Local Know-How
Food & Wine
Hidden Italy
Custom Journeys
Meet Laura Gould
Bucket List Italy Travel is a North Carolina-based travel agency I created to share intimate, carefully curated small-group journeys to Italy. I'm Laura Gould, a certified travel agent since 1989, trained chef, and former Northern Italy resident. I personally design and guide every itinerary, offering trusted local connections, flexible days, and immersive experiences that help you feel confident, cared for, and never rushed.
A Life In Kitchens
Before I ever guided anyone through a market, I spent years behind the stove, learning how Italians cook at home and in restaurants and how they welcome people to the table. I later managed dining rooms in Italy and the United States, seeing firsthand what makes a meal feel relaxed and effortless for guests. Today, that experience quietly shapes every dish, wine pairing, and cooking class you enjoy on my trips.
Travel Like A Local
I lived in Northern Italy between 1991 and 2006, long enough for grocers to greet me by name, slip me the ripest figs, and for winemakers to quietly pour "the good stuff" without asking. Those friendships, backstreet cafés, and sunlit piazzas now anchor my itineraries, keeping each trip flexible, accessible, and deeply personal, so you feel genuinely welcomed, never rushed.
Why Me
Travel with a chef, former local, and lifelong travel agent by your side.
Your Chef-Guide In Italy
I'm Laura Gould, founder and guiding expert of Bucket List Italy Travel, and I've been a certified travel agent since 1989. After living for fifteen years in Northern Italy, I began welcoming small groups into the markets, trattorie, and villages I know by heart.
When you travel with me, I wear many hats throughout the journey. I personally serve as your travel agent, tour guide, private driver, and culinary host, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully planned and seamlessly managed from start to finish. Transportation throughout our tours is provided in a comfortable private vehicle, allowing us the flexibility to explore Italy at a relaxed pace and visit places that larger tour groups often miss. Fluent in Italian, I communicate effortlessly with local hosts, artisans, chefs, and business owners, creating authentic experiences and meaningful cultural connections along the way.
As a trained chef and experienced restaurant manager, I love weaving exceptional food, wine, and hands-on cooking experiences into every itinerary. I personally design and guide each journey, tailoring the pace and activities to suit your interests and comfort level while opening doors to hidden gems and unforgettable local experiences.
With decades of travel expertise, deep local connections, personalized attention, and calm behind-the-scenes coordination, my goal is to help you feel completely at ease in Italy—so you can relax, savor every moment, and experience the country as more than a visitor, but as a welcomed guest.