Piacere! Nice to meet you!
First of all, let me just tell you how much I don't like tours. This may sound strange, but it's exactly at the base of how I design my own "tours for people who don't go on tours." I don't want my clients to feel like tourists when they are traveling with me. I was born and raised in the capital of the Renaissance, aka Florence Italy, so you can imagine how many "herds" of people I would see being dumped every day on my city's most historical streets, then "regurgitated" back into the big busses before dusk.
This is why I choose to limit my groups to 12. Travelers should be remembering beautiful experiences, not how many hours they spent on a bus and how many times they checked in and out of hotels. My trips open up a window into the authentic Italian lifestyle, our traditions, and our people. My family lived for a few years in Florida, where I learned English during my early elementary school years (so if we speak on the phone, don't be surprised if I don't sound like Al Pacino when I talk). I moved back to the US in 2001 and you may ask "Why???". The answer is "Amore" of course! (or, at least I thought it was amore...) But my true love was on its way! It was then that my real lovestory began.. the one with my homeland.
Italian is not just a language, it's a way of life. Italy is not just about good food (although it's a big part of it!), wine, fashion, art, history, beautiful natural sceneries, but it's the combination of all these elements which come together as a perfect pizza, displaying a colorful picture that inspires people to appreciate the simpler, yet fine things in life. This intriguing ensemble makes people fall in love with Italy and return there over and over again.
Are you ready to experience the Italian lifestyle first-hand? My small group tours of Italy will introduce you to
this sincere & friendly culture by experiencing Italy from a local's perspective. If you are looking for a vacation that is luxurious, relaxing, educational, but beyond site-seeing alone, you'll enjoy my regional small group tours of Italy.
If you say to yourself: "I don't like tours ", then my trips are PERFECT for you! There is plenty of free time, no moving from one hotel to another, and you do what you want to do! Have the best food & wine Italy has to offer, discover local traditions, and make friendships that will last a lifetime.
~ Nada Vergili (Owner and Tour Operator)
Make these tasty treats at home and enjoy them with your morning coffee!
Test these fun hand-gestures on your friends and family and see their reaction!
Stay in touch!
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nadasitaly
Facebook: Nada's Facebook profile
Twitter: http://twitter.com/HowToBeItalian
Nada's Italy YouTube Channel: Nada's Videos
Italian Social Club: "You don't have to be Italian to live like one." I feel so strongly about this statement that a few years ago I founded the Italian Social Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a way to promote the Italian lifestyle in my area. Fun dinners, socials, Italian language & cooking classes, wine tastings, and other exciting events. Fo more info, please see the Italian Social Club website by clicking here.
Nada's Italy in the media!
Article by local celebrity Heidi Billotto about her trip to Tuscany with us!
March/April 2011 Article in Charlotte Living magazine
Profile in Skirt! Magazine (click here)
Nada's Italy on CharlotteSeen.com
June 2010 issue of the Charlotte Business Journal
Mention in eHow.com in Nov.24, 2010 article
Mention in USA Today Travel article
It's not just about the sites, it's about friendship. Meet our team!
Rhonda Dupras - Marketing and Customer Service Director
Rhonda has traveled extensively to over 29 countries and defines herself as "the goddess of travel". Needless to say, we are very fortunate to have her on our team at our office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rhonda adds great insight and lots of enthusiasm to our day with her bubbly personality. If you have any questions regarding our tours, she'll be happy to answer them and guide you through the registration process.
Our customer service phone number: 704.464.9114
Leonardo Bressan - Tour Leader
Leonardo has been one of my long-time friends for.. well, a very long time! We met in high school in Florence, Italy and have kept in touch since then. Leonardo "Leo" is also a fun and charming tourguide who speaks fluent Italian (of course), English, and French. He leads some of Nada's Italy tours throughout the year and if they had and Italian version of the show "Everybody loves Raymond", it would be called "Everybody loves Leonardo.". We are happy to see that our clients request him time and time again.
Luisella Romeo - Venice Tour Guide
Luisella definitely knows more than just some history facts and dates, she's an extraordinary tourguide from Venice with a unique approach to showing its landmarks. We've been working together for several years and I love the way she takes us away from the bustling craziness of Venice's tourist routes and into some quaint old residential areas, showing us what it's really like to live in this "floating city".
Umberto Di Martino - Amalfi Coast Driver
Meet Umberto, the most fun, easy-going, and definitely reliable driver on the Amalfi Coast! I consider him more of a skilled acrobat for his hair-thin precision in managing to swiftly drive the vehicle through the tight turns between the jagged rocks along the steep mountains of the Amalfi Coast and the oncoming Italian daredevil drivers.
Roberto Righini - Tuscany Driver
This is Roberto, he may look a little grumpy and introverted, but he's been called the "best driver in Tuscany" by most of my clients and perhaps has received more rounds of applause than Liberace! He's a real sweetheart and after working with him for over 5 years, I know he's the only one I'll call on to drive me around the beautiful Tuscan hills.
Nicoletta Landi - Siena Tour Guide
One has not truly experienced Siena and its burning passion for the Palio (world's oldest horse race) until they meet Nicoletta. She's a native Senese and loves to talk about her beautiful city inside and out with a touch of sarcasm and undisputable wit. She belongs to the Contrada del Bruco (Caterpillar), so if you want to make her feel special, just mention something about how you like caterpillars or the colors yellow and green.
Michele Benuzzi
Michele or "Miki" sure knows his way around the Alps, Lake Garda, and the whole Veneto region! Not only that, but since he's a native of a small community in the mountains overlooking Lake Garda, he always loves to drive us to some really cool little spots that are completely off-the-beaten path, are incredibly scenic, offering the best views of our surroundings.
