Travel Unscripted: How Daniel Balzarotti Creates Unforgettable Experiences

Discover the world of personalised travel through the eyes of Daniel Balzarotti, the visionary founder of Saturnalis Travel Agency. In this exclusive interview, Daniel shares how his passion for travel began in the historic streets of Rome and evolved into crafting bespoke experiences for clients worldwide. From overcoming challenges to forming strategic partnerships, Daniel reveals the secrets behind creating unforgettable journeys.

Join us as we explore his unique approach to travel design and get inspired by his commitment to delivering exceptional, tailor-made adventures.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your early life and what inspired your passion for travel?

I had the privilege of growing up in Rome, Italy, surrounded by incredible history and culture. Being open-minded, I loved chatting with tourists and learning about their cultures. In the early 2000s, I befriended a group of Irish expatriates in Rome, which sparked my passion for travel. In 2004, I moved from Rome to Dublin, Ireland, and my love for travel grew even stronger.

In 2010, I moved to England due to my job in corporate at the time, living in various cities before settling in London, a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis. There, I mingled with other expatriates and started hosting private events. I also spent time living and working in Madrid, Spain, where I practised Spanish and immersed myself in the local culture.

Now, I’m settled in Surrey (a renowned region in southern England) with my beautiful and supportive wife, Marie, who helps with many aspects of my travel business.

2. What led you to start Saturnalis Travel Agency, and how did you come up with the name?

The magic began in 2014 when Saturnalis hosted private parties for expatriates in Rome and London with great success. I wanted a name with historical meaning, so I chose Saturnalia, a lively Roman festival dedicated to the god Saturn. This perfectly combined my Roman heritage and the joyful parties I was organising.

Over the years, especially with COVID-19, my interest in parties waned, but my love for travel remained strong. My wife and I travelled to the Maldives for two weeks right after the pandemic, where we decided to turn Saturnalis into a travel business. We’ve been going strong ever since and have no regrets.

3. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your travel agency, and how did you address them?

The biggest challenge when starting a business is getting noticed by your target audience. Modern technology offers many tools to help, but I believe word of mouth is still the most effective. I’ve been fortunate to have my wife, who has an amazing social media presence and connections, alongside my large network from past events. This combination helped us gain the trust of our clients and deliver exceptional travel experiences. Another challenge is avoiding wasted effort on travel plans that won’t materialise.

We often get requests for exclusive experiences during busy times when reservations should be made months in advance. To address this, we’ve developed a unique qualifying process to manage expectations and focus on attainable travel designs. This has allowed us to dedicate more time to creating realistic and memorable travel experiences.

4. What sets Saturnalis Travel Agency apart from other travel agencies?

Our focus is all of Italy, from north to south, including Sicily and Sardinia. We take a personalised, consultative approach with each guest, getting to know them and their wishes. Imagine Saturnalis as a restaurant with no set menu, where you tell the chef what you’ve always wanted to try. We create unique travel experiences based on your preferences and past experiences.

We work only with trusted, reputable service providers to exceed our guests’ expectations. By building trust and solid relationships through our work ethics, integrity, and honesty, we provide valuable recommendations and avoid mainstream offerings. Instead, we seek out unique, sophisticated experiences to customise for our guests.

5. How do you handle difficult or unexpected problems while planning trips?

It is vital to have a plan B ready when things don’t go according to plan. It’s always useful to have a backup ready, in case a trip takes an unexpected turn. Prevention is better than cure, and we use our problem-solving skills and industry experience to find quick and effective resolutions. Keeping a cool head is key along with doing everything possible to maintain our reputation with guests and business partners.

6. Can you share a memorable success story or achievement from your career?

Well, Our first bespoke tour post-COVID-19 was a major success. I crafted a 4-day personalised tour of Rome for a family of six from England, including a member with limited mobility. Despite some unexpected health issues during the trip, my team and I quickly resolved them, ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone. The family loved Rome, and I was thrilled to reconnect with my business partners after a challenging year, even though some had left the industry.

7. How do you see the travel industry evolving in the next few years, and how are you preparing for those changes?

I foresee a rising demand for personalised travel experiences, unique and lesser-known destinations, and travel during off-peak times. With travel now easier than ever thanks to technology and more operators, travellers are now seeking exclusivity, flexibility, and authenticity. They want more than just a standard vacation package; they desire experiences tailored to their values and interests. As traditional travel services decline, requests for private transfers, jets, and yachts are drastically increasing. Travellers might journey less often, but they seek to make each trip better.

8. What are your future goals for Saturnalis Travel Agency?

We aim to expand Saturnalis into the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) travel segment. To achieve this, we’re partnering with The WoW Factor, a renowned Italian DMC led by Roberto Stagnetti, known for organising corporate events across Italy. This alliance will help us enhance our services and become a leader in unique travel experiences in Italy. We’re also in talks with a famous Italian fashion house to offer exclusive tours of their labs and showrooms. Additionally, we’re open to collaborations with other agencies and DMCs for major events in the coming year.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring travel designers or entrepreneurs?

My main advice is simple: “You must have a genuine interest in travel design.” Along with this, you should be personable, a good listener, creative, brave, and emotionally intelligent. Strong organisational and problem-solving skills are crucial for managing unique travel experiences. Don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks—success often follows many failures. Stay humble, keep learning, and extensively utilise the resources like articles and travel events. Remember, success takes time, hard work, and perseverance, despite what social media might suggest.