Luxury Sicily Specialist, with Heritage Service

View My Main Profile
Mario Fortini, Travel Agent in New York City, NY

Mario Fortini

New York City, NY Travel Agent

Mario Fortini

New York City, NY · 17 Years of Experience

Bellarome Italian Vacations, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(76)
99% Recommended
Very helpful, responsive, and knowledgeable. Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Itineraries
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Taormina, Sicily, Syracuse, Sicily, Agrigento, Sicily, Palermo, Sicily

Interests:

Heritage, Historical Sites, Bespoke Travel, Luxury, Culinary & Foodie

Suppliers:

National Car Rental, Rail Europe, Ita Airways, Auto Europe

About Me

 Agrigento, Sicily
Agrigento, Sicily

I have started my travel business Bellarome in 2009, following my passion for travels and for helping people discover wonderful landscapes our planet has to offer and enabling them to learn and dwell into diverse cultures.I am originally from Rome and my initial target was of course Italy, so blessed it is with history that shaped the modern world, natural beauty, art, food and wine. 

With the years go by, I grew my business to expand into other countries, and now we craft beautiful holidays to every country in Europe. From a solo flier in my travel agent experience, I have now made Bellarome Travel Worldwide a business with 4 offices in 3 countries and 45 permanent staff which are office based. My team of Travel Specialists include 15 experienced designers who have different backgrounds and are expert and knowledgeable in different countries and regions of Europe.

As a business, since 2009, we have served over 25,000 clients for custom, private and VIP luxury trips to Europe’s many regions, always with the same unique approach: at Bellarome we sell our own holidays that our Travel Designers craft and put together from scratch, after an initial call with our clients, tailoring every aspect of the trips around our client’s needs and wishes. We then deliver our own holidays, thanks to our teams of tour guides professionals and exclusive drivers, which are different in each city and country in Europe.

We don’t use DMCs, since we want to be able to control the quality of our holidays from start to finish. We are a full service provider of all inclusive beautiful private holidays, so we partner directly with thousands of hotels, issue tickets for all transports (ferries, trains, etc) and we are able to match any specific request our clients may have, as making our clients wishes come true is our joy!

All our clients benefit from our Concierge Service during their trip, that helps them to have a completely stress free and smooth progression of the trip, as well as offers them a luxury personal assistant service 7 days a week

12 years ago, I travelled to Sicily for my very first time, and I fell in love in this incredible region, as big as country and from that point, I decided I wanted to focus on promoting Sicily to the world, as my personal goal.

As a Sicily Travel Specialist, I bring personal passion and professional insight to every trip I design. I’ve travelled to Sicily over 30 times, visit our Siracusa office monthly, and have crafted more than 250 custom itineraries for clients seeking romance, heritage, luxury, and discovery. From honeymoons and family adventures to culinary getaways and historical tours, I offer first-hand knowledge of Sicily’s diverse regions - Taormina, Palermo, Syracuse, Noto, Mount Etna, and more.

My goal is to deliver meaningful, stress-free travel experiences with local charm and world-class service. 

Over the years, with my team, I have helped hundreds of American clients with our Heritage Service, so to find their roots and visit places in Sicily where their families originally came from; it is always nice to have people thanking you after a holiday for the good service you have provided, but when you received their snapshots of the moments spent with Sicilian relatives they meet for the first time in their life, you also feel some sort of pride in making families' wishes come true.

Additional Languages
French,
Italian,
Spanish

VIP Holiday in Sicily

We had the pleasure of traveling with Bellarome for a 14 day trip to Rome and Sicily in May and June of 2024. They were absolutely wonderful to work with from start to finish and made us feel like VIP clients. Every need was thought of and taken care of for us so we could enjoy and maximize our vacation in Rome and Sicily. trip to the fullest. We were treated and cared for like VIPs and maximized our time in Sicily we are very happy and pleased with Bella Rome and will use the company again for our extraordinary travel plans. I have told my family and friends they should come to Sicily and use Bellarome for an incredible time in a beautiful country.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
76 reviews
99% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
Search reviews:

Showing 76 reviews

Great multi-country trip: Planning was a breeze!
Reviewed By JennyO - Philadelphia, PA | Traveled to Paris ~ France ~ Europe
Very helpful, responsive, and knowledgeable.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
52 of 78 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Unbelievable Trip
Reviewed By Jperry - Nashville, TN | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Our experience with Mario was exceptional from beginning to end! He was our contact with Bellarome and he went out of his way to communicate with me and answer all my questions and concerns. I spoke with him by phone on at least three occasions and he was easy to reach and prompt with his response. . I can't tell you what that meant to my husband and myself. When we realized our flight was connecting to Rome by way of London. Mario arranged pickup to and from the airport and booked our room. I requested more of a "boutique" type hotel for our trip and his choices were perfect. I loved all of our hotels! We had drivers arranged by Mario for the entirety of the trip, including the overnight trip to the area of my husband's ancestors. All vehicles were Mercedes and we had wonderful drivers! Our tours that were scheduled by Bellarome were interesting, informative and exactly what I would have chosen.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
47 of 73 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Awesome Trip to Greece and Rome
Reviewed By Allen Davis - NC, USA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Mario customized our trip to Greece and Italy, by listening to the places we wanted to see, and the things that we wanted to do. A custom itinerary was drawn up based on our conversations. The itinerary we were given was set up day by day, with all necessary directions, tickets, times, and everything else we needed to carry out our vacation. Mario has a very high standard in the guides that he uses, they were all on time and provided exactly the tours we were signed up for in an easy to understand manner. I would not hesitate to use any guide that Mario approves.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
44 of 74 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The Perfect Italian Experience!
Reviewed By AMCOY - Woodstock, CT USA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
We have now used Mario's expertise for four consecutive Italian trips to all parts of Italy. The fact that we return to his expertise speaks for itself. Mario's service is topnotch. The tours, accommodations and suggestions never disappoint! He is ALWAYS available for consultation and direction before, during and after opur trips. We would highly recommend Mario for anyone that desires a perfect Italian experience.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
37 of 62 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great Trip to Greece!
Reviewed By Kelley Grace - Norman, OK | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
Mario was great to work! We worked through the initial planning process then several iterations of replanning throughout COVID. Mario was very flexible through it all!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
21 of 31 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
AMResorts Master Agent
AMResorts Master Agent
Celebrity Learning Certification
Celebrity Learning Certification
Cosmos Certified Specialist
Cosmos Certified Specialist
Globus family of brands Specialist
Globus family of brands Specialist
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Pleasant Premier Ambassador
Pleasant Premier Ambassador
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
UnCruise Certified Adventurist
UnCruise Certified Adventurist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

Client Testimonials

Family Tour of Sicily, with Mario
Our trip to Italy was just amazing. Every hotel, tour, tour guide, and transportation were all first rate. Mario and his staff planned a wonderful trip for us. If you're planning a trip to Sicily or Italy. Bellarome Travel is the place to start.
Mike P, Nashville, TN
VIP Trip to Sicily
Bellarome provided us with impeccable and outstanding service. We were treated like royalty. They truly made our holiday a dream. I highly recommend their services for your travel needs. We will be seeing you for our next holiday!
Mara B, New York, NY
Luxury Tour of Sicily
We had the pleasure of traveling with Bellarome for a 14 day trip to Rome and Sicily in May and June of 2024. They were absolutely wonderful to work with from start to finish and made us feel like VIP clients. Every need was thought of and taken care of. The wonderful experiences, comfort and luxury Bellarome curated for our travel was brilliant and we loved every moment of our itinerary. I have used several travel agencies for our vacations, adventures and experiences and Bellarome is at the top of the list of agencies who deliver amazing experiences for their clients. We were treated and cared for like VIPs and maximized our time in Sicily it was so worth it to see Sicily this way. Before I even got home I was texting and sharing my experiences with family and friends and told everyone they should come to Sicily and use Bellarome for an incredible time in a beautiful country.
Roberta W, Austin, TX
Heritage Tour of Sicily
Bellarome Travel organized an amazing 11 day tour of Sicily. I'd never been on a tour and was concerned. They did a spectacular job, catering with care even to people who couldn't walk well. The guides at each site were excellent. Bellarome arranged for a birthday celebration at a Mt. Etna winery--with a generous and fabulous wine tasting to pair with each course--that was fabulous. I also liked the hotels, the bus was comfortable and the driver tops. They clearly know how to arrange a tour.
Jeanne B, New York, NY
Family Trip to Sicily
our recent 12 day travels in Sicily was organized Bellarome Travel. Their choice of guides, hotels , cities, sites, restaurants, etc. were perfect for our group of 6. the Bellarome Travel team immediately correct a missed site visit, within 25 minutes of bringing the matter to their attention on a Sunday morning. the superlatives contained in Bellarome's itinerary are accurate!! we saw, learned and experienced a tremendous amount about Sicily today and in the past. highly recommend Bellarome Travel
John Z, Chicago IL
VIP Tour of Sicily, with Rome
We had the pleasure of traveling with Bellarome for a 14 day trip to Rome and Sicily in May and June of 2024. They were absolutely wonderful to work with from start to finish and made us feel like VIP clients. Every need was thought of and taken care of for us so we could enjoy and maximize our vacation in Rome and Sicily. trip to the fullest. We were treated and cared for like VIPs and maximized our time in Sicily we are very happy and pleased with Bella Rome and will use the company again for our extraordinary travel plans. I have told my family and friends they should come to Sicily and use Bellarome for an incredible time in a beautiful country.
C Scott, New York, NY
One-year anniversary Success!
Mario for Sicily: Elevating Dreams, Crafting Timeless Memories in Sicily, As we celebrate our one-year anniversary, we are compelled to express our deepest gratitude to Maario for Sicily for orchestrating the most enchanting wedding experience in the captivating landscapes of Palermo, Syracuse, Taormina, and the awe-inspiring Mount Etna. Mario for Sicily not only conceptualized a wedding that surpassed our expectations but also navigated the intricacies of planning an event in multiple destinations with grace and precision. The team's commitment to excellence was evident in every aspect, from venue selection to local vendor collaborations, ensuring a seamless and stress-free celebration. We are forever grateful for the indelible memories etched. Mario, thank you for turning our wedding into a timeless masterpiece, a celebration that will resonate in our hearts for a lifetime.
A Torralba, TX
BESbswy