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WE’RE NOT JUST YOUR
ITALY TOUR HOSTS
While other tour companies are herding groups through crowded landmarks, sticking to rigid schedules, and chasing the same old tourist spots, we’re introducing you to our network of local friends—chefs, winemakers, and keepers of Italy’s rich traditions.
As a Canadian-Italian couple who left the corporate grind to follow our passion for Italian culture, cuisine, and hosting tours across Italy, we know exactly what food and wine lovers are looking for:
Authentic, unscripted moments that turn into lifelong memories. From the moment we meet you at the airport to our final goodbye, we plan your trip like we’re hosting our closest friends in Italy.
TRAVEL THROUGH OUR
ITALIAN TOUR ORIGIN STORY
But we’d rather you think of us as your close foodie friends who know all the best local spots in Italy for drinking, eating, and having a good time, away from the touristy gimmicks and crowded places.
Our love story started in Victoria, British Columbia, while we were at university.
After years of traveling to Italy every summer, organizing events and trips with a food and wine focus (are you surprised?), we hit a high note with our wedding in Ascoli Piceno. Bringing our friends and family together for an epic epicurean experience brought our passion for authentic Italian travel to the forefront, and The Italian On Tour® was born!
For us, building this business wasn’t about making money—it was about being able to wake up everyday doing what we love while knowing we're creating memories for people to last a lifetime.
Even to this day, friends and family *still* can’t stop raving about all the amazing food and wine!
If you experience an Italy tour with us, you’ll discover the secret ingredient of Cucina Italiana in the same town where we got married, because how could we NOT include a cooking class with a talented local chef, when showing off our local cuisine is so important to us?
Of course, we’re obsessed with eating and drinking the best that Italy has to offer, but what we really love to do together is provide Italy’s travelers with authentic, enriching experiences they’ll dream about for years to come.
CIAO! WE’RE CHANTELLE & GIOVANNI—YOUR ITALY TOUR HOSTS.
MY LOVE OF FOOD GOES WAY BEYOND FINDING THE BEST PASTA DISH.
About Chantelle
Not only did I grow up in the restaurant industry, working for my grandparents at their Bakery Bistro, where they did things the old school European way and made everything by scratch; I also spent my early career working for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and in Microbiology.
I don't just love good food and wine, I also understand the science behind the production of many of Italy's beloved Italian foods.
In addition to my food background, I have been planning my own European travels since 18—if you don't count taking that terrible school big bus tour at 15—so it’s safe to say that knowing my way around a train schedule and seeking out the best experiences is second nature after having to do it for myself on my solo 6 month backpacking trip, and every trip after that (I’m a serial traveler).
meet your hosts
FUN FACT: My coffee order is a doppio espresso macchiato
I got my start in the world of gourmet Italian food, after leaving home for the US at just 15 years old, helping my father (one of if not THE world’s top auditors for the food, wine, and packaging industry) with all of the international logistics, and spending my summers in Puglia and Le Marche.
I worked with Canada's top restaurants in Vancouver and Montreal, which included the imports of fresh Italian cheese (creamy burrata and parmigiano, just to name a few well known classics!) and, of course, fresh truffles.
Guests always tell Chantelle that I’m “the Italian BFF you always wished you had” because I understand Italy like only a true local can, but I speak perfect English from my years at school in the U.S. and my time spent traveling and working in Canada.
Showing visitors what it’s really like to eat, drink, and experience Italy is a passion I’m so glad I get to share.
FUN FACT: I’m an Olive Oil Sommelier.
GROWING UP IN ITALY, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BECOME ENAMORED BY THE LOCAL CUISINE.
About Giovanni
"I especially enjoyed Giovanni's sense of humor as we laughed many times during the week."
— mark westphal
"From the moment they greeted me at the airport, I felt like a friend."
—STEPHANY BRANHAM
YOU’D LOVE TRAVELING ITALY WITH US IF YOU…
DREAM OF LA DOLCE VITA
If you’ve been daydreaming about trading the mundane everyday grind for 10 days of fully immersing yourself in the sweet life of Italy, you’ll be absolutely obsessed with our tours.
YOU’D LOVE TRAVELING ITALY WITH US IF YOU…
CRAVE AN AUTHENTIC, UNCROWDED VACATION
If it sounds like your own personal hell to be stuck on a bus with 50 other people, visiting the same tourist traps everyone else comes to Italy to see, consider trading the typical for our intimate look at Italy’s hidden regions — you won’t be disappointed. (Plus, we have wine!)
YOU’D LOVE TRAVELING ITALY WITH US IF YOU…
DON’T WANT
TO PLAN A
SINGLE THING
But you still want to experience the best parts of Italy to their fullest, eat divine native cuisine, and drink the best wine you’ve ever had. We’re the perfect Italy tour hosts for you.
YOU’D LOVE TRAVELING ITALY WITH US IF YOU…
WANT TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE
Travel is the most fulfilling way to enrich your life — especially when you have the luxury of experiencing a new culture among locals who become friends (and know Italy like the back of their hand)!
TAKE IT FROM ANNA
"Everything was so thoughtfully and lovingly planned for us, as if we were visiting friends.”
“The trip worked out perfectly! We were able to sit back, relax and not think about our next accommodation or activity. There is no way we would have known about, or found our way to the places we went without Giovanni and Chantelle."
We want you to see all the best local spots!
LOVE , LOATHE
So you don’t need a vacation from your vacation!
DEEPER
You’ll never get the “typical” touristy Italy trip with us!
NO COOKIE CUTTER EXPERIENCES
We’re foodies at heart, despite Chantelle being gluten-free!
WE GO WHERE THE IS
We’re obsessed with giving you authentic experiences to enjoy!
GIVING YOU SOMETHING TO
ABOUT
The Italian On Tour® Core Values
travel
tourism
traveling
good food
rave
Either way — when you book your Italy tour with us, you’re guaranteed great food, even better wine, and an unforgettable experience. If you’re ready to trade the tourist trail for something you can’t pull off on your own, we’d love to have you join us — and hopefully we can go from just your hosts, to friends you have for life.
Plan less, so you can
live more.
TAKE IT FROM Tiffany
We just booked our third itinerary with Chantelle and Giovanni!
"That being said, we were not sure if group travel was the right fit for us. After traveling with The Italian On Tour on Italy’s Epicurean Journey in October 2022, we knew we had found our people. Every day had a phenomenal itinerary, delicious food and wine, one-of-a-kind curated experiences, wonderful travel mates, and our new Italian friends, Chantelle and Giovanni. We just went on the Northern Italy tour in 2023, which was another fantastic experience. We have found traveling with Chantelle and Giovanni to be so easy, fun, and enjoyable that we are going back in 2024 for the Italy Uncorked tour!"
— Tiffany Sreca
These packing tips will ensure you make the most of your time in Italy and spend less time deciding what to wear!
With some preparation and research, you can make the process as quick and painless as possible.
Life is a little different around here, but we have a feeling that you’ll fall in love with living La Dolce Vita fast!
How to Triple Your SEO Rankings
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Story Views in the Toilet? Try This.
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My Productive Morning Routine
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HOW TO EXPERIENCE ITALY
YOUR INSIDER GUIDE TO TRAVELING ITALY
Uncover The Top 10 Mistakes Even The Smartest Travelers Make On Their Italy Trips
And what to do instead! In this free guide to traveling Italy, you’ll learn how to experience our beautiful country like a local, not a tourist.
get on the email list
We send Italian food & wine tips, local insight + some travel advice almost every week. Plus our once-a-year sale you don’t want to miss!