Travel Through Tuscany

AAA South Jersey Exclusive Vacations offer the opportunity to experience the world without the stress that usually comes with traveling. These thoughtfully curated trips are planned to ensure that every traveler has everything they need and more. Plus, there’s no need to navigate a different country alone; AAA’s travel experts are with you on-site every step of the way.

Debbie Szafranski, who is the travel manager at AAA South Jersey, plans and attends these unique vacations to maximize opportunities for both sightseeing and leisure. Therefore, instead of worrying about transportation, meals, hotel, translators, or leaving for your flight home on time—you can focus on one of the best experiences of your life.

One such trip that has become a member favorite is the Tuscany Adventure, where you will go to Rome, Florence, Lucca, Siena, Cinque Terre, and the Chianti Region. Szafranski has attended the Tuscany Adventure trip three times and sat down for an interview to enlighten prospective travelers about the culture, the exciting itinerary, and more.

AAA South Jersey: What is AAA Travel doing to accommodate flights for travelers?
Debbie Szafranski: We book our group space for flights for all AAA South Jersey Exclusive Vacations almost a year in advance, and the rates are locked in until the travel departure date. A major area of concern from travelers right now is the increasing cost of flights, and with our fixed group air, you can avoid the last-minute stress of uprising costs. You can book with a AAA Travel Advisor to get these group rates.

AAA: Could you share one of your best memories from the Tuscany Adventure trip?
D.S.: I think the most memorable day on this trip is the cooking class, because it is a family-run school, and they're just very personalized. They're a lot of fun. The chef is the mother, and she works with her two sons and daughter-in-law.

You make your food from beginning to end, and they have a beautiful charcuterie table set up and wine. Then, after that, we also had entertainment after the meal. Most of our clients just think that's really one of the best days. We made gnocchi one time; one time we made regular spaghetti with sauce and meat—and they had the meat simmering for hours. We also made dessert.