A Homecoming with a New Perspective
This is part of “I am not just a Food & Beverage Professional”, a series of stories featuring trips and life choices that required a leap of faith or marked a significant life milestone.
Since November 2024, I’ve been back in my hometown of Umbria, Italy—a pause between contracts after my last assignment in Washington, DC, before heading to New York City. Last week, as I drove to Castel Gandolfo (Lazio), home to the Pope’s Summer Retreat, I found myself reflecting on the past three months.
Coming home is always an experience filled with nostalgia, but this time, it also brought an unsettling realization: Italy, with all its warmth, history, and breathtaking landscapes, operates within deep-rooted social structures that can be difficult to re-enter. Reconnecting with old friends was not as effortless as I had imagined.
Yet, through this transition, I recognized something powerful: the importance of community—specifically, a tribe of like-minded travellers who value immersive experiences over surface-level tourism.
From a Small Hamlet to a Global Perspective
Growing up in a small Italian village, my childhood was idyllic—riding bicycles among orchards, playing hide and seek in medieval alleys, and indulging in homemade meals prepared with generational wisdom. But as I grew older, that same familiarity began to feel like a constraint. The same charming traditions that once nurtured me started to feel limiting.
I craved adventure, cultural discovery, and the thrill of the unknown. So, in 2005, I left for London, driven by an insatiable hunger to understand people, cultures, and the deeper fabric of human connection. That decision didn’t just shape my career—it redefined my identity.
Leaving Italy wasn’t merely about career prospects; it was about growth, evolution, and proving myself in unfamiliar territories. Since then, my professional and personal journey has taken me across four continents, from the buzzing streets of China to the Caribbean’s hidden paradises.
Yet, when I returned to Italy, I found myself experiencing the country through an entirely different lens.
Why Travel is More Than Just Movement
What made the difference? The answer lay in the people I surrounded myself with.
Throughout my travels, I’ve met individuals who don’t just “visit” places—they immerse themselves in the culture, embrace the traditions, and see travel as a gateway to transformation. These mindful travellers value deep connections over checklists and understanding over Instagrammable moments.
I’ve come to believe that travel is not just about discovering new destinations—it’s about who you experience them with. A diverse group of individuals, each with their own stories, perspectives, and insights, enriches a journey in ways that traditional tourism never could.
This is something I see reflected in luxury experiential travel trends—a shift towards personalized, authentic, and deeply connected travel experiences. (Condé Nast Traveller)
A Lesson from the U.S.: The Power of Openness
During my years in the United States, I was struck by the mindset of openness—a culture where strangers quickly become friends, where conversations over coffee turn into lifelong connections, and where inclusion is second nature.
I longed to bring this same energy back to Italy, to cultivate an environment where travellers—both locals and internationals—could find community, share stories, and explore the world in a way that was enriching and transformational.
That’s when it became clear: If I wanted to belong again, I had to create my own circle of thoughtful explorers—those who see travel as more than just movement but as a way to experience life differently.
Curating Meaningful Travel Experiences
As a hospitality expert, I focus on designing bespoke travel experiences beyond standard itineraries. Whether it’s:
✅ Staying in boutique hotels that tell a story
✅ Exploring hidden gems recommended by locals
✅ Sharing meals with artisans and winemakers in the Italian countryside
✅ Hosting immersive retreats that blend adventure with cultural exchange
I consider myself not just a traveller but a facilitator of experiences—a bridge between cultures, people, and places.
The Art of Hospitality: Beyond Luxury, Into Connection
After two decades working across the hospitality industry, I’ve learned that true luxury isn’t about five-star hotels—it’s about five-star experiences. The most memorable moments aren’t always found in Michelin-starred restaurants but in:
✨ A family-run trattoria business where the owner tells you stories of his grandmother’s secret pasta recipe
✨ A sunset boat ride with a fisherman who has spent 40 years at sea
✨ A spontaneous wine-tasting, where each sip comes with a lesson in history and tradition
(For inspiration, check out Italy’s Best Slow Travel Experiences
This is what silent luxury is all about—the beauty of authenticity, attention to detail, and experiences crafted with care.
What’s Next? Building a Global Travel Tribe
As I prepare for my next chapter in New York City, I am not just moving to another city—I am laying the foundation for something greater.
My experiences across the world have equipped me with the ability to connect, curate, and create spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together meaningfully. Italy is home, but so is every place where I’ve built relationships, shared meals, and exchanged stories.
This is the heart of Nicolaldo Experience—a movement that seeks to bring together mindful travellers, hospitality lovers, and cultural explorers.
Final Thoughts: The Power of the Right People
At the end of the day, our journeys are not defined by the places we visit but by the people we connect with along the way.
Finding the right community, conversations, and collaborations can transform not only our travels but our lives.
Returning to Italy is not about going back—it’s about bringing forward everything I’ve learned, experienced, and become. It’s about redefining what it means to belong, to explore, and to live.