CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

  • "I had reached out after finding Fatto a Mano on Instagram. I had our honeymoon flights booked to Italy but realized I needed help filling in everything between (not to mention on an incredibly tight timeline). I wanted to find someone who could work with my ideas and budget and was a real expert without being tied to any specific travel groups or hotels. Michael was EXACTLY that! Working with Michael was incredible from start to finish—he put together a phenomenal itinerary within one weekend! It included day trips, the greatest non-touristy restaurants, and perfect timing and transitions for each destination (we did three main cities over 2 weeks). I really appreciated his work in gathering a few different Airbnb options (all pre-vetted and in great locations, thanks to his expertise). I was able to go in and pick my favorite from his pre-sorted list, perfect for my desire to plan but have no wrong choices! He also diligently worked to stay within our budget and really maximized our trip - one of the biggest returns from working with him in my opinion. He wasn't afraid to gently provide his opinion and expertise against some of my original ideas, all of which I am SO thankful we took his advice and couldn't be happier with a trip I would have never been able to plan myself (especially after a wedding!) Overall, I'll admit I was hesitant at first about the cost of using a planner like Michael; I learned, however, that it is BEYOND worth what you get out of it. Whether you're torn about using a planner in the first place or are shopping around with other agencies, etc., I can't recommend strongly enough working with Michael as your best option."

    Jenny
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    October 2024

  • "Michael planned a dream of a honeymoon for me and my wife. His intimate knowledge of Italy made for such an incredible experience. From knowing the staff at Positano’s great restaurants to the tours of Florence and Rome/The Vatican we really got the best experience possible from our trip. For anyone considering Italy for a long trip, you need to consult with Michael. Not only does he know where to go and what to do, he makes a handcrafted beautiful experience for you depending on your needs and wants. He cared for us not only during the planning process but throughout our time in country and we couldn’t be more thankful to have found him and his services!"

    Declan
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    September 2024

  • "Our family worked with Michael for our July 2024, trip to Italy. I initially approached him in February of 2024 at a point when I was completely overwhelmed at the prospect of planning a memorable trip for my husband, teenage daughter, and myself. I've planned many trips previously, but for some reason, I found the information overload and the endless possibilities daunting when it came to putting an Italian itinerary together we would all enjoy. I reached out to Michael and we scheduled a call. From the jump, Michael took the stress and anxiety off my shoulders. He asked great questions as it pertained to what we were looking to see and do, asked about our interests, trip length, budget, preferences, etc... I was worried his concierge level type of planning would be out of our budget, but he assured me it would not and he held to his word (he was very straightforward when it came to projecting costs throughout planning). After our discussion Michael worked to develop an itinerary custom-planned to our interests and desired activity level that highlighted exactly what we asked for; an introduction to both the charm and history of Florence with a blend of relaxation along the Amalfi Coast. Michael was incredibly easy to work with. He listened and proposed things that were well within the guidelines of our budget. He found us perfectly situated accomodations that were charming and ideally located. He took care of our dinner reservations, connecting us to the most delicious meals. Bonus, we never had to worry about battling the summer crowds of tourists for a table; something I truly underestimated how convenient that would be. If we had an interest; hiking, cooking classes, boat tour of the coast, professional photos while we were there...he had a connection or made one to secure us what we were looking for from a reputable local source. Additionally he brought to our attention and made it possible for us to find places "off the beaten path" that guidebooks or travel blogs would likely have never alerted us to. Michael communicated throughout the planning process. Not only at the onset of planning but throughout. He even corresponded with us while we in Italy to help assist us and make sure we were making it from point A to point B on travel days. The communication continued once we were home as he followed up with us after the trip to ensure everything met our expectations, receive feedback, and to hear some of our travel stories. I would NOT hesitate to recommend Michael to anyone. He listened to what we wanted, delivered on promises, and stayed within our budget parameters. Michael blends his love and passion for the country, its people, and culture with his thorough firsthand knowledge of Italy. That powerful combination creates a pretty incredible trifecta."

    Jill
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    July 2024

  • "In celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary, my wife and I decided to mark the occasion by traveling to Italy, a vacation that we both had dreamed about even before meeting one another. We are not the type of travelers to purchase a travel package and our original intent was to plan the trip entirely ourselves. As we dug into the logistics, myriad restaurants, historical sites, attractions, etc. we quickly realized that planning the perfect trip in Italy requires local knowledge. We had more questions than answers. We enlisted Michael to help us curate the perfect trip and I was blown away by the level of detail we hadn’t even considered. After all, how do you maximize an experience in a country/city you know nothing about? Google and ChatGPT’s knowledge only goes so far. Michael has over a decade of experience living and traveling in Italy and a love of the country and culture that has made him an invaluable asset in planning a trip to any region of Italy. His knowledge of Italy took our trip to a level we hadn’t imagined. No detail is too small for Michael and the minute nuances of each day are the variables that truly make a trip unforgettable. One memory that stands out is the access and friendships he has across the country. When planning the trip ourselves, we tried to get into one of the most coveted restaurants in Positano to no avail. Michael sent one email, secured the booking, and had the general manager waiting at the front to greet us by name before we had one of the best meals of our lives. As Raffaele said, “Michael is family, so his friends are also family.” Michael knows Italy as if it was the neighborhood in which he grew up and he will leave you feeling as though you had a personal tour guide by your side the entire time, helping you create the most valuable memories of your lifetime."

    Jim
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    July 2023

  • "Michael has been an invaluable contributor to my travel blog over the years. When it comes to planning unforgettable trips to Italy for both couples and families, he is my ultimate go-to resource. His intimate knowledge of Florence is truly remarkable and it came to our rescue when we decided to embark on a last-minute vacation during the bustling high season. This trip was particularly special, as it included not only my husband and me but also our 10-month-old son and my parents - a logistical puzzle that could easily have turned into a nightmare. Among the numerous challenges we faced, my mom's celiac dietary restrictions posed one of the most daunting hurdles. However, thanks to Michael’s extensive first-hand experience, he curated an impressive experience that catered to her specific needs, and every dining experience turned out to be nothing short of spectacular. Traveling to Italy with an infant was uncharted territory for our family. Fortunately, Michael has been exploring Italy with his wife and own young daughter for years and was able to provide his unwavering support. From advising us on nap schedules to setting realistic expectations for navigating Florence, their guidance was instrumental in ensuring a seamless and enjoyable family adventure. Michael not only shared his profound knowledge of Italy but also his genuine passion for making every trip a memorable and hassle-free experience. Their expertise and personal touch turned what could have been a disaster trip into a journey filled with beautiful memories. I am immensely grateful for his assistance and would wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone planning a trip to Italy."

    Kiersten Rich, Owner The Blonde Abroad
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    Summer 2023

  • "Michael has been instrumental in planning two of the best Italian vacations I've taken and, as a result, I can confidently say that I have experienced some of the best days of my life in Italy. From the initial planning phase (flights, hotels, trains) to the fun planning phase (sights, sips & bites) to the life-altering planning phase (engagement logistics), Michael's love of Italy, Italian culture and going the extra mile results in a fairytale time. She said yes, by the way!"

    Jordan
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    November 2022

  • "Italy is the most beautiful country in the world. That being said, without the proper guidance you can miss a lot or end up in many tourists traps. Michael’s attention to detail and recommendations made the trip that much better. We were able to make the most of our short stay in Italy with his expertise. His recommendations were not only top notch but helped us to use our time efficiently. Everything he recommended, from the wonderful restaurants to the activities were incredible. The personal touch he added to the trip was remarkable. In fact, almost every restaurant knew Michael and smiled when his name was mentioned! You can feel his passion for the people and the country and it shows through all his curated choices. I can’t recommend Michael enough. "

    Jackie
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    July 2023

  • "Michael's recommendations were spot on for our family trip to the Amalfi coast! The food we ate, places we went, and time we had together created forever memories for us. Having Fatto a Mano's guidance made us feel like we had a local with us while we were there!"

    Trevor
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    June 2022

  • "My wife and I spent a couple weeks traveling through Italy last summer and Michael helped us make the most of our time there. From the Amalfi Coast up to Tuscany and Florence his guidance opened up a world far outside what you'd find in a Google search!  You can tell he utilizes the time he's spent in country to ensure you have an authentic, local experience throughout Italy." 

    Ben
    Fatto a Mano Travel Client
    Summer 2023