Travel is my life

Are you happy with your job?

Very! Organising trips has always been my passion. I remember as a child I loved collecting travel catalogues and then organizing pretend holidays for my sister as a game. I have always loved fantasizing over images of new destinations and then, as I grew up, I started to discover the joys of travelling myself and now I am delighted to be able to create experiences for other people that guide them through wonderful adventures and memorable moments.

What is your favourite aspect of your job?

For me, preparing for the trip is as fascinating and challenging as actually experiencing it. A great trip must not be simply a succession of services, so the travel advisor needs to create a perfect combination of elements that results in a unique and exciting experience. It takes patience, an in-depth knowledge of the destination, lots of curiosity and flair but at the same time precision. I love putting this puzzle together!

What is the first trip you ever took?

As a child I travelled a lot with the family in a camper van. They were very experiential trips and we constantly moved around to fully explore the beauty of the destinations we visited. But what I consider my first real Trip with a capital T was to Cuba. It’s a destination that seduced me with its vivid colours, lively soul and unforgettable sea.

How do you keep up to date with this work?

Undoubtedly by continuing to travel in person! There is no better way than to experience a destination in order to be able to advise on it. But the world is obviously too big, so it also requires a lot of research to keep up to date. I enjoy reading travel stories and blogs, but above all it is important to stay constantly in touch with hotels and suppliers through trade fairs, educational trips and online courses.

What is the best trip you have organised? Where? For whom?

A few years ago I organised a trip for a couple and their grandson, a long itinerary that explored  Japan, China and the Philippines. The grandparents were great travellers and – moreover – the first clients I followed at the start of my Onirikos adventure, so I felt a special bond with them. Their grandson, who was about 8 years old at the time, kept a diary to record the best moments of the trip. Years later they still remember it as a wonderful experience and the knowledge that I contributed to such memorable moments for this child and his grandparents makes me very happy.

What kind of traveller are you?

I would describe myself as a relaxed explorer. When I visit a place, I like to discover as many aspects of it as possible, to get lost in the streets of a city, to walk through nature and to talk to the locals. I take it all at a very leisurely pace, however, leaving plenty of time for relaxation such as a good aperitif at sunset and a dinner to get to know the local flavours.

Where have you always dreamt of going?

It’s difficult to give just one answer. As a child I dreamt of travelling to so many places!

If I had to choose one I would probably say the West Coast of the US, with its vast national parks and the sort of scenery I often saw in the western films my grandparents liked so much.

Have you been there?

Yes, for my honeymoon I planned a fantastic itinerary from San Francisco to Los Angeles, passing through the major national parks in the area. I remember the thrill of watching the sun rise over Monument Valley, the play of light in Antelope Canyon, the vast, endless landscapes crossed by car….it was certainly a destination that justified the expectations!

Your next trip?

Bali, a destination that has intrigued me for many years and that I am looking forward to discovering. It’s one of those places where even thinking about it makes me feel at peace thanks to its lush nature and the spiritual aspect of its temples and rituals. I am ready to be transported through the colours, scents and emotions of this magical island. I will travel with my family, so that my daughter too can grow up savouring the beauty of the world and discovering different cultures and life stories.