A cozy interior with a cream armchair, a small round table with a drink, sunglasses, and a book, overlooking a balcony with potted plants and flowers, and a scenic lake and mountains in the background.

Luxury Travel, Curated for You.

Luxury hotel booking and personalized travel planning, with a focus on Italy, Europe and special occasions. I help you choose where to stay, shape a sensible itinerary and arrange the details—with honest advice along the way.

A desk setup with travel planning materials for Italy, including a laptop displaying a travel website, a travel guidebook, a passport, a printed itinerary, and photographs of Italy, with coffee cups and decorative items on a beige table.

How I Can Help

VIP Hotel Booking

Hotel selection, room and rate comparisons, and booking assistance—with preferred benefits when available.

A personalized route and day-by-day framework for travelers who prefer to make most reservations themselves.

Custom Itinerary Planning

A more hands-on service bringing your hotels, itinerary, experiences and logistics together.

Full-Service Trip Planning

A desk with a large potted plant, a laptop, notebooks, maps, a pen, a glass of water, and a small bowl, with sunlight casting shadows and a view of the water outside.

The decisions behind a better trip

The right hotel—not just a beautiful one.
Location, room category, atmosphere and cancellation terms all matter. I help you understand the tradeoffs before you book.

An itinerary that works in real life.
I consider travel time, connections and how much you actually want to do—so your trip leaves room to enjoy where you are.

Help turning the plan into reservations.
Depending on your service, I help arrange hotels, experiences and transfers, with a clear scope of support agreed before we begin.

Book With Me


Book Your Hotel Like a VIP

When you book through me, I compare eligible rates, room categories and available benefits so you can see which option offers the best overall value—not simply the lowest price.


The Perks

Preferred hotel benefits may be available at participating properties. Benefits vary by hotel, rate and availability.


Fora Certified Travel Advisor • Italy & Europe Specialist • Boutique Hotel Focus

Already have a hotel in mind? Send me the name, your dates and room preferences. I’ll review the available booking options.

A workspace with a laptop displaying an Italy travel website, a cup of coffee with latte art, a potted plant, travel documents including a passport, itinerary, and reservation details, a pen, a bell, a key, and a greeting card that says "Enjoy your stay" on a dark wooden desk.
A person in a beige blazer writing in an open notebook on a desk. The desk has a ceramic cup of coffee, a laptop, a brown passport holder, a notebook, a set of photographs, a pen, and a keychain. There are books and a potted plant in the background.

Where I Specialize

Curated travel planning for beautiful hotels, romantic escapes, and sun-soaked destinations I know, love, and continue to research.

A balcony overlooking a lake with a scenic hillside and buildings. There is an open book, a drink with ice, and a blanket on a cushioned lounge chair.

Italy & Europe

From Lake Como, Amalfi, Tuscany, and Puglia to the Greek Islands, Croatia, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Spain — I help plan boutique European escapes with thoughtful hotels, restaurants, and details.

A couple stands close together on a balcony overlooking the ocean at sunset, with a Mediterranean town in the background. The woman is holding a glass of white wine and wearing a silk dress, while the man is wearing a light-colored polo shirt and pants.

Romantic getaways, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, engagement trips, girls’ trips, and celebration travel that feels personal and elevated.

Honeymoons & Special Occasion Trips

Woman relaxing on a outdoor patio, holding a mug, with beach and ocean in the background, surrounded by pink flowers and palm trees.

Warm-Weather Luxury Escapes

Boutique hotels, beach resorts, and relaxed luxury stays across Mexico, the Caribbean, Palm Beach, Cabo, and other sun-soaked destinations.

Lake Como, Decoded
Sale Price: $19.99 Original Price: $29.99

Launch offer: Save $10 through October 31.

Digital download available immediately after purchase. You’ll also receive an email to view your order. No physical product will be shipped.

Lake Como is not one destination—it is a collection of towns, and choosing the right base changes everything.

Lake Como, Decoded is the practical, personal guide I wish I had before my first visit: 22 pages of honest town and hotel guidance, ferry-smart itineraries, villa and dining recommendations, and the details that make the lake feel effortless.

Inside the guide:

• How to choose among Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Tremezzo, Como and beyond

• A flexible four-day itinerary, boat-day route, villa cheat sheet and rain plan

• Luxury, boutique and smart-value hotel shortlists

• Dining, photography, ferry, transfer and packing guidance

• A live 77-pin Google Map across six layers, plus a sortable directory

Best for first-time visitors, couples, honeymooners and anyone who wants the romance without the logistical guesswork.

Digital download for personal use. Hours, rates, schedules and availability change; verify current details before travel.

TRAVEL GUIDES

Lake Como, Decoded

A beautifully curated digital guide to choosing the right town, hotel, restaurants and experiences—without spending weeks piecing the trip together yourself.

Includes my interactive 77-pin Google map, curated hotel shortlists, ferry-smart itineraries and personal planning notes.

Explore the Lake Como Guide

More destination guides are in development. Looking for personalized help now? Explore planning services.

Hi, I’m Stephanie Marie.

For me, the hotel is part of the destination. My fiance and I often build our trips around places we’re excited to stay—and years of traveling through Europe have taught me how much location, atmosphere and pacing shape the experience.

I created La Vie Marie to bring that same care to your travels: thoughtful hotel choices, practical planning and honest recommendations about what is worth your time and budget.

Tourist brochure cover featuring a seaside view of Amalfi Coast with white buildings on cliffs, a small table with a coffee cup, sunglasses, a book, and a glass of rosé wine on a balcony.

Planning something special?

Let’s start planning your next trip — with insider hotel guidance, curated recommendations, and a real person behind every detail.