Rome Custom Tours: Interview with Ilaria – Tour Designer at YouLocal Rome

Behind the scenes of Rome private tours: languages, passion and tailor-made experiences

When we talk about authentic experiences in Rome, there is always someone behind the scenes who listens, designs and transforms a travel idea into a memorable journey.
Today we take you inside YouLocal Rome with Ilaria, Tour Designer, to discover how our Rome private tours are created and what it truly means to design bespoke experiences in the Eternal City.

From languages to tailor-made tourism

Hi Ilaria! Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What is your background and how did you join YouLocal Rome?

I graduated in Languages and Literature, and at the beginning I didn’t imagine that tourism would become my professional path. At YouLocal Rome I found the perfect way to combine my passion for languages with a creative and international working environment.
I met Andrea (founder at YouLocalRome)  quite naturally, and from the very start we shared the same vision: a form of tourism far from standard packages, closer to the concept of tailor-made experiences and to a refined idea of luxury, understood as care, attention and depth rather than excess.

The role of a Tour Designer: where the experience begins

In a few words, what is your role within the company? What do you do on a daily basis as a Tour Designer?

My role can be summarized as Booking & Tour Designer, with a strong focus on the visitor’s experience.

My work often starts after the booking, but in many cases I follow the client from the very first email. I take care of operations, coordinating everything that happens behind the scenes, and I also manage specific accounts from the initial request to the final handover.
Together with Andrea, I work on designing itineraries for more complex or highly customized requests. The part I love the most is definitely the creation of the proposal.

I moved to Rome for my studies, and getting to know the city has been – and still is – an endless journey. Thanks to YouLocal Rome, I attended several training courses with licensed guides focused on Ancient Rome and Renaissance Rome, which allowed me to deepen my knowledge of museums, archaeological sites and lesser-known places.

 

YouLocal Rome and the B2B approach

For those who don’t know YouLocal Rome yet, how would you describe the company and its approach to creating authentic experiences in Rome?

YouLocal Rome works with a high-end clientele, offering both classic tours and experiences off the beaten path, always designed around the client’s needs.
We work with different targets: families, couples, small groups and luxury travelers. For families, for example, we rely on a team of guides who can make tours truly kid-friendly by adapting duration, pace and content. We also propose solutions such as golf cart tours or walking tours that engage younger travelers.

Our goal is to make the experience as smooth as possible, being a constant point of reference during the entire stay in Italy. We support our clients not only with tours, but also with restaurant recommendations and practical advice — from A to Z.

Working with travel agencies, DMCs and tour operators

How do you collaborate with international travel agencies, DMCs and tour operators? What value do you bring to these partners?

We provide our partners with a 360-degree service for organizing their clients’ stay in Rome. This includes guided tours, transportation, and full logistical support for any specific need.
Our mission is to become a local reference point, offering a human presence made of people who truly know the territory and can open doors to experiences that mass tourism often overlooks.

How a tailor-made tour is created

How does a personalized tour take shape? What are the main steps from the first request to the final itinerary?

We usually ask our partners to describe the type of client, the nature of the trip and any specific interests or needs. Based on this information, we design a package of activities that can be fully customized.

An example: sometimes we work with multi-generational groups, such as grandparents traveling with grandchildren, where it’s essential to balance the needs of different ages. We also consider whether guests are visiting Rome for the first time or returning, and whether they are interested in classic highlights, day trips or more niche sites.

We collaborate with trusted transfer agencies and a solid network of licensed guides, also in other Italian cities. This network of reliable local professionals is a key element of our work.

Beyond classic itineraries

How much room is there for customization? Is it possible to include very specific requests or experiences outside the classic tourist circuits?

Absolutely yes — and this is actually what we love the most. We are always happy to introduce our guests to less-visited museums, neighborhoods and sites, offering a deeper and more authentic perspective on Rome.

How do you manage groups with special needs, such as families, senior travelers, incentive groups or luxury clients?

Each group is carefully evaluated, and every detail is adapted accordingly: pace, transportation, accessibility, type of guide and level of interaction. The goal is always to create an experience that feels effortless and truly personal.

Communication and collaboration

What are the best ways to get in touch with YouLocal Rome for a B2B collaboration?

Many partners find us online, and we are also well positioned thanks to word of mouth from our B2C clients.

How do you ensure smooth communication and constant support before and during the trip?

We believe in continuous communication. We are strengthening our marketing and newsletter strategy and focusing on building long-term relationships with selected partners, creating trust and consistency over time.

Case studies and memorable experiences

Is there a recent tailor-made tour that particularly impressed you?

Yes, a family who stayed in Rome for about ten days. They were very knowledgeable about Italy and wanted something more unusual: a visit to Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, tours of lesser-known neighborhoods, and a strong focus on medieval Rome, which is often overshadowed by Renaissance and Baroque Rome but is incredibly fascinating.

We also organized day trips to Tivoli, Tuscany — including a wine tasting at a prestigious winery in Montalcino, in the Val d’Orcia — and to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

What is one of the most original requests you’ve received?

A young American couple of architects who were passionate about early 20th-century Roman Liberty style and 1930s Rationalist architecture. We organized visits to the EUR district, Foro Italico and the university campus, as well as tours of Quartiere Coppedè and the Aventine area.

Vision for the future

How do you see experiential tourism in Rome evolving in the coming years?

Despite rapid technological development and the rise of AI, we strongly believe that the role of local, physical guides will remain central — and may even become more important. The same applies to local agencies that truly know the territory and can provide authentic experiences and human support that technology will never fully replace.

What is YouLocal Rome’s vision for the B2B sector?

We aim to build solid, long-term partnerships with tour operators who work with a similar target and trust us completely. We want to create professional relationships based on mutual exchange, shared values and a deep understanding of our clients.

A message you’d like to share with international partners looking for a reliable and creative local team in Rome?

This is a sector we are investing in more and more. We firmly believe that a professional DMC, led by people who are passionate about their work and their role as ambassadors of the territory, will never be replaced by large, anonymous marketplaces.

Thank you Ilaria! 

When you’re ready to offer your clients more than a tour — a truly local, human and tailor-made experience — YouLocal Rome is the partner you’ve been looking for. Get in touch and let’s create something meaningful together.
GET IN TOUCH

Keep reading:

• Private Tours of Rome: a Guide for B2B Travel Partners for Custom Experience
• Your Rome Travel Agent: Private, Family, and Food Tours with YouLocal Rome