Since 2008, Secret Italia Tours has been crafting refined small group and private travel experiences across Italy and the Mediterranean for travelers who value depth, quality, and authenticity. Our journeys are thoughtfully designed for those who appreciate comfort and cultural richness, but also expect precision, preparation, and standards that do not waver. At the heart of Secret Italia Tours is a close-knit team of dedicated office staff and tour directors who treat every departure as a personal responsibility.
Each hotel, restaurant, guide, and experience is selected and reconfirmed with care long before our guests arrive. We believe that seamless travel does not happen by chance. It happens because details are handled quietly and thoroughly behind the scenes. Our long-standing relationships throughout the regions we feature allow us to maintain the level of quality our name represents. When you travel with Secret Italia Tours, you are not simply booking a holiday.
You are placing your time and trust in a team that stands behind every element of your journey. We take that responsibility seriously, so you can relax, explore with confidence, and experience the Mediterranean as it was meant to be lived.
Trust the Locals!!!
Our Amazing Office Staff Get to know the locals
Aldo Founder at Secret Italia Tours
Nearly fifteen years ago, Aldo Valerio set out on an overseas career adventure that would shape the rest of his life. More than two decades later, he looks back with absolute certainty — it was the best decision he ever made.
Driven by a deep passion for travel and cultural discovery, Aldo has personally explored countless destinations around the world. This hands-on experience is the foundation of Secret Italia Tours and the reason behind its carefully curated, authentic itineraries.
“I know that we offer the very best tour experiences because we’ve personally visited every country we feature. Our clients are special too — they share our appreciation for everything that makes these destinations truly extraordinary.”
Aldo brings exceptional organizational and managerial expertise to every journey, ensuring that Secret Italia Tours consistently delivers the highest level of service. After many years working abroad, he felt it was finally time to turn his vision into reality — and Secret Italia Tours became the dream that came true.
Katrin Operations Manager at Secret Italia Tours
A true gem at Secret Italia Tours, Katrin plays an invaluable role behind the scenes, ensuring every journey runs seamlessly from start to finish. With extensive experience in the tourism industry, she brings confidence, efficiency, and exceptional attention to detail to everything she does. Katrin’s strong organizational skills, combined with her natural problem-solving ability, mean she can handle anything we throw her way — always with a great sense of humour and genuine passion for Secret Italia Tours.
She holds a degree in languages and has travelled extensively throughout Europe, giving her a deep understanding of cultures, destinations, and guest expectations. Friendly, sociable, and wonderfully engaging, Katrin is delightful company and an incredible source of local knowledge, insider tips, and practical advice that only a true local can provide. When she’s not working her magic for our guests, Katrin enjoys swimming in the sea, listening to music, and relaxing with a good book whenever time allows.
And of course, her strong character plays a vital role in keeping Aldo’s boundless enthusiasm perfectly balanced!
Manuela Travel Concierge at Secret Italia Tours
The charming Manuela is a new addition to our office staff,a travel enthusiast from Milan, Italy. Throughout her six years working as a travel agent, she had the memorable opportunity to travel around the world, visiting and learning new and different cultures.In 2013, ready for a big life change, Manuela moved to Australia, where she lived for nearly 10 years.It was a great base to explore “the opposite side of the world”.Besides travel,her passions are music, theater, and hiking.On another note, she is also a foodie,despite not being the best cook, but always open to trying something new everywhere she goes.Now, she is back to Europe to start a new chapter of her life with Secret Italia Tours as travel consultant. The goal of her career is to make customers happy, ensuring that they are satisfied, and give them all the support they deserve.”
Julianna Operations Specialist & Content Writer at Secret Italia Tours
Julianna brings a strong background in hospitality and travel writing to Secret Italia Tours, where she serves as the voice behind the company’s editorial content and communications. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, she understands the rhythm of travel from both the operational and guest perspectives. Having recently returned to her hometown of Marietta, Ohio, along the banks of the Ohio River, Julianna approaches Mediterranean travel with both an insider’s understanding of European culture and an American traveler’s awareness of expectations. When she is not writing, she is likely watching football, cheering faithfully for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and planning her next cultural deep dive abroad.
Our Amazing Tour Directors Over 18 Years Experience
Paola Tour director in Sardinia & Corsica
Paola is a passionate and experienced tour director who brings the Mediterranean to life through her deep local knowledge, warm personality, and impeccable organization. Born and raised in Sardinia, Paola has an intimate connection with the island’s traditions, landscapes, and culture — and she delights in sharing its hidden gems with travelers from around the world. Paola is also fully involved in the study of Sardinian longevity, one of the world’s renowned “Blue Zones.” Her deep interest in the island’s lifestyle, nutrition, traditions, and community values adds a unique and fascinating dimension to every journey. Guests benefit from firsthand insight into the secrets behind Sardinia’s remarkable long-living population — from local food culture to daily rhythms of life. Known for her attentive care, infectious enthusiasm, and ability to make every guest feel like part of the family, Paola embodies the spirit of Secret Italia Tours — travel that is personal, meaningful, and beautifully curated.
Pedro Tour guide in Portugal
Pedro will show you the magic of Portugal through the passion, enthusiasm and love for his country. Since early ages Pedro showed interest for travelling throughout Europe. Once out of the Tourism University and many years of studies, Pedro started working as a Local Guide through Portugal and Spain sharing his knowledge and passion for history, art, gastronomy and wine. Pedro’s primary concern is to make sure everything goes smoothly so your vacation can be enjoyed to the fullest and create memories that will be cherished forever. By the way, Pedro sings wonderfully the Fado...
Luigi Tour Director in Italy
Luigi, a proud native of Sicily, brings passion, authenticity, and deep local knowledge to every journey he leads. With years of experience guiding travelers through Italy’s most captivating regions, Luigi offers an insider’s perspective that goes far beyond the guidebooks. In 2026, he will be leading unforgettable tours through Sicily and Puglia for Secret Italia Tours, sharing the rich history, vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and extraordinary cuisine that make southern Italy so special. Warm, engaging, and deeply connected to his roots, Luigi ensures every guest experiences Italy not just as a visitor, but as an honored friend.
Jelena Tour Director in Croatia & Slovenia
Jelena is a new addition to our tour guide overseas team. She is native of Dubrovnik and has a great love and knowledge of her beautiful Croatia. Jelena will take you on an unforgettable journey throughout this beautiful country, travelling backroads and make you feel like local. On a personal note, you will be fascinated by her ability of storytelling. She will give you something to keep in your heart and write home about. Majority of the time Jelena loves to spend time in and guide through Yugoslavia and Italy. Not to mention, as half Italian, she enjoys finding out the best places to eat
Antonia Tour Director in the Northern Italian Lakes District
Antonia lives near the wonderful Lake Garda, the biggest lake of Italy and has been working as a tour guide for over 20 years. She loves her job and showing the attractions of this incredibly beautiful country. Her greatest passion is travelling and in her free time she loves cycling and hiking. She looks forward meeting you all in the North of Italy to tour together the fantastic scenery of the lakes!
Rosaria Tour Director in Sicily
The lovely and charming Rosaria is a native of Catania and has worked in tourism as tour director for the last 13 years for major UK and USA tour operators. Her bright personality brought her to live in London for several years where she attended travel and tourism courses and achieved important qualifications in teaching English as a foreign language to Italian students. Rosaria loves meeting Secret Italia guests, showing them the beauty of her beloved Sicily or “Sicilia” as she keeps saying. Her humor and bubbly personality is infectious, and this is testified by long records of excellent reviews from our repeat guests.
Sarah Tour Director in Italy & Malta
Alessia Tour Director in Italy
Alessia is a new entry to the team, bringing with her a deep passion for travel and language learning. She speaks five foreign languages, which allows her to connect meaningfully with people and cultures across the globe. A Mediterranean girl at heart, Alessia is naturally drawn to destinations touched by the warm sea and rich culinary traditions—especially Italy and Greece, where most of her tours take place. She loves introducing others to local customs and helping them fully immerse themselves in the experience. “When my clients smile, I know I’m doing something right — and that the food is probably amazing!”. Join Alessia in discovering the bst of Italy through the eyes of a real local!!
