Image courtesy of Villa Gallici
Europe has a way of exceeding expectations, but only when the details are right. It takes real intel to find the private excursion that doesn't show up on travel apps, or secure the dinner reservation at a tiny taverna that requires having a direct line to the owner. Whether it's a grandmother who arranges a cruise for the whole family or a racecar-loving couple kicking off their honeymoon in Monaco, the difference between a good European trip and an unforgettable one almost always comes down to the person who planned it.
To inspire your next adventure, we asked Fora Advisors to share a recent European trip that stayed with them—a client, a destination, a moment worth telling. Here's what they said.
A grandmother’s gift
“One of my clients—a grandmother—regularly takes her family of 12 adults on multi-gen trips. After previous sailings with Celebrity and MSC, they wanted to try a smaller ship that offered a concierge class, non-buffet dining options, and an itinerary that mixed old favorites and new destinations. I proposed a seven-night Explora Journeys itinerary through Italy, Sardinia, France, and Monaco. Private shore excursions beyond what the cruise line offered were a must, so I partnered with Queen of Clubs to arrange a full day in Aix-en-Provence with wine tasting, a guided trip to Eze and Monaco with a driver, and private transfers to a beach club in Portofino. In the end, I locked in six suites for the cruise, plus airport pickups, seven rooms at Alma Barcelona, a private dinner reservation for all 12 the night before boarding, onboard experience credits with Explora, and departure transfers—all seamlessly flowing from one moment to the next.” – Shrinal Patel, Washington, D.C. (@patelss3)
From a standard package to a bespoke Italian adventure
“My very first full itinerary was for a mom and her two adult sons who came to me overwhelmed, ready to book a budget group tour. After learning about what they were looking for, I shared that I could build a private, custom Italy trip around their interests for the same price. The final itinerary took them to Rome, Florence, and Sorrento, with highlights like a private lunch and wine tasting at Colle Bereto in Tuscany, a cooking class in a local home in Florence, a boat day along the Amalfi Coast, guided tours of the Vatican and the David, nightly dinner reservations, and boutique hotels throughout. When a tour fell through mid-trip, I swapped in another activity on the spot so they didn’t lose a moment. Afterward, the mom told me it had been the trip of a lifetime and that she’d come home feeling like she’d navigated Italy like a pro.” – Kimberly Sessions, New York City (@travelagentkimberly)
Fast lanes, slow days
“A Formula 1-loving couple recently came to me to plan their honeymoon, and as a fellow fan, I knew Monaco during the F1 weekend was the place to start. From there, they’ll make their way to Saint-Tropez for a few days of villages, wineries, and beach clubs before finishing in Mallorca at Cap Rocat. The final stretch is all about decompressing: a full day on a private yacht, a hot air balloon ride over the countryside, and the kind of slow, restorative rhythm a honeymoon deserves.” – Alexandra Hepworth, Bogotá and London (@alexandrahepworth_)
Living it up on Lake Como
“When a family came to me for a multigenerational Lake Como experience, I knew Passalacqua would check all the boxes. An 18th-century villa with just 24 rooms, set within seven acres of gardens descending to a private jetty, the hotel feels more like someone’s magnificent home. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Valentina, at several events, and she is every bit as warm as the hotel she’s created, so I was confident my clients were in extraordinary hands. Their days were filled with gelato, boat trips on the lake, and fireworks over the water, which may or may not have been a surprise for a certain someone’s birthday. Their text after departure said it best: ‘Nothing will ever beat Passalacqua. New fave forever.’” – Jaime Windau, New York City (@ladywindau)
Savoring Croatia
“One of the most memorable trips I’ve planned included a day trip to Mali Ston—arriving at the floating docks of a family-run oyster farm in the brackish bay, with a wine pairing and lunch at a farm-to-table spot that doesn't appear on any travel app.”– Nikki Brady, Dallas (@nikki.brady.travels)
A little something for everyone
“"One of the most unforgettable trips I planned this past summer was a multi-generational European journey through Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The itinerary was carefully designed to balance adventure, culture, and relaxation for a group with a wide range of ages and interests. The trip began in Zurich with a guided city tour paired with a scenic lake cruise and a visit to the Lindt Home of Chocolate. From there, they moved into the Swiss Alps, where highlights included a Mount Pilatus excursion with a panoramic gondola ride and lake cruise, followed by tandem paragliding over Interlaken. The journey continued to Salzburg to explore history and culture before ending in Prague with immersive walking tours, including a guided exploration of Prague Castle and local beer gardens. What made this trip so special was how seamlessly it blended iconic highlights with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, while still accommodating the needs of a multi-generational group. Every traveler had moments that felt tailor-made for them." – Danielle Mutovic, Roseland, New Jersey (@pdmutovic)
Oysters, sunsets, and open water in the Balkans
“In June 2025, I designed a multi-generational trip through Croatia for a family of ten, with the group spanning ages 2 to 75. My goal was to ensure every detail was handled so the family could fully relax and be present together. Over ten days, they experienced everything from private boat days and sunset picnics to oyster farming and cooking classes.” – Maggie Moran, Dallas (@maggiemoran_stanleytravel)
A mother-daughter whirl through Europe
“Last summer I planned a trip through London, Paris, and Amsterdam for a mom and her teenage daughter. It wasn’t the most over-the-top itinerary I’ve ever built, but one of the most meaningful. They wanted the right mix of culture, fun, and downtime, so I focused on perfectly located hotels, teen-friendly activities, and enough flexibility that the trip never felt like a checklist.” – Margaux Lisiak, Rye, New York (@curatedtravelbyml)
France and four friends, fully present
“Last summer, four women came to me wanting to do France properly—Paris, then south, all the way to the coast. I put together an itinerary that took them from Hôtel Madame Rêve in Paris to Villa Gallici Hôtel & Spa in Aix-en-Provence, then to La Bastide du Port in Saint-Tropez for beach clubs and sunset drinks at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat and Airelles, before finishing with three nights at the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel in Nice, including dinner at Le Plongeoir right over the Mediterranean. Every hotel, restaurant, and transfer was handled before they arrived, and they came home glowing.” – Amanda Dante, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (@elegant.escapes.travel)
