Italy for Everyone: Luciana’s Family Journey Through Italy

Some travel dreams stay with us for a lifetime.

For Luciana, the dream of returning to Italy began more than forty years ago.

“I was lucky enough to travel throughout Italy when I was nine years old,” she recalls. “The memories of that trip stayed with me all these years, and I wanted my children to experience that same feeling of wonder and connection.” Turning that dream into reality wasn’t as easy as she expected.

Living with a mobility challenge, Luciana contacted several travel companies while planning her family’s trip. The response she received was discouraging.

“One company actually told me that Italy wasn’t accessible and that travelling the way I wanted would be impossible because of my disability.”

Still determined to make the trip happen, she continued searching until someone recommended LDV & CO.

“I was hesitant to reach out because other agencies had made me feel so discouraged, but I’m so glad I did. Our family had the trip of a lifetime. They took my accessibility needs seriously and created memories my children will never forget.”

An Unexpected Evening in Florence

When asked about the most memorable moment of the trip, Luciana doesn’t hesitate. One evening, she, her husband Frank, and their children were having dinner in Florence’s Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral had already closed for the day, and the family assumed they had missed their opportunity to visit.

“We hadn’t planned on going inside because the lines were so long throughout the day, but we decided to ask a security guard if we could quickly have a look.”

To their surprise, he welcomed them in.

“We had the entire Duomo almost to ourselves for about half an hour. It was peaceful, quiet, and incredibly special. Without the crowds, it felt so much more meaningful.”

Years later, it remains one of the family’s favourite memories from Italy.

Falling in Love with the Amalfi Coast

Every traveller seems to have that one place they can’t stop talking about.

For Luciana and Frank, it was the Amalfi Coast.

“Hands down,” Luciana says with a laugh.

After days of sightseeing, the family spent four days along the coast, enjoying the views, the food, and the slower pace.

“The weather was hot and humid and there wasn’t much relief from the heat, but the views made up for everything.”

She still remembers arriving at the hotel and stepping onto the rooftop terrace.

“I sent Filomena a message joking that when I die, I want my ashes spread on the Amalfi Coast.”

To this day, it remains one of the most beautiful places the family has ever visited.

Seeing Rome and Florence Differently

One of Luciana’s biggest concerns before travelling was how much walking would be involved.

Because of her mobility challenges, spending hours on foot exploring major cities wasn’t realistic.

That’s where a few creative solutions made all the difference.

LDV & CO. suggested private golf cart tours in both Rome and Florence.

“Those tours were incredible. We spent hours exploring and saw so much more than we ever could have on foot.”

The tours allowed the family to experience both famous landmarks and lesser-known locations.

One stop in Rome remains a favourite.

“Our guide, Eugenio, took us to a famous green door where you look through a keyhole and see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica perfectly framed in the distance. It’s something you have to see to believe.”

It’s exactly the type of experience the family would never have found on their own.

Food Memories That Last

Ask Luciana and Mario about the food and they immediately smile.

“It’s Italy. There are too many great meals to count.”

Once again, the Amalfi Coast delivered one of the most memorable experiences.

One evening, the family dined at a restaurant overlooking the water. Before preparing their meal, the waiter brought over the fresh fish that had been caught that day so they could approve it.

“It reminded us how much pride Italians take in food and quality.”

Their daughter ordered cheese-filled ravioli with a fresh lemon sauce.

“She loved it so much that she took a picture of it. It’s still the screen saver on her phone today, and she’s even tried recreating it in her cooking class at school.”

Accessibility That Made the Difference

One of Luciana’s goals was travelling throughout Italy by train.

Thanks to Sala Blu, a specialized service available through Italy’s rail system for travellers with mobility challenges, that goal became reality.

“The service was absolutely impeccable.”

At each station, staff assisted with boarding, luggage, and navigation through the station.

“We were able to wait in the air-conditioned Sala Blu office instead of standing in crowded stations. They made everything stress-free.”

What impressed Luciana most was the kindness of the staff.

“Although the service was intended for me, they often helped our entire family. There were times they even assisted with all of our luggage. They genuinely cared about making our trip easier.”

She credits the service as one of the reasons the trip was so successful.

A Message for Other Travellers

For anyone living with mobility challenges and wondering whether international travel is possible, Luciana has a simple message.

“You always fear the unknown, and when you have a disability, that fear can feel even greater.”

But she believes the right planning and support can make all the difference.

“Working with LDV & CO. was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Every guide understood my situation and everyone was respectful, understanding, and helpful.”

Today, when Luciana and Frank look back on their trip, they don’t think about accessibility challenges.

They think about Florence at night, the Amalfi Coast, train journeys across Italy, unforgettable meals, and time spent together as a family.

“Don’t let fear stop you from experiencing the world.”