Extraordinary Journeys through Italy

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Desiree Dantona, Travel Agent in Minneapolis, MN

Desiree Dantona

Minneapolis, MN Travel Agent

Desiree Dantona

Minneapolis, MN

Growing Edge Travel, an independent agent with Travel Leaders Maple Grove, MN
5.0
(2)
100% Recommended
I have always wanted to go to Italy but had no idea where to start or what to see. Desiree helped me find what I wanted... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Italy, Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre

Interests:

Couples & Romance, Bucket List, Culinary & Foodie, Global Travel, Solo Travel

About Me

Montepulciano
Montepulciano

You might think you've had pizza, until you go to Napoli. You might think you like ice cream, until you experience the heaven in a bowl that is gelato. Enjoy a glass of red wine then and now? The table wine in Rome will put your bottles at home to shame. Italy is absolutely full of experiences that will stop you in your tracks, and some of my absolute favorite among those - is food.

The best part is, the incredible food and wine is paired with some of the most beautiful vistas and historic places you will ever visit. Being surrounded by structures of such cultural and historic import is humbling, especially if you are used to commuting past strip malls and shopping centers.

If you time your visit well, you can experience the bucket list sites like the Coliseum and the Uffizi alongside the unexpected quaint countryside stops. I don't blame anyone for wanting to see the Roman Forum with their own eyes. Yet my bet is that the story you tell over and over when you get home is how you talked for 3 hours with the owners of a small winery near Montepulciano and fell in love with their dog.

In Italy, historic charm is integrated into modern every day life. There is a richness in the air that is practically palpable. Proffering up a culture that feels slower, steadier, and more focused on a balance of work and play. Now that's where you want to go for a memorable adventure. 

Additional Languages
Spanish

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
2 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 2 reviews

Trip of My Dreams!
Reviewed By beedee - Minneapolis, MN | Traveled to Italy | Europe
I have always wanted to go to Italy but had no idea where to start or what to see. Desiree helped me find what I wanted most and planned the trip of my dreams around it. It felt personal to what I wanted and I was able to do so much in a limited amount of time. I can't imagine doing this without her!
Desiree Dantona responded
"This was such a fun trip to plan with you! I'm so happy it was the memorable adventure you were looking for. Thank you for trusting me to help you plan such a special trip."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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The best trip experience!
Reviewed By Stiles - MN | Traveled to Italy | Europe
To celebrate our 10 year anniversary, we knew we wanted to travel but that we didn’t have the capacity to research, make decisions and finalize plans. Desiree took the stress of trip planning off our full plates and replaced it with a few easy and quick options beautifully displayed and explained so we could make choices out of joy rather than overwhelm. She listened to our desires and dreams and somehow made all elements fit into our ten day trip! We had some city, country, good food, shopping, history, culture, adventure to spa relaxation included in our trip. We loved knowing that she vetted the places we were staying and the activities that we did were supporting the local economy and minimizing environmental impact. We loved our unique and personal cooking class with a local Italian, the special touches to our dinner reservations and hotel reservations honoring our anniversary. The trip itself was like unwrapping a new present each day! The trip app was a lifesaver and made the execution of the trip seamless and easy! We were able to be more present with each other because someone else had taken care of all the details for us - even what time to depart to the train station and a google map routed from our hotel to our next destination. Each evening we’d look at the itinerary in the app to review what the next day held and were excited for the next adventure! Desiree was responsive and extremely helpful in the planning process, ensuring we were set before departure, and in answering a few questions that arose while traveling. We RAVE about the experience to everyone who will listen and have already hired her for another trip! It’s a luxury to have a trip planner but absolutely worth it! Desiree is the best. She is approachable, fun, a creative problem solver, and genuinely excited to work for you! Her attention to detail and care is top notch! Worth every penny!
Desiree Dantona responded
"This is so kind, thank you!! I truly had a blast planning your trip with you. Thank you for trusting me with such a special experience!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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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

Our bottle of red wine for the night!

Wine in a (Giant Plastic Water) Bottle

On a trip to Italy with my husband and two sisters, we decided to enjoy a couple of quieter nights outside of Cinque Terre in Biassa. We found a delightful bnb to enjoy in the winding hills and walked to dinner one night at La Locanda del Gallese down the street. It was, as most local spots are in Italy, completely delicious. We even had the pla...
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Client Testimonials

A Dream Come True
Going to Italy has always been a dream of mine, but I had no idea where to start. I knew I wouldn't be able to see it all in one trip and it was challenging to pare it down. Desiree's expertise and guidance allowed me to have the experience of a lifetime without feeling like I missed out on anything! The sites I visited were even better than I imagined, our accommodations made us feel like locals, and the suggested restaurants were all spot on. Desiree's suggestions helped me avoid tourist traps, while still getting to see all the sights I wanted. She was responsive to my questions and needs and crafted the perfect itinerary that was personalized to me. Thank you so much!
Bernadette
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