Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tamar Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tamar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Since I lived in Italy and spent an incredible amount of time traveling and researching there, I had always been the “go-to” person for advice on travel for friends and family. It was not until I met a woman who owns her own travel destination company that I realized I could do this for a living. As an archaeologist I am gifted with knowledge but I also know it is probably not something that I can do as a career outside of Academia. It was at this moment I decided to get certified in trip planning and begin the process of opening up my boutique travel company. I love trip planning and I have found such pleasure in sharing my knowledge of Italy with my clients.

Tamar, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Tamar Miller and I am a Roman Archaeologist/travel consultant currently residing in Miami, Fl. My expertise is in Italian relics and churches. I lived in the Veneto region of Italy for four years with my soccer playing husband running an English Language School. We eventually returned to the USA to start a family and I pursued a Masters degree and am currently doing a PhD in Early Christian Archaeology focusing on Rome. My family is bilingual in English and Italian and we summer in Italy every year. After 25 years of travel to Italy I have become the person who plans my family, friends, friends of friends- vacations.

Last year I decided to start my own boutique travel company. I am a full service company that plans your holiday from start to finish. I follow a 5 step planning process where I curate your itinerary, accommodations, tours and activities, all of your logistics, and the best part-restaurants and wine tastings. This means the only thing my clients need to do is show up at the airport with their passports! I do everything else. The common variable amongst my clients is they are overcome with information.

Chatgpt, Instagram, and FB groups do a good job of inspiring travel plans but executing a dream holiday takes many hours and honestly sometimes folks become overwhelmed. A key to trip planning is setting the pace of the trip. There is so much to see and do that travelers often forget to relax and experience la dolce vita. Pacing a trip and knowing what to keep and what to leave out of an itinerary is where a travel expert like myself helps out immensely.

What sets me apart from other travel consultants is that I am not only an expert in Italy but I am a fee based travel business. What does this mean? Since I do not base my income on commissions this enables me to book the absolute best suppliers and I often pass on discounted rates to my clients because I do zero markups. I also have contracts through my host agency to get perks and added amenities for boutique hotels. When I do hotel bookings I often get free upgrades, welcome gifts, and hefty resort credits to be used on property. Hint: I always use my resort credit for laundry. Its is free money and I will not waist any time locating a laundromat abroad and waiting for my family’s clothes to dry. My favorite type of Itinerary is when you do the “greatest hits” like Florence, Rome, Amalfi, Venice but then you also get off the beaten path and see the less touristy areas of Italy. My clients are often history buffs or foodies looking for something a bit more curated to their tastes.

Italy is my old home and it is one I know well. I will always book my clients in properties that have 24 hour concierge or management and I am always putting into place contingencies if anything goes wrong. I believe having a travel expert like myself relieves stress during the planning phase and also while people are traveling. If there is an issue, travel is unpredictable, then I am the one to call to resolve any issues. As an added perk I always personally call concierges to VIP my clients and know they will watch over them personally while they are on property. This gives my clients piece of mind and always leads to a perfect holiday in Italy.

Starting a business is scary however if you have a support system around you and believe in your services, people feel your energy. In an age where computers are replacing human connection, it is refreshing to have someone to call, text, or zoom when you have questions or concerns especially when you are embarking on an adventure.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After I sold my school in Italy and returned to the USA I thought it was time to start a family. Being a mother has been a calling for me. However, when my son was three years old I felt like I had lost a part of myself. I had always been someone who loved adventure and I felt that begin to slip away. While I was living in Italy I became more and more interested in Classical Archaeology but after my son was born I felt like that dream faded. Thanks to my husband and supportive parents I ended up returning to school and got my Master’s degree in Roman Archaeology. It certainly takes a village! Honestly, I amazed myself that I was able to accomplish my dream. This experience created a certain kind of resilience in me and was a turning point in how I approached life. I had dreamed about starting a travel business for a few years but did not know if I could be successful. After much reflection I realized that we really can do things if we want them bad enough. If you have a good support system around you and the will, then it is better to try and fail than to live with regrets.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I treat my clients as if they are my only client. I often will be planning trips that depart 6-12 months in the future and I remain in regular contact throughout the experience. When choosing accommodations I often send videos with pictures and maps so they can choose the best property for their holiday. Everything is highly customized and I believe regular conversations are key. Vacations are extremely expensive and I want people to feel like they are being catered to before they even get on the plane. A month before departure I send a large gift including, European adapters, guide books, and anything else I think they may need to start their holiday. All of my itineraries are extremely detailed down to which parking garage they should park their rental cars. I also always include a customized travel checklist so they do not forget a thing before their holiday. While traveling I check in every few days to make sure they are doing well and if they need anything additional for their vacation. Communication provides peace of mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.italyawaitstravel.com
• Instagram: italy_awaits_travel
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share/14LAr5KSmp3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Tamar Miller