Learn more about Belinda’s lifelong love affair with Italy in this Q&A: 

 Q: What made you fall in love with Italy and when? 

A: I went to Italy for the first time at age 17. I lived with an amazing family in the countryside of Tuscany and it was life changing. It was the strangest feeling of going to a place for the first time, yet feeling like I had always belonged there.  

Q: What are your favorite parts of Italy?

Italy is so diverse in culture, food, landscape and language. I love all that I have seen and much still remains to be discovered! Florence is my happy place. I know it well and have friends there so it feels very familiar.

Q: Why do you feel you are a natural at leading these trips?

A: I am a seeker of information so it suits my personality to look for unique experiences to share with clients. Sometimes you have to go visit the David again to get a new and varied perspective on Michelangelo. Wherever I lead my clients, I can promise a fresh and interesting viewpoint.
Q: Talk about your other interests and how they coincide with your love for Italy: wine, fashion, art, etc….

A: Well, you mentioned everything I love - but it’s also the pace of life. Italy slows me down - even though the trips are a lot of work. I love working with the team of amazing locals who help in the development and execution of my itineraries.

Q: What is your favorite meal in Italy?

A: Oh wow. That's a hard one. It depends on where I am - paccheri with fish sauce on Ischia, a good T-bone in Tuscany, puntarelle in Rome, everything artichoke when in season! I love the red wines of Piedmont and a bone in veal cutlet in Milan. Now I'm hungry!