Derek

Travel Advisor
Italy From Scratch

Derek was raised in Cranston, Rhode Island, in a close Italian American family where Sunday dinners were a tradition and food was how love was expressed. His connection to Italy began long before his first trip, but being there in person changed everything. The pace of life, the pride in craft, and the way people gather around a table felt familiar and grounding. Italy was not just a destination to visit. It felt like an extension of home.

Now living in Tennessee with his wife and three sons, Italy remains a constant in their household. From the meals they cook to the values they hold around family and hospitality, it continues to shape how they live.

At Italy With Bella, he designs custom, start to finish journeys for travelers who want more than a checklist trip. He works with honeymooners, families, and couples celebrating milestones to build itineraries that are structured but never rigid. His role is to oversee the full experience, including hotel selection, pacing between cities, curated experiences, and on the ground logistics. He focuses heavily on flow. A trip should feel smooth, not rushed or chaotic.

He travels to Italy regularly and stays closely connected with local partners throughout the country. He pays attention to the details that matter, such as realistic transfer times, choosing the right neighborhood to stay in, and knowing which experiences are truly worth the investment. Whether it is a private wine experience in Tuscany, time along the Amalfi Coast, or a deeper cultural stay in Florence, he designs around how the trip will feel, not just what is scheduled.

Personally, he is drawn to the quieter side of Italy. Early morning espresso before the streets fill, long dinners that stretch into the evening, and small family run restaurants that reflect the character of a region. Italy offers beauty without excess and elegance without being overdone.

Helping people travel to Italy matters to him because it changes perspective. It slows you down and brings you back to what is important. His goal is for every client to return home feeling confident, cared for, and already thinking about when they will go back.