Donna Franca Vacations

Even though I am not quite ready to write my memoirs, I would like to share with all of you some of my more memorable experiences which I have enjoyed during my forty year journey in the travel industry. Needless to say, I ended up in this fascinating industry not by design rather by destiny.

I arrived in Boston from Rome as a young bride after marrying a handsome Bostonian whom I had met shortly after my graduation from the Magistero University in Rome. While still living in Rome, I was able to use my degree in education as I was teaching at a local school. When my wedding was celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica, many of my students attended the ceremony and the entire class presented me with the bridal bouquet of orange blossoms.

Once I arrived in Boston, I needed to set up my apartment and purchase furniture. The day I went downtown to do some shopping, I walked for the first time through the North End, an area of Boston where the majority of the furniture stores were then located. During my walk, I saw a sign of an Italian Travel Agency. I walked in, introduced myself and asked the owner if he had a position open for me. The answer was negative. The old gentleman told me very politely that he did not need further office help. But after two weeks, I was called in and started to work part time in the travel agency.

WHERE MY DESTINTY CHANGED

Here is where my destiny changed. After working at his agency for four years, the elderly gentleman became ill and he realized he did not have much time left before he would die, so, he asked me to purchase the company. As a young bride and mother of two children, I did not have any money to purchase a business; however, my good old father came to my rescue. He gave me the down payment and I paid off the rest within the next two years by working hard and going after new business. During those years, there was not internet, nor any computers: I inherited just four manual typewriters two adding machines and a couple of telephones.

So you may ask; why I am still very active in my business. Let me tell you why in a few words: my love for my native country and my pride in arranging the best customized personalized vacations for my clients.

My expert knowledge of Italy, its language, history, heritage, culture and geography along with my personal contacts and connections within Italy have enriched my background as tour operator and proudly I personally can identify today with my logo I’M ITALY.