The BY Experience

Here’s what our fellow travelers have to say about the Babcia and YiaYia experience…

“The Poland trip was a trip I didn’t know that I wanted to make. After I arrived, however, I saw and learned about what a wonderful place it is. And there are so many things to see and explore that I would not have known without our wonderful tour guides! We didn’t have to worry about anything and were well cared for. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and learned so much. The group I traveled with got along so well and we still keep in touch. Thanks, Alex and Terri, for a wonderful trip!”

This trip was amazing! I wanted to celebrate my 70th birthday in a place I’ve never been before. Plus, I didn’t want to do a thing in planning anything. You guys went way beyond of what I expected. Thank God! You’re very knowledgeable about everywhere we went and were able to accommodate us with shopping, eating at restaurants, etc. The fellowship was great! I loved laughing and talking with everyone. We all got along better than family. Lol You and Terri are the best! I hope and pray I’m able to travel with you guys again. I’ll also be spreading the good news about Babcia and YiaYia! I must say I didn’t want it to end. I could go on and on, but time doesn’t allow. Please give yourselves a pat on the back. I love you guys. Blessings to you both!

“It was the trip of a lifetime for me and I would travel again and again with Terri and Alex. They put in so much thought and effort ensuring you experience the “must sees” as well as the lesser known local flavors of every destination. Additionally, but so very important, they are so fun to be with. I am looking forward to traveling again with them knowing that they will plan a flawless trip full of adventures and local flavors to enjoy.”

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“From pre-trip planning to post trip follow-up, Babcia and YiaYia Travel the World provide an amazing small group travel experience. They take care of details large and small, listen to wants and needs on a trip and make it all happen. Their expertise on all things European is evident in the entire experience. We are happy with where we traveled and what we experienced. We could not have planned this trip on our own. We’d travel with then again without hesitation.”

This trip exceeded my expectation for great scenery, food and drink and then the bonus was I met some very cool and nice people. Thank you for this memorable experience!

What’s it like to travel with us? Read this letter from one of our treasured travelers!


Dear Alex and Terri,
We are still processing the trip. We knew very little about Italian history, culture, architecture,
art, flora and food (not American Italian). You immersed us in it all. The choices
you made in terms of shelter and meals went a long way in helping us feel it! Your knowledge shared regarding these topics was awesome.
The opportunity to eat together as a “family” and share experiences at the end of each day
was priceless. You were most generous in dinner choices and assisting us in those choices. However, I do not feel that a glass of wine was equal to a lemon cello spritzer or gin and tonic! I think we owe you some money! Your attention to detail in terms of our individual personalities, needs, and lives is so appreciated—anniversaries, little gifts carefully chosen, assisting with baggage issues, making all feel included in the group. This group became very generous in sharing knowledge, clothes, and time to assist with the needs of others following your model,
The following activities and sites were some of our favorites.
We loved Sorrento—hotel, breakfast in the garden, shopping, and selection of restaurants.
Ristorante O’Parrucchiano del 1868 was our favorite of the trip.
The trip by boat to and around the Isle of Capri ending in swimming and the bus trip around Capri
and the chairlift to the top were the icing to top the day!
The guided tour of Pompeii was great in understanding how Roman governance operated
and it was a great test regarding finding lost group members! The tour guides you had hired,
especially this one, were great in explaining the significance of the sites and trying to maintain our
comfort from the sun.
Rome was the answer to our desires—the Colosseum! I also enjoyed the tour of the
Borghese Park by cart in the evening and the Borghese museum the next day.
After Rome, entering Florence was like entering another country. Walking to the centralo
and climbing the Duomo gave both Jerry and I a feeling of accomplishment at the ages of 83 and 87! We loved the view from the other side of the River Arno, as we could see the walls surrounding the
city, the waterfalls and lovely gardens– all this in spite of the fact that our driver tried to leave me on the bridge on the return trip! He also almost forgot his dog as well. Of course the genius of
Michelangelo and his life was explored and admired. The best story of the trip was the laundry trip
by rickshaw!
Our trip to the Tuscan countryside was lovely in spite of the rain. However our hosts were
prepared for the truffle hunt in the rain. The hunt was exciting as we watched the dog find many
truffles and delivered them to his owner. I enjoyed making ravioli, but liked the gnocchi best. Good
thing we had the master ricer, Scott, there or we might have spent the night. I bought a jar of truffles, which leaked into my wine carrier, thank goodness. I found the trip to the Florence American Cemetery very moving and the Italian hostess’s explanation of the war using the map on the wall powerful.
What a stroke of genius to arrive at Pisa early! We had the place to ourselves and learned
about the different degree of angles of the tower, whether measured from the top or bottom! We
saw the restoration of the frescoes in the Campo Santo in action. I am so sorry it rained in Lucca. What a lovely walled city and we were hoping to ride a bike on the wall top. Keep it on your agenda with arrangements in case of rain!
Again the trip to the Lombardy region and the Borgo Santuletta was jaw dropping! Good
planning for relaxing and regenerating. Sorry we missed Pavia, but enjoyed the food and book talk. I
did read the book, Eternal, which took place in Rome during Mussolini’s time. My jars of zucchini
arrived home in good shape thanks to the wine bag again.
The upbeat guide to the city of Milan was a trip! She made walking in the sun, fun! However,
we will never forget viewing DaVinci’s, Last Supper. Our souls were touched.
Venice was a lovely place to end our Italian sojourn. Just arriving in the town by water (our
favorite mode of travel) was awesome. What a relief to find that you would not be run over by car,
bike, or scooter. However, dragging your suitcase up and down bridge steps was a new skill to learn.
I found the trip to the gondola shop very interesting and it provided information for our eventual
gondola ride. It takes eight different woods to make one of these babies! We even learned how the
gondolier steers the boat with a very odd shaped piece of wood. Then for the coolest, quietest, most scenic ride we’ve ever taken on the water. Sometimes the gondolier pushes off the wall of the canal with his foot! We could not leave Venice without a visit to the island where Murano glass is blown. The process is fascinating and hot! We showed our appreciation in sales.
This trip will remain at the top of our list in terms of travel experiences. It was planned to
meet our expectations, but was flexible enough to accommodate the various needs of the group. To
maximize the opportunities provided, the trip required a great deal of walking. We will remain vigil
to your plans for new trips and travel experiences.

How do travelers feel after they’ve spent time with us? Unforgettable Journey with Babcia and Yia Yia Travel The World in Krakow!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars

I recently had the pleasure of embarking on a trip to Krakow with the fantastic duo, Babcia and Yia Yia Travel The World, and I must say it was an extraordinary experience! From start to finish, they provided us with a first-class adventure that was filled with variety, excitement, and a whole lot of fun!

Right from our initial interactions, Babcia and Yia Yia exuded warmth and genuine enthusiasm for showing us the best of Krakow. Their attention to detail and careful planning ensured that every aspect of the trip was well thought out, leaving us with no worries or concerns.

One of the highlights of traveling with Babcia and Yia Yia was the wide range of activities and experiences they had lined up for us. We explored the historic sites of Krakow, discovering all of the charming little cafes and LODI! They also took us to visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and their knowledge of the history and culture of Krakow added an extra layer of depth to the journey.
What truly set this trip apart was the genuine care and consideration that Babcia and Yia Yia showed towards each member of the group. They tailored the itinerary to suit everyone’s interests and energy levels, ensuring that we all had a memorable experience. Whether it was a leisurely walk or an adventurous excursion outside the city, they struck the perfect balance to keep us engaged and entertained throughout.
But that’s not all – Babcia and Yia Yia had a flair for making even the simplest moments special. From sharing delightful stories and local anecdotes to introducing us to traditional Polish cuisine, they truly made us feel like we were a part of their extended family. Their love for travel was evident, and their enthusiasm was infectious!

Throughout the trip, we felt safe and well-cared-for, knowing that Babcia and Yia Yia were there to handle any unexpected situations that might arise. Their professionalism and dedication to providing a top-notch experience were evident in every aspect of our journey.

If you’re looking for a wonderful, one-of-a-kind adventure, I highly recommend traveling with Babcia and Yia Yia. first-class experience, combined with their warm personalities and sense of fun, created memories that will last a lifetime. I can’t wait to join them again as they undoubtedly know how to make every trip an unforgettable journey. Thank you, Babcia and Yia Yia, for a truly remarkable experience!
~Leda

water fountain in the middle of the city

What is it like to spend time using our travel consulting services?

“There is no other person I would go to for assistance in world wide travel! I went to Alex with only “I want to go to Europe”….When we met, she had an entire folder already made of places to go, see–she even went as far as to take into consideration medical supplies, etc. for my son. I was amazed. Absolutely top rate. Her posts are a highlight of my day. They allow me to forget my stress, and see the world through someone else’s eyes.”

-Jackie C.

“Game changer! My husband and I consulted with these two while planning our 10- day trip to Italy. They really took the time to understand who we are as travellers and what type of trip we wanted. They helped us find the perfect balance of relaxing and adventurous within our budget. Thanks to this extensive knowledge and recommendations, we had a phenomenal trip that we will never forget!”

-Anna

“Terri and Alex helped us find the cheapest way to go to Alaska. Finding us points of contact for fishing, making everything easier for us, that made planning the trip stress-free. We had so much fun from beginning to end, because of her help. Highly recommending Alex and Terri to help you with your travel planning needs. Five stars!”

-Rey R.

“This blog really transports me to places I haven’t even thought of going and makes me realize I didn’t even know I was missing out! I can’t wait to work with her to plan a trip we will all look forward to, enjoy and learn so much from.”

-Jen N.