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.

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.

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. As a trained chef and experienced restaurant manager, I love weaving authentic food, wine, and hands-on cooking classes into every itinerary. I personally design and guide each journey, adjusting the pace to fit your comfort and interests, and I enjoy opening doors to places most visitors never discover. 

With long-standing local connections, a steady presence by your side, and calm, behind-the-scenes organization, I aim to give you a sense of ease, confidence, and genuine connection-so you can relax, savor each moment, and feel at home in Italy.