✈️ A Day in the Life at Lavishly Travel ☕💼
(and this is a slow day)
By Jeanine Cioffi, Owner & Founder
A morning cappuccino to start the day.
☀️ Early Morning: Coffee, Quiet, and Client Thoughts
It’s 6:30 a.m., and the house is finally (mostly) quiet. I say goodbye to my daughter — “Have a good day, I love you” — let the dogs out, and grab my coffee. I tell myself I’ll wait to check emails, but who am I kidding? I open my phone anyway. Whew — mostly spam. A few “maybe useful someday” tools I’ll never have time to explore, but that’s okay.
💌 Inbox, FAcebook, and instagram
By 7 a.m., my inbox is already buzzing with activity. It's the usual suspects: supplier updates, requests to “review your recent tour,” and my TravelJoy daily briefing—a digital reminder of the many tasks ahead.
Then Facebook and Instagram — a quick scroll to make sure there aren’t any DMs or urgent comments. Today’s quiet, except for a vendor update about a stunning new hotel in Greece (noted 👀) and a few photos from my marketing company’s conference that I had to skip. A little FOMO, sure — but Italy is calling, and so are my clients.
A Camel’s View in Egypt
🕌 Egypt Dreams with Jane (9 a.m.)
At 9 a.m., I connect with Jane, who’s heading to Egypt soon — one of my favorite destinations to plan because it’s such a fascinating blend of history, culture, and logistics. We’re reviewing her final itinerary, making sure all the tours, private transfers, and internal flights line up perfectly before departure. For Egypt, details matter — from knowing the best time to visit the pyramids before the crowds to confirming her Nile River cruise cabin and making sure her visa is handled correctly.
I always walk through each day with clients like Jane before they go — not because they need hand-holding, but because I want them to feel that calm confidence of knowing someone’s thought of everything. She’s excited (and a little nervous), and I remind her: it’s going to be magic.
Shae and Jeanine Italy Trip 2022
💼 Passing the Baton (But Never the Voice) (10 a.m.)
At 10 a.m., it’s time for my delegation meeting with Shae — my right-hand woman since 2020. She’s in charge of client updates, monitoring active files, and managing those “if this, then that” scenarios for travelers on the go. Together, we review contingency plans to ensure Lavishly Travel operates seamlessly, even if I'm halfway across the globe.
I've recently reclaimed my social media presence after years of outsourcing. Life changes have inspired me to share stories through my own voice. Shae and I are navigating new tools together—experts in travel, not algorithms, but authenticity always wins.
Exciting Bear Crossing Waterfalls in Alaska
💌 Alaska Dreams with Tammy (11 a.m.)
At 11 a.m., I hop on a call with Tammy to go over her bucket-list Alaska trip with Joseph — and honestly, these calls always feel like catching up with a friend. We’ve worked together for years, so there’s an easy rhythm now.
The proposal looks amazing, but before I hit “book,” I want to double-check the insurance cost — it seems a little steep, and part of my job is to make sure my clients get real value, not just a pretty itinerary. I’m always their advocate first.
Once everything’s verified and we know she’s fully protected, I’ll finalize the booking and pass the follow-up checklist to Shae, who’ll keep an eye on all the little details while I’m away. Tammy knows the routine — meticulous planning, my personal touch, and no surprises — just the way we both like it.
That’s the best part of this job — watching years of trust turn into moments my clients will remember for a lifetime. 🏔️✨
Beautiful Cruise ship Lights
☎️ Mediterranean Cruise with Jody (12 p.m.)
Next up, it’s Jody, who’s sailing a Cunard Mediterranean cruise next fall. Flights? Too early to book. Instead, I’m walking her through pre- and post-land options:
Option 1: Private transfer straight from Civitavecchia to Sorrento — direct and stress-free, though a bit pricier.
Option 2: Spend one night in Rome, then continue to Naples — slightly cheaper but adds extra packing, unpacking, and another hotel night that quickly offsets the savings.
The train? Ruled out — non-refundable tickets and too much risk if a connection is missed. My in-travel service team can solve almost anything, but they can’t un-miss a train.
Then we’ll talk experiences — a half-day in Barcelona before embarkation or a private cooking class in Sorrento after the cruise. I like clients to choose between guaranteed private tours (covered by insurance and support) or flexible small-group options 90–120 days before travel. That’s the unseen layer of concierge travel — balancing logistics, timing, and peace of mind long before anyone packs a suitcase.
Passport and plane tickets - ready to go!
🌏 Visas, River Cruises, and the Human Side of Logistics (1 p.m.)
After lunch, I connect with Jack, one of my favorite retired solo travelers. He’s preparing for a 15-day AmaWaterways river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia at the end of November. Today I’ll call AmaWaterways to confirm every detail of his visa requirements, verify the forms, and make sure there aren’t any surprises. It’s not just paperwork — it’s reassurance.
Once everything is double-checked, I’ll call Jack personally to let him know he’s set before I leave for Italy. Even though he travels solo, he never travels alone. Luckily, November is a slower month, so I can give travelers like Jack that extra layer of attention before the holidays.
Always Collaborating via Zoom or Phone etc
📱 Stories, Systems, and Scaling the Right Way (+ Pinterest)
This week, our focus is on Instagram Stories to showcase the multifaceted world of Lavishly Travel throughout the year:
🌍 Destination Inspiration
💼 Behind the Scenes
💡 Travel Tips
💬 Client Testimonials
I've crafted the look, feel, and tone, and created a few examples. Shae will handle the visuals, ensuring accuracy before marking each one complete. Each story takes about five minutes, and she's tackling three batches of 52—enough to keep us consistent all year.
I've also arranged training for her while I'm away, pairing her understanding of my standards and humor with the right tools. We’re also building our Pinterest content calendar — Shae’s working on pins that match our blog stories and social posts so we can inspire travelers (and get seen by new ones) long after we hit publish. It’s one more way to make our marketing consistent and keep Lavishly Travel’s voice everywhere our clients dream. ✨
Packing for a Fun Getaway
🧳 Packing Between Phone Calls
The Art of List-Making ✍️ You might think a travel advisor like me is a master packer, but really, I'm a master list-maker. Each trip, I vow to start packing early, yet somehow, clients, calls, and marketing tasks fill that space. Today, no more excuses: the list is happening.
I break everything down into manageable five- to ten-minute chunks, fitting them in between calls.
✨ The Real Packing List
Electronics: universal adapter, two cell phones, lightweight laptop (hopefully unused 😅), chargers & AirPods — all packed neatly in my backpack.
Paperwork: driver’s license & international license, car insurance, passport, itinerary, tour vouchers, and final travel docs.
Toiletries: cleanser, moisturizer, deodorant, primer, mascara, powder (minimalist makeup only), hair ties, glasses, and sunglasses.
Essentials: 10 pairs of undies (hurricane lesson learned 😉), scarf, socks (still on my shopping list!), tennis shoes (no flip-flops ever again), jeans, slacks, leggings, cozy pajamas, sweatshirts, tops, windbreaker, warm jacket, gloves, and a dress for dinner.
Amazing Nights in Postitano with Beautiful Views
Italy Awaits: A Blend of Business and Pleasure
This trip combines personal exploration with a sprinkle of professional duties—family roots, discovery, and a touch of “research.” Flying into Naples, I'll rent a car and drive to Villa Rena in Nerano. This charming retreat, owned by my friend Guilelmo, offers a truly authentic Italian experience for those who relish local culture and a bit of adventure.
✨ My Plan
Day 1: Arrive Naples → Nerano • Check in & relax (hello, jet lag).
Day 2: Cooking class at Villa Rena.
Day 3: Boat day to Capri with a small group of eight.
Day 4: Private driver along the Amalfi Coast → Maiori (brand new for me), Amalfi, Positano + farm-to-table lunch.
Day 5: Drive to Venafro to see family.
Day 6: Gallo Matese & Letino—ancestral villages with my cousin.
Day 7: Return to Rome • Dinner & a stroll before my flight home.
It's a mini-trip for me, but a once-in-a-lifetime journey for my niece, a honeymoon + heritage connection for my cousin, and fresh inspiration for future clients.
🕠 From Sunrise to Socks
By now, it's 7:30 a.m. and I've drafted a blog, answered emails, planned itineraries, checked visas, reviewed insurance, and started thinking about what I still haven't packed.
Next Hour:
Post this blog, add photos, scan documents—then jump into calls:
9 a.m. Jane (Egypt)
10 a.m. Shae (delegation)
11 a.m. Tammy (Alaska)
12 p.m. Jody (Cruise)
1 p.m. Jack (AmaWaterways)
2–4 p.m. Review Egypt docs
4 p.m. Sock shopping 🧦
5 p.m. John — “Sorry, it turned into a half day!”
But hey—working from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. instead of 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. feels like balance! Dinner, Netflix, and maybe a glass of wine await—after I pack my socks, toiletries, electronics, and paperwork. Clothes? They can wait until tomorrow.
Because even travel advisors have to live what they teach: the best journeys happen one list, one laugh, and one late-night packing session at a time. ✨
💫 At the End of the Day
When clients work with me, they're not just booking a trip; they're partnering with someone who treats their journey like her own. Whether I'm managing itineraries from my desk or sipping espresso in Italy, that level of care never goes on vacation.
Jeanine Stops to Smell the Roses in Gallo
Let’s design your itinerary — effortlessly, beautifully, and Lavishly. 💛
Planning Fees Waived Now Through Nov 30 for early 2026 bookings, planning fees are waived — including destinations like Italy, France, the Mediterranean, and many others.