Over the years, I have learned that successful travel planning requires an understanding of both the environment a traveler is coming from and the one they are entering.

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For years, people sought my advice while planning trips to Italy. It usually began casually once someone learned that I was half Italian:

“We’re planning a trip there this fall. Can I run a few things by you?”

The same concerns came up each time. People wanted a trip that felt immersive and personal, yet most readily available information funneled them toward a small handful of heavily touristed destinations and cookie-cutter itineraries. Even when they sensed that there was another, less discovered side of the country, they often did not know how to access it. Despite wanting to avoid tourist traps, rigid group travel, and generic recommendations, they were guided back onto the well-worn tourist circuit.

A brief conversation was usually enough to ease their uncertainty. A few fresh recommendations that genuinely suited their interests could completely change how they felt about the trip. What had seemed overwhelming began to feel manageable, exciting, and personal.

Then the conversation ended, and they were on their own again.

The ideas we had discussed were often diluted by generic agency packages, influencer content, commission-driven recommendations, and endless versions of the same narrow itinerary. They would return home having enjoyed much of the trip, but with stories of poorly paced days, disappointing experiences, or logistical problems they had assumed were inevitable. In reality, many of those difficulties could have been avoided with more thoughtful planning and continued support.

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Miele grew out of those conversations, both in response to the number of people asking for my help and from a desire to push back against cookie-cutter tourism. Although I am always happy to offer advice here and there, I created Miele to move beyond quick conversations and provide guidance from the earliest stages of planning through the journey itself.

Born to one Italian parent and one American parent, I have spent my life immersed in both cultures. I am bilingual and have always split my time between Italy and the United States. Maintaining strong ties in both countries is deeply important to me. As a result, I am fortunate to have an extensive and trusted network of local businesses, hospitality professionals, artisans, and longtime friends throughout Italy.

Rather than beginning by asking clients where they want to go, I start by getting to know who they are: what they enjoy, how they spend their time, and the types of places and activities that naturally appeal to them.

Once I understand their interests, preferred pace, comfort level, and goals, the itinerary begins to take shape. It may be created for someone drawn to food or art history, cities or small towns, beaches or mountains, quiet countryside and slow mornings, or someone determined to see as much as possible in ten days.

A Miele experience goes beyond reservations and logistics. I consider the details travelers may not yet know to ask about: which towns are best during certain seasons, where locals go for an aperitivo, which regional foods are worth seeking out, market days, festivals, hidden walks, thermal springs, packing advice, realistic pacing, and the cultural nuances that can make the difference between simply visiting Italy and genuinely experiencing it.

A Miele journey will never be built around prepackaged tours or commission-driven partnerships. I select every destination, recommendation, and experience for the individual traveler, providing itinerary planning, reservation coordination, and support before and during the trip.

No two experiences are the same.

A presto!