arranged everything seamlessly, starting with selecting the perfect islands for our family, and all we had to do was show up. There was an excellent cadence to the 10-day trip, from Athens to Paros to Santorini. The transfers were on time and every activity was curated just for us — a mix of historical stops with excellent guides, cooking classes at a beautiful local farmhouse, beach activities, boat rentals (with our own private captain, snorkeling and cliff jumping with footage captured by the captain’s drone), and countless great restaurants. Even on the crowded and very hot Parthenon visit day, we were able to sidestep the masses. It was as though Kristen knew our family better than we knew ourselves. Thank you Kristen and Ciao Bambino! — Smith-Hackett family trip to Greece, designed by Kristen Avini

“We had a magical trip! Everything went perfectly. The hotels were absolutely iconic! Thank you for everything! I will definitely be in touch again. The app and your tips were all super helpful. I’m so glad I finally realized how helpful a travel agent is.” — Jobe family trip to Italy, designed by Shelby Robinson 

“Thank you for putting together this experience for us … we created wonderful memories that our family will cherish.” — Hurtado family trip to Germany, designed by Anna Diebel

“Thank you so much for all you did to make our trip so incredible! It was the perfect balance of culture, learning, activity and relaxation. We loved every minute! It was just a wonderful family vacation from start to finish and we are so grateful to have had that time together. Thank you again for everything you did to make it possible!!!” — Neuman family trip to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

“Our trip was an absolute dream. It was such a successful first international trip for our kids. Thank you for your help planning the day excursions.” — Kruse family trip to Costa Rica, designed by Tina Woitaszewski

“The trip was brilliant and our travels in the country were flawless thanks to you … we were singing your praises every time we showed up to the trains and just walked into great seats or found our cab right away. We’ll look forward to connecting with you the next time we can muster a big family trip!” — Smith family trip to Japan, designed by Kiki Humes

“We had the BEST time. Thank you so much for organizing such a beautiful and meaningful trip.” — Klein/Robin trip to Switzerland and Germany, designed by Susan Robinson

“The trip was incredible. Really exceeded my expectations. I recommended you to some 50 people along the way.” — Kulick family trip to Italy, designed by Natalie Ethridge

“This was our first experience working with a travel agency and I’m convinced it’s the way to go from now on. Or at least Ciao Bambino is! … Thanks especially for accommodating our son’s addition at the 11th hour. We were so happy that he was able to enjoy Madrid with us. Thanks for making our trip stress-free and fantastic.” — Ruff trip to Spain and Portugal, designed by Linda Considine

Relevant Links: 

Pick your passion: Best family vacation spots for every interest

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

10 great places to take kids … while they are still kids

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Editor’s note: Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

The post The Joy of Shared Connections: 2025 Ciao Bambino Travel Planning Testimonials appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

This year is extra special because we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary — what a happy milestone! Over our two decades in business, we’ve seen a lot of changes in the world, and Ciao Bambino has adapted right along with them. On our blog you’ll find many years’ worth of testimonials from travelers who rely on us to help them make the most of those all-too-quick childhood years. In heartwarming news, these days we’re planning an increasing number of parents-only trips for longtime clients whose kids are now in late high school or college. In many cases they’ve been with us since the baby and toddler years and we’re grateful that they continue to put their trust in us as they redefine what travel looks like for this new chapter.

No matter the age or stage, it is our team’s dedication to stellar service and putting together exceptional experiences that creates this incredible feedback, as well as the vacation memories that last a lifetime. Here’s to another year — and beyond — of unforgettable journeys!

Praise from Our 2024 Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Planning Clients

Our family trip to Portugal was seamless and memorable thanks to Kristen’s expert planning! She helped us narrow down cities to visit; designed an itinerary that perfectly balanced the interests of my husband and me, as well as our kids (ages 5 and 9); and thought about all the little details in between. Planning was a breeze — Kristen was easy to communicate with, and CB’s digital planning tools made the process efficient and convenient. Accommodations, activities and service throughout our trip were wonderful. We highly recommend Kristen and can’t wait for our next adventure! — Bhandarkar family trip to Portugal, designed by Kristen Avini

Melissa, we had the most wonderful time! The experiences you planned were all wonderful and will be very special memories. All four of us loved the ninja training, origami, tea ceremony and dinner with the geisha. Our hosts were all wonderful, authentic and so welcoming! We also had an amazing time at kidzania and Tokyo Disney and appreciated the help making those arrangements and figuring out the systems. Both Four Seasons and the ryokan were phenomenal. The ryokan was a very special experience and we loved every minute. They were so accommodating to the children’s meals and we were able to relax there perfectly … Many thanks for the trip of a lifetime! We did not want to leave; everything was absolutely incredible! We look forward to connecting for the next trip. — Boone family trip to Japan, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

Helen planned the most amazing European vacation for our entire family. After losing our beloved mom, mother-in-law and grandmother in 2023, we knew that it would be a good year to gather together, switch up traditions and travel over Christmas. We had a group of 10, with kids ranging from ages 11 to 24, and all were able to enjoy! This trip started in Amsterdam, included a cruise down the Rhine River and ended in the beautiful mountain town of Chamonix. Our family of five then spent some extra time in Switzerland and celebrated New Year’s Eve in Zurich. All of Helen’s careful planning with transportation logistics, fun activities and beautiful accommodations made this trip even more enjoyable and seamless. It was the trip of a lifetime, but I can’t wait to work with Helen again on another memorable experience!  — Green family trip to Europe designed by Helen Buckner

Tori was a rock star! She was thorough helping us and booking hotels and also offering ideas for activities. Can’t wait to use her again! — Fahey family trip to Ireland, designed by Tori Shields

The pasta making class was the best; the kids really enjoyed it. The hotel and pool were super nice to come back to after being outside in the heat, both being top notch/high quality. Specifically liked the location of the hotel being away from the tourist sites, per escaping back to a location less crowded and closed in. Being close to the Borghese gardens and museum was an extra plus. … Amalfi, just an absolute wow. [We] appreciated being in Amalfi and not dealing with hordes in Positano. The hotel, again — couldn’t have asked for better. All in all, this was an amazing trip and itinerary/planning were spot on.  — Moses family trip to Italy, designed by Mandy Cecchetto

Our trip was great! We felt like your planning and advice made everything very smooth and seamless. We walked almost 100 miles, ate a lot of great food, have hundreds of photos to show our friends and family, and feel very fortunate to have been able to take this trip. Thank you so much for helping us! We felt like your advice was every bit as important as the actual booking you did for us. We’ve recommended you to a lot of friends/family and if we have the opportunity to travel to Europe again in the future we will definitely reach out to you. — Klamm family trip to Italy and Germany, designed by Kerry Rawcliffe

We just returned from a relaxing and fun-filled week at Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the BVIs. This was a combined celebration for our 25th wedding anniversary and birthday(s). Thanks to our wonderful travel advisor, Lynda Zuber, we stayed in a beautiful Beach Cottage with a thoughtful bottle of wine waiting in our room to kick-off our celebration week. Lynda ensured our airport transfers were seamless from the airport to the resort, which included a private ferry ride. The hotel offered an amazing breakfast each morning which was included in our room rate as well, thanks to Lynda’s relationship with Virtuoso Hotels. As a Rosewood property, each room is assigned a private butler to take care of onsite requests, and our butler team of Mikel and Neil were outstanding. We enjoyed private tennis lessons with the onsite pro, Luis, who was high-energy and a lot of fun. We also chartered a boat for two days of exploring beaches and snorkeling around the islands. Understated elegance probably best describes this Caribbean resort and we truly loved our long-overdue getaway. We look forward to working with Lynda and the Ciao Bambino team on our next vacation! — Gassel anniversary trip to the British Virgin Islands, designed by Lynda Zuber

Taking my two teenagers and one young adult to Africa by myself felt daunting but exciting. Cary made the planning fun and easy. She took what we were looking for as far as culture and travel itineraries and helped us plan a great 10-day adventure! We were able to book some unique experiences, from a street art tour of Cape Town to the amazing safari experiences. Cary helped with everything from packing details and restaurant suggestions to exciting days balanced with downtime due to the long flights and time changes. Our trip ended up being an amazing experience of early mornings with teenagers, which rarely happen, and African sunsets that were straight out of The Lion King. The animals on safari were like nothing we had seen so up-close and personal! The planning was unparalleled and no stone was left unturned. Family travel is full of adventure and uncertainty, which can lead to anxiety. Cary ensured we could fully enjoy the adventure by mitigating so much of the anxiety. Family travel is worth the extra effort … the memories are forever. — Carlton family safari in Africa, designed by Cary Walker Collett

Tracy helped make our first trip to Paris and London seamless. From our beautiful hotels to transfers and awesome tour guides our days were pretty perfect. Visiting Normandy was a must do. It was a memorable day and the highlight of our trip. And London was even better than expected. — Norris adults-only trip to Paris and London, designed by Tracy Smith

Planning a trip with Brendan and Linda is like planning a trip with your close friends who live in every destination you’d ever want to explore. This trip to Italy was the second family vacation they planned for us. Their depth of knowledge and insights into everything from where to stay based on proximity to our interests and preferences, to activities and excursions, restaurant recommendations, connecting us to the best guides, and superb timely transfers, not only made trip planning effortless, but it took the stress out of travel, allowing us to enjoy every moment and soak up the memories. We so appreciate having their support throughout the trip and the Axus travel app with our itinerary details is priceless. Thank you, Brendan and Linda, for making this a trip of a lifetime; can’t wait for our next adventure! – Neely family trip to Italy, designed by Brendan Considine

I just wanted to send a BIG thank you to you and your colleagues for planning the most fantastic family vacation to Greece. We loved every minute! The staff at the hotels, tour guides, porters at the airport, and drivers were all wonderful and made us feel like royalty. Even though at times we were super exhausted, each activity was wonderful. The private catamaran, kayak cruise, snorkeling with a speedboat, visits to small towns and tours of museums were amazing. And I have to say, a highlight of our trip was the cooking class on our last day. The family who taught the class was just lovely and we greatly enjoyed hearing about their life. I have given your information to several friends and strongly encouraged them to contact you for their future trips. — Stathopoulos family trip to Greece, designed by Susan Robinson

Oh my goodness Sydney — just arrived to the new hotel and holy heavens to Betsy — it’s bananas!! Absolute eye candy on EVERY level on EVERY surface! We couldn’t stop ourselves from giddily squealing as we danced through the secret gardens and ogled over every detail in each of our rooms! This place is heaven. Amazing find! We never want to leave. We’re having the BEST time! Tonight’s meal at Narru was insane. One of the best of my life — it was truly epic! And the rides have been beyond gorgeous. The guides are so wonderful, the lunches are incredible too — thanks again for all of your work! — Dean group cycling trip to Spain, designed by Sydney Memmott

Such an incredible trip! … One of our favorite parts was connecting with and learning from our guides. We had the same guide (Mark) all 3 days at Lamanai, then Shane/Nathalie on the boat and Brainard while we were in San Ignacio. All of the guides/captain grew up in the areas where we were when we were with them, and they were all fantastic. Because we were with them for multiple days, we felt like we were able to build relationships, share pictures on WhatsApp, etc. Belize was just incredible. The people, cultures, history, archeology, ocean research, adventure, food. Wow. — McMahan family trip to Belize, designed by Kiki Humes

Once again, you hit it out of the park. The trip was AMAZING! The peace of mind that comes with partnering with you is truly such a blessing. It has changed my mindset of international travel … now all I can think about is where to go next. Thanks so much for the awesome plans. — Schlehuber family trip to France, designed by Katie Stewart

As an experienced traveler who takes pride in meticulously planning my own trips, I never thought I’d need the help of a travel advisor. However, planning a family trip to Italy (Lake Como, Milan, Florence) in April, while being a first-time mom to a baby under one year old, quickly made me realize I had underestimated my ability to plan logistics and manage my work/life/baby schedule at the same time. That’s when I did some research and found Ciao Bambino. I was so pleased to have been paired with Sarah, who is an absolute travel lifesaver. The depth of Sarah’s research was phenomenal. She provided extensive details and a wide range of options, particularly for day trips and tours. Navigating Lake Como, with its many towns, villas and transportation options, was made effortless thanks to her precise instructions and timing recommendations. Even when we were undecided about visiting the Ferrari museum and doing a test drive, Sarah offered us detailed options to consider, making our decision much easier. One of the most reassuring aspects of working with Sarah was that her support didn’t stop once we arrived in Italy. She continued to check in on us and even provided real-time assistance, such as booking car services, which added an extra layer of comfort and convenience. Overall, Sarah’s help made our trip seamless and stress-free. Having her support both before and during the trip felt more like having a knowledgeable friend by your side than just a service. I can’t recommend her and Ciao Bambino enough for anyone planning a family trip anywhere. — Tsang family trip to Italy, designed by Sarah Sik

Relevant Links:

Get our guidance for long-term family travel planning on Ciao Bambino

Family vacation planning simplified: A school year’s worth of travel in 6 easy steps

Pick your passion: Best family vacation spots for every interest

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented. 

The post Once-in-a-Lifetime Memories: 2024 Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Planning Testimonials appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

Praise from our 2023 Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Planning Clients

As for our next trip, who knows? What we know for sure is the value of working with you on these trips is priceless. We love the personal connections we make with guides/drivers that enrich our travel experience. You always recommend quality places to stay, and the tour operators are reliable and offer great hospitality. THANK YOU for treating us to this wonderful Irish plan! — Quiring family trip to Ireland, designed by Susan Robinson

Our family just returned from an incredible one-week adventure in Iceland. We saw whales, dolphins and puffins, hiked to amazing waterfalls and geysers, explored a lava tunnel, soaked in hot springs, including the Blue Lagoon, and saw the Northern Lights!! Our grandchildren had smiles on their faces the whole time! Thank you, Helen, for planning such a memorable trip for our family. We’ll be talking about it for many years to come. — Stone family trip to Iceland, designed by Helen Buckner

Ciao Bambino continues to impress! The vacation was an absolute dream. We were busy — but the experiences were so unique and enjoyable that I wouldn’t have wanted to skip any of them in retrospect. We were blown away by the guides … hospitality and knowledge were wonderful! Thanks again for everything! — Trueblood family trip to Croatia, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

Brendan and Linda are simply the best. We have been blessed to have them guide us on many adventures around the globe, and I always say “This was the best trip ever!” … until the next trip takes the top slot. I can’t imagine traveling without their guidance and vast knowledge. They create a magical experience every time. — Stranahan family trip to Morocco, designed by Brendan Considine

It was the most amazing trip, and I know that just doesn’t happen. You totally got my family and made it so special. Not sure how you could put something together from just what I had said — nice work for sure! — Taylor family trip to Quebec, designed by Katie Stewart

I can’t tell you how many times during the trip my husband would say “Wow, that was a cool thing we did,” or “Great job picking the hotel,” and I would just reply, “It’s all Katie!” From the start of the planning, it was clear that Katie was as invested in us having an amazing trip as I was … Her hotel recommendations were flawless. The activities she suggested and booked were all amazing and enjoyed by all three of us. Katie listened to what was important to us and it clearly guided all of her recommendations. And when something would not go as planned while we were in Europe, she had quick solutions to ensure that our experience was not negatively impacted. Katie seemed to think a step ahead of us about everything. I can’t think of one thing she could have done better. I’m so thankful we got connected with Katie via Ciao Bambino and hope she will work with our family on many more adventures! — Draper family trip to Italy, designed by Katie Brown

We were lucky to work with Lynda to design our four-week trip to Hawaii and California. Thanks to her, we discovered volcanoes, underwater life, beautiful starry skies and magnificent sunsets, and we will have wonderful memories to share and talk about for decades. — Corsilli family trip to Hawaii and California, designed by Lynda Zuber

Another magical vacation by Laurel! You’ve done it again … I can’t wait to see the next adventure you plan for us. — VanderVelde trip to Iceland and France, designed by Laurel Perry

Our trip was amazing! We owe a lot of that success to you for your knowledge, planning and communication. I frankly don’t know how someone going to Italy for their first time can actually see and learn all we covered without your help. The private guides are a must when visiting the historical sites. The private transportation is a must in Europe! The dining recommendations were all A-list. — Van Gundy trip to Italy, designed by Mandy Cecchetto

Our family took an incredible trip to Africa. Our hearts are still there! As a good friend once told us, “It will change you,” and indeed, our adventure through Cape Town, Johannesburg and three thrilling safaris [did]. Above all, the highlights were our adrenaline-pumping animal-spotting expeditions alongside experienced guides who dedicate their lives to protecting these magnificent creatures and the rich history and the message of hope shared by Nelson Mandela. Sharing every moment with our 9-year-old child brought immeasurable joy to our hearts! Thank you, Linda, for planning this for us. — Stagnaro family trip to Africa, designed by Linda Considine

Our trip to London exceeded all our expectations thanks to the incredible planning help we had from Kristen. My husband and I and our two elementary school-aged kids loved every castle, every meal, every site and especially appreciated our terrific guides, who were A+. We loved this trip so much that we asked Kristen to plan our next family adventure in a totally different part of the world … Costa Rica! We cannot wait to have yet another true vacation, one that feels like so much more than a family trip and one that we will all remember for years to come! — Schaefer family trip to London, designed by Kristen Avini

We would absolutely recommend your services to anyone in the market! … Hopefully you can tell that we had a blast on our trip. We’ve been raving about it since we got back. Really, pretty much no major hiccups. Thank you again for all your help making this trip happen! — Woodhouse-Allard family trip to Italy and France, designed by Barbara Weindling

Overall the trip was great. It worked for the 10-year-old. It worked for the 80-year-old. And that’s quite a feat. Kudos to you!! — Sallenave family trip to Costa Rica, designed by Kiki Humes

I told myself the entire two weeks before we departed for Turks and Caicos that I needed to temper my expectations. I repeatedly told everyone in the family, “It won’t be perfect, but it will be fine.” And even, “No matter what, it will be wonderful.” I never dared really, truly believe that our time in the Dream Pavilion on Ambergris Cay could be so absolutely fabulous. The entire family is in your debt for finding it for us, recommending it to us, chasing down every single detail and so totally “getting” us that we found ourselves in a most special place for a most special time …  THANK YOU!!! — Sentilles family trip to Turks and Caicos, designed by Cary Walker

Using you really allowed us to enjoy the trip. According to my husband, you removed every possible area where there could have been friction. I really think that made it so much easier for us (mostly me) and gave us time to focus on the stuff that we wanted to focus on (like finding the best gelato). The app was amazing at keeping all the info together. You recommended things I never would have thought to do on my own. — Dioli-Lake family trip to Italy, designed by Casey Armour

Amy and Bailey: Everything was perfect. We were so impressed with Ciao Bambino! I can’t think of one thing to even slightly improve upon. We have already recommended you to several friends. Keep doing what you are doing. A+++ — Whitt family trip to Croatia, designed by Amy Annis

We truly had the trip of a lifetime. From tours and history to sand and sun to delicious meals and laughter, we had a fantastic time in Greece as a family. Every detail was arranged so we could relax and enjoy ourselves. The transfers made getting around easy, the hotels were perfect for our family setup and all the tour guides were fantastic. Thank you for helping us plan such an amazing experience! — Hansen family trip to Greece, designed by Natalie Ethridge

Relevant Links:

Get our guidance for long-term family travel planning on Ciao Bambino

Family vacation planning simplified: A school year’s worth of travel in 6 easy steps

Pick your passion: Best family vacation spots for every interest

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.

The post Deep Relationships, Meaningful Moments: Praise from Our 2023 Family Vacation Planning Clients appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

Our goal at Ciao Bambino is and has always been to create indelible memories for families that they’ll cherish for months and years to come. Mission accomplished. (again!)

Kudos to our incredible team of talented Advisors!

Praise for Ciao Bambino from our 2022 Family Vacation Planning Clients

Having Helen’s guidance and help in planning our family’s trip to Italy this past summer was absolutely essential. She made the entire process, from the planning stages all the way through to our return, so easy and stress-free. This was our first international trip as a family and we had such an amazing time, all thanks to the perfect itinerary that Helen designed for us — and one I’d never be able to do. The activities, tours, transportation, guides and accommodations were wonderful. All we had to do was look at our schedule for that day and show up. The important information was neatly organized and saved on the Ciao Bambino app, which made things super convenient … Seriously, the investment we made upfront was well worth it. The memories that were made on this vacation will be cherished for a lifetime. We will be planning all of our family vacations with Helen and Ciao Bambino from now on. — Warwick family trip to Italy, designed by Helen Buckner

Now that I have kids I have been eager to share the world with them … We have been to Hawaii, Europe, NYC, Florida, San Francisco and all over the Caribbean. Several years ago I wanted to go back to Europe with them and take them to Switzerland. I like to plan my own trips but became overwhelmed at all of the options and ended up with analysis paralysis over exactly what to do and worried I would make a mistake. That’s when I was introduced to Ciao Bambino … I was assigned to Susan Robinson and could not have been happier. Since 2018 we have scheduled a 2-week trip to Switzerland, a week trip to Florida and a 2-week trip out west [to] Wyoming and Montana. What I like about using Susan is that she is easygoing, makes great suggestions and has an itinerary that is family-friendly. The places she recommends are always wonderful as well as the excursions. I have recommended her to 10+ of my friends … I just want the best and I don’t want to have to worry that I have made a bad decision. When it comes to using Susan I think you can put your travel worries to rest. — Acton family trips to Switzerland, Florida, Wyoming and Montana, designed by Susan Robinson

We felt we had a good mix of activities planned with you and free time to plan our own activities, and we really had the time of our lives. Thank you so much for coordinating everything, and for rescheduling our tour! — Ireland family trip to Italy, designed by Mandy Cechetto 

Alaska was a hit with us all!  It was perfect with the three grandparents too … We saw Alaska by nearly every mode of transportable possible, it seemed: bus, car, kayak, jet boat, Otter plane, float plane, train twice, cruiser boat and by foot. All were wonderful. — Berry family trip to Alaska, designed by Barbara Weindling

WOW, what a trip! It was truly AMAZING, INCREDIBLE and MEMORABLE! From the bottom of our very grateful hearts, thank you for planning such a wonderful family vacation! The trip was flawless, from the fun experiences to the friendly drivers to the personable and engaging guides to the luxurious accommodations and everything in between! We have fallen in love with Croatia and Montenegro, and hope to return one day. We loved the One & Only Portonovi — it’s fabulous! Not only is it a stunning property, it’s very well appointed, the staff is lovely and welcoming, the food is excellent and the overall experience is top-notch … Can’t wait to think about and start planning our next trip! — Bottoms family trip to Croatia and Montenegro, designed by Kiki Annis

When your family is ready to graduate to a flawless luxury travel experience, call Ciao Bambino. You’ll be glad you did. — Martin family trip to Norway, designed by Laurel Perry

I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful our trip was! Everything was amazing — the tours, the hotels, the service. Thank you for always doing such an amazing job! We had a great mother-daughter trip. It was so special. — Brackin mother-daughter trip to Spain, designed by Katie Stewart

We returned from Italy 10 days ago and are still talking about the wonderful time we had! A two-week vacation with our three children was somewhat last-minute, and there were concerns, with the timing and the current COVID situation, that it would be challenging. We could not have been more wrong. With the assistance of Linda from Ciao Bambino, our time in Siena, Rome and Florence was seamless. Linda was a joy to work with on our itinerary. Determined to make it a great experience, she provided and scheduled several amazing tours and experiences. Our kids continue to reminisce about the tours of Pompeii and Rome as well as their favorite pasta dishes. We are eager to return. — Siela family trip to Italy, designed by Linda Considine

Honestly, Susan, I felt so seen and heard when I looked at the itinerary! You just get us. — Hogan family trip to Ireland, designed by Susan Robinson

Thank you!! Thank you!! We had an amazing time in Europe! Wow. Thank you for all of your planning and help. It was truly memorable. — Ota family trip to the UK, France and Spain, designed by Barbara Weindling

Our trip was AWESOME. Truly fabulous in every way … I would say that all our tour guides were exceptional — could not have asked for better! The cooking class was everyone’s favorite — we all LOVED it!!!! The class consisted of just our family and two other women. The chef was laid-back yet very informative — a perfect combo for our varied cooking skills. Pizza and gelato were just the right amount of work/time and everyone enjoyed eating the final result. It was just enough hands-on time for everyone to enjoy themselves and learn a little something. Highly recommend!!! Truly — the trip could not have been any better! We absolutely loved it and created memories that will last forever. I cannot thank you enough, Melissa. We truly felt cared for and as though we were in the best hands possible throughout our time in Rome. We cannot wait to start planning our next trip with you … What a gift you gave our family! — Neuman family trip to Italy, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

Overall it was an exceptional family vacation! We never could have planned something like this ourselves, so I am very grateful for all the time and effort you put into creating this itinerary for us. I will definitely be back in touch to plan future trips! — Cates family trip to Costa Rica, designed by Chelsea Johnson

Thank you so much Amy and Kiki! I can’t tell you how much we loved everything. It was truly the trip of a lifetime and everything was very seamless. As I mentioned before, every single one of the guides we had was amazing. I also really loved having all of the information at our fingertips in the app. It worked really, really well. — Donoghue family trip to Spain, designed by Amy Annis and Kiki Annis

Thanks again for helping us plan this amazing trip. We all kept saying “Thanks, Susan” when things went well. — Hutchison multigenerational family trip to Amsterdam and Paris, designed by Susan Robinson

Helen helped us plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Costa Rica in February 2022. We were used to beach vacations without a lot of culture and our kids were old enough for a little something more, and our trip was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. We visited both the Arenal and Manuel Antonio areas and had a wonderful time. We were able to sit in amazing hot springs, see countless animals (including many sloths), experience some whitewater river rafting, zipline through the rain forest and relax on beautiful beaches. All of our transportation in-country was smooth and seamless, and the travel app was a game changer. We wished we had another week to see other parts of the country. We can’t wait for Helen to assist us with our next adventure! — Montesano family trip to Costa Rica, designed by Helen Buckner

Kate and I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity in helping us celebrate our anniversary trip. We were actually talking on our drive from the airport to the resort about how incredible our experience had been with you. Our sincerest gratitude for all your help and patience with our family over this past year. The memories we’ve made have been so sweet! — Howard anniversary trip to Napa, designed by Katie Stewart

The memories we’ve made as a family thanks to the trips Susan has been a part of … we are forever indebted! Planning is a true collaboration — our wishes met with her expertise. Each trip has been executed flawlessly with no detail being overlooked. Excited to plan our next family adventure … You truly are the BEST!!!! — Burns multigenerational family trip to Germany, designed by Susan Robinson

The trip was great! So many highlights … All of our tour guides were professional, knowledgeable and engaging. We love the experiences you’ve curated for our family. The kids definitely had their favorite tour guides and tours based on personality and locale. The low-key week in Tuscany was the perfect way to break up the trip. Rome is a super-cool city that we will definitely return to! Thanks for planning yet another wonderful trip for our family! — Marshall family trip to Italy, designed by Barbara Weindling

The trip was an incredible adventure. It was a great mix of scheduled activities that were new and days where we could plan a bit on our own, leaning heavily on suggestions in the itinerary. Visiting the eruption site was the perfect culmination of the trip. Sitting on the side of a mountain and taking it all in — the sounds of the volcano and the quiet reverence that those around us had for the site made for a most memorable experience! — Geraghty family trip to Iceland, designed by Katie Stewart

I just wanted to pass along some feedback from our trip. All in all, it was absolutely perfect, and I can’t thank you enough for helping us think through what we wanted to do and then making it happen. We all really had a blast for the whole two weeks, and each part of the trip far exceeded our expectations. — Dotsch family trip to Spain, designed by Mandy Cechetto

I can’t begin to express the gratitude we feel toward Linda and the amazing work she does at Ciao Bambino. My wife and I were fortunate to make her acquaintance as we were planning a 14-day trip to Italy. It was our first trip to the country, and I was uneasy about some of the logistics. About 5 minutes into our initial call with Linda, her vast experience began to shine through. Whenever a question or concern came up during the planning process, or while we were on our trip, she would simply say “Leave it with me” and came up with a brilliant suggestion. She truly provides an excellent service.  Investing with Linda was the best decision we made, and we are excited to work with her again! — Miller family trip to Italy, designed by Linda Considine

We worked with Laurel to plan our 2-week trip to Greece, planned for summer 2020, and when COVID hit she worked tirelessly to get us refunds or credit vouchers for everything we had booked and prepaid. When travel started opening back up, we decided to add an additional 2 weeks in Italy. Laurel planned an absolutely amazing month-long trip for our family this summer. Every detail was attended to and our trip went off without a single hiccup. She is well-connected with the very best hotels and tour operators. We formed a super-fun bond through all this planning and we will definitely use her again! — Hagens family trip to Greece, designed by Laurel Perry

I just want to say you made this trip truly remarkable (once again). It’s easy to criticize and find things we don’t like (especially these days!), but when you meet and work with special people that create happy days for me and my family, the least I can do is write a note of thanks. Love working with you; I feel we are very lucky to have found you. You nailed it — again! — Korkus family trip to Ireland, designed by Katie Stewart

We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica! We thought it was the right amount of activities for how long we stayed there … We had an excellent tour guide, Alex, to take us through the National Park.  He pointed out things we would have never been able to see without him. Our surf guides were great too. They detoured us from Manuel Antonio Beach to Quepos Beach because it was too rough, so we appreciated the calmer waters in Quepos. Thanks for everything. We can’t wait to go somewhere next year! — Martinez family trip to Costa Rica, designed by Barbara Weindling

We had such a lovely time on the trip overall. I’ll emphasize the hotels were fantastic — great locations and service. We are SO glad we listened to your recommendations on La Bandita! I think the amount of scheduled activities was also just right. The farm and wine tour was definitely the highlight … Thanks again for everything. I’ll definitely be recommending Ciao Bambino to a few friends that just had children and are excited to start traveling! — Ramadurai/Smith family trip to Italy, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

This trip has been nothing short of magical. Every detail has been carried out, we have been treated like royalty — yesterday there were crowds of people waiting for a sunset cruise, and we just got there and walked on. The tour of the small village was not what I had expected, as I thought we were doing wineries and breweries, but it was BETTER! The kids learned about ancient instruments and made their own flutes; the owners of the cultural center really took good care of them. Anyway, we’re only halfway through and we needed to just say thank you! — Scott family trip to Greece, designed by Helen Buckner

We had a great time! From start to finish it was a wonderful, restful vacation … All of our memories are fond and lined with silver linings … and for that we are wholeheartedly grateful to you! — Hickey family trip to Mexico, designed by Katie Stewart

Relevant Links:

Get our guidance for long-term family travel planning on Ciao Bambino

Family vacation planning simplified: A school year’s worth of travel in 6 easy steps

Pick your passion: Best family vacation spots for every interest

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented. 

The post Celebrating the Return of Travel: Praise from our 2022 Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Planning Clients appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

The words of appreciation below are what energize and empower us to move ahead, despite — or maybe even because — families need our help now more than ever.

Praise for Ciao Bambino from our 2021 Family Vacation Planning Clients

In these crazy COVID days, international travel is exceptionally challenging. Almost prohibitive. Well, unless you’re a brave (and maybe a little cuckoo) traveler. I have learned, however, that my greatest asset when traveling is not a negative PCR test but having Ciao Bambino and you behind me from beginning to end. My insatiable appetite to travel with friends and family has been facilitated by you and your team in such a way that I won’t step out of the house any more without you knowing. And this applies to my domestic travel as well. There isn’t a corner of the world where you can’t extend your hand and expertise and create a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Although initially I had reached out to you to help me with traveling with our 10 children, our relationship has extended way beyond this to a travel concierge who can truly provide exceptional travel anywhere in the world. Thank you!

Though the places that I mention would be a standard destination in a non-pandemic world, assisting me in vacationing to exotic destinations like Egypt, Sicily, Italy, Turkey and Kenya has been nothing short of epic and life changing. Equally, or perhaps even more important, is how you have helped me manage the unexpected. We have run into numerous situations that could have stopped my travels in their tracks, but the safety and security you have provided while I am away is a warm security blanket that I will never again consider traveling without. — Kaufman family trips to Africa, Europe and more, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

I took my daughters (ages 12, 12 and 14) on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galapagos Islands in early June, and it is safe to say that it would not have been possible without Helen’s heroic efforts. Before we began planning the trip, Helen spent some time finding out about my family and our approach to traveling so that she could help plan a trip that was tailored to our particular needs and preferences.

Not surprisingly, the Galapagos Islands are a challenge to visit during the best of times, and the ongoing pandemic added an additional layer of complexity. But Helen helped us navigate through some dicey logistics, found truly unique lodging for us (including a four-bedroom villa with a dedicated three-person staff!) and selected tour guides who were able to expose us to the wonders of Galapagos wildlife and the natural, scenic beauty of the islands. The trip was memorable in so many ways, and my family will always be grateful for the experience and Helen’s tireless efforts to make sure everything went smoothly. — Ferdinands family trip to the Galapagos Islands, designed by Helen Buckner

I have lost count of the number of trips Barbara Weindling has helped us plan since 2017. But it’s a lot! Two trips to Europe (one with two families, one that was adults only), Vancouver, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, Blackberry Farm, and others. And of course, one dude ranch!

The reason I keep returning to Ciao Bambino for our vacations is because I know that I am going to get the best possible trip with the least amount of stress in the planning component as well as the trip itself. It’s very important for my husband not to feel the stress of keeping us safe and well-maintained when it comes to organization, and Barbara makes all of this happen. From drivers at the airport who take care of our luggage to getting the best possible rate at resorts or hotels, it makes it easier for me to plan a trip knowing that it will all be done well. The Virtuoso amenities of a full breakfast and possible upgrade are, in themselves, worth it even for our shortest of getaways. And Barbara has gotten to know my style and wishes when it comes to choosing hotels and activities, and I trust her to protect me from my own crazy whims! Not to say that I don’t enjoy planning alongside her, because I do like the planning side, but I know in the end that we will have exhausted all possible options and our end result will be amazing and well done.  — Berry family trips to Europe, Canada, the U.S. and more, designed by Barbara Weindling

Cary was immensely helpful in creating a framework around our New England family vacation! She helped us stay in a variety of locations and experience some amazing adventures. She tailored our experiences and our days to what worked for our family and our interests. In two weeks we visited six states and made memories to last a lifetime! — Carlton family trip to New England, designed by Cary Walker Collett

My husband and I travel quite a bit, often as a couple, but sometimes with children and grandchildren. In the past, I have done most of the research and booked hotels and activities myself. But for a spring break trip to Sedona in March 2021, I decided to work with Helen — and I’m so glad I did. We had a party of eight for this 5-day trip, and Helen helped with every aspect, from booking our preferred rooms at the Enchantment Resort to activities such as jeep tours, a private journey to the Grand Canyon and a hot air balloon flight that was everyone’s favorite. She also made dinner reservations for us each evening. Everything during our stay was excellent. And when a delayed flight to Phoenix made it necessary to change our dinner reservations for that night, Helen was right on top of things and took care of it for us. I was truly able to relax and enjoy the time with our family.

Helen is currently helping with a family trip to Costa Rica this December, and again I’m so pleased that she is helping coordinate all the moving parts that a trip with 14 people can include. On a couple of occasions when I didn’t need assistance with a full trip, Helen was able to help with hotel suggestions. Bottom line: I have discovered how much easier — and safer — it is to work with someone who can do the trip research and book our hotels and secure activities using preferred providers. I look forward to working with Helen on a number of other trips. — Durand family trip to Sedona, designed by Helen Buckner

This was an unforgettable trip. Every single tour and arrangement was flawless from day one to day six. We cannot thank you enough for everything you did for us over these two years. It was all worth it!!! — Landesman family trip to Iceland, designed by Katie Stewart

We had an amazing stay at Forte Village. I think it’s definitely the most kid-oriented hotel we’ve ever stayed at. My kids loved the kids’ club and the aqua park and loved all the shows at night. I thought service was excellent and that all the staff was extremely dedicated. The kid restaurant was also an added plus as we could give them an early dinner and not worry about them being hungry before the later dinner. The meals were always great as well … I hope to come back in the following years! — Nasser family trip to Sardinia, designed by Mandy Cechetto

We had a great time on our trip! We had so much fun cooking at Los Colibris, horseback riding and working on the mosaic art. Our tour guide, Caesar, was really nice and helpful as well. And Garza Blanca … we knew that was going to be the relaxing portion of our trip, but we didn’t expect that it would be such a beautiful place. Our rooms were incredible there … Thanks again for everything. — Westlund family trip to Mexico, designed by Susan Robinson

I love working with Ciao Bambino as you did all the legwork on a project I simply didn’t have time to research. I know all the resorts were pre-vetted and you found great options for us in record time and during a very busy July 4th week when availability was limited. If I gave you more time to plan, I can only imagine what you could come up with. — Brubaker family trip to Lake Placid, designed by Linda and Brendan Considine

The trip was our BEST VACATION EVER. Definitely want to catch up and give you details, but wanted to make sure you know how phenomenal everything was. You did an incredible job planning everything–everything was seamless and an extraordinary experience. THANK YOU!!!!!!! — Wagener family trip to California, designed by Kristi Marcelle

Unforgettable! This is the word that comes to mind when I think of our beautiful family trip to Alaska, planned with the help of Melissa Rosdahl. Of all the trips we’ve ever taken as a family, this is the one that will always stand out. Why? Because for once, we relied on the expertise of a professional trip advisor to help us create an adventure with memories that we will cherish forever. From the moment I called her to say, “We really want this trip for our son’s graduation to be special,” she got right to work identifying all the must-see locations in Alaska, taking all the guesswork and stress of planning out for us, and working with local resources to plan the very best excursions with the most professional guides that were a perfect fit for our family (which includes a wide range of ages from teenagers to elementary-school age). Although it was a tall order with a tight time frame, Melissa crafted a brilliant plan that allowed us to take in the beauty of Alaska while creating family connections through unique experiences and excursions. It ended up being the perfect combination of leisurely sightseeing and trilling adventures, all wrapped up in a budget that was within our comfort zone (also very important to us). For all these reasons and more, I am happy to recommend Melissa and Ciao Bambino to anyone looking to plan a meaningful trip. I can’t wait to get another unforgettable experience on the books! — Hirsh family trip to Alaska, designed by Melissa Rosdahl

We had the pleasure of working with Cary and Ciao Bambino to plan our family’s trip to Greece this past summer. Cary consulted with us about our goals and expectations of our trip and then tailored our destinations in Greece and tours around these. She found our destinations and resorts in places that we would not have located on our own, and they worked out perfectly! The tours she booked took into consideration the ages and attention span of our two boys. I know our trip would not have been as successful without the help of Cary and the ease with which she organized everything for us. We look forward to planning and booking another trip with Cary and Ciao Bambino in the near future! — Fears family trip to Greece, designed by Cary Walker Collett

Katie put together the perfect itinerary for us for road trips to Scotland (from London) both last summer and this summer — once to Edinburgh and more recently to Isle of Skye and Inverness. My husband and I were traveling with our three boys (ranging from 4 to 8 years old), and Katie was able to construct a plan with something to keep everyone happy. In addition to arranging top-quality guides and special hotels, she provided expert tips on restaurants and things to do and see on our own. She really understands how much young kids are capable of handling, and advised us on several great stops along the way to stretch our legs and let the kids run and explore. All of the restaurants she suggested were child-friendly, while also giving us a good local flavor. She suggested activities we might never have thought of or tried on our own that were huge hits, and helped us to think through various options for what would be best for our family. Throughout it all, we had great communication and she made sure the trip was going well. There is so much to see and do in Scotland that it can be overwhelming to choose and to plan the best trip for you, but Katie takes the guesswork out and will make your trip truly bespoke and special. — Birge family trip to Scotland, designed by Katie Stewart

Helen and Ciao Bambino were an absolute lifesaver! Our family can’t get enough of vacation but the buildup to planning for it is just too much for me as a single and working mom. After spending weeks trying to plan the perfect vacation, losing my mind with the stress and still coming up empty-handed … Helen to the rescue.  With a relatively quick phone call, Helen got all the information she needed to get an understanding of what would be meaningful and memorable to our family. And in just a matter of days, voila: a complete vacation with a lovely condo that we greatly enjoyed, was perfectly located, fantastic excursion experiences that gave us memories we will cherish for years to come … and all without an ounce of stress. The fee for her services was completely reasonable and worth every penny! — Del Barrio family trip to Breckenridge, designed by Helen Buckner

Relevant Links:

Get our guidance for long-term family travel planning on Ciao Bambino

Family vacation planning simplified: A school year’s worth of travel in 6 easy steps

Pick your passion: Best family vacation spots for every interest

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented. 

The post Travel Memories Made Sweeter: 2021 Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Planning Testimonials appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

Our annual blog post showcasing love letters from traveling families has always highlighted the core elements of our service that our clients appreciate, like our invaluable insight into the destinations we sell and our deep industry connections. But this year the appreciation is taken to an entirely new level, as our Advisors have worked tirelessly to lead our clients through this crisis. The team is now navigating how best to re-plan those trips and find ways for our clients to still enjoy some escapes during the crisis. Although the past six months have been painful, we covet our industry and the life-changing memories that we create for our clients. We’ll get through this together, and we will appreciate one another and the opportunity to travel more than ever. Despite the pain, perhaps this gratitude is a silver lining. The kind words on this page give our entire team immense joy. A heartfelt thank you to our clients for taking the time to share so wonderfully how they feel about our efforts on their behalf!

Ciao Bambino Family Travel Planning Testimonials for 2020

Working with Laurel to plan our Greece/Paris trip was a dream. She worked hard to understand our family and recommended the most amazing itinerary. When we were faced with postponing our trip due to COVID, it was invaluable to have Laurel on our team to manage the process of unwinding our trip and ensuring we received the refunds and/or travel vouchers for everything we had pre-paid for. Without her intimate knowledge of the “right people” where we were booked, I highly doubt we would have gotten refunds or credits to rebook for next year. I will never book such an experience of a lifetime without Laurel and Ciao Bambino. I can’t wait until we can rebook this trip! — Hagens family trip to Europe, designed by Laurel Perry

The trip has been a huge, amazing adventure. It was so GREAT! I have told everyone they should go! The staff at the hotel in Buenos Aires was so nice that my daughter cried when we left — she loved the cupcake surprise you had prepared for her birthday. Patagonia feels like you are in the middle of nowhere but with all the modern comforts, and our guides were great throughout. We felt like they were only taking care of us. And the food was fantastic — we loved the backdoor chef experience … ​I love when you plan the trips because it’s a little bit like Christmas every day. I wake up and say “What are we going to do today?” because I don’t have to look at every detail — you have done it for me. — Tompkins family trip to Argentina, designed by Kristi Marcelle

Chelsea was amazing. She had everything planned to perfection. Always friendly and helpful, and set a wonderful experience up that was exactly what we were looking for. We really appreciate the attention to detail … Loved the Palace and Peninsula in Tokyo — excellent hotels. We already have referred her to a few friends that commented on our vacation posts! Hope to work with her again in the future. Overall it was a great experience. I have no idea how it could have been better. — Stewart family trip to Japan, designed by Chelsea Johnson

I would like to start at the end — thank you … thank you! My trip to Spain was unforgettable, in large part because of you and your exquisite planning on my behalf. My niece and her fiancé are still talking about it.  They had the time of their lives and told me they felt like royalty with the private tours … Every detail was taken care of by you. From Paco holding up a sign when we arrived at the airport to our last wonderful day in Barcelona, I never once felt any stress. The travel tips and other info on our iPhones were so helpful, and detailed too. Believe me, we used them! I cannot say enough about each of our guides … They were engaging and knew their history. Their styles were wonderfully different, like the city we were visiting. The highlights for me were standing in the masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, and later listening to the boys’ choir at Montserrat. Melissa, my genuine thanks. — Magner family trip to Spain, designed by Melissa Smith

My husband and I decided to give the family a surprise trip for Christmas to London and Italy. I was born in England so I wanted my grandchildren to see why Grandma loves tea so much! I came across Ciao Bambino and Brendan answered my email. We connected right away — he knew just how to do this … Each time I talked to Brendan I got more and more excited about the trip. He gave us ideas I had not even heard of; he gave us options on hotels and what places I should stay, in nicer hotels with better locations. Brendan and Linda coordinated 13 of us on this memorable dream trip I had in my mind! We flew from three airports in the states to England; we all met at the airport and started our trip in London. Four days later we flew to Naples and went directly to Pompeii, took private transportation to Positano, then a train back up to Rome. After Rome we took the train to Florence, then up to Venice. We all flew home from Venice. My goal was to have one day of tours then the next one or two days of rest or on your own. We had a few special dinners and fun activities at night, all coordinated by Brendan and Linda. We are so thankful that your company has such caring people. Brendan and Linda just amazed us with  their knowledge of all the places we went to. I still look at our pictures of all the children and grandchildren enjoying being together and know in my heart that this trip was a true family memory to cherish! — Saari family trip to Europe, designed by Linda & Brendan Considine

First of all, THANK YOU for arranging everything and working with me throughout this process. Everyone had a great time and was really impressed with every aspect of the trip … so I would say everything met or exceeded expectations! Accommodations were amazing. The Montage was the perfect family resort. From s’mores to tubing to petting Monty the dog, it was totally geared for people like us. Every time we turned around there was an example of how they aimed to delight and not just satisfy. — Lichtenfeld family trip to Deer Valley, Utah, designed by Barbara Weindling

Our trip to Rome and Tuscany was magical from start to finish simply because of Brendan and Linda’s attention to detail, the best recommendations for our family for tours, activities and hotel stays. Our trip was seamless and perfect; we’ll always book our future trips with them. They are professional and are very knowledgeable in every aspect of travel, plus they happen to be lovely to work with! — Greenblatt family trip to Italy, designed by Linda & Brendan Considine

I never had so much fun planning a trip that didn’t happen. I know if the world had not been in the middle of the pandemic, our trip would have been wonderful and this would be a different type of testimonial. I am a seasoned traveler and have been planning my own trips for years. However, when I started planning a special trip with my 14-year-old granddaughter to Greece, I became completely overwhelmed. My granddaughter’s knowledge and interest in Greek mythology seemed to know no bounds. Her goal for the trip was to explore all that she had read about the gods and goddesses. After flailing about for weeks trying to put something together, I decided for this trip I needed help. I contacted several travel organizations who specialized in Greek travel. Each sent me proposed itineraries which in no way reflected what I had told them I wanted. Then I contacted Ciao Bambino and met Helen. She listened, asked the right questions, helped me sort out what was important for us to see and offered much optimistic enthusiasm for the trip. Her responses to my many questions and concerns were usually within an hour and if she didn’t have an answer, she researched and got back to me promptly. I think Helen’s teaching background is most helpful in understanding what would appeal to children and her extensive traveling is helpful in understanding what adults would enjoy. Putting both these needs together in one trip is an important skill and one in which Helen excels. After working with Helen for less than a week, I wrote to her, “I am increasingly excited about our trip and decreasingly anxious about the trip planning!”  Finally, Helen’s expertise and help were invaluable in the canceling of each aspect of our trip and in negotiating the return of my monies. While our trip didn’t work this summer, when we are able to travel again, I will trust Helen completely to put it all back together. — Baldwin family trip to Greece, designed by Helen Buckner

Chelsea was a joy and pleasure to work with. She listened to our needs and preferences and did an excellent job researching for us. She truly sought to find what we were looking for. She had the sweetest touches sent our way (literally) even before we left for our trip. It was so thoughtful and beautiful! Chelsea was organized and prompt. She had everything we needed each day laid out. Our Europe vacation was super smooth thanks to her! The very best memory of my trip was the uninterrupted time with family. — Young family trip to Europe, designed by Chelsea Johnson

Despite a lot of the hiccups that we faced with guides and lodging, we truly had a great trip and took home many positive memories with us. You were the key component in getting us out there on that trip!  So thank you … I truly appreciate all of the services and support that you offer for my family to continue to get out and explore. — Culley family trip to Wyoming, designed by Anna Sizer

I really want you to know how fantastically phenomenal you are! [COVID] has not been easy for you and you have handled with such grace and we so truly appreciate it! We can’t wait to travel in Spain next year and have you book the rest of our trips for the rest of our lives. I know this has rocked your world, but know you are making a difference to your clients and that we are so grateful for your help and support. — Jacobs family trip to Spain, designed by Laurel Perry

Our catamaran trip was beyond incredible. The crew blew our minds with their hospitality and kindness. I look at the pictures and I’m sad because I want to be there. We were treated like royalty. My husband dove into the ocean every morning as we smelled bacon frying, and then he’d get out of water and be handed a coffee. The boat was incredible; the room was huge. We went on island tours and they cut down coconuts for the kids. By day 2, they knew what we preferred: martinis ready after we got off the dinghy every day with Frank Sinatra playing (husband’s favorite). We went snorkeling and saw lots of fish, and my daughter said “This is the life I want to live when I grow up.” They taught the girls to fish and they caught snapper and made sushi. The crew made a kids’ dinner and an adults’ dinner. They knew when to give us space. It was just unbelievable. — Cheary private catamaran charter in the British Virgin Islands, designed by Kristi Marcelle

I really enjoyed planning our trip to Italy with Susan. She was so knowledgeable about the area and helped me decide on tours, hotels and transportation. My family and I were so excited. Then COVID hit. Susan was the calm in the storm. Our trip was originally for the end of March. In the beginning there was so little information. Susan helped us rebook everything for the end of June. It was super smooth. Then as time moved on and we learned that the pandemic was more widespread than anyone originally considered, Susan helped us again by cancelling our trip and getting us refunds and credits. We are so hopeful that we can take this trip in 2021. I will continue to work with Susan on this trip and will definitely reach out to her for future trips! — Loudermilk/McGuire family trip to Italy, designed by Susan Robinson

We have been blessed to use Brendan and Linda for multiple trips now. They have always been carefully thought out, from the smallest of details to larger logistical ones. They have always made sure our kids’ needs are met as well as ours, which is not always easy to do! They are always available to answer questions and alleviate any concerns that arise. Our latest trip to Morocco was the most amazing experience, from visiting multiple ancient cities to camping in the desert, and we had the most amazing guide (who we still keep in contact with). But the most important part of this trip was when we were in Marrakech and the Moroccan government decided to close its borders because of rising COVID fears.  We were very nervous until we spoke to Brendan and he assured us he would take care of it and get us home safely, and told us not to stress. Not only did they get us out on the LAST flight leaving the country before they went into lockdown, they got us out with four first class tickets. I still don’t understand how they work their magic, but I do know my family and I are incredibly grateful to both of them. We have already begun planning our next adventures with them and honestly can’t imagine traveling without them and their expertise. — Stranahan family trip to Morocco, designed by Linda & Brendan Considine

Our experience working with Chelsea was outstanding… such a charming and delightful person to work with and always on top of everything! We would most definitely refer her to our family and friends! — Minor family trip to Hawaii, designed by Chelsea Johnson

First off — I cannot tell you enough how wonderful the trip was. New Zealand is even better than described and our gorgeous photos don’t do the scenery proper justice. Just WOW! Secondly, as with our trips before, I prefer to put the planning in your hands and not do too much (or any) research on my own. It removes any expectations and honestly the stress of traveling. The way you planned it worked quite well for traversing the islands from the south to the north. Thank you! — Warmath family trip to New Zealand, designed by Kristi Marcelle

The trip was AMAZING!! The hotels were all so different and unique, but absolutely perfect choices as far as location, style, room layout, etc. When I asked my kids which hotel was their favorite, they unanimously said they couldn’t choose, they loved all three so much. All three guides were amazing! I can’t even tell you how much fun we had shopping with Gloria. We could have shopped with her all day … Honestly, this was an effortless vacation. I can’t thank you enough! I wasn’t sure what to expect since I’m so used to planning everything on my own, but I couldn’t have asked for an easier trip. Thanks so much again, Natalie! Already dreaming about our next trip! — Sacco family trip to Spain, designed by Natalie Ethridge

You did a wonderful job planning a vacation we will remember for a long, long time to come. The boat trip was spectacular — what a unique treat. We saw amazing marine wildlife from the deck of the boat as well as during the incredible snorkeling; we had a most delicious dinner in the most romantic setting; we witnessed a beautiful sunset. The transfers were all smooth and went off without a hitch. Everyone we met was warm and friendly, knowledgeable and competent. — Himeles family trip to Costa Rica, designed by Barbara Weindling

In short, we LOVE Linda! We have used her for two trips now and cannot say enough great things about her. She listens and asks great questions to understand interests as well as financial and physical capabilities of the parties involved. Our trip to Italy and Barcelona last year was wonderful. We were all impressed at how smoothly everything went and how Linda thought of every little detail. Our tours were impressive and we always felt like she had our back during our trip. My father-in-law is not an easy man to please and he still raves about that trip … We planned to use her again for a trip this summer, but of course that trip is now on hold. However, we will definitely use Linda again for any future travel. — Dalton family trip to Europe, designed by Linda Considine

I just wanted to let you know what an amazing job Susan has done in helping us rearrange our travels. She has gone beyond the call of duty to help us make all the necessary changes. She even reached out to our travel insurance to make sure they moved our insured dates. You are very lucky to have her on your team. — Klein/Robin family trip to Tahiti, designed by Susan Robinson

Relevant Links:

Get our guidance for long-term family travel planning on Ciao Bambino

Family vacation planning simplified: A school year’s worth of travel in 6 easy steps

Pick your passion: Best family vacation spots for every interest

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented. 

The post A Year of Heartfelt Gratitude: 2020 Family Travel Planning Testimonials appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

The results are in and the news is incredible! Our Family Travel Advisors work one on one with their clients and at the end of the planning process, we’re all very invested in the trip outcome. We love that many of our clients take the time to debrief with us about their favorite (and not-so-favorite) experiences. We’re all real … travel isn’t perfect, as there are many elements that are unpredictable, but the high points outshine any imperfections every time and create those indelible smiles that we cherish long after the trip is over.

Here’s a look at a few of the memories our clients shared about their Ciao Bambino experiences this season. This is the true gift of our service that we treasure! Yes, we are a for-profit business and we make money to be successful, but the positive impact we have on families is the joy of the job. I’m so proud of our talented team of Family Travel Advisors who work with boundless integrity and passion.

Ciao Bambino Family Travel Planning Testimonials for 2019

Trips Designed by Amy Annis

What a fabulous trip! We all loved Spain — even more than we anticipated.  The people, culture and sights were so interesting.  Your itinerary and planning were flawless.  The trip went so smoothly and we never had a hiccup. Thankfully we had everything we needed in such easy-to-follow form and it was just the right pace. We had some good downtime, but saw everything that was on our “must do” list.  There was something at every stop that made it memorable. Even the train strike was a non-issue thanks to you all. Thank you so much for your thorough and insightful guidance! Now we just need to figure out where to go next! — Melvin family trip to Spain

Trips Designed by Helen Buckner

We were referred by a friend to the services of Ciao Bambino and what a great referral it was! From the first time we spoke to Helen until now, the service has been nothing but amazing … We were a little wary traveling with a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, but the trip was fun and not stressful. The activities she recommended were spot on for our kids, and we loved them as well … She made our trip memorable and seamless. The app, the documents and the follow-up were all first-class. We cannot thank her enough for planning our trip, as it will be one for the memory books! We owe it all to Helen! — Winnie family trip to Paris and Italy

Working with Helen to plan my family’s summer trip to Lake Como was such a pleasure. She was super attentive and detail-oriented. She took the time to listen to our needs and was able to provide us with the perfect itinerary to ensure everyone in our group was satisfied. Everything was thought out and executed to a tee! Helen was always reachable and able to change around last-minute things as needed. We were so happy with Helen and Ciao Bambino! — Blick family trip to Italy

THANK YOU for an amazing trip! We couldn’t have done so much without you … literally, it would have been impossible. Overall the trip was fantastic. — Froneberger family trip to Italy

Trips Designed by Mandy Cecchetto

Trips Designed by Linda & Brendan Considine

Trips Designed by Natalie Ethridge

Trips Designed by Kristi Marcelle

Peru was amazing! Thank you guys for planning a life-changing trip. I can’t wait to start planning next summer. — Cheary family trip to Peru

It is our personal connection that we have developed with Kristi and our trust in her knowledge of the spots we have chosen that keep us coming back. She is highly responsive, professional, but we feel like she would be someone we’d hang out with if she were in our social circle. We feel so lucky to have found her! We will definitely use Ciao Bambino again soon. — Wilson family trip to New Zealand and Bora Bora

To put it succinctly, we LOVED our Japan trip. We especially enjoyed the cooking school, calligraphy lesson and drum lesson. Our guides were wonderful as well, very sweet, the right energy level and very warm and caring. We’ve been telling our friends about what a meaningful difference working with you made in planning our trip. — Hanebrink family trip to Japan

Trips Designed by Megan Norris

Trips Designed by Laurel Perry

Our trip was, to put it mildly, ABSOLUTELY EPIC! It was PERFECTION and everything you touched was amazing. We honestly were blown away by the hotels, the tours, both cooking classes, the tour guides — each better than the next, except not really as we loved them all! … Words cannot convey how wonderful this trip was. It was the most magical two weeks. We used very part of the gift you gave us; the backpack went all over Europe; my kids played with the cards on every car trip. Honestly, WOW. You’ve spoiled us to ever travel any other way. We’ve already told several friends about you, and we are in deep discussion of where to go next summer with you by our sides. — Jacobs family trip to Italy

Trips Designed by Susan Robinson

I am typically the one in our family who does all of the trip planning, but with our big family trip to Switzerland I wanted some help to get the most out of our trip. I wanted to avoid the stress of having to figure out which city to visit, then which hotel, and then which activity would be the best. That is so time-consuming when you are going to a place you’ve never been before and I didn’t want to make a mistake. Susan solved this problem for me and more! I worked with her to design a general timeline and budget, and she went to work creating an itinerary that relieved my trip planning anxiety. She chose perfect locations, great hotels and fun activities for each member of our family. We traveled to five cities over a 12-day period and the whole trip ran like clockwork. I will be using Ciao Bambino again! — Acton family trip to Switzerland

Our 3-week-plus vacation in Italy was AMAZING! Thank you, once again, for all your time, work and input planning this trip. Like I’ve said before, it wouldn’t have happened without you — and it wouldn’t have been as phenomenal even if we had had the time to plan it ourselves. Everything went smoothly and having the app on the phone was incredibly convenient. We are so happy we found out about this service and brought you on board! — Santana family trip to Italy

Trips Designed by Melissa Rosdahl

Trips Designed by Nicole Schick

Thank you again for planning such a wonderful trip for us. It was perfectly laid out with gorgeous hotel options and doable driving times, and we LOVED all of the activities and experiences you planned for us. We have been telling all our friends about you guys — it was so helpful to have your [guidance]! — Sprague family trip to New Zealand

Now that I am over my jet lag, I wanted to write and say a big thank you for your amazing planning for our trip. We loved everything about it … the hotels were fabulous, the guides were fun and very informative and there was always someone right there to meet us when we arrived at our destinations. We all had an amazing time … so thanks again for all that you did to make this happen. — Herlache family trip to Greece

What a great trip and time together as a family. I wanted to thank you for working with me over the last almost-year to plan this celebration and vacation! I appreciate your responsiveness, advice and advocacy during the planning process and during the trip. — Fanfair family trip to Italy

Trips Designed by Anna Sizer

Ciao Bambino truly made all the difference on our trip to England and Scotland, especially traveling with a family of 3 generations. We were all able to enjoy each and every single moment together, knowing the details were in such capable hands!  — Rinaldi and Yorman family trip to the UK

Trips Designed by Melissa Smith

As we wrap up our vacation I wanted to take the time to thank you. This is the best vacation we’ve had since my husband organized our honeymoon … and I’ve been married for nearly 13 years. The hotels were great! The excursions were great! The people were patient and … wonderful. On behalf of my husband, my two boys and I, we offer a heartfelt thanks. You have gained  few loyal customers. — Louis family trip to Costa Rica

We’re back from our wonderful trip to Spain. You really created a fantastic experience for us! You left no stone unturned. Thank you so much for creating a family vacation that will carry lifelong fond memories for us all. — Mathurin family trip to Spain

Trips Designed by Katie Stewart

We loved our trip to Cape Cod and Boston. It worked out so well as we spent the week at the Cape and weekend in Boston. You did a great job and made it so easy for us. Places you chose were perfect. Our kids loved it all and want to go back already. Many thanks. — Garlikov family trip to Massachusetts

The best part of the vacation was you! And I say that in all seriousness. You were always so responsive and helpful (whether it was me being worried about my foot or asking you to track down lost wine bottles!). You made the trip what it was, and for that, you have us as clients for life! … We cannot thank you enough for making this vacation not only memorably, but truly exceptional. — Finnegan family trip to Austria and Germany

We loved working with you and appreciate that you were so thoughtful about advice and guidance on a region that, while developed, doesn’t see as much tourism from American families. I appreciate that you … were so proactive about addressing my concerns. It’s hard traveling with non-verbal kids! Wales was the perfect place to take a toddler. — Liao family trip to Wales

Trips Designed by Cary Walker

We absolutely loved it; would definitely go again and wish we’d stayed longer! You made it a once-in-a-lifetime discovery and dream, rather than just a vacation. — Gideon family trip to the UK

Trips Designed by Barbara Weindling

It was literally the trip of a lifetime. I could not imagine it going any better … Thank you again for all your help. We will definitely be going back and hopefully you will have a big part in the next trip. — Heitzmann family trip to France and Italy

We are heading home today and we all wanted to make sure you knew everything was just perfect in every way. This was a dream vacation for us all. thank you very much for putting it all together … In a nutshell, this was the best vacation we have ever been on. — Adams family trip to France

Relevant Links:

Get our guidance for long-term family travel planning on Ciao Bambino

Family Vacation Planning Simplified: A School Year’s Worth of Travel in 6 Easy Steps

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented. 

The post We’re Feeling the Love! Praise From Our 2019 Family Travel Planning Clients appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

Our clients embrace the fact that that travel is much more than frivolous entertainment in 2018; on the contrary, it is an integral part of raising global citizens who are flexible, tolerant and motivated to make our planet a better place. Time is our most precious non-renewable resource, and there is no second chance to make these wonderful memories with our children once this time is gone. Each stage of childhood presents a new and very different family bonding opportunity, and our mission is to help our clients take advantage of each and every one of them.

And I’m proud to say that, based on what our clients have said about our Family Vacation Advisors, we’re doing a very good job of this indeed!

Ciao Bambino Family Travel Planning Testimonials for 2018

We had the most incredible family adventure ever in Japan! Thank you so much for all that you did to make our travels so seamless and effortless. We truly enjoyed every minute! — Hoffman family trip to Japan

I owe you a long overdue email with our highlights and a big thank you for another memorable trip for my family … I will tell you that when I’m curating ideas for my next trip, Ciao Bambino is a place I search to get a feel for how an area would be with kids or just to get a travel idea. As you know, traveling, from booking to re-entry when you come home, is an experience. We’ve learned to embrace ALL that goes along with traveling as a family as part of the experience. Every moment of our vacation is not Instagram-worthy, but there are many moments that are — and that has truly been because of you. — Wright family trip to France and Italy

We all felt that this was the most organized and awesome trip we have ever taken! Next time we travel overseas, I know we will be using Ciao Bambino again. Worth every penny!!! — West family trip to Scotland

A friend of mine recommended Ciao Bambino and I couldn’t be happier with the support we received. Some of the things that we especially appreciated include: an itinerary that was kid-friendly (not just fun activities, but a reasonable amount of things to do); attention to doing things that were in close proximity on the same day; giving us candid feedback; sending useful tips and information; and working within our price range; and being super positive and excited about our trip, which was contagious! … There is no way I could have pulled everything together as a busy, full-time working mom planning an international trip just one month before leaving! I am beyond grateful. — Hodges family trip to France

Thank you so much for planning such a spectacular trip for us. We had a blast. Any one of the days or trip segments on their own would’ve been the best ever. All together in one trip was mind-blowing wonderfulness! We had fun, we learned a lot and we saw and did so much great stuff. We loved our guides, drivers and hotel staff across the board. Logistically speaking, I really cannot imagine it going much more smoothly. Our family was brought closer together as our horizons were widened. We are grateful, and we will continue to use Ciao Bambino for our travel planning. — Windham family trip to Italy 

As I have been looking at the pictures that I took of my holiday, I am reminded of what a special holiday it was. Everything was organized perfectly.  The accommodations and activities were spectacular … We will definitely return to Africa again. — Mason family trip to Kenya and Tanzania

Thanks so much for preparing the most fantastic trip for us. We loved everything you planned for us. Everything was so easy with the app and the vouchers … Your customer service was amazing. You truly put us at ease, explained everything so well and made us really excited for our trip. You’re fabulous! — Kaufman family trip to Iceland

Thank you for all of your help creating an amazing holiday in France for our family! You really listened to what kind of experience we wanted, and helped us attain it! — Milling family trip to France

Overall, it was an outstanding trip. Thank you for making this possible. Your contribution impacted everyone on the trip and the experience you created will live with them forever. Thanks for your hard work. — Rosh family trip to England and Italy

[We] want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for planning such an amazing vacation for our family. Every aspect of the trip was truly perfect! All our friends and family have asked us our favorite place in Italy and it really is impossible to choose; it was all magical! We will treasure those two weeks for the rest of our lives. It is such a gift to be able to travel the world with the people you love the most and Ciao Bambino put the cherry on top. We are so grateful for your planning and advice and I can’t imagine planning another trip without your help. We are already talking about returning next summer! — Tahirak/Bitterman family trip to Italy

In short, we had a really and truly excellent time … You put together a great experience for us, and I can’t recommend you and your organization highly enough! — Beck family trip to Ireland

We just returned home Friday evening and we are all still feeling the glow of the wonderful 2 weeks. Everything went smoothly and the itinerary was well thought out and worked well for our group … I also want to take a moment to tell you what a great experience we’ve had with Ciao Bambino. Years ago, when my oldest two were still babies (my kids are 13, 11 and 9 now), I read about Ciao Bambino in a parenting magazine. Even though we didn’t feel ready to travel with young children at that point in time, I kept Ciao Bambino in mind because I knew that one day we would travel with them as we did before we had children. And finally 2 years ago we planned our first European trip, to Italy, with Ciao Bambino. Everything went perfectly, as did this trip to France. Having all the logistics and details planned out so thoughtfully is such an incredible resources for families looking to travel this way. We recommend your company to everyone we know. Thank you to you and your knowledgeable travel consultants for helping to make these adventures a reality. — Heckman family trip to France

In a few short words, my family has described our trip as amazing, life changing, “meant so much to me.” Every tour and guide that you scheduled was very professional, informative and accommodating of our large multigenerational group. So many people who followed our photos on Facebook have commented on how much my kids and husband were smiling and how incredible the experience appeared … Thank you so much for making this journey not only possible, but also a memory of a lifetime. — Annello family trip to Spain and France

We LOVED our trip. Truly it was amazing! We had the best weather (not one day with rain and so much sun) and completely fell in love with Scotland. Thank you so much for the planning. — Memmott family trip to Scotland

Thanks again for all of your help! You made the trip easier for us to navigate as we went into unknown territory. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime and one we won’t soon forget. — Muse family trip to Italy

Relevant Links:

Overwhelmed by family vacation planning? Ciao Bambino can help!

How, when and why to use a travel agent to book a family vacation

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

10 family vacations that will change kids forever

6 continents, 36 countries, 14 years

Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented. 

The post Our Best Year Yet! 2018 Family Travel Planning Testimonials appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

Parents only have 18 summers to travel with kids when they are still kids, and we want to make each and every one of them count for every single person in the family. Sometimes families want to simply unplug and get away from it all, sometimes they want an educational trip of a lifetime, and sometimes they want something in between. We do it all — and what helps us do it well is the feedback we get from our clients from the trips we send them on around the world. It keeps our list of suppliers relevant and inevitably, they discover things that they can’t wait to share with us. We love learning from our clients and then sharing those lessons with other clients. Talk about the world’s most reliable feedback loop!

Here’s a look at some of our favorite photos of our clients in action from this past season and some of the things they said that made us smile. We love helping families create sensational memories all over the world!

2017 Testimonials from Ciao Bambino Vacation Planning Clients

I have so many good things to say about our trip … This was my first experience with CB and it was a great one. Thank you again for all of your help along the way! Grateful for lifetime experiences for our family. — Berry family trip to France and Germany

All in all I think this was a trip that will hold lifetime memories for me and my girls. I love thinking about it and reliving it as I type this email! I am so thankful for your help in the planning process. It’s not something I could have done on my own. — Stevenson family trip to Italy

Our trip was fantastic. You have a family as a client for life! There’s no way we could have done what we did without you. — Wascome family Paris and Mediterranean Cruise with custom private shore excursions

We are back from our trip and reminiscing about our wonderful vacation. Every single thing went so smoothly and we had the best time. I cannot thank you enough for all of your work to make our vacation so easy and seamless … You literally nailed down every single detail and thought of things I didn’t. We didn’t have to think about anything and I didn’t have to go out and try to research things on my own. And we did almost everything you suggested and loved it all … We’d recommend every single thing we did and we’d do them all again. Once again, I cannot thank you enough for helping our family have the easiest, best vacation ever. I cannot imagine doing a big family trip like this without the help of Ciao Bambino. I have already been spreading the word and recommending you to friends and will continue to do so. Thank you so much! — Diepenbrock family trip to England, Ireland, Italy and France

We have been on many tours in many parts of the world and the guide Ciao Bambino set up for us in Bangkok was one of the best tour guides we have ever had. She was so knowledgeable, very easy to understand, flexible on what we did and very interesting. She kept the kids (and adults) totally interested in what she was talking about and we learned tons about Bangkok, Thailand, Buddhism, history, etc. Thank you so much for setting this up. — Crocker family trip to Thailand

I can’t thank you enough for planning such a special journey through Prague, Krakow and Dresden. It was delightful. Everything ran so smoothly and each day was truly top-notch … A big thank you for your wonderful efforts and care to see to all our needs for a magical journey. Wishing you our best and hope we can connect again for our next adventure!  — Perkins family trip to Central Europe

We loved our trip; thank you so much for booking everything for us on such short notice. We wouldn’t have been able to pull off going without you! We will definitely use you again. It was the easiest travel we have booked … ever! Thank you! — Senoglu family trip to Scotland

The itinerary worked out really well with a nice balance between sightseeing and more kid-friendly activities. All of the hotels were great … Overall, it was really a wonderful trip and I think my kids really appreciated and got a lot out of the experience, which was clearly the goal! We are already daydreaming about our next vacation. — Eisenstein family trip to Italy and Switzerland

We are home, settled and still smiling about the trip. It honestly could not have gone better … I can’t wait to work with Ciao Bambino again very soon! — Stinson family trip to Italy

Going on the advice of a close friend, I decided to contact Ciao Bambino for help with a European trip that included a family reunion in Normandy, France followed by a vacation in Tuscany. Thank goodness I did! I no longer had the time or the patience to research ideas for a family of four that included two teenagers. Ciao Bambino was able to suggest things to do and places to stay and then book everything for us. Since the team has travelled extensively and stayed at the places they recommend, I knew I would get exactly what I was looking and hoping for … We will definitely use their services again for our next adventure! — Nash family trip to France and Italy

We have traveled quite a bit as a family, and I always do all of the planning and booking for our trips myself. This year I was so far behind, I knew I needed help and was so lucky to find Ciao Bambino. I highly recommend the team when planning [a] trip … Grazie mille! — Terranova family trip to Italy

Thank you so much for helping create one of the best vacations we have ever experienced! You spaced out the activities well. We never felt like it was too little or too much. When we plan another trip, we will definitely use your expertise. — Reizenson family trip to Park City, Utah

Just want to let you know that our planner has been great in helping me plan this trip for the family! She has been knowledgeable, attentive and interested. We could not ask for more. — Kursh family trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos

We are already missing Spain! I wanted to thank you again for helping us plan our trip … we will cherish the memories for a long time. We truly loved our vacation and it was flawless! — Thayyar & Maisano family trip to Spain

First and foremost, I want to thank you for your help and extremely high quality of service in planning and managing our trip. It was easily one of the best customer service experiences that I have had. Our trip was incredible. We loved it … Thanks again 100 times. You will be our first call for our next trip. — Kulkarni family trip to Italy

I found your customer service exceptional — I really felt you went above and beyond to find something to suit our family and our requirements, and I have no doubt that I would never have found something that special by myself. All your suggestions for places to go with baby were spot on, especially Lake Trasimeno, which was wonderful for our son. Thank you so much for all your help, it gave us one of the best holidays we’ve ever been on! — Wightwick family trip to Italy

Relevant Links:

The verdict is in! 2016 Ciao Bambino family vacation planning testimonials

A taste of CB! planning client testimonials from 2015

Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy of the individual families pictured.

The post Family Vacation Success! Love Letters from Our 2017 Trip Planning Clients appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.

I’ve grown our Family Travel Advisor team to meet the demand of our clients who are returning from trips we’ve planned and asking us to help with new destinations … and telling all of their friends to use our service. As a small business owner, it’s a word-of-mouth marketing dream! But don’t take my word for it — see for yourself what our clients are saying about their experience with Ciao Bambino this year.

Family Vacation Planning Testimonials from Ciao Bambino Clients

Many thanks for organizing an unforgettable family trip. From the initial contact, to the planning, advice and recommendations, this trip exceeded all expectations. — Giga family

You did a really nice job on our whole trip, and we agreed after both our CB trips that it was definitely worth it to pay for the service (and it ended up being a fraction of what we paid for the whole trip) … We feel like the CB service continues to be a very useful tool and that the value for us is great. We particularly like having someone with local knowledge laying out the best touring plan. We would not have known to stop at Ronda or Merida during our drive, and the restaurant and shopping recommendations were also particularly helpful.

Also, the guides on both the trips we have taken with CB have been top-notch — I don’t think we could have found them on our own (and we love the convenience of not having to track down guides, etc). All the hotels were great, as always. We definitely recommend the website and service to friends, and we will definitely continue to be a CB family. Thanks! — Merberg family

I would highly recommend Ciao Bambino for trip planning to everyone! It made it so much easier on my end not having to research every location, hotel and activity in depth. You knew the locations and best areas to stay (which is always a challenge). I feel like you spent so much time making sure every detail of our trip was the way we wanted it. You gave us so many options and kept researching until we found tours/hotels that were just right. I can’t thank you enough! I tell everyone it was worth every penny and then some! — Carpenter family

Our [British Columbia] trip was fantastic. We enjoyed riding bikes in the park and the Capilano Suspension Bridge was fun, and we all loved the seaplane ride. The Four Seasons in Whistler, as you know, was awesome … We’re all talking about going back in the winter some point. — Tuch family

I wanted to send a heartfelt thanks to you for constructing a dream vacation for our family. Our trip to Italy was, without question, the most amazing time we’ve ever shared. Every detail was perfect and we couldn’t have come close to such an adventure without your thoughtfulness and experience. We hope to work with you again someday (although Italy will be a hard act to follow!). In the interim, you have our complete appreciation and an immediate referral the moment we hear our friends utter the word “Italy.” — O’Donnell family

I received the email you sent and we are going through everything. I will get back to you asap re: highlighted portions. I just have to say I could not be happier! Your help is really allowing me to feel excited about this trip rather than stressed out, so thank you again! — Hovda-Lisenby family

[Our planner] offered a great phone consultation to help narrow down our options, and arranged not only for hotels and tours in Barcelona, but also for a private boat trip in Cadaques and a guided tour of the Dali Museum in Dali. She herself led our tours in Barcelona: a Gaudi architecture tour and a Picasso/Barri Gotic walking tour. Our multigenerational family group was so impressed — not only by her knowledge of the sites, but her passion for the arts and culture in Barcelona and her ability to keep everyone engaged … even our 6-year-old. We would recommend her to anyone traveling to Barcelona. We would not have had as rich of an experience without her. — Hortatsos family

You were a phenomenal travel planner, even down to worrying about our supper and rental car when we arrived. Thank you so much for everything. I would and will recommend you and Ciao Bambino. — Toews family

Our trip to California was the greatest trip we have ever taken. Period. We LOVED IT! — Stranahan family

You have been amazing and your insight and direction through this has been priceless. Your reviews from us are through the roof. We would like to send you that pasta package that we talked about as a gift from us. Let us know when you are ready to order. — Iacopelli family

I wanted to write you the usual synopsis email on the flight home. First, let me just say you have outdone yourself once again! Every single detail was planned and executed with military precision, and the pace of the trip and activities were absolutely perfect for our family. And this is what I truly appreciated about the trip. I work so hard and at a very fast pace, making decisions all day at work — so the idea of turning it over to you and then being amazed and impressed time and time again is a true testament to your talents. These are the experiences I want for my family, and having you there to help plan these experiences is priceless. — Lyons family

I hardly have enough positive words to use in describing how absolutely amazing you have been. Many thanks and unending gratitude. — Dougherty family

Virtuoso Benefits for Ciao Bambino Clients

We’re fortunate to have a world of resources at our fingertips, thanks in large part to our partnership with Virtuoso, an organization of the top travel agencies, travel providers and destinations worldwide. Through Virtuoso, we’re able to offer our clients the kind of exclusive amenities, upgrades, access and experiences that go well beyond what is time and cost-effective to research and book on your own online. Request more information from our Family Vacation Advisor team here.

Relevant Links:

Overwhelmed by family vacation planning? Ciao Bambino can help!

A taste of CB! planning client testimonials from 2015 

Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy of the families pictured.

The post The Verdict is In! 2016 Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Planning Testimonials appeared first on Ciao Bambino!.