Valeria Arcangeli
Hi, my name is Valeria Arcangeli and I am a travel designer at Your Custom Journey. I am an art historian and a restorer of fine arts (frescos and paintings). Arts and history are in my DNA!
I was born and raised in the amazing eternal city of Rome. Every morning, going to work, I have the privilege of stopping my scooter and sitting in front of Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus. The sunrise makes the Palatine’s ruins pink..it's so beautiful and it takes your breath away!
For many years I have been living abroad with my husband - Middle East and Belgium. Although it has been a fantastic adventure, I missed my archeological ruins and monuments, and as the legend says ”all the roads lead to Rome”…and so it was. For 5 years, I am back in my wonderful city, but with a changed soul: I grew up, I matured and I am even more passionate about my country and my city. The international experience and the love for art and history brought me into the tourism business.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialise in central Italy, with a special attention on hidden places and experiences. Off of the beaten track is my motto. I also specialise in leisure travel, art & culture, food & wine, family tours, small groups, and luxury travel."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I started my career in the tourism industry almost 15 years ago. First living around the world, then moving back to Rome, my home city. I became a tour leader for small groups and then a local guide in Rome.
I started as a trip leader for an American tour operator, and then I became a professional local guide showing the incredible marvels that Rome has to offer to my special guests, families, and honeymooners.
I really love to let my clients' wishes become unique adventures: turning their dream vacation into reality."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"The first time I travelled on my own, I was in high school. I flew to the USA by myself for an exchange program with the Colombia ’s University in South Carolina. I got lost @ JFK, without knowing English or how to catch an international connection. My connection was already on the rolling track, and I was so desperate, that they let me run on that and catch the small plane. The aircraft stopped in the middle of the track and lowered the ladder to let me up. I felt like a princess. An adventure that I will never forget!"
Featured trips & expertise
Honeymoon in Italy: Cortina, Venice, Cinque Terre & Lake Como - 11 Days
From high in the Dolomites to the shores of Lake Como, romance is in the air on this unforgettable Italian honeymoon. In just 11 days you'll visit four of northern Italy's most spectacular locales, starting in the mountain resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo. With a private driver at your service, you can forget about the logistics and focus on making memories: touring the atmospheric canals of Venice, hiking between fishing villages in the Cinque Terre, and cruising past stately villas and stunning scenery on Lake Como.
A Wine-Lover’s Walking Tour: Piedmont & Tuscany - 8 Days
This 8-day itinerary takes you on a gastronomic adventure through two of Italy’s most spectacular landscapes and cuisines. Starting in the Piedmont hill town of La Morra, you’ll work your way south to Tuscany, ending in the medieval city of Montalcino. In between, you’ll explore picturesque villages, sample local dishes, and visit historic wineries.
Explore Tuscany: Florence, Siena, Pisa, & Lucca - 14 Days
Discover why Pisa's famous tower leans so much (and why it's not the only one!), plus much more on this exploration of Tuscany. Start in Florence to see Da Vinci's 'The Annunciation' and other famous Renaissance works in the Uffizi Gallery. Look for treasures in the San Lorenzo market, browse shops on the medieval Ponte Vecchio, and explore history in the medieval cities of Siena and Lucca. End your trip with sweeping ocean views on the Cinque Terre hiking trail.
Self-Drive Italy: Hill Towns of Tuscany & Umbria - 8 Days
The medieval hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria take center stage on this relaxed, 8-day road trip through the Italian countryside. Starting in the ancient city-state of Cortona, you'll set out on day trips to the stunning fortified towns of Montepulciano and Arezzo, discovering a treasure trove of Renaissance art and architecture. Hop over to quieter Umbria for spectacular scenery and more magical hilltop locales, visiting historic fortresses, cathedrals, and cities from your base in beautiful Assisi.
Recent trip reviews for Valeria
Kimkim is awesome! I have discovered a treasure- thanks to my world traveling son!
Italy
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Nov 27 - Dec 6, 2022
I personally had never used Kimkim, but my son Keith convinced me I need to and actually handled the majority of the online messaging for me.
Having said that, my personal interaction with the Kimkim travel professionals blew me away in a good way: SO accommodating, SO communicative, So knowledgeable! Wow.
My memory is legitimately poor after brain surgery in terms of remembering names, but I’m going to at least tell you what services I’m referencing. Our main guide there who met... read more
Thanks, Beth...
really sweet of you!
I am glad that you enjoyed Italy and you had a lovely time in my country.
Hope in the near future to help you again...
ciao vale
we had a wonderful experience booking our ita...
Italy
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Oct 8 - Oct 16, 2022
we had a wonderful experience booking our italy trip with kimkim. Valeria was very responsive and quick to maodify the trip based on our interests and made great suggestions for tours. All booking were made ahead of time and hotel tour and car reservations went smoothly. guides everywhere were awesome . I would totally book another tour with kimkim. Thansk Valeria and big thank you to all the local folks who made our trip fun and very memorable.
Thanks, Rashmi
Was a pleasure working with you as well.
Hope I can meet you soon in Rome.
ciao valeria
We had a fabulous trip to Italy -- Rome, Napl...
Italy
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Aug 9 - Aug 20, 2022
We had a fabulous trip to Italy -- Rome, Naples, Pompeii Sorrento and Amalfi - with the help of KimKim's services! Every planned excursion/tour that Valeria helped us plan went off without a hitch. All the guides were top notch too.
My only wish is that we planned a little more down-time. With so many great things to see, it was easy to want to do it all. While we enjoyed the e-bike ride on the Appian Way, especially getting out of the city a bit, we probably could have skipped that... read more
Hey Deborah,
I am glad you had a wonderful time here in Italy.
Was such a pleasure working with you and I do hope to do it again...
Many thanks,
Valeria
Perfect Last Minute Planning
Italy
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Jun 29 - Jul 12, 2022
Vale was a dream to work with as we planned our trip only weeks before. She seamlessly moved us from Rome to Sicily and back to Rome and took my husband's medical restrictions into consideration for daily activities. All of the drivers and guides were top-notch. read more
Hi Christine,
thanks for your kind words.
I really enjoyed planning your " almost last- minute" trip!
I am so sorry we couldn't meet and doing together the aperitivo tour.
Next time...!
Valeria
Amazing honeymoon!
Italy
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Jun 29 - Jul 10, 2022
We used kimkim to help us plan our honeymoon to Italy (Rome, Venice, Amalfi Coast). The entire process from start to finish was so easy for us - all thanks to Valeria! We had an initial consultation with her to discuss what we were hoping for out of the trip and the trip itinerary she created did not disappoint. We spent 12 magical days in Italy and every part of the trip was seamless. It felt like our trip was dummy proof, haha -- because it was so well organized. Our travel leader based on... read more
Hi Colleen,
thanks for your kind words...
I am so glad you enjoyed your time together with your husband.
It was my pleasure organizing everything... I loved it.
It was a very good itinerary.
I hope to help you organize another one again soon...
I am here anytime you need,
thanks, Valeria.
Amazing Experience with KimKim
Italy
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Jun 15 - Jun 25, 2022
I can't state enough how happy I was with my KimKim experience. From start to finish, I was thrilled with our interaction and experience with KimKim. Vale, our trip planner, was thorough, friendly and extremely responsive. Lucia, our contact while in Italy, was amazing and always available whenever we needed her. All of our private transfers and coordinators (Lucia, Deborah and Daniela) were on time and knowledgeable, our tour guides were amazing and friendly (Gianluca, Deborah), and the... read more
Hi Molly,
thanks for your kind review.
Has been a pleasure being your trip planner and I am glad you could spend your birthday as you wished and dreamed.
I hope I can organize, many more vacations here in ITALY,
ciao vale.