Carol Ascione-Hilton is a European travel specialist, cruise advisor, and founder of Concierge Italia, a boutique travel planning service known for designing bespoke journeys and elevated travel experiences throughout Europe and beyond.
With more than 30 years of experience creating customized experiences for clients — first through her career in interior design and later through luxury travel planning and escorted group travel — Carol brings a uniquely personal, detail-driven approach to every itinerary she creates. Combined with her deep family roots in Italy, her passion for authentic cultural experiences and thoughtful hospitality allows her to design journeys that feel seamless, immersive, and deeply memorable.
Specializing in Italy, Mediterranean travel, river cruising, luxury and small-ship ocean cruising, and custom European itineraries, Carol carefully tailors each experience to reflect her clients’ individual travel style, interests, pace, and vision. From boutique hotels and private guides to culinary experiences, scenic rail journeys, and curated shore excursions, every detail is thoughtfully considered and personally managed.
Carol continually invests in expanding her expertise through extensive firsthand travel, industry conferences, destination training, hosted group travel, and educational events throughout Europe and the cruise industry. She has also personally escorted and hosted group journeys throughout Italy, further deepening her destination knowledge and on-the-ground experience.
Her clients value not only her destination expertise and concierge-level, white-glove service, but also her calm guidance, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences that go far beyond the ordinary.
Whether planning an intimate honeymoon, multi-generational family journey, luxury cruise, or escorted small-group experience, Carol provides personalized support from beginning to end — allowing her clients to travel with confidence, ease, and excitementwhile creating memories that last a lifetime.
Destinations:
Europe: Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Ireland, Scotland
Specialties & Interests
Bespoke Travel • European Culture • Culinary & Food-Focused Travel • Castles & Cathedrals • River & Ocean Cruises • Luxury Vacations
Cruise
River Cruises, Uniworld, AMA Waterways, Ocean Cruises, Oceania, Viking, Luxury Cruises
Expertise
White-Glove Experiences, 55+ Travelers
Preferred Partners
Oceana • Viking • Uniworld • AMA Waterways •Preferred Hotels & Local Partners • Small Luxury Hotels of the World •
Certifications & Affiliations
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), AMAWaterways, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages
