Travel Booklets
Your stress-free way to plan the trip you’ve been dreaming about.
About Our Travel Guides
Clear, Reliable Insight for Planning Stress-Free Trips to Europe
Planning a trip to Europe shouldn’t feel overwhelming — but most online advice makes it harder, not easier. I created these guides to give travelers practical, trustworthy insight without the noise, confusion, or endless scrolling.
What Makes Our Guides Different
They save you time and money.
Finding a “cheap stay” doesn’t always mean it’s a good deal. You might end up an hour outside the city, spending more on taxis and losing valuable time you could’ve spent exploring. Each page is built from real experience — walking neighborhoods, testing routes, talking with locals, and narrowing down what’s actually worth your time (and what isn’t). You’ll know exactly where to stay, when to book, and how to build your trip the smart way.
They’re built by someone who’s been there, literally.
After nearly a decade of curating custom trips and exploring Europe firsthand, I’ve learned what truly makes a trip feel effortless. Inside, I’ve pulled together the same timelines, flow, and insider tips I use for my private clients now in a format you can use to plan with ease.
They help you travel well without the higher price tag.
Luxury isn’t about five-star hotels. It’s about feeling at ease, knowing you’ve planned well enough to be fully present once you’re there soaking in the views, the meals, and the moments you came for.
Whether you love planning every detail or prefer to keep things flexible, these booklets give you everything you need to go as in-depth as you’d like so you can spend more time living the story you’ll be telling for years to come.
CITY GUIDES
These guides will help you explore cities waiting to be a part of your adventure.
MINI-GUIDES
These supplemental guides will help you hone in on specific topics related to your travel.
Scroll to Top
FREE GUIDES
Just getting started? Start with one of our free exploratory guides.
Feel prepared before you go
Pick the right destinations for you
A message from Rachael…
From day one, I promised myself my business would be one-of-a-kind. Because, honestly, the world didn’t need another “travel agent.”
For The Story Vacations was going to be different. My clients wouldn’t just get a stress-free, tailor-made vacation - they’d get the benefit of my own “boots-on-the-ground” experience.
So, in 2016, my husband and I hopped on a plane to Paris and started exploring Europe firsthand (with one short pause in 2020, of course). Every week since, I’ve been discovering the best restaurants, hotels, tours, and hidden gems across the continent - building trusted connections with local guides, drivers, and hosts along the way.
Because you deserve a vacation that feels effortless - one you’ll still be talking about ten or twenty years from now.
But over the years, I realized something else: not everyone wants a full-service travel planner. Many travelers simply want the experience of a professionally planned trip - but still want the joy of creating it themselves.
That’s why I took the same frameworks I use for my private clients and turned them into digital booklets you can use anytime, anywhere.
They’re designed to make planning simple again - giving you all the insider knowledge, structure, and confidence you need to plan your dream trip without stress. These booklets are the roadmap I wish every traveler had - one that brings the excitement and anticipation back into planning..
What People Are Saying About For The Story Vacations
"Highly recommend Rachael & her team!"
Rachael planned our first trip to Italy and it was a wonderful experience! From her comprehensive questionnaire to the lovely drivers she paid attention to the details! The places we ate, the tours and guides and the accommodations were all fantastic! I would highly recommend Rachael!
- Shannon D.
"We will never travel without FTSV!"
Rachael was truly amazing and planned our dream family vacation to Italy. Every detail was planned out which made this amazing experience even better. She and her team are truly a gem. Thank you For The Story Vacations for all you did and for a lifetime of unbelievable memories!
- CHRIS S.
"Rachael made everything so easy!"
I was overwhelmed with all of the details of planning a trip & Rachael made it easy! The small group experiences and tours she recommended were top notch! She even made dinner reservations at some fabulous places. I wouldn’t hesitate to use her again. I highly recommend her to anyone!
- LISA G.
-
Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast.
-
Each booklet includes the essence of the city — from the best time to travel and festivals to how to get around, classic dishes and treats, iconic sights and hidden treasures, where to stay, neighborhood guides with our favorite spots, unique tours and experiences, and suggested itineraries to tie it all together.
-
They include full neighborhood breakdowns, lodging ideas, must-see landmarks, hidden gems, and sample itineraries for different trip lengths
-
Yes. Planning ahead avoids hidden costs, missed tours, and last-minute stress that ends up being more expensive.
-
Yes and no. You will still find plenty online, but these booklets cut through the noise and give you trusted, curated answers.
-
Absolutely. Think of them as blueprints - you can follow them closely or leave space to wander.
-
Not always. The booklets give you everything you need if you want to DIY plan, but you can still work with Rachael for a fully custom trip.
-
Not at all. They work for first-timers who want guidance and repeat visitors who want deeper, more unique experiences.