From Passion To Profession


I founded La Tavola because I want to share the transformative power of travel. To inspire you to grow, to connect, and to appreciate the incredible diversity of the world we live in.

La Tavola means “the table” in Italian. For me, the table is the heart of the home, the restaurant, the café, a place where meaningful conversations happen, where plans are made, and where bonds are strengthened with friends and loved ones. It’s a space of connection and comfort.

When we travel, some of the most memorable moments often happen around a table — sharing a meal, exchanging stories, and experiencing the warmth of authentic hospitality. These interactions create lasting memories, and I believe that’s what truly makes travel special.

A woman with long dark hair sitting at an outdoor cafe table on a sunny day, smiling, with sunglasses, a white shirt, and a dark blazer, against a city street with colorful buildings and umbrellas.


Where I Began

Traveling has been a cherished part of our lives since our children were born. Early on, Canada and Florida were our main destinations, and because we couldn’t afford to fly six people, we often drove — turning those journeys into adventures of their own. We stopped at new locations, discovered different restaurants (beyond chicken nuggets and French fries), and met wonderful people along the way. As our kids grew, so did our travel adventures — from weekend trips to Washington D.C. and Manhattan, to catching soccer games in Chicago, and making memorable stops in Savannah en route to my parents’ home in Florida. Traveling became woven into the fabric of our family and our lives as a couple.

When our oldest turned 13, we began a special tradition called “The 13 Trip”: each child chose where we would explore for three to four days, and every detail — where we ate, what we saw — was planned by them. Those trips created memories that we will cherish forever and inspired other families to embark on similar journeys with their own children.

My greatest passion is planning and researching future adventures. In February 2018, marking the end of our “13 Trip” series, we decided it was time to introduce our children to Europe. My husband Matt and I had visited in 2016, but this time, we envisioned a month-long trip across London, Paris, and Italy — a gift we wanted to give our kids. The planning process was incredible; I learned so much, connected with inspiring people, and executed a seamless, unforgettable experience for our family.

That experience sparked my deep desire to share the world with others. While it may sound cliché, I truly believe that travel is about connecting with different cultures, cuisines, and people. My goal is to handle all the details so you can focus on making your own memories, learning, and experiencing the incredible diversity the world has to offer.

I invite you to let me help you discover your next adventure. Together, we’ll craft meaningful, enriching journeys that inspire, educate, and bring your family closer. Your next great trip is waiting — and I’d love to be the one to help you get there. And now that I am a Pro Travel Advisor with FORA Travel, I have access to an extensive network of resources and exclusive booking partners around the world. This means I can craft personalized, seamless vacations that truly bring your dream trip to life. Plus, with all that FORA has to offer, I can provide you with VIP Perks, special upgrades, and benefits that you simply can't get elsewhere. My goal is to make your travel experience not only stress-free but unforgettable — tailored exactly to your preferences and designed to give you the best possible value.

Street sign with the text 'Rue de Rivoli', indicating house numbers 132 to 150, mounted on a rusted pole against a cloudy sky.

What My Clients Are Saying

“The booking experience with Amanda was great. I told her exactly what I was looking for in our price range and she found it! Great communication with details and even a bottle of wine and fruit plate for us upon arrival. Hotel was exactly as she described. She helped us book train tickets, travel insurance and tours as well and explained each in detail to make sure we got what we wanted. Everything was great. I highly recommend booking with her. She has experience with international travel which was a God send since I am very new to this! Can't wait to see where she takes me next!!”

- Charity (Travel to Italy)

“I am beyond grateful for Amanda! From the start Amanda was extremely helpful with hotel recommendations and found a perfect hotel for what we were looking for. She responded quickly and reached out before we left to make sure we had everything we needed. Our plane was delayed four hours and we were so bummed! I reached out to Amanda and asked if I she reach out to the hotel for a late checkout. She immediately reached out to the hotel for us. She not only got a 2pm check out, we had a note and a gift card for the market at the hotel waiting for us upon arrival! Then to top it off, the next day our kids got a “special delivery” to the room with a personalized note! The kids loved their gifts and were so excited! I am already planning our next trip with Amanda! I highly recommend Amanda when planning your next trip! Her true passion is traveling and making sure she creates a beautiful, unforgettable experience when planning your vacation!”

- Ashley (Travel to Florida)

“Amanda Hooper is a 10 on a scale of 5! One of a kind.”

-Michael W. (travel to Manhattan)

“Booking with Amanda made every part of this process feel like a vacation. From the hotel to food, activity, and tour recommendations, Amanda really made this trip special. I can't wait for her to help plan my next adventure!”

- Lauren (Travel to London)

“Amanda is so easy to work with, she always makes sure we get the best room and the best amenities. She sends us detailed lists of different options and it helps us make the decision! We are so blessed to have found Amanda!!!”

- Allison (has booked everywhere!)