By Jennifer Conrad, Managing Editor
Imagine stepping into a sun-drenched piazza in Florence, the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, the sound of laughter echoing from a nearby trattoria. This is the Italy Maria Laura Boldini Creal wants you to experience – not as a tourist, but as a cherished guest. As Managing Editor of Arizona Ascent Magazine, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many inspiring entrepreneurs, but Maria Laura’s story resonated with me from the start. She’s not just organizing travel; she’s the compass guiding you on a journey of discovery through Italy.
“I wanted them to experience Italy through my eyes,” Maria Laura explained during our interview, her voice laced with the warmth of her native accent. “To taste the food my grandmother made, to walk the streets I played on as a child, to feel the magic that makes Italy so special.” This deep yearning to connect people with the authentic heart of Italy is what fuels her passion and her business.
Born and raised in Bologna, Italy, Maria Laura carries the heart of her homeland within her, a deep love for its history, its art, its food, and most importantly, its people. She arrived in the United States in 2001 as an Italian teaching assistant, a stepping stone on a path she didn’t yet fully understand. But the seed of an idea had been planted: to share the Italy she knew and loved with her American friends.
“When I first came to the US,” Maria Laura shared, “I realized how many misconceptions people had about Italy. They saw it in movies, read about it in magazines, but they didn’t truly experience it. I wanted to bridge that gap.”
This desire, this deep yearning to connect people with the authentic heart of Italy, led Maria Laura to pursue a Master’s in Travel and Tourism Management from the University of Bologna. Armed with knowledge and driven by passion, she returned to the United States, and in 2005, Fantastica Italia was born.
Fantastica Italia isn’t about pre-packaged tours and crowded tourist traps. It’s about crafting bespoke journeys, curating experiences that resonate with each individual traveler. Whether it’s a romantic getaway to the Amalfi Coast, a family adventure through Tuscany, or a culinary exploration of Emilia-Romagna, Maria Laura pours her heart and soul into every itinerary. She emphasizes innovative travel planning, including off-the-beaten-path experiences, ensuring her clients discover the hidden gems of Italy. “It’s not just about booking hotels and flights,” she emphasized. “It’s about understanding what my clients are looking for, what their dreams are, and then creating a journey that exceeds their expectations.”
This personalized approach extends to every detail, from arranging private drivers who meet clients at the airport to securing skip-the-line access at popular attractions. As a repeat client of Fantastica Italia, shared in a testimonial, “From having a private driver meet you at the airport to take you to your hotel, to having tours that don’t make you wait in line!” Now on their fifth trip planned by Maria Laura, speaks volumes about the level of care and attention Fantastica Italia provides. She even recounted how Maria Laura helped a couple who had booked their trip independently, demonstrating her willingness to go above and beyond for anyone seeking an authentic Italian experience.
Another satisfied client, echoed this sentiment, praising Maria Laura’s responsiveness and problem-solving skills. “Maria and her crew were instrumental in our fabulous Italian vacation,” they recounted. “They planned everything, from excursions and drivers to hotels. All went smoothly, with only our own learning curve to work out in a new country.”
But Maria Laura’s impact extends beyond simply creating memorable vacations. She’s a vital link to the Italian-American community in Phoenix and Scottsdale, working closely with the Italian Association of Arizona to foster connections and heritage discovery through travel. She believes that travel can be a powerful tool for cultural understanding, bridging the gap between two worlds and fostering a deeper appreciation for Italian traditions. She’s a regular presenter at Italian festivals in Arizona, sharing her knowledge and passion for her homeland. “The more you raise awareness of how great Italy is, and how we can have a little piece of Italy here,” Maria Laura shared, “then that’s what I’m trying to do.” She envisions travelers returning from their Italian journeys not just with photos and souvenirs, but with a newfound appreciation for Italian culture, inspiring them to become involved in local Italian events, support Italian businesses, and even volunteer with the Italian Association. She emphasizes the importance of experiencing Italy firsthand, not just through movies or magazines, but through authentic encounters with its people and its culture. “Nothing connects people to a culture like food,” she believes, often incorporating culinary experiences, including visits to small family-run vineyards, into her itineraries.
It’s this commitment to personalized service, this deep connection to her community, and this passion for sharing her culture that earned Maria Laura the Arizona Ascent Magazine’s Small Business Impact Award. We recognized her not just as a successful entrepreneur, but as a true force for positive impact in Maricopa County.
Maria Laura’s vision for the future of Fantastica Italia is as vibrant and passionate as her love for Italy. She hopes to expand her “ROOTS Tourism” program, enabling Italian Americans to delve deeper into their heritage, exploring their family history and walking in the footsteps of their ancestors. “Helping someone walk the same streets as their ancestors is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “It’s about connecting people with their past, with their identity.”
She also aims to strengthen ties with tourism boards in New York and Los Angeles to raise awareness of the unique and customized travel experiences that Fantastica Italia offers. And, of course, she remains committed to promoting authentic European travel, ensuring that her clients gain a deep, local perspective while contributing to sustainable tourism practices. She encourages potential clients to connect with Fantastica Italia through their website, www.fantasticaitalia.com. She’s not just selling trips; she’s sharing a piece of herself, a piece of Italy, one unforgettable experience at a time. And in doing so, she’s not only building a successful business, but also making a lasting impact on the Arizona community, one ciao at a time.
