Ann Castagna Morin

Southampton, MA

Luxury River Cruise & Italy travel specialist

I have had a sense of wanderlust since childhood, always yearning to go off and explore the world. I will take my own passion for travel and use it to make your destination dreams come true! Europe is my specialty, I have dual citizenship, holding both Italian and US passports and return to Italy each year exploring new areas. I use that information to craft unique experiences for my clients, showing them inspiring sights that their friends may not have even heard of. After my first glide down the Danube I fell in love with river cruising. I sail each year and have navigated most of the rivers of Europe and Asia gaining the hands-on experience to craft your perfect luxury vacation! Wading through all the river cruise options can be a challenge, I will explain the differences in ships and companies. Let me match you up with the perfect itinerary for your interests and budget. As an avid photographer, I can show you the destinations you are considering in a personally inspiring view.

My Travel Specialties

Luxury River Cruise & European travel specialist

I have had a sense of wanderlust since I was a child, always yearning to go off and explore the world.

I will take my own personal passion for travel and use it to craft an extraordinary luxury experience for you.

Europe is my specialty, I have dual citizenship holding both Italian and...
Read more from my Luxury River Cruise & European travel specialist bio.

Lake Trasimeno Perugia Umbria Italy

Italy and Sicily Travel Specialist

There are many travel advisers who have the geographic knowledge and ability to sell Italy, then there are others who have a true passion for the country.

I fall into the second group, and am proud to have dual citizenship, holding both Italian and US passports.

The Val d'Orcia Jewel of Tuscany Italy

Europe River Cruise Specialist

I like slow travel, not being rushed from place to place and having time to immerse myself in the destination.

River cruising suits me well as I am free to come and go from the ship as I please. I love how the chef goes into town to get fresh vegetables and local meats and wine, a "farm to...
Read more from my Europe River Cruise Specialist bio.

Budapest Parliament one of the best cruise views

Southeast Asia Travel Specialist

I stumbled into becoming an expert on Asia.

I never set out to be one, I have always been known for my knowledge of Europe, especially Italy where my father’s family comes from.

I had a client interested in visiting Myanmar, a country I had never heard of other than...
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Chiang Mai Thailand

Avalon Waterways River Cruise Specialist

I like slow travel, not being rushed from place to place and having time to immerse myself in the destination.

Avalon Waterways Panorama Open Air Balcony Suite

My Travel Albums

Mekong River Cruise Cambodia and Vietnam

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River Cruise on the Ganges India with Avalon

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Thailand

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Southern Italy- Amalfi Coast and Islands

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Italy- Rome

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Italy-, Umbria, Tuscany, Venice and more!

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Sailing the Danube River

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The Romantic Rhine River Cruise

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Sicily, Italy

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My Travel Stories

The Most Beautiful Greek Isles

I was so excited when restrictions for Europe were lifted, I have been going through major travel withdrawals!

My first European adventure was going to be on a line I have never tried before, Ponant. This is a French flagged company that many Americans have...Read more.

Customer Testimonials

Rhine cruise-vacation of a life time

I want you to know by using Ann you will have a vacation of a life time. Her knowledge, connections, and perseverance, along with Ann's genuine sincerity for the customer, takes all the worries from traveling. She listens to the desires and expectations and makes dreams into reality. Last March, my parents wanted a European adventure: Mom wanted the Rhine and Dad wanted Germany. Avalon was the answer for everyone involved. Tragedy struck and Mom was unable to go but Ann worked tirelessly for a refund. Dad had mobility restrictions but was able to participate fully. We made so many amazing memories, experienced so many wonderful side trips, and met some great people. Thank you Ann for all that you did this past year to make this vacation a reality. My parents may have passed away now but I will always have these memories!!!

Wendy P- Florida

Perfect River Cruise Planning!

Ann, I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how wonderfully smooth the "Christmas in the Heart of Germany" river cruise that you organized for us went... Although we scheduled our own airfare in order to visit Family in the UK, once we arrived at the meeting place (Movenpick Hotel, Frankfurt), we became a member of the Avalon family. Everything from then on was so smooth, it amazed us that all 119 passengers were helped and guided to the boat, our luggage was positioned in our Stateroom, we had no worries or concerns except to enjoy the cruise. We had a wonderful time meeting new friends, and the crew were absolutely amazing. Thanks to your careful arrangements, your attention to the slightest detail, we had a wonderful, memorable vacation. We plan to travel more next year and will certainly contact you again... Many, many thanks Ann. Well Done! Pete and Joanne F

Peter and Joanne F

Ann just gets it!

Ann just GETS IT! I'm a female solo traveler and a small business owner who has little time to plan my own trips. Ann knows exactly how to cater to that. I tell her where I want to go and she fills in all the gaps for me so I don't have to think! I went to Machu Picchu in May and heading to Florence and Venice in November. She doesn't just find the trips that are suitable for a solo traveler, she knows HOW to make it happen. I always contact her on short notice and that doesn't stop her from putting together an amazing itinerary for me! She goes above and beyond and I will recommend her to any female solo traveler or any traveler for that matter!

Lorena L California

Not all hero's wear capes!

If it was not for Ann I don't know what we would have done, she saved the day! My family was going on our first cruise we were so excited. We took Ann's advice flew in from California a day early to Miami to make sure we would not miss the ship. It was when we got to the luggage claim area that we realized to our horror what happened. When we left the car park place in LAX in our excitement we didn't think to count our bags. We didn't think to count them when we checked them. It was only when our son asked where his bag was that we realized it was still on the shuttle half a continent away! In tears I called Ann who calmed me down and jumped into action. Even though she was in MA. I was in FL., and the bag in CA. Ann got a hold of the car park company and had them Fed Ex it to us overnight! It was delivered to our hotel in the morning and because of her we boarded the ship with all our clothing and had a wonderful family adventure. I can't recommend her enough!

Blake Y Sunnyvale, CA

Greatest trip to Italy!

Dear Ann, Norm and I can not thank you enough for all your assistance to make our Italian adventure truly a "Dream Vacation"! From beginning to end, you tailored this experience insuring perfection. We were delighted with your quick response to my Globus information request and impressed with your genuine concern regarding our likes and dislikes. Your suggestions and recommendations for tour choice and October travel were winners. The weather was glorious and each day was jam packed with adventure. Your continuous updates and reminders of deadlines, flight and passport information, reservations, booking excursions, suggestions for packing (I love the cubes!), etc, really lowered the anxiety that often comes with planning a trip. The personal touches like the walking maps and hidden treasures could only come from a true expert! You made booking this trip a pleasure and we can't wait to get started on Scandinavia! All the best, Cat

Catherine D, New York

My Reviews

31 of 37 people found this review helpful

Tracing family roots in Italy

Ann custom built a two week trip for my son and I tracing our family roots in Italy. It was a great experience filled with history, great food, and even some days at the beach. It was really nice working with someone who understood what it meant to me to show my son where he came from. It is a trip I will never forget!

By Gino from Walpole,MA
Traveled to Italy ~ Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
Nothing makes me happier than helping people connect with their past in Italy. I am glad that it went so well!

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29 of 34 people found this review helpful

Patient and doesn’t nickel and dime you

We originally booked a two week Italy tour with Ann for April 2020 to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The Covid virus came along so we cancelled that and booked a river cruise for July instead. Guess what? Covid still here and cancelled again. Ann patiently booked us a third time for April of 21 back to the Italy plan. Not once did she change us a change fee or complain about the extra work. Our friends agent charged them a $75 “service fee” each time to change theirs. We will always use Ann as she doesn’t nickel and dime you.

By Paula from Omaha,NE
Traveled to Italy ~ Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
This has been a very frustrating and disappointing travel season for many people. I am confident that the third time will be the winner for your much awaited celebration.

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29 of 37 people found this review helpful

Best travel agent ever!

Ann has gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis in keeping us informed about our cruise, which just canceled. She is the BEST travel agent we have ever worked with and are really upset that she is really taking a huge economic hit. When it is safe to travel we will definitely be using Ann again.

By Mike from Acworth, GA
Traveled to Europe

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
Thank you for your kind words, you are such a thoughtful client, I appreciate your sentiment!

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28 of 36 people found this review helpful

River cruise

Our Danube cruise was cancelled this April due to the Covid 19 virus but Ann got us Ann our money back. As soon as there is a vaccine we will book again. She has been a good agent in the past.

By Stella X from Northampton,MA
Traveled to Danube ~ On the River ~ At Sea

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
I know you were disappointed with the trip being cancelled but once the vaccine comes out we will get you right back on track!

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28 of 36 people found this review helpful

The perfect honeymoon!

Ann was invaluable in helping my husband and I plan our honeymoon. We were all over the place from wanting to go on a Safari to or maybe Tahiti to trying a river cruise. She talked to us about things we had not even thought of such as that the time of year we would be traveling would be rainy season in Tahiti and made suggestions about the flight to South Africa that we might want to break it up as the longest we had flown was four hours before. In the end we decided on the river cruise and couldn’t be happier with our choice. She planned so many special details and seemed so vested in our happiness. I can’t recommend Ann enough!

By Shelly V from Boston MA
Traveled to Danube ~ On the River ~ At Sea

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ann Castagna Morin responded:
It was a joy helping you plan your honeymoon, I loved the photos you sent me!

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