Ciao! My name is Antonio

I transform your idea into your ideal

itinerary, with perfectly positioned stops

to help you make the most

of your time in Italy.

At ExpertoItaly, I show you the real Italy, the one beyond the tick-box sights and the follow-the-crowd itineraries. I create tailormade Italian travel plans based on your own interests, and with inside information and authentic experiences you won’t get from off-the-shelf Italian travel packages.

I grew up in Italy and have been crafting Italian trips for customers (many of whom are now friends) for more than a decade. I’ve travelled all over my country, from the mountains in the north, to the islands in the south, and all the major cities in between.

Authentic Italian Travel – Designed By Italians

As an Italian travel agent, I’ve carefully selected the best and most interesting places. I’ll send you to the charming city hotels where you’ll be treated like a member of the family and to villages where you’ll be on first-name terms with the café owner in a matter of minutes.

 

Whether it’s your first or 10th Italian vacation, I can show you where to go in Italy to see a side of country that most visitors rarely experience – while also giving you the inside scoop on how to do the unmissable sights the right way and where to go for the off-the-beaten-track experiences you can only get in Italy.

I’ve developed many sample Italian itineraries as inspiration, but in reality, I prefer to tailor-make every trip, based on your individual interests.

 

Perhaps you’d like to zip along the dramatic Amalfi Coast in southern Italy before diving into the warm blue waters of the Cilento National Park for a romantic holiday in Italy.

 

Or maybe you’re an art-lover and drawn to the emotive paintings of 16th-century artist Caravaggio. I’ll show you where to see his works without the crowds in the churches and smaller museums of Rome, Naples and Florence.

 

Coming with the family? Pile into a sprawling villa in Sicily with direct beach access. Explore the island’s charming medieval towns and its active volcano in the mornings, then lap up cones of gelato on the seashore in the afternoons before dinners at home or at the local trattoria.

 

Want mountain highs with a dash of city life? I’ll take you to the cultured city of Verona, then up to some of the most beautiful peaks in Europe.

 

If you don’t want to drive, I have many itineraries that mean you never need to get behind the wheel of a car, using trains, bicycles and boats to explore the country instead.

 

Whatever your interest or needs – even if it’s as simple as “I want to go to Italy, but I don’t know where to start” – I can help. Travelling with me, you’ll avoid the rip-offs and tourist traps while seeing the best my country has to offer.

 

Many of my customers come back to me time and again to arrange their holiday in Italy, but if we’ve never spoken before, just drop me a line.

 

I’ll create an itinerary based on your interests with no obligation. Nothing makes me happier than helping people discover the warmth and beauty of Italy.

What our customers say

Victor Dermendjiev
Victor Dermendjiev
19:27 08 Jan 23
We had an amazing honeymoon, thank you so much for organising a great... break!We were in Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Everything went according to plan.Our driver was waiting at the airport on arrival and got us to Leon's Place in good time. What a beautiful hotel with amazing decor, we really enjoyed our stay and used an open top bus to get round for three days!The high speed train to Naples was great. We got a cab at Naples to Chiaja de Charme, which was a good thing, as the drivers are mad, especially those on scooters! The location of Chiaja de Charme was ideal, not as grand as Leon's Place, but a perfect base for a short stay. We wandered up the main shopping street and also had a lovely evening meal down by the harbour/castle. We also took advantage of the open top tours for the best part of half a day, and enjoyed the complimentary pastries in the late afternoon/evening at Chiaja de Charme!Picking up the car at the airport was stress free, and the drive down to Relais Blu through Sorrento was straight forward, although we wondered if we'd ever reach Relais Blu. When we did - wow - stunning, spectacular views, amazing place, and even the photos on their website which were fantastic don't do the place justice. By far the best hotel we have ever stayed at - helped by great weather for the first three days there and the amazing backdrop and view of Capri (which we visited and enjoyed). They looked after us, a bottle of bubbly in our room on arrival, chef's specials lined up on silver spoons on a slate plate, along with great advice where to go, where to eat and how to make the best of our stay. We spent a lot of time in Sorrento, which is lovely, and also visited Pompei, took a drive over to Positano and Amalfi, and left with a sad heart.All in all, a truly memorable experience, fantastic memories (plus over 1500 photos) and unforgettable, a perfect honeymoon break, so a massive thank you for organising and advising. We've already decided to return to Rome and Relais Blu in the future, and would not hesitate to come back to you to help with our itinerary.read more
Sam Humpston
Sam Humpston
12:43 27 Sep 22
Antonio booked our honeymoon in 2012 and we had an amazing visit to Rome,... Naples and Sorrento. He was the obvious choice to organise our 10th wedding anniversary and came up absolute trumps with an itinerary including Naples and Ischia.Two amazing hotels, the Caruso Place bang in the heart of Naples with shops, restaurants, attractions within very close walking distance. On the stunningly beautiful island of Ischia the Botania Relais Hotel and Spa was amazing and exceptional on every level. Beautiful setting and great facilities, wonderful pool, restaurants on site, food excellent and very helpful staff (as were the team at Caruso Place). Grazie mille Antonio!read more
Mark Stimpson
Mark Stimpson
16:10 18 Sep 22
We have just returned from a holiday in Sorrento and Ischia, organised by... Antonio/ExpertoItaly.We went away to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, so although we have spent many family vacations in and around Sorrento and know the area very well, we sought Antonio’s help to arrange something really special. He succeeded!Antonio listened carefully to our objectives, carefully steered us away from ideas that wouldn’t have worked and suggested things that we would not have thought of ourselves - from attending a wonderfully entertaining Three Tenors concert in Sorrento to staying at the enchanting Botania Relais & Spa on Ischia.He was always readily available before and during the holiday to discuss and adjust details. For example, when we decided - at late notice - to spend the final day of the holiday in Naples, en route from Ischia to the airport, Antonio arranged for us to leave our luggage in storage at a hotel there while we explored the city.Congratulazioni, Antonio - hai colpito la palla fuori dal parco!read more
Susan Binnersley
Susan Binnersley
06:38 15 Aug 22
Antonio and Expert to Italy planned, organised and executed a truly excellent... and magical holiday experience for us. They understood our brief, suggested a wonderful itinerary that met our brief completely and all of the destinations exceeded our already high expectations (this was our 3rd holiday with Expert to Italy). We particularly appreciated the following:- Local insight and understanding to suggest places we had never heard of and that gave us a real taste of Italy- Commitment to proactively suggest and amend details of our holiday even when it was fully booked and paid for- The personal relationship Antonio clearly has with the hotels we visited- Attention to detail and all arrangements considered to ensure we could relax to the maximumWe thank you for a wonderful holiday experience.read more
Sonia Marr
Sonia Marr
12:02 01 Aug 22
Outstanding service from Antonio and his team. Thank you for a holiday we will... never forget.read more
David Freedman
David Freedman
16:57 29 Jun 22
Antonio is the best travel agent we have ever worked with. without question. ... He helped to plan our somewhat complicated Italian road trip and really took on board what we wanted (in terms of itinerary, type of hotels, etc). He did a fantastic job at rearranging our trip twice as a result of the Covid pandemic and, when the time finally came that we could go ahead, he was full of great suggestions for places to visit, scenic routes to take, things not to miss, places to eat, etc. He was also in touch with us while we were away and was incredibly proactive, re-booking a restaurant that he had previously booked for us when he found out it was going to be closed, and proactively booking 3 (excellent!) restaurants at Lake Como when he realised that everywhere was getting booked up quickly. We can't thank him enough for providing such a great service and ensuring we had a really marvellous holiday.read more
Helen Ward
Helen Ward
14:22 28 Jun 22
We have been on three lovely holidays arranged by ExpertoItaly. Our hotels have... always been well-chosen and we get great advice about where to stay and places to visit. Antonio listens carefully to our requirements and reacts positively to questions and comments.read more
Michele Quastel
Michele Quastel
13:29 01 Jun 22
An intriguing part of a much loved country that I had... undiscovered.ExpertoItaly - Antonio was attentive, helpful and meticulous at every turn. A fabulous support in navigating new territories. Truly an expert and nothing is ever too much trouble. Appreciated and highly recommended.read more
Anj
Anj
10:07 25 May 22
Antonio was a huge help in planning our big trip to Italy. He listened to what... we wanted, what was important to us and factored it all into the plan. We had the best trip. The hotels were lovely and well located. Throughout our trip Antonio was available on WhatsApp if we had any queries or needed advice. We definitely had a better holiday because of his support. If you want to experience Italy and get great inside tips speak to Antonio!read more
Rachel Jenkins
Rachel Jenkins
13:20 09 May 22
My friend and I have just had a stunning holiday in Italy, all organised by... Antonio. All the travel arrangements (we went by train from London to Paris, Turin, Florence, Siena and further south to Foligno) went like clockwork, and we stayed in simply beautiful palazzos, with glorious comfortable rooms , conveniently situated for the sightseeing we had planned. The palazzo staff/owners were very welcoming, extremely helpful in booking restaurants and taxis, printing entry tickets for cathedrals etc . Having Antonio make the arrangements took all the stress out of the holiday planning, and he remained in contact in case any difficulties were to arise. This was my second holiday organised by Antonio, the first being equally successful taking my 90 year old mother in 2017 to Venice and Florence, and my friend and I are now starting to think about the next one!read more
Suzanne Sendel Agency Canada
Suzanne Sendel Agency Canada
07:46 05 May 22
Being a single woman, traveling the globe for trade fairs in my industry, and... never quite knowing where to stay and how to attain the best experience, ExpertoItaly was recommended to me by a colleague in the UK and I am thrilled to share that this was the best investment I could have made.To my amazement, this company spent countless hours supporting my travels, mapping out my routes, train stops, airlines, restaurants, shops, and more to inspire the most remarkable trip! Always available, with the most dedicated support, I can't begin to tell you how this made my travels the most remarkable experience~!I was abroad for 13 days for both business and pleasure and I could have never had the experience I did without the support, patience, kindness, and knowledge of this company. As I traveled, I spoke with innkeepers, restaurant owners, and many who knew this company from previous engagements and always smiled when I mentioned their company. This to me is stellar as I knew that I was in the right care.I will certainly refer and promote EXPERTOITALY to many of my colleagues, friends, and family because everyone deserves to travel the world and feel safe, and secure and have the best itinerary to explore as they travel! Much gratitude to EXPERTOITALY, I will be forever grateful and you can count on my business in the future!For corporate or family travel, this company will ensure your best experience. BRAVO!!!read more
Blake D
Blake D
15:43 21 Sep 21
We loved our week in Villa Lighea booked through Expertoitaly. If you are... looking for a romantic, water-front cottage, this is it. We swam in the sea every day.It’s a bit remote from the major cities of Sicily but we hadn’t planned a lot of sightseeing. We ate at a few great restaurants but mostly cooked at the villa. Great weather and warm water in September.Antonio was easy to work with and flexible when we had to reschedule due to COVID. We would book with him again.read more
Simon Liddle
Simon Liddle
18:07 25 Oct 20
Antonio arranged a great two weeks in Campania for us this year. It was... excellent to get to places that were quiet, smart and friendly. Everything worked just right, even this crazy year. Previously he has sorted us out a car tour of Sicily, two return visits to that lovely island, and breaks in the bay of Naples. We had done quite a lot of Italy under our own steam, but ExpertoItaly really are experts with a fantastic set of choices , and you get a great personal service. We will be back again next year.read more
William Jackson
William Jackson
15:37 13 Aug 20
Outstanding service, advice and organisation of our holiday combined with an... intimate understanding and knowledge of places to stay and see.go no further.read more
andrew Smith
andrew Smith
16:49 02 Aug 20
Expertoitaly (and Antonio) first came to our attention in 2014 when we were... planning a celebratory trip to Italy for 2015. Although we approached a number of household names about our plans and itinerary by e-mail Antonio immediately stood out. He phoned back almost straight away to get to know something about us and what we liked to do.On the back of that discussion he quickly put together a trip and budget. Given his obvious knowledge of the country and his quick grasp of what we were looking for together with the attention to detail it was a 'no brainer' to put our trust in this company. As a consequence we duly enjoyed a 3 week multi-stop trip in July 2015 tailored to suit us perfectly!On return we almost immediately booked to return in October for a short break to 2 of the locations in Tuscany we particularly enjoyed - Lucca and Montepulciano both of which are delightful.We fell in love with Italy and have returned several times since then all courtesy of Antonio:2016 - A short break to attend the Opera in Verona.2017 - 2 weeks in Sicily2018 - the same - we love Sicily and would urge anyone to go. (where we finally got to meet Antonio in Ragusa which was great)We were due to return to Italy this year for a 3 week road trip - albeit with private transfers rather than actual driving - from Verona to just south of Naples - all immaculately put together by Antonio of course. Alas Covid-19 had different ideas.We can only say that Expertoitaly have dealt with this professionally and as speedily as circumstances allowed and have refunded all the monies. We have no reservations about using them again in the future. In fact Antonio is already on standby to reprise the 'lost' trip as soon as this madness ends and unhindered travel becomes possible again - just extended an improved.Andrew & Susan SmithTadworthSurreyread more
Jane Domb
Jane Domb
17:12 28 Aug 19
If you are looking to go to Italy for a holiday, Antonio at Experto Italy is... amazing. We have just come back from our fourth holiday he has arranged for us. He sent us to places that days of googling would never have found.He also has a knack of keeping to budget even with my numerous demands!Fabulous fabulous!!read more
Debbie Law
Debbie Law
11:10 27 Aug 19
Just returned from a fab trip to Italy - all organised by Antonio. His time... and effort to get what was just right for us was amazing.. he had a lot to put up with! We have used Expertoitaly before and will do again.We visited Ischia and Naples. Both very different and wonderful. Ischia is perfect for a good rest (visits to the Giardini La Mortella and the Ravino Gardens are a must). The Gardens & Villas Resort is a beautiful setting, very private, calm with amazing staff. Also the little town of Lacco Ameno has some really nice restaurants. Naples was very HOT! but we still managed to spend 7 hours walking about just soaking up the atmosphere and visiting some of the fantastic historic sights. Visit to the underground roman town is well worth it - it is mind boggling to think it was built thousands of years ago.read more
julie frenchman
julie frenchman
09:16 09 Jul 19
This is the third occasion that Antonio has organised an Italian holiday for... me. As it was a Birthday celebration involving a party of 10, the arrangements were complex, involving a villa, guides and attendance at the Palio on July 2nd. Without exception everything went exactly as planned. The recommended villa on the Montestigliano Estate, south west of Siena, was wonderful. Our guide made sure we had a full understanding of the history and culture of the Palio which meant that, with a spectacular view over the Campo from the apartment booked by Antonio, we were able to appreciate the event that much more.We shall certainly be going back to Italy with Expertoitaly.read more
Kay James
Kay James
12:08 03 May 19
We had an amazing trip organised by Antonio, we visited Naples for a few days... then stayed in Sant’ Agata. Both hotels had fabulous amenities and restaurants. The trip was effortless and everything was meticulously arranged. Antonio was also on had for anything we needed during the trip.I would definitely recommend Expert to Italy and we will definitely use this company again in the futureread more
Grant Stupart
Grant Stupart
18:31 16 Aug 18
Antonio with his meticulous planning and caring service has been solely... responsible for the best Italian holidays we have had. His ability to offer excellent hotel accommodation which provides for every need and requirement is second to none . Hotels that are not main stream , that provide high quality of service in excellent locations are one of Antonio’s strength. It’s great to have a provider that know and understands his market. Grant B Stupartread more
Jonathan May
Jonathan May
18:06 01 Aug 18
July 2018_________________________________Have just completed another 10 day... holiday arranged by Antonio at Expert to Italy. We went with Antonio's suggestion and spent 2 days at Matera and then the remainder in Pisciotta in the Cilento. Matera was amazing and felt completely different to anywhere else we have been in Italy. We loved Pisciotta and the hotel was wonderful with lovely owners who were great at suggesting things to do. We visited a buffalo farm, a vinyard and tooks boats to isolated coves with lovely clear water. All arrangements were absolutely faultless. We would never have found such lovely places without Antonio!2016_________________________________We have just returned from a fantastic holiday suggested no arranged by ExpertTo Italy. Once again the organisation by Antonio was flawless and everything worked perfectly. We spent 5 nights by lake Maggiore and 3 in Cogne in the Italian Alps. Both hotels and locations were fantastic - particularly the Bellvue in Cogne. Please see trip advisor if interested in the hotels as I will give a more specific review there - I'm not a fanatic reviewer but both really deserve it. We have used this company for the past 5 years and Antonio seems to have a real gift for finding fantastic hotels and matching locations to his clients. I would not usually put the level of trust in anyone to arrange holidays for me that I have with Antonio but he has delivered every time and I can unreservedly recommend his services. Italy is a beautiful country with huge variety - if you describe what you like to Antonio and let him make suggestions then you will not be disappointed. Very definitely 5 stars from me. So - Antonio and team, please keep it up!Jonread more
Amanda Chapman
Amanda Chapman
22:28 25 Aug 17
Antonio delivered more than expected! Our family of four stayed at two... beautiful villa's on the Amalfi Coast. Both of the locations were top class. Antonio provided excellent service and was always available if we had questions about the details of our trip. He was easy to work with and we would recommend his services to others traveling to Italy.read more
Susan Davidson
Susan Davidson
09:04 19 Jun 17
This was our second holiday with ExpertoItaly, and it was just as good as the... first! Antonio provided us with fast, efficient and personal attention. His choice of hotels was first class. Real attention to detail means that you get a holiday that really suits your personal requirements. Brilliant!read more
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
09:36 09 Jul 16
We have just made an amazing journey by train, taxi, boat and bus through... France, a night in Paris, then a night on a mountain in Switzerland, train across the alps on the Bernina Express, 5 days on Lake Como and 6 days on Lake Maggiore. We stayed in the most glorious quality hotels. We made visits to local towns and attractions using buses and boats. Every connection on the journey was planned and executed wonderfully.This is 5 star planning, 5 star service, 5 star experience all personally organised by Antonio at ExpertoItaly. We must never forget the James Bond moment of being whisked across Como by Luca in his luxury Taxiboat from Varenna to the Hotel Filario in Lezzeno with Pavarotti as our musical accompaniment then met on the jetty by a lovely suited receptionist. A dream. Thanks Antonio.See views from our rooms Como then Maggiore.read more
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ONE-STOP SHOP FOR YOUR HOLIDAY TO ITALY

I don’t just create an itinerary and leave you to it. From the moment you book with ExpertoItaly, I handle whatever you need. Just think of me as your personal Italian travel guide.

 

After we finalise your itinerary, I can book your flights, hotels, car, trains and other essential elements. Plus, I can act as your concierge, booking tickets to sights, operas, festivals and events, and making your restaurant and winery reservations.

 

When you arrive, if you need help with anything while you’re there, I’m at the end of the phone, text, WhatsApp or email. It’s always helpful to have someone you know available if you need urgent assistance with the unexpected, whether it’s dealing with the local police over a parking ticket or advice on how to get into a famous museum without waiting in the hour-long line.

 

Because you’re a guest of ExpertoItaly, you’ll discover that hotel and restaurant owners will give you special attention, too, and will share their Italian travel tips.

Meet the Italian Experts

Antonio Cresce, Italian travel planner

Born in Turin in northern Italy, I grew up right by the Alps and developed a love of mountain life early on. After finishing school, I worked in ski chalets in the winter, Italian beach resorts in summer, and travelled the world – and my home country – in between. Apart from Italy, I’ve also spent a great deal of time in the USA and Japan.

 

After working for travel companies for a decade, I developed ExpertoItaly as a specialist Italian travel agent in 2011. My goal is to help clients experience the best of Italy through the eyes of a local.

 

I now divide my time between Italy – mainly Turin – and London, where I live with my daughter. And every time I go back to Italy, I’m reminded of just how special my country is. It packs such a variety of landscapes, cultural heritage and gastronomic experiences into a relatively compact area. No wonder it’s one of the most popular travel destinations on earth.

 

I still love nothing more than creating a trip that I know will give a customer not only what they want, but will also delight them with unexpected discoveries along the way.

 

My secret escape

 

“I adore the seaside village of Pisciotta on the Cilento coast in southern Italy. It’s packed with wonderful restaurants, has magnificent beaches, a unique hotel – Marulivo, which was created from a converted monastery – and the most charming locals. Stay a week and you’ll be adopted by the villagers as one of their own.”

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Vittorio Sciosia, photographer & researcher

As a professional photographer, I’m always travelling around Italy photographing hotels, restaurants, towns and villages. You might have seen my pictures in Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic and The Times.

 

Italy is full of so many special places that it seems like there’s always somewhere new to discover. I grew up in Milan and Naples, but now my home is in the beautiful coastal town of Livorno in Tuscany.

 

The Tuscan landscape is incredible, like poetry, and the people put a lot of effort into maintaining it. Of course, that’s true of so many places in Italy, and I love exploring all of it, from the Alps right down to the Amalfi Coast and out to the islands.

 

On my travels, when I find places I think Antonio’s customers will love – whether it’s a charming family-run hotel or a medieval hilltop village – I let him know. I see myself as his second pair of eyes on the ground.

 

My job also takes me around the world and you can follow all my travels on www.vittoriosciosia.com

 

My favourite photography trick

 

”No matter which camera you use – even if it’s just your phone – the right lighting will improve your image. And the good news is that you don’t need expensive equipment. You just need to time it right.

 

We get such gloriously strong sunlight in Italy, which makes our landscapes look so vibrant in real life, but can make photographs look harsh or washed out.

 

But the light we get for the hour around sunrise and around sunset is ideal. It gives a wonderfully atmospheric image, with the light casting a soft glow and the shadows providing a gentle contrast, so you get a perfect shot, whether you’re taking a picture of coasts, mountains, countryside or cities.”

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