Authentic, inspiring, & unique journeys since 1996
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Mike DiCarlo
Boston, MA Travel Agent· 25+ Years of Experience
DISTINCTE LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(20)
100% Recommended
Mike is fantastic to work with and went above and beyond to make sure our honeymoon to Italy and Greece was perfect. Given his extensive... Read More >
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Europe, Italy, Scotland, Saint Andrews, PortugalInterests:
Golf, Bespoke Travel, Luxury, Luxury HotelsSuppliers:
Marriott Hotels, Leading Hotels of The World, Rail Europe, Belmond, InterContinental Hotels GroupAbout Me
A round for my mates at the St Andrews Golf Club
I joined Distincte after playing over 250 rounds of golf on the Old Course at St Andrews and have decades of experience as a marketing, strategy, financial, and business development executive. Along with my expertise as an executive, I love luxury, experiential travel and have logged over 2 million miles in the air to every corner of the world. My first travel experience was aboard the USS United States for the 1-week journey from New York to Southhampton, England when I was 5 years old. One of my favorite travel memories dates back to the 1997 Ryder Cup in Valderrama, Spain when I was one of the 100 passengers aboard the Concorde with the USA team. (The ride over was far more jovial than the return!) Also, for 15 years, I owned a successful home letting business (Monarchs House) in St Andrews facilitating golf and lifestyle experiences for well over 1,500 happy clients. Also, I was a consultant with St Andrews Grand, an iconic, luxury residential property located overlooking the Old Course’s 18th green. Besides Scotland, I have extensively traveled to Italy & Portugal. I have developed unique & authentic experiences to both countries for an extensive list of clients. This summer, 2023, I visited country 106 & 107.
The Prestige Tour/Scotland
In 2023, I am journeying to Scotland with 16 like-minded people to play golf at Scotland's 10 most prestigious courses. We will stay at 5-star accommodations and dine on the HRH Royal Yacht Britannia. More information upon request.
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Europe, Italy, Scotland, Saint Andrews, PortugalInterests:
Golf, Bespoke Travel, Luxury, Luxury HotelsSuppliers:
Marriott Hotels, Leading Hotels of The World, Rail Europe, Belmond, InterContinental Hotels GroupREVIEWS
Rating: 5.0
20 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 20 reviews
A Perfect European Honeymoon
Reviewed By Mike - Philadelphia, PA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Mike is fantastic to work with and went above and beyond to make sure our honeymoon to Italy and Greece was perfect. Given his extensive travel experiences, for most destinations, Mike is able to give recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, activities, etc based on places he has actually been (and for places he has not been, based on significant research). He was very mindful of both our budget and optimal travel logistics, providing multiple lodging options at various price points for each location and putting together a trip that minimized any potential inter-destination stress. Mike checked in multiple times as we were traveling to ensure that everything was going seamlessly and was in direct dialogue with our hotels and car service companies to make sure that we had everything that we needed. Would recommend Mike to anyone looking for a perfectly-curated trip to Europe (or elsewhere!) based on a travel lover’s personal experience, with exceptional customer service!
Mike DiCarlo responded
"Thank you very much, Mike. I was delighted to put this trip together for you and your new bride. Even though it was delayed because of Covid, it seems to have worked out perfectly. Glad to be of help. All the best to you."
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
7 of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
An Amalfi Trip for the Ages!
Reviewed By Ted G - Boston, MA | Traveled to Positano ~ Italy ~ Europe
Mike was a fantastic "consigliere" for our recent trip to Capri and Positano. Mike took time to understand our goals on the trip, our general budget, and what we would enjoy. From connecting us to our hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, and transportation in the native language to providing helpful hints about how to navigate the scene as a local would, Mike's assistance was invaluable. Mike monitored the trip from afar, and when a beach club unexpectedly closed early for the season, Mike made us aware of it and helped come up with an alternate activity. He balanced providing us with just enough guidance to head in the right direction while leaving us to our own devices to explore and enjoy. Our trip was immeasurably better because we had Mike's sage advice based on experience. I can't recommend him highly enough, and am quite thankful for his help in crafting a top trip or our lifetimes so far.
Mike DiCarlo responded
"It was my pleasure to work with you and your wife to curate a unique to you experience. Thank you for your kind words and I look forward to planning the next amazing holiday with you.
My best,
Mike"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Unforgettable trip with Mike's input
Reviewed By Rob H. - Shelburne, VT | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Working with Mike on our trip to Italy was instrumental to us having a great time. From recommending hotels that were all outstanding (including one booked day-of because of a missed flight) to booking lunches and dinners at fabulous restaurants to booking a once-in-a-lifetime tour or Rome; it all added immensely to our trip. My wife and I would recommend him to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable trip.
Mike DiCarlo responded
"Missing flights shouldn't mean that your entire holiday goes up in smoke. Glad we could help you plan a once in a lifetime trip.
All the best,
Mike
"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Extraordinary Italian Experience
Reviewed By The Andos - Boston, MA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
After spending time understanding our expectations, travel preferences, and budget, Mike curated the perfect Italian trip with extraordinary service. Every detail was cared for, and when we needed to make changes to our itinerary, Mike was gracious and attentive to our requests. Mike listens, understands, and provides suggestions, and ultimately translates everything into memorable excursions, meals, and experiences. As frequent ravelers, our incredibly personalized trip to Italy rivaled our experiences with travel companies like Ker and Downey and Inspirato. We will definitely connected with Mike for our travel in the future.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A Legendary Italian Odyssey
Reviewed By Patrick - Milford, CT | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Mike is a joy to work with and is extremely knowledgeable on European travel. In the planning stage, he took the time to learn my personal interests and gave great suggestions on food and attractions as I went from Rome to Florence and Venice. Mike secured reservations at stellar hotels at shockingly reasonable rates with a focus on pleasant, central, and walkable neighborhoods with easy access to transportation. He followed up while I was abroad to ensure all was well and offer some more friendly suggestions and reached out one last time to ask after my trip once I was back in the USA. Mike is clearly passionate about Italy, and he works hard to ensure his clients are equipped to have a fantastic vacation. I would work with him again in a heartbeat and hope that he'll be helping me with my next European excursion some time soon!
Mike DiCarlo responded
"Patrick,
Thank you very much for your review. It truly was a pleasure working with you to make certain that we could do everything possible to ensure that you experience the lifetime memory that you expect when taking a wonderful trip like this.
I'd be honored to help you with any of your further travel needs.
All the best,
Mike"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
My Places
When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
My Travel Stories
Corfu - Greece’s Emerald Island
When Christine and I were planning our summer holiday, the conversation centered around whether to go back to Italy or not. Finally, we pivoted and decided that we should try somewhere new. We looked at Croatia, Malta, Montenegro, the Peloponnese region of Greece and Corfu. Some good choices certainly but Corfu emerged the winner after a friend ...
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What You Need to Know for a Buddy Trip to Scotland
Buddy trips are a wonderful way to have both a great time and get some economies of scale on the cost side. The only issue with this type of trip is in the details and the details are what makes a trip marginal or fantastic. The first and most important decision that needs to made above and beyond anything else is who is going to be the lead pe...
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Roma!
Roma, Rome, the Eternal City. Whatever you call it, Rome is a most fascinating place. It goes without saying that it is a living, breathing museum with new discoveries around every corner but it is so much more than that. It is frenetic, it is loud, it has a similar energy to New York City but oh so different. It is filthy in places. It may be t...
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