About Us
Caroline
Over a decade ago, I packed my bags for Florence to study Italian, and that one decision changed everything. The language grabbed me, the lifestyle hooked me, and it didn’t take long before I was chasing down my dual citizenship. Fast-forward twelve years, and Cinque Terre isn’t just where I live, it’s home.
In that time, I’ve led seaside bike tours through small coastal towns, hosted boutique, intimate group tours, taught Italian to students all over the world, and built a little corner of the internet around the life I love here. Riviera Dreamer started as a passion project and somehow turned into an incredible community…people from Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. And it still blows me away.
When it comes to our tours, everything I put together comes from a local perspective. All the meals I’ve eaten, the trails I’ve wandered, and the locals I’ve learned from…that’s what fuels every itinerary I create. When you join a Riviera Dreamer Tour, you’re not just visiting Cinque Terre. You’re experiencing it the way we do.
Steven
Here’s the truth…when I envisioned my life 10 years ago, a life in Italy was never in the picture. I also hadn't met my wife, Caroline, yet. When we first met, she mentioned (with some hesitation, thinking it’d be a dealbreaker) that she lived in Italy. Lucky for her, I was on board for a life abroad instantly.
I’ve always had an adventurous spirit and a passion for travel. The moment I stepped foot in Italy for the first time, I was hooked. The food, architecture, lifestyle…it all captivated me.
Fast-forward to the present, 4 years later, and I’ve accumulated more days with 25,000+ steps than you can imagine. It never gets old picking a town on the map, jumping on a train, and spending a day wandering and immersing in the local vibe.
My perspective as an outsider brings a unique element to our Riviera Dreamer tours, and my years of travel experience offer logistical knowledge that provides our guests with a smooth experience and peace of mind. The fulfillment I get from making new connections and friends through these tours is second to none.
Holly
I fell in love with the Italian culture as a student in Florence in 1978. Over the years, I spent months at a time in Monterosso al Mare, a small fishing village in Cinque Terre, and later returned summer after summer with my children. My passion for the people, cuisine, aesthetics, and lifestyle never faded, and in 2012 it inspired me to start my own business, Cimino Tours.
More than forty years of friendships in Monterosso have given me a rare and intimate understanding of village life in the very place where we base our tours. Sharing the magic of these five villages tucked into the Italian Riviera quickly became my greatest joy.
In 2015, my daughter Caroline joined me and immediately fell in love with hosting small-group tours. We continued as a mother–daughter duo until 2025, when Riviera Dreamer Tours was born. While Caroline and her husband Steven now host most of our tours, I am delighted to continue hosting one special tour each year alongside Caroline. This September, we are thrilled to welcome guests once again as a mother–daughter duo.
Fall is my favorite time to host a tour. It is peak harvest season, when the aroma of freshly pressed grapes drifts through the narrow streets from local cantinas. I can’t wait to show you my second home through the eyes of someone who knew this place long before tourism arrived!
Explore With Us
Interested in joining a tour? Check out our tour dates below for information, pricing, itineraries, and more.
