Recently updated on June 26th, 2023 at 09:01 am
There’s something so romantic about a holiday in Italy… And our Trafalgar guest Jeff made the most of the idyllic destination when he proposed to Tina on their tour of Southern Italy and Sicily. What began as an intimate moment between the couple blossomed into a social media sensation. The proposal video went viral on social media, hitting thousands of views. We chatted with the happy couple to find out more about the magical proposal and how their Travel Director Gianluca helped Jeff pull it off.
Jeff, why did you choose to pop the question on your tour?
I had been planning on “popping the question” since I booked the tour in August 2022. I framed the tour as a 60th birthday celebration for both of us as our 60th birthdays were this year – April 23 for me and June 5 for Tina.
On what day of the tour and where did you propose?
It was the last day of the tour before we had to head home the next day. We did it at the courtyard fountain next to the Monreale Cathedral in Palermo. I wanted to ask on the last day of the tour so that our deal didn’t dominate the tour in any way and also so Tina and I could enjoy the tour without this proposal deal being omnipresent.
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How did your Travel Director Gianluca help you plan it?
The night before our last day of the tour, I approached Gianluca because I wanted to let him know I was planning on asking Tina to marry me at the final group dinner the next night. I wanted Gianluca to know as a courtesy and in case he had any ideas or input on when and how I should do the asking. Gianluca was excited and said he would think about it, and we would get together and talk about it the next morning.
The next morning Gianluca said he had spoken with the Local Specialist and they had a perfect place for me to do the asking up at the Monreale Cathedral. They asked if I was good with it and I said yes. He indicated to just follow his lead at the cathedral and it worked out great. Right after we had finished the tour of the cathedral, he took the group to the fountain next to the cathedral. He said he had a little something special for the group. Prior to this he had pulled me aside and said he was going to do this and that he would video everything for me. The rest is on the video that everyone has seen.
Jeff, were you nervous!?
A little but not really. Really, I just wanted to ask Tina and not mess it up with how I did it or what I said.
Tina, what did you think of it all? What was going through your mind?
I was totally shocked. Not a clue it was going to happen. When Gianluca brought me to the middle of the circle I thought he was choosing a random guest to use for a game or display of some sort. It was only when Jeff started to approach me and started speaking did, I understand. It was so beautiful.
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How did it feel to see the proposal video go viral, with thousands of views online?
We really didn’t know it was that popular. Gianluca sent us an email indicating the video was super popular so we checked it out on the Trafalgar Instagram account. It was cool to see all the positive comments.
Was it special to share the moment with the other guests on your tour?
Sure – we had gotten to know all the guests and it was cool that they had gotten to know us, and they were all excited for us. Pretty much everyone came up and congratulated us in their own way at some point after.
How was the rest of your Southern Italy and Sicily tour?
It was great – just an awesome trip. We have so many favourite memories. We both really loved Taormina in Sicily and we took a cooking class there on our off day that was just a really great time. But really there were so many memories – I will always remember cruising in the bus along the Amalfi coast. Pompeii was interesting. I will also always remember the Capri boat tour on the boat and going to the top of the city.
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Have you started the wedding planning?
Yes!
Where would you like to get married?
We are going to get married at a small chapel in our home church (Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana). We have both been married before and not to sound corny but it is still important to both of us to be married in the church by our Pastor in front of the eyes of our God, but for it to be a very simple ceremony with just family. Afterwards, we are planning on a little reception in our town for our friends to attend. No gifts, nothing fancy just a way to get our friends and family together for a celebration.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your magical moment?
Just a shoutout and thank you to Gianluca and the Local Specialist for setting up the perfect location. And thank you to Trafalgar for having a great tour company and a great Tour Director.
Congratulations to Jeff and Tina on their engagement and their beautiful proposal video! You can read more guest stories from our tours on The Real Word blog.