Yes, travel

Sara Milani, voyage advisor, celebrates ten years at Onirikos. Her passion for travel, born when she was a child, has become a job. Her mission? To create unforgettable memories and experiences. How does she do it? By trying firsthand before advising others

Are you happy with your work?

Very! Planning trips has always been my passion. I remember as a child I loved collecting travel catalogs and then playing with my sister to plan her pretend vacations. I always enjoyed dreaming while looking at pictures of new destinations to discover, as I grew up I began to savor the joy of traveling and now I am happy to be able to create experiences for other people that lead them to wonderful adventures and memorable moments.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

For me, preparing for the trip is as fascinating and challenging as then experiencing it. Because a trip is not just a succession of services, but in organizing it it is necessary to create a perfect combination of elements so that it is then possible to have a unique and exciting experience. However, it takes patience, a thorough study of the destination, a lot of curiosity and flair but at the same time precision. I love putting this puzzle together!

What is the first trip you ever took?

As a child I traveled a lot with my family in an RV. Very experiential trips, moving all the time to fully explore the beauty of the destinations we visited. But what I consider my first real trip with a capital V was to Cuba. A destination that bewitched me with its colors, vibrant soul, and unforgettable sea.

How do you update for this job?

Undoubtedly by continuing to travel firsthand! There is no better way than to experience a destination in order to then be able to best advise it. But the world is obviously too big, so it also requires a lot of study to keep up to date. I enjoy reading travel stories and blogs, but above all it is important to always stay in touch with hotels and suppliers through trade shows, educational trips, and online courses.

What is the best trip you have organized? Where? For whom?

A few years ago I organized a trip for a couple of grandparents with their grandchild, a long itinerary exploring Japan, China and the Philippines. The grandparents were a couple of great travelers, by the way they were the first clients I followed at the beginning of my Onirikos adventure and for whom I therefore felt a special bond. The grandson, who was about 8 years old at the time, kept a diary to jot down the best moments of the trip. Years later these clients still remember it as a wonderful experience, and to have contributed to such memorable moments for this child and his grandparents makes me very happy.

What kind of traveler are you?

I would describe myself as a laid-back explorer. When I visit a place I like to discover as many aspects of it as possible, get lost in the streets of a city, take nature walks, talk to the locals. All of this, however, at a relaxed pace by including relaxing moments such as a good aperitif at sunset and dinner to get to know the local flavors.

The place where you have always dreamed of going?

It's hard to give just one answer. As a child I dreamed of traveling to many places!
If I had to choose one I would probably say the West Coast in the United States, with its parks and scenery that I often saw in the Western movies that my grandparents loved so much.

Did you go there?

Yes, for my honeymoon I made a beautiful itinerary from San Francisco to Los Angeles, through the major National Parks in the area. I remember the excitement of watching the sun rise over Monument Valley, the play of light created in Antelope Canyon, the endless landscapes crossed by car... certainly a destination does justice to expectations!

Your next trip?

Bali, a destination that has intrigued me for many years and I can't wait to discover. A destination that at the mere thought brings me serenity because of its lush nature, the spiritual atmosphere of its temples and rituals. I am ready to be transported through the colors, scents and emotions of this magical island. I will travel with my family so that my daughter, too, can grow up savoring the beauty of the world and discovering different cultures and life stories.