Travel Planning Advice & Destination Guides
I’m Jeanine Cioffi, founder of Lavishly Travel. Here I share firsthand travel experiences and practical advice to help you plan a trip that feels right for you, from Italy and Greece to honeymoons, anniversaries, retirement celebrations and journeys across Europe and beyond.
Explore the latest articles below, or start with my Italy guide, Greece guide, honeymoon and anniversary planning, and cruise planning.
How Many Days Do You Need in Iceland?
How many days do you actually need in Iceland? I share what I learned from doing it myself in just three days as a stopover, and why I tell most clients planning Iceland as the destination to build in five to seven nights instead.
Santorini vs. Mykonos: Which Greek Island Is Right for Your Honeymoon?
Santorini or Mykonos for your honeymoon? Both are stunning, but they’re built for different kinds of trips. Here’s how I help couples choose between quiet caldera romance and Mykonos’s livelier energy - including cost, timing, and how many days you actually need.
How Many Days Do You Need in Greece for Your Honeymoon?
How many days do you need in Greece for a honeymoon? Jeanine shares planning ranges for one island, Athens and two islands, and a fuller Crete stay, with time for real connections.
What’s the Best Time of Year for a Greece Honeymoon?
When is the best time for a Greece honeymoon? Compare spring, hot and crowded summer, and early autumn. See why I rarely recommend winter for island stays.
Are There Travel Planners Who Focus on Culturally Rich and Sustainable Travel?
Yes. Culturally rich travel starts with listening to a place. Jeanine draws on Italy, Greece, American Samoa and safari experiences to plan thoughtful trips with local context and a comfortable pace.
What Are the Benefits of a Travel Concierge for a Multi-Destination Trip?
A travel concierge coordinates routing, pacing, hotels, transportation and support across a complex multi-destination trip. Learn where the value matters most.
What Should I Consider When Booking a Luxury River Cruise?
Compare rivers, cruise lines, cabins, excursions, seasons, mobility and land arrangements before booking a river cruise.
How to Plan a Luxury Trip to Greece (Without Trying to See Every Island)
How do you choose the right Greek islands without rushing? Jeanine shares firsthand observations from Athens, Paros, Naxos, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, with advice on pacing and transfers.
Can You Do Greece and Italy on One Honeymoon? How to Combine Both
Can you combine Greece and Italy on one honeymoon? Jeanine explains how to choose a selective route, allow for transfers and decide whether two countries fit your time and budget.
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Luxury Italy or Greece Trip?
When should you start planning Italy or Greece? Learn how your dates, room requirements, flights and priorities determine what to arrange first.
How Do I Plan a Luxury Honeymoon in Europe?
Plan a European honeymoon around the feeling, pace and experiences you want, not the number of countries you can fit on a map.
How Do I Choose a Travel Agency for a Custom Greece and Italy Itinerary?
Choosing a Greece and Italy travel agency takes more than finding someone who can book hotels. Learn what true destination specialization should include.
Greece or Italy for Your Honeymoon? How to Choose the Right One
Greece or Italy for your honeymoon? Jeanine Cioffi compares pace, travel dates, hotels, transportation and budget to help you choose a trip that fits you both.
How to Plan a Luxury Italy Honeymoon
Choose the Italian regions, hotel setting and pace that fit the two of you, with firsthand guidance from travel advisor Jeanine Cioffi.
How to Plan a Luxury Greece Honeymoon
Choose Greek islands for the experience you want, then connect the hotels, flights and ferries into a honeymoon with room to enjoy being together.
How to Plan a Meaningful Europe Trip
Europe trips work best when the route reflects your interests and leaves room to experience each place. Jeanine explains how she chooses destinations, hotels and logistics for meaningful travel.
The Itinerary Dilemma: Freedom vs. Focus
Torn between the thrill of spontaneous exploration and the peace of mind that comes with a structured itinerary? This blog explores the pros and cons of both travel styles, offering my take on how to find the perfect balance for your next adventure.
Falling in Love with Destination Weddings
Modern couples are rewriting the wedding rulebook, trading rigid traditions for destination celebrations that prioritize soulful connection over convention. By favoring intentional, smaller settings, couples find the freedom to be truly present for their first day of forever. How do you want your wedding day to feel when you look back?
The Real Cost of “Cheaper” Travel
In the age of online booking, "cheaper" travel often comes with hidden costs like restrictive policies, lack of flexibility, and hidden fees. While a budget fare might look like a win, it frequently leaves you on your own when travel's inherent unpredictability, like delays or cancellations, strikes. Investing in a travel advisor is an investment in peace of mind.
Beware the Vac-AI-tion
Don't be fooled by the allure of these vac-AI-tions, the AI-generated travel paradises designed to dazzle and deceive. While the images may be stunning, they're often far from an accurate representation of the real-world destinations they depict.