By Amy Doherty - Owner & Founder of Travel By Luxe
They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so let’s jump back in time to when I took my first not so tentative step into the world of delivering guided tours for clients from around the world.
The year was 2013, after ten years working in the corporate world in my native Australia, I had finally taken the plunge to move to Rome and founded Travel by Luxe, becoming an official, licensed guide of Rome & the Vatican City in the process.
Although daunting at the time, it was truly a case of the heart knowing what was best.
I had been in love with Italy since I was a little girl. I first visited Rome on a family holiday when I was 14 and had been instantly enamored by the sheer beauty of the ancient Roman architecture and monuments that decorate the city, the countless masterpieces by iconic artists, and the historic legends and lore that just gripped me and refused to let go.
Yet, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Roman history & Italian from the University of Melbourne, I found myself working in a variety of management roles in publishing and advertising for companies such as News Corporation and Pacific Magazines. Certainly an enjoyable lifestyle, but the desire to travel, start a life in Rome, and explore the rest of the country was a constant throughout those years.
Despite more than a few unexpected hiccups and speed bumps along the way, those early days of starting out the business are still some of my fondest. The opportunity to draft customized tour plans for my guests and then actually deliver those tours, sharing my passion for this wonderful city, and to see it ignite the same interest in others was such a thrill. Indeed, it wasn’t long until I began to branch out into guided tours of other regions and cities as my early guests had made sure to return to see more of Italy and began their research by asking me if I could put them in contact with someone who shared my infectious enthusiasm for their city!
As Travel by Luxe grew and expanded into England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Iceland, Switzerland and France, our fundamental philosophy remained the same: crafting the vacation of a lifetime for our guests, to touch their hearts and create memories they will cherish forever, just the same way I was struck by my first visit to Rome all those years ago.
Travel by Luxe: European Tour Planners and Private Guides
Regardless of whether a guest wishes to use our services for 1 day or 1 month, we believe every aspect of their tour should be tailored and suited to their exact needs. That is why we offer every client a complimentary itinerary service to provide them with a curated menu of options and experiences for their vacation.
Sometimes this involves private drivers to take clients between cities or across borders, often it means recommending the most suitable accommodation for their needs, frequently evening entertainment and gastronomy options after our guide has retired for the night, but it always involves strict attention to detail and putting our guests needs first.
Our luxury private tours are designed to go beyond ‘tick the box’ visits to sites like the Vatican Museums, the Eiffel Tower, or the Tower of London. If it’s just for the photo op then any large group or bus tour could provide that. We aim to elevate the experience into one that will leave an indelible mark that will stay with you long after your travel home. The way we do this is simple: only work with the most experienced, qualified, and entertaining private guides, chosen for their storytelling abilities just as much as their subject knowledge.
Alongside iconic locations such as Edinburgh Castle, Buckingham Palace, The canals of Venice, or the Louvre Museum, we also want to deliver off-the-beaten-track excursions, hidden gems that those without our intimate local knowledge will likely be aware of and creating a money-can’t-buy experience like savouring a wine tasting after an in-depth explanation of art and architecture inside the Sistine Chapel!
We specialize in child-friendly and family-friendly tours; private tours for conference and professional groups, couples, individuals, and first-time and seasoned travellers to England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Iceland, Switzerland, France, and more.
Please feel free to contact me directly at hello@travelbyluxe.com, and my team and I will be delighted to assist you.
Contact Our Team Our Private Tour Planners in Europe
To talk to your tour planner and discuss ideas and suggestions for your private tour in Europe, simply send our team an online inquiry below. Just let us know where you want to visit and give us an idea of locations and activities that inspire you, and we will get to work crafting your tailored itinerary.
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Meet Your Tour Planners
Our ethos is centered on creating the ultimate vacation experience for our guests, which is why we have specialist tour planners across Europe ready to provide you with the lowdown on the best times to arrive, local specialties, and events, and armed with a Rolodex of the finest English-speaking private guides in the country.
Get in touch with your local expert today by completing the contact form below, and they will begin tailoring one of our tour experiences to your exact tastes and requirements – all on an entirely complimentary basis!