You don’t have to be Oprah Winfrey to travel with Access Italy, but you’ll surely feel like Winfrey after a trip with her favorite in-country tour operator.
A member of Virtuoso since last year, the family-run business has watched its travel advisor sales grow approximately 50% per year since 2016. The operator has made such a significant splash that, in January, Virtuoso invited Access Italy to join Virtuoso UltraLuxe, an invitation-only community dedicated to advisors working with high-net-worth clients and operators offering “the world’s most exclusive and over-the-top experiences.”
Highlights of Access Italy's impressive portfolio range from a tour of secret rooms at the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum to a private cooking class at Pierluigi, one of Rome’s top restaurants and wine cellars. And new experiences include a prosecco-filled yacht sailing from Cinque Terre to Sicily, and even more exclusive tasting opportunities at wineries that are usually closed to the public — typically under the guidance of vintners and owners.
Access Italy’s CEO, Simone Amorico, shares what makes his company — founded by his father, Angelo — a favorite of celebrities and high-end clients, as well as what’s trending in Italy for 2020.
Why does Access Italy have a strong reputation with celebrities and the ultra-affluent?
Through highly customized and highly personalized experiences, we create a strong connection with the people who travel with us. We treat our clients like family; they feel comfortable with us, and they trust us.
What’s new regarding outreach to travel advisors in the U.S.?
During the year, we plan sales calls with top specialized luxury travel advisors — and in the U.S., we are represented by Hidden Doorways. We also have a newsletter that focuses on educating advisors about what’s new in Italy.
What are your most popular destinations for 2020?
Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast are still the most popular destinations in Italy, while Puglia and Sicily are the top emerging destinations. Requests for these two regions have been increasing since 2018. One reason we’re seeing this is due to the luxury fashion industry: Dior’s cruise collection fashion show will take place in Puglia in May.
Are there any new destinations for 2020?
Matera. This southern city is one of the oldest inhabited places on the planet, and it makes for an absolutely unforgettable trip in Italy.
Italy is full of new luxury properties — how does Access Italy decide where to send clients?
Being insiders, we look for lesser-known and exclusive independent boutique hotels or smaller luxury chains that share our mission of introducing advisors to true gems that are off the beaten path, such as Ostuni Art Resort and Masseria Torre Maizza in Puglia, and Castello di Reschio on the Umbrian-Tuscan border.
We also have partnerships with luxury hotels that are part of renowned international collections but that are still unique and exclusive: We are excited to celebrate the reopening of the sumptuous Villa Igiea in Palermo in June; this Rocco Forte hotel will surely be one of our top recommended properties.
The Details
Access Italy
www.accessitaly.net
