Meet the Lutz Family
First day in Rome exploring the Forum.
Steve
Age: 69
Location: East Wenatchee, WA USA
Profession: Retired
Interests: Skiing, Pickleball, Hiking, WSU sports
Fun Fact: Former Marathon Runner and Triathlon athlete. He has run in the Boston Marathon 3x times and has done over 40+ triathlons. Now he dominates the pickleball court.
Favorite Part of Italy: Lake Como
Jan
Age: 68
Location: East Wenatchee, WA USA
Profession: Retired
Interests: Skiing, Pickleball, Wine Tasting, Hiking, Chicago sports
Fun Fact: She is a lifelong Chicago sports fan. and loves the Chicago Cubs. The best day was when the Cubs beat the Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. Go Cubs go!
Favorite Part of Italy: Gelato
Richard
Age: 38
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Profession: Film and TV
Interests: Filmmaking, Photography, Formula 1, and Motorsports
Fun Fact: In college, he flew in a C-17 Globemaster III and a T-6 Texan II on a USAF ROTC training exercise. He has also been on the red carpet for the Oscars and SAG Awards.
Favorite Part of Italy: Venice
Taylor
Age: 36
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Profession: Finance
Interests: Skiing, Rock and Alpine Climbing, and Live Music
Fun Fact: He’s summited nearly 40+ mountains in the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon including Mt. Rainer, Mt. Hood, Mt. Baker and many others.
Favorite Part of Italy: Roman History
Why We Love Rick Steves’ My Way Tours
This is our second Rick Steves' My Way Tour, and like any good sequel, it didn’t just live up to the first — it raised the bar. Our first was in 2022, when we spent two weeks exploring the Alps. We came face-to-face with Europe’s tallest peaks — Germany's Zugspitze, Switzerland's Jungfrau, and France's Mont Blanc. But it wasn’t just the views that stuck with us. It was the sense of freedom that comes with a My Way Tour — the perfect blend of structure and spontaneity.
Unlike traditional group tours, My Way Tours let you be the director of your own experience. Your hotels and transportation are booked, but how you spend your day is up to you. Love art? Spend hours with the masters of the Renaissance. Crave authentic food? Join a cooking class and roll out fresh pasta with a local chef. Hikers can swap city streets for scenic trails, and photographers (like me) can wander alleyways chasing golden light and candid moments. It’s not about hitting every landmark — it’s about finding the moments that matter to you.
Our Tour Route through Italy.
This trip to Italy was no different. We explored ancient ruins in Rome, cruised the quiet canals of Venice, strolled through the colorful cliffside villages of Cinque Terre, stood in awe of Michelangelo’s David in Florence, and found quiet reflection in Assisi. It wasn’t just about seeing sights — it was about stepping into living, breathing stories. Each city had its own rhythm, and we had the freedom to move with it. By the end, it felt less like a checklist and more like a journey we didn’t want to end.
What sets My Way Tours apart is the part you never have to think about — the logistics. No more scouring the web for hotel reviews or cramming into crowded trains. Your hotel keys are waiting for you. Your transportation is handled. And when it’s time to move on, you skip the chaos of crowded train stations and board a motorcoach with a comfy seat and a view of the countryside. It’s not just a ride — it’s time to reflect on where you’ve been and get excited about where you’re going.
For us, Rick Steves' My Way Tours are the perfect balance of freedom and simplicity. You get to see more, do more, and experience it all at your own pace — no stress, no scrambling, just pure adventure. After two of these tours, we know one thing for certain: we’ll be back for more.
Meet Our Guide
Cary
Location: Dallas, TX
Profession: Rick Steves’ Italy My-Way Tour Guide! (Of Course.)
Interests: Yoga, Church activities, and planning trips
Fun Fact: She has a passion for travel and has visited over 20+ countries.
Favorite Part of Italy: Tuscany and the hill towns. She loves to see the passion that the local farmers have for what they growing and how you can experience a 0 km meal.