Gayle McKay

New Richmond, WI
Accompanied Small Group Tours of Italy

I plan and accompany clients on small group tours of Italy. I strive to provide a first class experience with a combination of private tours and free time to make your own memories.  This is luxury travel with 4 and 5 star hotels or villas, privat...
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Accompanied Small Group Tours of Italy

Culinary Vacation In the Piedmont region
Culinary Vacation In the Piedmont region

I plan and accompany clients on small group tours of Italy. I strive to provide a first class experience with a combination of private tours and free time to make your own memories.  This is luxury travel with 4 and 5 star hotels or villas, private transfers from the airport to the hotel, private tours and first class train travel. I limit my tours to 8 guests in order to provide personalized service. Since my  group is small I can customize the trip to explore special interests of my guests and participate in activities that would not be practical for individuals or for larger groups.



  • My small group tours have included Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Pisa,  Pompeii, Lake Como and the Piedmont region.  The exact itinerary is determined as I customize the trip for individual clients. 

  • Discover Italy with activities that include a cooking school or cooking class, dinner in a private home, stay in an 18th Century Villa, visit to wineries, truffle hunting with a dog, visits to artisan workshops, big game fishing in the Mediterranean, test drive of a Ferrari, boat tours , opera, gondola rides with a musician, tours of churches, ancient Rome  and many more depending on the interests of the client.

  • Since 2008 I have accompanied more than 100 clients on small group tours of Italy. I utilize Delta Vacations for airfare and hotels whenever possible. Transfers between cities is done by private van with a professional driver or by train.

  • I am knowledgeable about Italian wines. I understand the different wine classifications--DOCG,DOC,IGT and Super Tuscan. The grape variety, the climate and the soil contribute to the wine and therefore wines are specific to each region in Italy.  I accompany clients to wineries in several regions of  Italy.  My relationship with one winery in Tuscany has enabled me organize wine school events in Wisconsin.  The winery sends a member of the family and bring the wine and clients are able to enjoy a fun evening while learning to choose and pair Italian wine.

  • I have provided clients with cooking class in Florence that includes a trip to the central market to purchase ingredients.

  • I arrange a cooking class in a private home with a couple who has conducted cooking classes for a cruise line.  On a different night the same couple prepares a gourmet meal for us in their home. 

  • I book my clients in small villa in with beautiful gardens and an outdoor pizza oven.  A pizza maker from Genoa comes to the villa to prepare a pizza party for us the night we arrive.

  • I accompany clients to a 18th Century villa in the Piedmont region for a Culinary Vacation.  An Italian family owns and operates the villa and a cooking school utilizes their venue for our accommodations and classroom for cooking classes. We enjoy home-cooked meals for  breakfasts and most dinners with the Italian family who lives at the villa. We enjoy the same meal the Italian family is having and it is truly cultural immersion.  Cooking classes lasts about two hours daily and the rest of the time we explore the region--wineries, cheese town, truffle hunting, and a chestnut farm. 

  • In Venice I accompany our clients on a Venetian Dinner cruise that features a 5 course meal with a choice of seafood or meat.

  • Women who wish to travel but do not have a travel companion enjoy the companionship and security of travel with my small group.


In addition to the small group tours in Italy I have worked with clients to arrange other travel needs including trips to Maui, cruises, trips to Australia, South America, France and Indonesia.


 I have also worked with  university groups for learning abroad booking airfare, hotels and trains.

Small Group Customized Tours

My husband went to high school in Italy and the two of us traveled to Italy many times before I became an agent and began offering small group tours of Italy. As a result I have developed personal friendships with locals that provide a very unique experience for my clients.

  • When I book private tours in each of the cities I choose my favorite guides based upon past experiences.  I look for guides with extensive knowledge of the subject as well as the ability to relate to their audience.
  • In addition to all the major tourist attractions I get off the beaten track to look for hidden gems and special experiences in the small towns.  
  • I strive to achieve a balance between scheduled activities and free time to make your own special memories.

My Travel Albums

Culinary Vacation in the Piedmont Region of Italy
Pasta Making

My Travel Stories

Cinque Terre- Five Lands along the Sea

I visited the Cinque Terre the first time in 2008.  Since that time  I have led 7 small group tours to this unique and beautiful area. in addition I have booked several groups who chose to travel independently.  Each year we find new experiences that allow us to avoid the crowds and enjoy all the...Read more.

See more travel stories

My Reviews

14 of 25 people found this review helpful
Great trip!
I had a great trip! Gayle was very knowledgeable about the area and added information on the area to make the trip more informative and interesting.
She was also very helpful in preparing for the trip.
By  Renee  from  Milltown, WI
Traveled to  Italy ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gayle McKay responded:
Thanks for traveling with us. I am glad you enjoyed the trip and I hope to serve you in the future.

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7 of 12 people found this review helpful
A Dream Trip That Opened Us to the World!!
Our trip to Italy and London with Gayle was the most amazing - incredible - beautiful- awesome first time trip to Europe we could have ever imagined- way beyond our expectations!! They opened the world to us - providing personal unforgettable experiences that we will hold in our hearts forever. The attention to detail - focused attention on our comfort - knowledge of the areas - and sense of humor - provided days full of WOWs, fun, laughter, amazing food and wine - and beautiful experiences with the local culture and people. Gayle took care of all the details and planning - putting the trip together was very easy and very personal - targeting what we wanted to see - but dependent on their experience. We will be clients again for our next adventure!
By  Cathy  from  Kent, WA
Traveled to  Italy ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gayle McKay responded:
Such enthusiasm! This is how you reacted to each experience on the trip and that is why it was a fantastic trip for everyone! Let me know whenyou are ready for the next adventure!

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17 of 32 people found this review helpful
The best way to see Italy
John and Gayle provided the best trip experience we have ever had. Italy was always on our bucket list, but the way they showed us the country was truly exceptional. The small group structure allowed us flexability and the time to really soak in the places, people and food at our own pace. Truly a special trip.
By  Paul and Vicki  from  New Richmond, WI
Traveled to  Italy ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gayle McKay responded:
I love to work with people to customize the trip to focus on their interests. With clients who participate in the planning process it is easy to provide a truly special trip. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and for this review

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12 of 23 people found this review helpful
Awesome trip planner
We had a fabulous trip! Gayle did an excellent job of communicating with us, allowing us some unscheduled time, and allowed us to customize our trip with our own preferences. We stayed in lovely hotels. With her experience in Italy, she was able to give us restaurant recommendations. I loved our experience.
By  Julz  from  Amery WI
Traveled to  Italy ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gayle McKay responded:
Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure to travel with you and your friends.

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13 of 27 people found this review helpful
Seeing the World
We have made several trips with Gayle, repeat customers should say it all. You cannot beat this opportunity, trips can be customized to your interest, her knowledge and experience is reflected throughout the process. For example, knowing when to book popular tourist sites in advance (visiting the cathedral to see the Last Supper in Malan can take hours from you time if not done properly); knowing the best local tour companies to use; the best accommodations, having firsthand knowledge of cafes and unique dining and determining the best modes of transportation all contribute to a great travel experience.
If you have the opportunity to travel with Gayle or use her services you will not be disappointed.
By  Bob  from  Minneapolis MN
Traveled to  Italy ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gayle McKay responded:
Thanks Bob and Kathy

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Cinque Terre
  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Venice
  • Tuscany

Travel Specialist:

  • Escorted Tours
  • Historical Sites
  • Food & Wine
  • European Culture
  • Villas

Top Travel Partners:

  • Delta Vacations
  • Disney
  • Marriott Hotels
  • Rail Europe

Certifications/Awards:

  • Hotel Excellence-Selling to Demographic Niche Mark
  • Hotel Excellence- Selling to Psychographic Niche M
  • TRAC- by Rail Europe as European Rail Expert

Languages I Speak:

  • English
  • Italian
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